Difference between revisions of "Spirit monster"
(→Design) (Tag: New user edit) |
|||
| (9 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Redirect|Spirit|the archetype|""Spirit"" (archetype)|the Type|Spirit (Type)}} | {{Redirect|Spirit|the archetype|""Spirit"" (archetype)|the Type|Spirit (Type)}} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Show card image|Sakitama|"[[Sakitama]]", a Spirit monster.}} |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
'''Spirit monsters''' (スピリットモンスター ''Supiritto monsutā'') are [[Effect Monster]]s with the [[ability]] "Spirit". Usually, they cannot be [[Special Summon]]ed, and have an effect that returns them to the [[hand]] during the [[End Phase]] of the turn they are [[Normal Summon]]ed or [[flip]]ped [[face-up]] (or the turn they are Special Summoned, in case of Spirit monsters that must be Special Summoned). They debuted in ''[[Mythological Age]]'' and first received support in ''[[The Duelist Genesis]]'', almost 7 years later. | '''Spirit monsters''' (スピリットモンスター ''Supiritto monsutā'') are [[Effect Monster]]s with the [[ability]] "Spirit". Usually, they cannot be [[Special Summon]]ed, and have an effect that returns them to the [[hand]] during the [[End Phase]] of the turn they are [[Normal Summon]]ed or [[flip]]ped [[face-up]] (or the turn they are Special Summoned, in case of Spirit monsters that must be Special Summoned). They debuted in ''[[Mythological Age]]'' and first received support in ''[[The Duelist Genesis]]'', almost 7 years later. | ||
The designs of most Spirit monsters are based on beings from Eastern mythology, primarily Japanese ones. They all have very similar purple backgrounds, and often feature ''[[wikipedia:Onibi|onibi]]'' lights on their card artworks. | The designs of most Spirit monsters are based on beings from Eastern mythology, primarily Japanese ones. They all have very similar purple backgrounds, and often feature ''[[wikipedia:Onibi|onibi]]'' lights on their card artworks. | ||
| − | There are no [[archetype]]s | + | There are no [[archetype]]s that focus on Spirit monsters, but the [[Shinobird]] and [[Martial Art Spirit]] [[series]] do. While most Spirit monsters are not members of an archetype, a few Spirit monsters belong to the "[[Ice Barrier]]" ("[[Sacred Spirit of the Ice Barrier]]") and "[[Gishki]]" ("[[Gishki Natalia]]" and "[[Gishki Emilia|Emilia]]") archetypes, both of which exist in the [[Duel Terminal]] card storyline; these Spirit monsters are not based on mythological figures, but instead represent revived spirits of deceased characters in their storyline. |
| − | ==Characteristics== | + | == Characteristics == |
| − | ===Shared effects=== | + | === Shared effects === |
Most Spirit monsters share the following two effects: | Most Spirit monsters share the following two effects: | ||
* Cannot be Special Summoned. | * Cannot be Special Summoned. | ||
| Line 80: | Line 20: | ||
* "[[Amaterasu]]" cannot be Normal or Special Summoned; it must be [[Normal Set]], and it still returns itself to hand during the End Phase of the turn it is flipped up. | * "[[Amaterasu]]" cannot be Normal or Special Summoned; it must be [[Normal Set]], and it still returns itself to hand during the End Phase of the turn it is flipped up. | ||
| − | ==Design== | + | == Design == |
Most Spirit monsters are based on specific beings from Oriental mythology, which includes both Japanese [[wikipedia:Yōkai|Yōkai]] and various other Asian folklore. The only Spirit monsters not specifically based on Oriental mythology are the [[Martial Art Spirit]]s, and the Spirit monsters belonging to the [[Duel Terminal]] storyline. The [[Shinobird]] [[series]] is, as a whole, based on the story of the ''[[wikipedia:Tanabata|Tanabata]]''. | Most Spirit monsters are based on specific beings from Oriental mythology, which includes both Japanese [[wikipedia:Yōkai|Yōkai]] and various other Asian folklore. The only Spirit monsters not specifically based on Oriental mythology are the [[Martial Art Spirit]]s, and the Spirit monsters belonging to the [[Duel Terminal]] storyline. The [[Shinobird]] [[series]] is, as a whole, based on the story of the ''[[wikipedia:Tanabata|Tanabata]]''. | ||
