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| − | [[File:Infinite loop.gif|thumb|The famous infinite loop that allowed [[Yugi Muto]] to defeat "[[Slifer the Sky Dragon ( | + | [[File:Infinite loop.gif|thumb|200px|The famous infinite loop that allowed [[Yugi Muto|Yugi]] to defeat "[[Slifer the Sky Dragon (original)|Slifer the Sky Dragon]]"]] |
An '''infinite loop''' is a never-ending cycle of effects [[Activate|activating]] in [[Respond|response]] to each other, or a series of [[Continuous Effect]](s) that never settle. | An '''infinite loop''' is a never-ending cycle of effects [[Activate|activating]] in [[Respond|response]] to each other, or a series of [[Continuous Effect]](s) that never settle. | ||
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==Loops with no net change== | ==Loops with no net change== | ||
| − | These occur when a series of mandatory actions repeat after each other in a cycle, and there is no net change after each cycle, such that the game state is identical at the beginning and end of any cycle. | + | These occur when a series of mandatory actions repeat after each other in a cycle, and there is no net change after each cycle, such that the game state is identical at the beginning and end of any cycle. |
| − | + | These types of infinite loops are illegal in gameplay, meaning that a player may not voluntarily [[activate]] any card if its activation would cause such a loop. If such a loop is caused by something involuntary, such as a player conducting their [[normal draw]] or a mandatory effect, then the card ruled to be the source of the infinite loop is automatically destroyed by game mechanics. | |
===Pole Position=== | ===Pole Position=== | ||
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"[[Pole Position]]", "[[Luminous Spark]]", and "[[Gemini Elf]]" (1900 ATK) are face-up on the field. | "[[Pole Position]]", "[[Luminous Spark]]", and "[[Gemini Elf]]" (1900 ATK) are face-up on the field. | ||
| − | If a player | + | If a player attempts to Summon "[[X-Head Cannon]]", the following would occur: |
* "X-Head Cannon" would be Summoned with 1800 ATK. | * "X-Head Cannon" would be Summoned with 1800 ATK. | ||
* Since "X-Head Cannon" is a [[LIGHT]] monster, "Luminous Spark" increases its ATK by 500, to 2300. | * Since "X-Head Cannon" is a [[LIGHT]] monster, "Luminous Spark" increases its ATK by 500, to 2300. | ||
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* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the ATK of "X-Head Cannon" never settling. | * The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the ATK of "X-Head Cannon" never settling. | ||
| − | + | Therefore, it is an illegal move for either player to Summon "X-Head Cannon".<ref name="UDE P-R">[http://web.archive.org/web/20090220140220/http://entertainment.upperdeck.com/yugioh/en/gameplay/faqs/cardfaqs/default.aspx?first=P&last=R UDE FAQ]: Individual Card Rulings [P-R]</ref> | |
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====Involuntary==== | ====Involuntary==== | ||
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* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the ATK of "Muka Muka" never settling. | * The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the ATK of "Muka Muka" never settling. | ||
| − | + | Since this loop was caused by a mandatory action, it cannot be prevented by restricting the player's actions. Since the loop cannot be avoided, "[[Pole Position]]" will be [[destroy]]ed by [[game mechanics]].<ref name="UDE P-R"/> | |
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===Amplifier=== | ===Amplifier=== | ||
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Player 1 [[control]]s a "[[Jinzo]]" which is [[owner|owned]] by Player 2, but being controlled by Player 1 due to "[[Snatch Steal]]". "Jinzo" is equipped with "[[Amplifier]]". | Player 1 [[control]]s a "[[Jinzo]]" which is [[owner|owned]] by Player 2, but being controlled by Player 1 due to "[[Snatch Steal]]". "Jinzo" is equipped with "[[Amplifier]]". | ||
| − | If Player 1 | + | If Player 1 attempts to activate "[[Imperial Order]]", the following would occur: |
* "Imperial Order" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal" ("Amplifier" cannot be negated). | * "Imperial Order" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal" ("Amplifier" cannot be negated). | ||
* Since "Snatch Steal" is now negated, control of "Jinzo" returns to its owner Player 2. | * Since "Snatch Steal" is now negated, control of "Jinzo" returns to its owner Player 2. | ||
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* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the player who controls "Jinzo" never settling. | * The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the player who controls "Jinzo" never settling. | ||
| − | + | Therefore, it is an illegal move for Player 1 to activate "Imperial Order".<ref name="UDE A-C">[http://web.archive.org/web/20090217182013/http://entertainment.upperdeck.com/yugioh/en/gameplay/faqs/cardfaqs/default.aspx?first=A&last=C UDE FAQ]: Individual Card Rulings [A-C]</ref> | |
| − | + | If Player 1 had already controlled "Imperial Order" before activating "Snatch Steal", then Player 1 activating "Snatch Steal" targeting "Jinzo" (equipped with "Amplifier") would be an illegal move. | |
=====Involuntary===== | =====Involuntary===== | ||
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* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the player who controls "Jinzo" never settling. | * The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the player who controls "Jinzo" never settling. | ||
