Difference between revisions of "Spirit monster"

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{{Redirect|Spirit|the archetype|""Spirit"" (archetype)|the Type|Spirit (Type)}}
 
{{Infobox/Archetype/Start
 
{{Infobox/Archetype/Start
−
| image name          =  
+
    | image name          = LastTurn-TF05-JP-VG-artwork.png
−
| image size          =
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    | image caption        = "Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi" and "Yamata Dragon" in the artwork of "Last Turn"
−
| image caption        =  
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Infobox/Archetype/ExtendedName
 
{{Infobox/Archetype/ExtendedName
−
| kanji                =  
+
    | kanji                = スピリット(モンスター)<ref group=Notes>The parentheses here specify what part is not shown on the cards' [[Type]]/[[Ability]] line.</ref>
−
| romanji              =  
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    | romaji              = Supiritto (monsutā)
−
| japanese translated  =  
+
    | japanese translated  =  
−
| english              = Spirit Monsters
+
    | english              = Spirit (monster)
−
| french              =  
+
    | french              = (monstre) Spirit
−
| german              = Spirit Monster(Geister Monster in the anime)
+
    | german              = Spirit(-Monster) (Geister Monster in the anime)
−
| italian              =  
+
    | italian              = (mostro) Spirit
−
| korean              =  
+
    | korean              = 스피릿 (몬스터) ''Seupirit (Monseuteo)''
−
         | portuguese          = Monstro Espírito
+
    | spanish              = (monstruo) Spirit
−
| spanish             =  
+
         | portuguese          = (monstro) Espírito<br/>Formerly: Spirit
 +
        | chinese             = 靈魂(怪獸) ''Línghún (Guàishòu) / Ling4 wan4 (Gwaai3 sau3)''
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Infobox/Archetype/Yu-Gi-Oh!
+
{{Infobox/Yu-Gi-Oh!/Archetype/List
−
| list                = List of Spirit Monsters
+
    | sets                =
−
| support list        = List of Spirit Monster Support Cards
+
* [[Mythological Age]]
−
| anti-support list    = List of Anti-Spirit Monster Support Cards
+
* [[Threat of the Dark Demon World]]
 +
* [[Duelist Legacy Volume.5]]
 +
* [[Legacy of Darkness]]
 +
* [[Pharaonic Guardian]]
 +
* [[Dark Crisis]]
 +
* [[Structure Deck: Zombie Madness]]
 +
* [[Dark Revelation Volume 1]]
 +
* [[Dark Beginning 2]]
 +
* [[Expert Edition Volume.1]]
 +
* [[Structure Deck: Spellcaster's Judgment]]
 +
* [[Tournament Pack 6]]
 +
* [[Structure Deck: Invincible Fortress]]
 +
* [[Structure Deck: Revival of the Great Dragon]]
 +
* [[The Duelist Genesis]]
 +
* [[Retro Pack 2]]
 +
* [[Duel Terminal - Charge of the Genex!!]]
 +
* [[Extra Pack Volume 2]]
 +
* [[Absolute Powerforce]]
 +
* [[Storm of Ragnarok]]
 +
* [[Duel Terminal - Xyz Startup!!]]
 +
* [[Hidden Arsenal 4: Trishula's Triumph]]
 +
* [[Photon Shockwave]]
 +
* [[Battle Pack: Epic Dawn]]
 +
* [[Hidden Arsenal 6: Omega Xyz]]
 +
* [[Hidden Arsenal 7: Knight of Stars]]
 +
* [[Shadow Specters]]
 +
* [[Legacy of the Valiant]]
 +
* [[The Dark Illusion]]
 +
* [[Raging Tempest]]
 +
* [[Circuit Break]]
 +
* [[Dawn of Majesty]]
 +
* [[Cyberstorm Access]]
 +
    | anime                =
 +
* [[Yu-Gi-Oh! (anime)|Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters]]
 +
* [[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX|Yu-Gi-Oh! (Duel Monsters) GX]]
 +
    | list                = List of Spirit monsters
 +
    | support list        = List of Spirit monster support cards
 +
    | anti-support list    = List of Spirit monster anti-support cards
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Infobox/Archetype/End}}
 
