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Archetype condition

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.
Contents
Purpose[edit]
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[edit]
Card[edit]
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 | |
Italian | (Questa carta viene sempre considerata come una carta "[archetype]".) Formerly: (Questa carta |
(This card gets always considered as a(n) "[archetype]" card.) Formely: (This card is always considered as a(n) "[archetype]" card.) |
Portuguese | (Este card é tratado como um card "[archetype]".) Formerly: (Este card |
(This card is treated as a(n) "[archetype]" card.) Formerly: (This card must always be considered 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 Formerly: このカードはルール |
This card is also treated as a(n) "[archetype]" card as a rule. Formerly: As a rule, this card is also treated as a card with "[archetype]" in its name. |
Korean | 이 카드는 룰 상 "[archetype]" 카드로도 취급한다. Formerly: 이 카드는 룰 상 "[archetype]" 카드로 |
This card is treated as a(n) "[archetype]" card as a rule. |
Monster[edit]
This notation is deprecated, presumably to make it clear that the condition applies even if the card in question is not currently treated as a monster, e.g. by becoming an Equip Card.
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 gets 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 |
This card is treated as a(n) "[archetype]" monster as a rule. |
Korean | 이 카드는 룰 상 "[archetype]" 몬스터로도 취급한다. |
History[edit]
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 both the TCG and OCG, archetype conditions have been used to include cards in the "Blue-Eyes", "Dododo", "Elemental HERO", "F.A.", "Familiar-Possessed", "Fire Formation", "Frightfur", "Fusion Dragon", "Gagaga", "Gaia The Fierce Knight", "Gogogo", "Ninja", "Pendulum Dragon", "Raidraptor", "Salamangreat", "Synchro Dragon", "The Phantom Knights", "Valkyrie", "Xyz Dragon", and "Zubaba" archetypes.
- In the TCG only, they have also been used to include cards in the "Archfiend", "Armed Dragon", "Blaze Accelerator", "Noble Arms", "Dark Magician Girl" (formerly), "Gadget", "Guardian", "Meklord Astro", "Ojama", "Phantom Beast", "Photon", "Rank-Up-Magic", "Timelord", "Toon", and "Ultimate Crystal" archetypes.
- In the OCG only, they have also been used to include cards in the "Celtic Guard", "Superheavy Samurai", and "Utopia" archetypes.
In OCG languages, if a card has an archetype condition then it has that archetype condition in all OCG languages. In TCG languages, there are several cases where a card only has an archetype condition in some languages that does not appear in other TCG languages.
- The Portuguese print of "Archfiend Soldier"
- The French, German, and Spanish prints of "Sephylon, the Ultimate Timelord"
- The German card database entries for "Gadget Soldier" and "Rank-Up-Magic Limited Barian's Force"
- The Italian prints of "Guardian Angel Joan" and "Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk"
- The Portuguese card database entry for "Dark Armed Dragon"
- The Italian and Spanish database entries for "Photon Generator Unit"
- All TCG prints of "Ride of the Valkyries" except English and German
- Non-English TCG prints of "Spiritual Beast Tamer Winda"
- 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)
Cards with archetype conditions[edit]
TCG/OCG[edit]
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 | Daemon's Transcendence | Archfiend Skull Archfiend |
Archfiend's Awakening | デーモンの | Daemon's Advent | Archfiend Skull Archfiend |
Archfiend's Call | デーモンの | Daemon's Call | Archfiend Skull Archfiend |
Archfiend's Manifestation | デーモンの | Daemon's Manifestation | Archfiend Skull Archfiend |
Aussa the Earth Charmer, Immovable | Aussa the Lofty Earth Spirit Charmer | Charmer Familiar-Possessed Possessed | |
Beast of Talwar | タルワール・デーモン | Talwar Daemon | Archfiend |
Black Fang Magician | Magician (archetype) Xyz Xyz Dragon | ||
Black Skull Dragon | ブラック・デーモンズ・ドラゴン | Black Daemon's Dragon | Archfiend |
Celtic Guard of Noble Arms | エルフの | Elf Holy Swordsman | Celtic Guard Noble Arms |
Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast | Chimaera the Winged Phantom Beast | Phantom Beast | |
Contrast HERO Chaos | HERO Elemental HERO Chaos | ||
Dark Armed Dragon | ダーク・アームド・ドラゴン | Dark counterpart Armed Dragon | |
Dharc the Dark Charmer | Dharc the Dark Spirit Charmer | Charmer | |
Double Iris Magician | Iris Magician | Magician (archetype) Pendulum (archetype) Pendulum Dragon | |
Dragon Spirit of White | Blue-Eyes | ||
Edge Imp Frightfuloid | エッジインプ・ | Edge Imp DT Modoki | Edge Imp Frightfur |
Eria the Water Charmer, Gentle | Eria the Clear Water Spirit Charmer | Charmer Familiar-Possessed Possessed | |
Fiend Skull Dragon | デス・デーモン・ドラゴン | Death Daemon Dragon | Archfiend |
Fortune Chariot | Valkyrie | ||
Gadget Soldier | ガジェット・ソルジャー | Gadget | |
