Editing Duel Monsters (manga)

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[[File:Yugi VS Jonouchi at school.png|thumb|right|A game of ''Duel Monsters'' being played]]
'''''Duel Monsters''''', known as '''''Magic and Wizards''''' (マジック{{Ruby|＆|アンド}}ウィザーズ or {{Ruby|Ｍ＆Ｗ|マジックアンドウィザーズ}}, ''Majikku ando Wizāzu'') in the Japanese version and earlier English printings, is a card game played in the [[Yu-Gi-Oh! (manga)|''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' manga]]. This very first incarnation of ''[[Duel Monsters]]'' served as the basis for many of the real life variations to follow, including the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! Official Card Game]]'' (''OCG'') and ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game]]'' (''TCG'').

Originally debuting when the manga had an episodic format and featured a different game nearly every week, the popularity of ''Duel Monsters'' among readers caused it to become the main game played throughout the series. In-universe, ''Duel Monsters'' was invented by [[Maximillion J. Pegasus (manga)|Maximillion J. Pegasus]] as a means of reintroducing ''[[Diaha]]'' - battles played in ancient Egypt using monsters sealed in stone slabs - to the modern world.

The rules described on this page are used throughout the ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' and ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! R]]'' manga series. While the [[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX (manga)|''Yu-Gi-Oh! GX'' manga]] and ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions]]'' are each considered to be continuations of the ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' manga, they instead use rules more closely resembling the ''OCG''. Later manga series also use rules more closely resembling the ''OCG'', use a different Japanese name for the game, and establish no direct connection to the original ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' series.

==Rules==
===Types of cards===
The types of cards are:
* [[Monster Card]]<ref name="d 10">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|10|ref}}</ref>
* [[Spell Card]]<ref name="d 10" />
* [[Trap Card]]<ref name="d 60">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|60|ref}}</ref>
* [[Equip Card]]<ref name="d 70">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|70|ref}}</ref>
* [[Illusion Card]]<ref name="d 62">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|62|ref}}</ref>
* [[Virus Card]]<ref name="d 102">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|102|ref}}</ref>
* [[Slot Machine Power Unit]]<ref name="d 123">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|123|ref}}</ref>

It is possible for a card to have multiple card types, e.g. "[[Graverobber (manga)|Graverobber]]" is a Trap/Spell Card.<ref name="d 123" />

Non-game cards exist, such as "[[Soul Prison (manga)|Soul Prison]]" and the [[Ticket Card|Invitation Cards]]. These cards are not intended for use in Duels.

====Monster Cards====
[[File:Yugi explains Duel Monsters.png|thumb|right|250px|The anatomy of a Monster Card]]
Monster Card have the following properties, which are printed on the card:
* [[Level]]
** A rough indicator of the monster's overall strength. In the Super Expert Rules, it is used to determine the number of [[Tribute]]s needed to Summon it.
* [[ATK]] and [[DEF]]
** Used in determining battle outcomes and damage calculation
* [[Effect]]

Monsters also have the following properties, which are not printed on the card:
* [[Attribute]]<ref name="d 61">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|61|ref}}</ref>
* [[Type]]
* [[Gender]]<ref name="d 116">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|116|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 117">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|117|ref}}</ref>
* Movement type
* [[Attack and effect names|Attack and Special Ability names]]

=====Family=====
Family ({{Ruby|系|けい}}), unnamed in the English manga, was a term used for various categories of monsters.<ref name="d 10" /> They are mostly Types, while Fire is an Attribute and Beast-Warrior is not explicitly stated to be anything else.

The following families are mentioned:
* [[Beast-Warrior]] ({{Ruby|獣|じゅう}}{{Ruby|戦|せん}}{{Ruby|士|し}})<ref name="d 10" />
* [[Zombie|Undead]] (アンデット)<ref name="d 10" /><ref name="d 61" /> As a Type, the English manga refers to it as "Zombie".<ref name="d 62" />
* [[Fiend]] ({{Ruby|悪|あく}}{{Ruby|魔|ま}}, literally "Demon Magic")<ref name="d 10" /> As a Type, the English manga refers to it as "Demon" and "Devil".<ref name="d 62" />
* [[FIRE|Fire]] ({{Ruby|火|ひ}})<ref name="d 61" />
* [[Black Magic]] ({{Ruby|黒|くろ}}{{Ruby|魔|ま}}, called "Spellcaster" in the English manga)<ref name="d 62" />
* [[Warrior]] ({{Ruby|戦|せん}}{{Ruby|士|し}})<ref name="d 69">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|69|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 78">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|78|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 89">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|89|ref}}</ref>
* [[Knight (Type)|Knight]] ({{Ruby|騎|き}}{{Ruby|士|し}})<ref name="d 78" />

=====Attribute=====
An [[Attribute]] ({{Ruby|属|ぞく}}{{Ruby|性|せい}}) describes the elemental nature of monsters. In the English manga, Attribute is sometimes called "Element".

Monsters can have the following Attributes:
* [[EARTH|Earth]] ({{Ruby|土|つち}})<ref name="d 66">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|66|ref}}</ref>
* [[THUNDER|Lightning]] ({{Ruby|雷|いかずち}}<ref name="d 61" /> or {{Ruby|雷|かみなり}}<ref name="d 66" />)
* [[WATER|Water]] ({{Ruby|水|みず}})<ref name="d 61" /><ref name="d 66" /><ref name="d 72">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|72|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 96" /><ref name="d 125">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|125|ref}}</ref>
* [[FIRE|Fire]] ({{Ruby|火|ひ}}<ref name="d 66" />, later {{Ruby|炎|ほのお}} literally "Flame"<ref name="d 78" /><ref name="d 86">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|86|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 95">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|95|ref}}</ref>)
* [[WOOD|Wood]] ({{Ruby|木|き}}),<ref name="d 66" /> later called Forest ({{Ruby|森|もり}})<ref name="r 8">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh! R|8|ref}}</ref>
* [[LIGHT|Light]] ({{Ruby|光|ひかり}})<ref name="d 104">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|104|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 110">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|110|ref}}</ref>
* [[DARK|Dark]] ({{Ruby|闇|やみ}})<ref name="d 37">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|37|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 79">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|79|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 102" /><ref name="d 104" /><ref name="d 120">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|120|ref}}</ref>

A monster can have multiple Attributes.<ref name="d 79" /><ref name="d 86" /><ref group="note">"[[Red-Eyes Black Dragon (manga)|Red-Eyes Black Dragon]]" was said to be [[DARK|Dark]]-[[Attribute]] in {{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|79|ref}} and its attack was said to be [[FIRE|Fire]]-[[Attribute]] in {{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|86|ref}}</ref>

If monsters of incompatible Attributes are fused, for example a Light and Dark monster are fused, Attribute repulsion ({{Ruby|属|ぞく}}{{Ruby|性|せい}}{{Ruby|反|はん}}{{Ruby|発|ぱつ}}) occurs and the Fusion Monster corrodes,<ref name="d 104" /> causing it to lose [[ATK]] equal to that of the weaker fusion material monster each turn.<ref name="d 105">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|105|ref}}</ref>

=====Type=====
[[Type]] ({{Ruby|族|ぞく}}) is another division of monster. In the English manga, Type is sometimes called "Class".<ref name="d 37" />