Most of these Spirit monsters' Japanese names are written in [[wikipedia:Kanji|kanji]] with [[wikipedia:Furigana|furigana]] written in [[wikipedia:Katakana|katakana]]; this is a reference to how Japanese orthography commonly writes the names of major Japanese ''kami'' in katakana. | Most of these Spirit monsters' Japanese names are written in [[wikipedia:Kanji|kanji]] with [[wikipedia:Furigana|furigana]] written in [[wikipedia:Katakana|katakana]]; this is a reference to how Japanese orthography commonly writes the names of major Japanese ''kami'' in katakana. | ||
| − | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |
|+ {{nowrap|Mythological Spirit monsters}} | |+ {{nowrap|Mythological Spirit monsters}} | ||
! Spirit monster !! Origin | ! Spirit monster !! Origin | ||
| Line 129: | Line 69: | ||
| [[Tsukuyomi]] || [[wikipedia:Tsukuyomi|Tsukuyomi]] | | [[Tsukuyomi]] || [[wikipedia:Tsukuyomi|Tsukuyomi]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Tsumuha-Kutsunagi the Lord of Swords]] | [[wikipedia:Kusanagi|Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi]] | + | | [[Tsumuha-Kutsunagi the Lord of Swords]] || [[wikipedia:Kusanagi|Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi]] |
|- | |- | ||
| [[Yaksha]] || [[wikipedia:Yaksha|Yaksha]] | | [[Yaksha]] || [[wikipedia:Yaksha|Yaksha]] | ||
| Line 140: | Line 80: | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |
|+ {{nowrap|Spirit support}} | |+ {{nowrap|Spirit support}} | ||
! Support card !! Origin | ! Support card !! Origin | ||
| Line 153: | Line 93: | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | ==Playing style== | + | == Playing style == |
| − | |||
Spirit monsters, as an individual Spirit-focused deck, are focused on overcoming their negative self-restrictions, and utilizing Spirit support cards to bring out powerful individual Spirit monsters and use their strong effects in the one turn they stay on the field. Due to their Main Deck nature and Special Summoning restriction, Spirit-focused Decks are primarily focused on [[Normal Summon|Normal]] and [[Tribute Summon]]ing; however, Spirit Decks focused on the [[Shinobird]] Ritual Spirit boss monsters focus on [[Ritual Summon]]ing instead. | Spirit monsters, as an individual Spirit-focused deck, are focused on overcoming their negative self-restrictions, and utilizing Spirit support cards to bring out powerful individual Spirit monsters and use their strong effects in the one turn they stay on the field. Due to their Main Deck nature and Special Summoning restriction, Spirit-focused Decks are primarily focused on [[Normal Summon|Normal]] and [[Tribute Summon]]ing; however, Spirit Decks focused on the [[Shinobird]] Ritual Spirit boss monsters focus on [[Ritual Summon]]ing instead. | ||
While Spirit monsters can be played as staple monsters in historical Decks due to having relatively strong effects that made up for their negative effects (relative to their contemporaries), most Spirit monsters have become obsolete as the metagame progressed. | While Spirit monsters can be played as staple monsters in historical Decks due to having relatively strong effects that made up for their negative effects (relative to their contemporaries), most Spirit monsters have become obsolete as the metagame progressed. | ||
