MAGIC CARD RULINGS

Axe of Despair [j. Demon's Axe]
Category: Power-Up / Return to Deck
Type: Equipment / Triggered

• Tributing a Monster for the effect is optional.
• You must choose whether or not to Tribute a Monster when this card is first placed in the Graveyard from the Field. Any later is illegal.
• As a friendly reminder: YOU CAN ONLY TRIBUTE MONSTERS ON YOUR SIDE OF THE FIELD UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

Black Pendant [j. Black Pendant]
Category: Life Point Damage
Type: Equipment / Triggered

• The effect is activated even when sent to the Graveyard from the Field while it is Set.

Block Attack [j. Seal Attack]
Category: Mode Change
Type: Normal

Burning Land [j. Scorched Earth]
Category: Field Card Destruction / Direct Damage
Type: Continuous

• CAN be played, even if there is no Field card on the Field.
• Destroys Field card only when first played. Later Field cards are unaffected.
• Even destroys face-down Field cards in a either player's Magic and Trap Zone.

Card Destruction [j. Hand Obliteration]
Category: Card Discarding; Card Drawing
Type: Normal

• Does NOT count itself in the number of cards discarded in this way.

Chain Energy [j. Magical Bonds]
Category: Life Point Loss
Type: Continuous

• The Life Points become a COST to use the cards. If the cost is not paid, the card cannot be played.
• Multiples of this card in play "stack" (1000 for two in play, 1500 for three in play, etc.)
• Examples of cards played from hand:

  Playing a Magic card from hand.

  Playing a Trap card from hand. [EDO'S NOTE: Don't worry about this one yet.]

  Setting a Magic or Trap card from hand.

  Summoning or Special Summoning a Monster from hand.

  Playing specific Effect Monsters from hand (i.e. [Kuriboh], [Thunder Dragon], etc.)

• Examples of cards NOT played from hand:

  Using cards in play.

  Discarding cards from hand, through [Magic Jammer], etc. worry about this one yet.]

  Discarding a card from your hand at the end of your turn.

  Fusing Monsters from your hand.

  Tributing Monsters from your hand for a Ritual Magic card.

  [Minar], [Electric Snake]

Change of Heart [j. Change of Heart]
Category: Monster Control
Type: Normal (Duration)

• The controlled Monster can be Tributed (it will go to its owner's Graveyard).
• If the controlled Monster would go back to its owner's control, and the owner's Monster Slots are full, the Monster would be destroyed instead.
• When used, you gain control of your opponent's Monster in the same mode it was in under your opponent's control. You are free to change the mode of that Monster. When the Monster is returned to your opponent's control, it returns in the same mode that it left your Field in.
• Any Equipment cards that were attached to a Monster remain attached to that Monster when under your opponent's control (they still occupy your Magic/Trap slots, however).

Cheerful Coffin, The [j. Enthuastic Undertaker]
Category: Discard
Type: Normal

• You must discard either 1, 2 or 3 Monster cards from your hand.

Cold Wave [j. Deep Freeze]
Category: ????
Type: ????

Confiscation [j. Confiscate]
Category: Discard
Type: Normal

Curse of Fiend [j. Wicked Ritual]
Category: Mode Change
Type: Normal (Special)

• This card is a special case in which, if it is Set, you can activate it during your Standby Phase. You can also play it from the HAND during your Standby Phase.

Dark Hole [j. Black Hole]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Normal

• Destroys both your Monsters and your opponent's Monsters.
• Destroys all face-up AND face-down Monsters.

Darkness Approaches [j. Dark Visitation]
Category: Face Change
Type: Normal

• Discarding two cards from your hand is a cost to using this card. If this card is negated, the cards are not returned to the user.
• A Monster CAN be turned into face-down attack mode with this card.
• If a Monster that is in face-down attack mode changes to defense mode, it remains face-DOWN when it changes.
• A Monster that is in face-down attack mode can still Flip Summon, but will go into face-up ATTACK mode.
• Equipment cards that are Equipped on Monsters turned face-down in this way are destroyed (no effects pertaining to the Equipped Monster are activated on those Equipment cards).

De-Spell [j. Magic Removal]
Category: Magic Destruction
Type: Normal

• If the card that you choose turns out to not be a Magic card, you do not get to choose another target, and this card's effect ends.
• This card CANNOT be used in a chain when your opponent uses a Magic card, because Spell Speed 1 cards CANNOT Chain.

Delinquent Duo [j. Mischievous Demon Twins]
Category: Discard
Type: Normal

• This card CAN be played even if your opponent has only one card in his or her hand.

Dimensionhole [j. Worm Hole]
Category: ????
Type: Quickplay

• If your only Monster on the Field is removed in this way, your opponent can still attack you directly.

Elegant Egotist [j. Ten-Thousand Reflections]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Normal

• If you played a Monster from your deck, shuffle your deck afterward.
• You cannot play this card if all of your Monster slots are full.

Eternal Rest [j. Eternal Rest]
Category: Magic/Trap Destruction
Type: Normal

Fairy Meteo Crush [j. Meteor Strike]
Category: ????
Type: Equipment

Final Destiny [j. Final Battle]
Category: Monster/Magic/Trap Destruction
Type: Normal

• Discarding five cards from your hand is a cost to using this card. If this card is negated, the cards are not returned to the user.
• Playing this card is NOT counted as the cards discarded.

Fissure [j. Fissure / Broken Earth]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Normal

• Can be used if your opponent has only one face-up Monster on the Field.
• If more than one Monster has the lowest attack strength, the player of this card chooses which is destroyed.
• Q: Why isn't Fissure a targeted effect?
  A: It's because the user of the card doesn't choose the target; Fissure itself does. Even if the user would choose which of two Monsters that tie for the lowest attack strength will be destroyed, it's still not "targeted."