The following Types exist:
* [[Magical Knight]] ({{Ruby|魔|ま}}{{Ruby|導|どう}}{{Ruby|騎|き}}{{Ruby|士|し}}; called "Warrior" in the English manga<ref name="d 37" />, which is also the name of a different Type<ref name="d 66" />)
* [[Dinosaur]] ({{Ruby|恐|きょう}}{{Ruby|竜|りゅう}})<ref name="d 60" /><ref name="d 66" />
* [[Dragon]] (ドラゴン,<ref name="d 61" /><ref name="d 66" /><ref name="d 148">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|148|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 259">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|259|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 260">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|260|ref}}</ref> sometimes {{Ruby|竜|りゅう}}<ref name="d 92">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|92|ref}}</ref>)
* [[Beast]] ({{Ruby|獣|けもの}})<ref name="d 61" /><ref name="d 66" /><ref name="d 94">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|94|ref}}</ref>
* [[Magic-User]] ({{Ruby|魔|ま}})<ref name="d 94" /><ref name="r 8" />
** [[Black Magic]] ({{Ruby|黒|くろ}}{{Ruby|魔|ま}})<ref name="d 62" /><ref name="d 162">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|162|ref}}</ref>
** [[White Magic]] ({{Ruby|白|しろ}}{{Ruby|魔|ま}})<ref name="d 62" />
** [[Fiend]] ({{Ruby|悪|あく}}{{Ruby|魔|ま}}, literally "Demon"; also referred to as "Demons and Devils" in the English manga)<ref name="d 62" />
** [[Illusion]]<ref name="d 129">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|129|ref}}</ref> ({{Ruby|幻|げん}}{{Ruby|想|そう}}{{Ruby|魔|ま}}; also called "Illusionists" in the English manga<ref name="d 62" />)
* [[Dark Knight]] ({{Ruby|暗|あん}}{{Ruby|黒|こく}}{{Ruby|騎|き}}{{Ruby|士|し}})<ref name="d 62" />
* [[Daemon (Type)|Daemon]] (デーモン; called "Fiend" in the English manga,<ref name="d 62" /> although "Fiend" was also used for "Demon", {{Ruby|悪|あく}}{{Ruby|魔|ま}})
* [[Zombie]] (アンデット, literally "Undead")<ref name="d 62" />
* [[Insect]] ({{Ruby|昆|こん}}{{Ruby|虫|ちゅう}}<ref name="d 66" /> or {{Ruby|蟲|インセクト}}<ref name="d 167">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|167|ref}}</ref> or インセクト<ref name="d 168">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|168|ref}}</ref>)
* [[Immortal (manga)|Immortal]] ({{Ruby|不|ふ}}{{Ruby|死|し}}; English manga mentions "Zombie" in its place<ref name="d 66" />)
* [[Winged Beast]] ({{Ruby|鳥|ちょう}}{{Ruby|獣|じゅう}})<ref name="d 66" />
* [[Birdfolk]] ({{Ruby|鳥|ちょう}}{{Ruby|人|じん}})<ref name="d 66" />
* [[Wild Beast]] ({{Ruby|野|や}}{{Ruby|獣|じゅう}}; English manga mentions "Beast-Warrior" in its place)<ref name="d 66" /><ref name="d 69" />
* [[Warrior]] ({{Ruby|戦|せん}}{{Ruby|士|し}})<ref name="d 66" /><ref name="d 94" /><ref name="d 169">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|169|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 181">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|181|ref}}</ref>
* [[Knight (Type)|Knight]] ({{Ruby|騎|き}}{{Ruby|士|し}}; English manga groups "Warrior" and "Knight" together as "Warrior")<ref name="d 66" /><ref name="d 92" /><ref name="d 94" /><ref name="d 169" /><ref name="d 181" />
* [[Fishman-Beast]] ({{Ruby|魚|ぎょ}}{{Ruby|人|じん}}{{Ruby|獣|じゅう}}; English manga mentions [[Fish]] in its place)<ref name="d 66" />
* [[Sea Serpent]] ({{Ruby|海|かい}}{{Ruby|竜|りゅう}})<ref name="d 66" />
* [[Machine]] ({{Ruby|機|き}}{{Ruby|械|かい}}<ref name="d 92" /><ref name="d 247">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|247|ref}}</ref> or {{Ruby|機械|マシーン}}<ref name="d 120">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|120|ref}}</ref>)
* [[Gadget (Type)|Gadget]] (ガジェット)<ref name="d 339">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|339|ref}}</ref>
* God ({{Ruby|神|かみ}})<ref>{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh! R|10|ref}}</ref>
** See also the [[#God card|God card]] section below.
** The term "[[Divine-Beast|God-Beast]]" ({{Ruby|幻|げん}}{{Ruby|神|しん}}{{Ruby|獣|じゅう}}) has been mentioned in the context of the [[Egyptian God]]s, without specifically mentioning "Type".<ref name="d 147">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|147|ref}}</ref> Despite having a dedicated Type, one of the God cards, "[[Slifer the Sky Dragon (manga)|Slifer the Sky Dragon]]", was said to be Dragon-Type, affecting the ATK of "[[Buster Blader (manga)|Buster Blader]]".<ref name="d 173">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|173|ref}}</ref>

=====God card=====
A '''God card''' ({{Ruby|神|かみ}}カード ''Kami kādo'') is a special class of monster, used by the [[Egyptian God]]s ({{Ruby|幻|げん}}{{Ruby|神|しん}} ''Genshin'', literally "Illusion Gods") and the [[Wicked God]]s ({{Ruby|邪|じゃ}}{{Ruby|神|しん}} ''Jashin''). Throughout the [[Yu-Gi-Oh! (manga)|''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' manga]], the cards are referred to by the designation "God card". In ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! R]]'', they are said to belong to the God Type.

The following rules apply to God cards.
* Three sacrifices are required to Sacrifice Summon them.<ref name="d 172">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|172|ref}}</ref> (In the Standard Rules, they can be Summoned without sacrifices.)<ref name="d 148" />
* The God cards possess a [[Hierarchy]], where God cards are unaffected by the effects of God cards with a lower Hierarchy.<ref name="d 275">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|275|ref}}</ref>
* The effects of Spell Cards can only last for a single turn on them.

=====Other classifications=====
Other classifications of Monster Cards are mentioned without specifying what category they belong to. These include:
* [[Magic-User|Magician]] ({{Ruby|魔|ま}}{{Ruby|術|じゅつ}}{{Ruby|師|し}}<ref name="d 342">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|342|ref}}</ref> or {{Ruby|魔術師|マジシャン}}<ref name="d 260" />, referred to as Spellcaster-Type in the English manga<ref name="d 342" />)
** [[Black Magic]]ian ({{Ruby|黒|くろ}}{{Ruby|魔|ま}}{{Ruby|術|じゅつ}}{{Ruby|師|し}}, referred to as "Spellcaster-type" in the English manga)<ref name="d 164">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|164|ref}}</ref>
* Ghost (ゴースト)<ref name="d 89" />
* Psychic (サイキック)<ref name="d 157">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|157|ref}}</ref>

The following describe the types of effects the monsters have:
* [[Effect Monster|Special Ability]] ({{Ruby|特|とく}}{{Ruby|殊|しゅ}}{{Ruby|能|のう}}{{Ruby|力|りょく}})<ref name="d 235">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|235|ref}}</ref>
*: Monsters that have their own effects.
* [[Toon monster|Toon]] (トゥーン)<ref name="d 109" />
*: Monsters that have been transformed by the effect of "[[Toon World (manga)|Toon World]]". Toon monsters can evade attacks and [[#Hiding monsters|hide]] within "Toon World".
* Bomb ({{Ruby|爆|ばく}}{{Ruby|弾|だん}})<ref name="d 130">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|130|ref}}</ref>
*: Bomb monsters cannot [[attack]] or be attacked and have effects that involve them destroying themselves after a number of turns.<ref name="d 130" />
* Parasite ({{Ruby|寄生虫|パラサイド}})<ref name="d 167" />
* [[Magnet monster|Magnet]] (マグネット)<ref name="d 253">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|253|ref}}</ref>
*: Monsters that are capable of fusing with other specific monsters as soon as they are Summoned, without needing the card "[[Polymerization (manga)|Polymerization]]".<ref name="d 253" />

The following describe the methods through which the monster is Summoned or formed:
* [[Fusion Monster|Fusion]] ({{Ruby|融|ゆう}}{{Ruby|合|ごう}})
*: Monsters formed by combining two or more monsters
* Special Fusion ({{Ruby|特|とく}}{{Ruby|殊|しゅ}}{{Ruby|融|ゆう}}{{Ruby|合|ごう}})<ref name="d 189">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|189|ref}}</ref>
* [[Special Summon Monster|Special Summon]] ({{Ruby|特|とく}}{{Ruby|殊|しゅ}}{{Ruby|召|しょう}}{{Ruby|喚|かん}})<ref name="d 204">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|204|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 246">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|246|ref}}</ref>
*: Monsters with their own built-in special way of Summoning them. Special Summon Monsters can be Summoned with their own effect. They can also be Special Summoned with other cards like "[[Monster Reborn (manga)|Monster Reborn]]", regardless of whether or not they were Summoned with their own effect initially.