{{Infobox/Archetype/End}}
  
−
'''Spirit Monsters''' all have effects that return them to their owner's hand during the End Phase of turns they are [[Normal Summon]]ed or [[flip]]ped [[face-up]] (whether by [[Flip Summon]], surviving battle or any other method).  This would seem to symbolize the monster "being spiritual" in that its physical body is temporary (barring player interventions). The ''returning'' effect also triggers if the Spirit Monster in general becomes under the control of the opponent during the turn it would return or is summoned by your opponent after winding up in the opponent's [[hand]] via effects like "[[Exchange]]".  This makes them appropriate fodder for getting rid of monsters like "[[Brain Jacker]]" or for using "[[Creature Swap]]".
+
'''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 original run of released Spirit Monsters also could not be [[Special Summon]]ed. However, new Spirit Monsters starting with [[The Duelist Genesis]] have been released of which (so far) can be Special Summoned for a cost.
+
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.
  
−
Spirit Monster Cards are designated by having "Spirit" in the place where "Effect" would be. They are also the second secondary type of Effect monsters to have this indicator (the [[Flip Effect Monsters]] prior to them simply had "FLIP:" at the beginning of their effects).
+
There are no [[archetype]]s focused 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.
  
−
Many of the Spirit Monsters' designs were based on icons from Japanese mythology and they all have very similar backgrounds, supposedly of the spirit world. Their OCG names would be given in [[Wikipedia:Kanji|kanji]], but the [[Wikipedia:Furigana|furigana]] would be given in [[Wikipedia:Katakana|katakana]] which normally would indicate a foreign-language word.
+
==Characteristics==
 +
===Shared effects===
 +
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.
  
−
One Spirit monster in particular, "[[Yata-Garasu]]", is infamous for its complete lockdown of the opponent's hand when combined with "[[Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End]]", however both of these monsters are on the latest ban list.
+
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 Summon]]ed face-up (which would usually require an effect that [[Ignoring the Summoning conditions|ignores the Summoning conditions]]), then this effect does not activate, as it was not Normal Summoned or flipped face-up.
  
−
Spirit Monsters often had effects that would be used when they were played, or had combat-based effects but would be vulnerable due to low attack, making the returning to hand ability a boon. Examples of the former include "[[Tsukuyomi]]" and "[[Maharaghi]]", and examples of the latter include "[[Yata-Garasu]]" and "[[Inaba White Rabbit]]".
+
These effects are not universal among all Spirit monsters. Notable exceptions include:
 +
* The [[Martial Art Spirit]]s can be [[Special Summon]]ed. 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.
  
−
The two most powerful Spirit monsters are "[[Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi]]" and "[[Yamata Dragon]]". They are counterparts of each other. They are both two tribute monsters with high attack and defense, and have hand-based effects. The first empties your opponents hand when it deals damage, and the second fills yours when it deals damage. The primary weakness is their returning to your hand, due to the requirement for tributes. The fact that they are counterparts is emphasized on "[[Last Turn]]", where a battle between them is depicted.
+
==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]]''.
  
−
==Play Style==
+
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.
  
−
Spirit monsters can only remain on the field temporarily (unless they are face-down during the End Phase they would be returned or removed from the field temporarily during the the same time), and thus their controllers run into a major problem of maintaining field presence, but many Spirit monsters have devastating special effects to make up for this deficiency. "[[Mirror of Yata]]" and "[[Izanagi]]" keep the spirits on the field permanently or until they are removed, making these cards a must for any spirit deck. "[[Spiritual Energy Settle Machine]]" also does this, but it costs a discard per turn. Other ways to make up for the returning to hand is to make your opponent's monsters return to their hand whenever a spirit does, such as with "[[Spirit's Invitation]]", or to gain life points whenever this happens, such as with "[[Spring of Rebirth]]".
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
 +
|+ {{nowrap|Mythological Spirit monsters}}
 +
! Spirit monster !! Origin
 +
|-
 +
| [[Konohanasakuya]] || [[wikipedia:Konohanasakuya-hime|Konohanasakuya-hime]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Amaterasu]] || [[wikipedia:Amaterasu|Amaterasu]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi]] || [[wikipedia:Kagu-Tsuchi|Kagutsuchi]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Yamata Dragon]] || [[wikipedia:Yamata no Orochi|Yamata no Orochi]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Dark Dust Spirit]] || [[wikipedia:Shinigami|Shinigami]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Yamato-no-Kami]] || [[wikipedia:Susanoo|Susanoo]] and the heads of [[wikipedia:Yamata no Orochi|Yamata no Orochi]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Fenghuang]] || [[wikipedia:Fenghuang|Fenghuang]] or "Hou-Ou"
 +
|-
 +
| [[Great Long Nose]] || [[wikipedia:Tengu|Red Nose Tengu]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Susa Soldier]] || [[wikipedia:Susanoo|Susanoo]] and [[wikipedia:Kusanagi|Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Yaksha]] || [[wikipedia:Yaksha|Yaksha]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Rasetsu]] || [[wikipedia:Rakshasa|Rakshasa]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Amano-Iwato]] || [[wikipedia:Amano-Iwato|Ama no Iwato]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Hebo, Lord of the River]] || [[wikipedia:Kappa|Kappa]] or [[wikipedia:Hebo|Hebo]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Asura Priest]] || [[wikipedia:Asura|Asura]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Maharaghi]] || [[wikipedia:Dogū|Shakoukidoguu]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Fushi No Tori]] || [[wikipedia:Phoenix|Phoenix]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Izanami]] || [[wikipedia:Izanami|Izanami]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Tsukuyomi]] || [[wikipedia:Tsukuyomi|Tsukuyomi]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Gundari]] || [[wikipedia:Kuṇḍali|Kuṇḍali]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Aratama]], [[Nikitama]], and [[Sakitama]] || [[wikipedia:Mitama|Mitama]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Inaba White Rabbit]] || [[wikipedia:Hare_of_Inaba|Hare of Inaba]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Otohime]] || [[wikipedia:Oto-hime|Oto-hime]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Yata-Garasu]] || [[wikipedia:Three-legged crow|Three-legged crow]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Kinka-byo]] || [[wikipedia:bakeneko|Bakeneko]]
 +
|}
  