Flute of Summoning Dragon [j. Dragon-Calling Horn]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Normal

• The English card is incorrect. The correct text would be:

  Playing this card when there is a Lord of D. card face-up on the field allows you to play up to 2 Dragon-Type cards from your hand as a Special Summon.

• CAN be used if your opponent has a face-up Lord of D. on the Field.
• You may choose to summon 1 or 2 Dragon-Type MONSTER cards from your hand.
• CANNOT be played if you have no free Monster Slots.
• Since they are Special Summons, [Trap Hole] can't be used on Dragon-Type Monsters played in this way.

Forceful Sentry [j. Steadfast Guard]
Category: Discard
Type: Normal

Germ Infection [j. Microscopic Infection]
Category: Power Down
Type: Equipment

• The reduction is CUMULATIVE.
• The reduction only lasts as long as this card is Equipped on the Monster.

Giant Trunade [j. Giant Trunade]
Category: Return To Hand
Type: Normal

Gravekeeper's Servant [j. Gravekeeper's Familiar]
Category: Discard
Type: Continuous

• This effect is cumulative (two discards for two on the Field, etc.).

Ground Collapse [j. Ground of Inactivity]
Category: ????
Type: Continuous

Heavy Storm [j. Heavy Storm]
Category: Magic/Trap Destruction
Type: Normal

• Destroys both your Magic/Trap cards and your opponent's Magic/Trap cards.
• Destroys all face-up AND face-down Magic/Trap cards.

Horn of Light [j. Horn of Light]
Category: Power-Up / Return to Deck
Type: Equipment / Triggered

• Paying Life Points to activate this effect is optional.
• You must choose whether or not to pay the Life Points when this card is first placed in the Graveyard from the Field. Any later is illegal.

Insect Barrier [j. Insect Barrier]
Category: ????
Type: Continuous

Insect Imitation [j. Hatching]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Normal

Inspection [j. Inspection]
Category: ????
Type: Continuous

Last Will
Category: Special Summon
Type: Normal (Duration)

• If played, does not have to be used.
• If played, its effect only works for one Monsters destroyed (i.e., it can't be used multiple times).
• Can be used to summon high-level Monsters (level 5 or higher), as long as they are not Monsters with a Special Summon requirement.
• Can be used after one of your Monsters has gone to the Graveyard from the Field.
• Multiple Last Wills can be played. The first of your Monsters that hits the Graveyard during that turn will trigger both Last Will effects.

  --- Example: You play two Last Wills. Two of your Monsters go to the Graveyard during this turn. The first will trigger both Last Wills, allow you to Special Summon two Monsters (one Monster for each Last Will). The second Monster that goes to the Graveyard does not trigger the Last Wills, because they only count for one Monster.

• Is only triggered when a Monster under your control goes to your own Graveyard (thus, a Monster that was gained control of via [Change of Heart] will not trigger this effect)

Limiter Removal [j. Limiter Removal]
Category: Power-Up
Type: Quickplay

• The doubling of this card includes all modifiers to the Monster's attack strength.
• If a [Megamorph] is Equipped on a Monster affected by this card, its attack strength will be doubled, and even if your opponent's Life Points drop below yours, the attack strength will not be reduced.

Magical Labyrinth [j. Labyrinth Change]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Equipment (Special)

Malevolent Nuzzler [j. Demon's Kiss]
Category: Power-Up / Return to Deck
Type: Equipment / Triggered

• Paying Life Points to activate this effect is optional.
• You must choose whether or not to pay the Life Points when this card is first placed in the Graveyard from the Field. Any later is illegal.

Megamorph [j. Giant Growth]
Category: Power-Up / Power-Down
Type: Equipment

• Doubles the BASE attack strength of the Monster (listed on the card).
• If your Life Points are equal to your opponent's, there is no change.
• [Reverse Trap] cannot affect this card, as doubling/halving is not covered in the [Reverse Trap] card's effect.
• Two or more [Megamorph] cards Equipped on a single Monster DON'T double or triple the attack strength.

Messenger of Peace [j. Emissary of Peace]
Category: Attack Prevention
Type: Continuous

• You may choose not to pay the Life Points during your Standby Phase, and thus destroy this card.
• Monsters with an ATK of 1500 cannot DECLARE an attack. However, if the Monster's ATK goes above 1500 AFTER declaring an attack, that is perfectly fine.
• The ATK comparison INCLUDES modifers from Equipment cards, Field Magic cards, Traps, etc.

Monster Reborn [j. Raise Dead]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Normal

• CAN be used on normal Monsters that have been discarded from your hand in some way. [EDO'S NOTE: Yes, DESPITE what the FAQ page says on the Upper Deck Site.]
• CANNOT be used on Monsters that have a Special Summon requirement that make their way into your Graveyard without entering play in the required way at least once.

  Monsters that have a Special Summon requirement (currently):
  
  

  • All Fusion Monsters
  • All Ritual Monsters
  • Group A Toon Monsters
  • Gate Guardian
  • Great Moth
  • Harpie Lady Sisters
  • Larvae Moth
  • Red Eyes Black Metal Dragon
  • Wall Shadow

  
  --- Example #1: If I discarded a Dark Magician from my hand (in some way), you or I CAN use Monster Reborn on it.
  --- Example #2: If I discarded a Gate Guardian from my hand (in some way), you or I CAN'T use Monster Reborn on it. [Because it didn't enter play at least once.]
  --- Example #3: If I summoned a Gate Guardian into play at least once by Tributing Sanga, Suijin and Kazejin, and it goes to the Graveyard (in some way), you or I CAN use Monster Reborn on it. [Because it entered play at least once.]

• Since they are Special Summons, [Trap Hole] can't be used on Monsters played in this way.
• If the targeted Monster is removed from the Graveyard before the resolution of this card's effect (such as with [Call of the Haunted]), this card's effect ends with no effect.

Monster Recovery [j. Monster Recall]
Category: Card Drawing
Type: Quickplay

• If played during Battle (before the Damage Step), a replay occurs.
• If an opponent's Monster is under your control and you use this card on it, the Monster will be shuffled into its owner's deck, and only the cards in your hand will be shuffled in and counted toward drawing.