| − | Spirit monsters have a wide variety of effects. Key Spirit monsters that provide consistency include "[[Aratama]]", a monster searcher, "[[Nikitama]]" and "[[Sakitama]]", who grant extra Normal Summons to Spirits, and "[[Konohanasakuya]]", a Special Summon extender with a GY effect to let a Spirit monster stay on the field (by preventing its return-to-hand effect from activating). | + | Spirit monsters have a wide variety of effects. Key Spirit monsters that provide consistency include "[[Aratama]]", a monster searcher, "[[Nikitama]]" and "[[Sakitama]]", who grant extra Normal Summons to Spirits, and "[[Konohanasakuya]]", a Special Summon extender with a GY effect to let a Spirit monster stay on the field (by preventing its return-to-hand effect from activating). |
Major Spirit boss monsters include the following: | Major Spirit boss monsters include the following: | ||
| Line 174: | Line 113: | ||
In terms of supportive Spell/Traps, Spirits lack efficient consistency Spell/Traps, and mostly have obsolete battle-focused Spell/Traps or conditional card effects that remove their self-return effects. Two Spirit support Spell/Traps that still have some relevancy are "[[Shinobird Power Spot]]", which provides stat boosts and conditional searches, and "[[Shinobird Salvation]]", which destroys an opposing card when a Spirit monster returns to the hand. | In terms of supportive Spell/Traps, Spirits lack efficient consistency Spell/Traps, and mostly have obsolete battle-focused Spell/Traps or conditional card effects that remove their self-return effects. Two Spirit support Spell/Traps that still have some relevancy are "[[Shinobird Power Spot]]", which provides stat boosts and conditional searches, and "[[Shinobird Salvation]]", which destroys an opposing card when a Spirit monster returns to the hand. | ||
| − | ===Recommended cards=== | + | === Recommended cards === |
| − | |||
{{Decklist|Recommended cards | {{Decklist|Recommended cards | ||
<!-- This is not an exact Decklist. Do not add multiples or staples.--> | <!-- This is not an exact Decklist. Do not add multiples or staples.--> | ||
| − | |effect monsters = | + | | effect monsters = |
* [[Battle Fader]] | * [[Battle Fader]] | ||
* [[Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning]] | * [[Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning]] | ||
| Line 185: | Line 123: | ||
* [[Speedroid Menko]] | * [[Speedroid Menko]] | ||
| − | |spirit monsters = | + | | spirit monsters = |
* [[Amano-Iwato]] | * [[Amano-Iwato]] | ||
* [[Amaterasu]] | * [[Amaterasu]] | ||
| Line 208: | Line 146: | ||
* [[Yata-Garasu]] | * [[Yata-Garasu]] | ||
| − | |tuner monsters = | + | | tuner monsters = |
* [[D.D. Sprite]] | * [[D.D. Sprite]] | ||
| − | |pendulum monsters = | + | | pendulum monsters = |
* [[Disablaster the Matchless Turret]] | * [[Disablaster the Matchless Turret]] | ||
| − | |ritual monsters = | + | | ritual monsters = |
* [[Shinobaron Peacock]] | * [[Shinobaron Peacock]] | ||
* [[Shinobaroness Peacock]] | * [[Shinobaroness Peacock]] | ||
| − | |synchro monsters = | + | | synchro monsters = |
* [[Ancient Sacred Wyvern]] | * [[Ancient Sacred Wyvern]] | ||
| − | |xyz monsters = | + | | xyz monsters = |
* [[Constellar Ptolemy M7]] | * [[Constellar Ptolemy M7]] | ||
* [[Evolzar Lars]] | * [[Evolzar Lars]] | ||
| Line 232: | Line 170: | ||
** [[Number C107: Neo Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon]] | ** [[Number C107: Neo Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon]] | ||
| − | |normal spells = | + | | normal spells = |
* [[Creature Swap]] | * [[Creature Swap]] | ||
* [[Mystic Box]] | * [[Mystic Box]] | ||
| Line 238: | Line 176: | ||
* [[Soul Exchange]] | * [[Soul Exchange]] | ||
| − | |equip spells = | + | | equip spells = |
* [[Mirror of Yata]] | * [[Mirror of Yata]] | ||
* [[Orb of Yasaka]] | * [[Orb of Yasaka]] | ||
* [[Sword of Kusanagi]] | * [[Sword of Kusanagi]] | ||
| − | |ritual spells = | + | | ritual spells = |
* [[Shinobird's Calling]] | * [[Shinobird's Calling]] | ||
| − | |continuous spells = | + | | continuous spells = |
* [[Spring of Rebirth]] | * [[Spring of Rebirth]] | ||
| − | |quick-play spells = | + | | quick-play spells = |
