Archetype condition

"Axe of Despair" from Battle Pack 2: War of the Giants. The archetype condition is visible at the beginning of its card text.

An archetype condition is a condition that specifies a card as being a member of an archetype when the card's name does not.

Most occurrences are on non-Japanese prints of cards where the card's name was established before the archetype was; the most common usages are on old "Archfiend" cards such as "Summoned Skull" and "Axe of Despair" for which the localized name is well-known and it would not be appropriate to rename the card.

For Effect Monsters, archetype conditions are always listed at the beginning of the card text (but after Materials, if any); non-Effect Monsters instead list it at the very bottom of the text box. On Japanese cards, they are simply written as a regular sentence as part of the main body; on non-Japanese cards, they are always in parentheses and on a separate line from the rest of the card text.

Because an archetype condition is a condition and not an effect, it is unaffected by cards such as "Skill Drain". It is also the only text that can be printed in the lore box of a Normal Monster that can affect gameplay in any way (and is therefore not italicized). For a Pendulum Monster, it is the only text in the lore box that can affect gameplay while the card is placed in a Pendulum Zone.

Purpose

Archetype membership is ordinarily determined by a card's name: an archetype's support (and anti-support) cards list a specific string in their effect, and a given card is a member of that archetype if its name includes that string. Because Yu-Gi-Oh! is originally a Japanese franchise, most such support is determined by Japanese names, and when cards are localized for non-Japanese regions, a suitable translation is chosen to name the archetype and be used in the names of all of that archetype's members and the effects of its support cards, and no other cards ever use that string in their names.

There are two cases where this system may break down: where the first support cards are released much later than the first members, and those members were localized without the archetype's string in their names (sometimes including anime localizations); and where previously-localized non-members were given names that contain the archetype's string. In both cases, there are two possible solutions: rename the card, or specify its membership status; both ways have been used in the past. For example: the English card text of "Arsenal Summoner" specifies that "Celtic Guardian", "Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1", "Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #2", "Guardian of the Labyrinth" and "The Reliable Guardian" are not "Guardian" cards; and "Oscillo Hero #2" had its English name changed to "Wattkid" to include it in the "Watt" archetype. Archetype conditions can be considered a formalized type of the first method, used where a card cannot be renamed because its current name is well-established and well-known by fans and players, as is the case for "Summoned Skull" and "Axe of Despair", or it is not feasible to rename the card to exclude it from the archetype while preserving the meaning across European languages, as is the case for "T.G. Wonder Magician" in French and "Kozmoll Dark Lady" in Italian.

Text

Card

Language	Text	Translation
English	(This card is always treated as a(n) "[archetype]" card.)
French	(Cette carte est toujours traitée comme une carte "[archetype]".)	(This card is always treated as a(n) "[archetype]" card.)
German	(Diese Karte wird immer als „[archetype]“-Karte behandelt.) Formerly: (Diese Karte wird jederzeit als „[archetype]“-Karte behandelt.)
Italian	(Questa carta viene sempre considerata come una carta "[archetype]".) Formerly: (Questa carta è sempre considerata come una carta "[archetype]".)	(This card is always considered as a(n) "[archetype]" card.)
Portuguese	(Este card é tratado como um card "[archetype]".) Formerly: (Este card deve ser sempre considerado como um card "Arquidemônio".)	(This card must always be considered as a(n) "[archetype]" card.) Formerly: (This card is treated as a(n) "[archetype]" card.)
Spanish	(Esta carta se trata siempre como una carta "[archetype]").	(This card is always treated as a(n) "[archetype]" card).
Japanese	このカードはルール上（じょう）「[archetype]」カードとしても扱（あつか）う。 Formerly: このカードはルール上（じょう）、「[archetype]」と名（な）のついたカードとしても扱（あつか）う。	This card is treated as a(n) "[archetype]" card as a rule. Formerly: As this card's rule, it is treated as a card with "[archetype]" in its name.
Korean	이 카드는 룰 상 "[archetype]" 카드로도 취급한다. Formerly: 이 카드는 룰 상 "[archetype]" 카드로서도 취급한다.	This card is treated as a(n) "[archetype]" card as a rule.