Mystical Space Typhoon [j. Cyclone]
Category: Magic/Trap Destruction
Type: Quickplay

• CANNOT NEGATE THE CARD IT DESTROYS!

Nobleman of Crossout [j. Emissary of Obliteration]
Category: ????
Type: Normal

• Remove a face-down Monster from the game, regardless if it has a Flip Effect or not.
• You remove similar copies from the game in all decks ONLY if that Monster has a Flip Effect.

Nobleman of Extermination [j. Emissary of Destruction]
Category: ????
Type: Normal

• Removes a face-down Magic/Trap card from the game, regardless if it is a Trap card or not.
• You remove similar copies from the game in all decks ONLY if that card is a Trap card.

Painful Choice [j. Distressing Choice]
Category: Special
Type: Normal

• Effects on cards such as [Minar] and [Penguin Knight] are NOT activated, as this is your own Magic card that is putting those cards into your Graveyard.

Paralyzing Potion [j. Paralysis Potion]
Category: Attack Prevention
Type: Equipment

• The Equipped Monster CAN change its mode.

Premature Burial [j. Early Burial]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Equipment

• Paying the Life Points is a cost to playing this card. If this card is negated, the Life Points are not returned to you.
• This card is governed by the same rules of [Monster Reborn] for bringing back Special Summon Monsters, etc.
• If this card is returned to your hand, the Equipped Monster is NOT destroyed.
• If this card is negated while on the Field (such as with [Imperial Order]) and it is destroyed, the Equipped Monster is NOT destroyed.
• If [Imperial Order] is activated in a Chain with this card, the "Special Summon" portion of the effect is negated. Since [Premature Burial] will then not have a target to Equip, it will go to the Graveyard.
• If [Mystical Space Typhoon] or [Dust Tornado] is activated in a Chain with this card, it will be destroyed before the Monster is Summoned.
• If the targeted Monster is removed from the Graveyard before the resolution of this card's effect (such as with [Call of the Haunted]), this card's effect ends with no effect.

Prohibition [j. Prohibition Order]
Category: ????
Type: Continuous

• Basically, [Prohibition] prevents players from directly playing the card from his or her hand.
• "Prohibiting" a card prevents the following for the prohibited card (if applicable):
  • Playing a Magic card.
  • Placing a Magic/Trap card on the Field face-down ("Set").
  • Monster Summon or Special Summon (face-up or face-down doesn't matter)
  • Effect Monsters such as [Kuriboh] and [Thunder Dragon]
• If a Monster is "prohibited" in this way, it CAN still be played through other effects, such as [Cyber Jar], [Morphing Jar #2], [Last Will], [Flute of Summoning Dragon], [Elegant Egotist], [Monster Reborn] and [Call of the Haunted].
• However, "prohibited" Monsters that are played in other ways are restricted from attacking, changing their modes, and Monster effects (Items like Continuous Effects are not generated).
• Cards that are already on the Field are unaffected by being "prohibited."
• A prohibited Monster card CAN be sacrificed.
• Prohibited card like [Minar], [Electric Snake], [Cockroach Knight] and [Sword of Deep-seated] will not have their effects activated.
• Prohibited Fusion-replacement Monsters like [Goddess of the Third Eye] can't be used from your hand in a Fusion.
• Monster that were already on the Field before being prohibited:
  --- CAN change their modes and be Flip Summoned
  --- CAN declare an attack
  --- CAN be sacrificed
  --- CAN use its effect
  • Example: If a [Cannon Soldier] is on the Field and it is later prohibited. Even though [Cannon Soldier] is prohibited, it was played before [Prohibition] was played, and thus can change its mode, attack, and use its effect.
• Magic/Trap cards on the Field before being prohibited:
  --- Already activated Continuous and Equipment Magic/Trap cards don't have their effects negated
  --- Magic/Trap cards that were Set before being prohibited CAN still be activated.
  • Example 1: If a [Mirror Force] is Set on the Field and it is later prohibited. Even though [Mirror Force] is prohibited, it was Set before [Prohibition] was played, and thus can be activated.
  • Example 2: If an [Ultimate Offering] is Set on the Field and it is later prohibited. Even though [Ultimate Offering] is prohibited, it was Set before [Prohibition] was played, and thus can be activated and used.
• Cards in hand that are prohibited:
  --- CAN be discarded as part of a cost that is not played ([Kuribo] and [Thunder Dragon] are played, so that is illegal)
  --- CAN be discarded from your hand during your End Phase if you are over your hand size.
  --- CAN be Fused from your hand (Fusion replacement Monsters are illegal)
  --- CAN be sacrificed from your hand as part of a Ritual Magic card
  --- The five parts of [Exodia] will still win the game, since Exodia's effect isn't "played."
• Prohibited cards can still be played from your deck as part of the [Magical Hats] card.
• If a [Witch of the Black Forest] or [Critter] on the Field goes to the Graveyard, its effect is activated.
• If [Jinzo] is prohibited and revived from the Graveyard:
  1. [Prohibition] is activated, prohibiting [Jinzo] 2. [Monster Reborn] is activated, [Jinzo] is revived.
  --- [Jinzo]'s Trap negating Continuous Effect is not employed.
  B. Afterward, if [Imperial Order] is activated:
  First of all, [Prohibition]'s effect is negated, then [Jinzo]'s Continuous Effect is employed. [Imperial Order] is then negated, and [Prohibition] once again is active, and the pre-existing [Jinzo] is no longer affected by [Prohibition]. (It is not a loop.)

Rain of Mercy [j. Blessed Rain]
Category: Life Gain
Type: Normal

Reliable Guardian [j. Strong Defense]
Category: Power Up
Type: Quickplay

Remove Trap [j. Trap Remover]
Category: Trap Destruction
Type: Normal

• This card CANNOT be used in a chain when your opponent uses a Trap card, because Spell Speed 1 cards CANNOT Chain.