−
In addition, there is a '''loophole''' with spirit monsters that lets them stay on the field regardless of their return-to-owner's hand effect. The exact text on Spirit Monster cards states they must return to their owner's hand "''during the End Phase of the turn [they are] Normal Summoned or flipped face-up''". Therefore, if they stay on the field for more than one turn you don't have to worry about them returning to your hand. For instance, a "[[Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi]]" monster equipped with "[[Mirror of Yata]]" who then had its Mirror destroyed (e.g. by "[[Heavy Storm]]" or "[[Mystical Space Typhoon]]") would stay on the field the subsequent turns. Another card that can help bypass the common effect of Spirit monsters that returns them to the hand is "[[Future Visions]]". When Spirit monsters are Normal Summoned, and afterward removed from play by the card, the End Phase would have already passed when they return so they can no longer return to the hand.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
 +
|+ {{nowrap|Spirit support}}
 +
! Support card !! Origin
 +
|-
 +
| [[Izanagi]] || [[wikipedia:Izanagi|Izanagi]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Mirror of Yata]] || [[wikipedia:Yata no Kagami|Yata no Kagami]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sword of Kusanagi]] || [[wikipedia:Kusanagi no Tsurugi|Kusanagi no Tsurugi]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Orb of Yasaka]] || [[wikipedia:Yasakani no Magatama|Yasakani no Magatama]]
 +
|}
  
−
Two of the strongest Spirit Monsters ("[[Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi]]" and "[[Yamata Dragon]]") focus on maintaining a significant hand advantage over the opponent, and when combined with "[[Spiritual Energy Settle Machine]]" or other effects like "[[Dimensionhole]]" that allow them to remain on the field, they can easily turn the tide of any duel in their owner's favor.  Though it wasn't an option in the past, there is currently enough support for decks entirely themed around Spirit monsters to be viable. Because Spirit monsters return to the player's hand, the player runs the risk of having too many cards during the End Phase, forcing a discard, so "[[Infinite Cards]]" is an effective way to counter this problem. Cards like "[[Exchange]]", "[[Creature Swap]]", and "[[Mystic Box]]" are staples.
+
==Playing style==
  
−
A commonly used card with Spirits is "[[Mausoleum of the Emperor]]", which allows users to pay a life point cost to get high-level Spirit monsters out without tribute. [[Trap Monsters]] are also often used either as tributes or as a method of maintaining a field defense when the Spirits leave the field.
+
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.
  
