Object of the Game
The object of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is to win a Match against
your opponent.
Cards
Three main card types are used in Yu-Gi-Oh!: Monster Cards, MagicCards, and Trap
Cards. Additionally, each type of card is divided into further sub-categories.
For now, just read the card descriptions. After familiarizing yourself with the
Phases of Gameplay (p.22 in the rulebook), you will understand the special role
of each of the cards.
IMPORTANT! In all cases where the rules in this rulebook conflict with
the rules on a
Yu-Gi-Oh! game card, follow the rules on the card.
Monster Cards
A Monster Card is the basic card used to attack your opponent. Monster Cards are
categorized by Type and Attribute. There are 20 different Types and 6 different
Attributes. Type and Attribute affect each monster’s ability to Attack and
Defend. The overall strength of a monster is indicated by its Level (the number
of stars at the upper right of the Monster Card). A Monster Card is color-coded
YELLOW.
"Fusion" means using 2 or more Monster Cards together with the Magic Card
"Polymerization" to create a new monster, represented by a Fusion Monster
Card. Each Fusion Monster Card also lists the monsters necessary to create
it (Fusion-Material Monsters), and is further identified as "Fusion" next to
its Type. The color of a Fusion Monster Card is VIOLET.
A Fusion
Deck is a group of Fusion Monster Cards that result from a successful
Fusion. When a Fusion is performed, Fusion Monsters are not randomly drawn,
but selected from the Fusion Deck. The Fusion Deck should always be kept
separate from the Deck, and placed face-down in the Fusion Deck Zone of the
Duel Field. Remember that the cards of the Fusion Deck are NOT
counted in the 40 card minimum limit of the Deck.
Ritual
Monster Cards
Ritual Monster Cards are an exciting twist to Yu-Gi-Oh! gameplay that will
be included in future releases. Ritual Monsters Cards ARE NOT included in
this Starter Deck. A Ritual Monster Card is a special monster that can be
summoned onto the field only when you have a designated Ritual Magic Card
and the Monster Cards required to fulfill the conditions described on the
Ritual Magic Card as a Tribute, either on the field or in your hand. Ritual
Monster Cards are color-coded BLUE.
>NOTE:
Ritual Monster Cards are
included in the Deck, NOT the Fusion Deck. Therefore, they are counted in
the 40 card minimum limit of the Deck.
Effect
Monster Cards
Monster Cards that possess magical effects are referred to as Effect Monster
Cards. For details regarding the effects, refer to the instructions
printed on each individual card. Effect Monster Cards are color-coded
ORANGE
Monster Tokens
Monster Tokens will come into play in future releases, and are used IN PLACE
of Monster Cards. The tokens represent monsters that appear on the field as
a result of a card being activated. As they are not actual cards, these
monsters are not included in a Deck (Deck Construction, p. 34).
Use coins or a similar marker (as long as it can be flipped to indicate
Attack Position [heads] or Defense Position [tails]) as a Monster Token.
When put into play, Monster Tokens are placed on the Monster Card Zone of
the Duel Field. When destroyed, Monster Tokens are simply removed from the
field.
Monster Tokens count toward the 5-card Monster Card Zone limit.
