Summoning condition

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Summoning conditions refer to specific conditions that define how monsters can be Summoned.

Card text[edit]

Cannot be Summoned[edit]

Indicates the monster cannot be Summoned or Normal Set with the listed Summoning mechanics, which may include Normal Set.

For monsters that cannot be Normal Summoned but can be Normal Set, earlier card texts like "Mystic Swordsman LV6" indicate this with the text "(but can be Normal Set)", while "Amaterasu" does not.

For monsters that conditionally apply a "Cannot be Summoned" condition, there are two structures that use "if" and "unless" respectively. They define additional parameters that, when applied, prevents or permits the monster's Summon with the listed Summoning mechanics.

"Cannot be Summoned if" conditions are only used on "Inspector Boarder", "Masked Chameleon" and "Bonze Alone" in the TCG. However, "Masked Chameleon" uses a different card text structure for the same condition in the OCG.

"Cannot be Summoned unless" conditions are only used on "Guardian" monsters, "Terrorking Archfiend" and "Vaalmonica" Link Monsters in the TCG. However, each of these categories of monsters use different card structures for the same condition in the OCG.

  • "This card cannot be [Summon mechanic]." → "Cannot be [Summon mechanic]."
  • "Cannot be [Summon mechanic] [if clause]."
  • "This card can only be Normal Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned when [clause]." → "Cannot be Summoned [unless clause]." (as used on "Guardian" monsters; introduced in Legendary Collection 3: Yugi's World Mega Pack)
  • "Can only be Link Summoned [while clause]" (as used on "Lib the World Key Blademaster")
  • "Cannot be Special Summoned, except by/with [Summon procedure]."
  • "Cannot be Special Summoned except from [location]" (as used on "Felgrand Dragon")
  • "Cannot be Special Summoned by [effect]".

Cannot be Special Summoned from[edit]

Indicates the monster cannot be Special Summoned (using card effects) from the specified location, usually the GY.

  • "This card cannot be Special Summoned from [location]."/"Neither player can Special Summon this card from [location]." → "Cannot be Special Summoned from [location]."

Must first be[edit]

Indicates the monster is a "Special Summon-only monster", or, unofficially, a "Semi-Nomi" monster. The monster can be Special Summoned using the described Summoning procedure, after which it is considered to have been properly Special Summoned.

Before the monster is properly Special Summoned, it cannot be Special Summoned with card effects. After it is properly Special Summoned, it can be Special Summoned with card effects. A properly Special Summoned monster sent into a non-public knowledge location loses its properly Special Summoned status.

If written on a Main Deck monster, it is always preceded by "Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set".

Earlier card texts do not distinguish between "Must be" and "Must first be" distinctions.

  • "This card can only be [Summon procedure]." → "Must first be [Summon procedure]."

Must be[edit]

Indicates the monster is what's unofficially termed a "Nomi" monster. The monster can only be Special Summoned using the described Summoning procedure.

If written on a Main Deck monster, it is always preceded by "Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set". Wicked God monsters use a similar card text for their 3 Tributes condition.

Earlier card texts do not distinguish between "Must be" and "Must first be" distinctions.

  • "This monster can only be Special Summoned by [Summon procedure]."/"This card cannot be Special Summoned except by [Summon procedure]." → "Must be [Summon procedure] and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways." → "Must be [Summon procedure]." (changed in Battles of Legend: Light's Revenge)

Special Summoned by/while[edit]

Only used in the context of "Must be" or "Must first be" as a clause of a Summoning procedure. Indicates the monster's Summoning procedure involves performing the action and/or fulfilling the clauses written after "by" or "while".

"Nekroz of Sophia" has a Ritual Summon restriction condition with different functionalities that is written in a similar way in the English TCG, but not in the Japanese OCG.

  • "[Must be/Must first be] Special Summoned (from your [location]) by/while [action/clause]."

Must be with the above materials[edit]

Only used on Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz Monsters, and only in the context of "Must be" or "Must first be" as a clause of a Summoning procedure. Prevents the monster from being Special Summoned using its listed Summoning mechanic but without its listed materials, such as by an effect that Special Summons and is treated as the listed mechanic. For Fusion Monsters, also prevents a Fusion Summon that uses Fusion Substitute Monsters.

  • "[Must be/Must first be] [Fusion/Synchro/Xyz] Summoned with the above [Fusion Materials/materials]."