−
Their effects range from [[Beatdown]], [[Direct Attack]], hand control, and even field control, making a dedicated spirit deck very flexible regardless of what the opponent has. However, due to their habit of returning to the hand, cards that make you discard will be a serious hamper, as Spirit Monsters in general are rather useless in the Graveyard. Cards that recover discarded cards are thus suggested, but not recommended as Spirit Monsters do not have much in the way of deck thinning. Once the problem of field presence is resolved, spirit monsters can be quite annoying as well as devastating, since it is hard for the opponent to destroy them, and even with cards that forces discards, it is hard to target a particular spirit monster (unless something like "[[Card Destruction]]" is used). This is particularly true for "[[Inaba White Rabbit]]", as it can attack directly while avoiding opponents' counter-attacks, making it quite annoying as well as devastating.
+
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.
−
: ''See also [[Card Rulings:Spirits]]''
 
  
−
==Example==
+
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).  
−
[[Image:Yata-GarasuLOD-EN-ScR.jpg|center]]
 
  
−
==Recommended Cards==
+
Major Spirit boss monsters include the following:
  
−
====Monsters====
+
* "[[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 [[Normal Set|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===
 +
 
 +
{{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 =
 +
* [[Battle Fader]]
 +
* [[Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning]]
 +
* [[Electromagnetic Turtle]]
 +
* [[Speedroid Menko]]
 +
 +
|spirit monsters =
 +
* [[Amano-Iwato]]
 +
* [[Amaterasu]]
 +
* [[Aratama]]
 
* [[Asura Priest]]
 
* [[Asura Priest]]
 
* [[Dark Dust Spirit]]
 
* [[Dark Dust Spirit]]
−
* [[Fushi No Tori]]
+
* [[Fenghuang]]
−
 
+
* [[Hebo, Lord of the River]]
−
* [[Great Long Nose]]
 
 
* [[Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi]]
 
* [[Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi]]
−
* [[Inaba White Rabbit]]
 
 
* [[Izanagi]]
 
* [[Izanagi]]
 
* [[Izanami]]
 
* [[Izanami]]
−
* [[Maharaghi]]
+
* [[Kinka-byo]]
−
* [[Otohime]]
+
* [[Nikitama]]
−
* [[Spirit Reaper]]
+
* [[Rasetsu]]
−
* [[Susa Soldier]]
+
* [[Sakitama]]
−
* [[Tsukuyomi]] (Traditional format)
+
* [[Shinobird Crane]]
 +
* [[Tsukuyomi]]
 +
* [[Tsumuha-Kutsunagi the Lord of Swords]]
 +
* [[Yaksha]]
 
* [[Yamata Dragon]]
 
* [[Yamata Dragon]]
 
* [[Yamato-no-Kami]]
 
* [[Yamato-no-Kami]]
−
* [[Yata-Garasu]] (Traditional format)
+
* [[Yata-Garasu]]
−
* [[Yaksha]]
+
 
−
* [[Dark Dust Spirit]]
+
|tuner monsters =
 +
* [[D.D. Sprite]]
 +
 
 +
|pendulum monsters =
 +
* [[Disablaster the Matchless Turret]]
 +
 
 +
|ritual monsters =
 +
* [[Shinobaron Peacock]]
 +
* [[Shinobaroness Peacock]]
 +
 
 +
|synchro monsters =
 +
* [[Ancient Sacred Wyvern]]
 +
 
 +
|xyz monsters =
 +
* [[Constellar Ptolemy M7]]
 +
* [[Gauntlet Launcher]]
 +
* [[Photon Strike Bounzer]]
  
−
====Spells====
+
|normal spells =
−
<!-- This is not an exact Decklist. Do not add multiples or staples.-->
 
−
* [[Book of Moon]]
 
−
* [[Cold Wave]]
 
 
* [[Creature Swap]]
 
* [[Creature Swap]]
−
* [[Dark Hole]]
+
* [[Mystic Box]]
−
* [[Fissure]]
+
* [[Soul Exchange]]
−
* [[Forbidden Chalice]]
+
 
−
* [[Future Visions]]
+
|equip spells =
−
* [[Giant Trunade]]
 
−
* [[Infinite Cards]]
 
−
* [[Lightning Vortex]]
 
 
* [[Mirror of Yata]]
 
* [[Mirror of Yata]]
−
* [[Mystic Box]]
 
−
* [[Mystical Space Typhoon]]
 
 
* [[Orb of Yasaka]]
 
* [[Orb of Yasaka]]
−
* [[Soul Exchange]]
+
* [[Sword of Kusanagi]]
 +
 
 +
|ritual spells =
 +
* [[Shinobird's Calling]]
 +
 
 +
|continuous spells =
 
* [[Spring of Rebirth]]
 
* [[Spring of Rebirth]]
−
* [[Sword of Kusanagi]]
 