Monster

Language	Text	Translation
English	(This monster is always treated as a(n) "[archetype]" monster.)
French	(Ce monstre est toujours traité comme un monstre "[archetype]".)	(This monster is always treated as a(n) "[archetype]" monster.)
German	(Dieses Monster wird immer als ein „[archetype]“-Monster behandelt.)
Italian	(Questo mostro viene sempre considerato come un mostro "[archetype]".)	(This monster is always considered as a(n) "[archetype]" monster.)
Spanish	(Este monstruo se trata siempre como un monstruo "[archetype]").	(This monster is always treated as a(n) "[archetype]" monster).
Japanese	このカードはルール上（じょう）「[archetype]」モンスターとしても扱（あつか）う。	This card is treated as a(n) "[archetype]" monster as a rule.
Korean	이 카드는 룰 상 "[archetype]" 몬스터로도 취급한다.

History

This type of condition was first seen in Absolute Powerforce on "Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast". While "Archfiend" cards without "Archfiend" in their name had long been listed on the official website and in rulebooks, the condition text was not added to them until Battle Pack 2: War of the Giants.

The first Japanese card with an archetype condition was "Number 39: Utopia Beyond", a Master Guide 4 promotional card. In TCG languages, this card does not include any archetype condition, as its localized name contained the required string whereas its original name did not.

In the TCG, archetype conditions have been used to include cards in the "Phantom Beast", "Archfiend", "Noble Arms", "Elemental HERO", "Dark Magician Girl" (formerly), "Gadget", "Ojama", "Toon", "Fusion Dragon", "Synchro Dragon", "Xyz Dragon", "Pendulum Dragon", "Ultimate Crystal", "Timelord", and "Valkyrie" archetypes; in the OCG, archetype conditions have been used to include cards in the "Utopia", "Elemental HERO", "Superheavy Samurai", "Frightfur", "Ninja", "Blue-Eyes", "Celtic Guard", "Raidraptor", "Fusion Dragon", "Synchro Dragon", "Xyz Dragon", and "Pendulum Dragon" archetypes.

In OCG languages, if a card has an archetype condition then it has that archetype condition in all OCG languages. In TCG languages, only the Portuguese print of "Archfiend Soldier", the French and German prints of "Sephylon, the Ultimate Timelord", the German card database entries for "Gadget Soldier" and "Rank-Up-Magic Limited Barian's Force", the Portuguese card database entry for "Dark Armed Dragon", the Italian and Spanish database entries for "Photon Generator Unit", and non-English TCG prints of "Spiritual Beast Tamer Winda" have an archetype condition that does not appear in other TCG languages; additionally, the Italian card database entry for "A Deal with Dark Ruler" does not include the archetype condition the card has in every other TCG language due to it having a database-only rename. The Italian card database entry for "Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight" had an archetype condition prior to its reprint in Legendary Dragon Decks (where it does not have an archetype condition). "Edge Imp Frightfuloid", "Contrast HERO Chaos", "Dragon Spirit of White", "Black Fang Magician", "Double Iris Magician", "Purple Poison Magician", and "White Wing Magician" are the only cards to have archetype conditions in both the OCG and TCG.

