Difference between revisions of "Summoning condition"

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(Requires special Tributes)
 
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'''Summoning conditions''' refer to specific [[condition]]s that define how [[Monster Cards|monsters]] can be [[Summon]]ed.
Sometimes, conditions exist as prerequirites and/or limitations for "Summoning" a monster to the field.
 
  
==[[Special Summon]]ing Conditions==
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==Card text==
  
===This card cannot be Special Summoned===
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===Cannot be Summoned===
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{{Main|Cannot be Normal Summoned|Cannot be Normal Set|Cannot be Flip Summoned|Cannot be Special Summoned|Cannot be Fusion Summoned|Cannot be Synchro Summoned|Cannot be Xyz Summoned|Cannot be Link Summoned|Cannot be Special Summoned except by a specific method}}
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Indicates the monster cannot be [[Summon]]ed or [[Normal Set]] with the listed Summoning mechanics, which may include Normal Set.
  
This is a blanket Summon Condition, and forbids the card to be [[Special Summon]]ed by any means, be it from the [[hand]], [[Deck]], [[Graveyard]], or [[Remove from play]] pile.
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For monsters that cannot be Normal Summoned but can be Normal Set, earlier card texts like "[[Mystic Swordsman LV6]]" indicate this with the text "(but can be Normal Set)", while "[[Amaterasu]]" does not.
  
===This card cannot be Special Summoned from the Graveyard.===
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For monsters that conditionally apply a "Cannot be Summoned" condition, there are two structures that use "if" and "unless" respectively. They define additional parameters that, when applied, prevents or permits the monster's Summon with the listed Summoning mechanics.
  
A less harsh restriction than above, this enables cards to be Special Summoned from the hand, Deck, or Removed from Play pile, but not the [[Graveyard]]. That said, you could use [[Monster Reincarnation]] to move cards with this limitation to your [[hand]] from your [[Graveyard]].
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"Cannot be Summoned if" conditions are only used on "[[Inspector Boarder]]", "[[Masked Chameleon]]" and "[[Bonze Alone]]" in the ''TCG''. However, "Masked Chameleon" uses a different card text structure for the same condition in the ''OCG''.
  
===This card can only be Special Summoned by...===
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"Cannot be Summoned unless" conditions are only used on "[[Guardian]]" monsters, "[[Terrorking Archfiend]]" and "[[Vaalmonica]]" Link Monsters in the ''TCG''. However, each of these categories of monsters use different card structures for the same condition in the ''OCG''.
  
This places a restriction on how the card must be '''first''' [[Special Summon]]ed. The card cannot be [[Special Summon]]ed by an external effect until the summoning condition has been properly fulfilled, after which, the monster in question may be summoned like cards such as [[Monster Reborn]]. If the card was sent to the [[Graveyard]] before being summoned correctly, it cannot be [[Special Summon]]ed; likewise, if the card was [[Special Summon]]ed correctly the first time, but is then sent from the field or the [[Graveyard]] back to the [[Deck]], the summoning conditions are then reset.  These cards are sometimes referred to as [[Semi-Nomi]] cards.
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* "This card cannot be [''Summon mechanic'']." → "Cannot be [''Summon mechanic'']."
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* "Cannot be [''Summon mechanic''] [''if clause'']."
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* "This card can only be Normal Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned when [''clause'']." → "Cannot be Summoned [''unless clause'']." (as used on "Guardian" monsters; introduced in ''[[Legendary Collection 3: Yugi's World Mega Pack]]'')
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* "Can only be Link Summoned [''while clause'']" (as used on "[[Lib the World Key Blademaster]]")
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* "Cannot be Special Summoned, except by/with [''Summon procedure'']."
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* "Cannot be Special Summoned except from [''location'']" (as used on "[[Felgrand Dragon]]")
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* "Cannot be Special Summoned by [''effect'']".
  