====Non-Monster Cards====
Non-Monster Cards have the following details printed on them:
* [[Card type]]
** [[Spell Card|Spell]], [[Trap Card|Trap]], [[Equip Card|Equip]], [[Illusion Card|Illusion]], [[Virus Card|Virus]], and [[Slot Machine Power Unit]]s are all non-monster types of cards.
* [[Property]]
** Most cards don't have a property. Possible properties include [[Continuous Spell Card|Permanent]] and [[Field Spell Card|Field]].
* [[Effect]]

====Non-physical cards====
[[File:Black Skull Dragon represented by two cards.png|thumb|right|300px|"[[Black Skull Dragon (manga)|Black Skull Dragon]]", a monster that does not possess a card of its own, being represented by the two cards it is a combination of]]
Some cards do not exist in a physical form, but are the result of the effects of other cards. It does not possess its own dedicated card, but has its own name, [[ATK]] and [[DEF]].

Different types of non-physical monsters, include:
* An original monster upgraded by the effect of a card, such as "[[Thousand Dragon (manga)|Thousand Dragon]]" and [[Toon monster]]s
* Monsters that are multiple monsters joined together, such as [[Fusion Monster]]s<ref name="d 97">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|97|ref}}</ref> and "[[Gate Guardian (manga)|Gate Guardian]]"
* Monsters that are clones of other monsters on the field, such as those produced by "[[Kaleidoscope (manga)|Kaleidoscope]]" or "[[Multiply (manga)|Multiply]]"
* Monsters that are produced purely by the effect of another card, such as "[[Sheep]]" or "[[Slime (manga)|Slime]]"

The original monster or monsters that a non-physical monster is a form of will remain on the field. For example if a player forms "[[Black Skull Dragon (manga)|Black Skull Dragon]]" by fusing "[[Red-Eyes Black Dragon (manga)|Red-Eyes Black Dragon]]" and "[[Summoned Skull (manga)|Summoned Skull]]", the physical "Red-Eyes Black Dragon" and "Summoned Skull" cards remain on the field, but will not exist as separate monsters. They will just act as the unified "Black Skull Dragon".<ref name="d 97" /><ref name="d 105" /><ref group="note">This is also supported by Kaiba including all 3 "[[Blue-Eyes White Dragon (manga)|Blue-Eyes White Dragons]]" and "[[Polymerization (manga)|Polymerization]]" when counting the amount of cards he had in play, while he had "[[Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon (manga)|Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon]]"</ref> A Fusion Monster counts as a single monster while on the field,<ref name="d 262">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|262|ref}}</ref><ref group="note">"[[Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon (manga)|Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon]]" was only counted once for the effect of "[[Dark Paladin (manga)|Dark Paladin]]".</ref> but each material is counted individually when the Fusion Monster is used is a Sacrifice.<ref name="d 255">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|255|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 274">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|274|ref}}</ref><ref group="note">"[[XYZ-Dragon Cannon (manga)|XYZ-Dragon Cannon]]" counted as three Sacrifices when Sacrificed to Summon "[[Obelisk the Tormentor (manga)|Obelisk the Tormentor]]". "[[Immortal God Slime (manga)|Immortal God Slime]]" counted as two Sacrifices when used to activate the effect of "Obelisk the Tormentor".</ref>

A Spell that produces non-physical monsters remains on the field. If its effect gets negated the monsters it created are removed. e.g. if "[[Mask of Dispel (manga)|Mask of Dispel]]" is used on "[[Multiply (manga)|Multiply]]", the duplicate monsters created by "Multiply" disappear.<ref name="d 186">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|186|ref}}</ref>

If a [[Spell Card]] produces non-physical monsters, that card and all the monsters it Summoned can be used as a sacrifice for a [[Tribute Summon|Sacrifice Summon]]. The number of monsters Summoned count as the number of sacrifices. e.g. If "[[Jam Breeding Machine (manga)|Jam Breeding Machine]]" produces 3 "[[Slime (manga)|Slimes]]", the "Jam Breeding Machine" will count as 3 sacrifices for the Sacrifice Summon and the "Slimes" will all be sacrificed with it.<ref name="d 172" />

===Card effects===
Some monsters and all non-monsters have [[effect]]s that can influence gameplay. Not all cards with effects have their effects printed on them. Printed effects are not always complete or written in a manner than clarifies the precise technicalities of the effect.

An effect belonging to a monster is called a "special ability" ({{Ruby|特|とく}}{{Ruby|殊|しゅ}}{{Ruby|能|のう}}{{Ruby|力|りょく}}).<ref name="d 214">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|214|ref}}</ref>

In the English manga, printed effects often contain translation errors or show the effect the card has in the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game]]'', which is often different than the card's effect in manga.

===Fields===
{{Multiple image
| image1      = Monsters and their Habitats - Japanese.png
| image2      = Monsters and their Habitats - English.png
| total_width = 400
| footer      = [[Field Power Bonus|Field Power Sources]] being explained, in Japanese and English
}}

During the [[Duelist Kingdom (manga)|Duelist Kingdom]] tournament, different zones that monsters are played in can have different fields. These fields were automatically in effect, depending on what area of the [[Duelist Kingdom (island)|island]] players Dueled in.<ref name="d 65" />

Monsters received [[Field Power Bonus|Field Power Sources]] depending on the terrain they were played in.<ref name="d 65">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|65|ref}}</ref> But could not gain this bonus at nighttime.<ref name="d 81">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|81|ref}}</ref>
* [[Forest (terrain)|Forest]] ({{Ruby|森|もり}}) strengthens the Wood Attribute and the [[Insect]] and [[Beast]] Types.<ref name="d 66" />
* [[Meadow|Grassland]] or Sogen ({{Ruby|草|そう}}{{Ruby|原|げん}}),<ref name="d 66" /> strengthens the Fire Attribute and the [[Wild Beast]], [[Warrior]], and [[Knight (Type)|Knight]] Types.<ref name="d 66" />
* [[Mountain (terrain)|Mountains]] ({{Ruby|山|やま}}) strengthens the Lightning Attribute and the [[Winged Beast]], [[Dragon]], and [[Birdfolk]] Types.<ref name="d 66" />
* [[Wasteland (terrain)|Wasteland]] ({{Ruby|荒|こう}}{{Ruby|野|や}}) strengthens the Earth Attribute and the [[Dinosaur]] and [[Immortal (manga)|Immortal]] Types.<ref name="d 66" />
* [[Ocean]],<ref name="d 66" /> Sea<ref name="d 72" /> or Umi ({{Ruby|海|うみ}}), and Lake ({{Ruby|湖|みずうみ}}),<ref name="d 66" /> strengthens the Water Attribute and the [[Fishman-Beast]] and [[Sea Serpent]] Types.<ref name="d 66" />
* [[Graveyard (terrain)|Graveyard]] ({{Ruby|墓|はか}}{{Ruby|場|ば}}) strengthens Ghost cards.<ref name="d 89" />

A monster benefiting from a Field Power Source increases its [[ATK]]<ref name="d 66" /> and [[DEF]] by 30%<ref name="d 67">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|67|ref}}</ref> This is applied after increases from other cards. e.g. A monster with 500 ATK equipped with a card that causes it to gain 1500 ATK with have 2600 ATK; <code>(500 + 1500) × 130% = 2600</code>, not <code>500 × 130% + 1500 = 2150</code>.<ref name="d 66" />

[[Insect]]-Type monsters benefiting from the Forest terrain win initiative in battles.<ref name="d 66" /><ref group="note">[[Insector Haga (manga)|Insector Haga]] mentions Insects and the Forest specifically. It is unclear if this rule was meant to apply to all monsters benefiting from fields. But "[[Feral Imp (manga)|Feral Imp]]" and "[[Panther Warrior (manga)|Panther Warrior]]" were not demonstrated to have lost their ATK boosts from other cards due to a loss in initiative when they battled in the [[Ocean]].</ref>

