hJ2aFGwS

1[spoiler=Update List (Last Updated: 02/11/18 at 12:40 CET)]
2[LIST]
3[*]
4New section added called "37: Link Monsters, Extra Monster Zone and more important changes", the terms "co-linked", "Extra Monster Zone", "linked", "Link Monster", "Link Summon" "Main Monster Zone", "point" and "zone" have been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List" and minor updates to the wording to reflect the changes have been added throughout the whole thread. [color=#ff0000][b](21/07/17)[/b][/color]
5[/*]
6[*]
7The term "location" has been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List" [color=#ff0000][b](31/07/17)[/b][/color]
8[/*]
9[*]
10The term "Extra Link" has been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List"[color=#ff0000][b] (13/08/17)[/b][/color]
11[/*]
12[*]
13Small change regarding Spell/Trap Cards, when you say "activation", you wish to use it. Also, the use of "2+" instead of "2 or more" for Fusion Monsters in various section.[color=#ff0000][b] (06/10/17)[/b][/color]
14[/*]
15[*]
16The term "Link Material" and "Link Rating" has been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List", also cards that state "its effects are negated" or similar have been changed to say "it has its effects negated" instead, and the "2+" thing is also being used on Xyz Monsters such as "Lyrilusc - Recital Starling" and cards like "X-Krawler Qualiark" [color=#ff0000][b](19/10/17)[/b][/color]
17[/*]
18[*]
19The term "Link-#" has been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List". [color=#ff0000][b](02/11/17)[/b][/color]
20[/*]
21[*]
22General smaller updates from Extreme Force have been added, and the terms "Leftmost", "Rightmost" and "Center" have been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List". [color=#ff0000][b](03/02/18)[/b][/color]
23[/*]
24[*]
25Fixed up instances of "ATK and DEF", which should be changed to the newer wording of "ATK/DEF", though of course in case you are making a choice between the two, you want to say "ATK or DEF" instead. Also, while I don't update the main post much, make sure to check the latest posts, as I update on a few PSCT things when a new pack's cards are revealed, most recent being Legenary Hero Decks.[color=#ff0000][b] (04/10/18)[/b][/color]
26[/*]
27[*]
28Renamed the thread a little bit, didn't like how it was presented before. The terms "battle" and "round up" have been added to the "Word List, Explanations and Usage List". I had forgotten about battle somehow, and round up I recently discovered being a thing, also turns out I can now have the whole word list in one thread, previously I had to split it up because it was using too much BBCode, and the site didn't like that, I just tried to merge them and it worked! [color=#ff0000][b](02/11/18)[/b][/color]
29[/*]
30[/LIST]
31[/spoiler]
32 
33[hr]
34 
35[spoiler=Content]
36[LIST]
37[*][b]1: Introduction: What to expect and why this thread exists[/b][/*]
38[*][b]2: Too Long, Didn't Read[/b][/*]
39[*][b]3: What is OCG? [/b][/*]
40[*][b]4: SET & PSCT [/b][/*]
41[*][b]5: Colon and Semi-Colon Integration and When/If [/b][/*]
42[*][b]6: Summons that do not start a Chain VS Effect Summons [/b][/*]
43[*][b]7: Conjunctions[/b][b] and effects in sequence[/b][/*]
44[*][b]8: About Quotes and about Archetypes [/b][/*]
45[*][b]9: Targeting Effects [/b][/*]
46[*][b]10: You can activate this effect[/b][/*]
47[*][b]11: Setting up a Token Monster [/b][/*]
48[*][b]12: How to properly use Monster Types and Attributes [/b][/*]
49[*][b]13: Attributes and Types [/b][/*]
50[*][b]14: Using 1 VS a/an properly [/b][/*]
51[*][b]15: SET and PSCT, what to write and not write [/b][/*]
52[*][b]16: SET/Simplified Effect Text [/b][/*]
53[*][b]17: PSCT/Problem Solving Card Text [/b][/*]
54[*][b]18: The small x and how to use it [/b][/*]
55[*][b]19: Bullet Holes and how to use them [/b][/*]
56[*][b]20: Once per turn clauses [/b][/*]
57[*][b]21: Excavate, what does it mean? [/b][/*]
58[*][b]22: Don't Use "to Target" anymore [/b][/*]
59[*][b]23: New wording changes in the TCG and OCG [/b][/*]
60[*][b]24: "But", The Hidden Conjunction [/b][/*]
61[*][b]25: Do not use "When you do" anymore and mandatory effects errata[/b][/*]
62[*][b]26: Do not use "until the End Phase" anymore [/b][/*]
63[*][b]27: Face-up and face-down and when to use it [/b][/*]
64[*][b]28: Exactly 1 card VS a card(s) [/b][/*]
65[*][b]29: Wording Flip monsters properly[/b][/*]
66[*][b]30: Ignition, Trigger and Quick Effects[/b][/*]
67[*][b]31: The Wonders of the Parentheses[/b][/*]
68[*][b]32: Fusion Monsters and how to word them[/b][/*]
69[*][b]33: Trap monsters and Pseudo-Trap monsters[/b][/*]
70[*][b]34: Notice about mandatory effects[/b][/*]
71[*][b]35: Union monster important update[/b][/*]
72[*][b]36: A lot of important new term changes and additions[/b][/*]
73[*][b]37: Link Monsters, Extra Monster Zone and more important changes[/b][/*]
74[*][b]38: Word List, Explanations and Usage Explanation Information[/b][/*]
75[*][b]39: Word List, Explanations and Usage List[/b][/*]
76[*][b]40: OCG Quiz[/b][/*]
77[/LIST]
78[/spoiler]
79 
80[hr]
81[spoiler=1: Introduction: What to expect and why this thread exists]
82Hello you all, I have made this thread because I see people who don’t know that what they’re writing is incorrect or that they don’t understand what they’re writing might mean something else than intended, and while you may use terms created after SET and PSCT, that it doesn’t make your card any better if you don’t know what you’re actually writing on the card.
83 
84Note that this is [b][u]NOT[/u][/b] a card design tutorial, as that can be subjective, and that I don’t know every in and out of the game.
85 
86I’m going to show as much of what I know as I can, though I might miss a few obvious points, [b]so make sure to comment about them[/b]. I really want people to know that I cannot do the job here alone, that would take way too long, so if there's anything at all you're wondering  about, please please do comment about it.
87 
88Also note that the examples in this are not always a good design for your cards; make sure you create a card with the intention of balance as well as using proper wordings.
89 
90As I said, I always want to point out that in case something is wrong, go ahead an inform me so I can fix it as fast as  possible, as I am only human and can't make it perfect just by myself.
91[/spoiler]
92 
93[hr]
94 
95[spoiler=2: Too Long, Didn't Read]
96I'm sorry to hear that, since I put a lot of hard work into this. You can always take a look from time to time, there are no rules stating that you  should read it all at once. Though, if you want to educate yourself, I highly suggest you read it all, both so you can learn a lot, but also to point out any mistakes I might have made...
97[/spoiler]
98 
99[hr]
100 
101[spoiler=3: What is OCG?]
102OCG stands for Official Card Grammar, and is a term which YCM invented. While Konami makes changes from time to time, and that not every card may follow all the same rules, it's still important to learn what the basic words are, that way you never confuse people with your  wording. It's not actually "Official", but rather a [u]preferred[/u] way of writing your card, that many, including myself, will appreciate, and OCG is the the grander scheme of what PSCT is.
103
104When you see that your card gets an "PSCT fix" or "OCG fix" that means that they are helping you by writing how the card should be worded.
105 
106It's important that you use proper OCG, because your card might not be as balanced as you think it is if you do not use OCG properly, and when people make  changes to your card that might change the timing, it's important to  know proper OCG. Also, be careful that you don't confuse this with  "Official Card Game" as those have the same abbreviations.
107[/spoiler]
108 
109[hr]
110 
111[spoiler=4: SET & PSCT]
112The first thing you want to know about your cards is that old terms and wording is never a good idea. They are both confusing, and they might  mean something else when not intending to. Stay away from using terms before SET (Simplified Effect Text) and PSCT (Problem Solving Card Text), and make sure that you use PSCT terms over SET terms.
113 
114SET is quite easy to follow, but PSCT has a few important changes to follow. I’ll below walk you through the most important things to learn. You can also click [url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Simplified_Effect_Text][b]here[/b][/url] to go and learn more about SET and [url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Problem-Solving_Card_Text][b]here[/b][/url] to learn more about PSCT.
115[/spoiler]
116 
117[hr]
118 
119[spoiler=5: Colon and Semi-Colon Integration and When/If]
120 
121What Konami decided to do was to abolish effects like this:
122 
123[b][i]“When this card destroys a monster by battle, you can send 1 card from your hand to the GY to have this card gains 500 ATK."[/i][/b]
124 
125To many, this may seem pretty normal, though this can easily get confusing, as Continuous Effects and Conditions are worded similarly. Your card text should be more like this:
126 
127[b][i]“When this card destroys a monster by battle: You can send 1 card from your hand to the GY; this card gains 500 ATK.” [/i][/b]
128 
129As you can see, instead of the comma, I put in a colon. What this means is that it’s an effect that starts a Chain. It also indicates that what was before that colon was its activation condition, or it has a specific timing to it, in this case that being that it destroyed a monster by battle, but it could also be that you must have no cards in your hand, control no Spell/Traps etc.
130 
131There is also a semi-colon, what this indicates is that anything before it is a cost and/or it targets. If your card doesn't do either of those, it does not target, as such, you do not use a semi-colon.
132 
133Whenever you wish you card to activate, you must use either a colon or semi-colon to indicate that, though you don't have to use them at the same time, you may only use one of them, but do remember that if it doesn't activate, you don't use either of them.
134 
135It's also important to remember that you don't follow normal grammar in YGO, you wouldn't use colons and semi-colons how you would normally. This is something you have to train yourself to do, as you will see a lot of grammatical errors and general weirdness on actual cards that you simply have to follow, even if it doesn't make sense normally.
136 
137Whether a card says [i][b]"when"[/b][/i] or [i][b]"if" [/b][/i]is important, as this changes how Trigger Effects behave. If you say [i][b]"When...you can"[/b][/i], then if the last thing is not whatever the condition in between those two is, for example a card being destroyed, then it cannot activate an effect.
138 
139Example:
140 
141[b][i]"When this card is destroyed by a card effect and sent to the GY: You can discard 1 card; draw 2 cards."[/i][/b]
142 
143The last thing must be that it's destroyed, as such, cards that state the following will not allow the above card to activate, as the last thing to happen is discarding, not destroying, because of the "then" conjunction, which you will learn more about later.