| − | + | Since this loop was caused by a mandatory effect, it cannot be prevented by restricting the player's actions. Since the loop cannot be avoided, whichever card is identified as the cause will be [[destroy]]ed by [[game mechanics]] (no official ruling has been issued as to which is the cause). | |
====Negation==== | ====Negation==== | ||
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* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with which effect is active never settling. | * The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with which effect is active never settling. | ||
| − | + | Therefore, it is an illegal move for Player 1 to activate "Royal Decree".<ref name="UDE A-C"/> | |
| − | + | If Player 2 had already controlled "Royal Decree" before Player 1 activated "Skill Drain", then Player 1 activating "Skill Drain" would be an illegal move. | |
=====Involuntary===== | =====Involuntary===== | ||
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* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with which effect is active never settling. | * The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with which effect is active never settling. | ||
| − | ' | + | Since this loop was caused by a mandatory effect, it cannot be prevented by restricting the player's actions. Since the loop cannot be avoided, whichever card is identified as the cause will be [[destroy]]ed by [[game mechanics]] (no official ruling has been issued as to which is the cause). |
===Cyber Blader=== | ===Cyber Blader=== | ||
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====Voluntary==== | ====Voluntary==== | ||
Player 1 [[control]]s three monsters, one of which is [[owner|owned]] by Player 2, but being controlled by Player 1 due to "[[Snatch Steal]]". | Player 1 [[control]]s three monsters, one of which is [[owner|owned]] by Player 2, but being controlled by Player 1 due to "[[Snatch Steal]]". | ||
| − | + | If Player 2 attempts to Summon "[[Cyber Blader]]", the following would occur: | |
| − | * Since Player 1 controls three monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal". The | + | * Since Player 1 controls three monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal". The 'stolen' monster returns to Player 2's control. |
| − | * Since Player 1 now controls two monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" instead doubles its ATK. The effect of "Snatch Steal" is no longer negated, so Player 1 gains control of the | + | * Since Player 1 now controls two monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" instead doubles its ATK. The effect of "Snatch Steal" is no longer negated, so Player 1 gains control of the 'stolen' monster. |
| − | * Since Player 1 now controls three monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal". The | + | * Since Player 1 now controls three monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal". The 'stolen' monster returns to Player 2's control. |
* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the player who controls the monster equipped with "Snatch Steal" never settling. | * The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the player who controls the monster equipped with "Snatch Steal" never settling. | ||
| − | + | Therefore, it is an illegal move for Player 2 to Summon "Cyber Blader". | |
| − | + | If Player 2 had already controlled "Cyber Blader" before Player 1 activated "Snatch Steal", then Player 1 activating "Snatch Steal" (targeting a monster other than "Cyber Blader") would be an illegal move. | |
====Involuntary==== | ====Involuntary==== | ||
Player 1 [[control]]s two monsters, one of which is [[owner|owned]] by Player 2, but being controlled by Player 1 due to "[[Snatch Steal]]". Player 1 also controls "[[Jam Breeding Machine]]". Player 2 controls "Cyber Blader". | Player 1 [[control]]s two monsters, one of which is [[owner|owned]] by Player 2, but being controlled by Player 1 due to "[[Snatch Steal]]". Player 1 also controls "[[Jam Breeding Machine]]". Player 2 controls "Cyber Blader". | ||
| − | + | During Player 1's [[Standby Phase]], the following would occur: | |
| − | * | + | * "Jam Breeding Machine's" mandatory effect Summons a "[[Slime Token]]" to Player 1's field. |
| − | * Since Player 1 controls three monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal". The | + | * Since Player 1 controls three monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal". The 'stolen' monster returns to Player 2's control. |
| − | * Since Player 1 now controls two monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" instead doubles its ATK. The effect of "Snatch Steal" is no longer negated, so Player 1 gains control of the | + | * Since Player 1 now controls two monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" instead doubles its ATK. The effect of "Snatch Steal" effect is no longer negated, so Player 1 gains control of the 'stolen' monster. |
| − | * Since Player 1 now controls three monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal". The | + | * Since Player 1 now controls three monsters, the effect of "Cyber Blader" negates the effect of "Snatch Steal". The 'stolen' monster returns to Player 2's control. |
* The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the player who controls the monster equipped with "Snatch Steal" never settling. | * The above sequence would repeat infinitely, with the player who controls the monster equipped with "Snatch Steal" never settling. | ||