Monsters benefiting from the Ocean terrain can be played underwater or on the surface.<ref name="d 71">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|71|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 72" /> and cannot be attacked by land-dwelling monsters.<ref name="d 181" />

Some cards have effects that can change portions of the field.<ref name="d 67" /><ref group="note">"[[Burning Land (manga)|Burning Land]]" is capable of transforming [[Forest (terrain)|Forest]] zones to [[Wasteland (terrain)|Wasteland]].</ref><ref group="note">"[[Leviathan (manga)|Leviathan]]" is capable of increasing the area covered by the [[Ocean|Sea]].</ref><ref group="note">"[[Mystical moon (manga)|Mystical moon]]" affects tides, increasing the amount of zones "[[Leviathan (manga)|Leviathan]]" converts to Sea.</ref><ref group="note">"[[Giant Soldier of Stone (manga)|Giant Soldier of Stone]]" can become an island, transforming a Sea zone to a land one.</ref>

[[Field Spell Card]]s can be used to change the entire field. The only instance of a a Field Card being used to change the terrain to one from Duelist Kingdom was "[[Umi (manga)|Umi]]". Like Duelist Kingdom, it granted the ability to hide monsters and restrict movement, but instead granted a fixed 200-point increase to ATK and DEF.<ref name="d 179">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|179|ref}}</ref>

===Position on the field===
[[File:Field 95 percent Sea.png|thumb|right|300px|The 8×5 field. Decks and Graveyards are placed outside of the grid.<br />This field is 95% [[Ocean|Sea]] and 5% [[Wasteland (terrain)|Wasteland]].<br />[[Ryota Kajiki (manga)|Ryota Kajiki]] has "[[Leviathan (manga)|Leviathan]]" in his back row, "[[Jellyfish (manga)|Jellyfish]]" and "[[Devil Kraken (manga)|Devil Kraken]]" in his front row. His monsters hidden under the sea are lacking projections.<br />Dark Yugi has "[[Mystical moon (manga)|Mystical moon]]" in his front row. (Before its destruction, "Silver Fang" was in the same zone as "Mystical moon".)]]
Each player can Summon monsters to their own side of the field into a designated zone. In the Standard Rules, the game is played on an 8×5 board,<ref name="d 72" /> later an 8×6 board.<ref name="d 108" /> The [[Main Deck|Deck]] and [[Graveyard]] are placed outside of this grid and players can play cards in the zones in the two rows of eight nearest them.<ref name="d 72" />

Each zone can have a different [[#Field|field]] in effect. When two monsters battle, they can each receive Field Power Sources from their respective zones.

A player can move a monster to another zone if there is a path of unobstructed zones. This includes moving monsters into the opponent's territory.<ref name="d 72" /><ref group="note">[[Ryota Kajiki (manga)|Ryota Kajiki]] suspected [[Dark Yugi (manga)|Dark Yugi]] planned on moving "[[Giant Soldier of Stone (manga)|Giant Soldier of Stone]]" to another zone, so he got his monsters to surround it immobilizing it.</ref> A player can put multiple monsters in the same zone.<ref name="d 83">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|83|ref}}</ref><ref group="note">The [[Player Killer of Darkness (manga)|Player Killer of Darkness]] put four of his monsters in the same zone, allowing them to all be affected by "[[Yellow Luster Shield (manga)|Yellow Luster Shield]]".</ref> Upon losing its airborne nature, a monster could collapse onto ground-based cards in the same zone as it, destroying them.<ref name="d 83" />

If a monster is in a zone between an attacking monster and its target, the monster in the middle will obstruct and become the new attack target.<ref name="d 82">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|82|ref}}</ref> This only applies if within range. e.g. a ground-based monster will not obstruct a battle between two airborne monsters.<ref name="d 83" /><ref group="note">The Player Killer of Darkness played "[[Metal Guardian (manga)|Metal Guardian]]" in front of the zone containing his other monsters to protect them. However it could not block the airborne "[[Gaia the Dragon Champion (manga)|Gaia the Dragon Champion]]" from attacking the airborne "[[Castle of Dark Illusions (manga)|Castle of Dark Illusions]]".</ref>

There are cards with effects that can prevent cards from moving.<ref name="d 82" />

When using [[Duel Disk]]s, the concept of the field is different. Having just five zones per player and no grid, many of the above rules are not applicable.<ref name="d 85">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|85|ref}}</ref>

===Hiding monsters===
A monster can be played in an environment that makes it hidden. This includes:
* Aquatic monsters played in the [[Ocean|Sea]] terrain<ref name="d 71" /><ref name="d 95" />
* Monsters played in the darkness cast by "[[Castle of Dark Illusions (manga)|Castle of Dark Illusions]]"<ref name="d 81" />
* Tunneling monsters in a terrain that can be burrowed<ref name="d 95" />
* Monsters played inside "[[Toon World (manga)|Toon World]]"<ref name="d 109">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|109|ref}}</ref>
* [[WOOD|Forest]]-Attribute monsters in the "[[Deep Forest]]" field.<ref name="r 8" />

When playing a monster in such an environment, the player may choose to make it hidden or not.

A hidden monster is generally out of range of attacks and effects. But effects may be used to allow other monsters to reach them.
* [[THUNDER|Lightning]]-Attribute attacks can be used on bodies of water to attack monsters hidden inside.<ref name="d 72" />
* Effects that illuminate the field, such as "[[Swords of Revealing Light (manga)|Swords of Revealing Light]]" can expose monsters hidden in darkness.
* Fire attacks can be used to momentarily illuminate the darkness, but cannot attack a monster at the same time.<ref name="d 81" />
* "[[Salamandra (manga)|Salamandra]]" gives monsters the ability to attack underground monsters if within range of an entrance to their tunnel.<ref name="d 95" /><ref group="note">The English manga instead said that serpent-shaped creatures are capable of attacking the underground "[[Dungeon Worm (manga)|Dungeon Worm]]".</ref>
* Monsters hidden inside "Toon World" can be attacked by other [[Toon monster|Toon cards]].<ref name="d 109" /><ref group="note">The English manga omits the detail that monsters hidden in "Toon World" can be attacked by other Toon cards.</ref>
* A monster briefly exposes itself in order to attack another monster. It can be targeted by Trap Cards at this point.<ref name="r 8" />

===Movement and attack types===
Monsters movement types include:
* Flying
* Swimming
* Tunneling
* Ground unit

[[File:Winged Dragon evades an attack.png|thumb|right|"[[Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress (manga)|Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress]]" evades an attack using its flying ability]]
These affect how monsters can move, attack, and evade:
* Monsters capable of flying have a 35% chance to evade when attacked by a monster using a ground-based attack.<ref name="d 37" /> Later instances of this rule do not mention the 35% chance.<ref name="d 68">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|68|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 69" /><ref group="note">In {{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|37|ref}}, "[[Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress (manga)|Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress]]" had a 35% chance of evading a ground-based attack.<br />In {{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|69|ref}}, it was said that ground-based attacks could not reach the airborne "[[Great Moth (manga)|Great Moth]]"<br />In {{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|69|ref}}, "[[Harpy Lady (manga)|Harpy Lady]]" evaded a ground-based attack without any mention of there only being a percentage chance.</ref>
* Flying monsters cannot move through dungeons, such as the Labyrinth, due to the ceiling.<ref name="d 94" /><ref group="note">The English manga adds the rationale that their wings make them too wide to fit through the narrow corridors. This is not mentioned in the Japanese version.</ref>
* Monsters capable of swimming can be [[#Hiding monsters|hidden]] when played in the [[Ocean|Sea]] terrain.<ref name="d 71" /><ref name="d 95" />
* Ground unit monsters may move through dungeons, such as the [[#Labyrinth Duel|Labyrinth]].<ref name="d 94" />
* Monsters capable of tunneling can be [[#Hiding monsters|hidden]] underground in the Labyrinth, where they cannot be attacked. They leave a tunnel behind wherever they move.<ref name="d 95" />
* Flying monsters are not affected by ground-based Trap Cards.<ref name="d 178">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|178|ref}}</ref>
* Ground unit monsters cannot move through the Sea.<ref name="d 180">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|180|ref}}</ref>
* Flying monsters can move across the Sea.<ref name="d 180" />
* If all the opponent's monsters are hidden underwater, a flying monster can attack the opponent directly.<ref name="d 180" />

