[[File:Infinite loop.gif|thumb|The famous infinite loop that allowed [[Yugi Muto]] to defeat "[[Slifer the Sky Dragon (anime)|Slifer the Sky Dragon]]"]]An '''Infinite Loopinfinite loop''' is a never-ending cycle of cards trying effects [[Activate|activating]] in [[Respond|response]] to resolveeach other, or a series of [[Continuous Effect]](s) that never settle.
Because There are two distinct types of this, a ruling was introduced that states you may not infinite loops: loops with no net change and loops with net change. Infinite loops contrast to [[activatecontrolled loop]] s, which instead are maintained by a card knowing that it will cause an Infinite Loop with ''No Net Change''player intentionally repeating a set of actions or making the same decisions, rather than forced by game mechanics.
* EXAMPLE #1: Player 1 has "[[Pole Position]]", "[[Luminous Spark]]" (+500 to [[LIGHT]])==Loops with no net change==These occur when a series of mandatory actions repeat after each other in a cycle, and "[[Gemini Elf]]" (1900 [[ATK]] / [[EARTH]]) face-up on the field. "Gemini Elf" there is no net change after each cycle, such that the monster on the field with the highest ATK, so it game state is unaffected by [[Spell Cards]]. If a Player Summons "[[X-Head Cannon]]" (1800 ATK / LIGHT), "Luminous Spark" will raise identical at the ATK beginning and end of "X-Head Cannon" to 2300any cycle. Previously, making it Upper Deck Entertainment rulings ruled that the highest ATK monster on the field, so player could not play a card if it's unaffected by Spell Cards due to "Pole Position", so it drops to 1800 ATK, then increases to 2300, then drops to 1800, etc. This would create voluntarily cause an Infinite Loopinfinite loop. Therefore, neither Player can Summon <ref name="XUDE P-Head Cannon". (Taken and edited slightly from R"Pole Position's" ruling page).** See >[[Card Rulingshttp:Pole Position|Pole Position's rulings]] for other examples of Infinite Loops with ''No Net Change''//web.archive.* EXAMPLE #2org/web/20090220140220/http: Player 1 used a card like "[[Snatch Steal]]" to take control of one of Player 2's monsters//entertainment. Afterward, if Player 2 summons "[[Cyber Blader]]" while Player 1 has three monsters (including the monster equipped with "Snatch Steal"), the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates "Snatch Steal" thus returning the stolen monster to Player 2upperdeck. This reduces the monsters on Player 1's side of the field and changes "Cyber Blader's" effect into doubling it's own attackcom/yugioh/en/gameplay/faqs/cardfaqs/default. As "Snatch Steal" is no longer negated, the equipped monster will return to Player 1 starting the process over again creating an infinite loop. ** If the conditions are right, (three monsters are on the opponent's field when "Cyber Blader" would be Summoned), then "Cyber Blader" cannot be Summoned. If "Cyber Blader" was already active, then "Snatch Steal" cannot be activated. ** If the infinite loop would not be active by a Player but instead by an uncontrollable means, the causing card is destroyed. *** If Player 1 has "[[Jam Breeding Machineaspx?first=P&last=R UDE FAQ]]" active, a monster stolen by the opponent by "Snatch Steal" and another monster, the opponent CAN Summon "Cyber Blader". In the case where the Player (Player 2) ends their turn and the turn of Player 1 has them Draw and go into Standby Phase where a Token would be created causing the Loop, the trigger card would be destroyed by : Individual Card Rulings [[Game mechanicsP-R]]. This could be "Cyber Blader", "Snatch Steal", or "Jam Breeding Machine". It would require a judge to determine the causing card but would most likely be "Jam Breeding Machine" due to that card's effect summoning the Token.</ref>
