Special Summon

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Artwork of "Reanimation Wave", an example of a card that Special Summons a monster

A Special Summon (とくしゅしょうかん Tokushu Shōkan) is any type of Summon that is not a Normal Summon or a Flip Summon. Fusion Summons, Ritual Summons, Synchro Summons, Xyz Summons, Pendulum Summons, and Link Summons are all types of Special Summons.

If a monster is Set in a Monster Zone by a card effect, and is not being Normal Set, that is implicitly a Special Summon face-down. For example, if the effect of "Toadally Awesome" causes a monster to be Set onto the field, that monster is being Special Summoned in face-down Defense Position.

There is no limit on the number of times a player can Special Summon each turn. Unless otherwise specified, by default a Special Summon is performed in either face-up Attack or Defense Position (the battle position is decided by the player performing the Summon).[1]

Mechanics[edit]

Special Summon by game mechanics[edit]

There are several game mechanics which allow the turn player to perform a Special Summon during an open game state in their Main Phase. Specifically, they are: Synchro Summon, Xyz Summon, Pendulum Summon, and Link Summon. A Special Summon performed this way does not create a Chain Link, but can be negated by effects that negate Summons.

Cards and effects that perform a Special Summon by game mechanics (e.g. "Urgent Tuning", "Wonder Xyz") are still considered to be a Special Summon by game mechanics; the Summon is performed immediately after the effect resolves, so can be negated if the card was used as Chain Link 1. In contrast, effects that perform a Special Summon treated as one of these types of Summon (e.g. "Necroid Synchro", "Numbers Eveil") are not considered to be Special Summons by game mechanics, but rather a Special Summon by card effect that is merely treated as one of these types of Summon.

Along with Special Summons by Summoning procedures, they are collectively known as "Built-In Summons".[2]

Special Summon by Summoning procedure[edit]

Many monsters have a Summoning procedure that specifies a method to Special Summon them. This procedure can be performed during an open game state in the turn player's Main Phase. A Special Summon performed this way does not create a Chain Link, but can be negated by effects that negate Summons.

Along with Special Summons by game mechanics, they are collectively known as "Built-In Summons".[2]

Special Summon Monsters[edit]

For Special Summon Monsters, if they specify a Summoning procedure, the listed procedure is the only way to properly Special Summon that monster. For these monsters, this procedure is not an effect, so can be used even if the monster's effects are negated. Most non-Ritual Main Deck Special Summon Monsters, and some Extra Deck monsters, specify a Summoning procedure.

Examples:

Normal Summon Monsters[edit]

For Normal Summon Monsters, if they specify a Summoning procedure, they can still be Special Summoned by other ways (unless otherwise specified). For these monsters, this procedure is an effect, so cannot be used if the monster's effects are negated. However, it is not an activated effect, so does not create a Chain Link.

Examples:

  • Special Summoning "Cyber Dragon" (from the hand) when only the opponent controls a monster.
  • Special Summoning "Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World" (from the Graveyard) by returning a monster a "Dark World" monster on the field to the hand.

Special Summon by card effect[edit]

Cards can have effects that allow players to Special Summon monsters to the field.

Activated effect[edit]

Many cards and activated effects have effects that Special Summons monsters to the field. The activation of any card or effect necessarily creates a Chain Link. While the activation or effect of these effects can be negated, the Summons themselves cannot be.[2]

Ritual and Fusion Summoning are always performed by card effects.

Examples:

Non-activated effect[edit]

Some cards have effects that can Special Summon monsters without using a Chain Link. These effects often do still need to activate initially, but the Special Summon is performed later, outside of a Chain Link.

Examples:

  • Special Summoning "Revival Jam" during the player's next Standby Phase after its effect was activated
  • "Vicious Claw" applying its effect to return itself to the hand to prevent the equipped monster from being destroyed by battle, destroy a monster on the field, then Special Summon an "Evil Token"
  • "Synthetic Seraphim" applying its effect to Special Summon a "Synthetic Seraphim Token" immediately after a Counter Trap Card resolves

In other languages[edit]

"Special Summon" in languages other than English
Language NameRomanized
French Invocation Spéciale
German Spezialbeschwörung
Italian Evocazione Speciale
Portuguese Invocação-Especial
Spanish Invocación Especial
Japanese とくしゅしょうかんTokushu Shōkan
とくしゅしょうかん (kana)
特殊召喚 (base)
Korean 특수 소환Teuksu Sohwan
Chinese 特殊召喚Tèshū Zhàohuàn
Chinese (Simplified) 特殊召唤Tèshū Zhàohuàn
"(to) Special Summon" in languages other than English
Language Name
French Invoquer Spécialement
German beschwören als Spezialbeschwörung
Italian Evocare Specialmente
Portuguese Invocar por Invocação-Especial
Spanish Invocar de Modo Especial

References[edit]

  1. Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Official Rulebook (PDF) (Version 10 ed.). Konami. p. 25.
  2. a b c Tewart, Kevin (27 July 2011). "Problem-Solving Card Text, Part 5: Special Summons". Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Strategy Articles. Konami.