[[Warrior]], [[Knight (Type)|Knight]], [[Magic-User]], and [[Beast]]-[[Type]] are examples of monsters that are typically ground units.<ref name="d 94" /><ref group="note">In the English manga, Warrior, Beast-Warrior and Spellcaster are used as examples instead.</ref>

Attacks may have special natures:
* Monsters capable of electric attacks can attack monsters in areas they cannot normally reach if the area has been dampened and gain an ATK boost in doing so.<ref name="d 68" /><ref name="d 96" /><ref group="note">"[[Summoned Skull (manga)|Summoned Skull]]" could use its electric attack to attack the airborne "[[Great Moth (manga)|Great Moth]]" after dampening the "Great Moth" with "[[Magic Mist (manga)|Magic Mist]]". It could also attack "[[Suijin (manga)|Suijin]]" at the opposite side of the [[#Labyrinth|Labyrinth]] dungeon when the field was flooded.</ref>
* Monsters capable of electric attacks can attack all monsters within a body of water at once.<ref name="d 72" /><ref name="d 182">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|182|ref}}</ref><ref group="note">"[[Horn of the Unicorn (manga)|Horn of the Unicorn]]" enabled "[[Feral Imp (manga)|Feral Imp]]" to use electrical attacks, allowing it to attack the [[Ocean|Sea]] and all monsters within.</ref><ref group="note">While equipped with "[[Lightning Blade (manga)|Lightning Blade]]", the attack from "[[Panther Warrior (manga)|Panther Warrior]]" hit all monsters in the Sea.</ref>
* "[[Jellyfish (manga)|Jellyfish]]" is capable of absorbing electrical attacks, increasing its ATK and DEF.<ref name="d 72" />
* Some [[Machine]] monsters have full-metal anti-magic armor which makes them immune to magical attacks. i.e. they cannot be destroyed by battle and their controller takes no battle damage from magical attacks.<ref name="d 120" />

===Sequence of play===
====Setup====
* There are two players in each Duel.<ref name="d 9">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|9|ref}}</ref>
* Each player begins with 4000 [[Life Points]].<ref name="d 153" /> (2000 before the Super Expert Rules<ref name="d 9" />)
* Each player's Deck contains 40 cards.<ref name="d 9" /> The Decks are shuffled before a Duel.<ref name="d 36">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|36|ref}}</ref>
* The field is laid out such that each player has space for their Deck, [[Graveyard]] and cards in play. When played on a flat surface, typically each player's Deck is placed on their right-hand side, Graveyard on the left-hand side, cards in play are placed in between.<ref name="d 9" /> Varieties exist where the Graveyard is out of sight<ref name="d 10" /> or both Graveyards are on the same side.<ref name="d 66" /> Duel Disks have designated slots for the Deck, Graveyard and five cards in play.
* At the beginning of a Duel, each player draws five cards, which become their [[hand]].<ref name="d 37" />

====Turns====
Each turn the turn player draws one card from their Deck.<ref name="d 9" /> There is a limit on the number of cards a player can have in their [[hand]]. At one point the limit is said to be seven.<ref name="d 153" /> At another point it is said to be eight.<ref name="d 174">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|174|ref}}</ref> Anything in excess gets sent to the Graveyard.<ref name="d 174" />

[[File:Card positions - manga.png|thumb|right|300px|Visualization of [[Attack Position|Attack]] (vertical) and [[Defense Position|Defense Mode]] (horizontal) as a card is played in Defense Mode]]
During their turn, a player can:
* [[Activate]] or [[Set]] one card from their hand of each type; Spell, Trap, etc.<ref name="d 10" /><ref name="d 153" /><ref name="d 210">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|210|ref}}</ref>
* [[Normal Summon]]<ref name="r 9">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh! R|9|ref}}</ref> one monster from the hand in [[face-up]] [[Attack Position|Attack]] or [[Defense Position|Defense Mode]].<ref name="d 9" /> Attack Mode is vertical. Defense Mode is horizontal.<ref name="d 10" />
* In the Standard Rules, Monster Cards could be played [[face-down]]. Although this practice was only demonstrated once.<ref name="d 61" /> In the Super Expert Rules, Monster Cards cannot be played face-down. It is considered an illegal move to play a card face-down without first looking at it to determine if it is a monster or not.<ref name="d 269">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|269|ref}}</ref>
* Change the [[battle position]] of a monster.<ref name="d 37" />
** A monster can change its battle position the same turn it is Summoned.<ref name="d 258">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|258|ref}}</ref><ref group="note">Dark Yugi Summoned "[[Baphomet (manga)|Baphomet]]" and changed it to Defense Mode on the same turn.</ref>
** If a monster is switched to Attack Mode, it cannot be changed back on the same turn.<ref name="d 103">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|103|ref}}</ref>
* [[Attack]] with Attack Mode monsters.<ref name="d 10" />
** Each monster can only attack once per turn.<ref name="d 38" /><ref group="note">Generally, the rule that each monster can only attack once per turn is implied, rather than stated outright, as players are never shown to attack with the same monster more than once per turn. It is somewhat stated in {{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|38|ref}} when Dark Yugi says that Kaiba's two "Blue-Eyes White Dragons" can destroy two of his monsters each turn.</ref>

In the Standard Rules, if a player does not have a monster on their side of the field at the end of the their turn, they can play one from their hand in Defense Mode.<ref name="d 37" /><ref name="d 67" />

During either player's turn, a player can:
* Activate cards they played face-down.
** If a player activates an effect that [[destroy]]s a Spell or Trap Card the effect of the Spell or Trap Card is [[negate]]d.<ref name="d 240">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|240|ref}}</ref>
** If a card is used in response to an attack to [[Special Summon]] or produce a monster in Defense Mode, the Special Summoned monster can become the new target of the attack.<ref name="d 259" /><ref group="note">It is not specifically mentioned that the monster be in Defense Mode for this to work, but Defense Mode monsters have exclusively been used to block attacks, even when more advantageous to use an Attack Mode monster.</ref>

====Playing monsters====
Each turn the player can Summon a monster from their hand.

Beginning with the Super Expert rules, monsters of [[Level]] 5 or higher require [[Tribute|sacrifices]] to be Summoned.
* Level 5 and 6 monsters require one sacrifice.<ref name="d 153" />
* Level 7 or higher monsters require two sacrifices.<ref name="d 153" />
* Level 10 God cards require three sacrifices.<ref name="d 172" />

In the Super Expert rules if a player attempts to Summon a Level 5 or higher monster without providing the necessary sacrifices, the monster will be destroyed.<ref name="d 156">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|156|ref}}</ref>

Monsters can be Summoned by the effects of other cards. This is considered to be a [[Special Summon]]. Sacrifices are not required when Special Summoning monsters. Monsters cannot attack the turn that they are Special Summoned.<ref name="d 235" /><ref name="d 236">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|236|ref}}</ref>

Monsters on the field can be [[Fusion Summon|fused]] together using the card "[[Polymerization (manga)|Polymerization]]".<ref name="d 68" /> "Polymerization" and the Fusion Material monsters are still in play after a Fusion. The Fusion Monster does not have a physical card.<ref name="d 105" /> Monsters cannot attack the turn that they are fused.<ref name="d 105" /><ref name="d 153" />

[[Ritual Spell Card]]s can be used to play a monster by sacrificing monsters that meet a certain criteria. Some Rituals such as "[[Black Luster Ritual (manga)|Black Luster Ritual]]" sacrifice monsters to upgrade another monster.<ref name="d 118" /> Others such as "[[Black Illusion Ritual (manga)|Black Illusion Ritual]]", [[Ritual Summon]] a new monster.<ref name="d 129" /> The Ritual Monster does not possess a physical card.

