Card Rulings:Skill Drain

"Skill Drain":

• Gallery
• Rulings
• Errata
• Artworks
• Tips
• Trivia
• Appearances

TCG Rulings

• Paying 1000 Life Points is a cost.

On Negating Activated Effects

• "Skill Drain" will negate Flip Effects, and you can chain the activation of "Skill Drain" to the activation of a Flip Effect, but you cannot activate "Skill Drain" in the Damage Step because it does not specifically modify ATK or DEF, so you cannot chain "Skill Drain" to a Flip Effect that is activated because a monster was attacked while face-down.

• If you Flip Summon "Spear Cretin" while "Skill Drain" is active, "Spear Cretin"'s effect is negated when it is sent to the Graveyard because it is a Flip Effect and "Skill Drain" negates Flip Effects.

• "Skill Drain" negates Quick Effects such as "Dark Paladin" and "Ryu Senshi".

• Spirit Monsters are not returned to the owner's hand while "Skill Drain" is active.

• If a face-down "Kiseitai" is attacked while "Skill Drain" is active, the effect of "Kiseitai" is negated, damage calculation is performed, and "Kiseitai" will not equip itself to the attacking monster. But if "Kiseitai" is already an Equip Spell Card, and "Skill Drain" is activated, "Kiseitai" is unaffected because it is no longer an Effect Monster.

• A Union Monster that attached itself to another monster before "Skill Drain" became active is unaffected by "Skill Drain". If "Skill Drain" is active, you can activate a Union Monster's effect to attach it to another monster, but nothing happens and it remains a monster.

• Balloon Lizard: While "Skill Drain" is active, you can't put new counters on "Balloon Lizard".

• Destiny Hero - Captain Tenacious: If "Skill Drain" is active during the Standby Phase when this effect resolves, this effect will be negated, even if "Skill Drain" was activated after your "Destiny Hero" monster was destroyed.

• Light and Darkness Dragon: If "Light and Darkness Dragon" is Summoned or flipped face-up while "Skill Drain" is active, "Light and Darkness Dragon's" first effect will be negated. Its second effect will still activate whenever a Spell, Trap, or effect of an Effect Monster is activated, but the effect of “Light and Darkness Dragon” will be negated so the activation of the Spell, Trap, or effect of an Effect Monster will not be negated and "Light and Darkness Dragon" will not lose ATK or DEF. Its third effect that activates when it is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard will not be negated because this effect activates and resolves while "Light and Darkness Dragon" is not on the field.

• Majestic Mech - Goryu / Majestic Mech - Ohka / Majestic Mech - Senku: If "Skill Drain" is active during the End Phase, it will negate the effects of a "Majestic Mech" so the "Majestic Mech" will not send itself to the Graveyard.

On Negating Continuous/Non-Chainable Effects

• While "Skill Drain" is active you cannot Tribute a face-up "Kaiser Sea Horse" to Tribute Summon a Level 7 or higher LIGHT monster. However, you can Tribute a face-down "Kaiser Sea Horse".

• Restrictions are also lifted, so you can attack with "Ultimate Obedient Fiend" even if you have other cards on your side of the field.

• Toon Monsters' effects are negated while "Skill Drain" is active and the Toon Monster is on the field, so they can attack the same turn they are Summoned, you do not have to pay 500 Life Points to attack with them, and they are not destroyed if "Toon World" is destroyed, but they cannot attack your opponent directly.

• "Jinzo" cannot negate Trap Cards while "Skill Drain" is already active, because "Skill Drain" is negating "Jinzo"'s effect. But if "Jinzo" is already on the field, you cannot activate "Skill Drain" because "Jinzo"'s effect prevents you from doing so.

• "Goblin Attack Force" and "Spear Dragon" do not change their battle position after attacking while "Skill Drain" is active. If "Goblin Attack Force" attacks and changes battle position, then on your next turn you activate "Skill Drain", you can change "Goblin Attack Force" back to Attack Position because its effect that prevents this is negated.

• Monsters equipped to "Relinquished" while "Skill Drain" is active are negated and destroyed because "Relinquished" no longer has an effect that allows it to be equipped with a monster, and "Relinquished"'s ATK and DEF are returned to normal.

• Monsters that can hold Spell Counters, like "Skilled Dark Magician", no longer have that effect while "Skill Drain" is active, so they cannot gain more Spell Counters and all Spell Counters already placed on them are removed.

• If "Skill Drain" is activated after "Hayabusa Knight"'s first attack, "Hayabusa Knight" does not get its second attack.

• Do not roll dice for Archfiends while "Skill Drain" is active.

• You can have 2 "Gravekeeper's Chiefs" on the field while "Skill Drain" is active, but if "Skill Drain" is destroyed, select 1 of the "Gravekeeper's Chiefs" and destroy it.

• Alien Hypno: If you take control of your opponent’s monster with “Alien Hypno” and “Skill Drain” is activated, control of the selected monster is returned to the opponent. If “Skill Drain” is later negated or removed from the field, the selected monster is returned to your control.

• Arcana Force Ex - The Light Ruler: If "Skill Drain" is activated after "Arcana Force EX - The Light Ruler" is Special Summoned, the effect of "Arcana Force EX - The Light Ruler" is negated. If "Skill Drain" is later negated or removed from the field, the effect of "Arcana Force EX - The Light Ruler" is not reapplied.

• Archlord Kristya: If "Skill Drain" is active, the effect to return "Archlord Kristya" to the Deck will not apply.

• Armor Exe: If "Skill Drain" is active and "Armor Exe" is Summoned, or if "Skill Drain" is activated after "Armor Exe" is Summoned, in both cases "Armor Exe" CAN attack the same turn it was Summoned.

• Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor: If the effect of “Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor” is being negated by “Skill Drain” you can use it for a Synchro Summon while it is on the field.

• Crystal Beasts: While "Skill Drain" is active on the field, a "Crystal Beast" monster that is destroyed will be sent to the Graveyard and cannot be put in the Spell & Trap Card Zone.

• Dark Catapulter: If "Skill Drain" is activated, all counters on "Dark Catapulter" are removed for no effect.

• Dark Hunter: While "Skill Drain" is active, all of "Dark Hunter's" effects are negated because the primary effect, "This card's effect changes depending on the number of DARK monsters in your Graveyard", is negated.