144 
145Example:
146 
147[b][i]"Once per turn: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy that target, then discard 1 card."[/i][/b]
148 
149It doesn't matter if you say [i][b]"If...you can"[/b][/i], then even if it is not the last thing, it can still activate. Mandatory effects are like[i][b] "if"[/b][/i], and can always activate.
150 
151Example:
152 
153[b][i]"If this card is sent to the GY by a card effect: You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 monster on the field; return that target to the hand.[/i][/b]
154 
155See more below in the spoiler (it's a big image) and by clicking [url=http://yugioh.tcgplayer.com/db/article.asp?ID=3644]here.[/url]
156 
157[spoiler=When...you can VS if...you can]
158[img=http://i.imgur.com/jNYtu0Z.jpg]
159[/spoiler]
160[/spoiler]
161 
162[hr]
163 
164[spoiler=6: Summons that do not start a Chain VS Effect Summons]
165[b]Summons that don't start a Chain [/b]applies to Normal Summons, Special Summons that do not have a colon (or start a Chain), Synchro/Xyz and Contact Fusions. 
166 
167These can be negated by any effect that negates Summons when they say "if a monster would be Summoned".
168 
169These are almost always written like this: [b][i]“You can X this by (from your Y) by doing Z.”[/i][/b] X being the form of Summon, Y being the place where you Summon it from (typically the hand), and Z being the way of Summoning/cost (if any), say by banishing a monster from the GY.
170 
171Some are also written like this: [b][i]“If you/your opponent A, you can B this card (from your C) by D.”[/i] [/b] A being a Condition (this does NOT start a Chain), B being the form of Summon, C being the place where you Summon it from, D being something like banishing a card from the GY or not controlling a monster.
172 
173Note that these only apply to the monster itself, meaning that you don’t write: [b][i]“You can Special Summon 1 monster (from your GY) by banishing this card from your hand.”[/i][/b] as that will always need to create a Chain. Those would be written like this instead:[b][i] [/i][/b]
174 
175[b][i]“You can banish this card from your hand; Special Summon 1 monster from your GY[/i]”.[/b]
176
177[b]Effect Summons[/b] can both be for a monster itself, but can only be for other monsters as my example before showed. It’s worded the same way:
178 
179[b][i]“You can target 1 monster you control; destroy that target, and if you do, Special Summon this card from your hand.” [/i][/b]
180 
181You cannot negate Effect Summons the same way as with Summons that don't start a Chain. As Effect Summons always starts a Chain, you cannot negate it with cards that negate the effect that “would” Summon a monster, such as Black Horn of Heaven.
182 
183You can however negate the card that Summons it, but not the actual Summon itself, except if it’s written similarly to this part in Solemn Warning’s effect:
184 
185[b][i]“monster effect is activated that includes an effect that Special Summons a monster(s)”. [/i][/b]
186 
187You can read more on Summons that don't start a Chain VS Effect Summons [url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Special_Summon][b]here.[/b][/url]
188[/spoiler]
189 
190[hr]
191[spoiler=7: Conjunctions and effects in sequence]
192Conjunctions all function slightly differently, and have different meanings. They are all to imply that you’re having 2 effects happen simultaneously, except then, which is not considered to be done simultaneously.
193 
194[b]Then[/b] works in that you are required to have fulfilled A to make B (the “then” effect) happen. If you cannot do B, then you are still allowed to do A, but not the other way around.
195 
196It’s important to note that if you know you cannot do A when you wish to activate, then you can’t even activate it all (except if it’s a mandatory effect). This does not apply if you are unable to do it at resolution however, in case another effect is activated that would prevent you from doing A.
197 
198Example:
199 
200[i][b]“Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster; destroy that face-up target, then change this card to Defense Position.” [/b][/i]
201 
202As you can see, you need to be able to destroy a FACE-UP monster, so if that monster is flipped down doing resolution/moved to another place, then your monster is not switched to Defense Position, and you will not destroy that monster.
203 
204This is also important because of timing. Say, you were to activate a card that can be activated when a monster is destroyed. That can’t happen anymore, since the last thing to happen was your monster changing to Defense Position.
205 
206[b]And[/b] means that you need to be able to do both, otherwise none happen. These are considered to happen simultaneously, and that means that any effect that would apply to either of those things happening can be activated without the fear of missing the timing.
207 
208Example:
209 
210[b][i]“You can target 1 monster on the field; change that target into face-up Defense Position and destroy 1 card your opponent controls, except that target.” [/i][/b]
211 
212If you cannot change to Defense Position, then you cannot destroy 1 monster and vice-versa.
213 
214[b]And if you do[/b] might trick you at first as it looks like it would mean the same as “and”, but it doesn’t. It actually means something different.
215 
216Example:
217 
218[b][i]“If this card is sent to the GY: You can banish this card, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; banish that target, and if you do, draw 1 card.” [/i][/b]
219 
220If you are unable to do the last part [u]at resolution[/u] then you are still allowed to do A, say your opponent activate a card as Chain Link 2 that prevents you from drawing cards, then you are still  allowed to do A. 
221 
222[b]Also [/b]is the most flexible as it allows you to do as much as you can do[b].[/b]
223 
224Example:
225 
226[b][i]“When this card is Normal Summoned: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; it has its effects negated, also destroy 1 other monster they control.”[/i] [/b]
227 
228If you can’t do A, you can still do B, and if you can’t do B, you can still do A.
229 
230A thing that can be important in case you wish to indicate that a card has two effects that are not dependent on each other, making them an[b] "also"[/b] effect, but are not simultaneous, making them a [b]"then"[/b] effect, is to word them like the below, or similar to that.
231 
232These effects are still one effect, but they work like if you said "Do something, then do something else, but you don't have to do the first thing, and neither is simultaneous."
233 
234Example:
235 
236[b][i]"If "Cyber Dragon" is in your GY: You can activate 1 of these effects. If you have 3 or more "Cyber [b]Dragon[/b]" in your GY at activation, you can activate both effects and resolve in sequence. You can only activate 1 "Cyber Repair Plant" per turn.
237● Add 1 LIGHT Machine monster from your Deck to your hand.
238● Target 1 LIGHT Machine monster in your GY; shuffle that target into your Deck."[/i][/b]
239 
240Another thing that should be mentioned is the [i][b]"also...after that"[/b][/i] conjunction, which is like "also" in that neither is required for each other, but that the last thing to happen is what comes after the conjunction, like with "then".
241 
242Example:
243 
244[i][b]"When the effect of a face-up Spell/Trap your opponent controls is activated: Destroy that card, also, after that, Set this card face-down instead of sending it to the GY."[/b][/i]
245[/spoiler]
246 
247[hr]
248 
249[spoiler=8: About Quotes and about Archetypes]
250Using quotation marks is something you’re going to run into at some point, so let me teach you about them.
251 
252You can use them on card names (Such as “Spirit Reaper”) or Archetypes (Such as “Gagaga”).
253 
254They are also used when talking about Tokens, as those also have names.
255 
256When you name something, you also give it a specific name and having that name cannot be negated, but it can wear off if its condition is not met anymore.
257 
258Only cards which talk about an Archetype is an Archetype, if your Archetype is called “Robotics” but none of your effects say this, it’s not an Archetype yet, so make an effect that talks about Archetypes!
259 
260Remember that when making cards, cards that have the same word in it, say, let’s use “Destroyer”, even if they’re not a part of your Archetype, they will now be considered as such, but as said, only if that Archetype has an effect that says it’s Archetype in it.
261 
262Example:
263 
264[b][i]“When you Special Summon a “Destroyer” monster(s): You can Special Summon this card from your hand.” [/i][/b]
265 
266Evilswarm and Steelswarm are both part of the “lswarm” Archetype, because their name contains the word “lswarm” (Evi[b]lswarm[/b] & Stee[b]lswarm[/b]).
267 
268There are exceptions to that though, such as HERO and DD, which is because they are fully capitalized.
269[/spoiler]
270 
271[hr]
272 
273[spoiler=9: Targeting Effects]
274With effects that target cards, sometimes, the target may be missing or altered. Sometimes, the card doesn't care if it is changed or not, sometimes it must stay the same as how it was targeted.
275
276For example, if a card says:[b] [i]"Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; destroy that target",[/i][/b][i] [/i]then it must also remain a face-up monster, otherwise, it resolves without effect, since there is no target.
277
278How you can see that it does this is by looking at the effect text; as you can see, it says "that target".
279
280This means that it MUST stay the same. Did the card say "it" instead, then it wouldn't matter if it was face-up or not.
281
282Another example is Atlantean Marksman's effect to destroy a Set card:
283 
284[i][b]"When this card is sent to the GY to activate a WATER monster's effect: Target 1 Set card your opponent controls; destroy that target."[/b][/i]
285
286Again, it says "that target" so you can conclude that it must remain Set, so if the card was activated in response, it would NOT destroy the card.
287
288Sometimes, you can have multiple targets. This is where it can get a bit confusing. You see, in case the card refers to the targets as "they" or "them", it works like if they said "it", so it wouldn't matter if one was removed, it would still resolve what it could.
289
290Example:
291 
292[i][b]"Target 2 Attack Position monsters you control; return them to the hand, and if you do, inflict 500 damage to your opponent."[/b][/i]
293
294If the opponent Chained an effect that changed one of my monsters to Defense Position or removed one of the monsters from the field, then it would still resolve.
295
296Note that if neither can be returned, then you don't do the effect after that, but more about how multiple effects work later.
297
298In case the card says "those targets", then the targets must still remain how they were, but if one is altered, the rest will still resolve.
299
300Let's use the same example as before:
301 
302[b][i]"Target 2 Attack Position monsters you control; return those targets to the hand, and if you do, inflict 500 damage to your opponent".[/i][/b]
303
304If one of the monsters is changed to Defense Position, it will not return to the hand, but the one that's still a proper target, the Attack Position monster, will return, and damage will be inflicted.
305 
306Lastly, there is "both (those) targets"/"all "3-4-5 etc.".
307
308In case it says one of those, the targets must remain the same kind of target, and if even one isn't, then the effect cannot resolve.
309
310So, let's use our example:
311 
312[b][i]"Target 2 Attack Position monsters you control; return both those targets to the hand, and if you do, inflict 500 damage to your opponent".[/i][/b]
313
314If one was changed to Defense Position, the effect will resolve without effect, no monsters returned, and no damage inflicted.
315[/spoiler]
316 
317[hr]
318 
319[spoiler=10: You can activate this effect]
320This is not seen a lot, but it means that there’s no cost to activate an effect, there may be a condition, though you don’t want to use this if there is a cost.
321 
322An example of this is “Bull Blader” whose effect is:
323 
324[b][i]“When an attack is declared involving this card and an opponent's monster: [/i]You can activate this effect[i]; during this battle involving this monster, neither player takes any battle damage, also destroy the opponent's monster after damage calculation.” [/i][/b]
325 
326You use this in cases you wish to make sure that it is clear that it is an effect that stars a chain.