===This card cannot be Special Summoned except by...===
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===Cannot be Special Summoned from===
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{{Main|Cannot be Special Summoned from the Deck|Cannot be Special Summoned from the Extra Deck|Cannot be Special Summoned from the Graveyard|Cannot be Special Summoned from the hand|Cannot be Special Summoned while banished|Cannot be Special Summoned from the Spell & Trap Zone}}
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Indicates the monster cannot be Special Summoned (using card effects) from the specified location, usually the [[GY]].
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* "This card cannot be Special Summoned from [''location'']."/"Neither player can Special Summon this card from [''location'']." → "Cannot be Special Summoned from [''location'']."
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<!--"Cannot be Special Summoned unless..."; earliest iteration of Toon monster summoning condition (see Toon Blue-Eyes errata as an example). Extremely wonky. Uncertain if earlier card wordings indicated completely diffent gameplay functions (would they work like the Guardians?). Functions as Semi-Nomi in current PSCT, so not notable enough to cover in text. Making a note here as storage.-->
  
This is much like the first example, but this time, it allows the card to be Special Summoned by one effect or conditions only, and cannot be Special Summoned by cards such as [[Monster Reborn]]. [[LV|LV Monsters]] support cards (e.g. [[Level Modulation]]) get around this by including the text "ignoring the Summoning conditions" in their card text. However, even with this restriction lifted, such cards can only [[Special Summon]] monsters from the [[Graveyard]] that have been properly Summoned first. "[[Level Up!]]" is able to bypass this completely, since it [[Special Summon]]s directly from the [[Deck]].  These cards are sometimes referred to as [[Nomi]] cards.
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===Must first be===
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Indicates the monster is a "[[Special Summon-only monster]]", or, unofficially, a "Semi-Nomi" monster. The monster can be Special Summoned using the described Summoning procedure, after which it is considered to have been [[properly Special Summoned]].
  
==[[Normal Summon]]ing/[[Set]] Conditions==
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Before the monster is properly Special Summoned, it cannot be Special Summoned with card effects. After it is properly Special Summoned, it can be Special Summoned with card effects. A properly Special Summoned monster sent into a non-public knowledge location loses its properly Special Summoned status.
  
===This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set.===
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If written on a Main Deck monster, it is always preceded by "Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set".
  
Blanket statement, in no circumstances can the card either be Set face-down, or [[Normal Summon]]ed/[[Tribute Summon]]ed. This is included on all "[[Special Summon]]-only" cards.
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Earlier card texts do not distinguish between "Must be" and "Must first be" distinctions.
  
===This card cannot be Normal Summoned.===
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* "This card can only be [''Summon procedure'']." → "Must first be [''Summon procedure'']."
  
Slightly different to the first condition, a monster can still be [[Set]] [[face-down]] with this limitation.
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===Must be===
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Indicates the monster is what's unofficially termed a "[[Nomi]]" monster. The monster can only be Special Summoned using the described Summoning procedure.
  
===This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set except by...===
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If written on a Main Deck monster, it is always preceded by "Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set". [[Wicked God]] monsters use a similar card text for their [[#Requires special Tributes|3 Tributes]] condition.
  
This is much like the first two examples, but this time, it allows the card to be [[Normal Summon]]ed or Set by one effect or conditions only, and cannot be [[Normal Summon]]ed without fulfilling this requirement. This is typically used to prevent the card from being [[Normal Summon]]ed by [[Mausoleum of the Emperor]]. However, as with that card, any Summon performed this way will not be considered a Tribute Summon, even if tributing monsters is specified by the effect.
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Earlier card texts do not distinguish between "Must be" and "Must first be" distinctions.
  
===If you Tribute Summon this card by tributing 3 monsters...===
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* "This monster can only be Special Summoned by [''Summon procedure'']."<!--See Dark Paladin errata-->/"This card cannot be Special Summoned except by [''Summon procedure'']." → "Must be [''Summon procedure''] and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways." → "Must be [''Summon procedure'']." (changed in ''[[Battles of Legend: Light's Revenge]]'')
  
These card grant you an option to Tribute 3 monsters for the [[Tribute Summon]] to activate an effect. You can, however, still [[Tribute Summon]] this card by offering two [[Tribute]]s. You cannot use [[Mausoleum of the Emperor]] to [[pay]] 3000 [[Life Points]] to summon these monsters in order to activate their effect(s).
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===Special Summoned by/while===
  
==[[Fusion Summon]]ing Conditions==
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Only used in the context of "Must be" or "Must first be" as a clause of a Summoning procedure. Indicates the monster's Summoning procedure involves performing the action and/or fulfilling the clauses written after "by" or "while".
  