• Dark Magician of Chaos: While "Skill Drain" is active, the first and second effects of "Dark Magician of Chaos" are negated, but the 3rd effect is not negated.

• Dark Paladin: "Dark Paladin"'s +500 ATK effect is a Continuous Effect. While "Skill Drain" is active, the effects of "Dark Paladin" are negated.

• Doom Shaman: If "Doom Shaman" leaves the field while its effect is negated by "Skill Drain", etc., monsters Special Summoned by its effect will not be destroyed.

• Elemental Hero Neo Bubbleman: If "Skill Drain" is active, this card is no longer treated as "Elemental Hero Bubbleman".

• Elemental Hero Wildheart: For "Elemental Hero Wildheart" vs. "Skill Drain", whichever effect was active on the field first takes precedence. So if "Elemental Hero Wildheart" is on the field and "Skill Drain" is activated, his effect is not negated. But if "Skill Drain" is on the field and "Elemental Hero Wildheart" is Summoned, his effect is negated by "Skill Drain" as long as "Skill Drain" remains on the field.

• Fox Fire: While "Skill Drain" is active, you can Tribute "Fox Fire" for a Tribute Summon.

• Gladiator Beast Darius: While "Skill Drain" is active, if "Gladiator Beast Darius" is removed from the field, the Special Summoned "Gladiator Beast" monster will remain on the field. If the Special Summoned "Gladiator Beast" monster attacks or is attacked, and it is returned to the Deck to activate its effect, the effect will not be negated because "Gladiator Beast Darius'" effects are being negated by "Skill Drain".

• Gladiator Beast Dimacari: If "Gladiator Beast Dimacari" is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladiator Beast" monster, it can attack twice during the Battle Phase. If "Skill Drain" is later activated, this effect is negated and "Gladiator Beast Dimacari" will no longer be able to attack twice with its effect. Even if "Skill Drain" is later negated or removed from the field, "Gladiator Beast Dimacari's" effect to attack twice during the Battle Phase will not be reapplied.

• Gora Turtle of Illusion: If "Gora Turtle of Illusion" is equipped with "Snatch Steal", both effects of "Snatch Steal" are negated. But if "Skill Drain" is activated, then "Gora Turtle of Illusion"'s effect is negated, and "Snatch Steal"'s effects will resolve properly.

• Harpie Queen: If "Skill Drain" is active on the field, while "Harpie Queen" is on the field its name will not be treated as "Harpie Lady".

• Infernity Necromancer: If "Skill Drain" is active, the effect that lets "Infernity Necromancer" to gain the effect to Special Summon monsters is negated, so you cannot activate the effect to Special Summon 1 "Infernity" monster.

• Kasha: If "Skill Drain" is activated, the ATK of "Kasha" becomes 0 and stays at 0 even if "Skill Drain" is later removed from the field.

• Mataza the Zapper: While "Skill Drain" is active, you can take control of "Mataza the Zapper" from your opponent.

• Morphtronic Boomboxen: While "Skill Drain" is active, the Attack Position and Defense Position effects of "Morphtronic Boomboxen" cannot be activated, because the "While in Attack Position" and "While in Defense Position" effects are negated.

• Morphtronic Cameran: While "Skill Drain" is active, the Attack Position and Defense Position effects of "Morphtronic Cameran" cannot be activated, because the "While in Attack Position" and "While in Defense Position" effects are negated. If "Morphtronic Cameran" is destroyed by battle while in Attack Position, its effect will not activate because it was destroyed by battle while its "While in Attack Position" effect was being negated.

• Morphtronic Celfon: While "Skill Drain" is active, the Attack Position and Defense Position effects of "Morphtronic Celfon" cannot be activated, because the "While in Attack Position" and "While in Defense Position" effects are negated.

• Morphtronic Clocken: While "Skill Drain" is active, the Attack Position and Defense Position effects of "Morphtronic Radion" cannot be activated, because the "While in Attack Position" and "While in Defense Position" effects are negated.

• Morphtronic Datatron: While "Skill Drain" is active, the Attack Position and Defense Position effects of "Morphtronic Datatron" cannot be activated, because the "While in Attack Position" and "While in Defense Position" effects are negated.

• Morphtronic Magnen: While "Skill Drain" is active, the Attack Position and Defense Position effects of "Morphtronic Magnen" cannot be activated, because the "While in Attack Position" and "While in Defense Position" effects are negated.

• Morphtronic Radion: While "Skill Drain" is active, the Attack Position and Defense Position effects of "Morphtronic Radion" cannot be activated, because the "While in Attack Position" and "While in Defense Position" effects are negated.

• Neo-Spacian Glow Moss: If "Neo-Spacian Glow Moss" attacks directly with its effect and "Skill Drain" is activated in response, "Neo-Spacian Glow Moss" can no longer attack directly and (another) replay will occur.

• Phantom Dragon: If you have 1 face-up "Phantom Dragon" while "Skill Drain" is active, when your opponent Special Summons a monster you can Special Summon another "Phantom Dragon" into one of the Monster Card Zones that was made unusable by the negated "Phantom Dragon".

• Power Supplier: If "Skill Drain" is activated, monsters targeted by "Power Supplier" lose the +400 ATK. If "Skill Drain" is removed from the field, the effect of "Power Supplier" is reapplied and the targeted monsters will regain the +400 ATK.

• Proto-Cyber Dragon: If "Skill Drain" is active, this card is no longer treated as "Cyber Dragon". You could not use it for "Attack Reflector Unit", etc.

• Silent Insect: If "Silent Insect" is face-up on the field, you can activate "Skill Drain" by paying 1000 Life Points, but its effect will be negated. If "Skill Drain" is active on the field when you Normal or Flip Summon "Silent Insect", its effects are negated and it will remain in Attack Position.

• Spirit Reaper: If "Skill Drain" is active, "Spirit Reaper" can be equiped with Equip Cards, but if "Skill Drain" is later removed from the field "Spirit Reaper" will be destroyed.

• Spirit Reaper: "Spirit Reaper" can be destroyed as a result of battle while "Skill Drain" is active.