327 
328Say you had an effect that said:
329 
330[b][i]"You can destroy 1 monster on the field".[/i]
331 [/b]
332That would be hard to know if started a chain or not. That way you can say:[b] "You can activate this effect: Destroy 1 monster on the field"[/b].
333 
334This is not seen much anymore, and may be going away for good, as many cards now just say "During your Main Phase" to indicate an Ignition Effect of this nature. Some also change it so say "You can make this card" instead, such as Exarion Universe. I wouldn't say you can't use it, but I think they are trying to go away from this as much as possible.
335[/spoiler]
336 
337[hr]
338 
339[spoiler=11: Setting up a Token monster]
340Token monsters are monster that are never on the field, and they’re not an actual monster, but a fake monster made by another card. They are considered a Normal Monster, but any effect they might seem to have is just a lingering effect placed on it (or the game in general) by the card that Summoned it.
341 
342This can either be a Monster, Spell or Trap, but the rules are always the same. 
343 
344When you set up a Token effect, this is almost always how it goes:
345 
346[b][i]“Special Summon 2 “Name Tokens” (Type/Attribute/Level/ATK X/DEF X).” [/i][/b]
347 
348You might find that some have lines like[i][b] “in Defense Position”[/b][/i] or[i][b] “To your opponent’s field.”
349 [/b][/i]
350For example:
351 
352[b][i]“Special Summon 2 “Demonic Tokens” (Fiend/DARK/Level 4/ATK 1000/DEF 1000) in Attack Position.” [/i][/b]
353 
354Some cards that Summons Tokens put Lingering Effects on the Token, or the game in general, after it's Summoned.
355 
356Example:
357 
358[b][i]“Special Summon 2 “Demonic Tokens” (Fiend/DARK/Level 4/ATK 1000/DEF 1000) in Attack Position. They cannot be used as a Tribute, except for a Tribute Summon of a Fiend monster."[/i][/b]
359[/spoiler]
360 
361[hr]
362 
363[spoiler=12: How to properly use Monster Types and Attributes]
364When writing an Attribute, make sure to capitalize every letter in the word.
365 
366Example:
367 
368[b][i]“You can target 1 WIND monster…”[/i][/b]
369 
370It’s important that you do not say WIND Attribute monster, but only WIND. Though this doesn’t mean that Attribute is never used.
371 
372Example:
373 
374[b][i]“The Attributes of all monsters on the field become DARK.” [/i][/b]
375 
376When using Monster Types, make sure to always capitalize the first letter[i][b].[/b][/i]
377[b][i] 
378“Warrior monsters you control gain 500 ATK."[/i][/b]
379 
380Previously, you used to say "Warrior-Type", though now the "-Type" is excluded. It's important to note that a Warrior monster is not the same as a "Warrior" monster, which is an Archetype of monsters.
381 
382In case you want to list the Attributes, like with Five-Headed Dragon, the order most commonly used is LIGHT, DARK, EARTH, WATER, FIRE, WIND. Currently LIGHT isn't used together with the other Attributes, except for DARK, so I put it in the front, since DARK is in front of the other Attributes, so it would make most sense for LIGHT to be before DARK, since it normally is. As for DIVINE, it's unknown where it would be, so I would probably put it at the start, though I doubt you'll ever need to list it like that anyway, so yeah.
383 
384Below is a list of all Attributes and Types, in case you need them.
385[/spoiler]
386 
387[hr]
388 
389[spoiler=13: Attributes and Types]
390Monster Types:
391[LIST]
392[*]Aqua[/*]
393[*]Beast[/*]
394[*]Beast-Warrior[/*]
395[*]Creator God[/*]
396[*]Cyberse[/*]
397[*]Dinosaur[/*]
398[*]Divine Beast[/*]
399[*]Dragon[/*]
400[*]Fairy[/*]
401[*]Fiend[/*]
402[*]Fish[/*]
403[*]Insect[/*]
404[*]Machine[/*]
405[*]Plant[/*]
406[*]Psychic[/*]
407[*]Pyro[/*]
408[*]Reptile[/*]
409[*]Rock[/*]
410[*]Sea Serpent[/*]
411[*]Spellcaster[/*]
412[*]Thunder[/*]
413[*]Warrior[/*]
414[*]Winged Beast[/*]
415[*]Wyrm[/*]
416[*]Zombie[/*]
417[/LIST]
418Attributes:
419[LIST]
420[*]DIVINE[/*]
421[*]LIGHT[/*]
422[*]DARK[/*]
423[*]EARTH[/*]
424[*]WATER[/*]
425[*]FIRE[/*]
426[*]WIND[/*]
427[/LIST]
428[/spoiler]
429 
430[hr]
431 
432[spoiler=14: Using 1 VS a/an properly]
433There is an important difference when using 1 and when using a/an.
434 
435When you want to indicate that you mean exactly 1 card, a specific card, like a face-up Attack Position Xyz Monster, you want to make sure don't mean "in general".
436 
437Here's an example of a card that works while you only control 1 monster:
438 
439[b][i]"If you control 1 face-up monster: Destroy 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls."[/i][/b]
440 
441If you wanted it just to be in general, you would want to write it like this:
442[b] 
443[i]"If you control a face-up monster: Destroy 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls[/i]". [/b]
444 
445Now, you might wonder why I didn't also say "a" about the Spell/Trap, and that's because you specifically need to clarify that you're talking about 1 card, not multiple cards.
446[/spoiler]
447 
448[hr]
449 
450[spoiler=15: SET and PSCT, what to write and not write]
451This section will focus what you should write, and what you shouldn't.
452 
453The ones to the left are wrong, the ones on the right are correct. Those with ellipsis mean that what is after the ellipsis are the new wording.
454 
455These are taken from the Yu-Gi-Oh! Wikia, with minor changes, so credit goes to them for collection these. If I'm not 100 % updated, please let me know.
456[/spoiler]
457[hr]
458 
459[spoiler=16: SET/Simplified Effect Text]
460[LIST]
461[*]Inflict X points of damage to your opponent's Life Points/Inflict X damage to your opponent.[/*]
462[*]Increase your Life Points by X points/Gain X Life Points. (Outdated: Now use "Gain X LP")[/*]
463[*]Increase the ATK/DEF of this card by X points/This card gains X ATK/DEF.[/*]
464[*]Attack your opponent's Life Points directly/Attack your opponent directly.[/*]
465[*]A card with "X" in its card name.../A/An "X" card.[/*]
466[*]as a result of battle/by battle.[/*]
467[*]You can only activate this card if/when.../When/Activate only when/if[/*]
468[*]on your side of the field/you control[/*]
469[*]Tribute 1 monster on your side of the field/Tribute 1 monster[/*]
470[*]Special Summon "X" to your side of the field/Special Summon[/*]
471[/LIST]
472[/spoiler]
473[hr]
474[spoiler=17: PSCT/Problem Solving Card Text]
475[LIST]
476[*](Damage calculation is applied normally)/Does not exist anymore, do not use it.[/*]
477[*](without damage calculation)/Does not exist anymore, do not use it.[/*]
478[*](except during the Damage Step)/Has been added, include to effects which cannot  be activated at that point in time if you wish for it not to. Most  effects cannot do this regardless, however some might be able to, such  as if a monster is destroyed and sent to the GY, then it would be  able to trigger during the Damage Step. Add this line if you wish for  it not to.[/*]
479[*]and if you do/Has been added, read more about it in the section titled "Then/And/Also/And if you do".[/*]
480[*]Battle Damage/battle damage, has been made lowercase.[/*]
481[*]remove from play/banish...note that the Zone is not called Banished Zone, but rather you just say cards are banished.[/*]
482[*]removed from the field/leaves the field[/*]
483[*]during battle between this attacking card and a Defense Position monster, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent/if this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage[/*]
484[*]select/target[/*]
485[*]selected as an attack target/targeted for an attack[/*]
486[*]attack once again/attack twice.../make a second attack[/*]
487[*]Effect Monster's effect/monster effect[/*]
488[*]still treated as a Trap/also still a Trap[/*]
489[*]Cannot be X Summoned unless/has been added.[/*]
490[*]This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set/Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set[/*]
491[*]This card can only be X Summoned.../Must first be X Summoned...It's important to note that this is what is known as a Special Summon only monster. This means that they must first be Special Summoned, and then they can later be Special Summoned from the GY or while banished. If they return to the hand or Deck, then you need to perform the Special Summon again.[/*]
492[*]This card cannot be Special Summoned except.../Must be X Summoned and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways/Must be X Summoned...It's important to note that this is what is known as a Special Summon only monster. This means that they can ONLY be Summoned that way, and no other ways, not even in the GY or while banished. Newer change removes the "and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways" part.[/*]
493[*]This monster can only be Ritual Summoned with the Ritual Spell Card X/You can Ritual Summon this card with X.[/*]
494[*]Hero/HERO. The HERO Archetype was a GX Archetype, but some cards included the  phrase "hero", so it those cards were included as that Archetype as  well, which was not the intention. Read more about this in the section called "About Quotes and Archetypes".[/*]
495[*]Life Points/LP, the way you use the word is the same as previously, just replace Life Points with LP.[/*]
496[*]At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked/If damage calculation is performed involving this card, at the end of the Battle Phase/If this card battled...This is for cards like Gladiator Beasts, as it was unclear if you could use them if the attack was stopped before the Damage Step happened, for example with Fiendish Chain at attack declaration.[/*]
497[*]either side of the field/the field...similarly, "your opponent's field" and "your field".[/*]
498[*]Graveyard/GY, the way you use the word is exactly the same as previously, similar to LP, just replace Graveyard with GY.[/*]
499[*]Warrior-Type/Warrior, the -Type part has been removed, it functions normally otherwise[/*]
500[*](This is a Quick Effect)/(Quick Effect), you use this before a colon, and is used instead of "during either player's turn" as well, for example "Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can discard 1 card; this card gains 500 ATK."[/*]
501[*]This card gains/cannot etc. has been changed to simply saying "Gains 500 ATK" and "Cannot be destroyed by battle". Note that you should still use "This card" in most cases, like saying "You can discard 1 card; this card gains 500 ATK." but typically continuous effects that use "This card" are changed this way.[/*]
502[/LIST]
503[/spoiler]
504 
505[hr]
506[spoiler=18: The small x and how to use it]
507Sometimes you see that a card may say[i][b]: "Equip only to an Xyz Monster. It gains ATK equal to its Rank x 200." [/b][/i](from "Xyz Unit") and sometimes you want to say: [i][b]"Equip only to an Xyz Monster. It gains 200 ATK for each..."[/b][/i] *not Level/Rank (or what "That Wacky Magic!" and "Winged Kuriboh LV9" says)
508 
509If we take a look at Hazy Flame Basiltrice's effect, then you wouldn't write it like this:
510 
511[i][b]"Gains ATK/DEF equal to number of materials attached to it x 200."[/b][/i]
512 
513Instead, you would write it like this:
514 
515[i][b]"Gains 200 ATK/DEF for each material attached to it."[/b][/i]
516 
517If we look at "Bound Wand", it writes it like this:[i][b] [/b][/i]
518 
519[i][b]"Equip only to a Spellcaster monster that has a Level. It gains ATK equal to its Level x 100." [/b][/i]
520 
521If you wrote it the wrong way, it would look like this:
522 
523[i][b]"Equip only to a Spellcaster monster that has a Level. It gains 100 ATK for each of its Levels".[/b][/i]
524 
525This of course also applies to Life Points as well, and not just Levels/Ranks. You normally wouldn't use the small x for things such as the amount of cards you control, as with "Geargarsenal" that states:[i][b] [/b][/i]
526 
527[i][b]"Gains 200 ATK for each "Geargia" monster you control."[/b][/i]
528[/spoiler]
529 
530[hr]
531[spoiler=19: Bullet Holes and how to use them]
532This is a Bullet Hole, and you can just copy and paste that if you need to:
533 
534●
535 
536You see these on cards with multiple effect choices, such as [i][b]"Spellbook of Fate"[/b][/i], [i][b]"Return of the Monarchs"[/b][/i] and [i][b]"B[/b][b]lack Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning"[/b][/i].
