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OCG/PSCT Tutorial: Learn How To Write Your Cards Properly!


Atypical-Abbie

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[spoiler=Update List (Last Updated: 02/11/18 at 12:40 CET)]

  • New section added called "37: Link Monsters, Extra Monster Zone and more important changes", the terms "co-linked", "Extra Monster Zone", "linked", "Link Monster", "Link Summon" "Main Monster Zone", "point" and "zone" have been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List" and minor updates to the wording to reflect the changes have been added throughout the whole thread. (21/07/17)

  • The term "location" has been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List" (31/07/17)

  • The term "Extra Link" has been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List" (13/08/17)

  • Small change regarding Spell/Trap Cards, when you say "activation", you wish to use it. Also, the use of "2+" instead of "2 or more" for Fusion Monsters in various section. (06/10/17)

  • The term "Link Material" and "Link Rating" has been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List", also cards that state "its effects are negated" or similar have been changed to say "it has its effects negated" instead, and the "2+" thing is also being used on Xyz Monsters such as "Lyrilusc - Recital Starling" and cards like "X-Krawler Qualiark" (19/10/17)

  • The term "Link-#" has been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List". (02/11/17)

  • General smaller updates from Extreme Force have been added, and the terms "Leftmost", "Rightmost" and "Center" have been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List". (03/02/18)

  • Fixed up instances of "ATK and DEF", which should be changed to the newer wording of "ATK/DEF", though of course in case you are making a choice between the two, you want to say "ATK or DEF" instead. Also, while I don't update the main post much, make sure to check the latest posts, as I update on a few PSCT things when a new pack's cards are revealed, most recent being Legenary Hero Decks. (04/10/18)

  • Renamed the thread a little bit, didn't like how it was presented before. The terms "battle" and "round up" have been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List". I had forgotten about battle somehow, and round up I recently discovered being a thing, also turns out I can now have the whole word list in one thread, previously I had to split it up because it was using too much BBCode, and the site didn't like that, I just tried to merge them and it worked! (02/11/18)

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=Content]

  • 1: Introduction: What to expect and why this thread exists
  • 2: Too Long, Didn't Read
  • 3: What is OCG?
  • 4: SET & PSCT
  • 5: Colon and Semi-Colon Integration and When/If
  • 6: Summons that do not start a Chain VS Effect Summons
  • 7: Conjunctions and effects in sequence
  • 8: About Quotes and about Archetypes
  • 9: Targeting Effects
  • 10: You can activate this effect
  • 11: Setting up a Token Monster
  • 12: How to properly use Monster Types and Attributes
  • 13: Attributes and Types
  • 14: Using 1 VS a/an properly
  • 15: SET and PSCT, what to write and not write
  • 16: SET/Simplified Effect Text
  • 17: PSCT/Problem Solving Card Text
  • 18: The small x and how to use it
  • 19: Bullet Holes and how to use them
  • 20: Once per turn clauses
  • 21: Excavate, what does it mean?
  • 22: Don't Use "to Target" anymore
  • 23: New wording changes in the TCG and OCG
  • 24: "But", The Hidden Conjunction
  • 25: Do not use "When you do" anymore and mandatory effects errata
  • 26: Do not use "until the End Phase" anymore
  • 27: Face-up and face-down and when to use it
  • 28: Exactly 1 card VS a card(s)
  • 29: Wording Flip monsters properly
  • 30: Ignition, Trigger and Quick Effects
  • 31: The Wonders of the Parentheses
  • 32: Fusion Monsters and how to word them
  • 33: Trap monsters and Pseudo-Trap monsters
  • 34: Notice about mandatory effects
  • 35: Union monster important update
  • 36: A lot of important new term changes and additions
  • 37: Link Monsters, Extra Monster Zone and more important changes
  • 38: Word List, Explanations and Usage Explanation Information
  • 39: Word List, Explanations and Usage List
  • 40: OCG Quiz

 

 

 


[spoiler=1: Introduction: What to expect and why this thread exists]
Hello you all, I have made this thread because I see people who don’t know that what they’re writing is incorrect or that they don’t understand what they’re writing might mean something else than intended, and while you may use terms created after SET and PSCT, that it doesn’t make your card any better if you don’t know what you’re actually writing on the card.

 

Note that this is NOT a card design tutorial, as that can be subjective, and that I don’t know every in and out of the game.
 
I’m going to show as much of what I know as I can, though I might miss a few obvious points, so make sure to comment about them. I really want people to know that I cannot do the job here alone, that would take way too long, so if there's anything at all you're wondering  about, please please do comment about it.
 
Also note that the examples in this are not always a good design for your cards; make sure you create a card with the intention of balance as well as using proper wordings.
 
As I said, I always want to point out that in case something is wrong, go ahead an inform me so I can fix it as fast as  possible, as I am only human and can't make it perfect just by myself.

 

 


 

[spoiler=2: Too Long, Didn't Read]
I'm sorry to hear that, since I put a lot of hard work into this. You can always take a look from time to time, there are no rules stating that you  should read it all at once. Though, if you want to educate yourself, I highly suggest you read it all, both so you can learn a lot, but also to point out any mistakes I might have made...


 


 

[spoiler=3: What is OCG?]
OCG stands for Official Card Grammar, and is a term which YCM invented. While Konami makes changes from time to time, and that not every card may follow all the same rules, it's still important to learn what the basic words are, that way you never confuse people with your  wording. It's not actually "Official", but rather a preferred way of writing your card, that many, including myself, will appreciate, and OCG is the the grander scheme of what PSCT is.

When you see that your card gets an "PSCT fix" or "OCG fix" that means that they are helping you by writing how the card should be worded.
 
It's important that you use proper OCG, because your card might not be as balanced as you think it is if you do not use OCG properly, and when people make  changes to your card that might change the timing, it's important to  know proper OCG. Also, be careful that you don't confuse this with  "Official Card Game" as those have the same abbreviations.


 


 

[spoiler=4: SET & PSCT]
The first thing you want to know about your cards is that old terms and wording is never a good idea. They are both confusing, and they might  mean something else when not intending to. Stay away from using terms before SET (Simplified Effect Text) and PSCT (Problem Solving Card Text), and make sure that you use PSCT terms over SET terms.
 
SET is quite easy to follow, but PSCT has a few important changes to follow. I’ll below walk you through the most important things to learn. You can also click here to go and learn more about SET and here to learn more about PSCT.


 


 

[spoiler=5: Colon and Semi-Colon Integration and When/If]

 

What Konami decided to do was to abolish effects like this:

 

“When this card destroys a monster by battle, you can send 1 card from your hand to the GY to have this card gains 500 ATK."
 
To many, this may seem pretty normal, though this can easily get confusing, as Continuous Effects and Conditions are worded similarly. Your card text should be more like this:

 

“When this card destroys a monster by battle: You can send 1 card from your hand to the GY; this card gains 500 ATK.”
 
As you can see, instead of the comma, I put in a colon. What this means is that it’s an effect that starts a Chain. It also indicates that what was before that colon was its activation condition, or it has a specific timing to it, in this case that being that it destroyed a monster by battle, but it could also be that you must have no cards in your hand, control no Spell/Traps etc.

 

There is also a semi-colon, what this indicates is that anything before it is a cost and/or it targets. If your card doesn't do either of those, it does not target, as such, you do not use a semi-colon.

 

Whenever you wish you card to activate, you must use either a colon or semi-colon to indicate that, though you don't have to use them at the same time, you may only use one of them, but do remember that if it doesn't activate, you don't use either of them.

 

It's also important to remember that you don't follow normal grammar in YGO, you wouldn't use colons and semi-colons how you would normally. This is something you have to train yourself to do, as you will see a lot of grammatical errors and general weirdness on actual cards that you simply have to follow, even if it doesn't make sense normally.

 

Whether a card says "when" or "if" is important, as this changes how Trigger Effects behave. If you say "When...you can", then if the last thing is not whatever the condition in between those two is, for example a card being destroyed, then it cannot activate an effect.

 

Example:

 

"When this card is destroyed by a card effect and sent to the GY: You can discard 1 card; draw 2 cards."

 

The last thing must be that it's destroyed, as such, cards that state the following will not allow the above card to activate, as the last thing to happen is discarding, not destroying, because of the "then" conjunction, which you will learn more about later.

 

Example:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy that target, then discard 1 card."

 

It doesn't matter if you say "If...you can", then even if it is not the last thing, it can still activate. Mandatory effects are like "if", and can always activate.

 

Example:

 

"If this card is sent to the GY by a card effect: You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 monster on the field; return that target to the hand.

 

See more below in the spoiler (it's a big image) and by clicking here.

 

[spoiler=When...you can VS if...you can]

jNYtu0Z.jpg

 



 


 

[spoiler=6: Summons that do not start a Chain VS Effect Summons]
Summons that don't start a Chain applies to Normal Summons, Special Summons that do not have a colon (or start a Chain), Synchro/Xyz and Contact Fusions. 
 
These can be negated by any effect that negates Summons when they say "if a monster would be Summoned".
 
These are almost always written like this: “You can X this by (from your Y) by doing Z.” X being the form of Summon, Y being the place where you Summon it from (typically the hand), and Z being the way of Summoning/cost (if any), say by banishing a monster from the GY.
 
Some are also written like this: “If you/your opponent A, you can B this card (from your C) by D.”  A being a Condition (this does NOT start a Chain), B being the form of Summon, C being the place where you Summon it from, D being something like banishing a card from the GY or not controlling a monster.
 
Note that these only apply to the monster itself, meaning that you don’t write: “You can Special Summon 1 monster (from your GY) by banishing this card from your hand.” as that will always need to create a Chain. Those would be written like this instead:

 

“You can banish this card from your hand; Special Summon 1 monster from your GY”.

Effect Summons can both be for a monster itself, but can only be for other monsters as my example before showed. It’s worded the same way:

 

“You can target 1 monster you control; destroy that target, and if you do, Special Summon this card from your hand.”
 
You cannot negate Effect Summons the same way as with Summons that don't start a Chain. As Effect Summons always starts a Chain, you cannot negate it with cards that negate the effect that “would” Summon a monster, such as Black Horn of Heaven.
 
You can however negate the card that Summons it, but not the actual Summon itself, except if it’s written similarly to this part in Solemn Warning’s effect:

 

“monster effect is activated that includes an effect that Special Summons a monster(s)”.
 
You can read more on Summons that don't start a Chain VS Effect Summons here.

 

 


[spoiler=7: Conjunctions and effects in sequence]
Conjunctions all function slightly differently, and have different meanings. They are all to imply that you’re having 2 effects happen simultaneously, except then, which is not considered to be done simultaneously.
 
Then works in that you are required to have fulfilled A to make B (the “then” effect) happen. If you cannot do B, then you are still allowed to do A, but not the other way around.
 
It’s important to note that if you know you cannot do A when you wish to activate, then you can’t even activate it all (except if it’s a mandatory effect). This does not apply if you are unable to do it at resolution however, in case another effect is activated that would prevent you from doing A.

 

Example:

 

“Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster; destroy that face-up target, then change this card to Defense Position.”
 
As you can see, you need to be able to destroy a FACE-UP monster, so if that monster is flipped down doing resolution/moved to another place, then your monster is not switched to Defense Position, and you will not destroy that monster.
 
This is also important because of timing. Say, you were to activate a card that can be activated when a monster is destroyed. That can’t happen anymore, since the last thing to happen was your monster changing to Defense Position.

 

And means that you need to be able to do both, otherwise none happen. These are considered to happen simultaneously, and that means that any effect that would apply to either of those things happening can be activated without the fear of missing the timing.

 

Example:

 

“You can target 1 monster on the field; change that target into face-up Defense Position and destroy 1 card your opponent controls, except that target.”
 
If you cannot change to Defense Position, then you cannot destroy 1 monster and vice-versa.

 

And if you do might trick you at first as it looks like it would mean the same as “and”, but it doesn’t. It actually means something different.

 

Example:

 

“If this card is sent to the GY: You can banish this card, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; banish that target, and if you do, draw 1 card.”
 
If you are unable to do the last part at resolution then you are still allowed to do A, say your opponent activate a card as Chain Link 2 that prevents you from drawing cards, then you are still  allowed to do A. 
 

Also is the most flexible as it allows you to do as much as you can do.

 

Example:
 

“When this card is Normal Summoned: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; it has its effects negated, also destroy 1 other monster they control.”

 

If you can’t do A, you can still do B, and if you can’t do B, you can still do A.

 

A thing that can be important in case you wish to indicate that a card has two effects that are not dependent on each other, making them an "also" effect, but are not simultaneous, making them a "then" effect, is to word them like the below, or similar to that.

 

These effects are still one effect, but they work like if you said "Do something, then do something else, but you don't have to do the first thing, and neither is simultaneous."

 

Example:

 

"If "Cyber Dragon" is in your GY: You can activate 1 of these effects. If you have 3 or more "Cyber Dragon" in your GY at activation, you can activate both effects and resolve in sequence. You can only activate 1 "Cyber Repair Plant" per turn.
● Add 1 LIGHT Machine monster from your Deck to your hand.
● Target 1 LIGHT Machine monster in your GY; shuffle that target into your Deck."

 

Another thing that should be mentioned is the "also...after that" conjunction, which is like "also" in that neither is required for each other, but that the last thing to happen is what comes after the conjunction, like with "then".

 

Example:

 

"When the effect of a face-up Spell/Trap your opponent controls is activated: Destroy that card, also, after that, Set this card face-down instead of sending it to the GY."

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=8: About Quotes and about Archetypes]
Using quotation marks is something you’re going to run into at some point, so let me teach you about them.
 
You can use them on card names (Such as “Spirit Reaper”) or Archetypes (Such as “Gagaga”).
 
They are also used when talking about Tokens, as those also have names.
 
When you name something, you also give it a specific name and having that name cannot be negated, but it can wear off if its condition is not met anymore.
 
Only cards which talk about an Archetype is an Archetype, if your Archetype is called “Robotics” but none of your effects say this, it’s not an Archetype yet, so make an effect that talks about Archetypes!
 
Remember that when making cards, cards that have the same word in it, say, let’s use “Destroyer”, even if they’re not a part of your Archetype, they will now be considered as such, but as said, only if that Archetype has an effect that says it’s Archetype in it.
 
Example:

 

“When you Special Summon a “Destroyer” monster(s): You can Special Summon this card from your hand.”
 
Evilswarm and Steelswarm are both part of the “lswarm” Archetype, because their name contains the word “lswarm” (Evilswarm & Steelswarm).

 

There are exceptions to that though, such as HERO and DD, which is because they are fully capitalized.


 


 

[spoiler=9: Targeting Effects]

With effects that target cards, sometimes, the target may be missing or altered. Sometimes, the card doesn't care if it is changed or not, sometimes it must stay the same as how it was targeted.

For example, if a card says: "Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; destroy that target", then it must also remain a face-up monster, otherwise, it resolves without effect, since there is no target.

How you can see that it does this is by looking at the effect text; as you can see, it says "that target".

This means that it MUST stay the same. Did the card say "it" instead, then it wouldn't matter if it was face-up or not.

Another example is Atlantean Marksman's effect to destroy a Set card:

 

"When this card is sent to the GY to activate a WATER monster's effect: Target 1 Set card your opponent controls; destroy that target."

Again, it says "that target" so you can conclude that it must remain Set, so if the card was activated in response, it would NOT destroy the card.

Sometimes, you can have multiple targets. This is where it can get a bit confusing. You see, in case the card refers to the targets as "they" or "them", it works like if they said "it", so it wouldn't matter if one was removed, it would still resolve what it could.

Example:

 

"Target 2 Attack Position monsters you control; return them to the hand, and if you do, inflict 500 damage to your opponent."

If the opponent Chained an effect that changed one of my monsters to Defense Position or removed one of the monsters from the field, then it would still resolve.

Note that if neither can be returned, then you don't do the effect after that, but more about how multiple effects work later.

In case the card says "those targets", then the targets must still remain how they were, but if one is altered, the rest will still resolve.

Let's use the same example as before:

 

"Target 2 Attack Position monsters you control; return those targets to the hand, and if you do, inflict 500 damage to your opponent".

If one of the monsters is changed to Defense Position, it will not return to the hand, but the one that's still a proper target, the Attack Position monster, will return, and damage will be inflicted.

 

Lastly, there is "both (those) targets"/"all "3-4-5 etc.".

In case it says one of those, the targets must remain the same kind of target, and if even one isn't, then the effect cannot resolve.

So, let's use our example:

 

"Target 2 Attack Position monsters you control; return both those targets to the hand, and if you do, inflict 500 damage to your opponent".

If one was changed to Defense Position, the effect will resolve without effect, no monsters returned, and no damage inflicted.

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=10: You can activate this effect]
This is not seen a lot, but it means that there’s no cost to activate an effect, there may be a condition, though you don’t want to use this if there is a cost.
 
An example of this is “Bull Blader” whose effect is:

 

“When an attack is declared involving this card and an opponent's monster: You can activate this effect; during this battle involving this monster, neither player takes any battle damage, also destroy the opponent's monster after damage calculation.”
 
You use this in cases you wish to make sure that it is clear that it is an effect that stars a chain.
 
Say you had an effect that said:

 

"You can destroy 1 monster on the field".
 

That would be hard to know if started a chain or not. That way you can say: "You can activate this effect: Destroy 1 monster on the field".

 

This is not seen much anymore, and may be going away for good, as many cards now just say "During your Main Phase" to indicate an Ignition Effect of this nature. Some also change it so say "You can make this card" instead, such as Exarion Universe. I wouldn't say you can't use it, but I think they are trying to go away from this as much as possible.


 


 

[spoiler=11: Setting up a Token monster]
Token monsters are monster that are never on the field, and they’re not an actual monster, but a fake monster made by another card. They are considered a Normal Monster, but any effect they might seem to have is just a lingering effect placed on it (or the game in general) by the card that Summoned it.
 
This can either be a Monster, Spell or Trap, but the rules are always the same. 
 
When you set up a Token effect, this is almost always how it goes:
 
“Special Summon 2 “Name Tokens” (Type/Attribute/Level/ATK X/DEF X).”
 
You might find that some have lines like “in Defense Position” or “To your opponent’s field.”
 

For example:

 

“Special Summon 2 “Demonic Tokens” (Fiend/DARK/Level 4/ATK 1000/DEF 1000) in Attack Position.”
 
Some cards that Summons Tokens put Lingering Effects on the Token, or the game in general, after it's Summoned.

 

Example:

 

“Special Summon 2 “Demonic Tokens” (Fiend/DARK/Level 4/ATK 1000/DEF 1000) in Attack Position. They cannot be used as a Tribute, except for a Tribute Summon of a Fiend monster."


 


 

[spoiler=12: How to properly use Monster Types and Attributes]

When writing an Attribute, make sure to capitalize every letter in the word.
 
Example:

 

“You can target 1 WIND monster…”
 
It’s important that you do not say WIND Attribute monster, but only WIND. Though this doesn’t mean that Attribute is never used.
 
Example:

 

“The Attributes of all monsters on the field become DARK.”
 
When using Monster Types, make sure to always capitalize the first letter.
 
“Warrior monsters you control gain 500 ATK."

 
Previously, you used to say "Warrior-Type", though now the "-Type" is excluded. It's important to note that a Warrior monster is not the same as a "Warrior" monster, which is an Archetype of monsters.

 

In case you want to list the Attributes, like with Five-Headed Dragon, the order most commonly used is LIGHT, DARK, EARTH, WATER, FIRE, WIND. Currently LIGHT isn't used together with the other Attributes, except for DARK, so I put it in the front, since DARK is in front of the other Attributes, so it would make most sense for LIGHT to be before DARK, since it normally is. As for DIVINE, it's unknown where it would be, so I would probably put it at the start, though I doubt you'll ever need to list it like that anyway, so yeah.
 
Below is a list of all Attributes and Types, in case you need them.

 

 


 

[spoiler=13: Attributes and Types]
Monster Types:

  • Aqua
  • Beast
  • Beast-Warrior
  • Creator God
  • Cyberse
  • Dinosaur
  • Divine Beast
  • Dragon
  • Fairy
  • Fiend
  • Fish
  • Insect
  • Machine
  • Plant
  • Psychic
  • Pyro
  • Reptile
  • Rock
  • Sea Serpent
  • Spellcaster
  • Thunder
  • Warrior
  • Winged Beast
  • Wyrm
  • Zombie

Attributes:

  • DIVINE
  • LIGHT
  • DARK
  • EARTH
  • WATER
  • FIRE
  • WIND

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=14: Using 1 VS a/an properly]
There is an important difference when using 1 and when using a/an.
 
When you want to indicate that you mean exactly 1 card, a specific card, like a face-up Attack Position Xyz Monster, you want to make sure don't mean "in general".
 
Here's an example of a card that works while you only control 1 monster:
 
"If you control 1 face-up monster: Destroy 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls."
 
If you wanted it just to be in general, you would want to write it like this:
 
"If you control a face-up monster: Destroy 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls". 

 
Now, you might wonder why I didn't also say "a" about the Spell/Trap, and that's because you specifically need to clarify that you're talking about 1 card, not multiple cards.


 


 

[spoiler=15: SET and PSCT, what to write and not write]
This section will focus what you should write, and what you shouldn't.
 
The ones to the left are wrong, the ones on the right are correct. Those with ellipsis mean that what is after the ellipsis are the new wording.
 
These are taken from the Yu-Gi-Oh! Wikia, with minor changes, so credit goes to them for collection these. If I'm not 100 % updated, please let me know.

 


 
[spoiler=16: SET/Simplified Effect Text]

  • Inflict X points of damage to your opponent's Life Points/Inflict X damage to your opponent.
  • Increase your Life Points by X points/Gain X Life Points. (Outdated: Now use "Gain X LP")
  • Increase the ATK/DEF of this card by X points/This card gains X ATK/DEF.
  • Attack your opponent's Life Points directly/Attack your opponent directly.
  • A card with "X" in its card name.../A/An "X" card.
  • as a result of battle/by battle.
  • You can only activate this card if/when.../When/Activate only when/if
  • on your side of the field/you control
  • Tribute 1 monster on your side of the field/Tribute 1 monster
  • Special Summon "X" to your side of the field/Special Summon

 

 


[spoiler=17: PSCT/Problem Solving Card Text]

  • (Damage calculation is applied normally)/Does not exist anymore, do not use it.
  • (without damage calculation)/Does not exist anymore, do not use it.
  • (except during the Damage Step)/Has been added, include to effects which cannot  be activated at that point in time if you wish for it not to. Most  effects cannot do this regardless, however some might be able to, such  as if a monster is destroyed and sent to the GY, then it would be  able to trigger during the Damage Step. Add this line if you wish for  it not to.
  • and if you do/Has been added, read more about it in the section titled "Then/And/Also/And if you do".
  • Battle Damage/battle damage, has been made lowercase.
  • remove from play/banish...note that the Zone is not called Banished Zone, but rather you just say cards are banished.
  • removed from the field/leaves the field
  • during battle between this attacking card and a Defense Position monster, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent/if this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage
  • select/target
  • selected as an attack target/targeted for an attack
  • attack once again/attack twice.../make a second attack
  • Effect Monster's effect/monster effect
  • still treated as a Trap/also still a Trap
  • Cannot be X Summoned unless/has been added.
  • This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set/Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set
  • This card can only be X Summoned.../Must first be X Summoned...It's important to note that this is what is known as a Special Summon only monster. This means that they must first be Special Summoned, and then they can later be Special Summoned from the GY or while banished. If they return to the hand or Deck, then you need to perform the Special Summon again.
  • This card cannot be Special Summoned except.../Must be X Summoned and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways/Must be X Summoned...It's important to note that this is what is known as a Special Summon only monster. This means that they can ONLY be Summoned that way, and no other ways, not even in the GY or while banished. Newer change removes the "and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways" part.
  • This monster can only be Ritual Summoned with the Ritual Spell Card X/You can Ritual Summon this card with X.
  • Hero/HERO. The HERO Archetype was a GX Archetype, but some cards included the  phrase "hero", so it those cards were included as that Archetype as  well, which was not the intention. Read more about this in the section called "About Quotes and Archetypes".
  • Life Points/LP, the way you use the word is the same as previously, just replace Life Points with LP.
  • At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked/If damage calculation is performed involving this card, at the end of the Battle Phase/If this card battled...This is for cards like Gladiator Beasts, as it was unclear if you could use them if the attack was stopped before the Damage Step happened, for example with Fiendish Chain at attack declaration.
  • either side of the field/the field...similarly, "your opponent's field" and "your field".
  • Graveyard/GY, the way you use the word is exactly the same as previously, similar to LP, just replace Graveyard with GY.
  • Warrior-Type/Warrior, the -Type part has been removed, it functions normally otherwise
  • (This is a Quick Effect)/(Quick Effect), you use this before a colon, and is used instead of "during either player's turn" as well, for example "Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can discard 1 card; this card gains 500 ATK."
  • This card gains/cannot etc. has been changed to simply saying "Gains 500 ATK" and "Cannot be destroyed by battle". Note that you should still use "This card" in most cases, like saying "You can discard 1 card; this card gains 500 ATK." but typically continuous effects that use "This card" are changed this way.

 


 


[spoiler=18: The small x and how to use it]
Sometimes you see that a card may say: "Equip only to an Xyz Monster. It gains ATK equal to its Rank x 200." (from "Xyz Unit") and sometimes you want to say: "Equip only to an Xyz Monster. It gains 200 ATK for each..." *not Level/Rank (or what "That Wacky Magic!" and "Winged Kuriboh LV9" says)
 
If we take a look at Hazy Flame Basiltrice's effect, then you wouldn't write it like this:

 

"Gains ATK/DEF equal to number of materials attached to it x 200."

 

Instead, you would write it like this:

 

"Gains 200 ATK/DEF for each material attached to it."
 
If we look at "Bound Wand", it writes it like this:

 

"Equip only to a Spellcaster monster that has a Level. It gains ATK equal to its Level x 100."

 

If you wrote it the wrong way, it would look like this:

 

"Equip only to a Spellcaster monster that has a Level. It gains 100 ATK for each of its Levels".
 
This of course also applies to Life Points as well, and not just Levels/Ranks. You normally wouldn't use the small x for things such as the amount of cards you control, as with "Geargarsenal" that states:

 

"Gains 200 ATK for each "Geargia" monster you control."


 


[spoiler=19: Bullet Holes and how to use them]
This is a Bullet Hole, and you can just copy and paste that if you need to:

 


 
You see these on cards with multiple effect choices, such as "Spellbook of Fate", "Return of the Monarchs" and "Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning".

 

Sometimes, you may be able to have more than just one of the effects, such as "Advance Zone", "Hazy Flame Basiltrice" and "Reaper of Prophecy".

 

Gemini Monsters also use these to indicate that what is inside the Bullet Hole is only applied when you Normal Summon it again. This is the text you always want to use for Gemini Monsters:

 

"This card is treated as a Normal Monster while face-up on the field or in the GY. While this card is a Normal Monster on the field, you can Normal Summon it to have it become an Effect Monster with this effect.

●"
 
Sometimes you may see that they put conditions and sometimes even effects after bullet holes. Typically it's best to avoid this as much as possible, since it can look weird and confuse the reader on how it works, but in case you wish to write them like this, I will quickly explain how it works.

 

Most of the time, what you will see is that they put the condition text before the effect itself.

 

"If you control no monsters: You can activate 1 of these effects. You can only activate 1 "Summon of the Dead" per turn.
● Special Summon 1 Zombie monster from your hand.
● Target 1 Zombie monster in your GÝ; Special Summon it.

 

It can also be after the effect as well, sometimes this may be done in case the card has a cost/targets, in which case, the last thing before the bullets must always be a semi-colon, except for cases where you have a cost/target in the effect you activate, such as with "Tackle Crusader" and "Maliae of the Trees". If you choose this method make sure you make a new line for that part, so it doesn't look like it's tied to the bullet above:

 

"Discard 1 card, then activate 1 of these effects;

● Reveal all face-down card your opponent controls until the end of this turn.

● Destroy 1 face-down monster your opponent controls.

You can only activate this effect of "Mystery of the Night" once per turn."