• The Unhappy Girl: If "The Unhappy Girl" applies her effect to a monster, and "Skill Drain" is then activated and resolves, and "Skill Drain" is then destroyed afterwards, then "The Unhappy Girl"'s effect is re-applied and the monster that battled with her before "Skill Drain" was activated cannot attack or change battle position once again.

• Vennominaga the Deity of Poisonous Snakes: If "Skill Drain" is already active on the field when Vennominaga is Special Summoned, the effect of Vennominaga is negated.

If the Monster is Not Face-Up

• "Skill Drain" will not negate an Ignition Effect or Trigger Effect if the Effect Monster is not face-up on the field when the effect resolves.

• "Skill Drain" does not stop you from activating Ignition Effects, but it does negate their effects as long as the Effect Monster remains on the field.
  • If you Tribute "Cannon Soldier" to itself while "Skill Drain" is active, "Cannon Soldier"'s effect is not negated because "Cannon Soldier" is in the Graveyard, but if you Tribute a different monster for "Cannon Soldier"'s effect, then the effect is negated and your opponent takes no damage.
  • Likewise, if you activate "Winged Minion"'s effect while "Skill Drain" is active, "Winged Minion" is no longer on the field and its effect resolves.
  • If you activate "Exiled Force"'s effect while "Skill Drain" is active, "Exiled Force" is no longer on the field and you can select and destroy 1 monster on the field.
  • If you Tribute "Paladin of White Dragon" to activate its effect while "Skill Drain" is active, it is no longer on the field and you can Special Summon "Blue-Eyes White Dragon".
  • If you Tribute "Great Dezard" while "Skill Drain" is active, it is no longer on the field and you can Special Summon "Fushioh Richie".

• Big Shield Gardna: "Skill Drain" only negates the effects of monsters that are face-up on the field, so a face-down "Big Shield Gardna" may still negate a Spell Card that targets it while "Skill Drain" is active on the field. It will still be flipped to face-up Defense Position, and now its effect that changes its battle position when it is attacked will be negated.

• Doomcaliber Knight: If "Doomcaliber Knight's" effect activates while "Skill Drain" is face-up on the field, its effect is not negated because it is not on the field when its effect resolves.

• Winged Kuriboh LV10: You can activate the effect of "Winged Kuriboh LV10" if "Skill Drain" is on the field, and its effect will resolve normally and not be negated, because it is no longer a face-up monster on the field.

On Removing Lingering Effects which Modify ATK/DEF

• When a monster's ATK or DEF are changed by its own effect, like "Slate Warrior" or "Berserk Dragon", and "Skill Drain" is activated, that monster's effect is negated and the ATK/DEF are returned to normal. Even if "Skill Drain" is then destroyed, the old adjustment to ATK/DEF does not come back. Any bonuses or penalties are lost when "Skill Drain" effect is applied, and you have to start over from the beginning.

• If your opponent uses "Bazoo the Soul-Eater"'s effect to increase its ATK, and you use "Skill Drain", "Bazoo the Soul-Eater"'s ATK returns to normal, even if "Skill Drain" is destroyed after resolving. If "Skill Drain" is negating "Bazoo the Soul-Eater"'s effect, you can still pay the cost and remove monsters in your Graveyard from play, but "Bazoo the Soul-Eater"'s ATK will not increase.

• The effects of "Zombyra the Dark" are negated while "Skill Drain" is active, so "Zombyra the Dark" can attack your opponent directly, and its ATK is not decreased because of its effect. If "Skill Drain" is destroyed, "Zombyra the Dark"'s ATK is not changed.

• The ATK and DEF of "Gradius' Option", the ATK of "Maju Garzett", and similar monsters is 0 while "Skill Drain" is active, and is not restored even if "Skill Drain" is destroyed.

• Behemoth the King of All Animals: If you Tribute Summon "Behemoth the King of All Animals" with 1 Tribute, and "Skill Drain" is activated, its ATK becomes 2700 points. Even if "Skill Drain" is destroyed, the ATK remains at 2700 points.

• Berserk Dragon: While "Skill Drain" is active, "Berserk Dragon"'s effects are negated. But "Berserk Dragon"'s effect doesn't count turns, so if "Skill Drain" was active for 4 turns, and is then destroyed, do not reduce "Berserk Dragon"'s ATK for those 4 turns.

• Card Trooper: If "Skill Drain" is activated after "Card Trooper's" first effect has been activated, the increase in ATK will be negated. Even if "Skill Drain" leaves play, the increase in ATK will not return.

• Crusader of Endymion: If "Skill Drain" is activated, this card loses any ATK gained from its own effect.

• Darkblaze Dragon: If "Skill Drain" is face-up on the field when "Darkblaze Dragon" is Special Summoned from the Graveyard, or if "Skill Drain" is activated after "Darkblaze Dragon" is Special Summoned from the Graveyard, "Skill Drain" will negate "Darkblaze Dragon's" effect that doubles its original ATK and DEF to create a new current ATK and DEF. If "Skill Drain" is later negated or removed from the field, the original ATK and DEF are not doubled again.

• Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca: If "Skill Drain" is activated, this card loses any ATK gained from its effect and will not regain it even if "Skill Drain" later leaves the field.

• Exodia Necross: While "Skill Drain" is active, "Exodia Necross"' ATK is returned to its original 1800 points. Even if "Skill Drain" then leaves play, "Exodia Necross" does no [sic] regain any ATK increases it had because of its effect, but it will begin to accumulate ATK points again.

• Exodia Necross: While "Skill Drain" is active, "Exodia Necross" is not destroyed if Exodia pieces are removed from the Graveyard, but it will be destroyed if the effect of "Skill Drain" disappears.

• Felgrand Dragon: If "Skill Drain" is face-up on the field when "Felgrand Dragon" is Special Summoned, or if "Skill Drain" is activated after "Felgrand Dragon" is Special Summoned, "Skill Drain" will negate "Felgrand Dragon's" ATK gaining effect. If "Skill Drain" is later negated or removed from the field, the ATK gain is not reapplied.

• Fusilier Dragon, the Dual-Mode Beast: If you Summoned this card without Tribute, and then "Skill Drain" is later activated, the ATK and DEF are no longer halved. If "Skill Drain" is later destroyed, the ATK and DEF still remain 2800/2000. You can Normal Summon Fusilier Dragon without Tributing monsters while Skill Drain is face-up on the field as it only targets Effect monsters on the field. Skill Drain will then negate Fusilier Dragon's ATK and DEF reducing effect, increasing it to 2800/2000.

