This thread being set up to answer certain questions that I've seen repeated across several threads. By placing them in 1 common area, this will allow everyone the chance to find some answers quickly and easily.
This thread will also be updated as necessary.
If you feel there is something that should be placed here, please drop me a line and I'll look into it.
Thanks in advance everyone! You're the reason why we're able to do this.
- Andrew
2) What cards can be activated during the Damage Step of the Battle Phase?
3) Which monsters have "Priority" when they are summoned to the field?
4) How can [MONSTER]'s effect be a Cost Effect if there is no cost to activate it?
5) If I tribute "Peten the Dark Clown" to summon "Jinzo", can't I remove "Peten" from play to Special Summon another one to the field?
6) Why does everyone on this site say that "Exiled Force" activates on the field when RONIN says "Exiled Force" activates in the Graveyard?
8) I hear a lot of talk that some cards will trigger Dark World Monsters and some won't. How do I know what cards will trigger Dark World Monsters?
This thread will also be updated as necessary.
If you feel there is something that should be placed here, please drop me a line and I'll look into it.
Thanks in advance everyone! You're the reason why we're able to do this.
- Andrew
1) Where can I find the official rulings on [CARD]/[SUBJECT]?
You can find the official Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Rulings here:
http://www.upperdeckentertainment.com/yugioh/en/gameplay/faqs/default.aspx
From there you will be able to find Game play rulings, Updated and Errata-ed Text on the cards, and specific rulings on specific cards in the game (FAQ).
There is also a mirror of this information on the Netrepâ„¢ API as well:
http://www.netrep.net
Updated/Errata-ed Card Text and specific card rulings can also be found there as well as through the RONIN software package:
http://www.roninpro.com
http://www.upperdeckentertainment.com/yugioh/en/gameplay/faqs/default.aspx
From there you will be able to find Game play rulings, Updated and Errata-ed Text on the cards, and specific rulings on specific cards in the game (FAQ).
There is also a mirror of this information on the Netrepâ„¢ API as well:
http://www.netrep.net
Updated/Errata-ed Card Text and specific card rulings can also be found there as well as through the RONIN software package:
http://www.roninpro.com
2) What cards can be activated during the Damage Step of the Battle Phase?
Currently, these are the cards and Monster Effects that can be activated during the Damage Step:
a) Spell and Trap cards that directly modify the ATK or DEF of a monster. This includes cards like "Castle Walls", "Reinforcements", "Rush Recklessly", "Mirror Wall", and "Limiter Removal".
b) Effects with text granting it timing only allowable in the Damage Step This includes cards like "Injection Fairy Lily", "Kinetic Soldier", "Nutrient Z" and "Inferno Tempest".
c) Counter Traps. This includes cards such as "Magic Jammer", "Trap Jammer", "Barrel Behind the Door", "Magic Drain", and "Divine Wrath".
d) A handful of cards do not fall into any of these categories. Yet they have rulings that indicate they are allowed to be used during the Damage Step. These are often referred to as exceptions to the rule and there is no clear cut explanation as to why, other then the infamous "because Konami said so". When trying to determine if a card is an exception to the above rules, please refer to the specific cards rulings. If it doesn't say it's an exception there, chances are it is not. Examples would be "Null and Void" and "Chthonian Blast".
b) Effects with text granting it timing only allowable in the Damage Step This includes cards like "Injection Fairy Lily", "Kinetic Soldier", "Nutrient Z" and "Inferno Tempest".
c) Counter Traps. This includes cards such as "Magic Jammer", "Trap Jammer", "Barrel Behind the Door", "Magic Drain", and "Divine Wrath".
d) A handful of cards do not fall into any of these categories. Yet they have rulings that indicate they are allowed to be used during the Damage Step. These are often referred to as exceptions to the rule and there is no clear cut explanation as to why, other then the infamous "because Konami said so". When trying to determine if a card is an exception to the above rules, please refer to the specific cards rulings. If it doesn't say it's an exception there, chances are it is not. Examples would be "Null and Void" and "Chthonian Blast".
