MAGIC CARD RULINGS
All Rulings written by Edo

Axe of Despair [ j. Demon's Axe ]
Category: Power-Up / Return to Deck
Type: Equipment / Triggered

  • Tributing a Monster for the effect is optional.

Black Pendant [ j. Black Pendant ]
Category: Life Point Damage
Type: Equipment / Triggered

  • The effect is activated even when sent to the Graveyard from the Field while it is Set.

Block Attack [ j. Seal Attack ]
Category: Mode Change
Type: Normal

Card Destruction [ j. Hand Obliteration ]
Category: Card Discarding; Card Drawing
Type: Normal

  • Does NOT count itself in the number of cards discarded in this way.

Chain Energy [ j. Magical Bonds ]
Category: Life Point Loss
Type: Continuous

  • The Life Points become a COST to use the cards. If the cost is not paid, the card cannot be played.
  • Multiples of this card in play "stack" (1000 for two in play, 1500 for three in play, etc.)
  • Examples of cards played from hand:
  • Playing a Magic card from hand.
  • Playing a Trap card from hand. [EDO'S NOTE: Don't worry about this one yet.]
  • Setting a Magic or Trap card from hand.
  • Summoning or Special Summoning a Monster from hand.
  • Playing specific Effect Monsters from hand (i.e. [Kuriboh], [Thunder Dragon], etc.)
  • Examples of cards NOT played from hand:
  • Using cards in play.
  • Discarding cards from hand, through [Magic Jammer], etc. worry about this one yet.]
  • Discarding a card from your hand at the end of your turn.
  • Fusing Monsters from your hand.
  • Tributing Monsters from your hand for a Ritual Magic card.
  • [Minar], [Electric Snake]

Change of Heart [ j. Change of Heart ]
Category: Monster Control
Type: Normal (Duration)

  • The controlled Monster can be Tributed (it will go to its owner's Graveyard).
  • If the controlled Monster would go back to its owner's control, and the owner's Monster Slots are full, the Monster would be destroyed instead.
  • When used, you gain control of your opponent's Monster in the same mode it was in under your opponent's control. You are free to change the mode of that Monster. When the Monster is returned to your opponent's control, it returns in the same mode that it left your Field in.
  • Any Equipment cards that were attached to a Monster remain attached to that Monster when under your opponent's control (they still occupy your Magic/Trap slots, however).

Cheerful Coffin, The [ j. Enthuastic Undertaker ]
Category: Discard
Type: Normal

  • You must discard either 1, 2 or 3 Monster cards from your hand.

Confiscation [ j. Confiscate ]
Category: Discard
Type: Normal

Curse of Fiend [ j. Wicked Ritual ]
Category: Mode Change
Type: Normal (Special)

  • This card is a special case in which, if it is Set, you can activate it during your Standby Phase. You can also play it from the HAND during your Standby Phase.

Dark Hole [ j. Black Hole ]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Normal

  • Destroys both your Monsters and your opponent's Monsters.
  • Destroys all face-up AND face-down Monsters.

Darkness Approaches [ j. Dark Visitation ]
Category: Face Change
Type: Normal

  • Discarding two cards from your hand is a cost to using this card. If this card is negated, the cards are not returned to the user.
  • A Monster CAN be turned into face-down attack mode with this card.
  • If a Monster that is in face-down attack mode changes to defense mode, it remains face-DOWN when it changes.
  • A Monster that is in face-down attack mode can still Flip Summon, but will go into face-up ATTACK mode.
  • Equipment cards that are Equipped on Monsters turned face-down in this way are destroyed (no effects pertaining to the Equipped Monster are activated on those Equipment cards).

De-Spell [ j. Magic Removal ]
Category: Magic Destruction
Type: Normal

  • If the card that you choose turns out to not be a Magic card, you do not get to choose another target, and this card's effect ends.
  • This card CANNOT be used in a chain when your opponent uses a Magic card, because Spell Speed 1 cards CANNOT Chain.

Delinquent Duo [ j. Mischievous Demon Twins ]
Category: Discard
Type: Normal

  • This card CAN be played even if your opponent has only one card in his or her hand.

Dimensionhole [ j. Worm Hole ]
Category: ????
Type: Quickplay

Elegant Egotist [ j. Ten-Thousand Reflections ]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Normal

  • If you played a Monster from your deck, shuffle your deck afterward.
  • You cannot play this card if all of your Monster slots are full.

Eternal Rest [ j. Eternal Rest ]
Category: Magic/Trap Destruction
Type: Normal

Fairy Meteo Crush [ j. Meteor Strike ]
Category: ????
Type: Equipment

Final Destiny [ j. Final Battle ]
Category: Monster/Magic/Trap Destruction
Type: Normal

  • Discarding five cards from your hand is a cost to using this card. If this card is negated, the cards are not returned to the user.
  • Playing this card is NOT counted as the cards discarded.