====Attacking====
A [[battle]] is conducted when the turn player announces for one of their Attack Mode monsters is to attack an opponent's monster.
* If an Attack Mode monster battles another Attack Mode monster, the monster with the lower [[ATK]] is destroyed and its controller loses Life Points equal to the difference.<ref name="d 10" />
When Attack Mode monsters with equal ATK battle, both are destroyed.
* If an Attack Mode monster attacks a Defense Mode monster and its ATK is higher than the defending monster's [[DEF]], the defending monster is destroyed and no Life Points are lost.<ref name="d 10" />
* If an Attack Mode monster attacks a Defense Mode monster and its ATK is lower than the defending monster's DEF, neither monster is destroyed and the controller of the attacking monster loses Life Points equal to the difference in the ATK and DEF.<ref name="d 10" />

If an attack is evaded (e.g. a flying monster dodges an attack from a ground-based monster or a non-Toon monster attacks a Toon monster), the attacked monster may still counter attack. It will not be destroyed in the two monsters have the same ATK. The monster that attacked it loses its [[Field Power Bonus|Field Power Source]].<ref name="d 69" /><ref name="d 127">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|127|ref}}</ref>

If a monster in a battle wins initiative, (e.g. by being in a [[#Fields|field]] that they benefit from) the other monster loses increases to [[ATK]] and [[DEF]] and uses its [[original ATK and DEF]] for the duration of the battle.<ref name="d 66" />

Monsters destroyed by battle go to the [[Graveyard]].<ref name="d 10" />

In the Super Expert Rules, monsters can attack the opponent directly if the opponent has no monsters to defend with,<ref name="d 153" /> in which case the opponent loses Life Points equal to the ATK of the attacking monster.<ref name="d 156">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|156|ref}}</ref> Direct attacks are not allowed in the Standard Rules.<ref name="d 108">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|108|ref}}</ref>

If a monster is removed from the field after being selected as the target of an attack, the attack is nullified and the attacking player cannot choose a different target or to attack directly instead.<ref name="d 255" /><ref name="r 7">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh! R|7|ref}}</ref>

A player may attack and destroy their own [[Spell Card]]. No Life Points are lost in doing so.<ref name="d 72" />

=====Attack effectiveness=====
{{Multiple image
| image1      = Four Types of Magic-Users - Japanese.png
| image2      = Four Types of Magic-Users - English.png
| total_width = 400
| footer      = The strengths and weaknesses of the four types of Magic Users being explained, in Japanese and English
}}
The effectiveness of an attack con be influenced by the Type and Attribute of the monsters battling. What happens in the case of an effective attack has been inconsistent. Sometimes the monster of the weaker Attribute loses half its ATK.<ref name="d 61" /> Sometimes the weaker monster loses 300 ATK.<ref name="d 86" /><ref name="d 96">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|96|ref}}</ref> Sometimes nothing happens.

The following attack effectiveness scenarios exist:
* The [[THUNDER|Lightning]] Attribute is strong against the Water Attribute.<ref name="d 61" /><ref name="d 96" />
* The [[WATER|Water]] Attribute is strong against the Fire Attribute.<ref name="d 96" />
* The [[FIRE|Fire]]-Attribute is strong against the Dinosaur Type.<ref name="d 78" />
* The [[Black Magic]] Type is strong against the White Magic Type.<ref name="d 62" />
* The [[White Magic]] Type is strong against the Fiend Type.<ref name="d 62" />
* The [[Fiend]] Type is strong against the Illusion Type.<ref name="d 62" />
* The [[Illusion]] Type is strong against the Black Magic Type.<ref name="d 62" />
* The Fire Family is strong against the Beast Type.<ref name="d 61" />
* "[[Battle Ox (manga)|Battle Ox]]" is strong against the Fire Attribute.<ref name="d 86" />

====Victory conditions====
A player is considered the winner if:
* They reduce their opponent's [[Life Points]] to 0.<ref name="d 9" />
* Their opponent cannot draw a card when they are required to.<ref name="d 38">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|38|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 153">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|153|ref}}</ref>
* They use the effect of a card that makes them the winner, such as "[[Exodia the Forbidden One (manga)|Exodia the Forbidden One]]"<ref name="d 39">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|39|ref}}</ref> or "[[Destiny Board (manga)|Destiny Board]]".<ref name="d 205">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|205|ref}}</ref>
* Their opponent surrenders. A surrender is announced by placing one's hand over their Deck.<ref name="d 118">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|118|ref}}</ref>

===Variant Duels===
====Labyrinth Duel====
A '''Labyrinth Duel''' is played on a 9×9 grid with a number of squares removed from each corner.<ref name="d 92" /> When "[[Labyrinth Wall (manga)|Labyrinth Wall]]" is played, it is placed outside of the grid. It causes walls to be added along some of the squares, and a ceiling to be added over them, restricting movement as monsters cannot move through walls or the ceiling. For convenience, the ceiling is not visible to the players.<ref name="d 93">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|93|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 94" />

* Monsters in Attack Mode can move a number of square equal to their [[Level]].<ref name="d 93" />
* When a monster moves, its card remains in the square it was originally played in, while the monster itself is in whatever square it was moved to. When playing with holograms, a monster's current position is marked by its hologram.<ref name="d 94" />
* Monsters must be in an adjacent squares in order to battle.

See the [[#Movement and attack types|Movement and attack types]] section for details on how monsters can move in the Labyrinth.

<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
Empty Labyrinth Duel Table.png | The 9×9 table with squares missing from each corner
Labyrinth setup - Duel 95.png  | Two teams sitting at opposite sides; [[Paradox Brothers|Meikyû Brothers]] (background), [[Katsuya Jonouchi (manga)|Jonouchi]] and [[Dark Yugi (manga)|Dark Yugi]] (foreground)<br />The card "[[Labyrinth Wall (manga)|Labyrinth Wall]]" is placed outside the grid.<br />Jonouchi and Dark Yugi have three cards in the second row from them. The monsters from those cards have moved further into the board.
</gallery>

====Tag Duel====
A '''Tag Duel''' is a Duel involving two teams. Each team of two sits on opposite sides of the board<ref name="d 92" /> and plays cards in the two rows nearest them. The sequence of turns is as follows: Team 1 Player A → Team 2 Player A → Team 1 Player B → Team 2 Player B.<ref name="d 93" />

If a single player has no monsters they can be attacked directly, even if their teammate has monsters. However the teammate may choose to block the attack, making one of their monsters the new target of the attack.<ref name="d 186" />

====Battle Royal====
A '''Battle Royal''' or '''Battle Royale''' features multiple opponents battling against each other.<ref name="d 239">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|239|ref}}</ref>

Players are arranged in a circle and may attack any other opponent. Players may not attack until the last player to move's first turn. If a player is attacked directly, an adjacent player may block the attack by making one of their monsters the target of the attack.<ref name="d 239" />

===Banned and Limited cards===
Events may place restrictions on what cards can be used. [[Forbidden|Banned]] ({{Ruby|禁|きん}}{{Ruby|止|し}}) cards cannot be included in a Deck.<ref name="d 192">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|192|ref}}</ref>

During the [[Battle City (manga)|Battle City]] tournament, cards that directly [[damage]] a player, such as "[[Hinotama (manga)|Hinotama]]" and "[[Meteor of Destruction (manga)|Meteor of Destruction]]" or directly destroy a monster, such as "[[Raigeki (manga)|Raigeki]]", are Banned.<ref name="d 191">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|191|ref}}</ref><ref name="d 192"/> This only includes cards that can immediately cause damage, while cards that inflict damage after a condition is met, such as "[[Mask of Accursed (manga)|Mask of Accursed]]" are allowed.<ref name="d 186" />

The number of copies of a card that can be included in a Deck can also be restricted. In the Expert and Super Expert Rules, only a single copy of "[[Monster Reborn (manga)|Monster Reborn]]" could be included in a player's Deck.<ref name="d 267">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|267|ref}}</ref><ref group="note">[[Seto Kaiba (manga)|Seto Kaiba]] stated that this was the case in the Expert Rules. However, he mentioned this while commenting on a Duel that was using the Super Expert Rules.</ref>

==Rule sets==
===Standard===
The '''Standard Rules''' (スタンダード・ルール ''Sutandādo Rūru'') are the basic set of ''Duel Monsters'' rules.