Gaia the Magical Knight | Gaia The Fierce Knight (archetype) | ||
Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts | Phantom Beast King Gazelle | Phantom Beast | |
Guardian Angel Joan | Guardian Angel Jeanne | Guardian | |
Hiita the Fire Charmer, Ablaze | Hiita the Blazing Fire Spirit Charmer | Charmer Familiar-Possessed Possessed | |
Lesser Fiend | レッサー・デーモン | Lesser Daemon | Archfiend |
Lyna the Light Charmer, Shining | Lyna the Shining Light Spirit Charmer | Charmer Familiar-Possessed Possessed | |
Manga Ryu-Ran | トゥーン・ドラゴン・エッガー | Toon Dragon Egger | Toon |
Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk | Machine Imperial God Dragon Asterisk | Meklord Meklord Astro | |
Number 39: Utopia Beyond | Numbers 39: King of Wishes, Beyond the Hope | Number Utopia (archetype) Utopic | |
Number F0: Utopic Future Dragon | Future Numbers 0: Future Dragon King, Hope | Number Utopic Utopic Future Number F | |
Purple Poison Magician | Fusion (archetype) Fusion Dragon Magician (archetype) | ||
Raider's Knight | レイダーズ・ナイト | Phantom Knights Raidraptor The Phantom Knights | |
Raider's Wing | レイダーズ・ウィング | Phantom Knights Raidraptor The Phantom Knights | |
Rainbow Dark Dragon | Ultimate Gem God - Rainbow Dark Dragon | Crystal Dark counterpart Ultimate Crystal | |
Rainbow Dragon | Ultimate Gem God - Rainbow Dragon | Crystal Ultimate Crystal | |
Rainbow Overdragon | Ultimate Gem God - Rainbow Over Dragon | Crystal Ultimate Crystal | |
Sephylon, the Ultimate Timelord | Sephylon, the Ultimate Time Machine God | Timelord | |
Shadow Tamer | デーモン・テイマー | Daemon Tamer | Archfiend |
Spiritual Beast Tamer Winda | Ritual Beast Ritual Beast Tamer Spiritual Beast | ||
Summoned Skull | デーモンの | Summoned Daemon | Archfiend Skull Archfiend |
Superheavy Samurai Beast Kyubi | Superheavy Demon Beast Kyu-B | Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai General Coral | Superheavy General San-5 | Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai General Jade | Superheavy General Hisu-E | Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai Ninja Sarutobi | Superheavy Ninja Saruto-B | Superheavy Samurai Ninja | |
Superheavy Samurai Ogre Shutendoji | Superheavy God Oni Shutendo-G | Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai Stealth Ninja | Superheavy Ninja Shinobi-AC | Superheavy Samurai Ninja | |
Superheavy Samurai Steam Train King | Superheavy Steam Oni Tetsudo-O | Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai Swordmaster Musashi | Superheavy Swordmaster Musa-C | Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo | Superheavy Koujin Susano-O | Superheavy Samurai | |
... further results |
Japanese name | Translated name | Archetype(s) | |
---|---|---|---|
Axe of Despair | デーモンの | Daemon's Axe | Archfiend |
Blaze Cannon | ゴッド・ブレイズ・キャノン | God Blaze Cannon | Blaze Accelerator (archetype) Signature move |
Burning Draw | Salamangreat | ||
Celestial Sword - Eatos | Holy Sword of the Goddess - Eatos | Noble Arms | |
A Deal with Dark Ruler | デーモンとの | A Deal with a Daemon | Archfiend |
Fire Fortress atop Liang Peak | Mount Liang Tower of the Flame Heroes | 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 | Salamangreat Fusion (archetype) | |
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 | |
Raider's Unbreakable Mind | レイダーズ・アンブレイカブル・マインド | Phantom Knights Raidraptor The Phantom Knights | |
Raidraptor Replica | Raid Raptors Replica | Raidraptor | |
Rank-Up-Magic Limited Barian's Force | Rank-Up-Magic | ||
Ride of the Valkyries | Walkuren Ritt | Valkyrie | |
Rising Fire | ライジング・オブ・ファイア | Rising of Fire | Salamangreat |
U.A. Hyper Stadium | Ultra Athlete Hyper Stadium | F.A. U.A. | |
U.A. Locker Room | Ultra Athlete Locker Room | F.A. U.A. | |
U.A. Man of the Match | Ultra Athlete Man of the Match | F.A. U.A. |
Anime[edit]
Japanese name | Translated name | Archetype(s) | |
---|---|---|---|
Superheavy Samurai Beast Kyubi (anime) | Superheavy Demon Beast Kyu-B | Superheavy Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai General Coral (anime) | Superheavy General San-5 | Superheavy Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai General Jade (anime) | Superheavy General Hisu-E | Superheavy Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai Ninja Sarutobi (anime) | Superheavy Ninja Saruto-B | Ninja Superheavy Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai Ogre Shutendoji (anime) | Superheavy God Oni Shutendo-G | Superheavy Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai Stealth Ninja (anime) | Superheavy Ninja Shinobi-AC | Ninja Superheavy Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai Steam Train King (anime) | Superheavy Steam Oni Tetsudo-O | Superheavy Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai Warchief Heavystrong | Superheavy War God Fudomyo-O | Superheavy Superheavy Samurai | |
Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo (anime) | Superheavy Koujin Susano-O | Superheavy Superheavy Samurai |