Fissure [ j. Fissure / Broken Earth ]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Normal

  • Can be used if your opponent has only one face-up Monster on the Field.
  • If more than one Monster has the lowest attack strength, the player of this card chooses which is destroyed.
  • Q: Why isn't Fissure a targeted effect?
    A: It's because the user of the card doesn't choose the target; Fissure itself does. Even if the user would choose which of two Monsters that tie for the lowest attack strength will be destroyed, it's still not "targeted."

Flute of Summoning Dragon [ j. Dragon-Calling Horn ]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Normal

  • The English card is incorrect. The correct text would be:
    Playing this card when there is a Lord of D. card face-up on the field allows you to play up to 2 Dragon-Type cards from your hand as a Special Summon.
  • CAN be used if your opponent has a face-up Lord of D. on the Field.
  • You may choose to summon 1 or 2 Dragon-Type MONSTER cards from your hand.
  • CANNOT be played if you have no free Monster Slots.
  • Since they are Special Summons, [Trap Hole] can't be used on Dragon-Type Monsters played in this way.

Forceful Sentry [ j. Steadfast Guard ]
Category: Discard
Type: Normal

Germ Infection [ j. Microscopic Infection ]
Category: Power Down
Type: Equipment

  • The reduction is CUMULATIVE.
  • The reduction only lasts as long as this card is Equipped on the Monster.

Giant Trunade [ j. Giant Trunade ]
Category: Return To Hand
Type: Normal

Gravekeeper's Servant [ j. Gravekeeper's Familiar ]
Category: Discard
Type: Continuous

  • This effect is cumulative (two discards for two on the Field, etc.).

[ j. Ground of Inactivity ]
Category: ????
Type: Continuous

Heavy Storm [ j. Heavy Storm ]
Category: Magic/Trap Destruction
Type: Normal

  • Destroys both your Magic/Trap cards and your opponent's Magic/Trap cards.
  • Destroys all face-up AND face-down Magic/Trap cards.

Horn of Light [ j. Horn of Light ]
Category: Power-Up / Return to Deck
Type: Equipment / Triggered

  • Paying Life Points to activate this effect is optional.

Last Will
Category: Special Summon
Type: Normal (Duration)

  • If played, does not have to be used.
  • If played, its effect only works for one Monsters destroyed (i.e., it can't be used multiple times).
  • Can be used to summon high-level Monsters (level 5 or higher), as long as they are not Monsters with a Special Summon requirement.
  • Can be used after one of your Monsters has gone to the Graveyard from the Field.
  • Multiple Last Wills can be played. The first of your Monsters that hits the Graveyard during that turn will trigger both Last Will effects.
    --- Example: You play two Last Wills. Two of your Monsters go to the Graveyard during this turn. The first will trigger both Last Wills, allow you to Special Summon two Monsters (one Monster for each Last Will). The second Monster that goes to the Graveyard does not trigger the Last Wills, because they only count for one Monster.
  • Is only triggered when a Monster under your control goes to your own Graveyard (thus, a Monster that was gained control of via [Change of Heart] will not trigger this effect)

Limiter Removal [ j. Limiter Removal ]
Category: Power-Up
Type: Quickplay

Magical Labyrinth [ j. Labyrinth Change ]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Equipment (Special)

Malevolent Nuzzler [ j. Demon's Kiss ]
Category: Power-Up / Return to Deck
Type: Equipment / Triggered

  • Paying Life Points to activate this effect is optional.

Megamorph [ j. Giant Growth ]
Category: Power-Up / Power-Down
Type: Equipment

  • Doubles the BASE attack strength of the Monster (listed on the card).
  • If your Life Points are equal to your opponent's, there is no change.
  • [Reverse Trap] cannot affect this card, as doubling/halving is not covered in the [Reverse Trap] card's effect.

Messenger of Peace [ j. Emissary of Peace ]
Category: Attack Prevention
Type: Continuous

  • You may choose not to pay the Life Points during your Standby Phase, and thus destroy this card.
  • Monsters with an ATK of 1500 can DECLARE an attack. However, if the Monster's ATK goes above 1500 AFTER declaring an attack, that is perfectly fine.