3) Which monsters have "Priority" when they are summoned to the field?
Monsters NEVER have Priority. Only players do. Priority has not been "Officially" defined by Konami or UDE. For any questions relating to priority please do a search in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Rules Questions section of these forums and on the Official Judges List.
4) How can [MONSTER]'s effect be a Cost Effect if there is no cost to activate it?
In January 2005, the term "Cost Effect" was renamed "Ignition Effect" in order to provide a cleared picture as to what the effect is supposed to represent. Now, if "Multi-Trigger Effect" could be re-worded as well, all the effect types would be a bit clearer. Here is the explanation as to what each type of Effect Category really means:
a) Continuous Effect - This effect activates automatically when a monster is summoned to the field. Usually, these effects have the text "As long as this card is on the field..." (or something similar) or say something similar to "Increase/Decrease ATK/DEF for each [SOMETHING] [SOMEWHERE]".
b) Trigger Effect - This effect activates when a specific condition is met (such as being destroyed in battle, being [SOMEWHERE] during a certain phase, or being Summoned correctly). If the Effect has the word "can" as part of the effect (as in you can do something), then it is considered an Optional Effect as well and is subject to "Timing Issues" (See Question 5).
c) Multi-Trigger Effect - This is a manually activated effect that can be done during your opponent's turn as well as your own. These effects have a Spell Speed of 2, so they can be used in a chain with other Spell Speed 2 effects (like if someone targets your "Strike Ninja" with "Ring of Destruction", you can then chain "Strike Ninja"'s effect to remove himself from play until then End Phase.) These effects usually are clearly stated that you can use the effect during either player's turn. Also, if a monster has the ability to negate the activation of a Spell or Trap card (like "Dark Paladin", "Ryu Senshi", "Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8"), those are considered Multi-Trigger Effects as well.
d) Ignition Effect - If a monster has an effect that doesn't fall under one of the above 3 categories, it is placed here. These effects are manually activated, optional, Spell Speed 1 effects. That means they can only be activated during your Main Phase 1 or 2 and while they may start a chain, they may not be used in the middle of a chain. Because they are optional effects, they will never activate unless the player decides to activate them.
b) Trigger Effect - This effect activates when a specific condition is met (such as being destroyed in battle, being [SOMEWHERE] during a certain phase, or being Summoned correctly). If the Effect has the word "can" as part of the effect (as in you can do something), then it is considered an Optional Effect as well and is subject to "Timing Issues" (See Question 5).
c) Multi-Trigger Effect - This is a manually activated effect that can be done during your opponent's turn as well as your own. These effects have a Spell Speed of 2, so they can be used in a chain with other Spell Speed 2 effects (like if someone targets your "Strike Ninja" with "Ring of Destruction", you can then chain "Strike Ninja"'s effect to remove himself from play until then End Phase.) These effects usually are clearly stated that you can use the effect during either player's turn. Also, if a monster has the ability to negate the activation of a Spell or Trap card (like "Dark Paladin", "Ryu Senshi", "Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8"), those are considered Multi-Trigger Effects as well.
d) Ignition Effect - If a monster has an effect that doesn't fall under one of the above 3 categories, it is placed here. These effects are manually activated, optional, Spell Speed 1 effects. That means they can only be activated during your Main Phase 1 or 2 and while they may start a chain, they may not be used in the middle of a chain. Because they are optional effects, they will never activate unless the player decides to activate them.
5) If I tribute "Peten the Dark Clown" to summon "Jinzo", can't I remove "Peten" from play to Special Summon another one to the field?
No, and here's why.