• Garlandolf, King of Destruction: If "Skill Drain" is later activated, "Garlandolf, King of Destruction" will lose any ATK gained from its own effect and will not regain it if "Skill Drain" is destroyed.

• Gigantic Cephalotus: If "Skill Drain" is active, "Gigantic Cephalotus" loses any ATK gained by its effect. The ATK is not regained when "Skill Drain" is negated or removed from the field.

• Gladiator Beast Hoplomus: If "Gladiator Beast Hoplomus" is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladiator Beast" monster, its original DEF becomes 2400. If "Skill Drain" is later activated, this effect is negated and "Gladiator Beast Hoplomus" original DEF will return to 2100. Even if "Skill Drain" is later negated or removed from the field, the original DEF of "Gladiator Beast Hoplomus" will remain at 2100.

• Gladiator Beast Laquari: If "Gladiator Beast Laquari" is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladiator Beast" monster, its Original ATK and DEF|original ATK]] becomes 2100. If "Skill Drain" is later activated, this effect is negated and "Gladiator Beast Laquari's" original ATK will return to 1800. Even if "Skill Drain" is later negated or removed from the field, the original ATK of "Gladiator Beast Laquari" will remain at 1800.

• Greed Quasar: If “Skill Drain” is activated, “Greed Quasar” loses any extra Levels it has. Even if “Skill Drain” is destroyed, the extra Levels remain lost.

• Legendary Fiend: While "Skill Drain" is active, the ATK gain disappears. When "Skill Drain" is negated or removed from the field, the ATK gain is not reapplied.

• Light End Dragon: If “Skill Drain” is activated, the ATK and DEF of “Light End Dragon” and “Dark End Dragon” will be restored to their original values. If “Skill Drain” is destroyed, they will still remain at those original values until lowered again.

• Machine King - 3000 B.C.: If "Skill Drain" is activated, "Machine King - 3000 B.C." loses its ATK increase and will not regain it even if "Skill Drain" is destroyed.

• Maju Garzett: If "Skill Drain" is active, "Maju Garzett"'s ATK is reset to 0 even if "Skill Drain" is later destroyed.

• Man Beast of Ares: If "Man Beast of Ares" gains ATK, but then "Skill Drain" is activated, the ATK increase is wiped out. Even if "Skill Drain" is later destroyed, the ATK increase is not restored. (Although new ATK can be gained.)

• Megarock Dragon: If "Skill Drain" is active while "Megarock Dragon" is in play, the effect of "Megarock Dragon" is negated and its original ATK and DEF are treated as zero. Even if "Skill Drain" is destroyed later, the original ATK and DEF of "Megarock Dragon" will remain zero.

• Montage Dragon: If "Skill Drain" is active while "Montage Dragon" is face-up on the field, its ATK becomes 0. If "Skill Drain" is later negated or removed from the field, its ATK remains 0.

• Ogre of the Scarlet Sorrow:If “Skill Drain” is activated, the ATK/DEF of “Ogre of the Scarlet Sorrow” will become 0 and remain 0 even if “Skill Drain” is later destroyed.

• Sea Dragon Lord Gishilnodon: If “Sea Dragon Lord Gishilnodon’s” effect activates, and later “Skill Drain” is activated, “Sea Dragon Lord Gishilnodon” drops to 2300 ATK again. Even if “Skill Drain” is destroyed after that, “Sea Dragon Lord Gishilnodon” remains at 2300 ATK until its effect is triggered again.

• Trident Dragion: If “Trident Dragion” gains additional attacks, and then “Skill Drain” is activated later, it does not remove the additional attacks from “Trident Dragion.”

• UFOroid Fighter: If "UFOroid Fighter" is on the field, and then "Skill Drain" is activated, the original ATK & DEF will be zero, and will remain zero even if "Skill Drain" is destroyed or negated.

On Not Removing Previously-Resolved/Lingering Effects

• When Jowls of Dark Demise's effect is activated and resolves, and then "Skill Drain" is activated afterwards, it has no effect on "Jowls of Dark Demise"'s effect, so control of the monster does not change until it is returned to the original controller at the end of the turn.

• "Skill Drain" will not affect lingering effects or conditions that are left over from a previous effect. For example, if you Special Summon a Fusion Monster with "Summoner of Illusions", and then "Skill Drain" is activated afterwards, the Fusion Monster is still destroyed in the End Phase. If you Special Summon a Fusion Monster with "Magical Scientist", and then "Skill Drain" is activated, the Fusion Monster cannot attack your opponent's Life Points directly, and is returned to the Fusion Deck at the end of the turn.

• If "Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi"'s effect is activated, and then "Skill Drain" is activated later, "Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi"'s effect is not negated and the opponent must discard his/her hand during their next Draw Phase. But if "Skill Drain" is active at the time "Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi"'s effect activates, then the effect is negated.

• Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn: If “Skill Drain” is activated after the effect of “Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn” resolves, then the effect is not negated. The ATK boost remains, and the other monsters cannot attack this turn.

• Blue Thunder T-45: Even while "Skill Drain" is active, the "Thunder Option Token" cannot be Tributed for a Tribute Summon.

• Cyber Dragon Zwei: If "Cyber Dragon Zwei" is being treated as "Cyber Dragon" by its own effect and "Skill Drain" is activated, the name is still treated as "Cyber Dragon.

• Gear Golem the Moving Fortress: If you activate & resolve this card's effect and then "Skill Drain" is activated, you can still attack directly because "Gear Golem the Moving Fortress"'s effect is already applied and it's still applied even if "Skill Drain" is activated.

• Level Warrior: "Skill Drain" has no effect on "Level Warrior's" Level, because "Level Warrior" is considered to already be on the field with the appropriate level. So "Skill Drain" will not cause "Level Warrior's" Level to become 3.

• Magical Scientist: If "Skill Drain" is activated after a Fusion Monster is Special Summoned with "Magical Scientist", the effect of "Magical Scientist" (that makes the Fusion Monster unable to attack directly and have to go back to the Extra Deck) has been applied already, and is not negated, so the Special Summoned Fusion Monster still cannot attack directly and must go back to the Extra Deck.