Monster Reborn [ j. Raise Dead ]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Normal

  • CAN be used on normal Monsters that have been discarded from your hand in some way. [EDO'S NOTE: Yes, DESPITE what the FAQ page says on the Upper Deck Site.]
  • CANNOT be used on Monsters that have a Special Summon requirement that make their way into your Graveyard without entering play in the required way at least once.
    Monsters that have a Special Summon requirement (currently):

    • All Fusion Monsters
    • All Ritual Monsters
    • Group A Toon Monsters
    • Gate Guardian
    • Great Moth
    • Harpie Lady Sisters
    • Larvae Moth
    • Wall Shadow

    --- Example #1: If I discarded a Dark Magician from my hand (in some way), you or I CAN use Monster Reborn on it.
    --- Example #2: If I discarded a Gate Guardian from my hand (in some way), you or I CAN'T use Monster Reborn on it. [Because it didn't enter play at least once.]
    --- Example #3: If I summoned a Gate Guardian into play at least once by Tributing Sanga, Suijin and Kazejin, and it goes to the Graveyard (in some way), you or I CAN use Monster Reborn on it. [Because it entered play at least once.]
  • Since they are Special Summons, [Trap Hole] can't be used on Monsters played in this way.

Monster Recovery [ j. Monster Recall ]
Category: Card Drawing
Type: Quickplay

  • If played during Battle (before the Damage Step), a replay occurs.
  • If an opponent's Monster is under your control and you use this card on it, the Monster will be shuffled into its owner's deck, and only the cards in your hand will be shuffled in and counted toward drawing.

Mystical Space Typhoon [ j. Cyclone ]
Category: Magic/Trap Destruction
Type: Quickplay

  • CANNOT NEGATE THE CARD IT DESTROYS!

Nobleman of Crossout [ j. Emissary of Obliteration ]
Category: ????
Type: Normal

  • Remove a face-down Monster from the game, regardless if it has a Flip Effect or not.
  • You remove similar copies from the game in all decks ONLY if that Monster has a Flip Effect.

Nobleman of Extermination [ j. Emissary of Destruction ]
Category: ????
Type: Normal

  • Removes a face-down Magic/Trap card from the game, regardless if it is a Trap card or not.
  • You remove similar copies from the game in all decks ONLY if that card is a Trap card.

Painful Choice [ j. Distressing Choice ]
Category: Special
Type: Normal

  • Effects on cards such as [Minar] and [Penguin Knight] are NOT activated, as this is your own Magic card that is putting those cards into your Graveyard.

Paralyzing Potion [ j. Paralysis Potion ]
Category: Attack Prevention
Type: Equipment

  • The Equipped Monster CAN change its mode.

Premature Burial [ j. Early Burial ]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Equipment

  • Paying the Life Points is a cost to playing this card. If this card is negated, the Life Points are not returned to you.
  • This card is governed by the same rules of [Monster Reborn] for bringing back Special Summon Monsters, etc.
  • If this card is returned to your hand, the Equipped Monster is NOT destroyed.
  • If this card is negated while on the Field (such as with [Imperial Order]) and it is destroyed, the Equipped Monster is NOT destroyed.

Prohibition [ j. Prohibition Order ]
Category: ????
Type: Continuous

Reliable Guardian [ j. Strong Defense ]
Category: Power Up
Type: Quickplay

Remove Trap [ j. Trap Remover ]
Category: Trap Destruction
Type: Normal

  • This card CANNOT be used in a chain when your opponent uses a Trap card, because Spell Speed 1 cards CANNOT Chain.

Ring of Magnetism [ j. Magnetic Ring ]
Category: Attack Redirection
Type: Equipment

  • Can ONLY be Equipped on YOUR Monster. The English-translation of the card is erroneous. [EDO'S NOTE: If you would like more proof, please get someone to translate the current Japanese version of the card for you.]
  • Does not FORCE your opponent to attack, i.e. your opponent doesn't have to attack if he or she doesn't want to. However, if your opponent's DOES want to attack, he or she must choose the Monster that this cards is Equipped on as the target of the attack.

Rush Recklessly [ j. Charge ]
Category: Power Up
Type: Quickplay

[ j. Scorched Earth ]
Category: Field Card Destruction / Direct Damage
Type: Continuous

Shallow Grave, The [ j. Shallow Grave ]
Category: Special Summon
Type: Normal

  • This card is governed by the same rules of bringing Special Summon Monster back from the Graveyard.

Share the Pain [ j. Share Wounds ]
Category: Monster Removal
Type: Normal

  • The English card is vague in its usage, so it works much like this:
    You choose 1 of the Monsters on your side of the Field and destroy it. Your opponent chooses 1 of the Monsters on his or her side of the Field and destroys it.
  • Tributing a Monster in this way does NOT count as Tribute for any other purpose (such as Tribute Summon, [Cannon Soldier], etc.).
  • You CANNOT play this card unless both you and your opponent have at least one Monster on the Field.