''Net Change'' is when The North and Latin American TCG Policy 2.1 amended this policy, allowing a player to voluntarily activate a card or effect, or place a monster on the field in a Loop is activated way that has a change occur for certainwould cause an infinite loop. After the Loop When an infinite loop is active caused, regardless of whether it was done voluntarily or involuntarily, it is first determined as to whether the loop would cause a victory condition; for example, if an infinite loop in which a Duelist draws 2 cards per iteration will continue until it stops producing eventually end in fulfilling a change and then victory condition for one of the card causing it will be destroyed by [[Game Mechanics]]Duelists.* EXAMPLE with If the infinite loop would ''Net Changenot'' #1: The cards "[[Morphing Jar 2|Morphing Jar #2]]"fulfill a victory condition, "[[All-Out Attacks]]"then each action in one iteration of the loop is performed a single time, and "[[Hiro's Shadow Scout]]" are face-down on your field. Activating "All-Out Attacks" will [[flip]] both your monsters face-up causing both effects then the card ruled to be the source of the infinite loop is automatically sent to activate and recycle. See the [[All-Out Attacks OTK]] page for full detailsGraveyard by game mechanics. Some other ideas If multiple cards are listed. When causing the loop , the most recently activated is unable sent to continue, the faulting card is destroyed Graveyard by Game Mechanicsgame mechanics. In this example, Any effects that activate as a result of these card(s) being sent to the destroyed card would be Graveyard proceed normally.<ref name="TCGPolicy2.1"All>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201118000152/https://img.yugioh-Out Attacks"card.com/en/gameplay/penalty_guide/YGOTCG_Policy_v_2_1.pdf Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.(KDE-US) Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy - North & Latin America Territories]: Loops [O]</ref>
When ===Pole Position===The mechanics of "Pole Position" naturally lend itself to causing such infinite loops when combined with Spell effects that directly or indirectly change a monster's [[ATK]] (see [[Card Rulings:Pole Position]] for further examples). ====Voluntary===="[[Pole Position]]", "[[Luminous Spark]]", and "[[Gemini Elf]]" (1900 ATK) are face-up on the field. If a player Summons "[[X-Head Cannon]]", the following would occur:* "X-Head Cannon" would be Summoned with 1800 ATK.* Since "X-Head Cannon" is a [[LIGHT]] monster, "Luminous Spark" increases its ATK by 500, to 2300.* "X-Head Cannon" is now the monster on the field with the highest ATK, so "Pole Position" makes it unaffected by Spell Cards.* "X-Head Cannon" is now unaffected by "Luminous Spark", reducing its ATK back to its [[original ATK]] of 1800.* "X-Head Cannon" is now no longer the monster on the field with the highest ATK, so it is no longer unaffected by Spell Cards.* "Luminous Spark" now increases the Loop ATK of "X-Head Cannon" by 500, to 2300.* "X-Head Cannon" is now the monster on the field with the highest ATK, so "Pole Position" makes it unaffected by Spell Cards.* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the ATK of "X-Head Cannon" never settling. '''controlled by a Old Ruling:''' The playeris not allowed to Summon "X-Head Cannon". '''New Ruling:'''The player is allowed to Summon "X-Head Cannon". As "[[Pole Position]]" is the card that is the primary cause of the loop, it will be sent to the Graveyard by [[game mechanics]] after the above sequence has been performed once.<ref name="UDE P-R"/><ref name="TCGPolicy2.1" /> "X-Head Cannon", the Loop can monster with the highest ATK after "Pole Position" has left the field, will then be stopped at any time destroyed by the effect of "Pole Position".{{fact}} ====Involuntary===="[[Pole Position]]", "[[Opticlops]]" (1800 ATK), and "[[Muka Muka]]" are face-up on the field. "Muka Muka" is equipped with "[[Axe of Despair]]", and its [[control]]ler has no cards in their [[hand]] (making "Muka Muka's" ATK 1600). When "Muka Muka's" controller conducts their [[normal draw]]:* "Muka Muka's" ATK becomes 1900.* "Muka Muka" is now the monster on the field with the highest ATK, so "Pole Position" makes it unaffected by Spell Cards.* "Muka Muka" is now unaffected by "Axe of Despair", reducing its ATK to 900.* "Muka Muka" is now no longer the monster on the field with the highest ATK, so it is no longer unaffected by that playerSpell Cards. As such* "Axe of Despair" now increases the ATK of "Muka Muka" by 1000, a Controlled Loop to 1900.* "Muka Muka" is legal for usenow the monster on the field with the highest ATK, so "Pole Position" makes it unaffected by Spell Cards. * EXAMPLE #1 The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the ATK of "Muka Muka" never settling. '''Old Ruling:''' Since the infinite loop was caused by the unavoidable normal draw, "Pole Position" is sent to the Graveyard by game mechanics. Due to a special ruling, ''no monster is destroyed by the effect of "Controlled LoopPole Position"''. '''New Ruling: The ''' As "[[Quillbolt LoopPole Position]]. This uses "Quillbolt Hedgehog's" ability is the card that is the primary cause of the loop, it will be sent to the Graveyard by [[Special Summongame mechanics]] itself after the above sequence has been performed once.