INKDEX
Lorcana Deck Archetype

Sapphire / SteelItem Control · Card draw + removal grind

One of the best control archetypes in Lorcana. Sapphire's card draw and items pair with Steel's banish actions to produce a deck that out-values, out-removes, and out-lasts almost any opponent. Finishers like Beast, Tragic Hero close games once the opposing board is empty. Premium price, premium results.

What each ink brings

Top cards from each ink

The pieces you'll see in nearly every Sapphire/Steel decklist. Click through for full card details and current prices.

The gameplan

Sapphire/Steel is a item control deck. The plan unfolds across the early, mid, and late game.

Sample 60-card decklist

A representative tournament-style shell. Quantities are starting points — most lists swap a few flex slots based on the local meta.

Estimated cost ~$267
Tier Premium
Total cards 60

Strengths & weaknesses

Strengths

  • Top tournament results
  • Card draw + removal is a brutal combination
  • Crushes value-based decks
  • Multiple finishers

Weaknesses

  • Slow start — vulnerable to fast aggro
  • Premium price tier
  • Vulnerable to item destruction (Steel mirrors)

Matchup notes

Rough guide to how Sapphire/Steel performs against the most common archetypes you'll meet at events.

Favored
vs Amber/Sapphire value — You out-card-draw the mirror-ish matchup.
Favored
vs Sapphire/Emerald tempo — Banish removes their key engine pieces.
Even
vs Amethyst/Steel control — Card draw vs disruption; tight games.
Even
vs Ruby/Sapphire ramp — Both ramp; their finishers vs your card draw.
Unfavored
vs Amber/Ruby aggro — Too fast for the value plan to set up.
Unfavored
vs Ruby/Amethyst burn — Direct damage skips your defensive plan.

Other ink combos to explore

Each of the 14 other dual-ink combinations has its own personality.