Ring of Magnetism [j. Magnetic Ring]
Category: Attack Redirection
Type: Equipment

• Can ONLY be Equipped on YOUR Monster. The English translation of the card is slightly-erroneous. [EDO'S NOTE: If you would like more proof, please get someone to translate the current Japanese version of the card for you.]
• Does not FORCE your opponent to attack, i.e. your opponent doesn't have to attack if he or she doesn't want to. However, if your opponent's DOES want to attack, he or she must choose the Monster that this cards is Equipped on as the target of the attack.

Rush Recklessly [j. Charge]
Category: Power Up
Type: Quickplay

Shallow Grave, The [j. Shallow Grave]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Normal

• This card is governed by the same rules of bringing Special Summon Monster back from the Graveyard.
• At least one player must have at least one free Monster Slot to play this card.
• At least one player must have at least one Monster in his or her Graveyard to play this card.
• The player who plays this card choose a Monster first, then his or her opponent.

Share the Pain [j. Share Wounds]
Category: Monster Removal
Type: Normal

• The English card is vague in its usage, so it works much like this:

  You choose 1 of the Monsters on your side of the Field and destroy it. Your opponent chooses 1 of the Monsters on his or her side of the Field and destroys it.

• Tributing a Monster in this way does NOT count as Tribute for any other purpose (such as Tribute Summon, [Cannon Soldier], etc.).
• You CANNOT play this card unless both you and your opponent have at least one Monster on the Field.

Shield and Sword [j. Shield in the Right Hand, Sword in the Left Hand]
Category: Statistic Change
Type: Normal (Duration)

• Applies ONLY to face-up Monsters. Monsters that are turned face-up during after this card is played are NOT affected by the change.
• Modifiers that were applied before this card was played are swapped (including Magic/Trap/Equipment effects). However, modifiers to statistics that are played AFTER this card affect the new statistics only, which includes Equipment Magic cards. Equipment cards that were attached before this card was played are swapped. Equipment cards that were played after this card simply affect the new statistics.
  --- Example #1: I have a face-up [Mystical Elf] (800/2000) on the Field. [Shield and Sword] is used. The [Mystical Elf] becomes (2000/800). I then activate a [Castle Walls]. The [Mystical Elf] changes to (2000/1300).
  --- Example #2: I have a face-up [Mystical Elf] (800/2000) on the Field, with an Equipment card that increases its attack strength by 700 (just as an example). [Shield and Sword] is used. The [Mystical Elf] becomes (2000/1500). If I equip another of those Equipment cards on it after [Shield and Sword] is play, it would be (2700/1500).

The Japanese card changed with the release of Duelist Legacy 4, so the ruling is now parallel to the English version.
• [Reverse Trap] does not work on this card, as it swaps the statistics; it doesn't increase/decrease them.

Snatch Steal [j. Theft]
Category: Control
Type: Equipment

• Since it's an Equipment Magic card, it CANNOT be Equipped on face-down Monsters.
• If the Monster that this card is Equipped on is turned face-down (such as with [Darkness Approaches]), this card is destroyed, but the Monster is NOT returned to its previous controller.
• If this card leaves the Field ([Giant Trunade], [Heavy Storm], etc.), the Equipped Monster returns to its previous controller.
• If an [Imperial Order] is on the Field, the Equipped Monster will return to its previous controller for the duration that [...Order] remains on the Field.
• If an [Imperial Order] is on the Field, the "Life Gain" effect is negated as well. [EDO'S NOTE: It's not a "cost," it's an effect.]

Soul Exchange [j. Cross Soul]
Category: Tribute
Type: Normal

• Can be used to Tribute your opponent's Monster for whatever way you wish (such as for a Tribute Summon, or Monster Effects like the [Cannon Soldier]), but must be Tributed RIGHT AFTER using Soul Exchange (i.e., does not last the entire turn).
• CANNOT be used during Main Phase 2. Skipping your Battle Phase is a "requirement cost" to using this card.
• You may choose to Tribute a face-up or face-down Monster.
• Does NOT give you control of the Monster.
• Only one [Soul Exchange] can be used at a time for Tributing. This is because the card/effect that you are Tributing for must be used RIGHT AFTER the use of [Soul Exchange].
• And no, a Summon in this way is NOT a Special Summon. (NO WAY IN HELL IS IT A SPECIAL SUMMON.) This is because [Soul Exchange] isn't the source of the Summon.
• [Fairy's Hand Mirror] CAN redirect the target for this card.
• If the "activation" of this card is negated (i.e. Magic Jammer, Solemn Judgement, Magic Drain, etc.), this card's player DOES get his or Battle Phase.
• If the "effect" of this card is negated (i.e. Imperial Order) this card's player DOES NOT get his or Battle Phase.
• CAN be used with Ritual cards, provided that your opponent's Monster is face-UP. This is simply to make sure that the card has the required and proper levels for the Ritual.
• CANNOT be used in a Fusion, since a Fusion does not require a sacrifice, and since the Monster is not under your control.
• CANNOT Tribute an opponent's [Red Eyes Black Dragon] with a [Metalmorph] Equipped on it to Special Summon a [Red Eyes Black Metal Dragon] from your deck.

Soul Release [j. Release of the Soul]
Category: Graveyard Removal
Type: Normal

• You must remove 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 cards in your or your opponent's Graveyard from the game.

Spirit Message [j. Death Message]
Category: ????
Type: ????

• CAN ONLY BE PLAYED THROUGH THE EFFECT OF THE DESTINY BOARD. They cannot be played or Set any other way.
• If [Imperial Order] is on the Field, it does NOT allow you to play these cards from your hand.