• Mosaic Manticore: If "Skill Drain" is activated after the monsters Tributed to Tribute Summon "Mosaic Manticore" are Special Summoned by its effect, the monsters still cannot attack and their effects are negated.

• Neo-Spacian Dark Panther: If "Skill Drain" is activated after "Neo-Spacian Dark Panther's" effect has resolved, the effects that the "Dark Panther" copied will be negated, but it will still keep the copied card name until the end of the turn.

• Oracle of the Sun: If the ATK of "Oracle of the Sun" is being doubled by "Supay" and "Skill Drain" is activated, the ATK remains doubled.

• Plaguespreader Zombie: If "Plaguespreader Zombie" is Special Summoned from the Graveyard by its effect and is later removed from the field while "Skill Drain" is active, it is removed from play.

• Quillbolt Hedgehog: If "Quillbolt Hedgehog" is Special Summoned by its effect and is later removed from the field while "Skill Drain" is active, "Quillbolt Hedgehog" is still removed from play.

• Raviel, Lord of Phantasms: If "Skill Drain" is activated, any "Phantasm Tokens" on the field still cannot attack. (Also, while "Skill Drain" is active, "Raviel, Lord of Phantasms" will not generate any more "Phantasm Tokens".)

• Scanner: If “Skill Drain” is activated after the effect of “Scanner” resolves, the effect of “Scanner” is still applied, and “Scanner” will still be removed from play if it leaves the field.

• Sonic Jammer: If "Skill Drain" is activated after "Sonic Jammer"'s effect has resolved, the effect of "Sonic Jammer" is not negated because "Skill Drain" was not active when "Sonic Jammer" was flipped, activated its effect, and applied its effect.

Versus Costs/Conditions

• While "Skill Drain" is active, "maintenance costs" are not negated (see the Advanced Gameplay FAQ) so you still have to pay for "The Unfriendly Amazon", "Armor Exe", Archfiends, etc. However, all other costs are negated, so you do not have to pay to attack with "Dark Elf" or "Jirai Gumo".

• You can Special Summon "Gilasaurus" while "Skill Drain" is active, but its effect is negated so your opponent does not get to Special Summon.

• Conditions for Summoning monsters is not negated by "Skill Drain", so you still must remove 1 DARK and 1 LIGHT monster to Special Summon "Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End, and you cannot Normal Summon or Flip Summon "Terrorking Archfiend" if there are no Archfiends on the field.

• Anteatereatingant: If you activate the effect of "Anteatereatingant", then activate "Skill Drain", "Anteatereatingant" still can't attack that turn. (Even if "Skill Drain" was chained to the effect.)

• Blackwing - Silverwind the Ascendant: You can activate the effect to destroy monsters when this card is Synchro Summoned even if "Skill Drain" is active. If you do, you will not be able to conduct your Battle Phase, even though the effect is negated.

• Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning: If you activate "Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning"'s first effect, and "Skill Drain" is chained to it to negate the effect, or if "Skill Drain" was active before you activated the effect, you cannot attack with "Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning" that turn because the activation of the effect was not negated and the condition that is included will not be negated by "Skill Drain".

• Chiron the Mage: The restriction that you can only activate this effect once per turn is a condition, not an effect. So if "Skill Drain" is on the field, you can pay the cost once per turn (for no effect), but not pay the cost continuously in the same turn.

• Combo Fighter / Combo Master: If a chain occurred, then "Skill Drain" was activated, but then "Skill Drain" was destroyed, this monster can attack twice. (This monster's perception that a chain occurred is not reset.)

• Debris Dragon: All restrictions on “Debris Dragon” and Synchro Summons are conditions, not effects, so will not be negated by “Skill Drain”.

• Djinn Presider of Rituals: The effect to draw when the Ritual Monster destroys a monster by battle is applied even if "Skill Drain" is active.

• Djinn Releaser of Rituals: Even if "Skill Drain" is active, the opponent of the controller of the Ritual Monster this card was Tributed for that cannot Special Summon.

• Fishborg Blaster: The requirement that you use WATER-Attribute Synchro Material Monsters when using this monster for a Synchro Summon is a condition, not an effect. It cannot be negated by "Skill Drain".

• Majestic Dragon: The text of this card is not an effect. It cannot be negated by "Skill Drain".

• Quickdraw Synchron: "You can substitute this card for any 1 "Synchron" Tuner for a Synchro Summon" is not an effect. It will not be negated by "Skill Drain".

• Quickdraw Synchron: "This card cannot be used as a Synchro Material Monster except for the Synchro Summon of a monster that lists a Synchron monster as a Tuner" is not an effect. It will not be negated by "Skill Drain".

• Terrorking Archfiend: While "Skill Drain" is active, you still need to have an Archfiend Monster Card on your side of the field in order to Normal Summon or Flip Summon "Terrorking Archfiend".

• Card Rulings:The Creator: If you activate the effect of "The Creator", and it does not resolve because the opponent chains "Skill Drain", or removes the targeted monster from the Graveyard with "Disappear", you've still used the effect. So you cannot activate its effect again that turn (even if you destroy "Skill Drain").

• The Six Samurai - Kamon / The Six Samurai - Yaichi: If "Kamon's" effect is used, then "Skill Drain" is activated later, "Kamon" still cannot declare an attack that turn.

• Torapart: If “Skill Drain” is active while you use “Torapart” to Synchro Summon a monster, “Torapart” is now no longer on the field, so the effect of “Torapart” will be applied. So the opponent cannot activate Trap Cards when that Synchro Monster attacks. This is because the restriction on activating Trap Cards is an effect of “Torapart,” not an effect of the Synchro Monster. ....

Versus Effects which Activate Off the Field

• "Skill Drain" negates the effects of face-up Effect Monsters on the field, but does not negate effects that activate in the Graveyard, such as "Witch of the Black Forest", "Sangan", "Mystic Tomato", "Giant Rat", "Sinister Serpent", and "Vampire Lord".

• If your "Dark Flare Knight" is sent to the Graveyard while "Skill Drain" is active, its effect activates in the Graveyard so you can Special Summon "Mirage Knight" (but "Mirage Knight"'s effects will be negated once it is in play).