All Fusion Monsters that do not include contrary summon conditions must be [[Fusion Summon]]ed properly first, or else they cannot be Special Summoned again from the Graveyard or Removed from Play pile.
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"[[Nekroz of Sophia]]" has a [[#Restricts requirement for Ritual Summon|Ritual Summon restriction condition]] with different functionalities that is written in a similar way in the English ''TCG'', but not in the Japanese ''OCG''.
  
===This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Fusion Summon.===
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* "[Must be/Must first be] Special Summoned (from your [''location'']) by/while [''action/clause'']."
  
Blanket statement; used predominantly on Elemental Heroes. This means that, even if you [[Fusion Summon]] the card correctly first, you cannot [[Special Summon]] it again afterwards. This also means you cannot use cards such as [[Metamorphosis]] or [[Cyber-Stein]] to directly [[Special Summon]] the [[Fusion Monsters|Fusion Monster(s)]] from the [[Fusion Deck]].
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===Must be with the above materials===
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{{Main|Must be Fusion Summoned with listed Fusion Materials}}
  
===A Fusion Summon of this card can only be conducted with the above Fusion Material Monsters.===
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Only used on Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz Monsters, and only in the context of "Must be" or "Must first be" as a clause of a Summoning procedure. Prevents the monster from being Special Summoned using its listed Summoning mechanic but without its listed materials, such as by an effect that Special Summons and is treated as the listed mechanic. For Fusion Monsters, also prevents a Fusion Summon that uses [[Fusion Substitute Monster]]s.
  
This means that, for a [[Fusion Summon]] to take place with this card, you must use the [[Fusion Material Monsters]] listed on the card, you cannot subsitute. However, if there are no further summon conditions, you can still [[Special Summon]] the monster directly from the [[Fusion Deck]] with cards such as [[Metamorphosis]] or [[Cyber-Stein]].
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* "[Must be/Must first be] [Fusion/Synchro/Xyz] Summoned with the above [Fusion Materials/materials]."
  
==[[Ritual Summon]]ing Conditions==
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===A Fusion Summon of this card can only be done with the above Fusion Materials===
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{{Main|Must be Fusion Summoned with listed Fusion Materials}}
  
===This card can only be Ritual Summoned by...===
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Only used on Fusion Monsters. Prevents a Fusion Summon that uses [[Fusion Substitute Monster]]s. Unlike "Must be Fusion Summoned with the above Fusion Materials", its lack of a "Must" text allows it to be Special Summoned with card effects outside of its proper Summoning procedure, even if they don't use its listed Fusion Materials.
  
This means that the Ritual Monster must first be [[Ritual Summon]]ed with the correct [[Ritual Spell Cards|Ritual Spell Card]], before it can be [[Special Summon]]ed by another effect. The only exception to this rule is [[Advanced Ritual Art]], which [[Special Summon]]s the [[Ritual Monsters|Ritual Monster]] from the [[Deck]].
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* "A Fusion Summon of this card can only be done with the above [Fusion Materials/materials ("[[Arcana Knight Joker]]"-only)]."
  
== Any Summon ==
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===You can Ritual Summon this card with===
  
===This card can only be Normal Summoned, [[Flip Summon]]ed, or Special Summoned if/when...===
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Only used on Ritual Monsters. Indicates the card(s) that can be used to Ritual Summon the monster. Though older versions of the condition specifies "only", the condition does not restrict the Ritual Summon to only those card(s), meaning that [[Nonspecific Ritual Spell Card]]s can always be used for Ritual Summoning these monsters.  
  