 

Sometimes you may even see whole effects after the bullet point, but putting it before the bullet point makes it look nice. An example of this is "Accel Synchron":

 

"Once per turn: You can send 1 "Synchron" monster from your Deck to the GY, then activate 1 of these effects;
● Increase this card's Level by the Level of the sent monster.
● Reduce this card's Level by the Level of the sent monster.
During your opponent's Main Phase, you can (Quick Effect): Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster, using materials you control, including this card. You can only Synchro Summon "Accel Synchron(s)" once per turn."

 




[spoiler=20: Once per turn clauses]
There are 3 kinds of "once per turn" clauses. The one most people tend to use is this one:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 monster you control; return it to the hand."
 
What this one implies is that you can only activate it once per turn on that specific card. If it leaves the field/is changed to face-down Defense Position and then comes back, or you have another copy of that card, you can activate that effect again.
 
If these have their activations or effects negated, you cannot activate them again.
 
You also don't want to word your Normal Spells/Traps and Quick-Play or Counter Traps like this. You can use them on Continuous, Field and Equips though.

The other, which is the second most common, is:
 

"You can only activate/use the/this effect of "Card Name" once/twice etc. per turn/Duel."

 

The rules towards this can get very complicated, but what you need to know is that if a card/effect says that it can only be activated once per turn, if the activation is negated, you can activate that card/effect again that turn.
 
If the card says use it once per turn, then even if it was only the effect that was negated (say Fiendish Chain was Chained to the card's effect) then you cannot ever attempt to activate it again that turn. Also, even if you control two of the same card, you can only activate one of those cards effects.

 

There is also a similar thing to that, but it limits other effects of the card that activate in case you use one of the other effects, and is written like so:

 

"You can only use 1 "Card Name" effect per turn, and only once that turn."
 

The last one is:

 

"(You can only gain this effect of "Card Name" once per turn)"

 

This is exclusively used on cards that give you extra Normal Summons, and you should NOT use it on other kinds of cards.
 
These also have some pretty advanced rules. Click here for a better explanation of that.
 
An example of an effect like this would be:

 

"During the turn this card was Normal Summoned, you can Normal Summon 1 "X" monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)"


 


[spoiler=21: Excavate, what does it mean?]
It has been a while since we have had a new term, and this one seems to bring quite the confusion, so let me clear it up real quick.
 
The word "excavate", spelled with lowercase, is the same as the word "reveal", but currently, it only applies to the top cards of your Deck for the Archetype called "Sylvan" or "Shinra" in the OCG.
 
What these do is that the reveal the top card(s) of your Deck, then they send a Plant monster(s) to the GY and return the remaining to the bottom of the Deck. Excavate is not sending to the GY, it is not returning to the bottom of the Deck, it's simply just reveal like how other cards say reveal as well, such as Pot of Duality.
 
Now, Sylvan also have specific phrase that tells that they will only trigger if first excavated (revealed) from the Deck and sent to the GY by an effect. This is important because they would not trigger if at any point, excavating and sending the card became a cost.
 
Read more here:
https://yugiohblog.konami.com/articles/?p=5771
 
This is an example of a custom card which has the "excavate" term:
 
Big Scoop
Continuous Spell
"If this card is activated: Target 1 face-up monster you control; excavate the top 3 cards from your Deck, and if any of them are monsters, equip those cards to that target. Place any remaining cards on the bottom of your Deck, in any order. That target gains 500 ATK/DEF for each card equipped to it by this effect. If that target would be destroyed, you can send 1 of the equipped cards to the GY instead. You can only activate 1 "Big Scoop" per turn."
 
NEW:

So, it seems that the update to the old card are any card that says "pick up" in the Japanese text, regardless of what the English does. So keep that in mind as well.


 


[spoiler=22: Don't Use "to Target" anymore]
I recently discovered that new cards didn't say "to target" on them anymore, which was commonly used.
 
Now, any card that say "to target" are being changed to "then target". This makes it clearer that you follow the text in sequence, meaning you would have to discard before targeting in the example below, you can't do it the other way around. This is especially important in cases where you would discard, then target a card in the GY, as the card you discarded could become a proper target as the sequence follows that. Of course keep in mind that you must always have a proper card to target when activating the effect in the first place, even if the sequence could make that possible.
 
Example:
 
"You can discard 1 card to target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy that target."

 

New version:

 

"You can discard 1 card, then target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy that target."
 

 

 


 

[spoiler=23: New wording changes in the TCG and OCG]

These changes are some that the OCG have had for a bit, but only now the TCG has them.

  • Instead of the sub-types taking up the spot where "Effect" is, it will now instead be before "Effect", possibly to not confuse people in thinking certain monsters don't have them. Example: "Beast-Warrior/Tuner/Effect".
  • "FLIP" (TCG and OCG) and "Special Summon" (OCG only) are now a kind of sub-type. Special Summon refers to the Special Summon only monsters in the Main Deck, but not Extra Deck monsters and Ritual Monsters.
  • "Life Points" is now changed to be "LP" instead on card texts. Example: "You can pay 500 LP; draw 1 card".
  • The names of "Monster Card Zone", "Spell & Trap Zone" and "Field Card Zone" have been changed to "Monster Zone" (TCG and OCG), "Spell & Trap Zone" (TCG and OCG) and "Field Zone" (TCG and OCG). This should not change old cards that state these names though.

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=24: "But", The Hidden Conjunction]

While you might already be pretty familiar with the other conjunctions, those being "and if you do", "then" etc. there is also another one that nobody really ever talks about. That's "but". So, what is it used for? Well, if we take a look at an example, then you'll see what I mean.

 

Example:

 

"Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 FIRE monster in your GY; add that target to your hand, but you cannot Normal or Special Summon that monster, or a monster with the same name, for the rest of this turn."

 

That is from "Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor". Now, let's review the Rulings shall we:

 

"If "D.D. Crow" is chained to the activation of the effect of "Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor", so that at the time of the resolution of the effect of "Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor" the targeted monster is not in the GY, since the targeted monster cannot be added to the hand, the effect of "Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor" that stops you from Normal or Special Summoning a monster with the same name as the targeted monster is not applied"

 

As you can see, should the target not be added, or the whole effect is negated, then you are still allowed to Summons a monster with that name. This means that it's basically an "and if you do" effect, but disguised as a condition. This is made more apparent with the card "Shadow Vampire":

 

"When this card is Normal Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 DARK "Vampire" monster from your hand or Deck, except "Shadow Vampire", but if you do, only that monster can attack for the rest of this turn."

 

There's a difference between that and: "but if you activated this card/effect". The latter is closer related to: "during the turn you activate this card/effect" while the the former is only applied should part of the effect resolve that came before it, where this one doesn't care if the first part resolved, as long as the rest can resolve, it will.

 

Instead of "but if you activated this card/effect" the conjunction "also" is more commonly used these days, as the before looks close to "during the turn you activate this card/effect" which applies even if the effect negated by something that does NOT negate the activation but just the effect, such as "Breakthrough Skill" (you can say "use" instead of "activate" so that cards stating that they negate activations won't prevent the condition from taking place). Using "also" instead here is almost always better since it indicates that it's a part of the effect and more people will understand it since "also" is much more common.

 

"But" is also used in other places, but doesn't have the same meaning.

 

Example:

 

"Your opponent sends as many cards from their Extra Deck to the GY as possible, but not more than the Xyz Monster's Rank."

 

Here, it's used to indicate that you must follow the orders of it instead.

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=25: Do not use "When you do" anymore and mandatory effects errata]

 

Sometimes when a monster uses an effect to Summon itself, there is an effect activates when it is Summoned that way. That would be worded like this:

 

"If you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). When you do: Draw 1 card."

 

Now, you want to say:

 

"If you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). If Summoned this way: Draw 1 card."

 

There are two reasons for this. The first being that this makes it clear that it activates when it's Summoned, not when you are actually doing the Summoning, which can confuse some people.

 

The second being that all "when" mandatory effects are being removed, and instead you only have "if" mandatory effects, as there's no reason for having only one of them and "when" is typically thought of in the terms of "when...you can" and such. Of course, this applies to optional effects as well.

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=26: Do not use "until the End Phase" anymore]

You might already know this, but in the OCG, they have removed "until the End Phase", and instead all cards now say "until the end of the turn" instead, even though their erratas have not. This is being implemented slowly in the TCG through errata updates, though it's quite clear that they want this to be removed here as well, so don't use it.

 

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=27: Face-up and face-down and when to use it]

When to use face-up and face-down and when not to use it is for the most part just a matter of style, it doesn't change how the card works, but to keep consistency, there are some rules when you want to and when you don't.

 

You do want to use it when you want to specify that it must be face-up, and cannot just be face-down.

 

Example:

 

"Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; destroy that target".

 

You cannot target a face-down monster here, and as you already know, since it says "that target", the targeting conditions must be correct at resolution as well.

 

You do not want to use face-up when you specify a trait of a card, for example, it being a Continuous Spell or it being a Warrior monster. It's both redundant, since face-down cards cannot have those traits, they are unknown, even if the player already knows it, but also because it can be confusing when you do say face-up using it, because you might think that if it lacks it, it also works on face-downs, which is not true.

 

Example:

 

"Target 1 Warrior monster you control; it gains 500 ATK"

 

When you are specifying a battle position of a monster, you don't say face-up, you just say "in Attack Position" or "in Defense Position". Only if you specify that it can be in face-down Defense Position or face-up Defense Position should you specify.

 

Example:

 

"Target 1 monster in your GY; Special Summon that target in face-up Defense Position or face-down Defense Position. Once per turn: You can Special Summon 1 monster from your hand in Attack Position."

 

When it comes to Spell/Traps, since face-downs can be either, you always want to mention both when it can affect the face-downs as well. For example:

 

"Target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls; destroy that target".

 

This indicates that it works on both face-downs and face-ups, as face-downs can be either-or. If you wish to only indicate face-downs or only face-ups, you of course just add face-down or face-up, but do keep in mind that "that target" rules apply when you do this.

 

Field Spells are a bit different in this regard though, as it is always known that it's a Field Spell, even if it is face-down, specifying that it affects face-up Field Spells is needed, and not just Field Spells, like you would do if it was a Continuous Spell.

 

Example:

 

"Target 1 face-up Field Spell; destroy that target, then draw 1 card."

 

You would not state the "face-up" if it was a Continuous Spell or if it was a Xyz Monster or anything else that has traits to them.

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=28: Exactly 1 card VS a card(s)]

I started seeing that a lot of people write "When a card is destroyed..." and such, which is a problem since it doesn't tell the user if it means exactly 1 card, or if multiple will also trigger the effect. This is something that can change how your card works a lot, and it's a a simple little fault, so make sure you use the right one it the correct situation.

 

Examples of a card where Dark Hole destroying 2 monsters would not trigger the effect:

 

"If exactly 1 monster you control is destroyed and sent to the GY: Draw 1 card"

 

Examples of a card where Dark Hole destroying 2 monsters would trigger the effect:

 

"If a monster(s) you control is destroyed and sent to the GY: Draw 1 card"

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=29: Wording Flip monsters properly]

The structure of Flip monsters is different than other effect monsters. The first and most important noticeable thing is that there's a "FLIP:" at the start of the effect. This must always be at the start of the effect, and indicates the effect that activates when a Flip monster is flipped face-up.

 

The second thing you'll notice is that there's a space in between the FLIP: part and the card's other effects, which makes it easier to regonize that it's not a part of the effect that activates when it's flipped face-up. Also remember to put in "Flip" in your sub-type like so:

 

"[beast/Flip/Effect]"

 

Example of a Flip monster:
 

"FLIP: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; return that target to the hand, then discard 1 card.

Once per turn: You can banish 1 monster from your hand; draw 1 card."

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=30: Ignition, Trigger and Quick Effects]

A lot of people get these confused, and they don't know which is which, how to work them, or what they do.

 

Ignition Effects are effects that can be activated during your Main Phase 1 or 2. These effects are always Spell Speed 1, since they cannot be Chained to other cards, so they always start a Chain. In almost all cases, Ignition Effects are optional, though there does exist mandatory Ignition Effects. In those cases, you must do them before you move on to another Phase. Ignition Effects can only be activated in an open game state, which basically means that Trigger and Quick Effects cannot be activated currently and you can activate Ignition Effects or Summon monsters. Read more about that here.

 

Ignition Effects don't have a "timing" to them, like: "When X happens, you can do Y", but they do sometimes have conditions to them, such as: "If you control no other monsters". Most Ignition Effects can only be activated once per turn. You can find Ignition Effects monsters as well as Spells, except Quick-Play Spells. By default, activating a Spell, except Quick-Play Spells, can be considered to be an Ignition Effect, as it follows the same rules as Ignition Effects, but already face-up Spells can also have Ignition Effects, typically referred to as Ignition-like Effects.

 

Example:

 

"Once per turn, if you control no other monsters: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; switch control of that target and this card, also monsters both players control cannot change their battle position until the end of this turn."

 

Trigger Effects are effects which activate whenever something has happened, such as a card being destroyed or a monster being Summoned. Trigger Effects are Spell Speed 1, yet they can be activated at any time the timing is correct, unless stated otherwise, or if the Damage Step rules take presence. Read more about that here. Even though they can be activated during your opponent's turn, this does not make them Quick Effects, nor Spell Speed 2. Trigger Effects always activate in a closed game state, which basically means that Trigger and Quick Effects can be activated, but Ignition Effects cannot. Read more about that here.

 

Trigger Effects are wording by saying either: "When X happens" or: "If X happens", after which you note if it's either optional or mandatory, which is done by putting in a "You can" after the colon to make it optional, or leaving it out to make it mandatory.

 

As with Trigger Effects cause issues sometimes, as noted in the: "Colon and Semi-Colon Integration and When/If" depending on how you word them. I would encourage you to read that if you haven't already.

 

Example of an optional Trigger Effect:

 

"When this card declares an attack: You can target 1 Set Spell/Trap your opponent controls; reveal that target, and if it is a Trap, destroy it, otherwise return it to its original position."

 

Example of a mandatory Trigger Effect:

 

"If this card is destroyed by your opponent's card (by battle or card effect) and sent to the GY: Draw 1 card."

 

Quick Effects are effects that can be activated during either player's turn at any time where appropriate, and as with Trigger Effects, the Damage Step rules might take presence. Read more about that here. Quick Effects are always Spell Speed 2. Quick Effects can both be activated in an open game state as well as a closed one, though it's not all that can be activated in both, as some have a specific timing that responds to something, such as a card or effect being activated. Read more about that here.

 

Quick Effects can be found on both monsters, but also on face-up Spells and Quick-Play Spells are by default Quick Effects. Keep in mind that just because a card has a Quick Effect, it doesn't make all the effects a Quick Effect, and of course follow what the card says as well. Normal Traps and Continuous Traps are always Quick Effects though, as they are Spell Speed 2 cards by default, but their effects sometimes can act as Ignition or Trigger Effects as well. If a Continuous Trap states: "Once per turn: You can do something" then it is still a Quick Effect, even though it's worded like an Ignition Effect because of those rules, so you can activate that effect at any time, as well as during your opponent's turn, so in case you don't want that, make sure it states that it can only be used during your Main Phase, like a regular Ignition Effect, but remember to only do this for Continuous Traps, as the effects of face-up Spells don't work like that, and you should just word those like normal.

 

Depending on how your Quick Effect works, you might need to word it differently. If your effect can be activated at any point, during either player's turn, you say:

 

"When a Spell/Trap Card is activated that targets 1 monster you control (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card."

 

If it only can be done at a certain time, yet still have it be a Quick Effect, say something like:

 

"During your opponent's Main Phase (Quick Effect): You can send this card from your hand to the GY, then target 1 card in your opponent's GY; banish that target."

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=31: The Wonders of the Parentheses]

Parentheses are used in various ways in YGO. They are most commonly used to explain certain additional information. In this section, I'll go over a few of the most common uses for them.

 

Name modifiers such as Harpie Lady 1. You only use these if it's not an effect, but rather something that may not be negated and is always the case. You may not have more than 3 of each card in your Deck if a card says this. Cards that only apply in certain conditions are not like this, such as Cyber Dragon Zwei. You have this text at the top of your card's text, then you make a line break for the effects of the card.

 

Example:

 

"(This card's name is always treated as "Harpie Lady".)

All WIND monsters gain 300 ATK."

 

Cards that are always of an Archetype. These shouldn't be that common in your text, as the reason for these being on real text is because the original Japanese name may not have been the same as the translated name, in which case they would be a part of that Archetype even though their name says so otherwise. Like with the names above, this cannot be negated and is not an effect. If you use this on Normal Monsters/non-Effect Monsters, have this far below your flavor text, such as with Summoned Skull.

 

"(This card is always treated as an "Archfiend" card.)

Banish any monster destroyed by battle with this card."

 

Special Summons that don't start a Chain use these to indicate where you Special Summon them from. You almost always have Special Summons like this at the top of your text.

 

Example:

 

"Cannot be Normal Summon/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by discarding 1 other monster.

 

If multiple cards are, for example, Summoned, using "(s)" will allow you to activate the card, even though only one monster was Summoned. Also note that you should remember to specify if at resolution it only affects 1 of the cards, or if it can affect multiple as well. You can see more about this in the "Exactly 1 card VS a card(s)" section.

 

Example:

 

"When your opponent Special Summons a monster(s): You can banish 1 of those monsters."

 

When you want to address a card type, that being a monster, a Spell or a Trap or an Extra Deck monster card type. This is unrelated to Types, which is for Monster Types

 

Example:

 

"When this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent: Declare 1 type of card (Monster, Spell, or Trap); your opponent sends 1 card of that type from their Deck to the GY."

 

"If each player has an Extra Deck: Declare 1 Extra Deck monster card type (Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz); both players reveal their Extra Deck, and the player who has more monsters of the declared card type gains 3000 LP."

 

Link Monsters were not released at the time of the above card, so that is why it's not included.

 

The last part of an additional Normal Summon should always have this text.

 

Example:

 

"After this card is Normal Summoned to your field, you can Normal Summon 1 monster during your Main Phase this turn, in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)"

 

When stating something is a Quick Effect. You use it just before the colon. Previously it was at the end of the effect and said "(This is a Quick Effect).

 

Example:

 

"During your opponent's turn, at damage calculation (Quick Effect): You can discard this card; you take no battle damage from that battle.

 

When you want to make sure you state that something cannot be used in the Damage Step. This is noted at the card or effect activation. It should also be noted that certain cards and effects cannot be activated in the Damage Step by default, which is a typical use for this.

 

Example:

"When your opponent activates a monster effect (except during the Damage Step): You can banish this card from your hand or GY; negate that effect."

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=32: Fusion Monsters and how to word them]

Fusion Monsters have a lot of different specific wordings, all of which have different meanings, so it is important to know what the differences are so your card always works how you intended it to work.

 

Fusion Monsters almost always require 2 or more Fusion Materials, typically by the name of a specific monster, though newer cards tend to have Archetype requirements or Attribute/Type requirements as well. Some cards do however not have these, such as "Neo-Spacian Marine Dolphin" or "Masked HERO Dian", as they are Summoned by another card. As with Synchro and Xyz Monsters, you always want this at the very top of the card, followed by any effect it might have on the next line.

 

Example:

 

""Dark Magician" + "Dark Magician Girl"

Once per turn: You can discard 1 card; draw 1 card."

 

As with other Special Summon only monsters, Fusion Monsters may have a "Must be Fusion Summoned." or "Must first be Fusion Summoned." but sometimes they also have a "with the above Fusion Materials." as well. What this means is that you cannot use Fusion Substitute Monsters, such as "King of the Swamp" with them.

 

Example:

 

""Dragon Warrior Aria" + "Dragon Warrior Kasin"

Must be Fusion Summoned with the above Fusion Materials."

 

Monsters don't always have to be Fusion Summoned using Polymerization or another card that Fusion Summons, they can also be Special Summoned by Contact Fusion. What this means is that like a Synchro or Xyz Summon, you do not use another card for the Summon, but rather you simply do what the card tells you to, then you Summon it without using a Chain. Typically this is done by banishing or shuffling them, but can also be done by simply sending them to the GY. Note that you always want to put "(You do not use "Polymerization".)" at the end, also note that this is a Special Summon, not a Fusion Summon (though you CAN make it one if you wish to, custom cards and all that).

 

Example:

 

""Angel Guardian" + "Angel Warrior"

Must first be Special Summoned (from your Extra Deck) by sending the above cards you control to the GY. (You do not use "Polymerization".)"

 

Lastly, let's talk about using monsters that aren't a card with a specific name. As stated previously, Archetypes and Types/Attributes are typically used, but other things can be used too. You can also mix both monsters with names and other things, and when you do, you tend to have the named monsters at the start, then the other things afterwards. Always keep in mind that you cannot use Fusion Substitute Monsters for anything that isn't a name, but you can still use them if one part of it is a name. Note that unlike named monsters, you say a number as well. Also, showcasing below that you can use more than 2 monsters if you wish to.

 

Example:

""Red-Eyes Storm Dragon" + 1 DARK "Red-Eyes" monster + 1 Dragon monster"

Must first be Fusion Summoned with the above Fusion Materials."

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=33: Trap monsters and Pseudo-Trap monsters]

Trap monsters are quite interesting, they are Continuous Traps which you activate, then they Special Summon themselves as a monster.

 

Their wording follows a pattern of stating that you Special Summon it as a Normal or Effect monster, then like with Token monsters, you put in the stats of the monster, then you say "(This card is also still a Trap.)", then possible effects it may have while it's a monster.

 

Example:

"Special Summon this card as an Effect Monster (Thunder/LIGHT/Level 5/ATK 1900/DEF 0). (This card is also still a Trap.) If Summoned this way, this card cannot be destroyed by battle."

 

Some also have conditions you have to follow to Summon them, such as "Embodiment of Apophis" and "The Door of Destiny".

 

Example:

"When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: Negate the attack, then Special Summon this card as an Effect Monster (Fiend/LIGHT/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0). (This card is also still a Trap.)"

 

It's important that you state "While this card is a monster" so make it clear that it only works while a monster.

 

Example:

"If a card is Special Summoned from your Spell & Trap Zone to the Monster Zone while this card is a monster: You can target 1 card on the field; destroy it."

 

There also exists cards known as "Pseudo-Trap monsters". So far, they are almost exclusively Normal Traps, though there is an exception with a Continuous Trap called "The Prime Monarch".

 

For the most part, the wording follows a pattern of an effect which is activated like any Trap, then an effect that Special Summons them, then you say "(This card is NOT treated as a Trap.)", then any possible effects it may have while a monster.

 

There are not many released so far in the TCG, "The Pantom Knights of Shadow Veil" being the very first one released.

 

There is also one card called "The Pantom Knights of Tomb Shield" which is more like a normal Trap monster, as it Special Summons itself when the card itself is activated, then it has another effect in the GY

 

Examples:

 

"Target 1 face-up monster you control; it gains 300 ATK/DEF. When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack while this card is in your GY: Special Summon this card in Defense Position as a Normal Monster (Warrior/DARK/Level 4/ATK 0/DEF 300). (This card is NOT treated as a Trap.) If Summoned this way, banish this card when it leaves the field."

 

"Target 1 Normal Monster in your GY; add it to your hand. When a Normal Monster is destroyed by battle: You can Special Summon this card from your GY in Defense Position as a Normal Monster (Warrior/EARTH/Level 3/ATK 1200/DEF 400). (This card is NOT treated as a Trap.) You can only use this effect of "First-Aid Squad" once per turn. If Summoned this way, banish this card when it leaves the field."

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=34: Notice about mandatory effects]

This is a relatively new thing about mandatory effects that activate in a certain phase, such as the Standby or End Phase. These used to be worded as such:

 

"During each of your End Phases: Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the GY."

 

Now though you say:

 

"Once per turn, during your End Phase: Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the GY."

 

The reason for this change is most likely that it can be viewed as though you keep on sending the cards, though this is only a one-time thing. Additionally, this also implies that the ruling regarding Treeborn Frog will soon be overturned when Treeborn Frog is reprinted, as it will most likely be worded the same way. Where you see this the most is currently on the Dark Contract cards from the D/D Archetype, but some cards have had it updated, such as Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress and Inari Fire

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=35: Union monster important update]

This is something that actually happened a while ago, but I hadn't really noticed it before now, but Union monsters have been changed quite a lot. Before now, Union monsters were a bit weird in that you could only equip one of them at a time. Now, they have removed that from older cards, and any new versions of those cards will probably also have removed that. Another change is that they now protect against both battle and effect destruction, which was only battle before, with the exception of some cards. Lastly, they removed the Special Summon in Attack Position, so now you can choose the position yourself.

 

Yeah, it can be quite confusing, but to get a better picture, here's an example of how the old version looked:

 

"Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 Machine monster you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it in Attack Position. While equipped by this effect, the equipped monster gains 500 ATK/DEF. (A monster can only be equipped with 1 Union monster at a time. If the equipped monster would be destroyed, destroy this card instead.)"

 

Here's an example of the same card but how it looks now:

 

"Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 Machine monster you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it. A monster equipped with this card gains 500 ATK/DEF, also, if the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, destroy this card instead."

 

Also notice that the ATK and DEF boost and the destruction protect are put in the same effect line instead of the condition put in the parentheses. While you can still choose to only have them equip one of them at a time and which battle position to Special Summon them in, it's now no longer a mandatory part of Union monsters, so this will allow you to make them with much more flexibility.

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=36: A lot of important new term changes and additions]

There are a lot of new term changes that are slowly coming as the new era of Link Monsters and Extra Monster Zones are coming to the TCG. These are actually changing a lot of the way cards are written, and there will most likely be more to come after I release this. Check the colored text to see when new updates come (and in the update list at the top).

 

I have not added the Link Monster and field related changes yet, as those are not out and I want to be completely sure about them before I put them in here.

 

The first change I want to talk about is Graveyard being called GY now. This change is quite small in what you have to change, as its simply an abbreviation.

 

Example of the previous wording:

"Once per turn: You can target 1 monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon it."

 

Example of the new wording:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 monster in your GY; Special Summon it."

 

Next there are monster types. These have been changed from including the -Type to excluding it. Again, small change, and one that will not change how you word your cards all that much. Do be careful with this, as Archetypes such as "Warrior" are not the same as Warrior monsters.

 

Example of the previous wording:

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Warrior-Type monster you control; it gains 500 ATK."

 

Example of the new wording:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Warrior monster you control; it gains 500 ATK."

 

Next is (Quick Effect). This change is a bit more complicated, as cards that previously stated "During either player's turn" now do not need to anymore, and those that stated (This is a Quick Effect) at the end of the effect now are moved slightly, such as Effect Veiler. You now state (Quick Effect) before the colon.

 

Example of the previous wording:

"Once per turn, during either player's turn: You can inflict 500 damage to your opponent."

 

Example of the new wording:

 

"Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can inflict 500 damage to your opponent."

 

Additionally, you would say "Once per opponent's turn (Quick Effect):" like on Number 20: Utopic ZEXAL in case it cannot be activated during your own turn.

 

In case the effect doesn't have a colon, in other words has no cost, you state it at the start of the effect before the cost/targeting, for example "(Quick Effect): You can discard this card, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; halve its ATK/DEF."

 

The next term is Transfer, which is a completely new term, but one that refers to cards that "Rank Up", as seen on Gaia Dragon the Thunder Charger

 

Example of the previous wording:

"You can also Xyz Summon this card by using a Rank 5 or 6 Xyz Monster you control as the Xyz Material. (Xyz Materials attached to that monster also become Xyz Materials on this card.)

 

Example of the new wording:

 

"You can also Xyz Summon this card by using a Rank 5 or 6 Xyz Monster you control as material. (Transfer its materials to this card.)"

 

Next are cards that say this card. This one is a bit complicated to explain, but think of it as Special Summon only monsters saying " Cannot be Normal Summoned." instead of "This card cannot be Normal Summoned." This removes the first part, as that is not needed to understand the meaning of it. However, you do not want to remove it always, as some wordings would not make as much sense, such as "You can discard 1 card; this card gains 500 ATK" being "You can discard 1 card; gains 500 ATK". It sounds a bit odd compared to other one when worded like this, and as such, I would only use it for Continuous Effects.

 

Example of the previous wording:

"This card gains 500 ATK/DEF for each monster your opponent controls."

 

Example of the new wording:

 

"Gains 500 ATK/DEF for each monster your opponent controls."

 

New Info as of 06/07/17:

 

Spell and Trap Cards are not called Spells and Traps. This is a huge change since you change it for all the different kinds of Spells and Traps, but you don't have to change much besides removing the Card part. Also, you say Spells and Traps for plural versions.