537 
538Sometimes, you may be able to have more than just one of the effects, such as [b][i]"Advance Zone",[/i] [i]"Hazy Flame Basiltrice"[/i][/b] and [i][b]"Reaper of Prophecy"[/b].[/i]
539 
540Gemini Monsters also use these to indicate that what is inside the Bullet Hole is only applied when you Normal Summon it again. This is the text you always want to use for Gemini Monsters:
541 
542[i][b]"This card is treated as a Normal Monster while face-up on the field or in the GY. While this card is a Normal Monster on the field, you can Normal Summon it to have it become an Effect Monster with this effect.[/b][/i]
543[i][b]●"[/b][/i]
544 
545Sometimes you may see that they put conditions and sometimes even effects after bullet holes. Typically it's best to avoid this as much as possible, since it can look weird and confuse the reader on how it works, but in case you wish to write them like this, I will quickly explain how it works.
546 
547Most of the time, what you will see is that they put the condition text before the effect itself.
548 
549[i][b]"If you control no monsters: You can activate 1 of these effects. You can only activate 1 "Summon of the Dead" per turn.
550● Special Summon 1 Zombie monster from your hand.
551● Target 1 Zombie monster in your GÝ; Special Summon it.[/b][/i]
552 
553It can also be after the effect as well, sometimes this may be done in case the card has a cost/targets, in which case, the last thing before the bullets must always be a semi-colon, except for cases where you have a cost/target in the effect you activate, such as with [i][b]"Tackle Crusader" [/b][/i]and[i][b] "Maliae of the Trees".[/b][/i] If you choose this method make sure you make a new line for that part, so it doesn't look like it's tied to the bullet above:
554 
555[i][b]"Discard 1 card, then activate 1 of these effects;[/b][/i]
556[i][b]● Reveal all face-down card your opponent controls until the end of this turn.[/b][/i]
557[i][b][i][b]● Destroy 1 face-down monster your opponent controls.[/b][/i][/b][/i]
558[b][i]You can only activate this effect of "Mystery of the Night" once per turn.[/i][/b][i][b]"[/b][/i]
559 
560Sometimes you may even see whole effects after the bullet point, but putting it before the bullet point makes it look nice. An example of this is [i][b]"Accel Synchron":[/b][/i]
561 
562[i][b]"Once per turn: You can send 1 "Synchron" monster from your Deck to the GY, then activate 1 of these effects;
563● Increase this card's Level by the Level of the sent monster.
564● Reduce this card's Level by the Level of the sent monster.
565During your opponent's Main Phase, you can (Quick Effect): Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster, using materials you control, including this card. You can only Synchro Summon "Accel Synchron(s)" once per turn."[/b][/i]
566[/spoiler]
567
568[hr]
569[spoiler=20: Once per turn clauses]
570There are 3 kinds of "once per turn" clauses. The one most people tend to use is this one:[i] [/i]
571 
572[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 monster you control; return it to the hand." [/b][/i]
573 
574What this one implies is that you can only activate it once per turn on that specific card. If it leaves the field/is changed to face-down Defense Position and then comes back, or you have another copy of that card, you can activate that effect again.
575 
576If these have their activations or effects negated, you cannot activate them again.
577 
578You also don't want to word your Normal Spells/Traps and Quick-Play or Counter Traps like this. You can use them on Continuous, Field and Equips though.
579
580The other, which is the second most common, is[i]:[/i]
581 
582[i][b]"You can only activate/use the/this effect of "Card Name" once/twice etc. per turn/Duel."[/b][/i]
583 
584The rules towards this can get very complicated, but what you need to know is that if a card/effect says that it can only be activated once per turn, if the activation is negated, you can activate that card/effect again that turn.
585 
586If the card says use it once per turn, then even if it was only the effect that was negated (say Fiendish Chain was Chained to the card's effect) then you cannot ever attempt to activate it again that turn. Also, even if you control two of the same card, you can only activate one of those cards effects.
587 
588There is also a similar thing to that, but it limits other effects of the card that activate in case you use one of the other effects, and is written like so:
589 
590[b][i]"You can only use 1 "Card Name" effect per turn, and only once that turn."[/i][/b]
591 
592The last one is:
593 
594[b][i]"(You can only gain this effect of "Card Name" once per turn)"[/i][/b]
595 
596This is exclusively used on cards that give you extra Normal Summons, and you should NOT use it on other kinds of cards.
597 
598These also have some pretty advanced rules. Click [url=http://www.pojo.biz/board/showthread.php?t=1118270]here[/url] for a better explanation of that.
599 
600An example of an effect like this would be:
601 
602[i][b]"During the turn this card was Normal Summoned, you can Normal Summon 1 "X" monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)"[/b][/i]
603[/spoiler]
604 
605[hr]
606[spoiler=21: Excavate, what does it mean?]
607It has been a while since we have had a new term, and this one seems to bring quite the confusion, so let me clear it up real quick.
608 
609The word "excavate", spelled with lowercase, is the same as the word "reveal", but currently, it only applies to the top cards of your Deck for the Archetype called "Sylvan" or "Shinra" in the OCG.
610 
611What these do is that the reveal the top card(s) of your Deck, then they send a Plant monster(s) to the GY and return the remaining to the bottom of the Deck. Excavate is not sending to the GY, it is not returning to the bottom of the Deck, it's simply just reveal like how other cards say reveal as well, such as Pot of Duality.
612 
613Now, Sylvan also have specific phrase that tells that they will only trigger if first excavated (revealed) from the Deck and sent to the GY by an effect. This is important because they would not trigger if at any point, excavating and sending the card became a cost.
614 
615Read more here:
616[url=https://yugiohblog.konami.com/articles/?p=5771]https://yugiohblog.konami.com/articles/?p=5771[/url]
617 
618This is an example of a custom card which has the "excavate" term:
619 
620Big Scoop
621Continuous Spell
622[b][i]"If this card is activated: Target 1 face-up monster you control; excavate the top 3 cards from your Deck, and if any of them are monsters, equip those cards to that target. Place any remaining cards on the bottom of your Deck, in any order. That target gains 500 ATK/DEF for each card equipped to it by this effect. If that target would be destroyed, you can send 1 of the equipped cards to the GY instead. You can only activate 1 "Big Scoop" per turn."[/i][/b]
623 
624[b]NEW:[/b]
625So, it seems that the update to the old card are any card that says "pick up" in the Japanese text, regardless of what the English does. So keep that in mind as well.
626[/spoiler]
627 
628[hr]
629[spoiler=22: Don't Use "to Target" anymore]
630I recently discovered that new cards didn't say "to target" on them anymore, which was commonly used.
631 
632Now, any card that say "to target" are being changed to "then target". This makes it clearer that you follow the text in sequence, meaning you would have to discard before targeting in the example below, you can't do it the other way around. This is especially important in cases where you would discard, then target a card in the GY, as the card you discarded could become a proper target as the sequence follows that. Of course keep in mind that you must always have a proper card to target when activating the effect in the first place, even if the sequence could make that possible.
633 
634Example:
635 
636[b][i]"You can discard 1 card to target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy that target."[/i][/b]
637 
638New version:
639 
640[b][i]"You can discard 1 card, then target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy that target."[/i][/b]
641 
642[/spoiler]
643 
644[hr]
645 
646[spoiler=23: New wording changes in the TCG and OCG]
647These changes are some that the OCG have had for a bit, but only now the TCG has them.
648[LIST]
649[*]Instead of the sub-types taking up the spot where "Effect" is, it will now instead be before "Effect", possibly to not confuse people in thinking certain monsters don't have them. Example: "Beast-Warrior/Tuner/Effect".[/*]
650[*]"FLIP" (TCG and OCG) and "Special Summon" (OCG only) are now a kind of sub-type. Special Summon refers to the Special Summon only monsters in the Main Deck, but not Extra Deck monsters and Ritual Monsters.[/*]
651[*]"Life Points" is now changed to be "LP" instead on card texts. Example: "You can pay 500 LP; draw 1 card".[/*]
652[*]The names of "Monster Card Zone", "Spell & Trap Zone" and "Field Card Zone" have been changed to "Monster Zone" (TCG and OCG), "Spell & Trap Zone" (TCG and OCG) and "Field Zone" (TCG and OCG). This should not change old cards that state these names though.[/*]
653[/LIST]
654[/spoiler]
655 
656[hr]
657 
658[spoiler=24: "But", The Hidden Conjunction]
659While you might already be pretty familiar with the other conjunctions, those being "and if you do", "then" etc. there is also another one that nobody really ever talks about. That's "but". So, what is it used for? Well, if we take a look at an example, then you'll see what I mean.