Stim Pack [j. Doping]
Category: Power Up / Power Down
Type: Equipment

• The reduction in attack strength includes the initial 700 point increase.
  -- Example: During the first Standby Phase after you play [Stim Pack], the effective increase would be 500 (700 - 200). The second Standby Phase would be 300 (700 - 200 - 200). Etc.
• The 200 point reduction is CUMULATIVE.
• Increase / Reduction is NOT permanent, i.e., only applies while the [Stim Pack] is Equipped on the Monster.

Stop Defense [j. Seal Defense]
Category: Mode Change
Type: Normal

• If it changes a Monster from face-down defense mode to face-up attack mode, it is NOT considered a Flip Summon, though any effect it has is activated.

Sword of Deep-Seated [j. Sword of Tenacity]
Category: Power Up / Deck Manipulation
Type: Equipment

• If placed in a Graveyard, it MUST be placed on top of your deck.
• Goes to the top of your deck, regardless of the way that it made it into your Graveyard (from the Field, your hand, or your deck).

Swords of Revealing Light [j. Sealing Swords of Light]
Category: Other
Type: Normal [SPECIAL] (Duration)

• Once played, remains in one of your Magic/Trap slots.
• Is destroyed at the END of your opponent's THIRD turn.
• De-Spell, Armed Ninja, and other cards that destroy or remove Magic CAN be used on a Swords of Revealing Light that is in a Magic/Trap slot.
• Does NOT prevent your opponent from changing the modes of his or her Monsters.
• You (the player of the this card) can still attack your opponent.
• If two or more are on the Field, they "count down" simultaneously (i.e., their time limit does NOT "stack up").
• Monsters that are Set on the Field after this card comes into play are played face-down.
• Monsters that come into play after this card comes into play cannot attack until the end of the this card's effect.
• If [Imperial Order] is activated, this card's countdown still continues, but has no effect (i.e. your opponent can still attack).
• If a [Mystical Space Typhoon] or [Dust Tornado] is used in a Chain with this card to destroy it, it's "non attack" portion of the effect will not be enabled, but it's "activation" effect of "turning all of your opponent's Monsters face up" will NOT be negated.

Tailor of the Fickle [j. Changing Disguises]
Category: Equipment Move
Type: Quickplay

Toll [j. Toll]
Category:
Type: Continuous

• If a replay occurs, the Life Point payment is not returned to the attacker.

Toon World [j. Toon World]
Category:
Type: Continuous

• [Imperial Order] does NOT negate the 1000 Life Point cost.
• If this card is on the Field and [Imperial Order] is activated, Toons are unaffected, since Toon World remains on the Field.

Tribute To The Doomed [j. Welcome For The Dead]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Normal

• Discarding the card is a cost to playing this card.
• If this card is negated, the discarded card is NOT returned to its user.

Upstart Goblin [j. Rich Goblin]
Category: Special
Type: Normal

TRAP CARD RULINGS

Acid Trap Hole [j. Acid Pit Trap]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Normal

• If the Monster has a defense strength of 2000 or less, its Flip Effect (if any) is activated AFTER it is destroyed. If the Monster has an defense strength of more than 2000, it is turned back face-down, and its Flip Effect (if any) is NOT activated.
• The defense strength of the Monster INCLUDES defense strength modifications (such as from Field Magic cards).
• If a [Jinzo] is turned face-up in this way, its Continuous Effect is not enabled, since turning it face-up is simply to check its statistics. It will still be destroyed if its defense strength is 2000 or less.

Appropriate [j. Share the Wealth]
Category: Card Drawing
Type: Continuous

• During the first instance of your opponent drawing a card outside of the Draw Phase, you can CHOOSE to activate this card. However, you will NOT be able to draw any cards at that moment. This is because Appropriate must have been face-up at the time of drawing cards to trigger this effect.
• You MUST to draw two cards whenever your opponent draws cards
This effect is triggerd whenever your opponent draws cards, NOT for each card you opponent draws.
• Is not Triggered by effects that put cards into your hand, such as with [Sangan] and [Cyber Jar].
• If both you and your opponent have an Appropriate and they are activated, an infinite loop will continue until a players runs out of cards, in which he or she loses. Quick effects cannot be used during this loop. If a player completes all five parts of Exodia during this time, he or she will win, since the effect is not played. Neither player can stop this loop.

Armored Glass [j. Glass Armor]
Category: ????
Type: Normal / Triggered

Attack and Receive [j. Pitched Battle]
Category: Direct Damage
Type: Normal / Triggered

• Multiple copies of this card can be activated when you receive the damage. Successive cards that have already resolved will count toward later resolved copies of this card.

Backup Soldier [j. Reserves]
Category: Normal
Type: ????

Call of the Haunted [j. Cry of the Living Dead]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Continuous

• This card is governed by the same rules as [Monster Reborn] for brining back Special Summon Monsters.
• If this card is removed from the Field (destroyed, returned to a player's hand, etc.) the chosen Monster is destroyed.
• If a [Mystical Space Typhoon] or [Dust Tornado] destroys this card in a Chain with it when activated, this card is destroyed before being able to Special Summon a Monster.

Ceasefire [j. Ceasefire Agreement]
Category: ????
Type: Normal

• Cannot negate Flip Effects if used in a Chain with them.

Chain Destruction [j. Chain Destruction]
Category: ????
Type: Normal / Triggered

• You can activate it on your own Monster that is summoned.
• Can be activated on Normal, Flip, Special, Ritual and Fusion Summons.
• If a Fusion Monster is chosen in this way, identical Monsters from its player's FUSION DECK are destroyed.
• The Monster that was summoned is not destroyed, and remains on the Field.

DNA Surgery [j. DNA Operation]
Category: ????
Type: Continuous

• Only affects face-up Monsters on the FIELD.
• If a Monster's Type changes and makes an Equipment card on it illegal (such as a Warrior-Type with a [Legendary Sword] Equipped on it changes to a Fiend-Type), the Equipment card is destroyed
• Only the twenty basic Types can be chosen. Derivitives of Effect Monsters CANNOT be chosen (such as [Toon]).
• If multiples of this card are on the Field, the most recent copy of the card takes precedence.