Some effects state that when something happens, you "can" activate the effect. "Can" on the text of a card makes the effect optional and, as such, subject to "Timing Issues". What that means is that in order for you to gain the benefit of that effect, the condition met must be the last thing to occur. If some other action occurs afterwards, you cannot use the effect. So for monsters like "Peten the Dark Clown", "Archfiend of Gilfer", and "Mokey Mokey King", the last thing to occur must be the monster being sent to the graveyard (or simply being removed from the field in the case of "Mokey Mokey King") in order for you to activate their effect. If they were tributed for a summon, the last thing to occur is another monster summoned to the field. If they were tributed for "Cannon Soldier", the last thing to occur is inflicting damage to your opponent. Examples when the timing would be correct (for these cases): Being destroyed in battle, being destroyed by Dark Hole/Torrential Tribute/Raigeki, or (excluding "Mokey Mokey King") being sent to the Graveyard by the result of "Painful Choice".
So read the text carefully of your Effect Monster. If you don't see the word "can", then timing isn't important and you will gain that effect ("Witch of the Black Forest", "Sangan", "Emissary of the Afterlife"). If it does, however, just make sure that nothing else follows in order to gain that effect.
Some effects state that when something happens, you "can" activate the effect. "Can" on the text of a card makes the effect optional and, as such, subject to "Timing Issues". What that means is that in order for you to gain the benefit of that effect, the condition met must be the last thing to occur. If some other action occurs afterwards, you cannot use the effect. So for monsters like "Peten the Dark Clown", "Archfiend of Gilfer", and "Mokey Mokey King", the last thing to occur must be the monster being sent to the graveyard (or simply being removed from the field in the case of "Mokey Mokey King") in order for you to activate their effect. If they were tributed for a summon, the last thing to occur is another monster summoned to the field. If they were tributed for "Cannon Soldier", the last thing to occur is inflicting damage to your opponent. Examples when the timing would be correct (for these cases): Being destroyed in battle, being destroyed by Dark Hole/Torrential Tribute/Raigeki, or (excluding "Mokey Mokey King") being sent to the Graveyard by the result of "Painful Choice".
So read the text carefully of your Effect Monster. If you don't see the word "can", then timing isn't important and you will gain that effect ("Witch of the Black Forest", "Sangan", "Emissary of the Afterlife"). If it does, however, just make sure that nothing else follows in order to gain that effect.
6) Why does everyone on this site say that "Exiled Force" activates on the field when RONIN says "Exiled Force" activates in the Graveyard?
To clear up some misconceptions, currently, when you view rulings through RONIN or the Netrepâ„¢ Card Registry, you are only looking at a mirror of the Official UDE rulings (as covered in Question #1). Therefore, we do not have any control over ruling errors that may occur (like in the "Skill Drain" ruling referencing "Exiled Force" for example). We understand this is a bit frustrating but unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about it.
7) Why does "Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys" stay in the Graveyard when it was 'destroyed' by "Delinquent Duo", "Card Destruction" or cards with a similar effect?Right now there are only three cards in the game that DESTROY a card in your hand or Deck: "Chain Destruction" (hand & Deck), "Deck Devastation Virus" (hand) and "Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin (hand)".
Every other card that has an effect of bringing one of your card in your Deck or Hand into your Graveyard does NOT DESTROY those card.
Even "Card Destruction" does NOT destroy the cards which are sent to Graveyard (although the name of the card would make you believe something else).
Effects like that of "Card Destruction" or "Delinquent Duo" DISCARD your cards from your hand to your Graveyard.
So remember: 'DISCARD' DOES NOT EQUAL 'DESTROY'!
This is the reason why the effect of Sacred Phönix of Nephthys and similiar effects does not activate, they were discarded and not destroyed.
Another line to remember: 'TRIBUTE' DOES NOT EQUAL 'DESTROY'!
Every other card that has an effect of bringing one of your card in your Deck or Hand into your Graveyard does NOT DESTROY those card.
Even "Card Destruction" does NOT destroy the cards which are sent to Graveyard (although the name of the card would make you believe something else).
Effects like that of "Card Destruction" or "Delinquent Duo" DISCARD your cards from your hand to your Graveyard.
So remember: 'DISCARD' DOES NOT EQUAL 'DESTROY'!
This is the reason why the effect of Sacred Phönix of Nephthys and similiar effects does not activate, they were discarded and not destroyed.