 

Example of previous wording:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field; destroy it."

 

Example of new wording:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Spell/Trap on the field; destroy it."

 

Note, when you refer to Spell/Trap Card activations, you still use the Card, though with things like targeting or negating already face-up cards, you do not.

 

Xyz Material has simply become material. However, there are some exceptions, such as Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon, Bujintei Tsukuyomi and Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Photon Dragon. Fortress Falcon and Prime Photon Dragon are similar in that they both use it when talking about having a specific card attached to it as Xyz Material.

 

Interestingly, Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon and  Raidraptor - Satellite Cannon Falcon do not say Xyz Material, however this may be because they activate their effects on their Xyz Summon. Bujintei Tsukuyomi is different from those, instead referring to the Xyz Materials it had on the field. I'm not sure why they have this distinction yet, since material would work fine.

 

Example of the previous wording:

 

"Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; add 1 Level 4 DARK Winged Beast-Type monster from your Deck to your hand."

 

Example of the new wording:

"Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card; add 1 Level 4 DARK Winged Beast monster from your Deck to your hand."

 

When you perform a Synchro Summon using a specific monster and any other monster, you now say "using materials you control, including this card". The interesting part here to me is the material being used instead of saying "monsters you control as materials". Note that this seems to be only for this kind of effect, where Performapal Odd-Eyes Dissolver goes a different route and instead says: "During your Main Phase: You can Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using this card you control as Fusion Material, as well as other monsters you control or cards in your Pendulum Zones."

 

Example of previous wording:

 

"Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon using this card you control."

 

Example of new wording:

 

"Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster, using materials you control, including this card."

 

The Synchro Material requirements are slightly changed, now being similar to Link Monsters in that they state "1+ non-Tuner monsters". If it requires more than 2, as with Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier you say "2+ non-Tuner monsters".

 

Example of previous wording:

 

"1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters"

 

Example of new wording:
 

"1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters"

 

Piercing damage text has a small change, removing the "to your opponent" part.

 

Example of the previous wording:

 

"If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent."

 

Example of the new wording:

 

"If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage."

 

The phrase "These effects last until the end of this turn" has been put into parentheses, and is no longer after the period.

 

Example of previous wording:

 

"Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can target 1 monster on the field; make it unable to be destroyed by battle or card effects, and if you do, neither player takes any battle damage from attacks involving that monster. These effects last until the end of this turn."

 

Example of new wording:

 

"Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can target 1 monster on the field; make it unable to be destroyed by battle or card effects, and if you do, neither player takes any battle damage from attacks involving that monster (these effects last until the end of this turn.)"

 

 

Cards like the Gladiator Beasts now say "if this card battled", instead of "if this card attacked or was attacked". This is not entirely new, I simply hadn't noticed the change before.

 

Example of previous wording:

 

"At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked: You can draw 1 card"

 

Example of new wording:

 

"At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card battled: You can draw 1 card."

 

Special Summon only monsters now exclude the "and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways". Same goes for Fusion Monsters and such, just change the Summoning method. I find it odd that they changed something that was actually a helpful tool for beginners, but I guess the word "must" should be indication enough.

 

Example of previous wording:

 

"Must be Special Summoned (from your hand or Graveyard) by banishing 3 "Infernoid" monsters from your hand or Graveyard while the total Levels and Ranks of all Effect Monsters you control are 8 or lower, and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways."

 

Example of new wording:

 

"Must be Special Summoned (from your hand or GY) by banishing 3 "Infernoid" monsters from your hand or GY while the total Levels and Ranks of all Effect Monsters you control are 8 or lower."

 

New Info as of 19/07/17:

 

Some news from the new Starter Pack, cards like Cyber Dragon that can be Special Summoned if your opponent controls a monster and you do not now have become shorter to write. Small change, but one that a lot of cards use, so it's an important one:

 

Example of previous wording:

 

"If you control no monsters, and your opponent controls a monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand)."

 

Example of new wording:

 

"If only your opponent controls a monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand)"

 

Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter has had yet another change. This one is quite important though, as it now says simultaneously instead of sequence, which means that destroying and sending cards happens at the same time. Additionally, it no longer targets. I would not say that this eliminates other cards that use sequence, such as Cyber Repair Plant, but I wouldn't be surprised if a few of those will have this change soon.

 

Example of previous wording:

 

"FLIP: Apply these effects in sequence.

● You can target 1 card on the field; destroy that target.

● Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard."

 

Example of new wording:

 

"FLIP: Apply these effects (simultaneously).

● You can destroy 1 card on the field.

● Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the GY."

 

This change is something that I probably should have noted about before, but I feel like this is a good a place as any. Cards that stated "you can activate this effect" aren't used that much anymore, rather they tend to say "during your Main Phase" or "you can make this card" or similar to avoid using the phrase. The reason I'm pointing this out now is that Exarion Universe had this change in the new Starter Pack. I have also updated the section about this phrase to include that the term probably shouldn't be used anymore, but I am not going to remove it immediately, as many cards still use it. Side note, they didn't change the "These effects last until the end of this turn" to be in parentheses and before the period on Exarion Universe, so we'll see if that change is something that sticks.

 

Example of previous wording:

 

"During your Battle Step, if this card attacks a Defense Position monster: You can activate this effect; this card loses exactly 400 ATK, and if it does, it will inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent. These effects last until the End Phase."

 

Example of new wording:

 

"During your Battle Step, if this card attacks a Defense Position monster: You can make this card lose exactly 400 ATK, and if it does, it will inflict piercing battle damage. These effects last until the end of this turn."

 

A change that is quite strange to me that have appeared earlier, but I wasn't too if was a change quirk or here to say is that some cards now don't say "card your opponent controls" but rather "your opponent's card" or similar to that (can be your cards too, as seen with Twilight Ninja Jogen), the significant thing being that it doesn't state anything about control, which is an indication of the card being on the field. Not all cards do this, cards that target prefer the old version and I also noticed that Vision HERO Witch Raider doesn't target, but still states "When this card is Normal Summoned: You can destroy all Spells and Traps your opponent controls.", but I do believe that the new version will appear on many cards in the future, and which ones that use it I will keep a lookout for. A major card that has this change though is Mirror Force, as you'll see below.

 

Example of previous wording:

 

"When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Destroy all Attack Position monsters your opponent controls."

 

Example of new wording:

 

"When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Destroy all your opponent's Attack Position monsters."

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=37: Link Monsters, Extra Monster Zone and more important changes]

Link Monsters are the newest kind of monster in the game, and with it, some changes have happened and new terms have arrived. If you don't know what these are, check out my rulebook that explain by by clicking here.

 

This section will focus on the new terms, what they are and how to use them. These are also added to the Word List, Explanation and Usage List with more detail an examples.

 

Firstly, while not a change to how to word cards, Pendulum Zones have change location, so you may need to update your cards to reflect this change. Pendulum Zones were previously not part of the Spell & Trap Zone, but are now at the leftmost and rightmost Spell & Trap Zone, meaning that cards that affect the Spell & Trap Zone also are able to affect the Pendulum Zone. Also, you can activate and Set cards in the Pendulum Zone, though they are not considered to be in the Pendulum Zone, only Pendulum Monsters are.

 

The other field change is two new zones, the Extra Monster Zones, which are placed over the 2nd and 4th Monster Zones, which are referred to as Main Monster Zones now. The Extra Monster Zone is where monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck go. Link Monsters also allow you to Special Summon to the Main Monster Zones where they point to. You can see the field changes below:

 

[spoiler=New Field]

pxmjm84a6l6z.jpg

 

 

 

Now for the Link Monster related terms. Most terms from the rulebook now exist in card text, though Link Arrow has not been used yet. Additionally, the word "recipe" is used when talking about Link Monsters in the rulebook and their Summoning requirements, though I don't know if that is just a term they use a shorthand in the rulebook or not yet though.

 

Here are the new terms in alphabetical order:

 

co-linked: This means that multiple Link Monsters are pointing their Link Arrows at each other. Cards like Firewall Dragon use this for various effects. This is also important to making an Extra Link, but check the rulebook for information about that.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once while face-up on the field (Quick Effect): You can target monsters on the field and/or GY up to the number of monsters co-linked to this card; return them to the hand."

 

Extra Link: An Extra Link is when your monsters are co-linked from one Extra Monster Zone to the other one, which makes it kind of look like a necklace. As of writing this, it's only used on Match winners.

 

"If this Extra Linked card attacks your opponent directly and reduces their LP to 0, you win the Match."

 

Extra Monster Zone: It is a Monster Zone, and Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, Link Monsters as well as Pendulum Monsters that are face-up in your Extra Deck are Special Summoned to here. Keep in mind that monsters Special Summoned from the GY or while banished are not placed here, but rather in your Main Monster Zone instead. Additionally, any monster that changes control or is temporarily banished that was in the Extra Monster Zone go to the Main Monster Zone instead.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If this card on the field is destroyed by a card effect: Send all monsters in the Extra Monster Zones to the GY."

 

Link-#: Replace the number sign with a number such as Link-1 or Link-3. This is the Link Rating of a monster. This is used when you are talking about a specific Link Rating of a Link Monster.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 Link-3 Cyberse Link Monster you control or is in your GY; banish it, and if you do, Special Summon 1 "Code Talker" monster from your Extra Deck."
 

linked: This is used when talking about a Link Monster either pointing an another monster or it is being pointed at. A co-linked monster is also considered linked.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"This linked card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects."

 

Link Material: Link Materials are the monsters used for a Link Summon. This is listed in the recipe as "2+ monsters". Like other kinds of materials, you may be restricted in how they can be used, or Link Materials in the GY can be used for various effects later on, though they are only Link Material as long as the Link Summon is not negated.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can discard 1 card; Special Summon 1 "Mecha Phantom Beast Token" (Machine/WIND/Level 3/ATK 0/DEF 0), also you can only use "Mecha Phantom Beast" monsters as Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Material for a Summon, for the rest of this turn."

 

Link Monster: Link Monsters are the newest kind of monster, and have many properties, like Link Arrows and Link Ratings, they also have no DEF and cannot be in Defense Position. They are placed in the Extra Deck and are Special Summon only monsters.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"All Link Monsters you control gain 300 ATK."

 

Link Rating: Link Rating is the number on Link Monsters that is in the spot instead of DEF, written like LINK-3 in bold letters. A monster's Link Rating is how many Link Materials you are required to use, as well as how many Link Arrows it has, and Link Monsters' Link Rating corresponds to how many they can treat themselves as, though only as that number or as 1 Link Material.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Gains ATK equal to the combined Link Ratings of all Link Monsters on the field x 300."

 

Link Summon: A Link Summon is performed by sending face-up monsters you control to the GY equal to the Link Rating of the Link Monster you wish you Link Summon. Additionally the Link Monster may have other requirements, such as the monster being an Effect Monster and how many you need as a minimum.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If this card is Link Summoned: Draw cards equal to the number of "World Chalice" monsters this card points to."

 

Main Monster Zone: The Main Monster Zone is the 5 zones above the Spell & Trap Zone. Certain cards only affect these zones rather than all your Monster Zones or only the Extra Monster Zone. Additionally, Link Monsters can point to this zone for various effects as well as allowing you to Special Summon monsters from your Extra Deck to the Main Monster Zone.

 

Example of Usage:
 

"If another monster is Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, while this monster is on the field: Destroy all monsters in the Main Monster Zones, also your other monsters cannot attack for the rest of this turn."

 

point: Link Monsters point to zones, and they can either gain effects or they allow you to Special Summon other monsters from your Extra Deck to your Main Monster Zone this way. This is probably the most used term on Link Monsters, as they almost always have an effect that points.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Gains 500 ATK for each monster it points to."

 

zone: This term is used when talking about Link Monster pointing to a zone. Keep in mind that this is not capitalized like Main Monster Zone is.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from your hand to your zone this card points to."

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=38: Word List, Explanations and Usage Explanation Information]

Below is a list of pretty much every word used in card texts that is of relevance to you when you write your effects.
 
The word in the spoiler is how you're always meant to write it, and unless I specify that they're capitalized, remember to write them lowercase, for example "control" is lowercase and "Special Summon" is uppercase.

 

Example of Usage are examples of both custom cards and real cards that use the word. Be sure to read these
 
Note that certain texts on real cards may have some correct aspects and some incorrect ones. Only account for the word you're reading about, not the others.

 

Also note that some of the card text might be slightly outdated as certain small changes may come in the future. I'll try to update these, and if you find any, let me know.

 

 


 

[spoiler=39: Word List, Explanations and Usage List]

Word list from A-Z. To find what you want, use CTRL+F to use the word search feature on most browsers.

 

[spoiler=activate]

Activate is used a lot, especially when talking about something that activates, or something that has been activated. Activating cards and activating effects is not the same thing. If your intention is to negate the activation of an effect, you must say “activates a card effect”.

 

If your intentions is to negate the activation of a card (as in flipped a Spell/Trap face-up or playing it from the hand) you must say “activates a card.” You also use this when you say that a card or effect can only be activated once per turn.

 

Example of Usage:

 

“When your opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card or monster effect: You can negate the activation, and if yo do, destroy that card."

 

"You can only activate this effect of "Darkness Warrior" once per turn."

 

"You can only activate 1 "Monster Shuffle" per turn."

 

"Monsters in your opponent's possession cannot activate their effects during the Battle Phase."

 

Related:

activates/activated/activating

 

 

[spoiler=add]

Adding is the act of adding cards from the Deck (Sangan), GY (Salvage) or one of your banished cards (Dragoncarnation) to the hand. When writing effects with adding, it’s important to note that you do not add cards from the field to your hand, instead, you return them to you hand.

 

For the Deck, you shuffle them into the Deck or place them on top or bottom of the Deck. Also note that adding is not considered drawing a card (but drawing is considered adding).

 

Example of Usage:

 

“You can add 1 Level 4 or lower monster from your Deck to your hand."

 

"Target 1 Spell/Trap in your GY; add that target to your hand."

 

Target 1 of your banished monsters; add that target to your hand."

 

"When your opponent adds a card to their hand: You can send 1 random card from your opponent's hand to the GY."

 

Related:

adds/adding

 


 
[spoiler=addition]

Addition is used when you gain an additional attack, an additional Normal Summon, additional effects etc. The most common use for it however is when gaining additional Normal Summons. This follows a strict writing which you can see below.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"After this card is Normal Summoned to your field, you can Normal Summon 1 "Melodious" monster during your Main Phase this turn, in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)"

 

"During your Main Phase, you can Normal Summon 1 "Qli" monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)"

 

"Once per turn: You can Normal Summon 1 Level 4 LIGHT Thunder monster from your hand, except "Mahunder", as an additional Normal Summon."

 

"Once per turn: You can Tribute any number of Warrior monsters, except this card; for each Tributed monster, this card gains 1 additional attack during each Battle Phase this turn."

 

Related:

Additional

 

 

 

[spoiler=adjacent]

Adjacent refers to moving a card from 1 spot on the field to another, either to the left, or to the right. This is only used on a very few cards, none of which currently have PSCT, and as such, I am providing a PSCT example of how it might look in the future.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Move 1 monster you control to an adjacent (horizontal) unoccupied Main Monster Zone."

 

"While there is a monster in an adjacent (horizontal) Main Monster Zone, this card cannot be destroyed by card effects."

 

 

 

[spoiler=apply]

Apply is used in situations with multiple option effects, used to describe that certain effects are or are not applied, which also includes Continuous Effects, monsters that attack in Defense Position and apply their ATK or DEF during damage calculation, as well as many other things.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Equip only to a Warrior monster. Apply this effect, depending on its battle position.
● Attack Position: It gains ATK equal to its original DEF.
● Defense Position: It gains DEF equal to its original ATK."

 

"Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card; apply this effect, depending on this card's current battle position.
● Attack Position: If this card attacks an opponent's monster this turn, it gains 1000 ATK, also the opponent's monster loses 500 ATK, during the Damage Step only.
● Defense Position: Inflict 800 damage to your opponent."

 

""Superheavy Samurai" monsters you control can attack while in face-up Defense Position. If they do, apply their DEF for damage calculation."

 

"This card's effects can only be applied/resolved while it has material."

 

"When this card is activated: Target 1 Beast-Warrior monster you control; during this phase, it has its effects negated, also it is unaffected by the effects of cards other than this card. (This applies even if this card leaves the field.)"

 

"Once per Chain, when a Zombie monster, except “Doomking Balerdroch”, activates its effect (except during the Damage Step) (Quick Effect): You can apply 1 of these effects (but you cannot apply that same effect of “Doomking Balerdroch” again this turn).● Negate that effect.● Banish 1 monster from the field or GY."

 

Related:
Applied/Applies

 

 

 

[spoiler=ATK/DEF]

ATK and DEF are the numbers written at the bottom of monsters. They are used to determine if a monster would be destroyed by battle or not and how much damage a monster inflicts your opponent's LP. In card text, they are typically used when a monster would gain or lose ATK/DEF, or when if a monster would be valid for a certain effect.

 

ATK and attack are not the same and should not be confused with each other, they are to be used independently of each other.

 

Monsters also sometimes have ? ATK/DEF. This means that it's undetermined, and an effect decides the value. While the effect is not in place, they are treated as having 0 ATK/DEF. In case their effects are negated, the undetermined ATK and DEF will return to 0. Monsters with ? ATK/DEF cannot be affected by other cards in the hand, Deck, GY or while they're banished that affects monsters with a specific ATK/DEF (Shining Angel).

 

Sometimes you might also see "original ATK/DEF", which means the ATK/DEF on the bottom of the card. Similarly, "current ATK/DEF" means the ATK/DEF that it has, even after changed by an effect. Read more on that here:

http://ygorganization.com/atk-def-modification-and-you/

 

Example of Usage:

 

"All monsters you control gain 300 ATK/DEF for each Spell/Trap you control."

 

This card has ? ATK as its ATK value. This is an effect that determines that value: "This card's original ATK is equal to the total combined Levels of all monsters on the field x 300."

 

"Target 1 monster your opponent controls whose current ATK is different from its original ATK; destroy that target."

 

"Add 1 FIRE monster with 1500 or less DEF from your Deck to your hand."

 

"When this card destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the GY: Inflict damage to your opponent equal to either the ATK or DEF (whichever is higher) of the destroyed monster in the GY."

 

Related:

? ATK/DEF

 

 

 

[spoiler=attach]

Attach is used when you Xyz Summon a monster, which is done by putting the materials under the Xyz Monster you want to Xyz Summon. This is not considered for the monsters to leave the field. Both monsters and Spell/Traps can be attached by effects, but not Tokens cannot ever be attached.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Gains 300 ATK/DEF for each material attached to it."

 

"Target 1 Spell/Trap in your GY and 1 Xyz Monster you control; attach the first target to the second target."

 

Related:

attached

 



[spoiler=attack]

Attack is something you do in the Battle Phase, either to attack an opponent's monster or to attack them directly. You can normally only do this if a monster is in Attack Position, and only once per turn. Some cards allow additional attacks and some cards prevent attacking. Some cards can attack while in Defense Position. Some cards must attack each turn if they are able to, meaning if they're in Attack Position or an effect allows them to attack while in Defense Position.

 

It's important to note that targeting an opponent's monster for attack and declaring an attack are not the complete same thing. This is important in al a replay happens, as some cards can only activate when an attack is declared (Mirror Force), and if a replay happens, you don't declare an attack again, rather you target an opponent's monster for an attack, or attack directly.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Can attack while in face-up Defense Position. If it does, apply its DEF for damage calculation."

 

"If this card attacks, your opponent's cards and effects cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step."

 

"If this card targets an opponent's monster for an attack: You can destroy this card and the attack target."

 

"If this card is targeted for an attack: You can discard 1 card; negate the attack, and if you do, end the Battle Phase."

 

"When this card is destroyed by battle with an opponent's attacking monster and sent to the GY: You can draw 1 card."

 

"All monsters your opponent controls must attack, if able."

 

Related:

attacks/attacked/attacking

 

 

 

[spoiler=Attack Position]

Attack Position: Attack Position is when a monster is on the field, and is placed vertically. When in this position, you are allowed to attack with the card, and the when you battle, you compare the monster's ATK to the attack target's ATK or DEF, depending on its battle position.

 

You can also change the monster's battle position, unless you Summoned the card this turn (unless a card effect says you can).

 

Do not ever say ATK Position, as that's not a real term.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 Special Summoned Attack Position monster your opponent controls; take control of that target."

 

"All Attack Position monsters your opponent controls lose ATK equal to this card's ATK."

 

"Cannot be targeted by card effects while in Attack Position."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Attribute]

The icon you see in the top right of the card. The Attributes themselves are always written in all-caps, such as "LIGHT" or "WATER". Instead of always saying Attribute after you mentioned the Attribute, you simply omit the Attribute part. It's only use in cases where a monster has multiple Attributes, you wish to mention Attributes as a whole, rather than a specific Attribute. See the list of Attributes above as well.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can declare 1 Attribute, then target 1 face-up monster with a different Attribute than the declared Attribute; that target becomes the declared Attribute."

 

"This card is also LIGHT-Attribute."

 

To show when you do not want to use Attribute: "All LIGHT monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle".

 

Related:

Attributes

 

 

[spoiler=banish]

This was before refereed to as "removed from play", but do not use that. You also shouldn't mention "Banished Zone" as that is actually never used on a card, rather you want to word it in a way that uses "banish" or "banished" instead.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 of your banished monsters; Special Summon that target in face-up Defense Position."

 

"If a monster(s) is banished: This card gains 500 ATK/DEF. "

 

"Banish all cards that would be sent to the GY by card effects."

 

"Target 1 face-down monster on the field; destroy that target, and if you do, banish it, then, if it was a Flip monster, each player reveals their Main Deck, then banishes all cards from it with that monster's name."

 

Related:

Banished/Banishes

 

 

[spoiler=battle]

A battle happens whenever a monster attacks or is attacked, even if it is a direct attack. A battle happens from the point you declare you wish to attack, and thus any effect that prevents cards from being activated at the point of a battle starts cannot be activated, see the first example below for how to write that kind of effect. Battle is also used in many other uses, as you'll see in other examples, and can have many uses in general.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If this card battles, your opponent's cards and effects cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step"

 

"Cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects."

 

Related:

battle damage/Battle Step/Damage Step/Damage Calculation

 

 

 

[spoiler=battle damage]

Battle damage is the kind of damage you inflict when a monster you control has higher ATK than the opponent's monster, or DEF if you can inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent, or from a direct attack. You can also take damage if you attack a monster with more ATK/DEF than your monster has.

 

Note that battle damage is different from effect damage. If a card activates when you take effect damage, inflicting battle damage will not trigger it. However, if it just says "if you take damage" it will activate.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If you take battle damage: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent."

 

"If you inflict battle damage to your opponent while the only monsters you control are EARTH: You can Special Summon 1 EARTH monsters from your Deck whose ATK is less than or equal to the amount of battle damage you inflicted."

 

"You take no battle damage from attacks/battles involving this card/Normal Monsters you control."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Battle Step]

A part of the Battle Phase. This some right after the Start Step (not used in actual text). The Battle Step is where cards like Mirror Force activate.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"During the Battle Step (Quick Effect): You can Special Summon this card from your hand, and if you do, gain 1000 LP."

 

"During the Battle Step, when this card battles an opponent's monster (Quick Effect): You can target the monster this card is battling; banish both the opponent's monster and this card."

 

Related:

Battle Phase/Damage Step

 

 

 

[spoiler=Battle Phase]

The Battle Phase comes after the Main Phase. You don't need to go into it, you can go directly to the End Phase from your Main Phase 1, but to go into the Main Phase 2, you must go into it. You cannot go into it during the first turn of the duel either. You can attack in this Phase, but you don't have to do that if you don't wish to.

 

There are a lot of different Steps in the Battle Phase, such as the Battle Step and the Damage Step, as well as damage calculation, but view those to get a better picture of what they do. There also exists the End Step, but that term isn't used in PSCT, rather say "at the end of the Battle Phase".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: End the Battle Phase, then you can Special Summon 1 Tuner monster and 1 Synchro Monster from your GY, but they have their effects negated.

 

"Can make a second attack during each Battle Phase."

 

"At the start of the Battle Phase: For the rest of this turn after this card resolves, Spell/Traps, and their effects, cannot be activated."

 

"At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card battled: You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to this card's original ATK."

 

Related:

battle/Battle Step/Damage Step/Damage Calculation

 

 

 

[spoiler=battle position]

Battle position is the position in which a monster is in, either Attack Position or Defense Position. Monsters can change their battle position during your Main Phase, but not the turn they are Summoned or have attacked.

 

You can also change the battle position of a monster with an effect. Whenever a card says that it changes the battle position of the monster, it changes its current battle position for the other one. Face-down monsters go to face-up Attack Position, and face-up monsters simply change to the opposite of the one they're currently in.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 Attack Position monster on the field; change its battle position, then it loses DEF equal to its ATK."

 

"Neither player can change the battle position of monsters they control."

 

"If this card is Special Summoned: Change the battle positions of all monsters on the field (Flip monsters' effects are not activated at this time.), then both players draw 1 card for each monster they control whose battle position was changed by this effect."

 

Related:

battle positions

 

 

 

[spoiler=become]

This is used when talking about ATK/DEF becoming an exact amount, when talking about a Level/Rank becoming an exact Level/Rank, when talking about a name becoming another name, when talking about a Type/Attribute coming another, changing to a specific Phase (Summon Breaker).

 

Target 1 face-up monster on the field; its ATK becomes 0 and its Level/Rank becomes 1 until the end of this turn."

 

"This card's name becomes "Cyber Dragon" while on the field or in the GY."

 

"All monsters on the field become Dragon monsters."

 

"Activate this card by discarding 1 card; it becomes the End Phase. Neither player can Special Summon monsters, except during the End Phase."

 

Related:

becomes

 



[spoiler=card]

One of the most generic terms you can find, simply meaning any form of card. It's also used in other terms, but you typically capitalize it (see the specific terms for correct capitalization). You always capitalize this word when talking about other kinds of cards, such as Spells. Do not say Monster Card though, instead just say monster. Tokens and Trap Monsters are considered cards. EoU:

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Draw 2 cards, then discard 1 card."

 

"If a card you control is sent to the GY: Target 1 card from your GY; add it to your hand."

 

"While you control 2 or more other face-up cards, battle damage you take it halved."

 

Related:

cards

 


 
[spoiler=card effect]

Card effects are seen on most cards. These are abilities that tell you what the card does or how it works. Not all cards have card effects, some are Normal Monsters or non-Effect Monsters.

 

Some effects do not activate, called Continuous Effects, others do, and have different names depending on how they're worded. See above for more.

 

Cards with card effects and cards without them are different, and sometimes you may only be able to affect a monster with a card effect and sometimes you may be able to target only those without one.

 

All monsters with card effects card considered Effect Monsters, not just the orange-framed ones, but also Rituals, Fusions etc.

 

Sometimes you may just see "effect" instead, both are fine to use and can most of the time be used interchangeably, though from what I have noticed is that you generally want to use "card effect" when you generalize more, and "effect" when you're talking about only one specific effect. See below for cases to get a general overview of which to use where, but I of course can't get all cases, so it's fine if you simply choose which one sounds the best to you.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"When this card is destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to the GY: You can draw 1 card."

 

"Cannot be targeted by an opponent's card effect."

 

"You can target 1 face-up monster on the field; it has its effects negated. You can only use this effect of "Crazy Clown" once per turn."

 

"When a card or effect is activated that targets this face-up card (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it."

 

"This card is unaffected by Spell/Trap effects that do not target it."

 

Related:

card effects/effect/effects

 


 
[spoiler=card type]

A card type is either a Monster, Spell or Trap. This is not used on a lot of cards, however when referring to multiples choices for different card types, then it's useful to use this. A popular example is "Number 16: Shock Master".

 

You can also say Extra Deck monster card type to specify Fusion, Synchro, Xyz or Link Monsters.

 

Newer cards may say "type of card" instead, such as Vampire Lord, but they mean the same thing.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can declare 1 card type (Monster, Spell, Trap); reveal your opponent's hand, and if your opponent has the declared card type in their hand, they must discard those cards."

 

"Declare 1 Extra Deck monster card type (Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz); both players reveal their Extra Deck, and if your opponent has more monsters of the declared card type, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent."

 

Link Monsters were not released at the time of the above card, so that is why it's not included, Inspector Boarder includes this though.

