Conventions of 3000 ATK and DEF

The Conventions of 3000 ATK and DEF are general unwritten conventions stating that in order for a monster to have an original ATK or DEF of over 3000, it either must have negative effects to limit its playability, or otherwise have special conditions for being Summoned. This convention is similar to the "Level 4 ATK and DEF conventions".

3000 ATK or more

"Super Conductor Tyranno", a monster that breaks the convention by having over 3000 original ATK and being Normal Summonable with no drawback.

In general, monsters with up to 3000 ATK may be Normal Summoned with neither any special conditions nor any negative effects, such as the iconic "Blue-Eyes White Dragon". Many such monsters even have beneficial effects. However, monsters with greater than 3000 ATK should either possess negative effects in order to remain Normal Summonable, such as "Arcana Force XXI - The World" or "Ultimate Obedient Fiend", or must have Summoning conditions that prevent them from being Normal Summoned. All Extra Deck monsters fall into the latter category.

"Super Conductor Tyranno" is currently the only known exceptions to this convention. There are currently 188 monsters with over 3000 ATK.

TCG/OCG Cards with at least 3000 ATK

	Japanese name	Primary type	Secondary type	Attribute	Type	Level/ Rank	ATK	DEF
A-to-Z-Dragon Buster Cannon	ＡｔｏＺ（エートゥズィ）－ドラゴン・バスターキャノン	Effect Monster Fusion Monster		LIGHT	Machine	10	4000	4000
ABC-Dragon Buster	Ａ（エー）Ｂ（ビー）Ｃ（シー）－ドラゴン・バスター	Effect Monster Fusion Monster		LIGHT	Machine	8	3000	2800
Abominable Unchained Soul	雙（そう）極（きょく）の破（は）械（かい）神（しん）	Effect Monster		DARK	Fiend	8	3000	1500
Abyss Actor - Evil Heel	魔（ま）界（かい）劇（げき）団（だん）－デビル・ヒール	Pendulum Monster Effect Monster		DARK	Fiend	8	3000	2000
Adamancipator Risen - Dragite	魔救の奇跡（アダマシア・ライズ）－ドラガイト	Synchro Monster Effect Monster		WATER	Rock	8	3000	2200
Agave Dragon	竜（りゅう）絶（ぜつ）蘭（らん）	Link Monster Effect Monster		EARTH	Wyrm		3000
Aggiba, the Malevolent Sh'nn S'yo	羅（ら）阿（あ）邪（じゃ）神（しん）将（しょう）アギバ	Effect Monster		LIGHT	Fiend	10	3000	3000
All-Eyes Phantom Dragon	ゴッドアイズ・ファントム・ドラゴン	Pendulum Monster Effect Monster		LIGHT	Dragon	10	3000	2500
Ally of Justice Decisive Armor	Ａ・Ｏ・Ｊ（アーリー・オブ・ジャスティス） ディサイシブ・アームズ	Synchro Monster Effect Monster		DARK	Machine	10	3300	3300
Alpha, the Master of Beasts	獣（しし）王（おう）アルファ	Effect Monster		EARTH	Beast	8	3000	2500
... further results (423 more)

3000 DEF or more

"Neo Aqua Madoor" is a 1 Tribute 3000 DEF Normal Monster.

Similar to the above convention, in general, monsters with up to 3000 DEF may be Normal Summoned (or Set) without either special conditions or drawbacks. Monsters in this category include "Labyrinth Wall" and "Millennium Shield", both Level 5 Normal Monsters with 0 ATK and 3000 DEF. However, monsters with greater than 3000 DEF must either have negative effects or Summoning conditions to hamper their usefulness. Many monsters with greater than 3000 DEF have greater than 3000 ATK as well.

The only known monster to break this convention is "Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei", with 3500 DEF but the ability to be Normal Summoned/Set with a beneficial effect to boot. In fact, as its effect allows it to use its DEF score for attacking as well, it may be somewhat considered an additional monster to break the 3000 ATK convention.

There are currently 87 monsters with over 3000 DEF.

TCG/OCG Cards with at least 3000 DEF

	Japanese name	Primary type	Secondary type	Attribute	Type	Level/ Rank	ATK	DEF
A-to-Z-Dragon Buster Cannon	ＡｔｏＺ（エートゥズィ）－ドラゴン・バスターキャノン	Effect Monster Fusion Monster		LIGHT	Machine	10	4000	4000
Aegaion the Sea Castrum	魔（ま）海（かい）城（じょう）アイガイオン	Xyz Monster Effect Monster		WATER	Machine	8	?	3000
Aggiba, the Malevolent Sh'nn S'yo	羅（ら）阿（あ）邪（じゃ）神（しん）将（しょう）アギバ	Effect Monster		LIGHT	Fiend	10	3000	3000
Ally of Justice Decisive Armor	Ａ・Ｏ・Ｊ（アーリー・オブ・ジャスティス） ディサイシブ・アームズ	Synchro Monster Effect Monster		DARK	Machine	10	3300	3300
Alsei, the Sylvan High Protector	森（しん）羅（ら）の守（もり）神（がみ） アルセイ	Xyz Monster Effect Monster		LIGHT	Plant	8	2300	3200
Amaterasu	天照大神（アマテラス）	Effect Monster	Spirit monster	LIGHT	Fairy	9	3000	3000
Ancient Fairy Dragon	エンシェント・フェアリー・ドラゴン	Synchro Monster Effect Monster		LIGHT	Dragon	7	2100	3000
Ancient Gear Golem	古代の機械巨人（アンティーク・ギアゴーレム）	Effect Monster		EARTH	Machine	8	3000	3000
Ancient Gear Golem - Ultimate Pound	古代の機械巨人（アンティーク・ギアゴーレム）－アルティメット・パウンド	Effect Monster		EARTH	Machine	8	3000	3000
Ancient Gear Megaton Golem	古代の機械超巨人（アンティーク・ギア・メガトン・ゴーレム）	Effect Monster Fusion Monster		EARTH	Machine	9	3300	3300
... further results (229 more)