TCG Official Rules

I. Flip

The monster's effect is activated when the card is flipped from face-down to face-up. The effect is also activated if the card is flipped face-up as a result of a Magic or Trap card, or another monster's attack.

II. Continuous Effect

As long as this Monster Card is face-up on the field, its effect remains active. When the monster is turned face-down, its effect is no longer active.

III. Cost Effect

You must discard your hand or pay Life Points in order to activate this card. Costs vary from card to card so be sure to read the instructions printed on each card.

IV. Trigger Effect

These cards are activated when you inflict Direct Damage to an opponent's Life Points, or when you have fulfilled a specific requirement indicated on the card itself.

V. Multi-Trigger Effect

These are special Effect Monster Cards that you can activate even if it is your opponent's turn.


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MAGIC CARDS

There are several types of Magic Cards. Magic Cards can only be played during a Main Phase. The only exception to this rule is a Quick-Play Magic Card. Magic Card types are identified by the card icons listed at the end of this section. magic cards are color-coded green.

A. Normal Magic Cards
Once their magic is activated these cards are destroyed.

B. Continuous Magic Cards
These cards remain on the field once they are played and their magic effect continues until they are destroyed or removed. There is often a cost involved to maintain the effect of this type of Magic Card.

C. Equip Cards

These cards allow you to modify the strength of monsters. When playing this card to the field, place it so that it overlaps with the Monster Card that you wish to equip. Usually, this card can only be used with monsters that are face-up on the field. However, you may equip either your own OR your opponent's Monster Cards with Equip Magic Cards. In some cases, certain monsters cannot be equipped with these cards (refer to the individual card's text).
D. Field Magic Cards

These cards are used to alter the conditions on the field and modify the Attack and Defense capabilities of monsters. They are placed in the Field Card Zone and NOT included in the Magic & Trap Zone's 5-card limit. They may be placed face-down in the Field Card Zone, but will not be activated until flipped face-up. There can only be 1 active Field Magic Card on the field at any given time between both players. When a new Field Magic Card is activated, the previous active card is sent to the Graveyard. Also, if a Field Magic card is destroyed and there are no active Field Magic Card on the field, the field returns to the original state that it was at the beginning of the game. If a player's Field Magic card is Set when an active Field Magic Card is destroyed, the Set card does not automatically activate. Field Magic Cards can only be activated by the owner, but never during an opponent's turn.
E. Quick-Play Magic Cards

Aside from the Main Phase, this type of card can be activated during the Battle Phase. Also, if you have this card Set on the field, you can activate it during your opponent's turn.


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TRAP CARDS

You can Set these cards on the field and activate them at any time after the start of your opponent's next turn. Trap Card types are identified by the card icons. Trap Cards are color-coded PURPLE.

A. Normal Trap Cards
A Normal Trap card has no icon. Once activated, this type of card is destroyed.
B. Counter Trap Cards

These Trap Cards are activated in response to the Summon of monsters or to neutralize the effect of a Magic or Trap Cards. Once activated, this type of card is destroyed.

C. Continuous Trap Cards

These cards remain on the field once they are activated and their effect continues until they are destroyed or removed. There is often a cost involved to maintain the effect of this type of Trap Card.
CHAINS
A. What Is A Chain?

A Chain is a rule used to easily determine the outcome of a complex battle resulting from a series Magic or Trap cards played by both players. Using this method to deal with subsequent plays, the links are stacked from bottom to top until both players have finished playing cards. The effects are then resolved, starting at the top link and working down to the Chain Link 1 at the bottom.

B. Opponent's Chance To Respond

The player whose Trap or Magic card has been countered always has a chance to respond with another play - an opportunity that could result in adding yet another link to the Chain. When making a play on a Chain, you must always ask your opponent, "Do you wish to continue?" The outcome is determined starting with the most recent card played at the top of the Chain links, and proceeding down to Chain Link 1.
C. Spell Speed

Magic, Trap and Effect Monster Cards all have different speeds. You can only respond to a card and start a Chain by playing a card of equal or greater speed. The exception to this rule are Spell Speed 1 cards, which CANNOT be used against each other.

I. Spell Speed 1 This is the slowest of all the Spell Speeds.

- Normal Magic, Equip Magic, Field Magic, Ritual Magic, Effect Monster.