 

"Neither player can activate a monster effect unless the number of monster effects that player has previously activated that turn is less than the number of monster card types currently on the field (Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, Pendulum, and Link)."

 

Related:

Extra Deck monster card type

 

 

 

[spoiler=category]

Quite a new term, which is only used on one card, that being "Onomatopia The meaning of it is to describe that each bullet point is a different category,

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can only activate 1 "Onomatopaira" per turn. Send 1 card from your hand to the GY; add up to 2 of these monsters from your Deck to your hand (you cannot add 2 from the same category).
● 1 "Zubaba" monster
● 1 "Gagaga" monster
● 1 "Gogogo" monster
● 1 "Dododo" monster"

 

 

 

[spoiler=Center]

Center refers to the zone in the middle of the field, or in other words, the third zone from the left. Ghost Bird of Bewitchment is the only card that uses it so far, also it may not be capitalized if used in the middle of the effect, unknown right now since we only have it as a bullet hole effect.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"This card gains an effect based on your Main Monster Zone it is in.

● Leftmost: Gains 1000 ATK/DEF.

● Rightmost: Can make up to 2 attacks on monsters during each Battle Phase.

● Center: Your opponent cannot target this card with card effects, also it cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects.

● Others: Monsters in this column cannot activate their effects."

 

Related:

Leftmost/Rightmost

 

 

 

[spoiler=Chain]

Typically used when talking about how many times it can be used during a Chain, but has some other uses as well. If it says "Once per Chain" then it's always a Quick Effect, since this implies you can use it at any point during the Chain.

 

You may also see that a card that has multiple effects say that those effects cannot be activated in the same Chain.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per Chain, when your opponent activates a monster effect (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation and if you do, destroy that monster."

 

"Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can discard 1 card; this card is unaffected by other card effects until the end of this turn. Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can banish 2 cards from your GY, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; destroy that target. You cannot activate these effects in the same Chain."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Chain Link]

A term that describes the number the effect in a Chain occupies. Typically used on cards where you can only activate the card at a certain Chain Link or higher.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"As Chain Link 3 or higher (Quick Effect): You can discard this card; destroy all monsters your opponent controls."

 

"Activate this card as Chain Link 3 or higher. Monsters in either player's GY cannot be banished."

 

 

 

[spoiler=change]

Change is a pretty common word, most of the time it's used to describe the act of changing the battle position of a monster, but it has been used instead of "switch", so choose whichever one you wish. Don't use this to say things like "change its ATK to 0", instead say "its ATK becomes 0".

 

The word changes is also used, but not in the same way, rather it's used when saying "These changes last until the end of this turn." on cards which have an effect with multiple parts to it, though you can simply also just say "until the end of this turn, all monsters you control gain 300 ATK, also they cannot be targeted by your opponent's card effects".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 2 monsters you control; change those targets' battle position. Monsters changed by this effect cannot declare an attack for the rest of the turn."

 

"During the Battle Phase (Quick Effect): You can change this card's battle position."

 

"When an opponent's monster declares an attack: You can change the attack target to this card and proceed to damage calculation."

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; its ATK becomes 0, and if it does, it has its effects negated. These changes last until the end of this turn."

 

Related:

changed/changes

 

 

 

[spoiler=choose]

Use choose in case you want to pick a card during the resolution of an effect. You should avoid using it to indicate that you wish to target something, targeting ALWAYS happens at activation, choosing always happens at resolution.

 

You also don't need to always state that you "choose 1 monster and destroy it", instead you should say "destroy 1 monster" instead.

 

You can also use it in case you want to pick a card in your Deck and do something with it, since they can't be targeted. Remember that you want to do this at resolution of an effect, since you can't pick a card in your Deck during the activation of the effect.

 

It can also be used to make a decision between different things, such as choosing between a card type or a number.

 

Example of Usage:

 

Once per turn: You can choose a number from 1 to 3, then send that many cards from the top of your Deck to the GY; this card gains 500 ATK for each card sent to the GY this way, until the end of this turn.

 

"Each player chooses 1 monster they control and switches control of those monsters with each other. Those monsters cannot change their battle positions for the rest of this turn."

 

"Once per turn: You can choose 1 FIRE monster in your Deck and place it on top of your Deck."

 

 

"Each time a player rolls a die (or dice), you can choose 1 die result, and apply the appropriate effect, based on the result.
●1, 3, or 5: The die result is treated as 6.
●2, 4, or 6: The die result is treated as 1.2
"

 

"If your opponent controls more cards than you do: You can detach 1 material from this card, then choose 1 unused Monster Card Zone or Spell & Trap Zone; while this card is face-up on the field, that Card Zone cannot be used."

 

Related:

chooses

 


 
[spoiler=coin]

When talking about tossing a coin, typically in luck-based cards. You typically write them so the other outcome is after a period, like you'll see in the examples. You typically "call" what it lands on, either Heads or Tails, and the gain an effect or the effect depends on the outcome of the result.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; toss a coin 3 times, and destroy that target if at least 2 of the results are Heads."

 

"Declare a Level from 1 to 12; each player tosses a coin, and if both are Heads, the Levels of all face-up monsters you currently control become the declared Level. If both are tails, you lose LP equal to the declared Level x 500."

 

"Once per turn: You can toss a coin and call it. If you call it right, destroy all monsters your opponent controls. If you call it wrong, destroy all monsters you control, and if you do, you take damage equal to half the total ATK that those destroyed monsters had on the field."

 

 

 

[spoiler=column]

A column is the 4 zones going vertically and is used with Senet-like cards. You say that the columns are either occupied or unoccupied, and you move cards to another column.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 card on the field in this card's column; destroy that target."

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Spell/Trap you control; move that target to this card's column.

 



[spoiler=conduct]

Used mostly when talking about conducting your Battle Phase, though there's also a few other things, such as conducting a Summon, as seen on "Summon Breaker" and "Extra Net". Almost all cards use the phrase "You cannot conduct your Battle Phase during the turn you activate/use this card/effect."

 

Some older Fusion Monsters say "Fusion Summon of this card can only be conducted with the above Fusion Material Monsters." though now you want to say "Must (first) be Fusion Summoned with the above Fusion Materials".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can banish 1 monster you control; banish 1 monster your opponent controls. You cannot conduct your Battle Phase the turn you use this effect."

 

"During Main Phase 1, if the turn player successfully conducts their third Summon of a monster(s) this turn: It becomes the End Phase."

 

"If a monster(s) is Special Summoned from the Extra Deck: The opponent of the player that conducted the Special Summon can apply this effect.
● Draw 1 card."

 

Related:

conducts/conducted

 

 

[spoiler=Continuous Spell]

These stay on the field for as long as the card allows it, or until removed by an outside source. These typically have Continuous Effects, but sometimes their effects activate.

 

It's important to note that for an effect to resolve with a Continuous Spell/Trap, Field or Equip Spell, it must remain face-up, unless that effect doesn't activate on the field of course. A popular example of this is Chaining "Mystical Space Typhoon" to "Fire Formation - Tenki" so the searching effect resolves without effect.

 

These are always Spell Speed 1. You can Set these and activate them later if you want, during your Main Phase only.

 

These are also sometimes activated/Set from the Deck or GY.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 Continuous Spell in your GY; add it your hand."

 

"Activate 1 Continuous Spell directly from your Deck."

 

 

[spoiler=Continuous Trap]

These stay on the field for as long as the card allows it, or until removed by an outside source. These typically have Continuous Effects, but sometimes their effects activate.

 

You first Set these, and after that, they cannot be activated during that turn, even if it isn't your turn that you Set them, only on the turn after can you activate them.

 

It's important to note that for an effect to resolve with a Continuous Spell/Trap, Field or Equip, it must remain face-up, unless that effect doesn't activate on the field of course. A popular example of this is Chaining "Mystical Space Typhoon" to "Fire Formation - Tenki" so the searching effect resolves without effect.

 

These are always Spell Speed 2, also, an important thing to note is that their effects can be activated during the same Chain Link as you activate the card, for example, you can activate the effect of "Ultimate Offering" as the same Chain Link as you activated the card if you wanted to.

 

However, they are not face-up before they resolve, so if the effect requires it to be face-up, for example with cards like "Hazy Glory", you cannot activate it in the same Chain Link as you activate the card.

 

These are also sometimes activated/Set from the Deck or GY. Do note that they cannot be activated the same turn they are Set, even if Set this way.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Continuous Trap you control; return it to the hand.

 

"If this card is Summoned: Target 1 Continuous Trap in your GY; Set that target."

 

 

[spoiler=control]

When a player controls a card that means that it’s on the field. It’s important to note that control is not the same as having a card in possession, as possessing a card refers both the also your hand, Deck or GY.

 

Control is also used when you take control of a card you opponent controls, for example with "Snatch Steal". Switching control means that 1 or more monsters switch from one side of the field to the other, as seen on ”Creature Swap”. Controlling is sometimes used on cards that Special Summon themselves, such as "XX-Saber Faultroll". You can give control of a card to your opponent, as seen on "Mystic Box". You can also return control of cards, as seen on "Owner's Seal".

 

The controller of a card when it is destroyed, is the person who had it on their side of the field, NOT the person whose Deck it belongs to. An example of this would be the Duston monsters.

 

Some cards also work when you do not control something, such as "Cyber Dragon".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn, if a monster you control is destroyed by battle: You can draw 1 card."

 

"If you control no monsters: You can discard 1 card; Special Summon this card from your hand."

 

"Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; take control of that target until the end of this turn."

 

"Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by controlling 3 or more Spell/Traps."

 

"You can discard 1 card, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; switch control of both this card and that target."

 

"Once per turn: You can give control of 1 monster you control to your opponent, and if you do, return control of all other monsters your opponent controls to their original owners."

 

Related:

controls/controller/controlling

 

 

 

[spoiler=copy]

Not used very often, though when used, it refers to cards with the same name, typically when you refer to multiple copies of "Card Name Here". Don't use this when you want to "copy" a name/effect. Instead say "This card's effect becomes that target's effect" or something like that.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If you control a face-up "Don Zaloog": You can Special Summon any number of "Dark Scorpion" monsters from your hand, but only 1 copy of each."

 

"Declare 1 card name; if that card is in your opponent's hand, they must discard all copies of it, otherwise you discard 1 random card. If you control a face-up "Don Zaloog": You can Special Summon any number of "Dark Scorpion" monsters from your hand, but only 1 copy of each."

 

Related:

copies

 

 

 

[spoiler=counter]

Not to be confused with Counter Traps. Counters are things that you place on cards on the field, which can be used to gain certain effects. There are many different kinds of counters, for example, Spellbook Counters, Ice Counters or A-Counters.

 

Note that if you do not use a named counter, you don to capitalize the word, as seen on "Miracle Jurassic Egg". This is also true in case you simply wish to affect counters in general, as seen on "Gate Blocker".

 

Each counter is different from each other, both named and unnamed ones, so if you place a Venom Counter on "Miracle Jurassic Egg", those counters are not considered to be correct for its effect.

 

Some cards remove counters as well, typically as a cost to activate an effect, or in the case of cards like "Counter Cleaner", as an offensive effect.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Your opponent cannot place counters on cards on the field."

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster on the field; place 1 counter on that target. It gains 500 ATK for each counter on it."

 

"When this card is Normal Summoned: You can place 1 Fireball Counter on it. You can remove 1 Fireball Counter from this card; inflict 500 damage to your opponent."

 

Related:
counters

 


 
[spoiler=Counter Trap]

Not to be confused with counters. The Trap with the little arrow icon. Always Spell Speed 3, and they are the only ones with this Spell Speed. They typically always negate something, either being an effect or an attack, and when they negate cards or effects, they typically always negate the activation. Not related to counters.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Add 1 Counter Trap from your Deck to your hand".

 

"When a Counter Trap Card is activated: Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it.

 

 

[spoiler=co-linked]

This means that multiple Link Monsters are pointing their Link Arrows at each other. Cards like Firewall Dragon use this for various effects. This is also important to making an Extra Link, but check the rulebook for information about that.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once while face-up on the field (Quick Effect): You can target monsters on the field and/or GY up to the number of monsters co-linked to this card; return them to the hand."

 

Related:

linked

 

 

 

[spoiler=damage]

When you take damage, you either take it by battle or by an effect. Taking damage and paying LP are not the same thing. You want to say that you take damage or that you pay *number* LP.

 

You can inflict damage to your opponent, but you cannot inflict it to yourself, you can only take damage.

 

Sometimes effects activate when you inflict damage or take damage. Do note that battle damage and effect damage are two different things, so they may not be able to activate in certain cases.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Inflict 500 damage to your opponent for each card in their hand."

 

"Inflict damage to your opponent equal to this card's Level x 200."

 

"When you take effect damage: You can draw 1 card."

 

"If this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent's: Draw 2 cards, then discard 1 card."

 

"Any battle damage this card inflicts to your opponent is halved."

 

"Your opponent takes any battle damage you would have taken from battles involving this card."

 

 

 

[spoiler=damage calculation]

A part of the Damage Step, which is where you calculate ATK and DEF to determine damage and if the monster would be destroyed (if any). Only certain effects can be used here, an unlike the rest of the Damage Step, only one Chain is allowed here. Read more about that here.

 

Example of Usage:

 

""Superheavy Samurai" monsters you control can attack while in face-up Defense Position. If they do, apply their DEF for damage calculation."

 

"When another monster you control is targeted for an attack while this card is in Attack Position: You can change this card to face-up Defense Position, and if you do, change the attack target to this card and perform damage calculation."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Damage Step]

The Damage Step is a part of the Battle Phase when you attack or is attacked. It a has a lot of differnet rules to it and is quite complex and going into detail would take a very long time, so you can read more about it here.

 

For some Trigger Effects, they will state you can't use them in the Damage Step, which will be stated on parentheses.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"At the start of the Damage Step, if this card battles a Special Summoned monster: Destroy that monster."

 

"If you activate a "Hole" Normal Trap (except during the Damage Step): You can add to your hand, or Special Summon, 1 "Traptrix" monster from your Deck, except "Traptrix Nepenthes"."

 

Related:
damage calculation/Battle Step

 

 

 

[spoiler=Deck]

There are 3 different kinds of Decks. The first is Main Deck. This is where all your Normal/Effect, Spell and Traps go. No Extra Deck  monsters may be in here, with the exception of Pendulum Monsters, which start in the Main Deck, but can go to the Extra Deck later on.

 

The second is the Extra Deck, this is where Fusion, Synchro, Xyz and Link Monsters go. Also, Pendulum Monsters go here when they would be sent from the field to the GY.

 

The third is the Side Deck. This is not an official term used in the game, and should not be used unless you wish to make a new concept in the game.

 

Cards that can be returned to the Deck (but doesn't say Main Deck) may also return to the Extra Deck (See "Pot of Avarice"). If a monster is returned to the hand, but it is an Extra Deck monster, it is returned to the Extra Deck instead.

 

At no point may there be Extra Deck monsters in your Main Deck, or vice-versa, with the exception of Pendulum Monsters. 

 

It's important to note that you do not wish to say "draw 1 card from your Deck", rather simply say "draw 1 card".

 

You typically want to say "the Deck", instead of "your Deck" in most cases where you return a card to the Deck somehow, as cards your opponent owns cannot be in your Deck normally. See below to get a better overview of when to use it and when not to use it.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Add 1 Spell from your Deck to your hand."

 

"Send 2 cards from the top of your Deck to the GY."

 

"Target 2 cards on the field; place the first target on top of the Deck, and if you do, place the second target on the bottom of the Deck."

 

"Draw 1 card, then shuffle 1 card from your hand into your Deck."

 

 

 

[spoiler=declare]

This is mostly used when talking about "declaring an attack", but is also used when you want to declare a card name, type of card (Monster, Spell or Trap), monster type (Type), Level, a number for an effect (such as a number on a die), a Pendulum Scale etc.

 

When you declare an attack, you can only have on Chain at this time, which can be important to make sure your cards work properly.

 

While rare, you can say "When an opponent's monster declares an attack on a monster you control", but you typically say "Targets a monster you control for an attack". There is a small difference here, that being cards using the former cannot be activated in case a replay happens, as you do not declare an attack again if a replay happens.

 

In case you wish to make a card that works both when you declare an attack and when opponent declares an attack on one of your monsters, you want to say "When an attack is declared involving this card/a monster  you control and an opponent's monster:"

 

Example of Usage:

 

"When this card declares a direct attack: You can discard 1 card; until the end of the Damage Step, this card cannot be destroyed by card effects."

 

"When an attack is declared involving this card and an opponent's LIGHT monster: You can negate that attack, then end the Battle Phase."

 

"When an opponent's monster declares an attack on this card: You can banish this card until the end of the Battle Phase."

 

"Declare 1 card name; until the end of the turn, this card's name becomes the declared card's name."

 

"Once per turn: You can declare a Level from 1 to 4; the Level of this card becomes that Level until the end of this turn."

 

"Destroy all cards on the field. You cannot declare an attack the turn you use activate this card."

 

"Activate this card by declaring 1 type of card (Monster, Spell or Trap); cards with declared card type are unaffected by other card effects."

 

Related:
declares/declared/declaring

 

 

 
[spoiler=decrease]

Was previously used when talking about a monster that lost ATK/DEF or you losing LP, but instead you want to say that you lose ATK/DEF or lose LP. Decrease is rarely used, PSCT only uses it for Levels, and even then it is rare, and you will most of the time see "reduce" used instead, and you should probably avoid using decrease as much as possible.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can decrease this card's Level by 1."

 

"Decrease the Levels of all monsters on the field by 1."

 


 
[spoiler=Defense Position]

Defense Position is when the card is on the field, and is placed horizontally. When in this position, you are not allowed to attack with the card, except if a card says you can.

 

You compare the DEF equal to the ATK of the opponent's monster (or DEF in case they have a monster that can attack while in Defense Position), and if the DEF is higher than the opponent's monster, the opponent takes damage, and neither monster is destroyed. If it's higher than your monster's DEF, your monster is destroyed, but you do not take damage, except if the opponent's monster can inflict piercing battle damage.

 

You can also change the card's battle position, unless you Summoned the card this turn. When you change the battle position of a Defense Position monster, you change it to Attack Position, and if it is face-down, it is considered to have been Flip Summoned.

 

You can also change the battle position by an effect, which in that case will not be considered a Flip Summon if face-down, just it being flipped face-up.

 

If a face-down Defense Position monster is attacked, it will remain in face-up Defense Position after being flipped face-up, and Flip monsters' effects may activate after damage calculation.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 Defense Position monster you control; change its battle position."

 

"If you control no cards: You can Special Summon this card from your hand in Defense Position."

 

"Target 1 face-up monster on the field; change that target to face-down Defense Position, and if you do, draw 1 card."

 

 

 

[spoiler=depending]

Used with multiple option effects, where the effect is different depending on something, such as position, types, Attribute etc. Typically you use bullets with these kinds of effects, but there are exceptions such as "7 Completed".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Equip only to a Warrior monster. Apply this effect, depending on its battle position.
● Attack Position: It gains ATK equal to its original DEF.
● Defense Position: It gains DEF equal to its original ATK."

 

"Each time a "Yosenju" monster(s) is Normal or Special Summoned, place 1 Yosen Counter on this card. You can remove any number of Yosen Counters from this card; apply this effect, depending on the number of Yosen Counters removed. You can only use this effect of "Yosen Training Grounds" once per turn.
● 1 Counter: All "Yosenju" monsters you currently control gain 300 ATK until the end of this turn (even if this card leaves the field).
● 3 Counters: Add 1 "Yosenju" card from your Deck or GY to your hand."

 

"Activate this card by choosing ATK or DEF; equip only to a Machine monster. It gains 700 ATK or DEF, depending on the choice."

 



[spoiler=destroy]

Destroy is one of the most common words in the game. The act of destroying a card will put it in the GY, except cards that are destroyed in Main Deck, GY or Banished Zone. Note that Tributing or sending is NOT the same as destroying, but destroying a card will send it somewhere (normally to the GY).

 

Destroying a card can be done in various ways, the most common is by battle. Monsters are typically the only card that can be destroyed this way, but Trap Monsters can be destroyed this way too. The other way is by a card effect, which is whenever an effect say to destroy a card. The last way is by game mechanics, which is not the same as a card effect. See this page for more about that.

 

Destroying a card by battle or an effect are different things and will trigger different effects as well, so wording it exactly how you want is important.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can target 1 monster on the field; destroy that target."

 

"When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the GY: You can target 1  face-up monster you control; it gains ATK equal to the destroyed monster's Level/Rank x 500."

 

"When this card is destroyed by a card effect and sent to the GY: You can return 1 monster you control to the hand, and if you  do, destroy 1 monster on the field."

 

"If a monster(s) you control would be destroyed by a card effect, you can discard 1 card instead of destroying 1 of those monsters."

 

Related:
destroys/destroyed/destroying

 

 

[spoiler=detach]

Detaching an material is often the cost of a Xyz Monster to activate that card's effects. It may not always be the case though, as some cards like "Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction" detaches its material as an effect instead. The same goes for Continuous Effects like "Maestroke the Symphony Djinn" whose second effect does not start a chain, and is a card effect rather than a cost.

 

You can also detach with other effects as well, not just the own card. Do note that detaching materials from a monster does not affect it (attaching does) when making your cards.

 

materials are not considered to be on the field, neither so when they are detached, so make sure you write your cards so they will work in case you want cards to trigger when sent from the field to the GY.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 Spell in your GY; add that target to your hand."

 

"If this face-up card would be destroyed, you can detach 1 material from this card instead."

 

"During each of your End Phases: Detach 1 material from this card or banish this card."

 

"Target 1 Xyz Monster you control; detach all its materials, then draw 1 card."

 

 

 

[spoiler=discard]

Discarding is the act of sending a card from your hand to the GY. It's important to note that you don't discard from the Deck, rather you send. Discarding is the same as sending, but sending is not the same as discard (see "Dark World" rulings for more information).

 

Discarding is typically done as a cost, but you can also discard as an effect, typically done when you want to discard a random card from your opponent's hand.

 

You can still discard as a cost while cards like "Macro Cosmos" are up, unless you state that you "discard 1 card to the GY" or something similar.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Discard 1 card, then target 1 of your banished monsters; shuffle that target into the Deck, then draw 1 card."

 

"Once per turn: You can discard 1 card to the GY; draw 2 cards, then discard 1 card."

 

"Each player discards their entire hand, then draws the same number of cards they discarded."

 

"You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by discarding 1 card."

 

Related:
discards/discarded/discarding

 

 

 

[spoiler=draw]

Drawing a card is the act of adding the top card from your Deck to your hand. Note that you do not capitalize draw, except when you say Draw Phase. You draw for your normal draw during your Draw Phase, but card effects can also make you draw cards.

 

Draw and DRAW is not the same thing, as DRAW is the act of both people losing/winning at the same time.

 

Drawing a card is considered to be adding a card from your Deck to your hand, but adding a card from your Deck to your hand may not always be drawing it.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If this card is Ritual Summoned: Draw 1 card."

 

"Once per turn: You can draw cards equal to the number of Spell/Traps your opponent controls, then banish 1 card from your hand."

 

"When your opponent draws for their normal draw in their Draw Phase: Your opponent discards 1 card they just drew."

 

"Neither player can add cards from their Deck to their hand except by drawing them."

 

"During your Draw Phase, before your draw: You can give up your normal draw this turn, and if you do, add 1 monster from your GY to your hand."

 

Related:
draws/drew/drawing

 

 

 

[spoiler=DRAW]

DRAW is different from draw, in that this talks about when both players would lose to Duel. It's only used on one card, that being "Last Turn", as far as a I know.

 

Some cards create a DRAW, but doesn't say it does, such as "Self-Destruct Button". 

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 Set monster on each field; reveal both those targets, then the player whose monster has the highest combined ATK/DEF wins the Duel. If both monsters have the same combined ATK/DEF, the Duel results in a DRAW."

 


 

[spoiler=Draw Phase]

The Draw Phase is the first Phase of your turn. You always start by drawing 1 card, though some effects can happen before drawing or instead of it. Cards you draw for your normal draw are different than other cards you draw.

 

After the Draw Phase, you must go into your Standby Phase.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"During your Draw Phase, before your draw: You can give up your normal draw this turn, and if you do, add 1 monster from your GY to your hand."

 

"Target 1 face-up monster on the field; destroy that target, also skip your next Draw Phase."

 

"Each time you draw a card(s) for your normal draw in your Draw Phase, place 1 Greed Counter on this card. You can send this card with 2 or more Greed Counters to the GY; draw 2 cards."

 

"Once per turn, if your opponent adds a card(s) from their Deck to their hand (except during the Draw Phase or the Damage Step): You can banish 1 random card from your opponent's hand."

 

Related:

draw

 

 

 

[spoiler=Duel]

Duel isn't used very often. It is used when talking about only being able to activate/use a card or effect once per Duel, when talking about alternate win conditions, or on cards which state that certain cards cannot be used for the rest of the Duel, such as "Armageddon Designator".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 monster your opponent controls; banish it face-down. You can only use this effect of "Doom Knight" once per Duel."

 

"Banish 1 card from your hand; neither player can activate cards, or the effects of cards, with that name for the rest of this Duel."

 

"During your End Phase, if your opponent's LP are 2000 or less, and this card has no materials, you win the Duel."

 

 

 

[spoiler=during]

During is a very commonly used word. It is used to explain when you can/must activate/apply a card or effect. You typically name the Phase of Step where you are able to activate the effect, for example "During your Battle Phase". You typically don't say this for Main Phase though, you normally just say the effect itself, though in case the effect activates, it can be useful, since simply writing the effect without colons/semi-colons makes it look like a Continuous Effect, which may not be the case. Something like "Draw 1 card" would not work, since it doesn't have a colon/semi-colon, instead you can use "During your Main Phase: You can draw 1 card".

 

Typically when you activate an effect during a specific Phase or Step, it's a Trigger Effect, though this may not always be the case, for example, "Effect Veiler" can be activated during your opponent's Main Phases, but it's a Quick Effect, meaning that you can activate it in response to other effects. In case you mean for it to be a Quick Effect in a specific Phase or Step, just before the colon put (Quick Effect). Previously, it was at the end of the effect and said (This is a Quick Effect)

 

Cards that activate during either player's turn previously stated "during either player's turn", however this has been changed to simply say "(Quick Effect)" before the colon. For example, a card that said Once per turn, during either player's turn: You can return this card to the hand." would be "Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can return this card to your hand."

 

You want to say (Quick Effect) to indicate that it can be activated in response to another card during either player's turn when you use a card that negates the activation of a card. However, in the case of Quick-Play Spells and Traps, mostly Counter Traps, you do not need to state this, as those can by default be activated during either player, though for cards that stay face-up after resolution, you do want to use this wording, however, Continuous Traps are by default a Quick Effect, so you may not always need to state this, unless it's a specific Phase or Step of course. For example Dark Smog says "Once per turn: You can target 1 monster in your opponent's GY; discard 1 Fiend monster, and if you do, banish that target." This is a Quick Effect, since it is a Continuous Trap.

 

Sometimes you will also see that an effect cannot be activated in a specific Phase or Step. Most commonly, this is in the Damage Step and certain Trigger Effects. For example "Wind-Up Factory" says "Once per turn, if an effect of a "Wind-Up" monster is activated (except during the Damage Step): You can add 1 Level 4 or lower "Wind-Up" monster from your Deck to your hand." As you can see, you have parentheses stating that it cannot be activated during the Damage Step, but note that it's not at the end of the effect, but rather in the conditions for the effect. Note that you should always write it after the specific condition which cannot be activated during that Step or Phase, and that there is no need to do this in case you already specify a Phase or Step already.

 

Sometimes you'll see "During each of your Standby Phases" or something similar. What this means is that it can/must activate during each of your Phases or Steps, not just at that point once. Another similar thing is "During each End Phase", which means that it can/must activate in both players' End Phases.

 

For cards that can make multiple attacks, you'll see something like "Can make a second attack during each Battle Phase". Other wordings may also say "If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: You can discard 1 card; this card can make a second attack in a row." instead. The difference is that the latter you must attack with that monster right away, where the second you can attack with your monsters in any order you wish.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"During the End Phase, if this card was Special Summoned this turn: You can destroy 1 other card on the field, then place this card on top of your Deck."

 

"During each of your End Phases: Discard 1 card."