Another line to remember: 'TRIBUTE' DOES NOT EQUAL 'DESTROY'!
8) I hear a lot of talk that some cards will trigger Dark World Monsters and some won't. How do I know what cards will trigger Dark World Monsters?
Specifically, "Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World", "Broww, Huntsman of Dark World", "Sillva, Warlord of Dark World" and "Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World", can only be triggered when discarded by an effect and not by a cost.
The difference between discard costs and discard effects can usually be determined by the text. For instance, "Snipe Hunter" reads: "Discard 1 card from your hand. Select 1 card on the field and roll a six-sided die. If the result is not 1 or 6, destroy the selected card." Notice that the discard is in the first sentence of the effect. In this case, the discard is a cost; payment for the remainder of the effect text. Snipe Hunter, then, will not trigger Dark Worlders when discarded by him.
But then take a look at "Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch": "When this card is Tribute Summoned, randomly discard 1 card from your opponent's hand to the Graveyard. If the discarded card was a Monster Card, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the Level of the monster x 100." In this case the discard is part of the effect's resolution and not a payment for anything else. This WILL trigger Dark Worlders as a result.
You can generally determine what is a cost and what isn't by looking at the placement of the text in question. If it's a standalone sentence at the beginning of the card text that's asking for some kind of payment, then it will always be a cost for the effect. If the text in question is blended into another sentence, or somewhere near the end of the text, then your likely looking at an effect. When in doubt, the best thing to do is to check the rulings on that particular card. However, standalone sentences at the beginning of text asking you to pay something (discard, pay Life Points, tribute a monster, etc.) are almost always costs, even if the rulings don't specifically say so.
In addition, Dark World Monsters are NOT Optional Trigger Effects. They are Mandatory, and will NOT "miss the timing" is if they are discard in the middle of a chain.
NOTE: Another thing to keep in mind is that not only can the discard not be a cost, but it cannot be any other form of "sent to the Graveyard" effect. "Discard" is a specific mechanic in Yu-Gi-Oh!, and is different from "send" or "sent". For example, "The Creator"'s effect, while not a cost, does not discard cards to the Graveyard. It "sendsâ cards to the Graveyard, so it will NOT trigger Dark World Monsters.
The difference between discard costs and discard effects can usually be determined by the text. For instance, "Snipe Hunter" reads: "Discard 1 card from your hand. Select 1 card on the field and roll a six-sided die. If the result is not 1 or 6, destroy the selected card." Notice that the discard is in the first sentence of the effect. In this case, the discard is a cost; payment for the remainder of the effect text. Snipe Hunter, then, will not trigger Dark Worlders when discarded by him.
But then take a look at "Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch": "When this card is Tribute Summoned, randomly discard 1 card from your opponent's hand to the Graveyard. If the discarded card was a Monster Card, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the Level of the monster x 100." In this case the discard is part of the effect's resolution and not a payment for anything else. This WILL trigger Dark Worlders as a result.
You can generally determine what is a cost and what isn't by looking at the placement of the text in question. If it's a standalone sentence at the beginning of the card text that's asking for some kind of payment, then it will always be a cost for the effect. If the text in question is blended into another sentence, or somewhere near the end of the text, then your likely looking at an effect. When in doubt, the best thing to do is to check the rulings on that particular card. However, standalone sentences at the beginning of text asking you to pay something (discard, pay Life Points, tribute a monster, etc.) are almost always costs, even if the rulings don't specifically say so.
In addition, Dark World Monsters are NOT Optional Trigger Effects. They are Mandatory, and will NOT "miss the timing" is if they are discard in the middle of a chain.
NOTE: Another thing to keep in mind is that not only can the discard not be a cost, but it cannot be any other form of "sent to the Graveyard" effect. "Discard" is a specific mechanic in Yu-Gi-Oh!, and is different from "send" or "sent". For example, "The Creator"'s effect, while not a cost, does not discard cards to the Graveyard. It "sendsâ cards to the Graveyard, so it will NOT trigger Dark World Monsters.