660 
661Example:
662 
663[i][b]"Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 FIRE monster in your GY; add that target to your hand, but you cannot Normal or Special Summon that monster, or a monster with the same name, for the rest of this turn."[/b][/i]
664 
665That is from [i][b]"Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor".[/b][/i] Now, let's review the Rulings shall we:
666 
667[i][b]"If "D.D. Crow" is chained to the activation of the effect of "Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor", so that at the time of the resolution of the effect of "Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor" the targeted monster is not in the GY, since the targeted monster cannot be added to the hand, the effect of "Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor" that stops you from Normal or Special Summoning a monster with the same name as the targeted monster is not applied"[/b][/i]
668 
669As you can see, should the target not be added, or the whole effect is negated, then you are still allowed to Summons a monster with that name. This means that it's basically an "and if you do" effect, but disguised as a condition. This is made more apparent with the card "Shadow Vampire":
670 
671[i][b]"When this card is Normal Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 DARK "Vampire" monster from your hand or Deck, except "Shadow Vampire", but if you do, only that monster can attack for the rest of this turn."[/b][/i]
672 
673There's a difference between that and: [i][b]"but if you activated this card/effect".[/b] [/i]The latter is closer related to:[i] [b]"during the turn you activate this card/effect"[/b][/i] while the the former is only applied should part of the effect resolve that came before it, where this one doesn't care if the first part resolved, as long as the rest can resolve, it will.
674 
675Instead of [i][b]"but if you activated this card/effect" [/b][/i]the conjunction "also" is more commonly used these days, as the before looks close to [i][b]"during the turn you activate this card/effect"[/b] [/i]which applies even if the effect negated by something that does NOT negate the activation but just the effect, such as "Breakthrough Skill" (you can say "use" instead of "activate" so that cards stating that they negate activations won't prevent the condition from taking place). Using "also" instead here is almost always better since it indicates that it's a part of the effect and more people will understand it since "also" is much more common.
676 
677"But" is also used in other places, but doesn't have the same meaning.
678 
679Example:
680 
681[b][i]"Your opponent sends as many cards from their Extra Deck to the GY as possible, but not more than the Xyz Monster's Rank."[/i][/b]
682 
683Here, it's used to indicate that you must follow the orders of it instead.
684[/spoiler]
685 
686[hr]
687 
688[spoiler=25: Do not use "When you do" anymore and mandatory effects errata]
689 
690Sometimes when a monster uses an effect to Summon itself, there is an effect activates when it is Summoned that way. That would be worded like this:
691 
692[b][i]"If you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). When you do: Draw 1 card." [/i][/b]
693 
694Now, you want to say:
695 
696[b][i]"If you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). If Summoned this way: Draw 1 card." [/i][/b]
697 
698There are two reasons for this. The first being that this makes it clear that it activates when it's Summoned, not when you are actually doing the Summoning, which can confuse some people.
699 
700The second being that all [b][i]"when"[/i][/b] mandatory effects are being removed, and instead you only have [b][i]"if"[/i][/b] mandatory effects, as there's no reason for having only one of them and [b][i]"when"[/i][/b] is typically thought of in the terms of [i][b]"when...you can"[/b][/i] and such. Of course, this applies to optional effects as well.
701[/spoiler]
702 
703[hr]
704 
705[spoiler=26: Do not use "until the End Phase" anymore]
706You might already know this, but in the OCG, they have removed [b][i]"until the End Phase",[/i][/b] and instead all cards now say [i][b]"until the end of the turn" [/b][/i]instead, even though their erratas have not. This is being implemented slowly in the TCG through errata updates, though it's quite clear that they want this to be removed here as well, so don't use it.
707 
708[/spoiler]
709 
710[hr]
711 
712[spoiler=27: Face-up and face-down and when to use it]
713When to use face-up and face-down and when not to use it is for the most part just a matter of style, it doesn't change how the card works, but to keep consistency, there are some rules when you want to and when you don't.
714 
715You do want to use it when you want to specify that it must be face-up, and cannot just be face-down.
716 
717Example:
718 
719[i][b]"Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; destroy that target".[/b][/i]
720 
721You cannot target a face-down monster here, and as you already know, since it says "that target", the targeting conditions must be correct at resolution as well.
722 
723You do not want to use face-up when you specify a trait of a card, for example, it being a Continuous Spell or it being a Warrior monster. It's both redundant, since face-down cards cannot have those traits, they are unknown, even if the player already knows it, but also because it can be confusing when you do say face-up using it, because you might think that if it lacks it, it also works on face-downs, which is not true.
724 
725Example:
726 
727[i]"[b]Target 1 Warrior monster you control; it gains 500 ATK"[/b][/i]
728 
729When you are specifying a battle position of a monster, you don't say face-up, you just say [i][b]"in Attack Position" [/b][/i]or [b][i]"in Defense Position"[/i][/b]. Only if you specify that it can be in face-down Defense Position or face-up Defense Position should you specify.
730 
731Example:
732 
733[i][b]"Target 1 monster in your GY; Special Summon that target in face-up Defense Position or face-down Defense Position. Once per turn: You can Special Summon 1 monster from your hand in Attack Position."[/b][/i]
734 
735When it comes to Spell/Traps, since face-downs can be either, you always want to mention both when it can affect the face-downs as well. For example:
736 
737[b][i]"Target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls; destroy that target".[/i][/b]
738 
739This indicates that it works on both face-downs and face-ups, as face-downs can be either-or. If you wish to only indicate face-downs or only face-ups, you of course just add face-down or face-up, but do keep in mind that [i][b]"that target"[/b][/i] rules apply when you do this.
740 
741Field Spells are a bit different in this regard though, as it is always known that it's a Field Spell, even if it is face-down, specifying that it affects face-up Field Spells is needed, and not just Field Spells, like you would do if it was a Continuous Spell.
742 
743Example:
744 
745[b][i]"Target 1 face-up Field Spell; destroy that target, then draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
746 
747You would not state the [i][b]"face-up"[/b][/i] if it was a Continuous Spell or if it was a Xyz Monster or anything else that has traits to them.
748[/spoiler]
749 
750[hr]
751 
752[spoiler=28: Exactly 1 card VS a card(s)]
753I started seeing that a lot of people write [i][b]"When a card is destroyed..." [/b][/i]and such, which is a problem since it doesn't tell the user if it means exactly 1 card, or if multiple will also trigger the effect. This is something that can change how your card works a lot, and it's a a simple little fault, so make sure you use the right one it the correct situation.
754 
755Examples of a card where Dark Hole destroying 2 monsters would not trigger the effect:
756 
757[b][i]"If exactly 1 monster you control is destroyed and sent to the GY: Draw 1 card"[/i][/b]
758 
759Examples of a card where Dark Hole destroying 2 monsters would trigger the effect:
760 
761[b][i]"If a monster(s) you control is destroyed[/i][/b] [b][i]and sent to the GY: Draw 1 card"[/i][/b]
762[/spoiler]
763 
764[hr]
765 
766[spoiler=29: Wording Flip monsters properly]
767The structure of Flip monsters is different than other effect monsters. The first and most important noticeable thing is that there's a [b][i]"FLIP:" [/i][/b]at the start of the effect. This must always be at the start of the effect, and indicates the effect that activates when a Flip monster is flipped face-up.
768 
769The second thing you'll notice is that there's a space in between the FLIP: part and the card's other effects, which makes it easier to regonize that it's not a part of the effect that activates when it's flipped face-up. Also remember to put in [i][b]"Flip"[/b][/i] in your sub-type like so:
770 
771[i][b]"[Beast/Flip/Effect]"[/b][/i]
772 
773Example of a Flip monster:
774 
775[i][b]"[/b][/i][b][i]FLIP: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; return that target to the hand, then discard 1 card.[/i][/b]
776[b][i]Once per turn: You can banish 1 monster from your hand; draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
777[/spoiler]
778 
779[hr]
780 
781[spoiler=30: Ignition, Trigger and Quick Effects]
782A lot of people get these confused, and they don't know which is which, how to work them, or what they do.
783 
784[b]Ignition Effects [/b]are effects that can be activated during your Main Phase 1 or 2. These effects are always Spell Speed 1, since they cannot be Chained to other cards, so they always start a Chain. In almost all cases, Ignition Effects are optional, though there does exist mandatory Ignition Effects. In those cases, you must do them before you move on to another Phase. Ignition Effects can only be activated in an open game state, which basically means that Trigger and Quick Effects cannot be activated currently and you can activate Ignition Effects or Summon monsters. Read more about that [url=http://www.yugioh-card.com/en/gameplay/fasteffects_timing.html]here.[/url]
785 
786Ignition Effects don't have a "timing" to them, like:[b] [/b][i][b]"When X happens, you can do Y",[/b][/i] but they do sometimes have conditions to them, such as: [i][b]"If you control no other monsters". [/b][/i]Most Ignition Effects can only be activated once per turn. You can find Ignition Effects monsters as well as Spells, except Quick-Play Spells. By default, activating a Spell, except Quick-Play Spells, can be considered to be an Ignition Effect, as it follows the same rules as Ignition Effects, but already face-up Spells can also have Ignition Effects, typically referred to as Ignition-like Effects.
787 
788Example:
789 
790[i][b]"Once per turn, if you control no other monsters: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; switch control of that target and this card, also monsters both players control cannot change their battle position until the end of this turn.[/b]"[/i]
791 
792[b]Trigger Effects [/b]are effects which activate whenever something has happened, such as a card being destroyed or a monster being Summoned. Trigger Effects are Spell Speed 1, yet they can be activated at any time the timing is correct, unless stated otherwise, or if the Damage Step rules take presence. Read more about that [url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Breakdown_of_the_Battle_Phase]here[/url]. Even though they can be activated during your opponent's turn, this does not make them Quick Effects, nor Spell Speed 2. Trigger Effects always activate in a closed game state, which basically means that Trigger and Quick Effects can be activated, but Ignition Effects cannot. Read more about that [url=http://www.yugioh-card.com/en/gameplay/fasteffects_timing.html]here.[/url]
793 
794Trigger Effects are wording by saying either: [i][b]"When X happens"[/b][/i] or: [i][b]"If X happens", [/b][/i]after which you note if it's either optional or mandatory, which is done by putting in a [i][b]"You can"[/b][/i] after the colon to make it optional, or leaving it out to make it mandatory.
795 
796As with Trigger Effects cause issues sometimes, as noted in the: [i][b]"Colon and Semi-Colon Integration and When/If"[/b][/i] depending on how you word them. I would encourage you to read that if you haven't already.