 

"If a monster(s) was destroyed during this turn, while you controlled it: Excavate the top 5 cards of your Deck, then you can Special Summon 1 excavated "Performapal" monster, also shuffle the rest back into your Deck."

 

 

 

[spoiler=effect damage]

Effect damage, as the name applies, is a form of damage done by an effect, rather than by battle. Battle damage and effect damage are NOT the same thing, but they are both a form of damage.

 

You can either take effect damage or inflict it. Whenever you want to word an effect that inflicts effect damage, you do not say "inflict 500 effect damage", you simply say "inflict 500 damage" instead.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"When you take effect damage while this card is in your Monster Zone: You can place this card in your Pendulum Zone, and if you do, gain LP equal to damage to took."

 

"Any effect damage you inflict to your opponent is doubled, also any effect damage you take from your opponent's card effects is halved."

 

"You take no effect damage that is higher than 1000."

 

 

[spoiler=Effect Monster]

Monsters with the orange/brown frame. While Effect Monsters by themselves are a kind of card, Ritual, Fusion, Synchro etc. can all be Effect Monsters as well. You can tell this by the "Effect" line in the text box after the Type. Any card that can affect an Effect Monster can also affect those monsters as well (if appropriate).

 

Monsters that are not Effect Monsters are Normal Monsters, or non-Effect Monsters, in the case of Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, Xyz and Link Monsters.

 

If an Effect Monster is in your Spell & Trap Zone, it's no longer an Effect Monster, and as such, it does not have any of its normal effects, only those that apply while it's in the Spell & Trap Zone. An example of this would be the Inzektor monsters, which tend to have effects while they're equipped to a monster.

 

Pendulum Monsters can be Effect Monsters as well, but if they're in the Pendulum Zone, they are NOT Effect Monsters.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Effect Monsters you control cannot be targeted by card effects."

 

"If a Normal Monster you control battles an opponent's Effect Monster, negate that monster's effects until the end of the Damage Step."

 

"You can reveal 1 Effect Monster in your hand, then target 1 non-Effect Monster you control; that target gains the effects of the revealed monster until the end of this turn.

 

Related:
Effect Monsters/non-Effect Monster

 

 

 

[spoiler=End Phase]

The End Phase comes after the Main Phase 2, but you can also skip from Main Phase 1 to it. During the End Phase, certain effects activate and end, as well as maintenance costs. You also may have to discard for your hand size limit, but view that for more info about it.

 

An important note is that you don't want to say "until the End Phase" anymore, but rather "until the end of this turn." More info can be found in the "Do not use "ca Phase" anymore" section.

 

After the End Phase, it becomes your opponent's Draw Phase.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn, during your End Phase: Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the GY."

 

"Special Summon 1 "Dinomist" monster from your Deck, and if you do, it is unaffected by other cards' effects, also destroy it during the End Phase."

 

"When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Majespecter" card from your Deck to your hand during the End Phase of this turn."

 

Related:

hand size limit

 

 

 

[spoiler=Equip Card]

Equip Cards are cards that equip themselves to monsters. Typically Equip Spells, but can be other cards as well, such as monsters or Normal Traps (never Continuous Traps).

 

Note that Traps are not treated as Equip Spells if the Equip themselves, only monsters are this. Cards that are not natively Equip Spells typically refer to themselves/other cards of the same nature to Equip Cards instead.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Face-up Equip Cards you control cannot be destroyed by card effects"

 

"While this card is equipped to a monster: You can send this Equip Card to the GY to target 1 card on the field; destroy that target."

 

Related:

Equip Cards/Equip Spell

 

 

 

[spoiler=Equip Spell]

Spells with the little plus icon. These are activated by targeting 1 face-up monster on the field that's a legal target for that card, or in some cases, a card in the GY or one that's banished.

 

Equipping always targets a monster, and the card keeps targeting continuously while equipped, similar to how cards like Fiendish Chain keeps targeting the monster it is effecting.

 

Note that not all cards that equip are Equip Spells, sometimes they are just Equip Cards. All Traps equip become this, and this is not the same as Equip Spells, but Equip Spells are Equip Cards.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 Equip Spell in your GY and 1 appropriate monster on the field; equip the Equip Spell to that monster. Destroy that Equip Spell during the End Phase."

 

"When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the GY: You can equip that monster to this card as an Equip Spell with this effect.
●The equipped monster gains 1000 ATK."

 

"If this card is Normal Summoned: Target 1 Equip Spell in your GY; banish that target, and if you do, add it to your hand during your next Standby Phase."

 

"This card is unaffected by the effects of Equip Spells."
 

Related:

Equip Card/Equip Spells

 

 

 

[spoiler=excavate]

Excavate is a term used when talking about revealing cards from the top of the Deck. Note that this is not the same as reveal, even if they show the top card in a similar way. This is important, because Sylvans only work when excavated, not when revealed.

 

"If a monster(s) was destroyed during this turn, while you controlled it: Excavate the top 5 cards of your Deck, then you can Special Summon 1 excavated "Performapal" monster, also shuffle the rest back into your Deck."

 

"During the End Phase, if this card was Normal Summoned this turn: You can Tribute this card; excavate the top 5 cards of your Deck, you can add 1 excavated Spell/Trap to your hand, also send the remaining cards to the GY."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Extra Deck]

The Extra Deck is where you store Fusion, Synchro, Xyz and Link Monsters (Pendulums too, but they don't start there). You can have 15 monsters in here. No other cards are allowed in here. The Extra Deck works mostly like the Main Deck, but there is no order needed in your Extra Deck, so can shuffle it as much as you want. You can't put cards in the Extra Deck that belong in your Main Deck, except for Pendulum Monsters, but they start in the Main Deck.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If your opponent controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, this card cannot be targeted by card effects."

 

"Send 1 monster from your Extra Deck to the GY."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Extra Link]

An Extra Link is when your monsters are co-linked from one Extra Monster Zone to the other one, which makes it kind of look like a necklace. As of writing this, it's only used on Match winners.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If this Extra Linked card attacks your opponent directly and reduces their LP to 0, you win the Match."

 

Related:
linked/co-link

 


 

[spoiler=Extra Monster Zone]

It is a Monster Zone, and Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, Link Monsters as well as Pendulum Monsters that are face-up in your Extra Deck are Special Summoned to here.

 

Keep in mind that monsters Special Summoned from the GY or while banished are not placed here, but rather in your Main Monster Zone instead.

 

Additionally, any monster that changes control or is temporarily banished that was in the Extra Monster Zone go to the Main Monster Zone instead.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If this card on the field is destroyed by a card effect: Send all monsters in the Extra Monster Zones to the GY."

 

Related:

Main Monster Zone/Monster Zone

 

 

 

[spoiler=face-down]

Used when talking about face-down monsters. Keep in that you do not use this when talking about Spell/Traps, instead you use "Set". You do however use this when you want to say that you banish a card face-down, even Spell/Traps.

 

Do not say "flip it face-down", instead say "change it to face-down Defense Position".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Face-down monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects."

 

"Once per turn: You can banish the top card of your Deck face-down, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; change that target to face-down Defense Position."

 

 

 

[spoiler=face-up]

Can both be used when talking about monsters being in face-up Attack or Defense Position, but also refers to other cards that are face-up. Only face-up monsters can be targeted by cards that change the ATK/DEF, Type, Attribute, Level/Rank or effects of that monster.

 

Note that you do not say face-up when you Special Summon a monster, simply say "Special Summon that target in Attack Position" or "Special Summon 1 FIRE monster from your hand in Defense Position" or something like that.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 face-up monster you control; return it to the hand, then draw 1 card."

 

"All face-up monsters you control cannot be targeted by card effects".

 

"Target 1 FIRE monster in your GY; Special Summon that target in face-up

 

 

[spoiler=field]

Not related to Field Spells. Refers to the whole field where cards are placed face-up or face-down. Does not refer to the Extra Deck, GY etc.

 

Before, you used to say "your side of the field" in most cases, but now you want to say "you control" instead. Sometimes you may still say it, for example with cards that use from both your hand and field, such as Polymerization. Recently, an update came that changed it from "your side of the field" to "your field", as well as "your opponent's field" etc.

 

Try to avoid using "while this card is on the field" or something similar if you can, as most of the time it isn't needed.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 monster on the field; destroy it."

 

"When a monster effect is activated on your opponent's field (except during the Damage Step) (Quick Effect): You can detach 2 materials from this card, then target 1 Effect Monster your opponent controls; while this card is face-up on the field, that Effect Monster has its effects negated, also it cannot change its battle position."

 

"Must first be Special Summoned (from your Extra Deck) by sending the above cards from either field to the GY. (You do not use "Polymerization".)"

 

"When your opponent Normal or Special Summons a monster(s) (except during the Damage Step): You can Special Summon this card from your hand to the opponent's field in Defense Position."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Field Zone]

The Zone where you place Field Spells. Each player has one. Keep in mind that it's not a part of the Spell & Trap Zone, it's independent of the total amount you are normally allowed (being 5). Note that this was previously called the Field Card Zone, so don't use the previous term.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If your opponent controls a card in their Field Zone and you do not: Activate 1 Field Spell from your Deck. You can only activate 1 "Pop-Up" per turn."

 

"If this card is sent from your Field Zone to the GY: You can draw 1 card."

 

Related:
Monster Zone/Spell & Trap Zone/Pendulum Zone

 

 

 

[spoiler=Field Spell]

The card you place in your Field Zone. You can only have one in there, but you can replace it by activating another one, causing the previous one to get sent to the GY by game mechanics. You may also Set one, even if you have another one, just note that this is not the same as activating it, so it will not start a Chain.

 

Previously, you could only have 1 on the field, but now both players may have 1 each. Field Spells are similar to Continuous Spells in almost all ways otherwise.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If you control a Field Spell: Target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy it."

 

"While you control a Field Spell, your opponent cannot declare an attack."

 



[spoiler=flip]

Not used a lot, only very few cards actually use it, so I suggest you try to avoid using it, instead say "change it to face-up Defense Position". Also note that this is not the same as the FLIP you see on Flip monsters.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 face-down Defense Position monster on the field; flip it face-up, then destroy it if its DEF is 2000 or less, or return it face-down if its DEF is more than 2000."

 

"Change all face-up monsters on the field to face-down Defense Position. During the End Phase, flip all face-down Defense Position monsters your opponent controls face-up, and if you do, your opponent draws 1 card for each."
 

Related:

flipped face-up/FLIP

 

 

 

[spoiler=flipped (face-up)]

More common than simply flip, this is used when you want to indicate that it isn't just by Flip Summon, but also by other ways, such as effect or by an attack. This is also used on Spirit monsters.

 

Note that monsters that use "when this card is flipped face-up" are not Flip monsters, even though they may act very similarly to them.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"When this card is flipped face-up: You can discard 1 card; change all monsters on the field to face-down Defense Position."

 

"During the End Phase of the turn this card is Normal Summoned or flipped face-up: Return it to the hand."

 

Related:

flip/FLIP

 

 

 

[spoiler=FLIP]

Used when you indicate a that a Flip monster activates its effect when flipped face-up You always follow it with a colon after it, and it's ALWAYS at the start of the effect, no exceptions.

 

Since Special Summon-only monsters cannot be Set normally, there are no real examples of them being Flip monsters, so you should probably avoid to make cards that do that, since they don't work without any outside source.

 

Remember to put a line break after the effect that activates when flipped face-up, as any other effect of course don't activate when flipped face-up. See examples for more.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"FLIP: You can target 1 face-down monster you control; change it to Attack Position.

Gains 200 ATK/DEF for each Flip monster on the field."

 

"FLIP: You can destroy all Spell/Traps on the field, then destroy this card.

 

Related:

flip/Flipped face-up/Flip monster/Flip Summon

 

 

 

[spoiler=Flip monster]

A monster that says "FLIP:" making it a Flip monster, and it also has Flip as a sub-type. Note that monsters that just say "when this card is flipped face-up" are NOT Flip monsters.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; change its battle position. (Flip monsters' effects are not activated.)"

 

"Target 1 Flip monster in your GY; Special Summon that target in face-down Defense Position."
 

Related:

flip/Flipped face-up/FLIP/Flip Summon

 

 

 

[spoiler=Flip Summon]

The process of taking a face-down monster you control and putting it into face-up Attack Position. This can only be done in an open game state during your Main Phase 1 or 2, unless you attacked this turn, and your monster was changed to face-down Defense Position by an effect.

 

Note that monsters being flipped face-up is not the same as being Flip Summoned, but Flip Summoning will activate those effects.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"When this card is Normal or Flip Summoned: You can discard 2 cards; draw 3 cards."

 

"While this Flip Summoned monster is on the field, neither player can Normal Summon (but can Normal Set)."

 

Related:

flip/Flipped face-up/FLIP/Flip monster

 

 

 

[spoiler=Fusion Material]

Refers to the monsters used to Fusion Summon other tmonsters with, which is written in the top of Fusion Monsters like so: "Dark Magician" + "Buster Blader" or "1 Warrrior monster + 1 Synchro Monster". As you can see, it can either be card names or it can be types or different kinds of monsters.

 

Note that you don't use the number when you are talking about names, even if you have multiple of the same monster, rather you say "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" + "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" + "Blue-Eyes White Dragon".

 

Do keep in mind that cards that are substitutes for other monsters are not allowed when it doesn't name a specific monster, for example an Attribute or Archetype.

 

As of recent, they removed the "Monster" part from Fusion Material, so try to avoid using that.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials."

 

"While this card is on the field: Either player can Fusion Summon a Fusion Monster without using "Polymerization", but the Fusion Material are banished instead of being sent to the GY."

"If this card is sent to the GY as a Fusion Material for a Fusion Summon: Draw 1 card."

 

Related:
Fusion Materials/Fusion Monster/Fusion Summon

 

 

[spoiler=Fusion Monster]

A Fusion Monster is a monster you put in your Extra Deck; they have a purple color. They are typically Fusion Summoned with the card "Polymerization", but there are other ways to Fusion Summon (or Special Summon in some cases) as well.

 

You need 2 or more Fusion Materials to Fusion Summon, and depending on what the Fusion Monster says, you might do this in a specific way that doesn't require another card, known as Contact Fusion unofficially. 

 

Contact Fusions do not start a Chain, and act much like Special Summon only monsters, and even have the same kind of wording, stating that you Special Summon them from the Extra Deck, see the first example below:

 

"Must be first Special Summoned (from your Extra Deck) by shuffling the above cards you control into the Deck. (You do not use "Polymerization")"

 

Note that Contact Fusion isn't actually a Fusion Summon on the real cards, rather it's just a Special Summon, but you could potentially make it a Fusion Summon if you really wanted to.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials."

 

"When a Fusion Monster is Fusion Summoned: You can destroy this card, and if you do, destroy all Fusion Monsters on the field, then both players take 800 damage for each Fusion Monster destroyed"

 

Related:
Fusion Monsters/Fusion Material/Fusion Summon

 

 

 

[spoiler=Fusion Summon]

A kind of Special Summon that Special Summons Fusion Monsters from the Extra Deck. You typically use "Polymerization", but other cards can Fusion Summon too.

 

Fusion Monsters monsters are only considered properly Fusion Summoned if you Fusion Summoned them, not if they are just Special Summoned, so you cannot revive them later on.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials."

 

"When this card is Fusion Summoned

 

Related:
Fusion Monster/Fusion Material

 

 

 

[spoiler=gain]

Used when talking about either gaining LP, gaining ATK/DEF or gaining an effect. Some older cards say "increase" when talking about LP or ATK/DEF, and some older cards use "gain" when talking about Levels. Try to stay away from that, as you Gain LP, and increase Levels, not the other way around.

 

A monster can gain as much LP or ATK and DEF as you want, even going all the way over 5000 ATK which is the maximum ATK for any card in the same without multipliers, or 8000 LP, being the starting point for LP.

 

Some cards may also gain an effect, this is common with Chaos Xyz Monsters, as they gain effects if they have their previous form attached to them

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Gains 500 ATK/DEF for each monster you control."

 

"If this card leaves the field by your opponent's card effect: Draw 1 card and gain 1000 LP."

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up FIRE monster you control; it gains 800 ATK until the end of this turn."

 

"Gains these effects depending on the number of monsters with different names in your GY

● 5+: Cannot be targeted by Spell/Trap effects.

● 10+: Neither player can Special Summon monsters."

 

Related:

gains/increase/lose

 

 

 

[spoiler=Gemini]

What you see on Gemini monsters. When you refer to Gemini monsters, say Gemini monsters, not just Gemini.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"[ Fiend / Gemini / Effect ]"

 

"[ Aqua / Gemini / Tuner / Effect ]"
 

Related:
Gemini Monster

 


 

[spoiler=Gemini monster]

A Gemini Monster is a monster which is a considered a Normal Monster while on the field or in the GY. Anywhere else, it is an Effect Monster.

 

All Gemini Monsters have a specific line of text, which is always the same (some older cards may not have been updated to the newest one yet though), which you can view below here.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"This card is treated as a Normal Monster while face-up on the field or in the GY. While this card is a Normal Monster on the field, you can Normal Summon it to have it become an Effect Monster with this effect.
● Once per turn: You can draw 1 card."

 

"You can target 1 Gemini monster you control; return it to the hand, then Special Summon 1 Gemini monster from your hand with a different name."

 

Related:
Gemini

 

 

 

[spoiler=GY]

The GY is where cards go when they are Tributed, destroyed, discarded etc. This was previous referred to as Graveyard, but the wording is the same otherwise.

 

Cards in the GY can be targeted, just like cards on the field, and unlike cards in the hand or Deck.

 

It's important to note that unless you properly Ritual, Fusion, Synchro or Xyz Summoned, you cannot Special Summon them from the GY again. Same goes for cards like Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning that say "Must first be Special Summoned..."

 

Previously you said Graveyard, though now it has been shortened to simply GY.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 FIRE monster in your GY; banish it, and if you do, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent."

 

"Target Spell/Trap you control and 1 face-up monsters your opponent controls; send them to the GY."

 

"Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the GY, then draw 1 card for each Zombie monster sent."

 

"During your Main Phase: You can banish all cards from the GYs, and if you do, take 100 damage for each of those banished cards."

 

Related:
GYs

 

 

 

[spoiler=hand]

The hand is where you have your cards you draw or add to the hand. Whenever you draw a card, take the top-most card of your Deck and place it in your hand.

 

You normally do not show these to your opponent, though some might have you reveal your hand.

 

Many effects involve the hand, and there can be some confusing things at times, such as Extra Deck monsters that are returned to the hand are returned to the Extra Deck instead.

 

Another important thing is that you discard cards from your hand only, not the Deck. You can also send cards from your hand to the GY. Do remember that those two terms are different; discard is the same as send, and will trigger effects that activate when a card is sent, or when a card is discarded, but sending is not the same as discarding, and will not trigger effects that activate when a card is discarded.

 

You always add cards from the Deck or GY or Banished Zone to the hand.

 

You NEVER target cards in the hand. Make sure you say something else if you want a specific card in your hand, such as "reveal 1 FIRE monster" instead of "target 1 FIRE monster in your hand".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 Spellcaster monster you control; return it to the hand, and if you do, draw 1 card."

 

"If the opponent controls a monster and you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand)."

 

"Send 1 monster from your hand to the GY; add 1 Normal Monster from your Deck to your hand."

 

Related:

hand size limit

 

 

 

[spoiler=hand size limit]

Refers to the amount of cards allowed in your hand. You normally are allowed as many as you want, but during the End Phase, if you have 7 or more, you must discard so you have only 6. It's also important to note that you cannot activate effects at this point, with the exception of effects that trigger because of the hand size limit, such as that of White Stone of Legend.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"During your End Phase, if you discard a monster(s) to the GY because you had more cards than your hand size limit: You can target 1 of those monsters; Special Summon that target."

 

"The hand size limit of this card's controller becomes 3."

 

Related:

hand

 

 

 

[spoiler=increase]

Increase is only used when talking about increasing Levels. It was previously used when talking about ATK/DEF and sometimes even LP, but they have changed those to gain instead, so only use increase for Levels.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 face-up monster you control; increase its Level by 1."

 

"This card's Level is increased by the total number of Spell/Traps you control."

 

Related:

increased/gain/loss/decrease

 

 

 

[spoiler=inflict]

Used when talking about inflicting damage, as in battle damage or effect damage. Not that inflicting battle damage and effect damage are NOT the same thing. They are however the same thing when talking about simply inflicting damage of any kind.

 

Note that you don't inflict damage to yourself, rather you take damage. So don't say "Inflict 500 damage to yourself", rather say "Take 500 damage". Similarly, you do not say "inflict 500 damage to both players," instead you say "both players take 500 damage".

 

You also don't use "your opponent loses 500 damage", you only use lose when it's for yourself. Note that losing is different from taking damage as well, some cards only activate when you take damage, not when you lose LP.

 

Paying LP is also not the same as inflicting damage to yourself either, but you are considered to lose LP if you pay them, but you are not considered to pay LP if you take damage or you lose LP.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can discard 1 card; inflict 1000 damage to your opponent."

 

"When this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent: You can Special Summon 1 "Distant Nightmare" monster from your Deck."

 

"Can attack your opponent directly, but when it does so using this effect, the battle damage inflicted to your opponent is halved."

 

Related:

inflicts/inflicted/take/lose

 

 

 

[spoiler=kind]

Only used on one card, that being "Sacred Serpent's Wake", and is used to describe the different kinds of monsters, such as Synchro or Xyz Monsters, which the card then uses to count how many effects you gain.

 

Be sure to describe what the kinds of monsters you include are. Do not confuse the different kinds of monsters with Monster Types, as in "types" on cards.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"From "Sacred Serpent's Wake": You can only activate 1 "Sacred Serpent's Wake" per turn. If you control 2 or more different kinds of monsters (Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz): Activate 1 or more effects, depending on the number of different kinds you control, and resolve in sequence.
● 2+: Target 1 monster in your GY or 1 of your banished monsters; add that target to your hand.
● 3+: Target 1 Trap in your GY; add that target to your hand.
● 4: Target 1 Spell in your GY, except "Sacred Serpent's Wake"; add that target to your hand.
"

 

Note, currently the Sacred Serpent's Wake does not use GY, nor the "2+" instead of "2 or more", but it is updated to reflect how it should look.

 

 

[spoiler=last]

Used in the sentence "These changes/effects last until the end of this turn/Step/Phase". This is used so it's easier to understand that ALL of what the effect writes last until the End Phase, rather than only some of it.

 

Another way to write would be "Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster you control; until the end of this turn, that target gains 500 ATK, also it cannot be destroyed by card effects."

 

Avoid writing it like this though, as that would mean that only the first part lasted until the end of the turn: "Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster you control; it gains 500 ATK until the end of this turn, also it cannot be destroyed by card effects".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card; change this card's DEF to 0, and if you do, change its ATK to 3000. These changes last until the end of this turn."

 

"During the Battle Step, while an attack involving your Machine monster is occurring (Quick Effect): You can detach 1 material from this card; negate the effects of all face-up cards your opponent currently controls, also your opponent's cards and effects cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step. These effects last until the end of the Damage Step."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Leftmost]

Leftmost refers to the zone to the leftmost on the field, or in other words the first zone from the left. Ghost Bird of Bewitchment is the only card that uses it so far, also it may not be capitalized if used in the middle of the effect, unknown right now since we only have it as a bullet hole effect.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"This card gains an effect based on your Main Monster Zone it is in.

● Leftmost: Gains 1000 ATK/DEF.

● Rightmost: Can make up to 2 attacks on monsters during each Battle Phase.

● Center: Your opponent cannot target this card with card effects, also it cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects.

● Others: Monsters in this column cannot activate their effects."

 

Related:

Center/Rightmost

 

 

 

[spoiler=Level]

The Level of a monster is displayed under the card name with stars. All monsters have these, except Xyz Monsters that have Ranks instead.

 

Ranks and Levels are NOT the same thing ever, and cards that affect monsters with Levels can't be used on monsters with Ranks and vice-versa.

 

Levels go from 1-12, but cannot go lower than 1, but can go higher than 12 (unless stated otherwise). You can increase, reduce (decrease is also used, but not often) or make a Level become something else.

 

You also state Levels for the requirements of an Xyz Monsters, for example "2 Level 4 monsters" or in the stats of Tokens, for example "Special Summon 2 "Aquabine Tokens" (Aqua/WATER/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0)."

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 face-up monster on the field; increase its Level by 1."

 

"When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster from your hand."

 

"The Levels of all monsters on the field become 7 until the end of this turn."

"Once per turn: You can reduce the Levels of all monsters on the field by 2."
 

Related:

Levels/Rank

 

 

 

[spoiler=Link-#]

Replace the number sign with a number such as Link-1 or Link-3. This is the Link Rating of a monster. This is used when you are talking about a specific Link Rating of a Link Monster.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 Link-3 Cyberse Link Monster you control or is in your GY; banish it, and if you do, Special Summon 1 "Code Talker" monster from your Extra Deck."

 

Related:
Link Rating

 

 

 

[spoiler=linked]

This is used when talking about a Link Monster either pointing an another monster or it is being pointed at. A co-linked monster is also considered linked.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"This linked card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects."

 

Related:

co-linked

 

 

 

[spoiler=Link Material]

Link Materials are the monsters used for a Link Summon. This is listed in the recipe as "2+ monsters". Like other kinds of materials, you may be restricted in how they can be used, or Link Materials in the GY can be used for various effects later on, though they are only Link Material as long as the Link Summon is not negated.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can discard 1 card; Special Summon 1 "Mecha Phantom Beast Token" (Machine/WIND/Level 3/ATK 0/DEF 0), also you can only use "Mecha Phantom Beast" monsters as Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Material for a Summon, for the rest of this turn."

 

Related:

Link Rating/Link Monster

 

 

 

[spoiler=Link Monster]

Link Monsters are the newest kind of monster, and have many properties, like Link Arrows and Link Ratings, they also have no DEF and cannot be in Defense Position. They are placed in the Extra Deck and are Special Summon only monsters.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"All Link Monsters you control gain 300 ATK."

 

Related:

Link Summon/Link Material/Link Rating/Link Arrow

 

 

 

[spoiler=Link Rating]

Link Rating is the number on Link Monsters that is in the spot instead of DEF, written like LINK-3 in bold letters. A monster's Link Rating is how many Link Materials you are required to use, as well as how many Link Arrows it has, and Link Monsters' Link Rating corresponds to how many they can treat themselves as, though only as that number or as 1 Link Material.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Gains ATK equal to the combined Link Ratings of all Link Monsters on the field x 300."

 

"Once per turn: You can declare 1 card name; excavate cards from the top of your Deck, equal to the total Link Rating of the Link Monsters co-linked to this card, then if you excavated any copies of the declared card, add them to your hand, also send the remaining cards to the GY."

 

Related:

Link Monster/Link Arrow/Link Summon

 

 

 

[spoiler=Link Summon]

A Link Summon is performed by sending face-up monsters you control to the GY equal to the Link Rating of the Link Monster you wish you Link Summon. Additionally the Link Monster may have other requirements, such as the monster being an Effect Monster and how many you need as a minimum.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If this card is Link Summoned: Draw cards equal to the number of "World Chalice" monsters this card points to."

 

Related:

Link Monster/Link Material/Link Rating/Link Arrow

 

 

 

[spoiler=location]

Used on Senet-like cards and relates to moving two monsters with each other. Currently only one card uses it, Castle Link, but as Link Monsters become more prevalent, moving cards like this will be more important, so this term will be used a lot I feel.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can switch the locations of 2 Link Monsters in your Main Monster Zones or 2 Link Monsters in your opponent's Main Monster Zones."

 

Related:

move

 

 

 

[spoiler=look]

Look is used when you look at the top or bottom cards of the Deck. This is similar to reveal and excavate, but with look, only the user of the effect that uses look may look at the card, where the opponent cannot look at it (except for cases where an effect requires that both players look at it to confirm stats and what not).

 

You also look at Set cards your opponent controls and their hand and sometimes even in their Extra Deck.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can look at up to 3 cards from the top of your Deck, then place them on the top of the Deck in any order."

 

"Tribute 1 WATER monster; look at your opponent's hand, then send 1 card from their hand to the GY."

 

"Once per turn: You can declare either Spell or Trap, then target 1 Set card in your opponent's Spell & Trap Zone; look at that target, and if it is the declared card type, that card cannot be activated this turn."

