There are a lot of new cards from Whispers with on-play abilities that target a chosen character, so we really do think Ward gains value
One of the key features I find fascinating in the Emerald and Ruby starter deck is the ability to steal Lore away from your Lorcana opponent through cards like Steal From the Rich, Rapunzel, Letting Down Her Hair, and Aladdin, Street Rat
The Lorcana Gateway box literally holds back cards (gating them, if you will) that add new mechanics in, and sets you objectives to complete before you can unlock the new cards and mechanics that go with them
I think the deck will probably suck, but Gladiolus is probably good enough regardless of where the deck ends up
A release shares, The realm of Lorcana holds a great festival to celebrate its recent victory over Ursula, which concluded the previous set, Ursulas Return, filling the realm with fun and revelry