| − | ' | + | Since this loop was caused by a mandatory effect, it cannot be prevented by restricting the player's actions. Since the loop cannot be avoided, whichever card is identified as the cause will be [[destroy]]ed by [[game mechanics]] (no official ruling has been issued, but it will likely be either "[[Snatch Steal]]" or "[[Cyber Blader]]"). |
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==Loops with net change== | ==Loops with net change== | ||
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* The effect of "Hiro's Shadow Scout" will again make the opponent draw 3 cards. | * The effect of "Hiro's Shadow Scout" will again make the opponent draw 3 cards. | ||
* "Morphing Jar #2" will continue to return the two monsters to the Deck and reset them face-down onto the field, where "All-Out Attacks" will flip them. | * "Morphing Jar #2" will continue to return the two monsters to the Deck and reset them face-down onto the field, where "All-Out Attacks" will flip them. | ||
| − | * This infinite loop repeats until Player 2 has drawn close to their whole Deck, at which point the effect of "Hiro's Shadow Scout" will force Player 2 to draw when they do not have enough cards in their Deck. This will cause Player 2 to lose the Duel due to a | + | * This infinite loop repeats until Player 2 has drawn close to their whole Deck, at which point the effect of "Hiro's Shadow Scout" will force Player 2 to draw when they do not have enough cards in their Deck. This will cause Player 2 to lose the Duel due to a Deck out. |
====End with no net change==== | ====End with no net change==== | ||
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* This infinite loop repeats until Player 2 has milled their whole Deck, at which point the effect of "Needle Worm" ceases to cause the opponent to mill any cards. The loop now has no net change. | * This infinite loop repeats until Player 2 has milled their whole Deck, at which point the effect of "Needle Worm" ceases to cause the opponent to mill any cards. The loop now has no net change. | ||
| − | At this point, just as with infinite loops with no net change, the card that began the loop, "All-Out Attacks", would be | + | At this point, just as with infinite loops with no net change, the card that began the loop, "All-Out Attacks", would be destroyed by game mechanics. Once Player 1 ends their turn, Player 2 will be unable to draw a card during their Draw Phase and will lose the Duel. |
===Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon=== | ===Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon=== | ||
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This ruling can also be extrapolated to cover "Destiny HERO - Departed" with a nonzero ATK of 2000 or less while the player controls "[[Slifer the Sky Dragon]]". | This ruling can also be extrapolated to cover "Destiny HERO - Departed" with a nonzero ATK of 2000 or less while the player controls "[[Slifer the Sky Dragon]]". | ||
| − | == | + | ===Light and Darkness Dragon=== |
| − | The | + | The negation effect of "[[Light and Darkness Dragon]]" will only activate once while the effect of "[[Reverse Trap]]" is applying.<ref name="UDE L-O">[http://web.archive.org/web/20090220023927/http://entertainment.upperdeck.com/yugioh/en/gameplay/faqs/cardfaqs/default.aspx?first=L&last=O UDE FAQ]: Individual Card Rulings [L-O]</ref> In addition to preventing abuse, this also prevents infinite loops. |
| − | + | If this ruling were not in place, infinite loops would occur with many mandatory Trigger Effects. For example, the following would happen during the opponent's [[End Phase]] if that player controls "[[Judgment Dragon]]": | |
| − | * | + | * The [[mandatory effect]] of "Judgment Dragon" activates to send cards from the Deck to the Graveyard. |
| − | * | + | * The mandatory effect of "Light and Darkness Dragon" is Chained, negating the effect of "Judgment Dragon" and increasing its own ATK and DEF by 500. |
| + | * The mandatory effect of "Judgment Dragon" activates to send cards from the Deck to the Graveyard. | ||
| + | * The mandatory effect of "Light and Darkness Dragon" is Chained, negating the effect of "Judgment Dragon" and increasing its own ATK and DEF by 500. | ||
| + | * The above sequence would repeat infinitely. | ||
| − | ==In the | + | ==In the anime== |
| − | + | Infinite loops with net change have been seen a few times in the anime. | |
| − | * In [[Yu-Gi-Oh! | + | * In [[Yu-Gi-Oh! - Episode 067|episode 67]] of ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'', [[Yami Yugi]] used the effects of [[Strings]]' "[[Slifer the Sky Dragon]]", "[[Revival Jam]]", and "[[Card of Safe Return]]" against him by attacking "[[Revival Jam]]", causing it to regenerate, then taking control of it by "[[Brain Control]]" so that while it regenerates, it does so on Yami's side of the field, forcing "Slifer" to attack and destroy "Revival Jam" over and over. This caused "Card of Safe Return" to make Strings continuously draw from his Deck until he got a [[Deck Out]] and lost the Duel. This is arguably the most famous infinite loop to be seen in the anime. |
| + | * In [[Yu-Gi-Oh! - Episode 182|episode 182]] of ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'', Yami Yugi used the effects of "[[Legendary Knight Critias]]" (which had absorbed the effect of "[[Attack Guidance Barrier]]") and "[[Legendary Knight Hermos]]" to continuously redirect attacks between them while another effect of "Hermos" increased its ATK each time. By anime mechanics, this caused the ATK of "Hermos" to become [[∞]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