<ref name="UDE P-R"/><ref name="TCGPolicy2.1" /> "Muka Muka", the monster with the highest ATK after "Pole Position" has left the field, will then be destroyed by having the effect of "Pole Position".{{fact}} Under the old UDE rulings for "Pole Position", only ''playing a card'' could be disallowed. If "[[Tuner monster|TunerBanner of Courage]] on " is the card causing the ATK fluctuations, the field turn player may still voluntarily enter their [[Battle Phase]] and follows send "Pole Position" to the Graveyard by having a game mechanics.<ref name="UDE P-R"/> ===Amplifier===The mechanics of "tribute for damageAmplifier" card naturally lend itself to causing such infinite loops when combined with Trap effects on the fieldthat change control of "Jinzo" or negate the effect of "Jinzo" or Trap Cards (see [[Card Rulings:Amplifier]] for the official examples). Using ====Control=========Voluntary=====Player 1 [[control]]s a "[[Jinzo]]" which is [[owner|owned]] by Player 2, but being controlled by Player 1 due to "[[Imperial Iron WallSnatch Steal]]" prevents . "Jinzo"Quillbolt Hedgehogis equipped with " from being [[removed from playAmplifier]]". Rinse and repeat If Player 1 activates "[[Imperial Order]]", the following would occur:* "Imperial Order" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal" ("Amplifier" cannot be negated).* Since "Snatch Steal" is now negated, control of "Jinzo" returns to its owner Player 2.* EXAMPLE #Since Player 2 now controls "Jinzo" (which is equipped with "Amplifier"), it negates the effect of Player 1's "Imperial Order".* Since "Imperial Order" is now negated, "Snatch Steal" is no longer negated, so Player 1 takes control of "Jinzo".* Since Player 1 now controls "Jinzo" (which is equipped with "Amplifier"), it no longer negates the effect of Player 1's "Imperial Order".* "Imperial Order" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal" ("Amplifier" cannot be negated).* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the player who controls "Jinzo" never settling. '''Old Ruling:''' Player 1 is not allowed to activate "Imperial Order". '''New Ruling:''' After Player 1 activates "Imperial Order" and causes the loop, whichever card is identified as the cause will be sent to the Graveyard by [[game mechanics]] (no official ruling has been issued as to which is the cause). =====Involuntary=====Player 1 [[control]]s a "Controlled Loop[[Jinzo]]": The which is [[Flintowner|owned]] by Player 2, but being controlled by Player 1 due to "[[EquipSnatch Steal]] Loop". This uses "Jinzo" is equipped with "[[FlintAmplifier]]" and two affected by "[[Effect Veiler]]". Player 1 also controls "[[Flint LockThe Emperor's Holiday]]". At the end of the turn, the following would occur:* "Effect Veiler" stops negating the effects of "Jinzo".* "The Emperor'sHoliday" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal" ("Amplifier" cannot be negated).* Since "Snatch Steal" is now negated, control of "Jinzo" returns to pass its owner Player 2.* Since Player 2 now controls "Jinzo" (which is equipped with "Amplifier"), it negates the effect of Player 1's "The Emperor's Holiday".* Since "The Emperor's Holiday" is now negated, "Snatch Steal" is no longer negated, so Player 1 takes control of "Jinzo".* Since Player 1 now controls "Jinzo"Flint(which is equipped with " back Amplifier"), it no longer negates the effect of Player 1's "The Emperor's Holiday".* "The Emperor's Holiday" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal" ("Amplifier" cannot be negated).* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the player who controls "Jinzo" never settling. '''Old and forthNew Rulings:''' Since this loop was caused by the natural end of the turn, it cannot be prevented by restricting the player's actions. Since the loop cannot be avoided, whichever card is identified as the cause will be sent to the Graveyard by [[game mechanics]] (no official ruling has been issued as to which is the cause). The ====Negation=========Voluntary=====Player 1 controls "[[Spell CardSkill Drain]] " and a "[[Morale BoostJinzo]]" is used to gain 1000 equipped with "[[Life PointsAmplifier]] every time an ". If Player 2 attempts to activate "[[Equip CardRoyal Decree]] ", the following would occur:* "Royal Decree" negates the effect of "Skill Drain".