A Fusion Summon of this card can only be done with the above Fusion Materials[edit]

Only used on Fusion Monsters. Prevents a Fusion Summon that uses Fusion Substitute Monsters. Unlike "Must be Fusion Summoned with the above Fusion Materials", its lack of a "Must" text allows it to be Special Summoned with card effects outside of its proper Summoning procedure, even if they don't use its listed Fusion Materials.

  • "A Fusion Summon of this card can only be done with the above [Fusion Materials/materials ("Arcana Knight Joker"-only)]."

You can Ritual Summon this card with[edit]

Only used on Ritual Monsters. Indicates the card(s) that can be used to Ritual Summon the monster. Though older versions of the condition specifies "only", the condition does not restrict the Ritual Summon to only those card(s), meaning that Nonspecific Ritual Spell Cards can always be used for Ritual Summoning these monsters.

Older versions of the condition (at different points in time) also include the requirements for Ritual Summoning that are described on the corresponding Ritual Spell ("You must also Tribute monsters whose total Level Stars equal [level] or more from the field or your hand"), or "Must first be" conditions ("Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. Must first be Ritual Summoned").

  • "This monster can only be Ritual Summoned with [card/category of cards]" → "You can Ritual Summon this card with [card/category of cards]" (introduced in Hidden Arsenal 5: Steelswarm Invasion)

Restricts requirement for Ritual Summon[edit]

Restricts Ritual Spell for Ritual Summon[edit]

Requires special Tributes[edit]

These conditions all specify non-standard requirements for Normal/Tribute Summons. It is written in four different ways, each with their own specific gameplay implications:

  • "This card can only be Normal Summoned by Tributing 1 "Flamvell" monster you control." ("Flamvell Commando"-only)
    • Only affects Normal Summoning face-up, regardless of the monster's Level. If the monster is Normal/Tribute Summoned face-down, the requirement does not apply.
  • "If you Tribute Summon this card, the Tribute must be [property]."
    • Only affects Tribute Summons. If the monster is Normal Summoned but not Tribute Summoned (i.e. if its Level in the hand becomes 4 or less), the requirement does not apply.
  • "Requires 3 [property] Tributes to [Normal Summon/Set / Normal Summon (cannot be Normal Set)]."
    • Affects all Normal Summons, regardless of the monster's Level.
    • Always either contains a required property, or contains "Normal Summon (cannot be Normal Set)". "Requires 3 Tributes to Normal Summon/Set" would be mechanically identical to the condition written below, but such a condition has not been printed in the TCG.
  • "Must be Normal Summoned/Set by Tributing 3 monsters." (Wicked God-only)
    • Affects all Normal Summons, regardless of the monster's Level.

List of OCG/TCG monsters with Summoning conditions[edit]

NameJapanese namePrimary typeSecondary typeAttributeTypeLevel/
Rank
ScaleATKDEFLink
A-to-Z-Dragon Buster CannonAtoZエートゥズィ-ドラゴン・バスターキャノンEffect Monster
Fusion Monster
LIGHTMachine1040004000
ABC-Dragon Busterエービーシー-ドラゴン・バスターEffect Monster
Fusion Monster
LIGHTMachine830002800
The Abyss Dragon SwordsoulしんえんそうけんりゅうEffect MonsterFIREWyrm830002900
Aggiba, the Malevolent Sh'nn S'yoじゃしんしょうアギバEffect MonsterLIGHTFiend1030003000
Akz, the PumerピューマンEffect MonsterEARTHBeast-Warrior615001000
Alba-Lenatus the Abyss Dragonしんえんりゅうアルバ・レナトゥスEffect Monster
Fusion Monster
DARKDragon825002500
All-Eyes Phantom Dragonゴッドアイズ・ファントム・ドラゴンEffect Monster
Pendulum Monster
LIGHTDragon10030002500
Ally of Justice Field MarshalA・O・Jアーリー・オブ・ジャスティス フィールド・マーシャルEffect Monster
Synchro Monster
DARKMachine929002600
Ally of Justice Thunder ArmorA・O・Jアーリー・オブ・ジャスティス サンダー・アーマーEffect MonsterDARKMachine827002200
Alpha, the Master of BeastsししおうアルファEffect MonsterEARTHBeast830002500

See also[edit]