* [[Forbidden Chalice]] | * [[Forbidden Chalice]] | ||
* [[The Monarchs Stormforth]] | * [[The Monarchs Stormforth]] | ||
| − | |normal traps = | + | | normal traps = |
* [[Legacy of Yata-Garasu]] (Combine with "Creature Swap", "Mystic Box", or "Hebo, Lord of the River") | * [[Legacy of Yata-Garasu]] (Combine with "Creature Swap", "Mystic Box", or "Hebo, Lord of the River") | ||
* [[Soul Transition]] | * [[Soul Transition]] | ||
* [[The Golden Apples]] | * [[The Golden Apples]] | ||
| − | |continuous traps = | + | | continuous traps = |
* [[Metal Reflect Slime]] | * [[Metal Reflect Slime]] | ||
* [[Shinobird Salvation]] | * [[Shinobird Salvation]] | ||
| Line 265: | Line 203: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | ===Weaknesses=== | + | === Weaknesses === |
* Despite having several strong boss monsters, the lack of consistency support for Spirit monsters, and their inability to swarm the field for combo plays, still makes it difficult to quickly summon Spirit boss monsters. Most Spirit decks thus play extremely slowly, and their plays can be easily disrupted. | * Despite having several strong boss monsters, the lack of consistency support for Spirit monsters, and their inability to swarm the field for combo plays, still makes it difficult to quickly summon Spirit boss monsters. Most Spirit decks thus play extremely slowly, and their plays can be easily disrupted. | ||
* Because Spirit monsters have return to the hand during the End Phase, Spirit Decks have very little field-staying power, leaving the player's board wide open to the opponent's attacks. | * Because Spirit monsters have return to the hand during the End Phase, Spirit Decks have very little field-staying power, leaving the player's board wide open to the opponent's attacks. | ||
* "[[Rivalry of Warlords]]" and "[[Gozen Match]]" can slow this deck down, since Spirit monster Decks typically uses Spirits of different Types and Attributes. | * "[[Rivalry of Warlords]]" and "[[Gozen Match]]" can slow this deck down, since Spirit monster Decks typically uses Spirits of different Types and Attributes. | ||
| − | ==Examples== | + | == Examples == |
{{Show card image gallery | {{Show card image gallery | ||
| Amaterasu | Effect Spirit Monster | | Amaterasu | Effect Spirit Monster | ||
| Line 277: | Line 215: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | ==In the anime== | + | == In the anime == |
In the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! (anime)|Yu-Gi-Oh!]]'' anime, in episodes [[Yu-Gi-Oh! - Episode 117|117]] and [[Yu-Gi-Oh! - Episode 118|118]], [[Noah Kaiba]] used Spirit monsters in his duel against [[Yami Yugi]]. According to him, the Spirit monsters were created by [[Maximillion Pegasus]] when he was traveling to Eastern Asia and drew inspiration from the religions and mythologies from that region. | In the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! (anime)|Yu-Gi-Oh!]]'' anime, in episodes [[Yu-Gi-Oh! - Episode 117|117]] and [[Yu-Gi-Oh! - Episode 118|118]], [[Noah Kaiba]] used Spirit monsters in his duel against [[Yami Yugi]]. According to him, the Spirit monsters were created by [[Maximillion Pegasus]] when he was traveling to Eastern Asia and drew inspiration from the religions and mythologies from that region. | ||
In ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX]]'' and ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V]]'', "Asura Priest" and "Dark Dust Spirit" had cameo appearances, in episodes [[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX - Episode 111|111]] and [[Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V - Episode 021|21]], respectively. | In ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX]]'' and ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V]]'', "Asura Priest" and "Dark Dust Spirit" had cameo appearances, in episodes [[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX - Episode 111|111]] and [[Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V - Episode 021|21]], respectively. | ||