* Since "Skill Drain" is equippedno longer negating "Jinzo", "Jinzo" negates the effect of "Royal Decree". Because * Since "Royal Decree" is no Equip card leaves longer negating "Skill Drain", "Skill Drain" negates the fieldeffect of "Jinzo".* Since "Jinzo" is no longer negating "Royal Decree", "Royal Decree" negates the 1000 Life Point loss effect of "Skill Drain".* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with which effect is active never reachedsettling. This allows a player '''Old Ruling:''' Player 2 is not allowed to gain infinite Life Points while activate "Royal Decree". '''New Ruling:''' After Player 2 activates "Royal Decree", whichever card is identified as the cause of the opponent may loop will be powerless sent to the Graveyard by [[game mechanics]]. =====Involuntary=====Player 1 controls "[[Skill Drain]]". Player 2 [[control]]s a "[[Jinzo]]" which is [[owner|owned]] by Player 1, but being controlled by Player 2 due to stop it"[[Mind Control]]". Combined "Jinzo" is equipped with "[[Fire PrincessAmplifier]]". Player 2 also controls "[[Royal Decree]]". During the [[End Phase]], the following would occur:* "Mind Control" stops applying, so control of "Jinzo" returns to Player 1.* Since Player 1 now controls "Jinzo", "Amplifier" no longer prevents "Jinzo" from negating "Royal Decree", and prevents "Jinzo" from negating "Skill Drain".* Since it is no longer being negated, this creates an OTK"Skill Drain" negates the effect of "Jinzo".* Since "Jinzo" is no longer negating "Royal Decree", "Royal Decree" negates the effect of "Skill Drain".* Since "Skill Drain" is no longer negating "Jinzo", "Jinzo" negates the effect of "Royal Decree".* Since "Royal Decree" is no longer negating "Skill Drain", "Skill Drain" negates the effect of "Jinzo".* EXAMPLEThe above sequence would repeat infinitely, with which effect is active never settling. '''Old and New Rulings:''' Since the loop cannot be avoided, whichever card is identified as the cause will be sent to the Graveyard by [[game mechanics]] (sno official ruling has been issued as to which is the cause) #. ===Cyber Blader===Originally, the "3 monsters" effect of a "Controlled Loop[[Cyber Blader]]"could negate Continuous Effects, leading to the possibility of infinite loops. This was addressed in the ''OCG'' with the erratum issued in ''[[Dimension Box Limited Edition]]'', but persisted for several more years in the ''TCG'' until the same erratum was issued in ''[[Speed Duel GX: Using Duel Academy Box]]''. ====Voluntary====Player 1 [[control]]s three monsters, one of which is [[owner|owned]] by Player 2, but being controlled by Player 1 due to "[[Butterfly Dagger - ElmaSnatch Steal]]" and . Originally, if Player 2 Summoned "[[Gearfried the Iron KnightCyber Blader]]", the following would have occurred:* Since Player 1 controls three monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal". The equipped monster returns to Player 2's control.* Since Player 1 now controls two monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" instead doubles its ATK. Each time The effect of "Butterfly Dagger - ElmaSnatch Steal" is no longer negated, so Player 1 gains control of the equipped monster.* Since Player 1 now controls three monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal". The equipped monster returns to Player 2's control.* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the player who controls the monster equipped with "Snatch Steal" never settling. '''Old Ruling:''' Player 2 was not allowed to Summon "Cyber Blader". '''New Ruling:''' Whichever card was identified as the cause would have been sent to the Graveyard by [[equipgame mechanics]]ed . ====Involuntary====Player 1 [[control]]s two monsters, one of which is [[owner|owned]] by Player 2, but being controlled by Player 1 due to "Gearfried [[Snatch Steal]]". Player 1 also controls "[[Jam Breeding Machine]]". Player 2 controls "Cyber Blader". Under the original effect, during Player 1's [[Standby Phase]], the Iron Knightfollowing would have occurred:* The mandatory effect of "Jam Breeding Machine" Special Summons a " it is [[destroySlime Token]]ed by "Gearfried to Player 1's field.