Dragon Capture Jar [j. Dragon-Sealing Jar]
Category: Mode Change
Type: Continuous

• If on the Field, and a [Stop Defense] is played on a Dragon, it will revert to attack mode for a brief moment (if face down, it will be turned face up and its effect activated, if any), then the Dragon Capture Jar's continuous effect will change it immediately back to defense mode.
• If you attack with a Dragon Type Monster, and your opponent Chains with a Mirror Force, if you use this card to Chain that one, your Monsters that revert to defense mode will NOT be destroyed by the Mirror Force effect.

Driving Snow [j. Snowstorm]
Category: Magic/Trap Destruction
Type: Normal

Dust Tornado [j. Sand Tornado]
Category: Magic/Trap Destruction
Type: Normal

• CANNOT NEGATE THE CARD IT DESTROYS!
• If you Set a Trap card from your hand in this way during an opponent's turn, it can be used starting on your turn.

Earthshaker [j. ????]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Normal

• No, you can't choose the same type twice. (Let's be a little friggin' realistic here...)

Eatgaboon [j. Mouse Trap]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Normal

• Does not negate effects of the Monster is destroys.

Enchanted Javelin [j. Holy Javelin]
Category: Life Gain
Type: Normal / Triggered

• Multiple copies of this card can be activated when your opponent attacks.

Eye of Truth, The [j. Eye of Truth]
Category: ????
Type: Continuous

Fairy's Hand Mirror [j. Angel's Mirror]
Category: Redirection
Type: Normal

• The English card is slightly incorrect. The correct text would be:

  Switch the opponent's Magic Card effect that specifically designates 1 monster on the Field as a target to another correctly targeted monster.

• The new target must still be legal to activate the card. For example, if you only have two Monster on the Field (one in attack mode and one in defense mode), and your opponent plays [Stop Defense], you cannot activate this card, since it has no other legal target.
• Can only redirect cards that target a Monster on the FIELD. (i.e. no redirecting a [Monster Reborn]).
• Equipment cards CAN be redirected, as long as the new target is legal (i.e. cannot put an Equipment card on a face-down Monster, cannot put a [Sword of Dark Destruction] on an Earth-Type Monster, etc).

Fake Trap [j. False Trap]
Category: Trap Destruction Prevention
Type: Triggered

• Used in a Chain with the card that is going to destroy the Trap card(s).
• [Fake Trap] can't be used to save Trap cards that are negated by Counter Traps like [7 Tools of the Bandit] and [Solemn Judgement], because this card is Spell Speed 2, and Counter Traps are Spell Speed 3.
• If your opponent uses a [Heavy Storm] to destroy all Magic and Traps cards on the Field, activating this card will save your Trap cards, but those Trap cards that are saved MUST be shown to your opponent (to prevent cheating).

Forced Requisition [j. Forced Collection]
Category: Discard
Type: Continuous

• If you play [Final Destiny] with this card face-up on the Field, your opponent does NOT discard 5 cards from his or her hand, since [Final Destiny] destroys this card.

Gamble [j. Gamble]
Category: Draw
Type: Normal

Gift of the Mystical Elf [j. Holy Elf's Blessing]
Category: Life Gain
Type: Normal

• The Life Points gained for each Monster on the Field is counted as a SEPERATE Life Gain (this is why it says "For each"). In other words, if there are two Monster on the Field, 600 Life Points are gained, but at two different times; if there are five Monsters on the Field, 1500 Life Points are gained, but at five different times. Yes, this combos with [Fire Princess] for EACH time the Life Points are gained.

Graverobber [j. Gravedigger]
Category: ????
Type: Normal

• The card that you choose is put into your hand until the end of the current turn.
• Even if you Set the chosen card and then activate it later, you will still receive the damage.
• Even if you Set the chosen card, it will be returned to your opponent's Graveyard at the end of the turn.
• If the chosen card somehow enters a deck, this card's effect will NOT return the card to your opponent's Graveyard.
• Continuous and Equipment Magic cards and special cards with a time limit (such as [Swords of Revealing Light]) will remain on the Field for the duration of their effects. Even if the current turn ends.
• The chosen card can also be discards from your hand for costs ([Magic Jammer] [Tribute to the Doomed]).
• Will be counted toward the number of cards in your hand if discarded by [Card Destruction].
• Will be counted toward the number of cards in your hand if you use [Monster Recovery] (even though the chosen card will be shuffled into your opponent's deck).
• If the chosen card is played and negated, the 2000 damage is ALSO negated.
• If [Jinzo] is on the Field, the 2000 damage is NOT negated if the chosen card is played.
• If a [Magician of Faith] chooses a card in your opponent's Graveyard, this card can be activated to put that card into your hand before the [Magician...]'s effect is resolved. The [Magician...]'s effect will then end with no effect.

Gravity Bind [j. Gravity Bind]
Category: ????
Type: Continuous

Gust [j. Fierce Wind]
Category: Magic/Trap Destruction
Type: Normal / Triggered

Horn of Heaven [j. Ascending Horn]
Category: Summon Negation
Type: Counter

• Tributing a Monster is a cost to using this card.
• If this card is negated, the Tributed Monster is not returned to its user.
• If a Summon is negated, the Monster is NOT to have been considered to have come into play, so it does not trigger other card effects (such as [Mysterious Puppeteer]). If a Normal Summon is negated, it still counts toward its player's one Monster per turn.

House of Adhesive Tape [j. Fly-Tape House]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Normal

• Does not negate effects of the Monster is destroys.