Cards with archetype conditions

TCG/OCG

	Japanese name	Translated name	Archetype(s)
Archfiend Soldier	デーモン・ソルジャー	Daemon Soldier	Archfiend
Archfiend's Ascent	デーモンの超（ちょう）越（えつ）	Daemon's Transcendence	Archfiend Skull Archfiend
Archfiend's Awakening	デーモンの降（こう）臨（りん）	Daemon's Advent	Archfiend Skull Archfiend
Archfiend's Call	デーモンの招（しょう）来（らい）	Daemon's Call	Archfiend Skull Archfiend
Archfiend's Manifestation	デーモンの顕（けん）現（げん）	Daemon's Manifestation	Archfiend Skull Archfiend
Aussa the Earth Charmer, Aloft	崔（さい）嵬（かい）の地（ち）霊（れい）使（つか）いアウス	Aussa the Lofty Earth Spirit Charmer	Charmer Familiar-Possessed
B. Skull Dragon	ブラック・デーモンズ・ドラゴン	Black Daemons Dragon	Archfiend
Beast of Talwar	タルワール・デーモン	Talwar Daemon	Archfiend
Black Fang Magician	黒（こく）牙（が）の魔（ま）術（じゅつ）師（し）		Magician (archetype) Xyz Xyz Dragon
Celtic Guard of Noble Arms	エルフの聖（せい）剣（けん）士（し）	Elf Holy Swordsman	Celtic Guard Noble Arms
Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast	有（ゆう）翼（よく）幻（げん）獣（じゅう）キマイラ	Chimaera the Winged Phantom Beast	Phantom Beast
Contrast HERO Chaos	Ｃ・ＨＥＲＯ（コントラストヒーロー） カオス		HERO Elemental HERO Chaos
Dark Armed Dragon	ダーク・アームド・ドラゴン		Dark counterpart Armed Dragon
Double Iris Magician	虹（こう）彩（さい）の魔（ま）術（じゅつ）師（し）	Iris Magician	Magician (archetype) Pendulum (archetype) Pendulum Dragon
Dragon Spirit of White	白（しろ）き霊（れい）龍（りゅう）		Blue-Eyes
Edge Imp Frightfuloid	エッジインプ・Ｄ（ディー）Ｔ（ティー）モドキ	Edge Imp DT Modoki	Edge Imp Frightfur
Fiend Skull Dragon	デス・デーモン・ドラゴン	Death Daemon Dragon	Archfiend
Fortune Chariot	運命の戦車（フォーチュン・チャリオット）		Valkyrie
Gadget Soldier	ガジェット・ソルジャー		Gadget
Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts	幻（げん）獣（じゅう）王（おう）ガゼル	Phantom Beast King Gazelle	Phantom Beast
Hiita the Fire Charmer, Ablaze	灼（しゃく）熱（ねつ）の火（か）霊（れい）使（つか）いヒータ	Hiita the Blazing Fire Spirit Charmer	Charmer Familiar-Possessed
Lesser Fiend	レッサー・デーモン	Lesser Daemon	Archfiend
Manga Ryu-Ran	トゥーン・ドラゴン・エッガー	Toon Dragon Egger	Toon
Number 39: Utopia Beyond	Ｎｏ．（ナンバーズ）３９ 希（き）望（ぼう）皇（おう）ビヨンド・ザ・ホープ	Numbers 39: King of Wishes, Beyond the Hope	Number Utopia (archetype) Utopic
Number F0: Utopic Future Dragon	ＦＮｏ．（フューチャーナンバーズ）０ 未（み）来（らい）龍（りゅう）皇（おう）ホープ	Future Numbers 0: Future Dragon King, Hope	Number Utopic Utopic Future
Purple Poison Magician	紫（し）毒（どく）の魔（ま）術（じゅつ）師（し）		Fusion (archetype) Fusion Dragon Magician (archetype)
Rainbow Dark Dragon	究（きゅう）極（きょく）宝（ほう）玉（ぎょく）神（しん） レインボー・ダーク・ドラゴン	Ultimate Gem God - Rainbow Dark Dragon	Crystal Dark counterpart Ultimate Crystal
Rainbow Dragon	究（きゅう）極（きょく）宝（ほう）玉（ぎょく）神（しん） レインボー・ドラゴン	Ultimate Gem God - Rainbow Dragon	Crystal Ultimate Crystal
Rainbow Overdragon	究（きゅう）極（きょく）宝（ほう）玉（ぎょく）神（しん） レインボー・オーバー・ドラゴン	Ultimate Gem God - Rainbow Over Dragon	Crystal Ultimate Crystal
Sephylon, the Ultimate Timelord	究（きゅう）極（きょく）時（じ）械（かい）神（しん）セフィロン	Sephylon, the Ultimate Time Machine God	Timelord
Shadow Tamer	デーモン・テイマー	Daemon Tamer	Archfiend
Spiritual Beast Tamer Winda	精（せい）霊（れい）獣（じゅう）使（つか）い ウィンダ		Ritual Beast Ritual Beast Tamer Spiritual Beast
Summoned Skull	デーモンの召（しょう）喚（かん）	Summoned Daemon	Archfiend Skull Archfiend
Superheavy Samurai Beast Kyubi	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）魔（ま）獣（じゅう）キュウ－Ｂ（ビー）	Superheavy Demon Beast Kyu-B	Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai General Coral	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）輝（き）将（しょう）サン－５（ゴ）	Superheavy General San-5	Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai General Jade	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）輝（き）将（しょう）ヒス－Ｅ（イー）	Superheavy General Hisu-E	Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai Ninja Sarutobi	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）忍（にん）者（じゃ）サルト－Ｂ（ビー）	Superheavy Ninja Saruto-B	Superheavy Samurai Ninja
Superheavy Samurai Ogre Shutendoji	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）神（しん）鬼（き）シュテンドウ－Ｇ（ジー）	Superheavy God Oni Shutendo-G	Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai Stealth Ninja	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）忍（にん）者（じゃ）シノビ－Ａ（ア）・Ｃ（シー）	Superheavy Ninja Shinobi-AC	Superheavy Samurai Ninja
Superheavy Samurai Steam Train King	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）蒸（じょう）鬼（き）テツドウ－Ｏ（オー）	Superheavy Steam Oni Tetsudo-O	Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai Swordmaster Musashi	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）剣（けん）聖（せい）ムサ－Ｃ（シー）	Superheavy Swordmaster Musa-C	Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）荒（こう）神（じん）スサノ－Ｏ（オー）	Superheavy Koujin Susano-O	Superheavy Samurai
Toon Summoned Skull	トゥーン・デーモン	Toon Daemon	Archfiend Toon
Twilight Ninja Nichirin, the Chunin	黄（たそ）昏（がれ）の中（ちゅう）忍（にん）－ニチリン	Twilight Nichirin, the Chunin	Ninja
Utopic Onomatopoeia	希（き）望（ぼう）皇（おう）オノマトピア	Hope King - Onomatopoeia	Dododo Gagaga Gogogo Zubaba Onomato
White Wing Magician	白（はく）翼（よく）の魔（ま）術（じゅつ）師（し）		Magician (archetype) Synchro (series) Synchro Dragon
Wynn the Wind Charmer, Verdant	蒼（そう）翠（すい）の風（ふう）霊（れい）使（つか）いウィン	Wynn the Verdant Wind Spirit Charmer	Charmer Familiar-Possessed
Wynn the Wind Medium	風（ふう）霊（れい）媒（ばい）師（し）ウィン	Wynn the Wind Spirit Medium	Charmer