| − | ==Trivia== | + | == Trivia == |
| − | |||
* All [[Pendulum Monster|Pendulum]] Spirit Monsters in the game are part of the "[[Martial Art Spirit]]" series. | * All [[Pendulum Monster|Pendulum]] Spirit Monsters in the game are part of the "[[Martial Art Spirit]]" series. | ||
** They are the only Spirit Monsters that can be Special Summoned under any given circumstances, in which case it does not trigger their effect that returns them to the hand. | ** They are the only Spirit Monsters that can be Special Summoned under any given circumstances, in which case it does not trigger their effect that returns them to the hand. | ||
| − | |||
* The Spirit monster "[[Yata-Garasu]]" is infamous for [[Yata-Garasu Lockdown|its complete lockdown]] of the opponent's hand when combined with "[[Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End]]"; thus, Yata-Garasu was [[Forbidden]] from 2004 until 2022. | * The Spirit monster "[[Yata-Garasu]]" is infamous for [[Yata-Garasu Lockdown|its complete lockdown]] of the opponent's hand when combined with "[[Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End]]"; thus, Yata-Garasu was [[Forbidden]] from 2004 until 2022. | ||
| − | |||
* "[[Izanagi]]" is the only non-Spirit Monster that has ''Spirit World'' in its background and is the only non-Spirit Monster that directly supports Spirit Monsters. | * "[[Izanagi]]" is the only non-Spirit Monster that has ''Spirit World'' in its background and is the only non-Spirit Monster that directly supports Spirit Monsters. | ||
| − | |||
* "[[Soul Resurrection]]" is the only card that has the ''Spirit World'' in its background with absolutely no relation to Spirit Monsters. | * "[[Soul Resurrection]]" is the only card that has the ''Spirit World'' in its background with absolutely no relation to Spirit Monsters. | ||
| + | * The effect that returns Spirit Monsters to the hand, as well as their transparent appearance, may be a reference to them not being able to stay on the physical plane for long. | ||
| − | + | == In other languages == | |
| + | {{In other languages | ||
| + | | ja_name = スピリットモンスター | ||
| + | | ja_romaji = Supiritto monsutā | ||
| + | | fr_name = monstre Spirit | ||
| + | | de_name = Spirit-Monster | ||
| + | | it_name = mostro Spirit | ||
| + | | ko_name = 스피릿 몬스터 | ||
| + | | ko_rr = Seupirin monseuteo | ||
| + | | es_name = monstruo Spirit | ||
| + | | pt_name = monstro Espírito | ||
| + | | tc_name = 靈魂怪獸 | ||
| + | | tc_pinyin = Línghún guàishòu | ||
| + | | sc_pinyin = Línghún guàishòu | ||
| + | | sc_name = 灵魂怪兽 | ||
| + | }} | ||
| − | ==See also== | + | == See also == |
* [[Card Rulings:Spirit monster]] | * [[Card Rulings:Spirit monster]] | ||
| − | + | * [[List of Spirit monsters]] | |
| − | + | * [[List of Spirit monster support cards]] | |
| − | + | * [[List of Spirit monster anti-support cards]] | |
{{Card types}} | {{Card types}} | ||
[[Category:Secondary types of Monster Cards]] | [[Category:Secondary types of Monster Cards]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:14, 28 May 2024
"Sakitama", a Spirit monster.
Spirit monsters (スピリットモンスター Supiritto monsutā) are Effect Monsters with the ability "Spirit". Usually, they cannot be Special Summoned, and have an effect that returns them to the hand during the End Phase of the turn they are Normal Summoned or flipped face-up (or the turn they are Special Summoned, in case of Spirit monsters that must be Special Summoned). They debuted in Mythological Age and first received support in The Duelist Genesis, almost 7 years later.
The designs of most Spirit monsters are based on beings from Eastern mythology, primarily Japanese ones. They all have very similar purple backgrounds, and often feature onibi lights on their card artworks.