−
* [[Swords of Revealing Light]]
 
−
* [[Spiritual Energy Settle Machine]]
 
  
−
====Traps====
+
|quick-play spells =
−
<!-- This is not an exact Decklist. Do not add multiples or staples.-->
+
* [[Forbidden Chalice]]
−
* [[Bottomless Trap Hole]]
+
* [[The Monarchs Stormforth]]
−
* [[Compulsory Evacuation Device]]
+
 
−
* [[Cyber Shadow Gardna]]
+
|normal traps =
−
* [[Dark Mirror Force]]
+
* [[Legacy of Yata-Garasu]] (Combine with "Creature Swap", "Mystic Box", or "Hebo, Lord of the River")
 +
* [[Soul Transition]]
 +
* [[The Golden Apples]]
 +
 
 +
|continuous traps =
 
* [[Metal Reflect Slime]]
 
* [[Metal Reflect Slime]]
−
* [[Mirror Force]]
+
* [[Shinobird Salvation]]
−
* [[Sakuretsu Armor]]
 
−
* [[Scrap-Iron Scarecrow]]
 
 
* [[Spirit's Invitation]]
 
* [[Spirit's Invitation]]
−
* [[Zoma the Spirit]]
+
* [[There Can Be Only One]]
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===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.
 +
* 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.
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==Examples==
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{{Show card image gallery
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| Amaterasu | Effect Spirit Monster
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| Shinobaron Peacock | Ritual Spirit Monster
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| Kuro-Obi Karate Spirit | Pendulum Spirit Monster
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}}
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==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.
 +
 
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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.
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==Trivia==
 +
 
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* All [[Pendulum Monster|Pendulum]] Spirit Monsters in the game are part of the "[[Martial Art Spirit]]" series.
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** 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.
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* 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.
 +
 
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* "[[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.
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* "[[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.
 +
 
 +
==See also==
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* [[Card Rulings:Spirit monster]]
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==Notes==
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<references group="Notes" />
  
−
{{Gameplay}}
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{{Card types}}
  
 
[[Category:Secondary types of Monster Cards]]
 
[[Category:Secondary types of Monster Cards]]

Revision as of 13:09, 13 March 2024

"Spirit" redirects here. For the archetype, see "Spirit" (archetype). For the Type, see Spirit (Type).
Spirit monster

"Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi" and "Yamata Dragon" in the artwork of "Last Turn"
"Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi" and "Yamata Dragon" in the artwork of "Last Turn"

Japanese

スピリット(モンスター)[Notes 1]

Japanese (romanized)

Supiritto (monsutā)

English

Spirit (monster)

Appears in (sets)
Appears in (anime)
Lists

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 focused 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.

Characteristics

Shared effects

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

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.

Mythological Spirit monsters
Spirit monster Origin
Konohanasakuya Konohanasakuya-hime
Amaterasu Amaterasu
Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi Kagutsuchi
Yamata Dragon Yamata no Orochi
Dark Dust Spirit Shinigami
Yamato-no-Kami Susanoo and the heads of Yamata no Orochi
Fenghuang Fenghuang or "Hou-Ou"
Great Long Nose Red Nose Tengu
Susa Soldier Susanoo and Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi
Yaksha Yaksha
Rasetsu Rakshasa
Amano-Iwato Ama no Iwato
Hebo, Lord of the River Kappa or Hebo
Asura Priest Asura
Maharaghi Shakoukidoguu
Fushi No Tori Phoenix
Izanami Izanami
Tsukuyomi Tsukuyomi
Gundari Kuṇḍali
Aratama, Nikitama, and Sakitama Mitama
Inaba White Rabbit Hare of Inaba
Otohime Oto-hime
Yata-Garasu Three-legged crow
Kinka-byo Bakeneko
Spirit support
Support card Origin
Izanagi Izanagi
Mirror of Yata Yata no Kagami
Sword of Kusanagi Kusanagi no Tsurugi
Orb of Yasaka Yasakani no Magatama

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 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

Recommended cards

Monster Cards

Effect Monsters

Spirit monsters

Tuner monsters

Pendulum Monsters

Ritual Monsters

Spell Cards

Normal Spells

Equip Spells

Ritual Spells

Continuous Spells

Quick-Play Spells

Trap Cards

Normal Traps

Continuous Traps

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.
  • 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

In the anime

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

  • 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.
  • "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.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The parentheses here specify what part is not shown on the cards' Type/Ability line.
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