If something specific like a portfolio or playmat has a lot of appeal, however, it might still be best to pay careful attention to the release dates
Cloud Strife Najeela, the Blade-Blossom is pretty mid to be honest
Starter decks are a great way to pick up and play Lorcana, but they're also the beginning of a collection, and some decks have incredibly useful, meta-defining cards in them that will save you from having to buy a lot of singles
Not only that, this card has a good amount of willpower and lore-generating capability too, since each quest gets you three lore, so it can tank some damage and still help you win the game.
That's amazing card draw, ramp and size on a cheap dork too
Though this card also has the Reckless ability, meaning that it cannot be used to quest and must challenge, its an excellent pick for the early game as it can help keep your opponent from finding a foothold with weaker characters