There are no archetypes that focus on Spirit monsters, but the Shinobird and Martial Art Spirit series do. While most Spirit monsters are not members of an archetype, a few Spirit monsters belong to the "Ice Barrier" ("Sacred Spirit of the Ice Barrier") and "Gishki" ("Gishki Natalia" and "Emilia") archetypes, both of which exist in the Duel Terminal card storyline; these Spirit monsters are not based on mythological figures, but instead represent revived spirits of deceased characters in their storyline.
Contents
Characteristics[edit]
[edit]
Most Spirit monsters share the following two effects:
- Cannot be Special Summoned.
- Once per turn, during the End Phase, if this card was Normal Summoned or flipped face-up this turn: Return it to the hand.
The effect to return to the hand during the End Phase only activates during the turn they are Normal Summoned or flipped face-up. If they do not return to the hand in that End Phase (such as due to "Dimensionhole" or "Forbidden Chalice"), this effect does not activate in subsequent turns. If a Spirit monster with this effect was Special Summoned face-up (which would usually require an effect that ignores the Summoning conditions), then this effect does not activate, as it was not Normal Summoned or flipped face-up.
These effects are not universal among all Spirit monsters. Notable exceptions include:
- The Martial Art Spirits can be Special Summoned. They return to the hand during the End Phase of the turn they were Normal Summoned or flipped face-up, like most Spirit monsters.
- "Yamato-no-Kami", "Konohanasakuya", and the Shinobird Ritual Monsters cannot be Normal Summoned/Set; they must be Special Summoned by their own Summoning procedure or Ritual Summon. They return to the hand during the End Phase of the turn they were Special Summoned.
- "Amaterasu" cannot be Normal or Special Summoned; it must be Normal Set, and it still returns itself to hand during the End Phase of the turn it is flipped up.
Design[edit]
Most Spirit monsters are based on specific beings from Oriental mythology, which includes both Japanese Yōkai and various other Asian folklore. The only Spirit monsters not specifically based on Oriental mythology are the Martial Art Spirits, and the Spirit monsters belonging to the Duel Terminal storyline. The Shinobird series is, as a whole, based on the story of the Tanabata.
Most of these Spirit monsters' Japanese names are written in kanji with furigana written in katakana; this is a reference to how Japanese orthography commonly writes the names of major Japanese kami in katakana.
| Support card | Origin |
|---|---|
| Izanagi | Izanagi |
| Mirror of Yata | Yata no Kagami |
| Orb of Yasaka | Yasakani no Magatama |
| Sword of Kusanagi | Kusanagi no Tsurugi |
Playing style[edit]
Spirit monsters, as an individual Spirit-focused deck, are focused on overcoming their negative self-restrictions, and utilizing Spirit support cards to bring out powerful individual Spirit monsters and use their strong effects in the one turn they stay on the field. Due to their Main Deck nature and Special Summoning restriction, Spirit-focused Decks are primarily focused on Normal and Tribute Summoning; however, Spirit Decks focused on the Shinobird Ritual Spirit boss monsters focus on Ritual Summoning instead.
While Spirit monsters can be played as staple monsters in historical Decks due to having relatively strong effects that made up for their negative effects (relative to their contemporaries), most Spirit monsters have become obsolete as the metagame progressed.
Spirit monsters have a wide variety of effects. Key Spirit monsters that provide consistency include "Aratama", a monster searcher, "Nikitama" and "Sakitama", who grant extra Normal Summons to Spirits, and "Konohanasakuya", a Special Summon extender with a GY effect to let a Spirit monster stay on the field (by preventing its return-to-hand effect from activating).
Major Spirit boss monsters include the following:
- "Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi" empties the opponent's entire hand before their Draw Phase if it inflicts battle damage.
- "Yamata Dragon" fills its controller's hand with up to 5 cards if it inflicts battle damage.
- "Dark Dust Spirit" destroys all other face-up monsters when Normal Summoned.
- "Fenghuang" destroys all of the opponent's Set Spell/Traps when Normal Summoned.
- "Amaterasu", which can only be Set, will Banish every card on the field other than itself if it flips face-up.