Only rules to feature or mention:
* [[Attribute]]s being strong or weak against other Attributes
* Fields with Field Power Sources being active by default (later rules have them set by card effects)
* Monsters can be played in face-down Attack Mode<ref name="d 61" />

<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
Duel 9 rules.png   | Rules explained in {{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|9|ref}}
Duel 10 rules.png  | Rules explained in {{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|10|ref}}
Duel 108 rules.png | Rules explained in {{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|108|ref}}
</gallery>

===Expert===
[[File:Duel Monsters Duel Disk Expert Mode rules.png|thumb|right|400px|The [[Duel Disk]] Expert Mode rules and [[Dark Yugi (manga)|Dark Yugi]] and [[Seto Kaiba (manga)|Kaiba]] Dueling using them]]
The '''Expert Rules''' (エキスパート・ルール ''Ekisupāto Rūru'') were used with the first version [[Duel Disk]]s. This alters many of the previous rules and adds more.

Only rules to feature or mention:
* Each player can only hold five cards at a time.<ref name="d 105" />
** If a player has five cards at the start of their turn, they cannot draw a card.<ref name="d 105" />
** If a player has fewer than five cards at the start of their turn, they draw until they have five.
* A player's field contains five stages; the main card stage and four sub card stages. The main card is played in the main stage. All the player's other cards in their hand are played in the sub stages.<ref name="d 102" />
* Monsters in the main monster can be played in Attack or Defense Mode. Monsters in the sub stages are all in Attack Mode.<ref name="d 102" />
* The main card gets special abilities and powers from the sub cards.<ref name="d 102" />
* Sub cards are face-down until used or attacked.<ref name="d 102" />
* Sub cards can be flipped face-down and shuffled.<ref name="d 102" />
* A player's main monster can attack their opponent's main monster or any of the opponent's face-down cards. Normal rules of battle are applied if they attack a Monster Card. Non-Monster Cards are automatically destroyed if they are attacked.<ref name="d 102" />

===Super Expert===
The '''Super Expert Rules''' (スーパーエキスパート・ルール ''Sūpā Ekisupāto Rūru'') were introduced in the [[Battle City (manga)|Battle City]] tournament. They are based on the Standard Rules, contain additional rules and alter previous ones. The Expert rules do not apply in Super Expert.

Changes:
* Starting Life Points are changed from 2000 to 4000.<ref name="d 153" />
* [[Direct attack]]s are allowed.<ref name="d 153" />
* [[Tribute Summon|Sacrifice Summon]]s are introduced.<ref name="d 153" />

<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
Duel 153 rules.png | Rules explained in {{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|153|ref}}
</gallery>

==Realistic projections of cards==
Multiple methods have been used to create lifelike projections of the cards while playing ''Duel Monsters''.

* Cards have been brought to life by [[Millennium Items (manga)|Millennium Item]] holders through use of [[Shadow Game (manga)|Shadow Games]].<ref name="d 9" /> The Shadow Game's players can see the conjured monsters or effects of cards,<ref name="d 9" /><ref>{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|60|ref}}</ref> but spectators cannot.<ref>{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|61|ref}}</ref>
* [[KaibaCorp]] used holographic technology to create projections of cards to artificially replicate the experience of the Shadow Games. This was mainly done through the use of [[Battle Box|Virtual Simulation Battle Boxes]].<ref name="d 27">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|27|ref}}</ref>
* KaibaCorp later invented [[Solid Vision]], which created even more realistic and life-sized projections of the cards. And invented Duel Disks as as a means of creating the projections from cards. The Duel Disks have a hyper 3-D engine built which processes the graphic data of the card at high speed to create Solid Vision using the V-2 emulator.<ref name="d 85" /><ref name="d 133">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|133|ref}}</ref> Despite Solid Vision also being holograms, players feel like they experience pain when attacked by Solid Vision monsters.<ref name="d 156" />
* KaibaCorp also invented the [[Neurons]] as a means of playing ''Duel Monsters'' in the ''[[Duel Links (manga)|Duel Links]]'' virtual reality.<ref>''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' "[[TRANSCEND GAME (part 1)]]"</ref>

<gallery widths="300" heights="250">
Ryu-Kishin and Blackland Fire Dragon alive.png        | Monsters in a [[Shadow Game (manga)|]]
Duel Monsters in Battle Box - Dark Yugi VS Kajiki.png | Holograms in a [[Battle Box|Virtual Simulation Battle Box]]
D-027 Jonouchi VS Kaiba.png                           | [[Solid Vision]] projections from the [[Duel Disk prototype|prototype Duel Disks]]
Dark Yugi VS Pandora - face-down buildup.png          | Solid Vision projections from the V2 Duel Disks
Crystal Cloud Network.png                             | Virtual reality created using [[Neurons]]
</gallery>

==History==
===Egyptian ''Diaha''===
[[File:Priest and Pharaoh Diaha depiction.png|thumb|right|300px|Depiction of a ''[[Diaha]]'', showing two players battling with monsters summoned from stone slabs]]
In ancient Egypt, it was believed that misfortunes were caused by evil spirits dwelling inside people. In order to bring peace, the [[Pharaoh]]'s magicians tamed such spirits, gave them names and physical forms, and trapped them in stone slabs. While sealed the monsters slowly became more powerful. Eventually a group of [[Priest]]s acted against the Pharaoh and harnessed the power of the stone slabs, using them to and summon the monsters from the tablets to fight in battles, known as ''[[Diaha]]''.<ref name="d 146">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|146|ref}}</ref>

The magicians eventually died out and the stone tablets fell asleep deep below the earth. The legend was recorded in the ''Book of Thoth'' and passed down from generation to generation. All card games were said to have sprang from this source.<ref name="d 129">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|129|ref}}</ref>

===Creation===
[[Maximillion J. Pegasus (manga)|Maximillion J. Pegasus]] became interested in the ancient Egyptian beliefs in life after death, following the death of his lover, [[Cyndia (manga)|Cyndia]]. This led him to Egypt to learn more.<ref name="d 132">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|132|ref}}</ref>

At the village, [[Kul Elna]], Pegasus failed to bargain with [[Shadi Shin|Shadi]] for the safety of a [[Millennium Ring thief|a thief]] who was to persecuted for his attempt to steal the [[Millennium Ring (manga)|Millennium Ring]]. Pegasus spied on the thief being put on trial to see if he was chosen by the Ring. However the Ring rejected the thief as a host, burning him to death in the process. Pegasus was caught spying on the ritual and not permitted to leave unless he became bearer of a [[Millennium Items (manga)|Millennium Item]]. For his trial, Pegasus had his left eye was cut out and the [[Millennium Eye (manga)|Millennium Eye]] inserted into in its socket. The Eye accepted Pegasus and showed him an apparition of Cyndia.<ref name="d 132" />

In the [[Valley of the Kings (manga)|Valley of the Kings]], Pegasus heard the legends of the Egyptian magicians that battled using the monsters sealed in tablets. He created ''Duel Monsters'' as a means of bringing the ancient games to the modern world,<ref name="d 129" /> an act [[Ishizu Ishtar (manga)|Ishizu Ishtar]] claimed he was led by fate to do.<ref name="d 147" />

[[File:Pegasus attempting to translate hieratic.png|thumb|left|300px|Pegasus observing a tablet describing the abilities of [[The Sun Dragon Ra (character)|The Sun Dragon Ra]] in order to design [[The Sun Dragon Ra|its card]]]]
Pegasus based a number of cards on images he saw on stone carvings. This included the three [[Egyptian God|Hidden Gods of Egypt]] depicted on the [[Tablet of Lost Memories]], each of which he designed as a one-of-a-kind card.<ref name="d 147" /> [[The Sun Dragon Ra (character)|The Sun Dragon Ra]] had its abilities carved into a tablet in [[hieratic text]]. Unable to translate them, Pegasus resigned to simply transcribing the hieratic text directly onto [[The Sun Dragon Ra|the card]], leaving him unaware of its effects. He used a special kind of ink that would only be visible in the light emitted by Ra.<ref>{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|222|ref}}</ref> It was said that whoever acquires the three God cards would be given the title of "Duel King". However the cards gained great power as if the Gods actually resided in them and were capable of taking an opponent's life. Pegasus regretted their creation, considering it to be his greatest mistake. He tried to physically destroy the cards, but could not bring himself to do it, and opted to have them buried within the [[Valley of the Kings (manga)|Valley of the Kings]], where they had come from.<ref name="d 147" />