This requires that a certain condition be met whenever the card is '''first''' [[Summon]]ed. It allows the monster to still be [[Set]], but nothing beyond that. This restriction is often seen on the "[[Guardian]]" series of monsters.
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Older versions of the condition (at different points in time) also include the requirements for Ritual Summoning that are described on the corresponding Ritual Spell ("You must also Tribute monsters whose total Level Stars equal [level] or more from the field or your hand"), or "Must first be" conditions ("Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. Must first be Ritual Summoned").
  
==Summon Monster Effects==
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* "This monster can only be Ritual Summoned with [''card/category of cards'']" → "You can Ritual Summon this card with [''card/category of cards'']" (introduced in ''[[Hidden Arsenal 5: Steelswarm Invasion]]'')
  
Some monsters have their summoning requirements or methods listed as their effect(s), such as with [[Gate Guardian]] or [[Cocoon of Evolution]]. This 'effect', is neither a [[Continuous Monster Effects|Continuous Monster Effect]], since it is only 'active' in the hand, nor is it an [[Ignition Monster Effects|Ignition Monster Effect]], since the 'effect' can be unlocked at theoretically any point in a Duel for most effects, bar a few that require specific monster(s) as [[Tribute]](s), which can only be done in your [[Main Phase 1]] or [[Main Phase 2]].
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===Restricts requirement for Ritual Summon===
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{{Main|Restricts requirement for Ritual Summon}}
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===Restricts Ritual Spell for Ritual Summon===
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{{Main|Restricts Ritual Spell for Ritual Summon}}
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===Requires special Tributes===
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{{Main|Requires specific Tributes for its Tribute Summon|Normal Summon with 3 Tributes}}
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These conditions all specify non-standard requirements for Normal/Tribute Summons. It is written in four different ways, each with their own specific gameplay implications:
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* "This card can only be Normal Summoned by Tributing 1 "Flamvell" monster you control." ("[[Flamvell Commando]]"-only)
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** Only affects Normal Summoning face-up, regardless of the monster's Level. If the monster is Normal/Tribute Summoned face-down, the requirement does not apply.
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* "If you Tribute Summon this card, the Tribute must be [''property'']."
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** Only affects Tribute Summons. If the monster is Normal Summoned but not Tribute Summoned (i.e. if its Level in the hand becomes 4 or less), the requirement does not apply.
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* "Requires 3 [''property''] Tributes to [Normal Summon/Set / Normal Summon (cannot be Normal Set)]."
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** Affects all Normal Summons, regardless of the monster's Level.
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** Always either contains a required property, or contains "Normal Summon (cannot be Normal Set)". "Requires 3 Tributes to Normal Summon/Set" would be mechanically identical to the condition written below, but such a condition has not been printed in the ''TCG''.
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* "Must be Normal Summoned/Set by Tributing 3 monsters." ([[Wicked God]]-only)
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** Affects all Normal Summons, regardless of the monster's Level.
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==List of OCG/TCG monsters with Summoning conditions==
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{{Card query|[[Effect type::Summoning condition]]|limit=10|medium=official|type=monster}}
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==See also==
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* [[Summon monster effect]]s
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* [[Ignoring the Summoning conditions]]
  
 
{{Gameplay}}
 
{{Gameplay}}
  
 
[[Category:Gameplay]]
 
[[Category:Gameplay]]

Latest revision as of 19:18, 20 February 2024

Summoning conditions refer to specific conditions that define how monsters can be Summoned.

Card text[edit]

Cannot be Summoned[edit]

Indicates the monster cannot be Summoned or Normal Set with the listed Summoning mechanics, which may include Normal Set.

For monsters that cannot be Normal Summoned but can be Normal Set, earlier card texts like "Mystic Swordsman LV6" indicate this with the text "(but can be Normal Set)", while "Amaterasu" does not.

For monsters that conditionally apply a "Cannot be Summoned" condition, there are two structures that use "if" and "unless" respectively. They define additional parameters that, when applied, prevents or permits the monster's Summon with the listed Summoning mechanics.