• If your "Neko Mane King" is sent to the Graveyard by your opponent's card effect while "Skill Drain" is active, its effect is activated.

• If your "Twin-Headed Behemoth" is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard while "Skill Drain" is active, its effect activates and it is Special Summoned.

• Atomic Firefly: "Atomic Firefly"'s effect activates in the Graveyard when "Atomic Firefly" is sent to the Graveyard at the end of the attack, so "Skill Drain" will not negate its effect.

• Burning Algae: "Burning Algae"'s effect cannot be negated by "Skill Drain".

• Chainsaw Insect: If "Skill Drain" is active, your opponent will not get to draw, unless "Chainsaw Insect" is destroyed in the battle, then its effect will activate in the Graveyard and your opponent will draw 1 card.

• D.D. Survivor: If "Skill Drain" is active when "D.D. Survivor" is removed from play, it is still Special Summoned because its effect activates during the End Phase while it is removed from play.

• Giant Kozaky: The effect of "Giant Kozaky" that inflicts damage to the controller activates in the Graveyard or the "removed zone", wherever "Giant Kozaky" goes to after being destroyed. "The End of Anubis" will negate the effect of "Giant Kozaky" if it was [[]destroye]d and sent to the Graveyard, but "Banisher of the Light" will not (because "Giant Kozaky" does not have to be "destroyed and sent to the Graveyard"). Nor will "Skill Drain" negate the damage if "Giant Kozaky" is destroyed.

• Mirage Knight: "Mirage Knight" can be Special Summoned by "Dark Flare Knight"'s effect even if "Skill Drain" is active, because "Dark Flare Knight"'s effect activates in the Graveyard. However, "Mirage Knight"'s effects are negated by "Skill Drain".

• Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys: If "Skill Drain" is active on the field, the effect of "Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys" that Special Summons it from the Graveyard is still activated, because it is activated in the Graveyard. However, the effect that destroys Spell and Trap Cards on the field is negated because it activates on the field (so "Skill Drain" and other Spell and Trap Cards on the field are not destroyed in this case).

• Sand Moth: Even if "Skill Drain" is active when "Sand Moth" is Special Summoned by its own effect, its ATK and DEF will remained switched. (2000 ATK / 1000 DEF).

• Winged Kuriboh: Because the effect of "Winged Kuriboh" activates in the Graveyard, it will not be negated by "Skill Drain"...

In Other Rulings

• Amplifier: You cannot activate a card that would cause an infinite loop because its effect cannot resolve completely...Example #2: you control "Jinzo" equipped with "Amplifier" and "Skill Drain". Your opponent cannot activate "Royal Decree".

• Cloudian - Ghost Fog:If "Skill Drain" is activated while a monster has Fog Counter(s), the Fog Counter(s) remain on the monster.

• Power Bond: If you Fusion Summon "UFOroid Fighter" with 3000 ATK, and then later in the turn "Skill Drain" is activated, reducing its ATK to 0, you will still take 3000 points of damage during the End Phase. If you send "UFOroid Fighter" to the Graveyard so that its effect resets and its original ATK becomes zero, you still take damage equal to its original ATK at the time it was Special Summoned by "Power Bond".

• Power Capsule: You can activate and resolve "Power Capsule" even if "Skill Drain" is on the field.

• Spell Counters: When "Skill Drain" is active, and you or your opponent activates a Spell Card, do not place Spell Counters on this monster. Any Spell Counters that are on this monster are removed when "Skill Drain" is activated.

• Super Double Summon: You can activate "Super Double Summon" and select a Gemini Monster that is having its effect negated by "Skill Drain". The Gemini Monster will be treated as having been Normal Summoned while face-up on the field, but the effects it gains will be negated by "Skill Drain". If "Skill Drain" is negated or removed from the field later in the turn, the selected Gemini Monster’s effects will be active and can be used.

• The Agent of Wisdom - Mercury: When the effect of "The Agent of Wisdom - Mercury" is negated by "Skill Drain", and you have no hand at the end of your opponent's End Phase, and you destroy "Skill Drain" before your Standby Phase (such as with "Mystical Space Typhoon" during your Draw Phase), you CAN draw because "Skill Drain" was destroyed. This is because the "when you have no cards in your hand during your opponent's End Phase" is a condition, not an effect, so it is not negated by "Skill Drain". As long as you can make it so that "Skill Drain" is not negating "The Agent of Wisdom - Mercury"'s card-drawing effect by the time the Standby Phase begins, you can draw.

• Trap Eater: If "Vanity's Fiend" or "Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo" are on the field, but "Skill Drain" is preventing their effects from blocking Special Summons, you can Summon "Trap Eater" even by sending "Skill Drain" to the Graveyard.

• White Night Dragon: If you control your opponent's monster with "Snatch Steal" while you have "White Night Dragon" in play and your opponent attacks the equipped monster, if you send "Snatch Steal" to the Graveyard to change the attack target no replay occurs. If the effect of "White Night Dragon" is negated by "Skill Drain" a replay does occur.

• Zoma the Spirit: "Zoma the Spirit's" effect cannot be negated by "Skill Drain".

OCG Rulings

On Activating Effects

• The effect of "Skill Drain" negates the effects of Effect Monsters; it does NOT prevent Effect Monsters from activating their effects. Thus, "Skill Drain" will not prevent you from activating the effects of "Exiled Force" or "Rescue Cat".

• Battle Fader: The effect of "Battle Fader" which Special Summons it and the effect which ends the Battle Phase are resolved as the same effect. The effect activates in the hand, so the effects of "Skill Drain" and "Light-Imprisoning Mirror" will not negate the effect even though "Battle Fader" is Special Summoned, so the effect which ends the Battle Phase will still be applied.

• White Night Dragon: While "Skill Drain" is active and you control your opponent's "White Night Dragon" because of "Snatch Steal", if your opponent attacks, then you can activate the effect of "White Night Dragon" and send "Snatch Steal" to the Graveyard. However, "White Night Dragon" will not change the attack target to itself because it changed sides. After this, a Replay occurs because the number of monster you control changed.