797 
798Example of an optional Trigger Effect:
799 
800[b][i]"When this card declares an attack: You can target 1 Set Spell/Trap your opponent controls; reveal that target, and if it is a Trap, destroy it, otherwise return it to its original position."[/i][/b]
801 
802Example of a mandatory Trigger Effect:
803 
804[b][i]"If this card is destroyed by your opponent's card (by battle or card effect) and sent to the GY: Draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
805 
806[b]Quick Effects[/b] are effects that can be activated during either player's turn at any time where appropriate, and as with Trigger Effects, the Damage Step rules might take presence. Read more about that [url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Breakdown_of_the_Battle_Phase]here[/url]. Quick Effects are always Spell Speed 2. Quick Effects can both be activated in an open game state as well as a closed one, though it's not all that can be activated in both, as some have a specific timing that responds to something, such as a card or effect being activated. Read more about that [url=http://www.yugioh-card.com/en/gameplay/fasteffects_timing.html]here.[/url]
807 
808Quick Effects can be found on both monsters, but also on face-up Spells and Quick-Play Spells are by default Quick Effects. Keep in mind that just because a card has a Quick Effect, it doesn't make all the effects a Quick Effect, and of course follow what the card says as well. Normal Traps and Continuous Traps are always Quick Effects though, as they are Spell Speed 2 cards by default, but their effects sometimes can act as Ignition or Trigger Effects as well. If a Continuous Trap states: [i][b]"Once per turn: You can do something"[/b][/i] then it is still a Quick Effect, even though it's worded like an Ignition Effect because of those rules, so you can activate that effect at any time, as well as during your opponent's turn, so in case you don't want that, make sure it states that it can only be used during your Main Phase, like a regular Ignition Effect, but remember to only do this for Continuous Traps, as the effects of face-up Spells don't work like that, and you should just word those like normal.
809 
810Depending on how your Quick Effect works, you might need to word it differently. If your effect can be activated at any point, during either player's turn, you say:
811 
812[b][i]"When a Spell/Trap Card is activated that targets 1 monster you control (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card." [/i][/b]
813 
814If it only can be done at a certain time, yet still have it be a Quick Effect, say something like[b][i]: [/i][/b]
815 
816[b][i]"During your opponent's Main Phase (Quick Effect): You can send this card from your hand to the GY, then target 1 card in your opponent's GY; banish that target."[/i][/b]
817[/spoiler]
818 
819[hr]
820 
821[spoiler=31: The Wonders of the Parentheses]
822Parentheses are used in various ways in YGO. They are most commonly used to explain certain additional information. In this section, I'll go over a few of the most common uses for them.
823 
824Name modifiers such as Harpie Lady 1. You only use these if it's not an effect, but rather something that may not be negated and is always the case. You may not have more than 3 of each card in your Deck if a card says this. Cards that only apply in certain conditions are not like this, such as Cyber Dragon Zwei. You have this text at the top of your card's text, then you make a line break for the effects of the card.
825 
826Example:
827 
828[b][i]"(This card's name is always treated as "Harpie Lady".)[/i][/b]
829[b][i]All WIND monsters gain 300 ATK."[/i][/b]
830 
831Cards that are always of an Archetype. These shouldn't be that common in your text, as the reason for these being on real text is because the original Japanese name may not have been the same as the translated name, in which case they would be a part of that Archetype even though their name says so otherwise. Like with the names above, this cannot be negated and is not an effect. If you use this on Normal Monsters/non-Effect Monsters, have this far below your flavor text, such as with Summoned Skull.
832 
833[b][i]"(This card is always treated as an "Archfiend" card.)[/i][/b]
834[b][i]Banish any monster destroyed by battle with this card.[/i][/b][b][i]"[/i][/b]
835 
836Special Summons that don't start a Chain use these to indicate where you Special Summon them from. You almost always have Special Summons like this at the top of your text.
837 
838Example:
839 
840[b][i]"Cannot be Normal Summon/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by discarding 1 other monster.[/i][/b]
841 
842If multiple cards are, for example, Summoned, using [i]"(s)"[/i] will allow you to activate the card, even though only one monster was Summoned. Also note that you should remember to specify if at resolution it only affects 1 of the cards, or if it can affect multiple as well. You can see more about this in the "Exactly 1 card VS a card(s)" section.
843 
844Example:
845 
846[b][i]"When your opponent Special Summons a monster(s): You can banish 1 of those monsters."[/i][/b]
847 
848When you want to address a card type, that being a monster, a Spell or a Trap or an Extra Deck monster card type. This is unrelated to Types, which is for Monster Types
849 
850Example:
851 
852[i][b]"When this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent: Declare 1 type of card (Monster, Spell, or Trap); your opponent sends 1 card of that type from their Deck to the GY.[/b][/i][i][b]"[/b][/i]
853 
854[i][b]"If each player has an Extra Deck: Declare 1 Extra Deck monster card type (Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz); both players reveal their Extra Deck, and the player who has more monsters of the declared card type gains 3000 LP."[/b][/i]
855 
856[i]Link Monsters were not released at the time of the above card, so that is why it's not included.[/i]
857 
858The last part of an additional Normal Summon should always have this text.
859 
860Example:
861 
862[i][b]"After this card is Normal Summoned to your field, you can Normal Summon 1 monster during your Main Phase this turn, in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)"[/b][/i]
863 
864When stating something is a Quick Effect. You use it just before the colon. Previously it was at the end of the effect and said "(This is a Quick Effect).
865 
866Example:
867 
868[i][b]"During your opponent's turn, at damage calculation (Quick Effect): You can discard this card; you take no battle damage from that battle.[/b][/i]
869 
870When you want to make sure you state that something cannot be used in the Damage Step. This is noted at the card or effect activation. It should also be noted that certain cards and effects cannot be activated in the Damage Step by default, which is a typical use for this.
871 
872Example:
873[i][b]"When your opponent activates a monster effect (except during the Damage Step): You can banish this card from your hand or GY; negate that effect."[/b][/i]
874[/spoiler]
875 
876[hr]
877 
878[spoiler=32: Fusion Monsters and how to word them]
879Fusion Monsters have a lot of different specific wordings, all of which have different meanings, so it is important to know what the differences are so your card always works how you intended it to work.
880 
881Fusion Monsters almost always require 2 or more Fusion Materials, typically by the name of a specific monster, though newer cards tend to have Archetype requirements or Attribute/Type requirements as well. Some cards do however not have these, such as "Neo-Spacian Marine Dolphin" or "Masked HERO Dian", as they are Summoned by another card. As with Synchro and Xyz Monsters, you always want this at the very top of the card, followed by any effect it might have on the next line.
882 
883Example:
884 
885[b][i]""Dark Magician" + "Dark Magician Girl"[/i][/b]
886[b][i]Once per turn: You can discard 1 card; draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
887 
888As with other Special Summon only monsters, Fusion Monsters may have a "Must be Fusion Summoned." or "Must first be Fusion Summoned." but sometimes they also have a "with the above Fusion Materials." as well. What this means is that you cannot use Fusion Substitute Monsters, such as "King of the Swamp" with them.
889 
890Example:
891 
892[b][i]""Dragon Warrior Aria" + "Dragon Warrior Kasin"[/i][/b]
893[b][i]Must be Fusion Summoned with the above Fusion Materials."[/i][/b]
894 
895Monsters don't always have to be Fusion Summoned using Polymerization or another card that Fusion Summons, they can also be Special Summoned by Contact Fusion. What this means is that like a Synchro or Xyz Summon, you do not use another card for the Summon, but rather you simply do what the card tells you to, then you Summon it without using a Chain. Typically this is done by banishing or shuffling them, but can also be done by simply sending them to the GY. Note that you always want to put "(You do not use "Polymerization".)" at the end, also note that this is a Special Summon, not a Fusion Summon (though you CAN make it one if you wish to, custom cards and all that).
896 
897Example:
898 
899[b][i]""Angel Guardian" + "Angel Warrior"[/i][/b]
900[i][b]Must first be Special Summoned (from your Extra Deck) by sending the above cards you control to the GY. (You do not use "Polymerization".)"[/b][/i]
901 
902Lastly, let's talk about using monsters that aren't a card with a specific name. As stated previously, Archetypes and Types/Attributes are typically used, but other things can be used too. You can also mix both monsters with names and other things, and when you do, you tend to have the named monsters at the start, then the other things afterwards. Always keep in mind that you cannot use Fusion Substitute Monsters for anything that isn't a name, but you can still use them if one part of it is a name. Note that unlike named monsters, you say a number as well. Also, showcasing below that you can use more than 2 monsters if you wish to.
903 
904Example:
905[b][i]""Red-Eyes Storm Dragon" + 1 DARK "Red-Eyes" monster + 1 Dragon monster"[/i][/b]
906[b][i]Must first be Fusion Summoned with the above Fusion Materials.[/i]"[/b]
907[/spoiler]
908 
909[hr]
910 
911[spoiler=33: Trap monsters and Pseudo-Trap monsters]
912Trap monsters are quite interesting, they are Continuous Traps which you activate, then they Special Summon themselves as a monster.
913 
914Their wording follows a pattern of stating that you Special Summon it as a Normal or Effect monster, then like with Token monsters, you put in the stats of the monster, then you say "(This card is also still a Trap.)", then possible effects it may have while it's a monster.
915 
916Example:
917[i][b]"Special Summon this card as an Effect Monster (Thunder/LIGHT/Level 5/ATK 1900/DEF 0). (This card is also still a Trap.) If Summoned this way, this card cannot be destroyed by battle."[/b][/i]
918 
919Some also have conditions you have to follow to Summon them, such as "Embodiment of Apophis" and "The Door of Destiny".
920 
921Example:
922[i][b]"When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: Negate the attack, then Special Summon this card as an Effect Monster (Fiend/LIGHT/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0). (This card is also still a Trap.)"[/b][/i]
923 
924It's important that you state "While this card is a monster" so make it clear that it only works while a monster.
925 
926Example:
927[i][b]"If a card is Special Summoned from your Spell & Trap Zone to the Monster Zone while this card is a monster: You can target 1 card on the field; destroy it."[/b][/i]
928 
929There also exists cards known as "Pseudo-Trap monsters". So far, they are almost exclusively Normal Traps, though there is an exception with a Continuous Trap called "The Prime Monarch".
930 
931For the most part, the wording follows a pattern of an effect which is activated like any Trap, then an effect that Special Summons them, then you say "(This card is NOT treated as a Trap.)", then any possible effects it may have while a monster.
932 
933There are not many released so far in the TCG, "The Pantom Knights of Shadow Veil" being the very first one released.