 

"If this card is Normal Summoned: Look at 1 random card in your opponent's Extra Deck, and if it has 2000 or more ATK, this card gains 1000 ATK. If it has less than 2000 ATK, you gain LP equal to that monster's ATK."

 

Related:

reveal/excavate

 

 

 

[spoiler=lose]

The counterpart to gains. All the same rules apply, though monsters cannot go under 0 ATK/DEF, which also means that if a card says "this card loses exactly 500 ATK, and if it does, all monsters your opponent control are destroyed", it cannot activate its effect.

 

It's important to note that when talking about losing LP, that it isn't the same as taking or paying LP. Also note that you don't say "your opponent loses 500 LP", but instead "inflict 500 damage to your opponent".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; destroy it, and if you do, lose 1000 LP."

 

"All monsters your opponent control lose 100 ATK/DEF equal to the number of Spell/Traps you control."

 

Related:
loses/pay/take/inflict

 

 

 

[spoiler=LP (Life Points)]

LP, which stands for Life Points, is what both players have and if it becomes 0, they lose the Duel. Previously, this was known as Life Points, but have been changed to just LP now.

 

Players can lose or gain LP in various ways, such as gaining LP, losing LP, paying LP and taking or inflicting damage. Each way you lose them are different, so certain cards may be able to activate though sometimes they cannot. For example, taking damage is not the same as paying LP, but paying LP is considered losing LP. You can view more by looking at the entries for these terms.

 

It's important to note that you don't say "Inflict 1000 damage to your opponent's LP", but instead just say "Inflict 1000 damage to your opponent". Same goes for take, but for pay, lose and gain, you always say LP.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Pay 600 LP, then target 1 Spell/Trap on the field; destroy it, then draw 1 card."
 

"When this card is destroyed by your opponent's card effect and sent to the GY: You can discard 1 card; Special Summon this card from your GY, and if you do, lose 800 LP."

 

"Once per turn: You can gain LP equal to the number of monsters on the field x 300."

 

"While you have more LP than your opponent, this card can attack your opponent directly."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Main Deck]

Typically, only just saying Deck will do, though in the few cases where you mean ONLY the Main Deck, then you say Main Deck. This is important in case your effect requires the monster to be Special Summoned from the Main Deck, but not the hand, Extra Deck etc.

 

It's also important in case of Pendulum Monsters, as they can both be in the Main and the Extra Deck, so you need to be more careful at times.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Send 1 monster you control to the GY; Special Summon from your Main Deck, 1 Pendulum Monster with the same Level as the sent monster's original Level, but destroy it during the End Phase."

 

"Any monster sent from the hand or Main Deck to the GY is banished instead."

 

"When a monster(s) with 2000 or less ATK is Summoned: Target 1 of them; destroy all cards with that name in its controller's hand and Main Deck."

 

Related:
Deck/Extra Deck

 

 

 

[spoiler=Main Monster Zone]

The Main Monster Zone is the 5 zones above the Spell & Trap Zone. Certain cards only affect these zones rather than all your Monster Zones or only the Extra Monster Zone. Additionally, Link Monsters can point to this zone for various effects as well as allowing you to Special Summon monsters from your Extra Deck to the Main Monster Zone.

 

Example of Usage:
 

"If another monster is Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, while this monster is on the field: Destroy all monsters in the Main Monster Zones, also your other monsters cannot attack for the rest of this turn."

 

Related:

Extra Monster Zone/Monster Zone

 

 

 

[spoiler=Main Phase]

The Main Phase 1 comes after the Standby Phase, and the Main Phase 2 comes after the Battle Phase. You must go into your Main Phase 1 after the Standby Phase and you must go into the Main Phase 2 if you entered the Battle Phase, however you cannot go to the Main Phase 2 from the Main Phase 1, you must first go into the Battle Phase.

 

It's important to note that you want to use "During your Main Phase" in case you don't have any other condition or activation requirement. The reason for this is that it would be impossible to know if the effect activated or not otherwise. You can see an example below here.

 

You can typically use effects in both Main Phases, but there are exceptions, so simply say "Main Phase 2" if you can only use it in there.

 

The Battle Phase comes after Main Phase 1, and the End Phase comes after the Main Phase 2.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"During your opponent's Main Phase, if this card is in your hand (Quick Effect): You can banish 1 "Monarch" Spell/Trap from your GY; immediately after this effect resolves, Tribute Summon this card.

 

"Neither player can activate Spell Cards during Main Phase 1."

 

"During your Main Phase 2, you can also Xyz Summon this card by using a Rank 3 or lower Xyz Monster you control as material. (Transfer its materials to this card.)"

 

"During your Main Phase: You can Fusion Summon 1 Dragon Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters you control as Fusion Materials."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Match]

Match is only used on very few cards, and those cards are what are known as "Match Winners", what they do is that when you reduce your opponent's LP to 0, you win the entire Match, even if it's the first or second duel of the Match.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can banish 3 Beast Pendulum Monsters you control, then target 1 Pendulum Monster you control; if it attacks your opponent directly and reduces their LP to 0 this turn, you win the Match."

 

"Once per turn: You can banish 3 Machine Pendulum Monsters you control, then target 1 Pendulum Monster you control; if it attacks your opponent directly and reduces their LP to 0 this turn, you win the Match."

 

 

 

[spoiler=material]

Used when talking about Xyz Materials mostly. You also use it when talking about a non-specific material. A material can be a Fusion, Synchro, Xyz or Link Material.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card; draw 1 card."

 

"Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster, using materials you control, including this card."

 

Related:
Fusion Material/Synchro Material/Xyz Material/Link Material

 

 

 

[spoiler=(max.) & (min.)]
Used to indicate the maximum and minimum amount of something, mostly cards or counters though. You can also see it on Xyz Monsters, in case you are allowed to used more than simply 2 or 3 materials, then it will state a maximum amount you are allowed.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If you have no card in your Field Zone and all face-up monsters you control (min. 1) are Zombie: Activate 1 "Vampire Kingdom" directly from your Deck, then, you can Special Summon 1 DARK "Vampire" monster from your GY in face-up Defense Position."

 

"If this card is Special Summoned during your opponent's turn: Destroy up to 2 Set cards you control (min. 1)."

 

"Each time a Spell Card is activated, place 1 Spell Counter on this card when that Spell resolves (max. 3)."

 

"From an Xyz Monster's Material requirement text: 2 or more (max. 5) Level 6 FIRE monsters"

 

 

 

[spoiler=monster]

Monsters are an important part of the game, and this term is used quite a lot. It describes any card that is considered a monster, Extra Deck monster or otherwise. Note that you do not capitalize monster like you would for specific kinds of monsters, such as Ritual Monsters.

 

Tokens Summoned from card effects are considered monsters as well, and Trap monsters (and pseudo-Trap monsters as well) are also monsters, but only when they have fulfilled their requirement.

 

Previously, most cards would say Monster Card, though that has been almost abolished for monster exclusively.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; destroy it."

 

"When your opponent Special Summons a monster from their hand: Destroy that monster, and if you do, banish it."

 

"Once per turn: You can Special Summon 2 Level 4 FIRE monsters from your Deck, but they are destroyed during the End Phase."

 

Related:
Monster Card/Any special kind of monster (Fusion Monster, Ritual Monster etc.)

 

 

 

[spoiler=Monster Card]

This term was pre-PSCT, but there are some PSCT cards that do use it, though there doesn't seem to be much of a difference between this and simply saying monster, so I would avoid using it.

 

It is also used to talk about specific kinds of monsters, such as Fusion Monsters, but you can again just simply say Fusion Monster instead, without the "Card" part at the end.

 

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 face-up Xyz Monster your opponent controls that has material; detach all materials from it, and if you do, return it to the Extra Deck, then, if there is a Monster Card in the GY among those detached materials, Special Summon as many of those monsters as possible from the GY to your opponent's field in face-up Defense Position."

 

"Destroy all monsters on the field, then inflict damage to your opponent equal to the number of Fusion Monster Cards in your GY."

 

Related:
monster/Any special kind of monster (Fusion Monster, Ritual Monster etc.)

 

 

[spoiler=Monster Zone]

The Monster Zone is a Zone that has 5 spot, and is located above the Spell & Trap Zone. Each Zone as a number, going from left to right (from the player's perspective). This is important for Senet-like cards, as they sometimes can used Monster Zones for various effects.

 

The owner of the monster chooses what Zone you put them in. You cannot change the Zone monsters are in after you put them in there, other than by a card effect.

 

The term is also used when you need to specify that a monster was sent from the Monster Zone to the GY specifically, as some monsters can be put in the Spell & Trap Zone as well. It's also important for Pendulum Monsters, as they can be in the Pendulum Zone as Spells as well, but are normally considered monsters.

 

The Monster Zone now also includes the 2 Extra Monster Zones, where the Main Monster Zones are the 5 Monster Zones below them. Keep in mind that certain cards may not be able to use the Extra Monster Zone but only the Main Monster Zone.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If a card is Special Summoned from your Spell & Trap Zone to the Monster Zone while this card is a monster: You can target 1 card on the field; destroy it."

 

"If this face-up card is destroyed while in a Monster Zone, you can place it face-up in your Spell & Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell, instead of sending it to the GY."

 

"When this card is Pendulum Summoned, or when this card is destroyed by battle or card effect while in your Monster Zone: You can add 1 "Yang Zing" or "Zefra" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand."

 

Related:
Spell & Trap Zone/Field Zone/Pendulum Zone

 

 

 

[spoiler=monster effect]

A monster effect is the specific effect of a monster, rather than card effect that would apply to all kinds of cards, or a Spell/Trap effect, which only applies for Spell/Traps.

 

This is important in case you wish to make a card that only negates a certain kind of card, or you wish to indicate when a card could activate if it was destroyed by a monster effect.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"When your opponent activates a Spell Card or monster effect: Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card, then discard 1 card."

 

"When this card is destroyed by a monster effect and sent to the GY: You can pay 700 LP; draw 2 cards."

 

Related:
Spell/Trap effect/Pendulum Effect

 

 

 

[spoiler=move]

Used when moving cards from a Zone to another, with Senet-like cards. Used on "Necrovalley" when talking about cards moving to another place. Used on Pyro Clock of Destiny when talking about moving the turn count.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can move this card to an adjacent (horizontal) unoccupied Monster Zone."

 

"If this card is banished: Move the turn count forward by 1 turn. The turn in which this effect is activated continues as normal."

 

"Negate any card effect that would move a card in the GY to a different place."

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Link Monster on the field; move it to a Main Monster Zone it points to on its controller's field."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Normal Monster]

Normal Monsters are the monsters with no effects that are beige/yellow. They also always have some flavor to them, written in italic.

 

Also note that Pendulum Monsters sometimes can be Normal Monsters as well, though their Pendulum Effect may not be blank. They are both considered Pendulum Monsters and Normal Monsters outside of the Pendulum Zone.

 

Non-Effect Monster does not mean that it's a Normal Monster, though a Normal Monster is a non-Effect Monster

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Normal Monsters you control cannot be targeted by an opponent's card effects."

 

"Add 1 Level 3 or lower Normal Monster from your Deck to your hand, then you can Special Summon 2 DARK Normal Monsters from your hand."

 

Related:
Normal Monsters/non-Effect Monster

 


 
[spoiler=Normal Spell]

These are activated from your hand during your Main Phase, due to them being Spell Speed 1, and go to the GY when they resolve, unless stated otherwise, such as with "Swords of the Revealing Light"

 

These don't have an icon like other Spells do, rather they just say "Spell" in the box under the name.

 

Note that Pendulum Monsters are activated as Spells the same way as Normal Spells, but this does not make them that, they are simply considered a Spell, not a specific kind of Spell.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Add 2 Normal Spells from your Deck to your hand, then discard 1 Normal Spell."

 

"When your opponent activates a Normal Spell Card: Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it."

 

Related:
Normal Spells/Spell/Normal Trap

 

 

 

[spoiler=Normal Summon/Set]

A Normal Summon is a form of Summon that doesn't start a Chain. You can do it once per turn, unless a card effect allows you to perform additional Normal Summons.

A Normal Summon is not like a Special Summon, so if you Normal Summon a monster, effects that activate on a Special Summon cannot apply, also if a monster is Flip Summoned, if it says "When this card is Normal Summoned", you cannot use its effect.

 

Tribute Summons are a form of Normal Summon, also a Normal Set is a form of Normal Summon, so you can only do those once per turn as well.

 

Some monsters cannot be Normal Summoned/Set, called Special Summon only monsters. They tend to have the wording "Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summon (from your hand) by banishing 2 DARK monsters from your GY" or similar.

 

Note that there are different kinds of Normal Summons by other effects, and they all work differently, for example cards stating "you can Normal Summon 1 FIRE monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)" means that other effects that have similar wording cannot be used, even if they say WATER or Warrior monsters instead. More information can be found here.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Neither player can Normal Summon monsters, except LIGHT monsters."

 

"Cannot be Normal Summoned (but can be Normal Set)."

 

"If your opponent Normal Summons a monster: Destroy that monster, and if you do, shuffle it into the Deck."

 

"If this card is Normal Summoned, you can: Immediately after this effect resolves, Normal Summon 1 "Yosenju" monster from your hand, except "Yosenju Kama 1"."

 

Related:
Tribute Summon

 

 

 

[spoiler=Normal Trap]

These must be Set first, and they cannot be activated until the next turn. They're Spell Speed 2, meaning you can Chain them to other cards, though some don't need to be Chained to anything.

 

Sometimes these kind Equip themselves, and they become Equip Cards, though unlike monsters, they are still treated as Traps, not as Equip Spells.

 

These don't have an icon like other Traps do, rather they just say "Trap" in the box under the name.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can activate Normal Traps from your hand."

 

"Target 1 Normal Trap in your GY; Set it, but you cannot Special Summon monsters from your Extra Deck for the rest of the turn."

 

Related:
Normal Traps/Trap/Normal Spell

 

 

 

[spoiler=non-Effect Monster]

non-Effect Monsters are similar to Normal Monsters in that they don't have any effects. You can tell that it's a non-Effect Monster by it not having the "Effect" in the text box.

 

Ritual, Fusion, Synchro and Xyz Monsters can all be non-Effect Monsters, though Normal Monsters and Pendulum Normal Monsters are also considered to be non-Effect Monsters.

 

It's important to note that the Summoning conditions on a monster are not an effect, and you still need to write them, even if the card doesn't have any effects.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 non-Effect Monster you control; it gains 1000 ATK."

 

"While you control another Spell/Trap, non-Effect Monsters you control are unaffected by your opponent's Spell/Trap effects."

 

Related:
non-Effect Monsters/Normal Monster

 

 

 

[spoiler=N/Nth]

This is a very new term. This is so far only use on 1 card, Time Magic Hammer. The use for it is pretty simple by looking at the text, it is used for variables, for Time Magic Hammer, the result of the die roll. Also, at the end of the sentence, you'll see that it also explains what the N means.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"At the start of the Damage Step, if it battles an opponent's monster: You can roll a six-sided die, and banish that opponent's monster until the Standby Phase of the Nth turn after this effect's activation (N = the result)."

 

 

 

[spoiler=opponent]

The opponent means the player(s) you are playing against. Cards can affect either the opponent or their monsters, and as such, certain effects make it clear that it is not affecting monsters by saying "your opponent cannot..." or something similar.

 

The opponent can gain control of your cards as well, and in these cases, cards that say "when this card is destroyed by your opponent's card effect" cannot activate if you were to destroy them while your opponent controlled them.

 

Similarly, cards that say "when this card in your possession is destroyed by battle" will not activate either, since your opponent controlled it at the time.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"When your opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card: Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it."

 

"When this card in your possession is destroyed by your opponent's card (by battle or card effect) and sent to your GY: You can draw 1 card."


 
[spoiler=or/OR]

This is used that there a choice or when you say something like "whose ATK is less than or equal to..." or "Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster..." etc.

 

Or can be problematic at time though, as certain cards make it unclear if you have an option between both or only one of them, such as Polymerization that says "Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials." though you can use from both the hand and the field at the same time.

 

Some cards make this clearer by stating "and/or" instead, though the confusion here is that it's not all cards that do this.

 

To make this clearer, you can use "OR" instead, and due to the capitalization, it's clear that it's meant to be a distinguisher, and you can only do one of them.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can discard 1 card; Special Summon 1 FIRE monster from your hand or GY."

 

"Once per turn: You can banish 2 monsters from your hand and/or GY; draw 2 cards."

 

"If this card is banished: You can banish 2 DARK monsters from your hand OR field, then destroy all Spell/Traps your opponent controls.

 

 

 

[spoiler=pay]

Paying LP is an act of taking your current LP and subtracting it by the amount that the card says. Paying LP is considered to lose LP, but it isn't considered taking damage.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Pay 700 LP; draw 1 card."

 

"Pay LP equal to the number of cards your opponent controls x 300; destroy all cards your opponent controls."

 

"When this card is Normal Summoned: You can pay Life Points so that you only have 100 left; this card gains ATK/DEF equal to the amount of Life Points paid."

 

Related:
paid/lose/take

 

 

 

[spoiler=Pendulum Effect]

Refers to the effect that Pendulum Monsters have whenever they're in the Pendulum Zone. A Pendulum Effect is not a monster effect, rather it is considered a Spell effect.

 

Typically, you will see that very low and very high Pendulum Scales will have negative effects in that Pendulum Monster's Pendulum Effect.

 

You can either say "use this Pendulum Effect of..." or "use this effect of..." in the Pendulum Effect, though newer Pendulum Monsters have the latter.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can reduce the battle damage you take from an attack involving a Pendulum Monster you control to 0. During your End Phase: You can destroy this card, and if you do, add 1 Pendulum Monster with 1500 or less ATK from your Deck to your hand. You can only use each Pendulum Effect of "Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon" once per turn."

 

"Discard 1 card; add 2 "Magician" Pendulum Monsters with different names from your Deck to your hand, also, until the end of your opponent's next turn after this card resolves, "Magician" cards in your Pendulum Zones cannot be destroyed by card effects. You can only activate 1 "Pendulum Call" per turn. You cannot activate this card if you activated a "Magician" monster's Pendulum Effect this turn."

 

Related:
Pendulum Zone/Pendulum Scale/Pendulum Summon/Pendulum Monster

 

 

 

[spoiler=Pendulum Monster]

Pendulum Monsters are cards that allow you to perform Pendulum Summons by placing them in your Pendulum Zones. These can both be Effect Monsters but they can also be Normal and Xyz Monsters (with more possibly on the way).

 

While they're in the Pendulum Zone, they're considered Spells. If they would be sent from the field to the GY, they are put face-up in the Extra Deck instead, and they do not count towards the maximum amount of cards allowed there.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can discard 1 Pendulum Monster; add 1 Pendulum Monster from your Main Deck to your hand."

 

"If this card is Special Summoned from your GY: You can add up to 2 face-up Pendulum Monsters from your Extra Deck to your hand."

 

Related:
Pendulum Monsters/Pendulum Zone/Pendulum Scale/Pendulum Summon/Pendulum Effect

 

 

 

[spoiler=Pendulum Scale]

The Pendulum Scale is 2 numbers on Pendulum Monsters that determine the Levels you're allowed to Pendulum Summon. If one is 4 and the other is 8, you can Pendulum Summon any number of Level 5-7 monsters from your hand and/or Pendulum Monsters that are face-up in your Extra Deck.

 

Typically those with a very low or very high Pendulum Scale have negative Pendulum Effects or are not very strong otherwise, so it's a good idea to balanced your cards this way, similar to how you should avoid making monsters with 3000+ ATK without them being hard to use or have restrictions.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"This card's Pendulum Scale becomes 4, unless you control a FIRE monster."

 

"Target 1 card in your Pendulum Zone; increase its Pendulum Scale by 2 until the end of this turn"
 

"If the Pendulum Scale(s) of a card in your Pendulum Zone(s) changes: Draw 1 card."
 

Related:
Pendulum Scales/Pendulum Monster/Pendulum Zone/Pendulum Summon/Pendulum Monster

 

 

 

[spoiler=Pendulum Summon]

A kind of Special Summon that does not start a Chain. You can only do this once per turn during your Main Phase, with the exception of card effects such as Zefraath.

 

You need 2 cards in the Pendulum Zone with two different Pendulum Scales to perform a Pendulum Summon.

 

If one is 4 and the other is 8, you can Pendulum Summon any number of Level 5-7 monsters from your hand and/or Pendulum Monsters that are face-up in your Extra Deck.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Neither player can Special Summon, except by Pendulum Summon."

 

"When this card is Pendulum Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 Pendulum Monster from your Deck whose Level is equal to the combined Levels of all Pendulum Monsters you control."

 

"When your opponent Pendulum Summons 2 or more monsters: You can destroy this card and all cards in your opponent's Pendulum Zones, then draw 1 card."

 

"After you Special Summon this card, you can conduct 1 Pendulum Summon of a "Zefra" monster(s) during your Main Phase this turn, in addition to your Pendulum Summon. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)"

 

Related:
Pendulum Summons/Pendulum Summoned/Pendulum Scale/Pendulum Monster/Pendulum Zone/Pendulum Monster

 

 

 

[spoiler=Pendulum Zone]

You can activate Pendulum Monsters as Spells from your hand during your Main Phase by placing them in the Pendulum Zone.

 

You need 2 cards in the Pendulum Zone with two different Pendulum Scales to perform a Pendulum Summon.

 

If one is 4 and the other is 8, you can Pendulum Summon any number of Level 5-7 monsters from your hand and/or Pendulum Monsters that are face-up in your Extra Deck.

 

Each player have 2 each, and you cannot activate a new one if there already is one in the Pendulum Zone.

 

There are also effects which place cards in the Pendulum Zone. Note that this is not the same as activating them similar to placing Crystal Beast monsters in the Spell & Trap Zone.

 

Pendulum Zones were previously not part of the Spell & Trap Zone, but are now at the leftmost and rightmost of the Spell & Trap Zone, meaning that cards that affect the Spell & Trap Zone also are able to affect the Pendulum Zone. Also, you can activate and Set cards in the Pendulum Zone, though they are not considered to be in the Pendulum Zone, only Pendulum Monsters are.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Pendulum Monster on the field or 1 card in the Pendulum Zone; destroy it, and if you do, shuffle 1 card on the field into the Deck."

 

"If this card in the Monster Zone is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can destroy as many cards in your Pendulum Zones as possible (min. 1), and if you do, place this card in your Pendulum Zone."

 

"If your opponent has 2 cards in their Pendulum Zones: Target those 2 cards; while both targets are in their Pendulum Zones, you can Pendulum Summon monsters using their Pendulum Scales this turn, but only from your Extra Deck."

 

Related:
Pendulum Zones/Pendulum Summon/Pendulum Scale/Pendulum Monster/Pendulum Monster

 

 

 

[spoiler=piercing]

Refers to how attacking Defense Position monsters will inflict battle damage if they have higher ATK than that monster's DEF. 

 

When a monster attacks, you almost always want to use this phrase: "If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage."

 

Example of Usage:

 

"An Xyz Monster that was Summoned using this card on the field as material gains this effect.

● If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage."

 

"Equip only to a Warrior monster. If it attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage."

 



[spoiler=place]

Place is used in various ways, though it's most common when talking about placing counters on cards.

 

It is used on Crystal Beast monsters and cards such as "Pumprincess the Princess of Ghosts" as they place themselves in the Spell & Trap Zone.

 

You can only place cards in the Pendulum Zones. Note that this is not the same as activating them.

 

It's also used when placing a card on top or bottom of the Deck, though note that that if you look at the top of the Deck, you return the cards instead of placing them, where excavating them you say place instead (though this may be inconsistent, so it doesn't matter all that much).

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; place 1 Death Counter on it. When the 2nd Death Counter is placed on a monster: You can destroy that monster."

 

"Activate this card by placing 3 Spell Counters on this card. Once per turn, during your turn: You can target 1 other face-up card on the field that you can place a Spell Counter on; remove 1 Spell Counter from this card, and if you do, place 1 Spell Counter on that target."

 

"If this face-up card is destroyed while in a Monster Zone, you can place it face-up in your Spell & Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell, instead of sending it to the GY. While this card is treated as a Continuous Spell by this effect, all monsters you control gain 700 ATK/DEF"

 

"If this card is discarded by a card effect: You can place it in your Pendulum Zone."

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Spell in your GY; place it on the top or bottom of your Deck."

 

"If both players have 3 or more cards in their hand: Each player places their entire hand on the bottom of the Deck in any order, also you lose LP equal to the total number of cards returned to the Deck by this effect x 300 (min. 1), then each player draws 5 cards."

 

Related:

places/placed/placing

 

 

[spoiler=player]

Both you and your opponent are considered players. Certain cards and effects may only be activated by a certain player, some may be activated by both, and sometimes even the opponent only.

 

Cards will tend to say "you" when they mean the controller of the card, where they will say "your opponent" when they mean the something that has to do with cards not in your possession.

 

The turn player is the player who drew during the Draw Phase this turn, who chooses which Phases to go into, if you're in an open game state, it's the turn player who can perform actions only, it's said they have priority at this time.

 

Previously, you said "During either player's turn" when referring to a Quick Effect, however now you say (Quick Effect) before the colon. For example "During either player's turn, when your opponent activates a card or effect: You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card." becomes "When your opponent activates a card or effect (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it."

 

Also, avoid using this on Traps, as they are by default Fast Effects (Fast Effects means Spell Speed 2 and 3), so they can be activated in response to other effects.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"During the End Phase, when card or effect is activated (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it.

 

"Neither player can Special Summon monsters from their Extra Deck if they control a Fusion, Synchro or Xyz Monster."

 

"If both players control a DARK or LIGHT monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand)."

 

Related:

players

 

 

 

[spoiler=point]

Link Monsters point to zones, and they can either gain effects or they allow you to Special Summon other monsters from your Extra Deck to your Main Monster Zone this way. This is probably the most used term on Link Monsters, as they almost always have an effect that points.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Gains 500 ATK for each monster it points to."

 

Related:

Link Monster/zone

 

 

 
[spoiler=possession]

Possession means that it can be anywhere both on your field, hand or Deck or while they are not yet Summoned or are materials, commonly known as the "limbo state".

 

This is important since some cards can activate if they are "destroyed while in your possession", and even if their Normal Summon is destroyed by something like Solemn Warning.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"When this card in your possession is destroyed by your opponent's card (by battle or card effect) and sent to your GY: You can target 1 monster they control; destroy that target, then you can Special Summon 1 "Ice Hand" from your Deck."

 

"When this card in your possession is sent to the GY by an opponent's card effect: Banish this card."

 


 
[spoiler=Quick-Play Spell]

These are Spell Speed 2 always, and they can be activated during your hand during your turn at any point, or if they're Set on the field, during your opponent's turn, but as with Traps, they cannot be activated the turn they are Set.

 

Remember to use the hyphen between Quick and Play.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can add 1 "Crazy Speed" Quick-Play Spell from your Deck to your hand, then discard 1 card."

 

"You can activate Quick-Play Spell Cards the turn they are Set."

 

"Neither player can activate Quick-Play Spell Cards during the Battle Phase."

 

Related:

Quick-Play Spells

 

 

 

[spoiler=replace]

This is a pretty new word, and it is used when a card gains the effects of another card. Before, cards typically said that they gained card's effects.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Dragon Synchro Monster in the GY; banish that target, and if you do, until the End Phase, this card's name becomes that monster's, and replace this effect with that monster's original effects."

 

"Once per turn: You can banish 1 Level 7 or lower "Gem-Knight" Fusion Monster from your GY; until the End Phase, this card's name becomes that monster's, and replace this effect with that monster's original effects."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Rank]

What Xyz Monsters have instead of Levels. Levels are Rank are not the same thing, so you cannot affect Ranks with Level changing effects. You also cannot use Xyz Monsters as material that require Levels, except if a card specifically allows that.

 

This term is used often in Rank-Up-Magic cards.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 face-up Xyz Monster you control; Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 "Number C" monster with the same Type as that monster you control, but 1 Rank higher, by using it as the material. (This is treated as an Xyz Summon. Transfer its materials to this card.)"

 

"If you control "Toon World": Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; Special Summon 1 Toon monster from your hand or Deck, whose Level is less than or equal to the Level/Rank of that monster, ignoring its Summoning conditions."

