Lorcana's "Format Coconut" Sails into Commander-Style Multiplayer

Disney Lorcana has been making waves since its debut, and now, at Gen Con 2026, Ravensburger has pulled back the curtain on something truly exciting for its growing community: a brand-new multiplayer format, currently known by the playful codename “Format Coconut.” Right from the jump, it’s clear this isn't just another way to play; it’s a direct, Disney-fied response to the wildly popular Commander format from Magic: The Gathering, and it’s already got the community buzzing. Playtesting kicked off this week, promising a more expressive, casual, and downright thematic experience for groups of players.

Emulating a Giant: Commander's Influence

For those who haven't delved into the vast world of Magic: The Gathering, Commander is an absolute phenomenon. It takes the traditional 1v1 competitive trading card game (TCG) experience and flips it on its head. Instead of just trying to dwindle your opponent's 20 life, Commander typically features four players, each starting with 40 life, and a massive 100-card singleton deck – meaning you can only have one copy of each card, with the exception of basic lands. The ultimate twist is that you select one “legendary” creature as your Commander, which dictates the colors you can use in your deck and serves as your central strategy. It's renowned for its casual, expressive gameplay, focusing less on cutthroat competition and more on epic, unique interactions among friends. Lorcana's co-creator Ryan Miller clearly took notes, acknowledging in a recent blog post that the allure of Commander’s communal play and freedom from overwhelming competitive metas is exactly what they’re aiming to capture with Coconut.

Cracking the Coconut: Lorcana's Unique Twist

So, how does Lorcana's “Format Coconut” stack up against its inspiration? It’s explicitly designed for more than two players, immediately hitting that sweet spot for casual multiplayer gatherings. Like Commander, it raises the stakes by requiring a higher Lore threshold to win, akin to Magic's increased life totals. Deck construction also mirrors Commander's singleton approach, meaning your 60+ card deck will be full of unique choices. The biggest distinction, however, lies in the “Commander” equivalent itself. Since Lorcana doesn't have a direct “legendary creature” type, players instead select a special “Coconut” card from a preselected list of 18 beta characters. Here’s where it gets clever: you don't keep your Coconut card in a separate Command Zone. Instead, you include four copies of your chosen Coconut card directly into your deck. This change, while subtle, could significantly impact how frequently you access your key character and how you strategize around them throughout a game.

Beyond the Basics: Special Abilities & Deckbuilding Flexibility

Ravensburger isn't just copying a formula; they’re infusing it with that distinct Disney magic. Each of the beta Coconut cards comes with an extra special ability that only activates when playing in Format Coconut. Take Moana - Curious Explorer from the Winterspell set, for instance. Her base ability lets you ink cards from your discard pile, a solid ramp engine. But in Coconut, she gains the power to ink an additional card per turn if you have a Moana, Heihei, or Pua character in play. This immediately signals a clear thematic deck direction. Deckbuilding also expands, allowing for three ink types instead of the usual two, though one of them must match your chosen Coconut card. This opens up a world of possibilities for synergistic combinations and creative builds, ensuring your chosen Disney hero (or even a villain!) truly dictates your strategy.

A Splash of Flavor: Embracing Disney Thematics

What truly sets “Format Coconut” apart is its deep commitment to thematic play. The design choices actively encourage players to “roleplay” their chosen characters through their decks. Moana's extra ability, for example, naturally steers you towards a Moana-themed deck, focusing on her animal companions and her connection to her family. Similarly, Snow White - Merry as Morning wants you to gather all seven dwarves to unlock her full potential. Ariel - Spectacular Singer thrives when your princesses belt out tunes, while Pocahontas - Peacekeeper boosts lore gained from questing characters. This isn't just about optimal card choices; it’s about crafting a narrative with your deck, celebrating the essence of these beloved Disney and Pixar characters. Whether you want to build a Nick Wilde - Wily Fox deck packed with Pawpsicles and other cunning items, or a Robin Hood - Sneaky Sleuth deck ready to pepper foes with arrows, the format encourages unique, flavorful strategies over rigid, highly optimized “netdecked” competitive lists.

Early Tides, Promising Seas

It's important to remember that “Format Coconut” is still in its beta phase, a codename for a concept being playtested at Gen Con 2026. This means things could change, rules could be tweaked, and the roster of Coconut cards might evolve before its official launch. But even in these early days, the potential is undeniable. Co-creator Ryan Miller, alongside co-designer Steve Warner, imagined group play from the very beginning, and this format is their elevated answer to that vision. If the reception at Gen Con and beyond is anything like Commander's meteoric rise, then “Format Coconut” could very well become the definitive, most popular way for many to enjoy Disney Lorcana. It offers a breath of fresh air, a welcoming casual environment, and a brilliant way to lean into the rich storytelling that Disney is known for.

FAQ

Q: What is "Format Coconut" in Disney Lorcana?

A: "Format Coconut" is the codename for Disney Lorcana's new multiplayer format, designed for more than two players. It's inspired by Magic: The Gathering's popular Commander format, featuring singleton decks, a higher Lore threshold to win, and special "Coconut" character cards that define your deck's strategy and gain unique abilities in the format.

Q: How is "Format Coconut" different from Magic: The Gathering's Commander?

A: While sharing many similarities like multiplayer gameplay and singleton decks, Coconut differs by having "Coconut" cards placed within your 60+ card deck (four copies) instead of a separate Command Zone. It also allows three ink types (one matching your Coconut card) and grants Coconut cards unique, extra abilities specifically for this format, emphasizing thematic character-driven play.

Q: What kind of cards can be "Coconut" cards?

A: "Coconut" cards are chosen from a preselected assortment of 18 beta cards, all featuring prominent Disney and Pixar figures, often protagonists or key villains. These characters are already designed as "build-around" cards with strong abilities, and they gain additional special abilities when used in Format Coconut.