934 
935There is also one card called "The Pantom Knights of Tomb Shield" which is more like a normal Trap monster, as it Special Summons itself when the card itself is activated, then it has another effect in the GY
936 
937Examples:
938 
939[i][b]"Target 1 face-up monster you control; it gains 300 ATK/DEF. When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack while this card is in your GY: Special Summon this card in Defense Position as a Normal Monster (Warrior/DARK/Level 4/ATK 0/DEF 300). (This card is NOT treated as a Trap.) If Summoned this way, banish this card when it leaves the field."[/b][/i]
940 
941[i][b]"Target 1 Normal Monster in your GY; add it to your hand. When a Normal Monster is destroyed by battle: You can Special Summon this card from your GY in Defense Position as a Normal Monster (Warrior/EARTH/Level 3/ATK 1200/DEF 400). (This card is NOT treated as a Trap.) You can only use this effect of "First-Aid Squad" once per turn. If Summoned this way, banish this card when it leaves the field."[/b][/i]
942[/spoiler]
943 
944[hr]
945 
946[spoiler=34: Notice about mandatory effects]
947This is a relatively new thing about mandatory effects that activate in a certain phase, such as the Standby or End Phase. These used to be worded as such:
948 
949[i][b]"During each of your End Phases: Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the GY."[/b][/i]
950 
951Now though you say:
952 
953[i][b]"Once per turn, during your End Phase: Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the GY."[/b][/i]
954 
955The reason for this change is most likely that it can be viewed as though you keep on sending the cards, though this is only a one-time thing. Additionally, this also implies that the ruling regarding Treeborn Frog will soon be overturned when Treeborn Frog is reprinted, as it will most likely be worded the same way. Where you see this the most is currently on the Dark Contract cards from the D/D Archetype, but some cards have had it updated, such as Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress and Inari Fire
956[/spoiler]
957 
958[hr]
959 
960[spoiler=35: Union monster important update]
961This is something that actually happened a while ago, but I hadn't really noticed it before now, but Union monsters have been changed quite a lot. Before now, Union monsters were a bit weird in that you could only equip one of them at a time. Now, they have removed that from older cards, and any new versions of those cards will probably also have removed that. Another change is that they now protect against both battle and effect destruction, which was only battle before, with the exception of some cards. Lastly, they removed the Special Summon in Attack Position, so now you can choose the position yourself.
962 
963Yeah, it can be quite confusing, but to get a better picture, here's an example of how the old version looked:
964 
965[i][b]"Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 Machine monster you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it in Attack Position. While equipped by this effect, the equipped monster gains 500 ATK/DEF. (A monster can only be equipped with 1 Union monster at a time. If the equipped monster would be destroyed, destroy this card instead.)"[/b][/i]
966 
967Here's an example of the same card but how it looks now:
968 
969[b][i]"Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 Machine monster you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it. A monster equipped with this card gains 500 ATK/DEF, also, if the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, destroy this card instead."[/i][/b]
970 
971Also notice that the ATK and DEF boost and the destruction protect are put in the same effect line instead of the condition put in the parentheses. While you can still choose to only have them equip one of them at a time and which battle position to Special Summon them in, it's now no longer a mandatory part of Union monsters, so this will allow you to make them with much more flexibility.
972[/spoiler]
973 
974[hr]
975 
976[spoiler=36: A lot of important new term changes and additions]
977There are a lot of new term changes that are slowly coming as the new era of Link Monsters and Extra Monster Zones are coming to the TCG. These are actually changing a lot of the way cards are written, and there will most likely be more to come after I release this. Check the colored text to see when new updates come (and in the update list at the top).
978 
979I have not added the Link Monster and field related changes yet, as those are not out and I want to be completely sure about them before I put them in here.
980 
981The first change I want to talk about is Graveyard being called GY now. This change is quite small in what you have to change, as its simply an abbreviation.
982 
983Example of the previous wording:
984
985[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon it."[/b][/i]
986 
987Example of the new wording:
988 
989[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 monster in your GY; Special Summon it."[/b][/i]
990 
991Next there are monster types. These have been changed from including the -Type to excluding it. Again, small change, and one that will not change how you word your cards all that much. Do be careful with this, as Archetypes such as "Warrior" are not the same as Warrior monsters.
992 
993Example of the previous wording:
994
995[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Warrior-Type monster you control; it gains 500 ATK."[/b][/i]
996 
997Example of the new wording:
998 
999[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Warrior monster you control; it gains 500 ATK."[/b][/i]
1000 
1001Next is (Quick Effect). This change is a bit more complicated, as cards that previously stated "During either player's turn" now do not need to anymore, and those that stated (This is a Quick Effect) at the end of the effect now are moved slightly, such as Effect Veiler. You now state (Quick Effect) before the colon.
1002 
1003Example of the previous wording:
1004
1005[i][b]"Once per turn, during either player's turn: You can inflict 500 damage to your opponent."[/b][/i]
1006 
1007Example of the new wording:
1008 
1009[i][b]"Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can inflict 500 damage to your opponent."[/b][/i]
1010 
1011Additionally, you would say "Once per opponent's turn (Quick Effect):" like on Number 20: Utopic ZEXAL in case it cannot be activated during your own turn.
1012 
1013In case the effect doesn't have a colon, in other words has no cost, you state it at the start of the effect before the cost/targeting, for example "(Quick Effect): You can discard this card, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; halve its ATK/DEF."
1014 
1015The next term is Transfer, which is a completely new term, but one that refers to cards that "Rank Up", as seen on Gaia Dragon the Thunder Charger
1016 
1017Example of the previous wording:
1018
1019[i][b]"You can also Xyz Summon this card by using a Rank 5 or 6 Xyz Monster you control as the Xyz Material. (Xyz Materials attached to that monster also become Xyz Materials on this card.)[/b][/i]
1020 
1021Example of the new wording:
1022 
1023[i][b]"[i][b]You can also Xyz Summon this card by using a Rank 5 or 6 Xyz Monster you control as material. (Transfer its materials to this card.)"[/b][/i][/b][/i]
1024 
1025Next are cards that say this card. This one is a bit complicated to explain, but think of it as Special Summon only monsters saying " Cannot be Normal Summoned." instead of "This card cannot be Normal Summoned." This removes the first part, as that is not needed to understand the meaning of it. However, you do not want to remove it always, as some wordings would not make as much sense, such as "You can discard 1 card; this card gains 500 ATK" being "You can discard 1 card; gains 500 ATK". It sounds a bit odd compared to other one when worded like this, and as such, I would only use it for Continuous Effects.
1026 
1027Example of the previous wording:
1028
1029[i][b]"This card gains 500 ATK/DEF for each monster your opponent controls."[/b][/i]
1030 
1031Example of the new wording:
1032 
1033[i][b]"[i][b]Gains 500 ATK/DEF for each monster your opponent controls."[/b][/i][/b][/i]
1034 
1035[b][color=#ff0000]New Info as of 06/07/17:[/color][/b]
1036 
1037Spell and Trap Cards are not called Spells and Traps. This is a huge change since you change it for all the different kinds of Spells and Traps, but you don't have to change much besides removing the Card part. Also, you say Spells and Traps for plural versions.
1038 
1039Example of previous wording:
1040 
1041[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field; destroy it."[/b][/i]
1042 
1043Example of new wording:
1044 
1045[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Spell/Trap on the field; destroy it."[/b][/i]
1046 
1047Note, when you refer to Spell/Trap Card activations, you still use the Card, though with things like targeting or negating already face-up cards, you do not.
1048 
1049Xyz Material has simply become material. However, there are some exceptions, such as Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon, Bujintei Tsukuyomi and Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Photon Dragon. Fortress Falcon and Prime Photon Dragon are similar in that they both use it when talking about having a specific card attached to it as Xyz Material.
1050 
1051Interestingly, Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon and  Raidraptor - Satellite Cannon Falcon do not say Xyz Material, however this may be because they activate their effects on their Xyz Summon. Bujintei Tsukuyomi is different from those, instead referring to the Xyz Materials it had on the field. I'm not sure why they have this distinction yet, since material would work fine.
1052 
1053Example of the previous wording:
1054 
1055[i][b]"Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; add 1 Level 4 DARK Winged Beast-Type monster from your Deck to your hand."[/b][/i]
1056 
1057Example of the new wording:
1058[i][b]"Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card; add 1 Level 4 DARK Winged Beast monster from your Deck to your hand."[/b][/i]
1059 
1060When you perform a Synchro Summon using a specific monster and any other monster, you now say "using materials you control, including this card". The interesting part here to me is the material being used instead of saying "monsters you control as materials". Note that this seems to be only for this kind of effect, where Performapal Odd-Eyes Dissolver goes a different route and instead says: "During your Main Phase: You can Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using this card you control as Fusion Material, as well as other monsters you control or cards in your Pendulum Zones."
1061 
1062Example of previous wording:
1063 
1064[i][b]"Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon using this card you control."[/b][/i]
1065 
1066Example of new wording:
1067 
1068[i][b]"Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster, using materials you control, including this card."[/b][/i]
1069 
1070The Synchro Material requirements are slightly changed, now being similar to Link Monsters in that they state "1+ non-Tuner monsters". If it requires more than 2, as with Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier you say "2+ non-Tuner monsters".
1071 
1072Example of previous wording:
1073 
1074[i][b]"1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters"[/b][/i]
1075 
1076Example of new wording:
1077 
1078[i][b]"1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters"[/b][/i]
1079 
1080Piercing damage text has a small change, removing the "to your opponent" part.
1081 
1082Example of the previous wording:
1083 
1084[i][b]"If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent."[/b][/i]
1085 
1086Example of the new wording:
1087 
1088[i][b][i][b]"If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage."[/b][/i][/b][/i]
1089 
1090The phrase "These effects last until the end of this turn" has been put into parentheses, and is no longer after the period.
1091 
1092Example of previous wording:
1093 
1094[i][b]"Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can target 1 monster on the field; make it unable to be destroyed by battle or card effects, and if you do, neither player takes any battle damage from attacks involving that monster. These effects last until the end of this turn."[/b][/i]
1095 
1096Example of new wording:
1097 
1098[i][b]"Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can target 1 monster on the field; make it unable to be destroyed by battle or card effects, and if you do, neither player takes any battle damage from attacks involving that monster (these effects last until the end of this turn.)"[/b][/i]
1099 
1100 
1101Cards like the Gladiator Beasts now say "if this card battled", instead of "if this card attacked or was attacked". This is not entirely new, I simply hadn't noticed the change before.
1102 
1103Example of previous wording:
1104 
1105[i][b]"At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked: You can draw 1 card"[/b][/i]
1106 
1107Example of new wording:
1108 
1109[i][b]"At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card battled: You can draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
1110 
1111Special Summon only monsters now exclude the "and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways". Same goes for Fusion Monsters and such, just change the Summoning method. I find it odd that they changed something that was actually a helpful tool for beginners, but I guess the word "must" should be indication enough.