These cards can be used against a card with a spell Speed of 1 or 2.

- Quick-Play Magic, Normal Trap, Continuous Trap, Effect Monster.

III. Spell Speed 3
This card can be used against any Spell Speed.
- Counter Trap.

Phases of Gameplay

TERMINOLOGY

Turn - Gameplay progresses in a series of alternating turns. Each player's turn consists of 6 phases in which a number of actions can be undertaken.

Phase - Phases define the order in which actions can be undertaken by a player during their turn. Each phase is limited to a specific set of actions.

Step - A sub-category of a phase. This is only used in the Battle Phase.

A. Draw Phase

During this phase, you are required to draw 1 card from the top of your Deck. A player who is out of cards and unable to draw during this phase is declared the loser.

B. Standby Phase

If there are any cards in play on the field that specifically state that certain actions must be taken during this phase, there must be dealt with prior to entering the Main Phase. Refer to the cards for specific details regarding the actions to be taken. if there are no such cards in play, proceed to Main Phase 1.

C. Main Phase 1

During this phase, you may Set or play Monster, Magic, and/or Trap Cards. You may also change the Attack or Defense position of cards already placed on your field. The position of each card can be changed only once in a single turn, during either Main Phase 1 or 2. At the end of Main Phase 1, you can choose to enter the Battle Phase or proceed to the End Phase; ending your turn.

I. Set or Summon Monster Cards

During either Main Phase 1 or 2 of your turn, you can play (Summon or Set) only 1 Monster Card on the field. To Set a Monster Card, select it from your hand and place it face-down horizontally (Defense Position) on an open space in the Monster Card Zone. To Summon a Monster Card, select it from your hand and place it face-up vertically (Attack Position) on an open Monster Card Zone space.

a. Normal Summon

Summon a monster without the aid of magic or effects is called a Normal Summon. A Normal Summon can only be conducted once in a single turn, during either Main Phase 1 or 2. When playing a Monster Card to the field, a player must choose to place it face-down and horizontal (A set).

NOTE: It is important to remember that a Monster Card played to the field in face-down Defense Position IS NOT considered to be summoned. Instead, it has

simple been Set and can be summoned with a Flip Summon.

Tribute Summon

When summoning a monster that is Level 5 or higher, you must offer 1 or more of your Monster Cards on the field as a Tribute by sending them to the Graveyard. If you are summoning a monster that is Level 5 or 6, you must offer 1 monster as a Tribute, and if you are summoning a monster that is Level 5 or higher, you must offer 2 monsters. A Tribute Summon is considered a Normal Summon. Therefore, a Tribute Summon and another Normal Summon CANNOT be performed in the same turn.

b. Flip Summon

The act of turning a card from face-down Defense Position to face-up Attack Position is referred to as a flip. Intentionally flipping a card and positioning it for an attack is termed Flip Summon. Remember that a Monster Card placed face-down on the field is not considered as summoned - it is considered summon for the first time when it is flipped face-up. However, when a face-down Monster Card is flipped face-up as the result of an attack or an effect from another card, it is not considered to be Flip Summoned. Its flip effect, however, is activated as soon as it is flipped face-up. A Flip Summon card is not considered a Normal Summon. Therefore, you can perform a Normal Summon and 1 or more Flip Summon(s) in the same turn. If you have multiple face-down monsters you can Flip Summon as many or as few as you wish.

c. Special Summon

A Special Summon is when Fusion, Ritual, Magic, Traps or Monster Effects are used to place another monster on the field. A Special Summon is different from a Normal Summon in that it can be used repeatedly within the same turn to summon monsters onto the field. Be sure to follow the specific instructions printed on the cards when executing a Special Summon.

II. Set or Play Magic & Trap Cards

With the exception of Field Magic Cards, a player can have only 5 Magic and/or Trap cards on the field at the same time in the Magic & Trap Card Zone. This 5-card limitation also applies to any Equip Cards the player may have attached to an opponent's Monster Card. A Magic Card can either be played face-up or face-down on the field. When a Magic Card is placed face-up, it is immediately activated. A Trap Card must always be placed face-down on the field. For Magic or Trap Effects, follow the instructions listed on each card.

D. Battle Phase

Once attack preparations have been made in Main Phase 1, you enter the Battle Phase. If you do not wish to conduct a Battle Phase, your turn proceeds to the End Phase. The starting player cannot conduct a Battle Phase in their first turn, even if they have placed a Monster Card on the field.