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up Xyz Monster you control; this turn, you can use it as an material for an Xyz Summon using its Rank as if it were a Level (even if this card leaves the field)."

 

"Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by banishing 1 "Infernoid" monster from your hand or GY while the total Levels and Ranks of all Effect Monsters you control are 8 or lower."

 

 

 

[spoiler=return]

You return cards on the field to the hand, Deck or Extra Deck. For cards in the GY/banished, you typically say you add them to the hand instead, however for the cards that would go to the Extra Deck, you say you return them to the Extra Deck instead.

 

Note that for cards that say they return or add to the hand, Extra Deck monsters may be returned, but they will just go to the Extra Deck instead (for Pendulum Monsters, they must go to the hand as normal, it's only for cards that cannot be in the hand).

 

You cannot return Extra Deck monsters to the hand as a cost or for a procedure for a Summon, so you cannot Special Summon Fallen Angel of Roses by returning Meliae of the Tress or return any Synchro Monster for Genex Ally Birdman.

 

You say that you return cards to the bottom of the Deck, but that you place them on top of the Deck. Also, banished cards can be returned to the GY, but note that this is not sending them.

 

On older cards, you said that you returned to the Deck as well, though now, you want to say you shuffle the cards into the Deck instead.

 

You don't have to show face-down cards when they're returned to the hand or Deck, though with some cards that shuffle specific cards in your hand into the Deck, such as Moray of Greed or Kozmotown, you do have to show them first to prove it's the right kind of cards.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Spell/Trap you control and 1 monster your opponent control; return them to the hand."

 

"When this card is Xyz Summoned: Target 1 Set card your opponent controls; return that target to the bottom of the Deck."

 

"Target up to 3 banished monsters; return them to the GY."

 

"When your opponent Special Summons a monster(s) from the hand or Extra Deck: Shuffle that monster(s) into the Deck, then you lose 1000 LP for each returned monster."

 

"You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by returning 1 Plant monster you control to the hand, except "Fallen Angel of Roses", but banish it when it leaves the field."

 

Related:

returns/returned/returning

 


 

[spoiler=reveal]

Close to the terms "excavate" and "look". It was once called "pick up" in the case of your Deck at times. It does have some key differences from "excavate" and "look" though.

 

You reveal cards from your Deck, hand or Extra Deck, where you only excavate cards from the top of your Main Deck. Look is where only the player who is looking gets to see it (unless specified otherwise).

 

You cannot reveal cards in the hand if they are already revealed by an effect such as Clear World.

 

Previously, you used reveal when talking about revealing cards you draw, like with Toy Vendor, now you say show instead.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Reveal 1 Fusion Monster in your Extra Deck, add 1 of the Fusion Materials listed on that card from your Deck to your hand, then you can add 1 "Polymerization" from your GY to your hand."

 

"When an "Elemental HERO" monster you control is destroyed by battle: Your opponent chooses and reveals 1 random card from your hand, then, if it is an "Elemental HERO" monster, you destroy 1 monster your opponent controls and Special Summon the chosen monster."

 

"Once per turn: You can reveal 1 WIND monster in your hand; until the end of your opponent's next Main Phase 1, monsters with a Level higher than the revealed monster cannot activate their effects."

 

Related:

reveals/revealed

 

 

 

[spoiler=remove]

Remove was once used mostly to talk about remove from play, which is today known as "banish". Now we only really use it when talking about removing counters from cards.

 

You should avoid using "removed from the field", rather say "leaves the field" instead.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn, during your turn: You can target 1 other face-up card on the field that you can place a Spell Counter on; remove 1 Spell Counter from this card, and if you do, place 1 Spell Counter on that target."

 

"You can remove any number of Darkness Counters from this card; inflict 500 damage to your opponent for each Darkness Counter removed."

 

"You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by removing 4 Ice Counters from anywhere on the field."

 

Related:

removed/removing

 

 

 

[spoiler=resolve/resolution]

Resolve is most commonly used in the sentence of "to activate and to resolve this effect." This is a condition put after the effect on some cards that indicate that not only does the conditions have to be correct at activation, but also when it resolves.

 

Another common use is for cards that don't Summon the monster when the effect resolves, but right after it, which is the timing where cards such as "Black Horn of Heaven" can be used. This was made popular with the Yang Zing and Yosenju Archetypes.

 

Also used when talking about resolving in sequence, as seen on cards like "Cyber Repair Plant".

 

Resolution is not used a lot, but can be found on "Double Spell" and "Limiter Removal".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; banish it and inflict 1000 damage to your opponent. You must control this face-up card to activate and to resolve this effect."

 

"If "Cyber Dragon" is in your GY: You can activate 1 of these effects. If you have 3 or more "Cyber Dragon" in your GY at activation, you can activate both effects and resolve in sequence. You can only activate 1 "Cyber Repair Plant" per turn.
● Add 1 LIGHT Machine monster from your Deck to your hand.
● Target 1 LIGHT Machine monster in your GY; shuffle that target into your Deck."

 

"Once per turn, during your opponent's Main Phase or Battle Phase, you can (Quick Effect): Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster, using only DARK monsters you control.

 

"While this card has material, each time your opponent activates a card or effect, inflict 500 damage to your opponent immediately after it resolves."

 

"Discard 1 Spell, then target 1 Spell in your opponent's GY; as this card's effect resolution, follow the target's card text as if you had used it yourself."

 

"If an opponent's card effect activates, before resolving that effect, toss a coin twice, and if the result is 2 Heads, negate that effect."

 

"This card's effects can only be applied/resolved while it has material."

 

Related:

resolves/resolved/resolving

 

 

 

[spoiler=Rightmost]

Rightmost refers to the zone to the rightmost on the field, or in other words the fifth zone from the left. Ghost Bird of Bewitchment is the only card that uses it so far, also it may not be capitalized if used in the middle of the effect, unknown right now since we only have it as a bullet hole effect.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"This card gains an effect based on your Main Monster Zone it is in.

● Leftmost: Gains 1000 ATK/DEF.

● Rightmost: Can make up to 2 attacks on monsters during each Battle Phase.

● Center: Your opponent cannot target this card with card effects, also it cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects.

● Others: Monsters in this column cannot activate their effects."

 

Related:

Leftmost/Center

 

 

 

[spoiler=Ritual Monster]

Ritual Monsters are monsters in your Main Deck that require a Ritual Spell to be Ritual Summoned.

 

Ritual Monsters always have this wording or similar at the start of their effect: "You can Ritual Summon this card with "Luminous Dragon Ritual"." or "You can Ritual Summon this card with any "Nekroz" Ritual Spell."

 

Older cards stated that they must be Ritual Summoned with that card, but there are cards that allow you to Ritual Summon them with other cards as well.

 

Keep in mind that Ritual Monsters are Special Summon only monsters, so they must first be Ritual Summoned before they can be Special Summoned again from the GY or while banished.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can target 1 Ritual Monster in your GY; shuffle it into your Deck, then draw 1 card."

 

"When a Ritual Monster(s) you control is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can draw 2 cards."
 

"Ritual Monsters cannot be targeted by card effects."

 

Related:

Ritual Monsters

 

 

 

[spoiler=Ritual Spell]

Ritual Spells are cards used to Ritual Summon Ritual Monsters.

 

Ritual Spells have this wording or similar: "This card is used to Ritual Summon "Paladin of Dark Dragon". You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal 4 or more."

 

These are always done at resolution, Tributing is not a cost, and the last thing to happen is Ritual Summoning the monster, not Tributing.

 

You cannot Tribute more monsters than required, meaning you cannot use 2 monsters for a Ritual Summon of a Level 1 Ritual Monster, but you can Tribute a single Level 12 monster, should you wish to do so.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"When you activate a Ritual Spell, place 1 Ritual Stone Counter on this card."

 

"Once per turn: You can targets up to 2 Ritual Spells in your GY; banish them, and if you do, add 1 Ritual Spell from your Deck to your hand.

 

Related:

Ritual Spells

 

 

 

[spoiler=Ritual Summon]

A Ritual Summon is a form of Special Summon that is used to Special Summon Ritual Monsters with.

 

A Ritual Summon typically Tributes monsters from the hand or you control whose Level equal the Level of the monster you're attempting to Ritual Summon or more, though some cards work differently, like requiring an exact Level, sending from the Deck instead or not being allowed to use a specific Level for the Ritual Summon.

 

To Ritual Summon, you use a Ritual Spell, or a monster like Zefrasaber, Swordmaster of the Nekroz.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"This card is used to Ritual Summon "Saffira, Queen of Dragons". You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal 6 or more."

 

"You can Tribute this card from your hand or face-up from your hand or field; Tribute monsters from your hand or field, then Ritual Summon 1 "Nekroz" Ritual Monster from your hand whose Level exactly equals the total Levels of those monsters."

 

"If a player Ritual Summons using this card, that Ritual Summoned monster cannot be targeted by the card effects of the other player."

 

Related:

Ritual Summons/Ritual Summoned

 

 

 

[spoiler=round up]

Rounding up is the idea of going to the nearest number, rather than using an odd number, for example instead of saying 9.8%, you would round up to 10% instead to make it simpler. Currently, YGO does not do this much, except for one example, that being Power Wall, which is seen below. Rounding down is currently not in the game, but probably isn't meant to be anyway.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"During damage calculation, when you would take battle damage from an opponent's attacking monster: Send 1 card from the top of your Deck to the Graveyard for every 500 damage (round up) you are about to take, also you take no battle damage from that battle."

 

 

 

[spoiler=send]

Send is a quite common term. It's used to describe sending from your hand, Deck or Extra Deck to the GY, sending cards on the field to the GY.

 

Sending a card from the the hand to the GY is the same as discarding, but discarding is not the same as sending it, as seen with Dark World monsters.

 

An important thing to note is that if you omit "and sends it to the GY" on a card that activates when you destroy a monster, it can change how the card functions. More details can be found here.

 

Sometimes, cards are sent by game mechanics, for example if an Equip card is unable to equip itself to the target anymore, then they're sent to the GY.

 

Note that sending by game mechanics is not considered an effect.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can send 1 monster from your hand to the GY; Special Summon 1 FIRE monster from your hand."

 

"If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the GY: You can draw 1 card."

 

"Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by sending 2 DARK monsters you control to the GY."

 

"During the End Phase, if this card was sent from your hand or Deck to the GY this turn: You can add 1 Spellcaster monster from your Deck to your hand, except "Magician's Friend"."

 

Related:

sends/sending/sent

 

 

 

[spoiler=sequence]

Used when you are suppose to apply the effects in the order written on the card when you have multiple options. You will always want to use bullets here, and say something similar to "resolve in sequence" or "apply these effects, in sequence".

 

Note that the last thing to happen is the last thing in the sequence, similar to how "then" works.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If "Cyber Dragon" is in your GY: You can activate 1 of these effects. If you have 3 or more "Cyber Dragon" in your GY at activation, you can activate both effects and resolve in sequence. You can only activate 1 "Cyber Repair Plant" per turn.
● Add 1 LIGHT Machine monster from your Deck to your hand.
● Target 1 LIGHT Machine monster in your GY; shuffle that target into your Deck."

 

"Destroy as many cards in each player's Pendulum Zones as possible, then apply these effects, in sequence, depending on the number of cards destroyed by this effect.
● 1+: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent.
● 2+: You can add 1 Pendulum Monster from your Main Deck to your hand.
● 3+: You can banish 1 card on the field.
● 4: You can add 1 "Wavering Eyes" from your Deck to your hand."

 

Note, currently Wavering Eyes is not updated to reflect the "2+" instead of saying "2 or more", but this is simply meant to be the most correct version of the card.

 

 

 

[spoiler=Set]

Setting a card can be 1 of 2 things, either a monster for a Normal Set, or setting a Spell/Trap. You can only Set 1 monster per turn, unless stated otherwise, but you can Set as many Spell/Traps as you have room for per turn, again, unless stated otherwise.

 

You may not Flip Summon a Normal Set monster, or activate Quick-Play Spells or any Traps the turn they are Set, unless stated otherwise.

 

You can however Flip Summon a monster that was Summoned a previous turn and was this turn changed to face-down Defense Position, as long as that monster hasn't changes its position or attacked this turn.

 

Remember that you should not use "Set that target" when talking about monsters, but instead "Change that target to face-down Defense Position". You do say it about Spell/Traps though, for example Setting a Spell/Trap directly from your Deck.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can target 1 Set card your opponent controls; destroy it, and if you do, banish it."

 

"When this card is Special Summoned: You can target 1 "Hole" Normal Trap in your GY; Set that target, but banish it during the End Phase of your next turn if it is still on the field."

 

"During any Main Phase: The turn player can pay 1000 LP x the number of monsters normally needed for the Tribute Summon of a monster (max. 2000); that player Normal Summons/Sets that monster without Tributing. (This is their one Normal Summon/Set for that turn. This is not a Tribute Summon.)"

 

Related:

Sets

 

 

 

[spoiler=shuffle]

Shuffling is the act of taking your Deck, and mixing the cards up, so any order that they might have been in before that, for example by putting a card on top of your Deck, is no more.

 

You always shuffle when you search for a card in your Deck, but some cards also shuffle cards into the Deck.

 

Return to the Deck was used more commonly before instead of shuffling, but now you say "shuffle it into your Deck" instead of "return it to the Deck".

 

Do not bother saying that you shuffle your Deck after using an effect that would search your Deck, as that is always done regardless of that wording or not, for example "Sangan" does not say shuffle, but you still always do it.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Set card on the field; shuffle it into the Deck."

 

"You can detach 1 material from this card; each player with a hand shuffles their entire hand into the Deck, then each player draws the same number of cards they shuffled into the Deck."

 

"Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by shuffling all monsters in your GY into the Deck."

 

Related:

shuffles/shuffled/shuffling

 

 

[spoiler=six-sided die/die & dice]

Used when talking about rolling a die or dice. You also talk about the result when using cards like this.

 

Sometimes you don't say six-sided die, but just die/dice, typically when you are not actually rolling it, but rather affecting something that has to do with dice.

 

"At the start of the Damage Step, if it battles an opponent's monster: You can roll a six-sided die, and banish that opponent's monster until the Standby Phase of the Nth turn after this effect's activation (N = the result)."

 

"When your opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card, or monster effect, that requires a dice roll: Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it."

 

Related:

result

 

 

 

[spoiler=Spell/Trap effect]

A Spell/Trap effect is the specific effect of a Spell/Trap, rather than card effect that would apply to all kinds of cards, or a monster effect, which only applies to monsters.

 

This is important in case you wish to make a card that only negates a certain kind of card, or you wish to indicate when a card could activate if it was destroyed by a Spell/Trap effect.

 

It's important to note that activating a Spell/Trap are considered to be using a Spell/Trap effect as well, but activating a Spell/Trap effect of the card, such as that of Chicken Game or Breakthrough Skill (in the GY), is not considered to be activating the card itself, rather just an effect of it, so you cannot negate it with cards that negate activations of Spell/Traps.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 "Melodious" monster you control; this turn, that face-up monster you control is unaffected by your opponent's Spell/Trap effects, and it can make a second attack during each Battle Phase."

 

"A Synchro Monster that used this card as a Synchro Material is unaffected by Spell effects."

 

"You can banish this card from the GY; Special Summon 1 Plant monster from your hand, and if you do, it is unaffected by your opponent's Trap effects this turn."

 

Related:
monster effect/Pendulum Effect

 

 

[spoiler=Spell & Trap Zone]

This is mostly used when you refer to monsters being placed in the Spell & Trap Zone.

 

Note that it's not like Spell/Trap where it has a slash, rather it has an ampersand instead. You do this because Spell/Trap can be either a Spell or a Trap, it doesn't need to be either, but as we are talking about the specific Zone here, you want to use the ampersand instead.

 

When monsters go here, unless you state it, they always become Spells, and if they equip themselves to a monster, they become Equip Spells, and also are considered an Equip Card.

 

Try to avoid saying "Target 1 Spell/Trap in your opponent's Spell & Trap Zone", rather just say "Target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls", unless of course you wish to not be able to target cards in the Field Zone, as it is not part of the Spell & Trap Zone.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can send this card from your hand to the GY; Set 1 "Toy Vendor" directly from your Deck to your Spell & Trap Zone."

 

"If a card is Special Summoned from your Spell & Trap Zone to the Monster Zone while this card is a monster: You can target 1 card on the field; destroy it."

 

"While you have no cards in your hand nor in your Spell & Trap Zones, this card gains 1500 ATK."

 

Related:
Spell & Trap Zones/Spell/Trap

 

 

 

[spoiler=Spell]

The green cards. Spell refers to any kind of Spell, where Normal Spell refers to the ones without a symbol on them, so it's important to know the difference when you design your cards.

 

All Spells can be activated from your hand during your Main Phases, though Quick-Play Spells work a bit differently in that they can be activated at any time during your own turn. Spells can also be Set, then activated later, even in the turn you Set them, though again, Quick-Play Spells work a bit differently, and cannot be activated until the next turn and if they are Set, they can be activated during the opponent's turn as well.

 

Cards in the Pendulum Zone are also considered Spells, also when you activate them, they are considered Spells, however anywhere else they are monsters.

 

Spells were previously called Spell Cards, as well as the different kinds of Spells saying Cards after it, though now you simply say Spells.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 1 Spell in your GY; banish it. During your next Standby Phase after activation, add it to your hand."

 

"Reveal 3 "Holy Magic" Spells from your Deck, have your opponent add 1 of those to your hand, then send the rest to the GY."

 

Related:
Spells/Normal Spell/Continuous Spell/Equip Spell/Field Spell/Ritual Spell/Quick-Play Spell

 

 

 

[spoiler=Spirit]

What you see on Spirit monsters. When you refer to Spirit monsters, say Spirit monsters, not just Spirit.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"[ Fairy / Spirit / Effect ]"

 

"[ Beast-Warrior / Spirit / Tuner / Effect]"

 

Related:
Spirit monster

 

 

 

[spoiler=Spirit monster]

Spirit monsters are a specific kind of monster which cannot be Special Summoned, and return to the hand during the End Phase. They tend to have high ATK and/or DEF and good effect because of this.

 

They all have a specific wording to them that states "Cannot be Special Summoned. During the End Phase of the turn this card is Normal Summoned or flipped face-up: Return it to the hand." This is always at the start of their effect.

 

There is an exception though, which is the card "Yamato-no-Kami" which cannot be Normal Summoned, but can only be Special Summoned, making the polar opposite of what a normal Spirit monster is.

 

Do note that these monsters WILL stay face-up if their effects are negated, and that the effect is mandatory.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Spirit monster in your GY; banish it, and if you do, draw 1 card."

 

"The effects of all Spirit monsters on the field are negated during the End Phase."

 

Related:
Spirit

 

 

 

[spoiler=Standby Phase]

The Standby Phase comes after the Draw Phase and you must go into it. During this Phase, typically nothing happens, but certain effects tend to end or activate in here, as well as maintenance costs.

 

You must go into the Main Phase from the Standby Phase.

 

Related:

 

"Once per turn, during your Standby Phase: Take 1000 damage."

 

"Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can target 1 Special Summoned monster your opponent controls in Attack Position; banish both that monster and this card from the field, but return them in your next Standby Phase."

 

"Once per turn, during your next Standby Phase after this face-up card on the field was destroyed by a card effect and sent to the GY: Special Summon it from your GY."

 

 

 

[spoiler=start]

Used when saying things like "At the start of the Battle Phase". An important thing to note is that this only happens one time, so if you have multiple cards that say that, you can only use one of them.

 

Each player can however Chain these effects to each other, but again, only once, for example, "El Shaddoll Construct" battles with "Ally of Justice Catastor", they will both activate according to SEGOC.

 

Sometimes "at the beginning" is used instead, but start is more common, so I sugggest avoiding the other term completely.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"At the start of the Damage Step, if this card battles a face-up non-WIND monster: You can destroy that monster.

 

"At the start of your Main Phase 1: You can discard this card; it becomes the End Phase."

 

 

 

[spoiler=substitute]

Used when talking about, Tributes, Fusion and Synchro Materials. What it means is that rather tha

 

Note that these are conditions, meaning they cannot be negated.

 

They are most commonly used for Fusion Monsters, and also are the most complex for them, so I suggest you read more by clicking here.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If Summoned this way, you can substitute this monster for 1 Fusion Material that lists an Attribute, on a "Shaddoll" Fusion Monster Card."

 

"For a Synchro Summon, you can substitute this card for any 1 "Synchron" Tuner.

 

"If you Tribute Summon an "Ancient Gear" monster, you can substitute this card for a Tribute(s), if the number of counters is equal to or greater than the number of required Tribute(s)."

 

 

[spoiler=Summon]

Summoning is the act of placing a monster on the field, typically from your hand, but can be from pretty much everywhere else, even sometimes the field in the case of monsters that can be Special Summoned from the Spell & Trap Zone and Pendulum Zone.

 

There are different kinds of Summoning, which are all explained in their respective sections, but besides Normal Summon, Flip Summon and Tribute Summon all others are considered a Special Summon.

 

Note that a Normal Set is not considered Summon, so cards like Torrential Tribute cannot be activated when you Normal Set, however for cards like Scapegoat, you may not Tribute Set them.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can destroy all other monsters on the field. If you activated this effect, you cannot Summon for the rest of the turn.

 

"If this card is Summoned: You can draw 2 cards, then discard 1 card."

 

"When your opponent Summons a monster(s): Destroy that monster, and if you do, negate the effects of all Spell/Traps on the field."

 

Related:
Summoned/Summons/Normal Summon/Tribute Summon/Special Summon/Ritual Summon/Fusion Summon/Synchro Summon/Xyz Summon/Pendulum Summon

 

 

 

[spoiler=switch]

Switch is used mostly when talking about switching control of cards. You also use it when talking about ATK/DEF.

 

It's important that you switch with 2 different variables, either it be 2 different cards, or it be switching ATK to DEF. For example, you want to say "Change that target to Defense Position" instead of using switch.

 

You don't want to use this when talking about changing targets to other targets though, as that is not switching between 2 targets, rather making it a new target, such as with "Cairngorgon, Antiluminescent Knight"

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can switch the ATK/DEF of all monsters on the field."

 

"Target 1 face-up Xyz Monster your opponent controls and 1 face-up Xyz Monster you control; switch control of both monsters."

 

"Each player chooses 1 monster they control and switches control of those monsters with each other."

 

Related:
Switches/change

 

 

 

[spoiler=Synchro Material]

Synchro Materials are both the Tuner and the non-Tuner monsters. Some cards may say that  they can be used as a Synchro Material even if they are a Tuner, but normally Tuners can only be used as the part which states “1 Tuner”.

 

You can always change if there should be 2 Tuners, or if it should be a specific non-Tuner monster, like an Archetype, a specific Attribute etc.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If this card is sent to the GY as a Synchro Material: You can Special Summon this card, but it is banished when it leaves the field."

 

"A Synchro Monster that used this card as a Synchro Material cannot be destroyed by Spell/Trap effects."

 

"If this card is used as a Synchro Material, all other Synchro Materials must be Spellcaster monsters."
 

Related:
Synchro Materials

 

 

 

[spoiler=Synchro Monster]

A Synchro Monster is a monster that is in your Extra Deck which are Special Summon by Synchro Summon. They always require at least 1 Tuner (sometimes multiple) and at least 1 non-Tuner monster (though almost all Synchro Monsters say "1+ non-Tuner monsters".) for their Synchro Summon.

 

Synchro Monsters are Special Summon only monsters, and as with other Special Summon only monsters, they must first be Synchro Summoned, then you can Special Summon them from the GY or while banished.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Synchro Monsters you control are unaffected by the effects of Xyz Monsters."

 

"During your opponent's Main Phase, you can (Quick Effect): Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster, using materials you control, including this card.

 

Related:
Synchro Monsters

 

 

 

[spoiler=Synchro Summon]

Synchro Summoning is when you send 1 Tuner (sometimes more) and at least 1 non-Tuner monster (though almost all Synchro Monsters say "1+ non-Tuner monsters".) to the GY, then put a Synchro Monster from your Extra Deck on the field whose Level is the combined Levels of those monsters that they had on the field.

 

You do not need to be able to send them to the GY to Synchro Summon, if a card like "Macro Cosmos" is in play you are still able to Synchro Summon, but they will be banished instead.

 

You cannot use Xyz Monsters for this, as they have no Levels, but Ranks instead.

 

Synchro Monsters are Special Summon only monsters, and as with other Special Summon only monsters, they must first be Synchro Summoned, then you can Special Summon them from the GY or while banished.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Neither player and Special Summon, except by Synchro Summon."

 

"If this card is Synchro Summoned: You can draw 2 cards, then discard 1 card."

 

"If a player Synchro Summons using this card as a Material, the other player cannot activate cards or effects when that monster is Synchro Summoned."

 

Related:
Synchro Summons/Synchro Summoned

 

 

 

[spoiler=take]

Take is used when talking about taking control (see "control" for more info) or when taking LP away.

 

When you "take LP" that means either that it's decreased by an amount or you don't take LP.

 

It's important to note that when talking about taking LP, that it isn't the same as paying LP, but it is considered losing LP. Also note that you don't say "your opponent takes 500 LP", but instead "inflict 500 damage to your opponent", with the exception of both players taking LP, in which case you do use take.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You take no battle damage from battles involving Wyrm monsters you control."

 

"Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; take control of it, but it cannot attack."

 

"If this card is Summoned: Each player takes 1000 LP for each Special Summoned monster they control."

 

"Your opponent takes any effect damage you would have taken from their card effects, instead."

 

"When you take damage from an attack involving this card, or from an opponent's card effect: This card gains ATK equal to the damage you took."

 

Related:
takes/took/taken

 

 

 

[spoiler=target]

Targets are cards on either the field, the GY or while banished. You cannot target cards in your hand, Deck, or Extra Deck.

 

Targets always happen at activations of an effect, this is the same time you pay costs. Note that you still have to follow what the card says, if it targets something, then you pay a cost, you have to do it in that order, not the other way around, same as when you are resolving an effect.

 

Equip Cards target the monster that they equip themselves to and continue doing so until their target leaves the field or isn't legal anymore, in which case it's destroyed by game mechanics (with the exception of when the Equip Card is activated and something makes it not become a legal target, in which case it's considered sent instead of destroyed. Moire info can be found by clicking here).

 

You also target something when you declare an attack, and the target will stay the same for the rest of that battle (unless a card changes the target/the target is lost, and if it's lost, a replay may happen). If a replay happens, you target a new monster for an attack, note that you don't declare a new attack here, so cards like "Mirror Force" cannot be activated at this time.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 card on the field, in either player's GY or 1 banished card; shuffle it into the Deck, also you cannot Special Summon for the rest of the turn."

 

"You can target 1 FIRE monster you control; equip this card from your hand to that target. It gains 300 ATK/DEF and cannot be targeted by an opponent's card effects."

 

"Discard 1 card, then target 2 cards on the field; destroy both those targets, then inflict 500 damage to your opponent."

 

"Activate this card by targeting 1 monster in your GY; Special Summon that target in Attack Position. When this card leaves the field, destroy that target. When that target is destroyed, destroy this card."

 

Related:
targets/targeted/targeting

 

 

 

[spoiler=Token]

A monster Summoned by an effect, they are not actually in the Deck, and as such, you can use anything you want to represent them, though there do exits cards as well that are gray in color which you can use as well.

 

These are treated as Normal Monsters while on the field, any effect they might seem to have is just a lingering effect placed on it (or the game in general) by the card that Summoned it.

 

They cannot be used as material, but can be used as Synchro Material unless said so otherwise.

 

Tokens cannot be returned to the hand or sent to the GY as a cost etc. but you may banish them as a cost or for Summons like "The Atmosphere", and they can be returned to the hand or sent to the GY by effects.

 

All Tokens have names to them, some may also be part of an Archetype, typically they're named after the card that Summoned it, but it can also be completely different.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If a Token you control is destroyed by battle or card effect: Draw 1 card."

 

"Tribute 2 or more Tokens with the same Level, then target monsters in your GY with that same Level, up to the number of Tokens Tributed; Special Summon those targets, and have their effects negated. Destroy them during the End Phase."

 

"Special Summon 4 "Sheep Tokens" (Beast/EARTH/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) in Defense Position. These Tokens cannot be Tributed for a Tribute Summon. You cannot Summon other monsters the turn you activate this card (but you can Normal Set)."

