The Upside | Happy Questing

Andrew Buchmann is joined by Upsiders Ben Ramos and Marquis Simmons for a packed episode of Happy Questing as they break down Ben’s Top 8 finish at the Las Vegas CCQ during Level Up Expo.Ben walks through his tournament prep, his Emerald/Sapphire list, the matchups he faced, the pressure of Day Two, and the small in-game decisions that shaped his Top 8 run. From testing against Dogs all week only to dodge them completely, to battling through a competitive field and reflecting on his Sapphire/Steel matchup, Ben gives an honest look at what it takes to compete at a high level in Disney Lorcana.The crew also talks about the energy of Level Up Expo, Ravensburger’s Illumineer's Quest activation, Stitch promos, casino luck, and the community moments that make Lorcana events so special.Then, the conversation shifts toward Set 12: Wilds Unknown, which introduces Toy Story to Disney Lorcana. Andrew, Ben, and Marquis share early thoughts on the new Toy archetypes, Jessie, Woody, Sid, Milo, Hercules, Lenny, Merida, Kida, Ruby/Sapphire possibilities, Infinity Format testing, and whether Ward may be making a serious comeback. With Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and the rest of the Toy Story crew entering the game, excitement for Wilds Unknown is already through the roof.Whether you’re chasing competitive finishes, brewing for Set 12, or just excited to see Toy Story finally arrive in Lorcana, this episode has plenty to quest about.

Luke Campbell joins the show after an impressive tournament run at PPG Pittsburgh, where he captured a 2.5K win with a Ruby Amethyst deck that caught plenty of players off guard. In this episode, Luke breaks down his matchups, the deck changes he made between events, and the specific card choices that helped him navigate a stacked field. The conversation also dives into the current Lorcana meta, why unconventional builds are starting to break through, and what competitive players can learn from testing, note-taking, and trusting their reads. It’s part tournament recap, part strategy session, and a great listen for anyone following the game at a high level.

We’re back, and recording from a brand-new home base: Clickstream Studios. In this episode of Happy Questing, Danny Tripodi, Andrew Buchmann, and Brandon Barba recap our trip to DLC Richmond, the wins, the whiffs, the prize wall grind, and the biggest lesson of all: you can’t control what your opponent queues into.From there, we zoom out on Set Champs season for Set 10: Whispers in the Well, what felt strong, what fell off, and what we learned about comfort picks vs. last-minute deck swaps.And because Winterspell pre-release is today (Feb 13), we dig into what’s next:Why we think aggro is about to surge, and how it might still get kept in checkThe Underdog mechanic and why “on the draw” just got way scarierThe cards we’re most excited (and worried) about: Grandmother Willow, Lilo support, John Smith, Raging Storm, Moana, and Danny’s personal crusade: Tod, finally an Emerald legendary worth believing inWhether Blue/Green control still has legs in a faster metaAnd a spicy rules corner: the deck-out rule change, the new damage language (deal/put/move/take), and why everyone suddenly needs to announce their actions like it’s courtPlus: travel stories, draft highlights, “VIP package” skepticism, and the usual Upsider chaos.Happy Questing!

This week on Happy Questing, Danny Tripodi is joined by Andrew Buchmann and Brandon Barba for a deep dive into the wild world of Set Championships. We break down Danny’s meta-busting Amber/Sapphire aggro deck that earned him another championship mat, dissect the rise of Ruby/Emerald discard decks shaking up Central NY, and call out some of the event logistics that need fixing (read the rulebook, people!).But it’s not all decklists and top cuts—we also get real about tournament burnout, learning from losses, and finding joy in the grind. From slow play stigma to reprint fatigue and why best-of-two should make a comeback, this episode is part strategy, part therapy.If you’re prepping for your next championship run or just looking to stay grounded in the madness, this one’s for you.🗓️ Plus: Pre-release plans, community shoutouts, and Brandon's "Be a Goldfish" mindset tip.Happy Questing.

The boys are back! After a short hiatus, Danny, Andrew, and Brandon dive deep into all things Lorcana in this jam-packed episode of Happy Questing. From recapping the very first Lorcana World Championship to celebrating DKP’s big win (and his hilarious deck box hustle), we explore what this moment means for the community and how the competitive scene is evolving.We break down the upcoming Challenge Championship Qualifiers (CQs), year two DLC structure changes, and why third-party support might be the game-changer competitive players need. Plus, we share our personal Set Championship prep, deck dilemmas, and candid advice for players of all levels—including the importance of confidence, communication, and community at your local events.And yes, there’s plenty of laughs, bracket banter, and even a little Magic: The Gathering shade.Whether you're grinding for a top cut or just in it for the foil promos, this one’s for you.🎯 Topics Covered:Lorcana Worlds recap & DKP’s winTriple deck format + sealed gameplay takesRavensburger’s organized play roadmapThe future of third-party qualifiersSet Champs prep: deck choices & mind gamesTips for competitive play (and not losing your cool)Why this community matters more than ever✨ Come for the cardboard, stay for the camaraderie and remember, Happy Questing!

In this special tournament recap episode of Happy Questing, Danny Tripodi is joined by Upside co-founders Andrew Buchmann and Brandon Barba to relive every twist, turn, and top deck from The Upside’s first-ever $2K Lorcana tournament in Solvay, NY.From deck diversity and spicy top 8 tech, to unexpected mind games and tournament format insights, the crew breaks down what made this 30-player event unforgettable—including highlights from Ivan Annamaria’s championship run and why "for the players, by the players" wasn’t just a motto—it was the mission.You’ll hear about the meta breakdown, standout decklists, strategic plays, the power of best-of-two Swiss rounds, and how this grassroots effort united communities from across Upstate New York.Whether you're a seasoned Illumineer or just love a good underdog story, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In this episode of The Upside | Happy Questing, Andrew Buchmann and Brandon Barba are joined in the studio by Upside Team Member, Josh Adams, for a candid discussion on the timing of Lorcana set releases and how it collides with the competitive grind of Set Championships. They reflect on their recent trip to Encounter in PA, where the team faced tough matchups and only one player reached Top 8. The group also shares their thoughts on managing expectations, learning from tough losses, and how to keep the game fun even when the results don’t always go your way.Plus, hear all about The Upside’s upcoming 2K Tournament on June 14th at the Tyrol Club in Solvay, NY – a must-attend event for any serious Illumineer.Happy questing! 🌟

Join The Upside Team Co-Founders Danny Tripodi and Andrew Buchmann as they dive into all things Lorcana in this episode. They break down the latest Ravensburger announcements, including set rotations and fresh details on the highly anticipated Fabled set 9. Plus, they reflect on the highs and lows of recent Set Championships, share insights on competitive play, and preview The Upside's upcoming 2K tournament. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just curious about the world of Disney Lorcana, this episode has something for you!

On this episode of The Upside | Happy Questing, Danny, Brandon, and Andrew crack open Japanese Rise of the Floodborn packs and share stories from Andrew’s trip to Japan (and Star Wars Celebration!). They dive into the excitement around Return of Jafar, the future of Lorcana’s meta, dream cards they want to see, the potential for a Lorcana digital client, and a bit of lore deep-dive. Plus, big updates on the Upside 2K Tournament — including new sponsors and prize pool boosts!

In our debut episode, co-founders Danny Tripodi and Brandon Barba dive into the magic of Disney Lorcana and chat about our upcoming $1K tournament on June 14th. Danny and Brandon give their thoughts on the recent Hiram Flaversham and Fortisphere ban, and reflect on how they got into the game. Whether you're a Lorcana veteran or just curious, this is the perfect place to start your journey with us!