* Since Player 1 controls three monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates the Iron Knighteffect of "Snatch Steal". The equipped monster returns to Player 2'scontrol.* Since Player 1 now controls two monsters, the effect of " Cyber Blader" instead doubles its ATK. The effect of "Snatch Steal" is no longer negated, so Player 1 gains control of the equipped monster.* Since Player 1 now controls three monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal". The equipped monster returns to Player 2's control.* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the player who controls the monster equipped with "Snatch Steal" never settling. '''Old and New Rulings:''' Since the loop could not be avoided, whichever card was identified as the cause would have been sent to the Graveyard by [[graveyardgame mechanics]](no official ruling was issued, but it would have likely been either "[[Snatch Steal]]" or "[[Cyber Blader]]"). ===In video games===Certain video games may implement their own rulings for infinite loops, or fail to recognize them leading to a crash{{fact}} or a softlock. For example, ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters: World Championship Tournament 2006]]'' does the following:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Ff82erD3E|title=Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters 2006 Glitch Compilation - Loops & More! (World Championship Tournament)|date=October 2, 2019|website=YouTube|publisher=Scrub Busta}}</ref>*PLEASE NOTE that all these Both of the above "Cyber Blader" examples only work in softlock the Traditional game due . The monster equipped with "Snatch Steal" will display a never-ending animation of repeatedly changing sides, forcing the player to reset or turn off the game.* In at least the two voluntary "Amplifier" examples, the game will automatically destroy "Imperial Order"Butterfly Dagger - Elmaor "Royal Decree" being Bannedafter several loops in order to end the loop.*Interestingly, the infinite loop detection function appears to be built into (at least) the programming of "Royal Decree". For example, if a "Cyber Blader" loop occurs while "Royal Decree" is on the field, the game will destroy "Royal Decree" after several loops, even though it has no effect on the loop and the loop continues afterward as a softlock. ** One In ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel]]'', if an infinite loop occurs (even if it has a net change), the game will generally stop it automatically somewhere around the 10th loop for those consisting of activations,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSm3-gYl_jc|title=Will This INFINITE LOOP BREAK MASTER DUEL? {{!}} Yu-Gi-Oh! Ruling Twitch Highlight|date=February 15, 2022|website=YouTube|publisher=DistantCoder}}</ref> or the 16th step if it is caused by never-ending Continuous Effects. In the latter case, one of the cards involved in the loop will also be destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOoG3XyrnJg|title=This INFINITE LOOP BLEW MY MIND! {{!}} Yu-Gi-Oh! Ruling Twitch Highlight|date=February 23, 2022|website=YouTube|publisher=DistantCoder}}</ref> ==Loops with net change==Unlike loops with no net change, loops with net change cause a change to occur each time the cycle repeats. In these cases, the loop will continue until either the Duel ends or it ceases to have net change; if the latter, at this point the card ruled to have begun the loop will be automatically destroyed by game mechanics. ===All-Out Attacks===[[All-Out Attacks OTK]]s utilize a loop with net change to force the opponent to continuously thin their Deck (either by drawing cards or sending cards from the Deck to the Graveyard), eventually resulting in a [[Deck out]]. ====End by the player user Duel ending====Player 1 controls a face-down "[[FaceAll-Out Attacks]]" and a face-updown "[[Morphing Jar 2|Morphing Jar #2]] " and "[[Royal Magical LibraryHiro's Shadow Scout]]" that were Special Summoned. Player 1 has no monsters left in their Deck. If Player 1 activates "All-Out Attacks", the following will occur:* Player 1's face-down monsters will be flipped face-up, causing both their effects to activate.* The effect of "Hiro's Shadow Scout" will make the opponent draw 3 cards.