On the Monster Leaving the Field

• The effect of "Skill Drain" negates the effects of Effect Monsters that are face-up on the field. Thus, it cannot negate the effect of a monster if the monster is in the Graveyard when the monster's activated effect is resolving. "Exiled Force" and "Rescue Cat" Tributes itself or sends itself to the Graveyard as activation costs for their effects, so the monsters are in the Graveyard when their effects resolve. Thus, "Skill Drain" cannot negate their effects, so you will destroy the monster or Special Summon the Beast-Type monsters from your Deck.

• Stardust Dragon: "Skill Drain" has no effect on "Stardust Dragon". For the first effect, Tributing "Stardust Dragon" is a cost, so "Stardust Dragon" is not on the field and is unaffected by "Skill Drain". The second effect activates in the Graveyard, so "Skill Drain" cannot negate it.

On Removing Lingering Effects which Modify ATK/DEF

• Beast King Barbaros: If "Beast King Barbaros" Normal Summoned without Tributes and is then is targeted by the effect of "Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind", then the ATK of "Beast King Barbaros" will become 950. If "Skill Drain" is activated later, then the ATK of "Beast King Barbaros" will remain at 950, the halved value set by the effect of "Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind".

• Cyber Eltanin: If "Cyber Eltanin" is affected by "Skill Drain", then its effect of increasing its ATK is no longer applied, so it will have 0 ATK. If the effect of "Skill Drain" disappears, then the ATK of "Cyber Eltanin" will remain at 0.

• Emissary from Pandemonium: If "Emissary from Pandemonium" is Summoned with one Tribute, "Skill Drain" will negate its effect and return its Level to 7 and its ATK and DEF to 2600 and 1800. If "Skill Drain" is later removed from the field, then the Level of "Emissary from Pandemonium" will not return to 5 and its ATK and DEF will not be halved.

• Emissary from Pandemonium: If "Emissary from Pandemonium" has its ATK/DEF halved by its effect and then it is affected by "Shrink" or "Megamorph", then "Shrink" and "Megamorph" use 1300 to determine the new ATK. "Shrink" will make its ATK 650, etc. If "Skill Drain" is later activated, then the effect of "Emissary from Pandemonium" will be negated, but it will still have 650 ATK.

• Fortune Ladies: After a monster like "Fortune Lady Earth" increases its own Level by its effect, if its Level is negated by an effect like "Skill Drain" or "Forbidden Chalice", then the Level of "Fortune Lady Earth" returns to the original Level that is printed on the card.

• Majestic Star Dragon: If the ATK of "Majestic Star Dragon" is increased because it negated and then activated the effect of "Card Trooper", then when it is affected by "Skill Drain", the ATK of "Majestic Star Dragon" will return to its original value.

• Montage Dragon: If "Montage Dragon" is affected by "Skill Drain", its ATK becomes 0. If "Skill Drain" is later removed, it does not regain its ATK.

• Vice Dragon: "Skill Drain" will negate the effect of "Vice Dragon", and return its ATK/DEF to the printed values. If "Skill Drain" is later removed from the field or negated, then the ATK/DEF of "Vice Dragon" will not be halved again.

• Worm Zero: When the effect of "Skill Drain" becomes active, the ATK of "Worm Zero" becomes 0, and will remain 0 even if the effect of "Skill Drain" disappears. Also, while "Skill Drain" is active, the "2 or more:", etc, effects are negated. Once the effect of "Skill Drain" is no longer applied, the "2 or more:", etc, effects are re-applied.

On Not Removing Lingering Effects

• Armored Bee: Suppose "Beast King Barbaros" is Summoned without Tribute (1900 ATK), and then has its ATK halved by the effect of "Armored Bee" (to 950 ATK). If "Skill Drain" is activated during the same turn, then the ATK of "Beast King Barbaros" will remain at 950, the halved value it became by the effect of "Armored Bee".

• Blackwing Armor Master: If "Skill Drain" is activated, do not remove any Wedge Counters generated by "Blackwing Armor Master"

• Cyber Dragon Zwei: If the effect of "Cyber Dragon Zwei" has resolved and its name is being treated as "Cyber Dragon", then if "Skill Drain" is activated, then the name of "Cyber Dragon Zwei" remains as "Cyber Dragon".

• Darklord Asmodeus: If "Skill Drain" is activated after "Darklord Asmodeus" Special Summons the "Asmo Token" and the "Deus Token", then the effects "An "Asmo Token" cannot be destroyed by card effects. A "Deus Token" cannot be destroyed by battle." are still applied. This is because Token Monsters are always treated as Normal Monsters without effects. The effect which prevents the "Asmo Token" and the "Deus Token" from being destroyed are effects of "Darklord Asmodeus".

• [[:Card Rulings:|]]: If "[[:]]" or "Plaguespreader Zombie" was Special Summoned by its effect, then it is removed from play if it would be removed from the field even if the effect of "Skill Drain" is active.

• Level Warrior: If "Level Warrior" Special Summons itself and its Level changes to 2 or 4, then when "Skill Drain" is activated, the Level of "Level Warrior" will not return to 3.

• Plaguespreader Zombie: See above; listed under "[[:]]".

• Recycle Genex: After the effect of "Recycle Genex" resolves, if "Skill Drain" etc is activated, then the effect of "Recycle Genex" will not negate the effect.

• Trident Dragion: After the effect of "Trident Dragion" resolves and it gains the ability to attack multiple times, if "Skill Drain" is activated, then the effect has already resolved so "Trident Dragion" can still attack multiple times.

Versus Conditions/Costs

• Backup Warrior: The text "If this card is Special Summoned, you cannot Synchro Summon this turn." of "Backup Warrior" is not treated as an effect of an Effect Monster, so "Skill Drain" cannot negate it. Thus, you cannot Synchro Summon during the turn in which you Special Summon "Backup Warrior" even if the effect of "Skill Drain" is active.

• Debris Dragon: The effect "This card can only be used as a Synchro Material Monster..." of "Debris Dragon" is not treated as an effect. It cannot be negated by "Skill Drain".

• Fishborg Blaster: The text "if this card is used as a Synchro Material Monster, the other Synchro Material Monsters must all be WATER monsters" of "Fishborg Blaster" is not treated as an effect. It cannot be negated by cards like "Skill Drain", so all the other Synchro Material Monsters must be WATER even if "Skill Drain" is active.