"Cannot be Summoned if" conditions are only used on "Inspector Boarder", "Masked Chameleon" and "Bonze Alone" in the TCG. However, "Masked Chameleon" uses a different card text structure for the same condition in the OCG.

"Cannot be Summoned unless" conditions are only used on "Guardian" monsters, "Terrorking Archfiend" and "Vaalmonica" Link Monsters in the TCG. However, each of these categories of monsters use different card structures for the same condition in the OCG.

  • "This card cannot be [Summon mechanic]." → "Cannot be [Summon mechanic]."
  • "Cannot be [Summon mechanic] [if clause]."
  • "This card can only be Normal Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned when [clause]." → "Cannot be Summoned [unless clause]." (as used on "Guardian" monsters; introduced in Legendary Collection 3: Yugi's World Mega Pack)
  • "Can only be Link Summoned [while clause]" (as used on "Lib the World Key Blademaster")
  • "Cannot be Special Summoned, except by/with [Summon procedure]."
  • "Cannot be Special Summoned except from [location]" (as used on "Felgrand Dragon")
  • "Cannot be Special Summoned by [effect]".

Cannot be Special Summoned from[edit]

Indicates the monster cannot be Special Summoned (using card effects) from the specified location, usually the GY.

  • "This card cannot be Special Summoned from [location]."/"Neither player can Special Summon this card from [location]." → "Cannot be Special Summoned from [location]."

Must first be[edit]

Indicates the monster is a "Special Summon-only monster", or, unofficially, a "Semi-Nomi" monster. The monster can be Special Summoned using the described Summoning procedure, after which it is considered to have been properly Special Summoned.

Before the monster is properly Special Summoned, it cannot be Special Summoned with card effects. After it is properly Special Summoned, it can be Special Summoned with card effects. A properly Special Summoned monster sent into a non-public knowledge location loses its properly Special Summoned status.

If written on a Main Deck monster, it is always preceded by "Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set".

Earlier card texts do not distinguish between "Must be" and "Must first be" distinctions.

  • "This card can only be [Summon procedure]." → "Must first be [Summon procedure]."

Must be[edit]

Indicates the monster is what's unofficially termed a "Nomi" monster. The monster can only be Special Summoned using the described Summoning procedure.

If written on a Main Deck monster, it is always preceded by "Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set". Wicked God monsters use a similar card text for their 3 Tributes condition.

Earlier card texts do not distinguish between "Must be" and "Must first be" distinctions.

  • "This monster can only be Special Summoned by [Summon procedure]."/"This card cannot be Special Summoned except by [Summon procedure]." → "Must be [Summon procedure] and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways." → "Must be [Summon procedure]." (changed in Battles of Legend: Light's Revenge)

Special Summoned by/while[edit]

Only used in the context of "Must be" or "Must first be" as a clause of a Summoning procedure. Indicates the monster's Summoning procedure involves performing the action and/or fulfilling the clauses written after "by" or "while".

"Nekroz of Sophia" has a Ritual Summon restriction condition with different functionalities that is written in a similar way in the English TCG, but not in the Japanese OCG.

  • "[Must be/Must first be] Special Summoned (from your [location]) by/while [action/clause]."

Must be with the above materials[edit]

Only used on Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz Monsters, and only in the context of "Must be" or "Must first be" as a clause of a Summoning procedure. Prevents the monster from being Special Summoned using its listed Summoning mechanic but without its listed materials, such as by an effect that Special Summons and is treated as the listed mechanic. For Fusion Monsters, also prevents a Fusion Summon that uses Fusion Substitute Monsters.

  • "[Must be/Must first be] [Fusion/Synchro/Xyz] Summoned with the above [Fusion Materials/materials]."

A Fusion Summon of this card can only be done with the above Fusion Materials[edit]

Only used on Fusion Monsters. Prevents a Fusion Summon that uses Fusion Substitute Monsters. Unlike "Must be Fusion Summoned with the above Fusion Materials", its lack of a "Must" text allows it to be Special Summoned with card effects outside of its proper Summoning procedure, even if they don't use its listed Fusion Materials.