* The effect of "Morphing Jar #2" will return both flipped monsters back to the Deck, and Player 1 will then [[reveal]] cards from the decktop of his/her Deck until revealing two monsters. Since the only two monsters in Player 1's Deck are the two that were just returned, they will be the ones revealed.* The two revealed monsters will be Special Summoned face-down to Player 1's field.* Player 1's "All-Out Attacks" will then again flip the two monsters face-up, causing both their effects to activate.* The effect of "Hiro's Shadow Scout" will again make the opponent draw 3 cards.* "Morphing Jar #2" will continue to return the two monsters to the Deck and reset them face-down onto the field, where "All-Out Attacks" will flip them.* This infinite loop repeats until Player 2 has drawn close to their whole Deck, at which point the effect of "Hiro's Shadow Scout" will force Player 2 to draw when they do not have enough cards in their Deck. This will cause Player 2 to lose the Duel due to a [[Deck out]]. ====End with no net change====Player 1 controls a face-down "[[All-Out Attacks]]" and a face-down "[[spell CardMorphing Jar 2|Morphing Jar #2]] was " and "[[Needle Worm]]" that were Special Summoned. Player 1 has no monsters left in their Deck. If Player 1 activates "All-Out Attacks", the following will occur:* Player 1's face-down monsters will be flipped, causing both their effects to activate.* The effect of "Needle Worm" will make the opponent [[mill]] 5 cards.* The effect of "Morphing Jar #2" will return both flipped monsters back to the Deck, and Player 1 will then [[reveal]]d cards from the top of his/her Deck until revealing two monsters. Since the only two monsters in Player 1's Deck are the two that were just returned, they will be the ones revealed.* The two revealed monsters will be Special Summoned face-down to Player 1's field.* Player 1's "All-Out Attacks" will then again flip the two monsters face-up, causing both their effects to activate.* The effect of "Needle Worm" will again make the opponent mill 5 cards.* "Morphing Jar #2" will continue to return the two monsters to the Deck and reset them face-down onto the field, where "All-Out Attacks" will flip them.* This infinite loop repeats until Player 2 has milled their whole Deck, at which point the effect of "Needle Worm" ceases to cause the opponent to mill any cards. The loop now has no net change. At this point, just as with infinite loops with no net change, the card that began the loop, "Royal Magical LibraryAll-Out Attacks" gains , would be sent to the Graveyard by game mechanics. Once Player 1 ends their turn, Player 2 will be unable to draw a card during their Draw Phase and will lose the Duel. ===Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon===There is a very simple infinite loop involving "[[Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon]]" and "[[Spell CounterBeelze of the Diabolic Dragons]]" that ends with the end of the Duel. If Player 1 controls "Butterfly Dagger Red- ElmaEyes Flare Metal Dragon" while Player 2 controls "Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons", and the effect of "Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons" is returned [[activate]]d:* Immediately after the effect of Player 2's "Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons" resolves, Player 1's "Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon" will inflict 500 damage to Player 2.* Due to taking damage from an opponent's card effect, the mandatory effect of Player 2's "Beelze of the hand Diabolic Dragons" activates, and it gains ATK.* Immediately after the effect of Player 2's "Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons" resolves, Player 1's "Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon" will inflict 500 damage to Player 2.* This infinite loop is repeatedrepeats until Player 2 runs out of [[Life Point]]s. This will cause Player 2 to lose the Duel. ==Special rulings to prevent infinite loops==Some cards have special rulings to prevent them from causing infinite loops. When ===Destiny HERO - Departed===While "Royal Magical Library[[King Tiger Wanghu]]" has three spell counters you is [[face-up]] on the [[field]] (and its effect is not [[draw negate]]d), unless a cardeffect would make the [[ATK]] of "[[Destiny HERO - Departed]]" greater than 1400 when [[Special Summon]]ed, its effect to Special Summon itself will not activate.