• Koa'ki Meiru: The text "During each of your Standby Phases [sic], destroy this card unless you send 1 "Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru" from your hand to the Graveyard." of "Koa'ki Meiru Valafar" is a Maintenance Cost. It cannot be negated by the effect of "Skill Drain", so you must still pay the Maintenance Cost during your Standby Phases [sic].

• Quickdraw Synchron: The only effect of "Quickdraw Synchron" is its effect which Special Summons it. If "Skill Drain" is active or if "Forbidden Chalice" affects "Quickdraw Synchron", then the rest of the text of "Quickdraw Synchron" is still applied and is not negated.

• Torapart: If "Torapart" is used as a Synchro Material Monster while its effect is negated by "Divine Fowl King Alector" or "Forbidden Chalice" or "Skill Drain", then the effect of "Torapart" is still applied and Trap Cards cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step when the Synchro Monster attacks.

Versus Continuous Effects/Non-Chainable Effects

• Archlord Kristya: If a face-up "Archlord Kristya" is sent from the field to the Graveyard while "Skill Drain" is active, then it is not returned to the top of the Deck, and is sent to the Graveyard instead.

• Dark Elf: The effects of "Dark Elf", "Panther Warrior", and "Falcon of Mist Valley" are Continuous Effects, so they will be negated by "Skill Drain". While "Skill Drain" is active, you do not need to pay Life Points to attack with "Dark Elf", you do not need to Tribute a monster to attack with "Panther Warrior", and you do not need to return a card on the field to the hand to attack with "Falcon of Mist Valley".

• Earthbound Immortals: If the effect of "Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua" is negated by "Skill Drain", then you still cannot Normal Summon a second "Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua". This is because the effect "There can only be 1 face-up "Earthbound Immortal" monster on the field" of the second "Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua" is still applied while the second "Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua" is in the hand.

• Falcon of Mist Valley: See above; listed under "Dark Elf".

• Guardian of Order: Even if "Skill Drain" is negating the effect "There can only be 1 of this card face-up on the field." of a monster like "Rai-Jin" or "Guardian of Order", the effect of copies of "Rai-Jin" or "Guardian of Order" in your hand will still be active, so you still cannot Normal Summon a second copy of "Rai-Jin" or "Guardian of Order".

• Road Synchron: If "Road Synchron" has its Level increased by 1 by its effect and later "Skill Drain" is activated, then the Level of "Road Synchron" returns to 4.

• Naturia Spiderfang: "Naturia Spiderfang" can attack if its effect is being negated by "Skill Drain", regardless of whether or not the opponent activated the effect of a Spell/Trap/Effect Monster Card during this turn.

• Panther Warrior: See above; listed under "Dark Elf".

• Rai-Jin: See above; listed under "Guardian of Order".

• Road Synchron: If "Skill Drain" is active, then the effect "If this card is used for the Synchro Summon of a monster other than "Road Warrior", its Level is decreased by 2." of "Road Synchron" will be negated, and it will be used as a Level 4 monster.

• Sin: If "Skill Drain" is negating the effect "There can only be 1 face-up "Sin" monster on the field." of a monster like "[[:]]" or "[[:]]" or "[[:]]", then you still cannot Special Summon a second "[[:]]", since its effect is still active while it is in the hand.

• Sin: Suppose you remove from play "[[:]]" with a card like "Interdimensional Matter Transporter", and then Summon another "[[:]]", all while "Skill Drain" is active. During the End Phase, even though the effect "There can only be 1 face-up "Sin" monster on the field." of the "[[:]]" on the field is negated, that effect of the removed-from-play "[[:]]" is still active, so the removed-from-play "[[:]]" cannot return to the field. Thus, the removed-from-play "[[:]]" is sent to the Graveyard.

• Tuningware: If "Skill Drain" is active, you cannot use the effect of "Tuningware" to treat it as a Level 2 monster for a Synchro Summon.

• Ultimate Obedient Fiend: The effect "This card can only attack if this card is the only card on your side of the field and if you also have no cards in your hand." of "Ultimate Obedient Fiend" will be negated by "Skill Drain", so that "Ultimate Obedient Fiend" can attack while you have one or more cards in your hand.

Miscellaneous

• Djinns of Rituals: The effect of "Djinn Releaser of Rituals" which prevents your opponent from Special Summoning and the effect of "Djinn Presider of Rituals" which lets you draw when an opponent's monster is destroyed are not treated as effects of the Ritual Monster which was Ritual Summoned. Thus, if the effect of the Ritual Monster is negated by an effect like "Skill Drain" or "Forbidden Chalice", then the effect of "Djinn Releaser of Rituals" which prevents your opponent from Special Summoning is still applied.

• Obelisk the Tormentor: If "Obelisk the Tormentor" is Special Summoned and "Skill Drain" is activated during the same turn, then its effect will be negated and "Obelisk the Tormentor" will not be sent to the Graveyard during the End Phase. However, if "Skill Drain" is later destroyed, then "Obelisk the Tormentor" will be sent to the Graveyard during the End Phase.

• Supervise: If "Skill Drain" is negating the effect of a Gemini Monster which has not been Normal Summoned a second time, then the Gemini Monster may be equipped with "Supervise". The Gemini Monster will be treated as if it was Normal Summoned a second time, but the effect will be negated by "Skill Drain". If "Skill Drain" is removed from the field, then you can apply the effect of the Gemini Monster.

• Trap Eater: If a card like "Vanity's Fiend" or "Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo" has its effect negated by "Skill Drain", then you still can send "Skill Drain" to the Graveyard to Special Summon "Trap Eater".

In Other Rulings

• [[:Card Rulings:|]]: When "[[:]]" resolves, its effect replaces the monster's ATK and DEF values.
  • Example: There is one Spell Counter on "Breaker the Magical Warrior" (1900 ATK / 1000 DEF). After "Reversal World" resolves, "Breaker the Magical Warrior" will have 1000 ATK / 1900 DEF. Afterwards, the ATK of "Breaker the Magical Warrior" will remain at 1000 ATK / 1900 DEF, even if Spell Counters are removed from or added to "Breaker the Magical Warrior". If "Skill Drain" is later activated, then "Breaker the Magical Warrior" will still remain at 1000 ATK / 1900 DEF.