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I. Start Step

Announce that you are going into Battle Phase. Quick-Play Magic and/or Trap Cards can be played by either player at this time.

II. Battle Step

During their respective turns, players are allowed 1 attack for every monster on the field in face-up Attack Position. However, a single monster can only attack once per turn. The attacking player chooses 1 of their monsters and designates 1 of the opponent's monster as a target. Play then proceeds immediately to the Damage Step, returning to the Battle Step if the attacking player wishes to attack again with another monster. If the opposing player has no monster on the field, the selected monster's attack will inflict Direct Damage on the opposing player's Life Points. A monster in the Attack Position does not have to attack. Depending on the situation, you can choose weather or not a monster will participate in battle. Once a monster attacks, it may not be changed to Defense Position in the same turn. In addition to monster attacks, both players may use their Quick-Play Magic and Trap Cards during this step.

III. Damage Step

In this step, the players calculate the damage from the monster's attack. A monster destroyed as a result of battle is sent to the owning player's Graveyard. The Damage Step is conducted in the manner described in the following sections. During the Damage Step, only Magic or Trap Cards that modify the Attack and/or Defense of a monster may be played. In addition, these cards can only be played before the calculation of damage. Upon completion of the Damage Step, return to the Battle Step if the attacking player wishes to attack again with another monster.

DETERMINING DAMAGE

a. When the Opponent's Monster is in Attack Position

When attacking a monster that is in Attack Position (face-up and vertical), COMPARE THE ATK OF BOTH MONSTERS.

i. Attacker's ATK Points > Opponent's ATK Points

Attack Results:

When the attacking monster's ATK points are higher than the ATK points of the opponent's monster, the opponent's monster is destroyed.

Damage:

Subtract the ATK points of the opponent's monsters from the ATK points of the Attacking Monster. This result is subtracted from the opponent's Life Points.

ii. Attacker's ATK Points = Opponent's ATK Points
Attack Results
When the attacking monster's ATK points are equal to the ATK points of the opponent's monster, the result is considered a draw, and both monsters are destroyed.

Damage:

Neither player takes any damage. Their Life Points remain the same.

iii. Attacker's ATK Points < Opponent's ATK Points
Attack Results:

When the attacking monster's ATK points are lower than the ATK points of the opponent's monster, the attacking monster is destroyed.
Damage:

Subtract the ATK points of the attacking monster fro the ATK points of the opponent's monster. This result is subtracted form that attacker's Life Points.

b. When the Opponent's Monster is in Defense Position
When attacking a monster that is in Defense Position (face-down and horizontal), COMPARE THE ATK OF THE ATTACKING MONSTER WITH THE DEF OF THE OPPONENT'S MONSTER.

i. Attacker's ATK Points > Opponent's DEF Points

Attack Results:

When the attacking monster's ATK points are higher than the DEF points of the opponent's monster, the opponent's monster is destroyed.

Damage:

Neither player takes any damage. Their Life Points remain the same.

ii. Attacker's ATK Points = Opponent's DEF Points
Attack Results:

When the attacking monster's ATK points are equal to the DEF points of the opponent's monster, neither monster is destroyed.

Damage:

Neither player takes any damage. Their Life Points remain the same.

iii. Attacker's ATK Points < Opponent's DEF Points

Attack Results

When the attacking monster's ATK points are lower than the DEF points of the opponent's monster, neither monster is destroyed.

Damage:

Subtract the ATK points of the attacking monster from the DEF points of the opponent's monster. This result is subtracted from the attacker's Life Points.

c. Direct Damage: When the Opponent Has No Monsters

If your opponent does not have any monsters on the field, they take Direct Damage. The full amount of the attacking monster's ATK points are subtracted from the opponent's Life Points.

IV. End Step

Once all battles have been resolved, the player enters the End Step and announces the end of their Battle Phase.

E. Main Phase 2

When the Battle Phase is over, the turn proceeds to Main Phase 2. As in Main Phase 1, you may Set or play Monster, Magic and/or Trap Cards. Remember that you are allowed to change the Attack or Defense position of each monster or perform a Normal Summon or aSet only ONCE PER TURN.

F. End Phase

Announce the end of your turn. if your hand contains more than 6 cards.