<ref name="UDE D-E">[http://web.archive.org/web/20090218205242/http://entertainment.upperdeck.com/yugioh/en/gameplay/faqs/cardfaqs/default. Repeataspx?first=D&last=E UDE FAQ]: Individual Card Rulings [D-E]</ref> If this ruling were not in place, the following would happen during the [[Standby Phase]]:* The [[mandatory effect]] of "Destiny HERO - Departed" activates, Special Summoning itself from the [[Graveyard]] to its [[owner]]'s opponent's side of the [[field]].* The mandatory effect of "King Tiger Wanghu" activates, destroying "Destiny HERO - Departed".*The mandatory effect of "Destiny HERO - Departed" activates, Special Summoning itself from the Graveyard to its owner's opponent's side of the field.* Another option uses The above sequence would repeat infinitely. This ruling does not take net change into consideration, so "Destiny HERO - Departed" will not be Special Summoned even if "[[Cyber Summon Blaster]]" and "[[Spell AbsorptionDNA Surgery]]"([[declare|declaring]] [[Machine]]) are active. This allows you ruling can also be extrapolated to gain 500 cover "Destiny HERO - Departed" with a nonzero ATK of 2000 or less while the player controls "[[Life PointsSlifer the Sky Dragon]] whenever ". ==In the anime==The anime shows some infinite loops with net change used to end a Spell duel. * In [[Yu-Gi-Oh! - Episode 067|episode 67]] of ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'', [[Yami Yugi]] used the effects of [[Strings]]' "[[Slifer the Sky Dragon (anime)|Slifer the Sky Dragon]]", "[[Revival Jam (anime)|Revival Jam]]", and "[[Card of Safe Return (anime)|Card is activatedof Safe Return]]" against him by attacking "Revival Jam", causing it to regenerate, then taking control of it by "[[Brain Control (anime)|Brain Control]]" so that while it regenerates, it does so on Yami's side of the field, forcing "Slifer" to attack and destroy "Revival Jam" over and over. This allows you caused "Card of Safe Return" to have neigh infinite Life Points make Strings continuously draw from his Deck until he got a [[Deck out]] and lost the Duel.* In [[Yu-Gi-Oh! - Episode 182|episode 182]] of ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'', Yami Yugi used the effects of "[[Legendary Knight Critias (anime)|Legendary Knight Critias]]" (which had absorbed the effect of "[[Attack Guidance Barrier]]") and can be changed "[[Legendary Knight Hermos (anime)|Legendary Knight Hermos]]" to continuously redirect attacks between them while another effect of "Hermos" increased its ATK each time. By anime mechanics, this caused the ATK of "Hermos" to become [[∞]].* In [[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX - Episode 064|episode 64]] of ''GX'', [[Syrus Truesdale]] uses "[[Decoyroid (anime)|Decoyroid]]" to a force [[Tyranno Hassleberry]]'s "[[OTKUltimate Tyranno (character)|Ultimate Tyranno]] " to attack it. After that card is destroyed by battle, it's revived with a card such as the effects of "[[Ambulanceroid (anime)|Ambulanceroid]]" and "[[Fire PrincessRescueroid (anime)|Rescueroid]]".The net change in this loop is provided by "[[Cyber Summon Blaster (anime)|Cyber Summon Blaster]]" which inflicts 300 damage to Hassleberry every time "Decoyroid" is re-Summoned. The loop is maintained due to "Ultimate Tyranno's" effect that forces it to attack every monster once each, if able. ==In the manga==The manga shows an infinite loop with net change. * EXAMPLE #4 In [[Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist - Duel 117|Duel 117]] of ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist]]'', [[Dark Yugi (manga)|Dark Yugi]] used the effects of the [[Doll (manga)|Doll]]'s "[[Slifer the Sky Dragon (manga)|Slifer the Sky Dragon]]", "[[Revival Jam (manga)|Revival Jam]]", and "[[Card of Safe Return (manga)|Card of Safe Return]]" against him by attacking "Revival Jam", causing it to regenerate, then taking control of it by "[[Brain Control (manga)|Brain Control]]" so that while it regenerates, it does so on Yami's side of a the field, forcing "Slifer" to attack and destroy "Revival Jam" over and over. This caused "Controlled LoopCard of Safe Return": See to make the Doll continuously draw from his Deck until he got a [[Elemental HERO Gustaph Max OTKDeck out]]and lost the Duel. ==References==<references/>
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[[Category:Gameplay]]
