Gatling Dragon Effect's Mandatory?

[nkarunatilaka]

Gatling Dragon states the following::

Toss a coin 3 times. Destroy a number of monsters on the field equal to the number of Heads. This effect can only be used once per turn, during your Main Phase.

When Gatling Dragon is summoned, is its effect mandatory, as it does not state on card you MAY toss a coin..., etc.?

 

[DaGuyWitBluGlasses]

No its not mandatory. The card says nothing about "when this card is summoned." It is an ignition effect that is by definition optional.

 

[kagadesires]

You don't have to. You have the option to, should you wish to, but it is not mandatory.

However, should you flip one head, you MUST destroy one monster. You flip two, you MUSt destroy two monsters, and if you flip three you MUST destroy three monsters. Gatling doesn't care whose monsters they are (yours or your opponent's), it just wants to shoot something when you fire those guns and get heads.

[Darn...beaten to it...]

 

[Digital Jedi]

No, thats a good point Kaga. An effect may be optional to actvate, but once activated it may be maniditory to resolve it.

 

[Jathro]

It's also important to note that you can choose to activate the effect of Gatling Dragon if there are less than 3 monsters on the field, even though you have the chance to destroy as many as 3 monsters.

There does not need to be 3 monsters on the field in order to activate the effect.