Imperial Order [j. Imperial Decree]
Category: Magic Negation
Type: Continuous

• Can negate but not destroy cards. Normal and Quickplay Magic cards have their effects negated, but are discarded due to their inherent nature of being Normal or Quickplay Magic cards. Continuous and Equipment Magic cards remain on the Field, but their effects are nullified until Imperial Order is removed from the Field.
• [Mystical Space Typhoon] CAN be used in a Chain with this card to destroy it, as [Imperial Decree] has not yet resolved.
• The Life Payment is OPTIONAL (as are all other Standby Phase payments).
• If [Jinzo] is on the Field, you must STILL to choose whether or not to pay the Life Points to keep this card on the FIeld.
• If you skip your Standby Phase by cards such as [Solomon's Lawbook], this card will remain on the Field and you won't have to pay the Life Points for that turn.

Infinite Dismissal [j. ????]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Continuous

Just Desserts [j. Reap What You Sow]
Category: Direct Damage
Type: Normal

• If a Monster is Tributed or destroyed in a Chain with this card (such as with [Two-Pronged Attack]), that Monster is not counted for the damage purposes.

Lightforce Sword [j. Hand-Sealing Sword of Light]
Category: ????
Type: Normal

Light of Intervention [j. Holy Radiance]
Category: ????
Type: Continuous

• If this card is on the Field, players can place Monsters in face-up defense mode from their hands. However, this is treated as a "Normal Summon," so [Trap Hole] and the like can target and destroy the Monster.

Magical Hats [j. Magical Silk Hats]
Category: ????
Type: Normal

Magic Drain [j. Magic Drain]
Category: Magic Negation
Type: Counter

• Your opponent may CHOOSE to discard a Magic card from his or her hand or not. If not, the Magic card that was initially played is negated and destroyed. If the opponent chooses to, the original Magic card goes through unphased.

Magic Jammer [j. Magic Jammer]
Category: Magic Negation
Type: Counter

• Discard a card from your hand is a cost to using this card.
• If this card is negated, the discarded card is not returned to its user.

Major Riot [j. Great Panic]
Category: ????
Type: Normal / Triggered

Mask of Restrict [j. Sacrifice-Sealing Mask]
Category: ????
Type: ????

• Prevents all players from Tributing Monsters REGARDLESS OF THE REASON. While this card is face-up on the Field, players cannot:
  • Tribute Summon or Sets (including [Ultimate Offering])
  • Tribute Monsters for Rituals
  • Tribute Monsters for Monster Effects ([Cannon Soldier], [Catapult Turtle], [Forgiving Maiden])
  • Tribute Monsters for Magic cards ([Share the Pain])
  • Tribute Monsters for Trap cards ([Horn of Heaven])
• Does NOT prevent Fusion Summons. (Fusion Material Monsters are placed in the Graveyard, not Tributed.)

Metal Detector [j. Gold-Divining Rod]
Category: ????
Type: Normal / Triggered

Metalmorph [j. Metal Conversion]
Category: Power Up
Type: Normal / Equipment

• This card's additional attack strength bonus happens ONLY when the Equipped Monster attacks, not when it IS attacked.

Michizure [j. Take You With Me]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Normal / Triggered

• This card can only be activated if you could actually Chain the event that is putting it into your Graveyard.
• Events that you CAN'T use this card with:
  • Magic/Trap cards that go to the Graveyard via [Magical Hats]
  • Equipped Monsters that go to the Graveyard, such as from [Relinquished], [Thousand Eyes Restrict] and [Sword Hunter]
  • Token Monsters (they are removed from play instead of actually going to the Graveyard).
  • Tribute Summon (Tribute > Summon)
  • Fusion (Go to the Graveyard > Special Summon)
  • Ritual Magic (Tribute > Special Summon)
  • [Horn of Heaven] [Insect Imitation] [Share the Pain] (Tribute Cost > Effect) [You cannot Chain a Tribute as a cost]
  • [Cyber Jar] (Destruction > Reveal then Play/Put into hand)
  • [Cannon Soldier] [Catapult Turtle] (Tribute > Damage)

Minor Goblin Official [j. Goblin Tactician]
Category: Damage
Type: Continuous / Triggered

Mirror Force [j. Holy Barrier - Mirror Force]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Triggered

• Negates the attack; no Battle Damage is done. Doesn't actually "negate" the attack; it's just that the Monster is destroyed before reaching the Damage Step, so no damage is done to Monsters, nor the opposing player.

Mirror Wall [j. Silver Mirror Wall]
Category: Power Down
Type: Continuous

• You may choose not to pay the Life Points during your Standby Phase, and thus destroy this card.
• If [Jinzo] is on the Field, you must STILL choose whether or not to pay the Life Points to keep this card on the FIeld.
• If you skip your Standby Phase by cards such as [Solomon's Lawbook], this card will remain on the Field and you won't have to pay the Life Points for that turn.
• If a [Mystical Space Typhoon] or [Dust Tornado] is activated in a chain with this card, it is destroyed before its effect has a chance to take place.
• This card can be activated even if your opponent isn't attacking. However, its effect won't be activated until your opponent attacks.
• CANNOT be activated during the Damage Step of a Battle.
• Monsters that have not declared an attack have their attack strengths unchanged
• If activated after an attack is declared, a replay DOESN'T occur, and the Battle commences with the Monster's attack strength halved.
• NOT affected by [Reverse Trap].
• Monsters affected by Mirror Wall have their attack strengths halved as long as this card remains on the Field.
• If a Monster has been affected by Mirror Wall at an earlier point and attacks again, it does NOT re-trigger the Mirror Wall.

Mystic Probe [j. ????]
Category: ????
Type: Normal / Trigger

Numinous Healer [j. White-Uniformed Angel]
Category: Life Gain
Type: Normal / Triggered

Regulation of Tribe [j. ????]
Category: ????
Type: Normal

Respect Play [j. Fair and Square]
Category: ????
Type: Continuous

Reverse Trap [j. Curse of Amanojaku]
Category: Statistic Alteration
Type: Normal (Duration)

• Simply turns positive modifiers negative, and negative modifiers positive until the end of the turn.
• Monsters CANNOT have negative attack and defense strengths. If the attack and/or defense strengths would be less than 0, they are set to 0 AFTER DOING ALL CALCULATIONS.
• Activating two or more [Reverse Traps] during a single turn will not "reset" things. The turn will remain as switched according to the first [Reverse Trap] played.