 

Related:
Tokens

 



[spoiler=Toon]

Toon is both an Archetype, but it is also what you see on Toon monsters. When you refer to Toon monsters, say Toon monsters, not just Toon.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"[Warrior / Toon / Effect ]"

 

"[beast / Toon / Tuner / Effect]"

 

Related:
Toon monster

 


 
[spoiler=Toon monster]

Toon monsters are sub-type of monsters, similar to Union or Tuner, but these don't work the same way as those, as each monster falls into various classes, which you can view more about by clicking here.

 

"Toon" is also an Archetype, where Toon monster is the sub-type, so remember that you want to say "Target 1 "Toon" card in your GY" if you wish to be able to target something like "Toon Table of Contents".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Toon monsters you control cannot be banished."

 

"Negate the effects of all Toon monsters on the field."

 

Related:
Toon

 

 

 
[spoiler=toss a coin]

Used when you have an effect that tosses a coin (see "coin" for more info).

 

Example of Usage:

 

"From "Blowback Dragon": Once per turn: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; toss a coin 3 times, and destroy that target if at least 2 of the results are Heads."

 

Related:
coin

 

 

 

[spoiler=Transfer]

This term is used on Xyz Monsters which previously said "(Xyz Materials attached to that monster also become Xyz Materials on this card.). The new term reduces this text by quite a bit, simply referring to that action as Transfer.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"You can also Xyz Summon this card by using a Rank 5 or 6 Xyz Monster you control as material. (Transfer its materials to this card.)"

 

Related:
attach/material

 

 

 

[spoiler=Trap]

The purple cards. Trap refers to any form of Trap, either Normal, Continuous or Counter.

 

All Traps must first be Set, then they can be activated starting from the next turn. Some cards can bypass this though.

 

Traps are by default Spell Speed 2 (Counter Traps are Spell Speed 3 though), meaning that you don't need to say "during either player's turn" on them, since they can be used either player's turn anyway, though you can do it to make it easier for players, and the same way, you can choose to NOT allow it to be used during the opponent's turn.

 

Traps were previously called Trap Cards, as well as the different kinds of Traps saying Cards after it, though now you simply say Traps.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"During either player's turn, when your opponent activates a Trap Card: You can pay 500 LP; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it."

 

"You can activate 1 Trap the turn it was Set, also during either player's Battle Phase, you can activate 1 Trap from your hand."

 

"Neither player can Set Spell/Traps, also they cannot target Spell/Traps their opponent control with card effects."

 

Related:
Traps

 

 

 

[spoiler=Tribute/Tribute Summon]

Tribute is a term used when talking about sending monsters from the field (sometimes hand) to the GY, typically for effects or because they were Tributed for a Tribute Summon.

 

A Tribute Summon happens when you want to Summon a Level 5 or higher monster, if it's 5-6 you need to Tribute 1 monster only, if it's 7 or higher, you must Tribute 2 monsters you control.

 

Whenever a card mentions that Tribute by itself, it can be by any way, though some do say "Tribute Summon" instead.

 

You may see these on Ritual Spells as well, as they Tribute the monsters instead of sending them, like how Fusion Summons typically work.

 

Note that monsters sent as Synchro Material are NOT considered Tributed, only Tribute Summons or cards stating it Tributes them considers them a Tribute.

 

Some cards act like "double Tributers", such as "Double Coston", and some card allow you to Tribute Summon using less Tributes/none at all, such as "Amarylease".

 

Some cards Tribute monsters for a Special Summon, such as "Hieratic Dragon of Su", do note that this is not a Tribute Summon, by a Special Summon that Tributes monsters.

 

An interesting note is that you always want to omit the "you control" in something like "Tribute 1 FIRE monster you control". The reasoning behind this may be because by default, you can't Tribute your opponent's cards, so there would be no reason to say it, unless of course you want to Tribute the opponent's monsters as well.

 

Example of Usage:
 

"You can Tribute this card; Special Summon 1 Level 8 or higher DARK monster from your hand or Deck in Defense Position."

 

"If you control 2 or more Spell/Traps, you can Normal Summon this card without Tributing."

 

"You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by Tributing 2 monsters with 2000 or more ATK."

 

"If this card is Tributed while in your possession: You can pay 500 LP; add this card from your GY to your hand."

 

"During the End Phase, if you Tribute Summoned this turn: You can draw a number of cards equal to the number of "Qli" monsters you Tributed for Tribute Summons this turn."

 

Related:
Tributes/Tributed/Tributing/Tribute Summons/Tribute Summoned

 

 

 

[spoiler=Tuner]

What you see on Tuner monsters. Normally, you write Tuner monster when you refer to Tuners in effects, but when you write the Synchro Material requirement, you exclude the "monster" part in the first line, but not in the second one as such: "1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters".

 

Tuners are also the only sub-type which have Normal Monsters, and in that case, you do not write the Effect part, but still the Tuner part (see example below).

 

There are also Synchro Monsters which are Tuners, in which case, you write both that they're Synchro Monsters and that they are Tuners.

 

Previously, you said "1 or more non-Tuner monsters" instead of "1+ non-Tuner monsters".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"1 FIRE Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner Pyro monsters."

 

"2 "Poison Ivy" Tuners + 2+ non-Tuner "Poison Ivy" monster."

 

"[ Beast / Tuner ]"

 

"[ Warrior / Tuner / Effect ] "

 

"[Dragon / Synchro / Tuner / Effect ]"

 

Related:
Tuners/Tuner monster

 

 

 

[spoiler=Tuner monster]

Tuner monsters are monsters you need to Synchro Summon with, along with a non-Tuner monster, as stated on the Synchro Monster you wish to Synchro Summon.

 

Tuner monster is what you use when talking about them in effects, where simply Tuner is used in the Summoning conditions of Synchro Monsters instead.

 

Newer cards may say only Tuner instead, such as Cards of Consonance.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"1 FIRE Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner Pyro monsters."

 

"2 "Poison Ivy" Tuners + 2+ non-Tuner "Poison Ivy" monster."

 

 "Once per turn: You can target 1 Tuner you control and 1 non-Tuner monster your opponent controls; switch control of those targets."

 

"Tuners you control cannot be destroyed by card effects while you control a Synchro Monster."

 

Related:
Tuner monsters/Tuner

 

 

 

[spoiler=turn]

Turn is one of the most used terms, which can be used in many different ways.

 

It's most commonly used in the sentence "During either player's turn", which means that it's a Quick-Effect (or Quick-Like Effect in the case of Spells/Traps), or in the sentence "Once per turn".

 

Can be used when saying "During your turn, except the turn this card was sent to the GY".

 

Another common use is saying something like "During the turn you activate this card/activate/use this effect" as a condition you put after the effect to note that you can't activate the card or effect if you did something that contradicts the condition and you can't do that for the rest of the turn after activating it either (note that cards that negate activations will prevent conditions from taking place, unless they say "during the turn you use" instead.)

 

Similar to the above, some cards may say "for the rest of this turn", which means that you may still do something before activating the card or effect, but not after it.

 

Some cards may last "until the end of this turn/the next turn" or something similar, which means that it stops after it becomes the other player's turn.

 

Some cards also keep staying face-up for a specific amount of turns, such as "Swords of Revealing Light", that states "This card remains on the field for 3 of your opponent's turns."

 

It can be used when talking about turn count, which is a concept seen on the card "Pyro Clock of Destiny" that states "Move the turn count forward by 1 turn. The turn in which this card is activated continues as normal."

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn, during either player's turn, if you control no other monsters: You can Special Summon 1 "Fast-fighter" monster from your hand, then take 1000 damage. During the turn you activate this effect, you cannot Special Summon other monsters, except "Fast-fighter" monsters."

 

"During your turn, except the turn this card was sent to the GY: You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 Spell/Trap in your GY; shuffle it into the Deck, then draw 1 card, also for the rest of the turn, you cannot activate Spell/Traps."

 

"You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; it loses 500 ATK/DEF until the end of this turn, and if it does, this card gains ATK/DEF equal to that target's ATK/DEF. You can only use this effect of "Fearsome Bloodsucker" once per turn."

 

"Move the turn count forward by 1 turn. The turn in which this card is activated continues as normal."

 

"Inflict damage to your opponent equal to the number of your turns this card has been face-up on your field x 500."

 

Related:
Turns

 

 

 

[spoiler=Type]

This is what you want to write when talking about Monster Types, while Monster Type can also be used, Type is used more often.

 

In case you mean a specific Type, you want to say something like "Warrior" written as such, never say "Warrior-Monster Type" though.

 

Do not get this confused with card type, which refers to Monster, Spell or Traps and Extra Deck monster card type, which refers to Fusion, Synchro and Xyz Monsters.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Target 2 monsters you control of the same Type with 1000 or less ATK; both monsters' Levels become the combined Level of those 2 monsters."

 

"Tribute 1 Xyz Monster; during this turn's End Phase, Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 "Number" Monster with the same Type as that monster, but 1 Rank lower."

 

"Declare 2 Types; neither player can Special Summon monsters with the same Types until thte end of this turn."

 

Related:
Types

 

 

 

[spoiler=unequip]

Used on Union Monsters and cards like Armory Arm.

 

Unequip doesn't really mean anything in reality, other than the equipped card is no longer equipped, so it moves from the Spell & Trap Zone to another place, though all monsters that use it Special Summon themselves so far.

 

Example of Usage:

"Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 face-up monster you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it.

 

"Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 Machine monster you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it."

 

Related:
equip

 

 

 

[spoiler=Union]

What you see on Union monsters. When you refer to Union monsters, say Union monsters, not just Union.

 

Example of Usage:

"[ Machine / Union / Effect ]"

 

"[ Aqua / Union / Spirit / Effect]"

 

Related:
Union monster

 

 

 

[spoiler=Union monster]

A subtype which equips themselves to monsters from the field. They give them both a protection, but may also have another effect while they're equipped.

 

They can Special Summon themselves while equipped to a monster.

 

Previously, Union monsters said that they could only be equipped to 1 monster at a time, that they Special Summon in Attack Position and that they would only protect from battle, though now they have made it so you can equip any number, they Special Summon in both positions and that they also protect from card effects.

 

Example of Usage:

"Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 Machine monster you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it. A monster equipped with this card gains 500 ATK/DEF, also if the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, destroy this card instead."

 

Related:
Union

 

 

 

[spoiler=use]

Use is most commonly found when saying "You can only use this effect of "card name" once per turn". The difference between this and "activate" is that it doesn't matter if you negate the activation, you still cannot activate the card or effect again that turn. More details can be found in "20: Once per turn clauses".

 

Using is also quite common, mostly seen on cards related to Xyz Monsters when talking about using them as materials.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If there are no monsters on the field: You can Special Summon this card from your hand. You can only use this effect of "Sudden Appearance Ninja" once per turn."

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up Xyz Monster you control; this turn, you can use it as an material for an Xyz Summon using its Rank as if it were a Level (even if this card leaves the field)."

 

"During your Main Phase: You can target 1 face-up monster; change the battle position of that target. After you use this effect 3 times, destroy this card."

 

"Cannot be used as an material for an Xyz Summon, except for an Xyz Summon that uses 3 or more monsters as materials."

 

"An Xyz Monster that was Summoned using this card as an material gains this effect.
● If it is Xyz Summoned: Draw 1 card."

 

 

Related:
uses/using/used/unused

 

 

 

[spoiler=used/unused]

Used and unused means that a Zone has or does not have a card in it or that it can or cannot be used, as seem on Ojama King and such.

 

Previously, "occupied and "unoccupied" were used, mostly for Senet-like cards though, which are quite old, so I suggest not using those anymore.

 

Used is sometimes also found when talking about cards which cannot be used for certain things, mostly Synchro or Xyz Summons.

 

Cards such as "Psi-Blocker" and "Prohibition" say that the whole card cannot be used, the things you can still do with it can be complicated, so to learn how those cards work, click here.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can choose 1 unused Main Monster Zone; while this card is face-up on the field, that Main Monster Zone cannot be used."

 

"Cannot be used as a material for a Summon."

 

"Once per turn: You can declare 1 card name; cards with that name, and their effects, cannot be used until the end of your opponent's next turn."

 

"Discard 1 Spell, then target 1 Spell in your opponent's GY; as this card's effect resolution, follow the target's card text as if you had used it yourself."

 

Related:
use

 

 

 

[spoiler=way]

Way is used when talking about when something happens a certain way. Previously, you used this on Special Summon only monsters that said "Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by banishing 2 DARK monsters from your GY, and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways" though now you don't say "and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways" anymore.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If a Synchro Monster is on the field, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can only Special Summon "Synkron Resonator" once per turn this way.

 

"You can Special Summon this card (from your hand or GY) by removing 6 Spell Counters from a "Magical Citadel of Endymion" you control. If Summoned this way: Target 1 Spell in your GY; add that target to your hand."

 

Related:
ways

 


 
[spoiler=when/if]

Some of the most commonly used words, explaining at what point something can happen, and if something can activate or be used when a condition is met.

 

Note that you don't want to use "when" if it isn't a Trigger Effect, as seen in the last example, since that grammatically makes no sense.

 

More details can be found in "5: Colon and Semi-Colon Integration and When/If".

 

Example of Usage:

 

"When this card is Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 FIRE monster from your hand, except "Fire Lord Omega"

 

"If this card is destroyed by your opponent's card effect: Draw 1 card."

 

"If you control no Spell/Traps, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by banishing 1 Spell/Trap from your GY."

 


 

[spoiler=while]

While is a common term, typically used for Continuous Effects, or in conditions such as "If this card is Special Summoned while you control no other monsters: You can...".

 

It's important to note that you don't always want to say "while" in conditions, but rather "if" instead. For example, you don't want to say "While you control a FIRE monster: You can", since the condition here depends on "if" you control the FIRE monster at all. Same goes for Trigger Effects, you don't want to say "While this card is sent to the GY", you want to use "if" or "when" instead.

 

Sometimes you may see it in an effect, such as the second example below, in this case, it means that it Continuously targets while that card is face-up, so if it becomes negates, that effect stops.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"While you control no Spell/Traps, this card cannot be destroyed by card effects."

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 other "Archfiend" monster you control; while this card is face-up on the field, that target gains 500 ATK/DEF."

 

"If this card is sent to the GY while you control no monsters: You can draw 1 card."

 

 

 

[spoiler=Xyz Material]

An Xyz Material is the card(s) you put under a Xyz Monster when you Xyz Summon, this is called attaching an Xyz Material to an Xyz Monster.

 

You must put the requirement stated on the Xyz Monster under it, no more, no less (unless it says that you can do that).

 

You detach Xyz Materials, either as a cost to activate an effect of that Xyz Monster, though sometimes it can be an effect as well, such as with "Acid Golem".

 

You cannot use Tokens as Xyz Material, but Trap monsters can be used, and with card effects, Spell/Traps can also be attached to them.

 

Xyz Materials are not on the field, they exists in "limbo", meaning that if the Xyz Monster leaves the field they get sent to the GY by game mechanics.

 

Xyz Materials can exist on a face-down Xyz Monster, but not on one in the Spell & Trap Zone, nor anywhere that isn't in the Monster Zone.

 

An important update is that Xyz Material isn't used the same way it was before, now you simply say material instead. I have included the change below, as the way you use it is the same as before and some cards still use, such as Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon,  Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Photon Dragon and Bujintei Tsukuyomi, as seen below on the first three cards (I believe the reason being that they refer to specific cards as their Xyz Material, but that's my personal guess)

 

Example of Usage:

 

"If this card has a "Raidraptor" Xyz Monster as Xyz Material, it is unaffected by other cards' effects."

 

"Any battle damage this card inflicts to your opponent is halved unless it has "Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon" as Xyz Material."

 

"When this card you controlled while face-up leaves the field because of an opponent's card effect: You can target Level 4 Beast-Warrior "Bujin" monsters in your GY, up to the number of Xyz Materials this card had on the field; Special Summon those targets."

 

"Once per turn, during either player's turn: You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 face-up monster on the field; this turn, its effects are negated, but it is unaffected by other card effects."

 

"Cannot be destroyed by card effects while it has material."

 

"Each Xyz Monster on the field gains 300 ATK/DEF for each material attached to it."

 

"You can detach 2 materials from this card, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; its ATK becomes half its current ATK, and if it does, this card gains that lost ATK."

 

"An Xyz Monster that was Summoned using this card as a material gains this effect.
● If it is Xyz Summoned: Draw 1 card."

 

Related:
material/Xyz Materials/Xyz Monster/Xyz Summon

 

 

 

[spoiler=Xyz Monster]

An Xyz Monster is a monster that belongs in the Extra Deck. Xyz Monsters have Ranks, and unlike other monsters cannot be used for a Synchro Summon, and you cannot use any card that talks about Levels with them.

 

Like any other Extra Deck monster, they must first be Xyz Summoned before you can Summon them again from the GY or while banished.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn, if an Xyz Monster on the field is destroyed by battle: You can draw 1 card."

 

"Xyz Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects."

 

Related:
Xyz Monsters/Xyz Material/Xyz Summon

 

 

 

[spoiler=Xyz Summon]

An Xyz Summon is a form of Special Summon that requires you to put (called attach) 2 monsters of the same Level on each other (called materials) and then put the Xyz Monster from your Extra Deck on top of them, sometimes more depending on what the Xyz Monster says and sometimes with other requirements.

 

You must put the requirement amount stated on the Xyz Monster under it, no more; no less (unless  it says that you can do that).

 

Xyz Summons don't start a Chain, like Synchro Summons or Pendulum Summons. Only when you use another card to Xyz Summon, such as the "Rank-Up Magic" cards do you start a Chain.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up Xyz Monster you control; this turn, you can use it as an material for an Xyz Summon using its Rank as if it were a Level (even if this card leaves the field)."

 

"If either player Xyz Summons this turn, they cannot activate Spell/Trap Cards during their next turn."

 

"When this card is Xyz Summoned: You can destroy all Synchro Monsters on the field."

 

"You can treat this card as 2 monsters when Xyz Summoning an Xyz Monster requiring 3 monsters."

 

Related:
Xyz Summons/Xyz Summoned/Xyz Summoning
/Xyz Monster/Xyz Material

 

 

 

[spoiler=zone]

This term is used when talking about Link Monster pointing to a zone. Keep in mind that this is not capitalized like Main Monster Zone is.

 

Example of Usage:

 

"Once per turn: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from your hand to your zone this card points to."

 

Related:
Main Monster Zone/Extra Monster Zone/Monster Zone/Spell & Trap Zone/Field Zone/Pendulum Zone

 

 

 

 

 


 

[spoiler=40: OCG Quiz]

I have made a quiz that you should be able to answer correctly after reading this thread through. It may be outdated, so let me know if you spot any mistakes. Take it here:

 

https://testmoz.com/319026

 

 

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Thank you for taking the time to write this guide. I usually reference similar card effects to figure out how to write my cards. Due to the way PSCT changes, and some reprints not being updated when I reference them, I often find myself still using some terms that have been scrapped. Now there's a thread to reference the latest adjustments, including the ones that have appeared in DUEA that I didn't notice.

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This is a really nice guide, although a little bit long. There, however, seem to be some small mistakes, or things I would have done differently.
Here is a list of small mistakes/oversights I could find, as well as some suggestions:

  • Regarding "11: Setting up a Token Monster ":
    • Token monsters are always Normal Monsters, any effect it seems to have ("Fiend's Sanctuary" for example) is just a lingering effect of the card that summoned it. In your glossary you stated that they are treated as Normal Monsters, but I think it should be a little bit more appearant and would probably be best of in this category.
  • Regarding "31: Word List, Explanations and Usage List":
    • Where you speak about the 3 Decks, you say cards that at no point may there be an Extra Deck Monster in your Main Deck and vice-versa. Though you mention that new concepts might ignore this, Pendulum Monsters already do;
    • Under the explanation of effect damage, you say "Image X damage", I would assume you meant to say "Inflict X damage";
    • Although it might seem redundant to explicitly say that your Deck is shuffled after searching/returning cards, it does make difference for which cards can be activated as shuffling is the last thing to happen.
    • You can combine this category with "32: Words without Explanations", by placing all explanations and alike in spoiler-tags. Though this might be more a matter of preference. 

There might be some more mistakes, but these are the things I could find. But don't worry, making mistakes is part of being human.

 

Thanks for this great guide, and keep up the good work!

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Quoting is being weird so...

 

"Token monsters are always Normal Monsters, any effect it seems to have ("Fiend's Sanctuary" for example) is just a lingering effect of the card that summoned it. In your glossary you stated that they are treated as Normal Monsters, but I think it should be a little bit more appearant and would probably be best of in this category."

 

Right, I'll make that more apparent.

 

"Where you speak about the 3 Decks, you say cards that at no point may there be an Extra Deck Monster in your Main Deck and vice-versa. Though you mention that new concepts might ignore this, Pendulum Monsters already do;"

 

Probably something old I haven't updated. I am going to update the Word Explanations section soon, so I'll change that then.

 

"Under the explanation of effect damage, you say "Image X damage", I would assume you meant to say "Inflict X damage";"

 

Oops, fixing that soon!

 

"Although it might seem redundant to explicitly say that your Deck is shuffled after searching/returning cards, it does make difference for which cards can be activated as shuffling is the last thing to happen."

 

Like, "when...you can" and such? Could you provide an example of that happening?

 

"You can combine this category with "32: Words without Explanations", by placing all explanations and alike in spoiler-tags. Though this might be more a matter of preference."

 

That's something I want to do as well, just a matter of getting my fat arse up and actually doing it.

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"Although it might seem redundant to explicitly say that your Deck is shuffled after searching/returning cards, it does make difference for which cards can be activated as shuffling is the last thing to happen."

Like, "when...you can" and such? Could you provide an example of that happening?

After looking for some evidence/examples, it seems as though this was more of a interpretation mistake from my side. I assumed the last thing to happen would be to shuffle the Deck in case of cards like  "Howling Insect" or "Troop Dragon", and therefore you could not chain a card like "Bottomless Trap Hole". However, after looking at the errata of some cards ("Giant Rat" among others), it appears that newer cards have it removed; as well as the fact that it does not create timing issues. So just let's pretend as I have never said that...

 

That being said, I have  suggestion for something which you might want to add to this guide: typical word/effect order. You have already written a little bit about this in the sections about "Bullet hole" and Flip effects. There are however some more things which are often in a similar order. This order might not be completly correct, but it is to illustrate what I mean with effect order:

  1. FLIP effect;
  2. Summoning effect/restriction ("You can Special Summon this card by...", "Cannot be Special Summoned, except by...");
  3. Continuous effects ("...cannot be targeted...", "This card gains 500 ATK for each...");
  4. Ignition Effects ("You can target 1 monster...");
  5. Name wide effect limitation ("You can only activate this effect of "Card Name" once per turn, and only once that turn.");
  6. Bullet hole effects ("● 3 or more: This card gains...").

With word order I mean the order in which the specifications of a certain card are placed, for example: "Target 1 Attack Position Level 6 EARTH Warrior-Type Synchro Monster..." (can you guess which card I had in mind?), instead of "Target 1 EARTH Synchro Attack Position Warrior-Type Level 6   Monster...".  I used different colors the different specifications, but I think you have figured out yourself.

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After looking for some evidence/examples, it seems as though this was more of a interpretation mistake from my side. I assumed the last thing to happen would be to shuffle the Deck in case of cards like  "Howling Insect" or "Troop Dragon", and therefore you could not chain a card like "Bottomless Trap Hole". However, after looking at the errata of some cards ("Giant Rat" among others), it appears that newer cards have it removed; as well as the fact that it does not create timing issues. So just let's pretend as I have never said that...

 

That being said, I have  suggestion for something which you might want to add to this guide: typical word/effect order. You have already written a little bit about this in the sections about "Bullet hole" and Flip effects. There are however some more things which are often in a similar order. This order might not be completly correct, but it is to illustrate what I mean with effect order:

  1. FLIP effect;
  2. Summoning effect/restriction ("You can Special Summon this card by...", "Cannot be Special Summoned, except by...");
  3. Continuous effects ("...cannot be targeted...", "This card gains 500 ATK for each...");
  4. Ignition Effects ("You can target 1 monster...");
  5. Name wide effect limitation ("You can only activate this effect of "Card Name" once per turn, and only once that turn.");
  6. Bullet hole effects ("● 3 or more: This card gains...").

With word order I mean the order in which the specifications of a certain card are placed, for example: "Target 1 Attack Position Level 6 EARTH Warrior-Type Synchro Monster..." (can you guess which card I had in mind?), instead of "Target 1 EARTH Synchro Attack Position Warrior-Type Level 6   Monster...".  I used different colors the different specifications, but I think you have figured out yourself.

I actually had something about wording order up before, but I took it down for the reason of it being too nit picky, and Konami sometimes not really following their own "rules" in that regard. There are some things that I could mention though, the ones that they do seem to actually stick to most of the time, such as Special Summon only monsters text being first in the text and having the limitations be after the effect you're using.

 

The below I also had, but I think most people are not THAT dumb that they wouldn't write it in a sense that sounds right. And again, Konami sometimes doesn't stick to their rules, especially with the placement of the position, so yeah, I could probably do that again.

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New section called "Ignition, Trigger and Quick Effects". I will be updating the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List" as my next thing, putting each into their own spoiler and fixing some of the wording and what not. That will probably take a while, since there's a lot, so I'll probably be releasing some of it at at an interval.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Maybe include a small section for how to phrase conditions. Usually for cards that have name-altering, archetype-associating, or Type-introducing modifications that can't be negated and always in parenthesis.

Added a section about that, it will probably be updated regularly.

 

Also, I have put up the first few words of the new "Word List, Explanations and Usage List".

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  • 1 month later...

Is there a significant difference between "cannot declare an attack" vs "cannot attack"?

I think the only difference there is is that if a card that already declared an attack gets affected by something that prevents it from attacking, then the "cannot attack" will stop it and "cannot declare an attack" will not.

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  • 1 month later...

The list of glossary words does not include the word choose. This is possibly quite important as the word allows selection without targeting at activation, which is sometimes relevant; different wording will allow selection at resolution (just "destroy 1 card your opponent controls", etc). There's also no information in your guide that notes the fact that older rules text "select" does not necessarily transfer to new rules text "target" ... which might be useful as a corollary to the inclusion of the above.

 

Relevant wikia info here:

 

http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Select

 

(otherwise very useful thread but I digress, my brain gets stuck between MtG oracle text and YGO wording sometimes so this is a helpful reference when that happens)

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The list of glossary words does not include the word choose. This is possibly quite important as the word allows selection without targeting at activation, which is sometimes relevant; different wording will allow selection at resolution (just "destroy 1 card your opponent controls", etc). There's also no information in your guide that notes the fact that older rules text "select" does not necessarily transfer to new rules text "target" ... which might be useful as a corollary to the inclusion of the above.

 

Relevant wikia info here:

 

http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Select

 

(otherwise very useful thread but I digress, my brain gets stuck between MtG oracle text and YGO wording sometimes so this is a helpful reference when that happens)

Hm, I guess I forgot about that, there are plenty of words that I'm sure still aren't up there. Thanks for the head up.

 

I should really get to updating the word list soon though, but I not really been motivated to do so. Hopefully I can get of my arse and do this soon.

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  • 1 month later...

So I was reading through and I can't really figure out if I've got this right. For a deck I'm making my monsters have 'During the End Phase: tribute this card then Special Summon 1 archtype monster from your deck,

 

Is this correct OCG and if I do not have targets remaining in the deck, do I still have to tribute for a cost-type scenario?

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So I was reading through and I can't really figure out if I've got this right. For a deck I'm making my monsters have 'During the End Phase: tribute this card then Special Summon 1 archtype monster from your deck,

 

Is this correct OCG and if I do not have targets remaining in the deck, do I still have to tribute for a cost-type scenario?

Yes, you would still have to Tribute. The way conjunctions work is that you still have to do the first part, even if you can't do the second part (except for "and" conjunctions), so you would still Tribute. Just to make your wording more correct, try this:

 

During the End Phase: Tribute this card, then Special Summon 1 "Archetype" monster from your Deck.

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Interesting little thing I think you should be noted if you intend on making Ritual Monsters, the "entire Tribute" effect has been re-worded, which is to make it clearer that the Ritual Spell Card doesn't have to Tribute them, simply use them in some way. Here's an example:
 

"If you Ritual Summon exactly 1 WATER Ritual Monster with a card effect that requires use of monsters, this card can be used as the entire requirement."

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