  • "A Fusion Summon of this card can only be done with the above [Fusion Materials/materials ("Arcana Knight Joker"-only)]."

You can Ritual Summon this card with[edit]

Only used on Ritual Monsters. Indicates the card(s) that can be used to Ritual Summon the monster. Though older versions of the condition specifies "only", the condition does not restrict the Ritual Summon to only those card(s), meaning that Nonspecific Ritual Spell Cards can always be used for Ritual Summoning these monsters.

Older versions of the condition (at different points in time) also include the requirements for Ritual Summoning that are described on the corresponding Ritual Spell ("You must also Tribute monsters whose total Level Stars equal [level] or more from the field or your hand"), or "Must first be" conditions ("Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. Must first be Ritual Summoned").

  • "This monster can only be Ritual Summoned with [card/category of cards]" → "You can Ritual Summon this card with [card/category of cards]" (introduced in Hidden Arsenal 5: Steelswarm Invasion)

Restricts requirement for Ritual Summon[edit]

Restricts Ritual Spell for Ritual Summon[edit]

Requires special Tributes[edit]

These conditions all specify non-standard requirements for Normal/Tribute Summons. It is written in four different ways, each with their own specific gameplay implications:

  • "This card can only be Normal Summoned by Tributing 1 "Flamvell" monster you control." ("Flamvell Commando"-only)
    • Only affects Normal Summoning face-up, regardless of the monster's Level. If the monster is Normal/Tribute Summoned face-down, the requirement does not apply.
  • "If you Tribute Summon this card, the Tribute must be [property]."
    • Only affects Tribute Summons. If the monster is Normal Summoned but not Tribute Summoned (i.e. if its Level in the hand becomes 4 or less), the requirement does not apply.
  • "Requires 3 [property] Tributes to [Normal Summon/Set / Normal Summon (cannot be Normal Set)]."
    • Affects all Normal Summons, regardless of the monster's Level.
    • Always either contains a required property, or contains "Normal Summon (cannot be Normal Set)". "Requires 3 Tributes to Normal Summon/Set" would be mechanically identical to the condition written below, but such a condition has not been printed in the TCG.
  • "Must be Normal Summoned/Set by Tributing 3 monsters." (Wicked God-only)
    • Affects all Normal Summons, regardless of the monster's Level.

List of OCG/TCG monsters with Summoning conditions[edit]

NameJapanese namePrimary typeSecondary typeAttributeTypeLevel/
Rank
ScaleATKDEFLink
A-to-Z-Dragon Buster CannonAtoZエートゥズィ-ドラゴン・バスターキャノンEffect Monster
Fusion Monster
LIGHTMachine1040004000
ABC-Dragon Busterエービーシー-ドラゴン・バスターEffect Monster
Fusion Monster
LIGHTMachine830002800
The Abyss Dragon SwordsoulしんえんそうけんりゅうEffect MonsterFIREWyrm830002900
Aggiba, the Malevolent Sh'nn S'yoじゃしんしょうアギバEffect MonsterLIGHTFiend1030003000
Akz, the PumerピューマンEffect MonsterEARTHBeast-Warrior615001000
Alba-Lenatus the Abyss Dragonしんえんりゅうアルバ・レナトゥスEffect Monster
Fusion Monster
DARKDragon825002500
All-Eyes Phantom Dragonゴッドアイズ・ファントム・ドラゴンEffect Monster
Pendulum Monster
LIGHTDragon10030002500
Ally of Justice Field MarshalA・O・Jアーリー・オブ・ジャスティス フィールド・マーシャルEffect Monster
Synchro Monster
DARKMachine929002600
Ally of Justice Thunder ArmorA・O・Jアーリー・オブ・ジャスティス サンダー・アーマーEffect MonsterDARKMachine827002200
Alpha, the Master of BeastsししおうアルファEffect MonsterEARTHBeast830002500

See also[edit]