Summoning condition

"Summoning" redirects here. For the action, see Summon. For the mechanics, see Summoning mechanics.

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

Card text

Cannot be Summoned

Self-explanatory; indicates that the monster cannot be Summoned or Normal Set with the listed Summoning mechanics, which may include Normal Set.

• "This card cannot be [Summon mechanic]." → "Cannot be [Summon mechanic].""

Cannot be Special Summoned from

Self-explanatory; indicates that 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

Indicates that 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

Indicates that 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".

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

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

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

Cannot be Summoned unless

Indicates that the monster cannot be Summoned (Normal, Flip, or Special Summon) unless the clause written after "when" is fulfilled.

They can still be Normal Set. This card text is only used on "Guardian" monsters; similar card texts are used in the Summoning conditions of "Terrorking Archfiend" and "Vaalmonica" Link Monsters in the English TCG, but not in the Japanese OCG.

• "This card can only be Normal Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned when [clause]." → "Cannot be Summoned unless [clause]." (Introduced in Legendary Collection 3: Yugi's World Mega Pack)

Summoned with the above materials

Main article: Must be Fusion Summoned with listed Fusion Materials

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

Main article: Must be Fusion Summoned with listed Fusion Materials

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)]."

List of OCG/TCG monsters with Summoning conditions

Name	Japanese name	Primary type	Secondary type	Attribute	Type	Level/ Rank	Scale	ATK	DEF	Link
A-to-Z-Dragon Buster Cannon	ＡｔｏＺ（エートゥズィ）－ドラゴン・バスターキャノン	Effect Monster Fusion Monster		LIGHT	Machine	10		4000	4000
ABC-Dragon Buster	Ａ（エー）Ｂ（ビー）Ｃ（シー）－ドラゴン・バスター	Effect Monster Fusion Monster		LIGHT	Machine	8		3000	2800
The Abyss Dragon Swordsoul	深（しん）淵（えん）の相（そう）剣（けん）龍（りゅう）	Effect Monster		FIRE	Wyrm	8		3000	2900
Aggiba, the Malevolent Sh'nn S'yo	羅（ら）阿（あ）邪（じゃ）神（しん）将（しょう）アギバ	Effect Monster		LIGHT	Fiend	10		3000	3000
Akz, the Pumer	ピューマン	Effect Monster		EARTH	Beast-Warrior	6		1500	1000
Alba-Lenatus the Abyss Dragon	深（しん）淵（えん）竜（りゅう）アルバ・レナトゥス	Effect Monster Fusion Monster		DARK	Dragon	8		2500	2500
All-Eyes Phantom Dragon	ゴッドアイズ・ファントム・ドラゴン	Effect Monster Pendulum Monster		LIGHT	Dragon	10	0	3000	2500
Ally of Justice Field Marshal	Ａ・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		DARK	Machine	9		2900	2600
Ally of Justice Thunder Armor	Ａ・Ｏ・Ｊ（アーリー・オブ・ジャスティス） サンダー・アーマー	Effect Monster		DARK	Machine	8		2700	2200
Alpha, the Master of Beasts	獣（しし）王（おう）アルファ	Effect Monster		EARTH	Beast	8		3000	2500

Showing first 10 results, of 982 total ¦ Show next 10 results ¦ Show first [20 · 50 · 100 · 250 · 500] results (all links open a new page)

See also

• Summon monster effects
• Ignoring the Summoning conditions