==Official Sources==A '''Special Summon''' ({{Ruby|特|とく}}{{Ruby|殊|しゅ}}{{Ruby|召|しょう}}{{Ruby|喚|かん}} ''Tokushu Shōkan'') is any type of Summon that is not a [https://www[Normal Summon]] or a [[Flip Summon]].yugioh-card.com/en/rulebook/SD_RuleBook_EN_V10.pdf Yugioh TCG Rulebook[[Fusion Summon]]s, [[Ritual Summon]]s, [[Synchro Summon]]s, [[Xyz Summon]]s, [[Pendulum Summon]]s, v10and [[Link Summon]]s, are all types of '''Special Summons'''.

==If a monster is not being [[Normal Summon]]ed, nor [[Flip Summon]]ed, nor is it being returned to the field by an effect such as that of "[[Wind-Up Rabbit]]", that monster is being '''Special Summoned'''. For example, if the effect of "[[Toadally Awesome]]" causes a monster to be Set onto the field, that monster is being '''Special Summon==Summoned''' in face-down [[Defense Position]].

A '''Special Summon''' is any type of summon that is not a [[Normal Summon]] or a [[Flip Summon]]. [[Synchro Summon]]s, [[Xyz Summon]]s, [[Fusion Summon]]s, [[Ritual Summon]]s, [[Pendulum Summon]]s, and [[Link Summon]]s, are all types of '''Special Summons'''.  If a monster is not being [[Normal Summon]]ed, nor [[Flip Summon]]ed, nor is it being returned to the field by an effect such as that of "[[Wind-Up Rabbit]]", that monster is being '''Special Summoned'''. 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 defence position. '''Special Summons''' can be performed multiple times per turn, and, unlike a [[Normal Summon]], do not require [[tributeTribute]]s. A '''Special Summon''' is always performed in either face-up attack- [[Attack Position|Attack]] or defence-positionDefense Position, unless a card specifies that the monster may be '''Special Summoned''' face-down.<ref name="rulebook">[https://www.yugioh-card.com/en/rulebook/SD_RuleBook_EN_V10.pdf Yugioh TCG Rulebook, v10]</ref>

A '''Special Summon Monster''' is any monster that cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. These are all [[Extra Deck]] monsters ([[Synchro]], [[Xyz]], [[Fusion]], and [[Link]] monsters), [[Ritual monster]]s, and all monsters with the text “Cannot "Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set”Set". [[Special Summon#Special Summon Monsters|Special Summon Monster]] must first be summoned Summoned through the method prescribed on their text before they can be special summoned by another card’s card's effect from the [[hand]], [[main deckMain Deck]], [[graveyardGraveyard]], and whilst while [[banished]].

These monsters all have their ability to be Normal Summoned/Set replaced with a condition that describes how it can be special summoned Special Summoned through the game’s game's rules, as per page 53 of the rulebook. It is important to note, however, that '''Special Summon Monsters''' can also be summoned through an activated effect, such as "[[Malefic Truth Dragon]]".<ref name="rulebook"/>

Monsters such as "[[Stardust Dragon]]", "[[Number 39: Utopia]]", "[[Relinquished]]", "[[Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning]]", "[[Chimeratech Fortress Dragon]]", and "[[Malefic Truth Dragon]]" are all '''Special Summon Monsters''' (none of these monsters can be Normal Summoned/Set). Monsters such as "[[Cyber Dragon]]", "[[Genex Ally Birdman]]", and "[[Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World]]" are not '''Special Summon Monsters''' (it is possible to Normal Summon/Set these monsters).

As per the rulebook, there There are two ways to perform a '''Special Summon''': special summon Special Summoning a [[Special Summon#Special Summon Monsters|Special Summon Monster]] through the game’s game's rules, or special summon Special Summon using a card’s card's effect.

When performing a '''Special Summon''', you must first select the monster you wish to '''Special Summon'''. Then, you declare that you are performing the summon Summon and perform the appropriate action (e.g., overlay your materials for an [[Xyz Summon]], or send your [[tributesTributes]] to the [[Graveyard]] for a [[Ritual]] or [[Fusion Summon]]), then, perform the '''Special Summon'''.

A [[Special Summon#Special Summon Monsters|Special Summon Monster]] can be summoned Summoned through the game’s game's rules during an open game state in your [[Main Phase]] (see [[Fast Effect Timing]]). This is an [[Actions|action]] without spell speedSpell Speed, and thus does not use the start a [[chainChain]]. These are [[Synchro Summon]]ing, [[Xyz Summon]]ing, [[Pendulum Summon]]ing, [[Link Summon]]ing, or summoning Summoning a [[Special Summon#Special Summon Monsters|Special Summon Monster]] through the conditions that describe how to play it. These monsters are not summoned Summoned through effects, as stated on page 53 of the [[rulebook]].

===Special Summon with a Card’s Card's Effect===

The other method by which to '''Special Summon''' is to use a card's [[effect]]. Cards can have effects which allow you to either '''Special Summon''' themselves or another card to the [[field]]. If you are not summoning Summoning a [[Special Summon#Special Summon Monsters|Special Summon Monster]] through game mechanics, then you are summoning Summoning with a card’s card's effect--regardless of whether that effect is using the [[chain]].

"[[Cyber Dragon]]"; "[[Genex Ally Birdman]]"; "[[Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World]]"; and "[[Malefic Truth Dragon]]" are all summoned Summoned through effects. [[Spell Card|Spell]] and [[Trap Card]]s can also summon Summon through their effects, such as "[[Polymerization]]", [[RitualSpell Card]] spellss, and cards such as "[[Ancient Rules]]".

* Player A activates "[[Nekroz Cycle]]" whilst he controls while they control a "[[Nekroz of Unicore]]". Player A cannot tribute Tribute that "[[Nekroz of Unicore]]", and then [[Ritual Summon]] that same "[[Nekroz of Unicore]]", as he they must first select a monster from his their [[Handhand]] or [[Graveyard]] to [[Ritual Summon]] before tributing Tributing the "[[Nekroz of Unicore]]" on the field to perform the [[Ritual Summon]].