- "Amano-Iwato", which prevents all non-Spirit monsters from activating their effects. It is arguably the most powerful Spirit boss monster, as it can be easily summoned, and provides a strong continuous lockdown effect, providing real field presence in the opponent's turn if the player manages to have "Amano-Iwato" stay on the field.
The Ritual Spirit monsters "Shinobaron Peacock" and "Shinobaroness Peacock", despite their status as Ritual monsters, are arguably the most accessible, powerful, and relevant Spirit monsters in the game. Being Ritual monsters, they have access to large amounts of Ritual support, including the powerful "Pre-Preparation of Rites". Their Ritual Spell, "Shinobird's Calling", can use GY Spirit monsters as resources for their Ritual Summon. Once Summoned, they can both remove up to 3 opposing cards and Special Summon a Spirit monster ignoring its Summoning conditions (typically "Amano-Iwato", which will stay on the field), and after they return to the hand in the End Phase, will float into two tokens. These two Ritual monsters are easily accessible and instantly provide removal and board presence upon hitting the field, making them extremely effective Spirit boss monsters.
In terms of supportive Spell/Traps, Spirits lack efficient consistency Spell/Traps, and mostly have obsolete battle-focused Spell/Traps or conditional card effects that remove their self-return effects. Two Spirit support Spell/Traps that still have some relevancy are "Shinobird Power Spot", which provides stat boosts and conditional searches, and "Shinobird Salvation", which destroys an opposing card when a Spirit monster returns to the hand.
Recommended cards[edit]
Recommended cards
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Weaknesses[edit]
- Despite having several strong boss monsters, the lack of consistency support for Spirit monsters, and their inability to swarm the field for combo plays, still makes it difficult to quickly summon Spirit boss monsters. Most Spirit decks thus play extremely slowly, and their plays can be easily disrupted.
- Because Spirit monsters have return to the hand during the End Phase, Spirit Decks have very little field-staying power, leaving the player's board wide open to the opponent's attacks.
- "Rivalry of Warlords" and "Gozen Match" can slow this deck down, since Spirit monster Decks typically uses Spirits of different Types and Attributes.
Examples[edit]
Effect Spirit Monster ("Amaterasu")
Ritual Spirit Monster ("Shinobaron Peacock")
Pendulum Spirit Monster ("Kuro-Obi Karate Spirit")
In the anime[edit]
In the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime, in episodes 117 and 118, Noah Kaiba used Spirit monsters in his duel against Yami Yugi. According to him, the Spirit monsters were created by Maximillion Pegasus when he was traveling to Eastern Asia and drew inspiration from the religions and mythologies from that region.
In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX and Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V, "Asura Priest" and "Dark Dust Spirit" had cameo appearances, in episodes 111 and 21, respectively.
Trivia[edit]
- All Pendulum Spirit Monsters in the game are part of the "Martial Art Spirit" series.
- They are the only Spirit Monsters that can be Special Summoned under any given circumstances, in which case it does not trigger their effect that returns them to the hand.
- The Spirit monster "Yata-Garasu" is infamous for its complete lockdown of the opponent's hand when combined with "Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End"; thus, Yata-Garasu was Forbidden from 2004 until 2022.
- "Izanagi" is the only non-Spirit Monster that has Spirit World in its background and is the only non-Spirit Monster that directly supports Spirit Monsters.
- "Soul Resurrection" is the only card that has the Spirit World in its background with absolutely no relation to Spirit Monsters.
- The effect that returns Spirit Monsters to the hand, as well as their transparent appearance, may be a reference to them not being able to stay on the physical plane for long.
In other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Romanized |
|---|---|---|
| French | monstre Spirit | |
| German | Spirit-Monster | |
| Italian | mostro Spirit | |
| Portuguese | monstro Espírito | |
| Spanish | monstruo Spirit | |
| Japanese | スピリットモンスター | Supiritto monsutā |
| Korean | 스피릿 몬스터 | Seupirin monseuteo |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 靈魂怪獸 | Línghún guàishòu |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 灵魂怪兽 | Línghún guàishòu |