	Japanese name	Translated name	Archetype(s)
Axe of Despair	デーモンの斧（おの）	Daemon's Axe	Archfiend
Celestial Sword - Eatos	女（め）神（がみ）の聖（せい）剣（けん）－エアトス	Holy Sword of the Goddess - Eatos	Noble Arms
A Deal with Dark Ruler	デーモンとの駆（か）け引（ひ）き	A Deal with a Daemon	Archfiend
Fire Fortress atop Liang Peak			Fire Formation
Fury of Fire	フューリー・オブ・ファイア		Salamangreat
Fusion of Fire	フュージョン・オブ・ファイア		Fusion (archetype) Salamangreat
Ojamuscle	おジャマッスル		Ojama
Photon Generator Unit	フォトン・ジェネレーター・ユニット		Photon
Raidraptor Replica	Ｒ・Ｒ・Ｒ（レイド・ラプターズ・レプリカ）	Raid Raptors Replica	Raidraptor
Rank-Up-Magic Limited Barian's Force	ＲＵＭ（ランクアップマジック）－リミテッド・バリアンズ・フォース		Rank-Up-Magic
Ride of the Valkyries	Ｗａｌｋｕｒｅｎ（ワルキューレン） Ｒｉｔｔ（リット）	Walkuren Ritt	Valkyrie
Rising Fire	ライジング・オブ・ファイア	Rising of Fire	Salamangreat

Anime

	Japanese name	Translated name	Archetype(s)
Superheavy Samurai Beast Kyubi (anime)	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）魔（ま）獣（じゅう）キュウ－Ｂ（ビー）	Superheavy Demon Beast Kyu-B	Superheavy Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai General Coral (anime)	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）輝（き）将（しょう）サン－５（ゴ）	Superheavy General San-5	Superheavy Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai General Jade (anime)	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）輝（き）将（しょう）ヒス－Ｅ（イー）	Superheavy General Hisu-E	Superheavy Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai Ninja Sarutobi (anime)	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）忍（にん）者（じゃ）サルト－Ｂ（ビー）	Superheavy Ninja Saruto-B	Ninja Superheavy Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai Ogre Shutendoji (anime)	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）神（しん）鬼（き）シュテンドウ－Ｇ（ジー）	Superheavy God Oni Shutendo-G	Superheavy Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai Stealth Ninja (anime)	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）忍（にん）者（じゃ）シノビ－Ａ（ア）・Ｃ（シー）	Superheavy Ninja Shinobi-AC	Ninja Superheavy Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai Steam Train King (anime)	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）蒸（じょう）鬼（き）テツドウ－Ｏ（オー）	Superheavy Steam Oni Tetsudo-O	Superheavy Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai Warchief Heavystrong	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）武（ぶ）神（しん）フドウミョウ－Ｏ（オー）	Superheavy War God Fudomyo-O	Superheavy Superheavy Samurai
Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo (anime)	超（ちょう）重（じゅう）荒（こう）神（じん）スサノ－Ｏ（オー）	Superheavy Koujin Susano-O	Superheavy Superheavy Samurai

See also

• Archetype-exclusion condition
• Name condition