The card "[[Blue-Eyes White Dragon (manga)|Blue-Eyes White Dragon]]" was based on [[The White Dragon (manga)|The White Dragon]] seen on the Tablet of Lost Memories.<ref name="d 147" /> It was initially considered to be one of the most powerful cards, so overpowered that production was ceased, causing it to gain a high monetary among collectors.<ref name="d 9" /> Four copies were known to exist. They fell into the hands of collectors in the United States, Germany, and Hong Kong and [[Sugoroku Mutou (manga)|Sugoroku Mutou]] in Japan.<ref name="d 27" />

===Rise in popularity===
''Duel Monsters'' became a huge success in the United States, with players said to be in excess of twenty million and many tournaments hosted with large prizes.<ref name="d 87">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh!|87|ref}}</ref>

The game features a number of valuable cards, with one fan in America alleged to have sold his house to pay for a single card.<ref name="d 9" />

By the time of [[Death-T]], ''Duel Monsters'' was considered to be the world's #1 collectible card game.<ref name="d 27" />

===Introduction of holograms===
[[Seto Kaiba (manga)|Seto Kaiba]]'s attempt to steal the "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" from [[Sugoroku Mutou (manga)|Sugoroku Mutou]] resulted in him being challenged to a [[Shadow Game (manga)|Shadow Game]] of ''Duel Monsters'' by [[Dark Yugi (manga)|Dark Yugi]]. In this game, the monsters came to life as they were Summoned.<ref name="d 9" /> On defeat, Kaiba was subjected to a [[Penalty Game (manga)|Penalty Game]], resulting in him imagining he was trapped inside a card, causing him to reside in the [[World of Duel Monsters]], where he suffered the [[Experience of Death]] at the hands of monsters.<ref name="d 10" />

Kaiba invented the [[Battle Box|Virtual Simulation Battle Boxes]], which created 3-D holograms of cards, as players played ''Duel Monsters'', recreating what he witnessed in the Shadow Game. And allowed him to inflict a reconstruction of the Experience of Death on the loser.<ref name="d 27" />

Kaiba's company, [[KaibaCorp]], sent an offer to Pegasus to develop Virtual Simulation Battle Boxes together with [[Industrial Illusions]], to enhance the experience of playing ''Duel Monsters''. Pegasus described it as a great idea and said that he would love for their companies to develop it together.<ref name="d 87" />

Battle Boxes were used during [[Death-T]] and [[Duelist Kingdom (manga)|Duelist Kingdom]].

===Introduction of Solid Vision===
[[Duel Disk]]s were developed later by KaibaCorp as a more upgraded means of Dueling that the Battle Boxes. Kaiba was in some part incentivized to develop them having witnessed the mind-reading abilities that the [[Millennium Eye (manga)|Millennium Eye]] granted Pegasus. The Duel Disks required players to stand at least 5 meters apart, which Kaiba hoped would be enough to put him out of Pegasus' [[Mind Scan]]'s range. Unlike Battle Boxes the Duel Disks used [[Solid Vision]], which created life-sized projections<ref name="d 85" /> and were considered to be much more realistic than the holograms used by the Battle Boxes.<ref name="d 133" />

Pegasus was fond of the Solid Vision technology as it was capable of creating projections that were more lifelike than simple holograms. He hoped to takeover KaibaCorp, so he could have the technology and make it even more lifelike and create a realistic reconstruction of Cyndia, whom he had created [[Cyndia (manga card)|a card]] of.<ref name="d 133" />

==Real-world information==
===Name===
The game is called ''Magic and Wizards'' or ''M&W'' for short in the Japanese manga. However, due to its similarity to ''[[wikipedia:Magic: The Gathering|Magic: The Gathering]]'', the game was renamed to ''Duel Monsters'' in other media. Despite this, the Japanese manga continued to call the game ''Magic and Wizards'' throughout its run.

When the English manga was first printed in the ''[[Shonen Jump]]'' magazine, it used the name ''Magic and Wizards''.<ref name="d 9" /> This name was also used in the first printing of the graphic novels. In subsequent reprints, the name was changed to ''Duel Monsters''.

The Japanese ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! R]]'' and ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX (manga)|Yu-Gi-Oh! GX]]'' manga series use the name ''Magic and Wizards''.<ref name="r 8">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh! R|8|ref}}</ref><ref name="gx 35">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh! GX|35|ref}}</ref> The Japanese ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL (manga)|Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL]]'' and ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V (manga)|Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V]]'' manga series use the name ''Duel Monsters''.<ref name="zx 40">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL|40|ref}}</ref><ref name="av 13">{{chapter|Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V|13|ref}}</ref> All of their English editions use the name ''Duel Monsters''.

<gallery widths="200" heights="300">
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel 9 - Shonen Jump.png   | The game being called "Magic and Wizards" in the English manga
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel 9 - tankobon - EN.png | The game being called "Duel Monsters" in a reprint
</gallery>

===Design===
The [[Yu-Gi-Oh! (manga)|''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' manga]] originally featured many different games, which rarely appeared more than once. ''Duel Monsters'' was initially meant to only feature in two chapters,<ref name="vol 30 foreward">{{volume|Yu-Gi-Oh!|30|ref}}; foreward</ref> as a game based on ''[[wikipedia:Magic: The Gathering|Magic: The Gathering]]''.<ref>''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' [[Weekly Shonen Jump 1996, issue 51|1996 #51]]</ref> However, [[Shueisha]], the publisher of the ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' magazine, received so many letters and fan-mail asking about the game that [[Kazuki Takahashi]] was encouraged to extend it.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,388900,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070714203100/https://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,388900,00.html | title = Kazuki Takahashi, Yu-Gi-Oh! creator | author = Lisa Takeuchi Cullen | website = Time for Kids | date = November 8, 2002 | archive-date = July 14, 2007 | accessdate = June 12, 2023}}</ref>

Takahashi came up with the original rules for the game in a single night.<ref name="vol 30 foreward" /> The idea for holograms and [[Solid Vision]] was inspired by ''[[wikipedia:Dejarik|Dejarik]]'', a board game in ''Star Wars'' that featured holographic pieces.<ref>''[[Duel Art]]'' "An Interview with Kazuki Takahashi"; page 2</ref>

===Adaptations===
* The [[Yu-Gi-Oh! (Toei anime)|''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' anime]] by [[Toei Animation]] featured a version of '''''[[Duel Monsters (Toei)|Duel Monsters]]''''', based on the manga game. It first appeared April 18, 1998. The game was renamed from ''Magic and Wizards'' to ''Duel Monsters'' for this medium. Although the card backings featured the letters "MW".
* The '''''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! Bandai's Official Card Game|Yu-Gi-Oh! Cardass]]''''' by [[Bandai]], first released August 1998, is based on the manga game.
* The ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (video game)|Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters]]'' video game by [[Konami]], released December 16, 1998, and a number of its sequels features a '''''[[Duel Monsters (Gameboy)|Duel Monsters]]''''' game, based on the one from the manga. The series uses the name ''Duel Monsters''. Although the game is called ''Magic'' at one point in dialogue.
* The '''''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! Official Card Game]]''''' (''OCG'') by Konami, first released February 4, 1999, incorporated elements from the manga game and the video game. Its logo features the term ''Duel Monsters''. Earlier pre-production logos also featured the name ''Magic & Wizards Official Card Game''.
* The [[Yu-Gi-Oh! (anime)|''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' anime]] by [[Nihon Ad Systems]], first appearing April 18, 2000, features a '''''[[Duel Monsters]]''''' card game, based on the manga game, also incorporating elements from the ''OCG''.

==Notes==
<references group="note" />

==References==
<references />

{{Manga games}}

[[Category:Duel Monsters|*]]
[[Category:Games]]