Shield and Sword [ j. Shield in the Right Hand, Sword in the Left Hand ]
Category: Statistic Change
Type: Normal (Duration)

  • Applies ONLY to face-up Monsters. Monsters that are turned face-up during after this card is played are NOT affected by the change.
  • Modifiers that were applied before this card was played are swapped (including Magic/Trap/Equipment effects). However, modifiers to statistics that are played AFTER this card affect the new statistics only, which includes Equipment Magic cards. Equipment cards that were attached before this card was played are swapped. Equipment cards that were played after this card simply affect the new statistics.
    --- Example #1: I have a face-up [Mystical Elf] (800/2000) on the Field. [Shield and Sword] is used. The [Mystical Elf] becomes (2000/800). I then activate a [Castle Walls]. The [Mystical Elf] changes to (2000/1300).
    --- Example #2: I have a face-up [Mystical Elf] (800/2000) on the Field, with an Equipment card that increases its attack strength by 700 (just as an example). [Shield and Sword] is used. The [Mystical Elf] becomes (2000/1500). If I equip another of those Equipment cards on it after [Shield and Sword] is play, it would be (2700/1500).
  • [Reverse Trap] does not work on this card, as it swaps the statistics; it doesn't increase/decrease them.

Snatch Steal [ j. Theft ]
Category: Control
Type: Equipment

  • Since it's an Equipment Magic card, it CANNOT be Equipped on face-down Monsters.
  • If the Monster that this card is Equipped on is turned face-down (such as with [Darkness Approaches]), this card is destroyed, but the Monster is NOT returned to its previous controller.

Soul Exchange [ j. Cross Soul ]
Category: Tribute
Type: Normal

  • Can be used to Tribute your opponent's Monster for whatever way you wish (such as for a Tribute Summon, or Monster Effects like the [Cannon Soldier]), but must be Tributed RIGHT AFTER using Soul Exchange (i.e., does not last the entire turn).
  • CANNOT be used during Main Phase 2. Skipping your Battle Phase is a "cost" to using this card.
  • You may choose to Tribute a face-up or face-down Monster.
  • Does NOT give you control of the Monster.
  • Only one [Soul Exchange] can be used at a time for Tributing. This is because the card/effect that you are Tributing for must be used RIGHT AFTER the use of [Soul Exchange].
  • And no, a Summon in this way is NOT a Special Summon. (NO WAY IN HELL IS IT A SPECIAL SUMMON.) This is because [Soul Exchange] isn't the source of the Summon.

Soul Release [ j. Release of the Soul ]
Category: Graveyard Removal
Type: Normal

  • You must remove 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 cards in your or your opponent's Graveyard from the game.

Stim Pack [ j. Doping ]
Category: Power Up / Power Down
Type: Equipment

  • The reduction in attack strength includes the initial 700 point increase.
    -- Example: During the first Standby Phase after you play [Stim Pack], the effective increase would be 500 (700 - 200). The second Standby Phase would be 300 (700 - 200 - 200). Etc.
  • The 200 point reduction is CUMULATIVE.
  • Increase / Reduction is NOT permanent, i.e., only applies while the [Stim Pack] is Equipped on the Monster.

Stop Defense [ j. Seal Defense ]
Category: Mode Change
Type: Normal

  • If it changes a Monster from face-down defense mode to face-up attack mode, it is NOT considered a Flip Summon, though any effect it has is activated.

Sword of Deep-Seated [ j. Sword of Tenacity ]
Category: Power Up / Deck Manipulation
Type: Equipment

  • If placed in a Graveyard, it MUST be placed on top of your deck.
  • Goes to the top of your deck, regardless of the way that it made it into your Graveyard (from the Field, your hand, or your deck).

Swords of Revealing Light [ j. Sealing Swords of Light ]
Category: Other
Type: Normal [SPECIAL] (Duration)

  • Once played, remains in one of your Magic/Trap slots.
  • Is destroyed at the END of your opponent's THIRD turn.
  • De-Spell, Armed Ninja, and other cards that destroy or remove Magic CAN be used on a Swords of Revealing Light that is in a Magic/Trap slot.
  • Does NOT prevent your opponent from changing the modes of his or her Monsters.
  • You (the player of the this card) can still attack your opponent.
  • If two or more are on the Field, they "count down" simultaneously (i.e., their time limit does NOT "stack up").
  • Monsters that are Set on the Field after this card comes into play are played face-down.
  • Monsters that come into play after this card comes into play cannot attack until the end of the this card's effect.

Tailor of the Fickle [ j. Changing Disguises ]
Category: Equipment Move
Type: Quickplay

Toll [ j. Toll ]
Category:
Type: Continuous

  • If a replay occurs, the Life Point payment is not returned to the attacker.

Tribute To The Doomed [ j. Welcome For The Dead ]
Category: Monster Destruction
Type: Normal

  • Discarding the card is a cost to playing this card.
  • If this card is negated, the discarded card is NOT returned to its user.

Upstart Goblin [ j. Rich Goblin ]
Category: Special
Type: Normal

     
 

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