Riryoku Field [j. Force Field]
Category: Magic Negation
Type: Counter Trap

• Only negates Magic cards that have a target chosen. Mass-effect Magic cards ([Dark Hole], [Raigeki]) can't be negated.
• Can negate and destroy Equipment Magic cards when played by either you or your opponent.
• Can only negate Magic cards that target a Monster on the FIELD.

Shadow of Eyes [j. Seductive Shadow]
Category: Mode Change
Type: Normal / Triggered

Shift [j. Shift Change]
Category: ????
Type: Normal

Robbin' Goblin [j. Thieving Goblin]
Category: Discard
Type: Continuous / Triggered

• Only Battle Damage done to your opponent by your Monsters triggers this effect.
• Direct damage is either damage in a direct attack; or, "overflow" damage if this Monster attacks and destroys a Monster that's in attack mode with a lower attack strength; or, damage resulting from a Monster attacking this Monster that has a lower attack strength than its defense strength.
• If the Battle Damage done to you by a Monster is reduced to 0 (such as with [Kuriboh] or [Waboku]), this effect does not trigger.
• If your [Bistro Butcher] does Battle Damage to your opponent, and you also have a [Robbin' Goblin] on the Field, since you control both effects that happen simultaneously, you choose in which order to activate them.

Seven Tools of the Bandit [j. Thief's Swiss Army Knife]
Category: Trap Negation
Type: Counter

• Paying Life Points is a cost to using this card.
• If this card is negated, the Life Points are not returned to its user.
• [Fake Trap] can't be used to save Trap cards that are negated by this card, because [Fake Trap] is Spell Speed 2, and this card is Spell Speed 3.

Skull Invitation [j. Invitation of the Spirits]
Category: Direct Damage
Type: Continuous

Snake Fang [j. Venomous Fangs]
Category: Power Down
Type: Normal

Solemn Judgement [j. Declaration of God]
Category: Summon / Magic / Trap Negation
Type: Counter

• Paying Life Points is a cost to using this card.
• If this card is negated, the Life Points are not returned to its user.
• Can negate a Summon (i.e. face-up attack mode), Flip Summon or Special Summon. CANNOT negate a Set (i.e. face-down defense mode).
• If a Summon is negated, the Monster is NOT to have been considered to have come into play, so it does not trigger other card effects (such as [Mysterious Puppeteer]). If a Normal Summon is negated, it still counts toward its player's one Monster per turn.
• [Fake Trap] can't be used to save Trap cards that are negated by this card, because [Fake Trap] is Spell Speed 2, and this card is Spell Speed 3.

Solemn Wishes [j. Blessing of God]
Category: Life Point Gain
Type: Continuous

• You gain 500 Life Points whenever you draw cards, NOT per card.

Solomon's Lawbook [j. Laws of Solomon]
Category: ????
Type: Normal

• Activating multiple [Solomon's Lawbook] in a single turn doesn't allow you to skip multiple Standby Phases. If you wish to skip multiple Standby Phases, activate them after each Standby Phase that you skip.

Spellbinding Circle [j. Hexagram Curse]
Category:
Type: Continuous

• Can choose face-up or face-down Monsters.
• Can be used when your opponent declares an attack, which will negate that attack.
• If the chosen Monster is NOT "destroyed" (i.e. Tributed, returned to hand), this card remains in play with no effect.

Time Seal [j. Seal of Time]
Category: ????
Type: Normal

• If activated during your opponent's Draw Phase, he or she will skip the NEXT Draw Phase, not the current one.
• Using multiples of this card within a single turn will only cause your opponent to skip the next Draw Phase (i.e. he or she will only skip one Draw Phase).

Trap Hole [j. Pit Trap]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Triggered

• Can only be used on a Monster that was Summoned or Flip Summoned. CANNOT be used on Monsters that were Special Summoned.
• Must be used just after the Monster was Summoned or Flip Summoned as part of the Chain.
• CANNOT be used on face-down Monsters, or Monsters that were Set.
• CANNOT be used on Monsters that are Flipped, rather than Flip Summoned.
• The attack strength of the Monster summon INCLUDES attack strength modifications (such as from Field Magic cards).

Type Zero Magic Crusher [j. ????]
Category: Damage
Type: Continuous / Activated

• You must discard a Magic card from your hand during your Main Phase 1 or 2 to activate this effect.
• Can be used as many times per turn as you like.
• Multiple [...Crusher] cards on the Field do not "stack," since it's an activated effect, not a triggered effect.
• Not triggered by Magic cards that are discarded by other cards effects (such as [Card Destruction]).

Ultimate Offering [j. Compensation of Blood]
Category: Summon
Type: Continuous

• Can ONLY be used by the player that has this card on the Field.
• Can ONLY be used during MAIN PHASE 1 or 2, or during your OPPONENT'S BATTLE PHASE. [EDO'S NOTE: Yeah, yeah. That's the ruling. Don't shoot me; I'm just the messenger.]
• Can be used multiple times during a turn.
• Can Tribute Summon, if the required number of Monsters are on the Field.
• If a Monster is Summoned in this way (i.e. face-up attack mode), [Trap Hole] CAN be used on it, since it is a Normal Summon (albeit an extra Normal Summon).

Waboku [j. Emissary of Harmony]
Category: Damage Reduction/Prevention
Type: Normal; Lasting Effect

World Supression [j. World Peace]
Category: ????
Type: Normal / Triggered

FAQ

This is a collection of the most frequently asked questions that I get, nearly every day. Please do NOT confuse this file with the official Upper Deck FAQ. This file is NOT official, and simply covers some items that people ask frequenty (hence the term "frequently asked questions").