1112 
1113Example of previous wording:
1114 
1115[i][b]"Must be Special Summoned (from your hand or Graveyard) by banishing 3 "Infernoid" monsters from your hand or Graveyard while the total Levels and Ranks of all Effect Monsters you control are 8 or lower, and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways."[/b][/i]
1116 
1117Example of new wording:
1118 
1119[i][b]"Must be Special Summoned (from your hand or GY) by banishing 3 "Infernoid" monsters from your hand or GY while the total Levels and Ranks of all Effect Monsters you control are 8 or lower."[/b][/i]
1120 
1121[color=#0000ff][b]New Info as of 19/07/17:[/b][/color]
1122 
1123Some news from the new Starter Pack, cards like Cyber Dragon that can be Special Summoned if your opponent controls a monster and you do not now have become shorter to write. Small change, but one that a lot of cards use, so it's an important one:
1124 
1125Example of previous wording:
1126 
1127[i][b]"If you control no monsters, and your opponent controls a monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand)."[/b][/i]
1128 
1129Example of new wording:
1130 
1131[i][b]"If only your opponent controls a monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand)"[/b][/i]
1132 
1133Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter has had yet another change. This one is quite important though, as it now says simultaneously instead of sequence, which means that destroying and sending cards happens at the same time. Additionally, it no longer targets. I would not say that this eliminates other cards that use sequence, such as Cyber Repair Plant, but I wouldn't be surprised if a few of those will have this change soon.
1134 
1135Example of previous wording:
1136 
1137[i][b]"FLIP: Apply these effects in sequence.[/b][/i]
1138[i][b]● You can target 1 card on the field; destroy that target.[/b][/i]
1139[i][b]● Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard."[/b][/i]
1140 
1141Example of new wording:
1142 
1143[i][b]"FLIP: Apply these effects (simultaneously).[/b][/i]
1144[i][b]● You can destroy 1 card on the field.[/b][/i]
1145[i][b]● Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the GY."[/b][/i]
1146 
1147This change is something that I probably should have noted about before, but I feel like this is a good a place as any. Cards that stated "you can activate this effect" aren't used that much anymore, rather they tend to say "during your Main Phase" or "you can make this card" or similar to avoid using the phrase. The reason I'm pointing this out now is that Exarion Universe had this change in the new Starter Pack. I have also updated the section about this phrase to include that the term probably shouldn't be used anymore, but I am not going to remove it immediately, as many cards still use it. Side note, they didn't change the "These effects last until the end of this turn" to be in parentheses and before the period on Exarion Universe, so we'll see if that change is something that sticks.
1148 
1149Example of previous wording:
1150 
1151[i][b]"During your Battle Step, if this card attacks a Defense Position monster: You can activate this effect; this card loses exactly 400 ATK, and if it does, it will inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent. These effects last until the End Phase."[/b][/i]
1152 
1153Example of new wording:
1154 
1155[i][b]"During your Battle Step, if this card attacks a Defense Position monster: You can make this card lose exactly 400 ATK, and if it does, it will inflict piercing battle damage. These effects last until the end of this turn."[/b][/i]
1156 
1157A change that is quite strange to me that have appeared earlier, but I wasn't too if was a change quirk or here to say is that some cards now don't say "card your opponent controls" but rather "your opponent's card" or similar to that (can be your cards too, as seen with Twilight Ninja Jogen), the significant thing being that it doesn't state anything about control, which is an indication of the card being on the field. Not all cards do this, cards that target prefer the old version and I also noticed that Vision HERO Witch Raider doesn't target, but still states "When this card is Normal Summoned: You can destroy all Spells and Traps your opponent controls.", but I do believe that the new version will appear on many cards in the future, and which ones that use it I will keep a lookout for. A major card that has this change though is Mirror Force, as you'll see below.
1158 
1159Example of previous wording:
1160 
1161[b][i]"When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Destroy all Attack Position monsters your opponent controls."[/i][/b]
1162 
1163Example of new wording:
1164 
1165[i][b]"When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Destroy all your opponent's Attack Position monsters."[/b][/i]
1166[/spoiler]
1167 
1168[hr]
1169 
1170[spoiler=37: Link Monsters, Extra Monster Zone and more important changes]
1171Link Monsters are the newest kind of monster in the game, and with it, some changes have happened and new terms have arrived. If you don't know what these are, check out my rulebook that explain by by clicking[url=http://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/322818-the-unofficial-yu-gi-oh-trading-card-game-rulebook/] here.[/url]
1172 
1173This section will focus on the new terms, what they are and how to use them. These are also added to the Word List, Explanation and Usage List with more detail an examples.
1174 
1175Firstly, while not a change to how to word cards, Pendulum Zones have change location, so you may need to update your cards to reflect this change. Pendulum Zones were previously not part of the Spell & Trap Zone, but are now at the leftmost and rightmost Spell & Trap Zone, meaning that cards that affect the Spell & Trap Zone also are able to affect the Pendulum Zone. Also, you can activate and Set cards in the Pendulum Zone, though they are not considered to be in the Pendulum Zone, only Pendulum Monsters are.
1176 
1177The other field change is two new zones, the Extra Monster Zones, which are placed over the 2nd and 4th Monster Zones, which are referred to as Main Monster Zones now. The Extra Monster Zone is where monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck go. Link Monsters also allow you to Special Summon to the Main Monster Zones where they point to. You can see the field changes below:
1178 
1179[spoiler=New Field]
1180[img=https://i.redd.it/pxmjm84a6l6z.jpg]
1181[/spoiler]
1182 
1183Now for the Link Monster related terms. Most terms from the rulebook now exist in card text, though Link Arrow has not been used yet. Additionally, the word "recipe" is used when talking about Link Monsters in the rulebook and their Summoning requirements, though I don't know if that is just a term they use a shorthand in the rulebook or not yet though.
1184 
1185Here are the new terms in alphabetical order:
1186 
1187[b]co-linked:[/b][b] [/b]This means that multiple Link Monsters are pointing their Link Arrows at each other. Cards like Firewall Dragon use this for various effects. This is also important to making an Extra Link, but check the rulebook for information about that.
1188 
1189[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1190 
1191[i][b]"Once while face-up on the field (Quick Effect): You can target monsters on the field and/or GY up to the number of monsters co-linked to this card; return them to the hand."[/b][/i]
1192 
1193[b]Extra Link:[/b][b][i] [/i][/b]An Extra Link is when your monsters are co-linked from one Extra Monster Zone to the other one, which makes it kind of look like a necklace. As of writing this, it's only used on Match winners.
1194 
1195[b][i]"If this Extra Linked card attacks your opponent directly and reduces their LP to 0, you win the Match."[/i][/b]
1196 
1197[b]Extra Monster Zone: [/b]It is a Monster Zone, and Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, Link Monsters as well as Pendulum Monsters that are face-up in your Extra Deck are Special Summoned to here. Keep in mind that monsters Special Summoned from the GY or while banished are not placed here, but rather in your Main Monster Zone instead. Additionally, any monster that changes control or is temporarily banished that was in the Extra Monster Zone go to the Main Monster Zone instead.
1198 
1199[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1200 
1201[i][b]"If this card on the field is destroyed by a card effect: Send all monsters in the Extra Monster Zones to the GY."[/b][/i]
1202 
1203[b]Link-#:[/b] Replace the number sign with a number such as Link-1 or Link-3. This is the Link Rating of a monster. This is used when you are talking about a specific Link Rating of a Link Monster.
1204 
1205[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1206 
1207[i][b]"Target 1 Link-3 Cyberse Link Monster you control or is in your GY; banish it, and if you do, Special Summon 1 "Code Talker" monster from your Extra Deck."[/b][/i]
1208 
1209[b]linked: [/b]This is used when talking about a Link Monster either pointing an another monster or it is being pointed at. A co-linked monster is also considered linked.
1210 
1211[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1212 
1213[i][b]"This linked card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects."[/b][/i]
1214 
1215[b]Link Material:[/b] Link Materials are the monsters used for a Link Summon. This is listed in the recipe as "2+ monsters". Like other kinds of materials, you may be restricted in how they can be used, or Link Materials in the GY can be used for various effects later on, though they are only Link Material as long as the Link Summon is not negated.
1216 
1217[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1218 
1219[i][b]"You can discard 1 card; Special Summon 1 "Mecha Phantom Beast Token" (Machine/WIND/Level 3/ATK 0/DEF 0), also you can only use "Mecha Phantom Beast" monsters as Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Material for a Summon, for the rest of this turn."[/b][/i]
1220 
1221[b]Link Monster: [/b]Link Monsters are the newest kind of monster, and have many properties, like Link Arrows and Link Ratings, they also have no DEF and cannot be in Defense Position. They are placed in the Extra Deck and are Special Summon only monsters.
1222 
1223[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1224 
1225[b][i]"All Link Monsters you control gain 300 ATK."[/i][/b]
1226 
1227[b]Link Rating:[/b] Link Rating is the number on Link Monsters that is in the spot instead of DEF, written like [b]LINK-3[/b] in bold letters. A monster's Link Rating is how many Link Materials you are required to use, as well as how many Link Arrows it has, and Link Monsters' Link Rating corresponds to how many they can treat themselves as, though only as that number or as 1 Link Material.
1228 
1229[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1230 
1231[b][i]"Gains ATK equal to the combined Link Ratings of all Link Monsters on the field x 300."[/i][/b]
1232 
1233[b]Link Summon:[/b] A Link Summon is performed by sending face-up monsters you control to the GY equal to the Link Rating of the Link Monster you wish you Link Summon. Additionally the Link Monster may have other requirements, such as the monster being an Effect Monster and how many you need as a minimum.
1234 
1235[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1236 
1237[i][b]"If this card is Link Summoned: Draw cards equal to the number of "World Chalice" monsters this card points to."[/b][/i]
1238 
1239[b]Main Monster Zone: [/b]The Main Monster Zone is the 5 zones above the Spell & Trap Zone. Certain cards only affect these zones rather than all your Monster Zones or only the Extra Monster Zone. Additionally, Link Monsters can point to this zone for various effects as well as allowing you to Special Summon monsters from your Extra Deck to the Main Monster Zone.
1240 
1241[b]Example of Usage: [/b]
1242 
1243[i][b]"If another monster is Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, while this monster is on the field: Destroy all monsters in the Main Monster Zones, also your other monsters cannot attack for the rest of this turn."[/b][/i]
1244 
1245[b]point: [/b]Link Monsters point to zones, and they can either gain effects or they allow you to Special Summon other monsters from your Extra Deck to your Main Monster Zone this way. This is probably the most used term on Link Monsters, as they almost always have an effect that points.
1246 
1247[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1248 
1249[i][b]"Gains 500 ATK for each monster it points to."[/b][/i]
1250 
1251[b]zone: [/b]This term is used when talking about Link Monster pointing to a zone. Keep in mind that this is not capitalized like Main Monster Zone is.
1252 
1253[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1254 
1255[i][b]"Once per turn: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from your hand to your zone this card points to."[/b][/i]
1256[/spoiler]
1257 
1258[hr]
1259 
1260[spoiler=38: Word List, Explanations and Usage Explanation Information]
1261Below is a list of pretty much every word used in card texts that is of relevance to you when you write your effects.
1262 
1263The word in the spoiler is how you're always meant to write it, and unless I specify that they're capitalized, remember to write them lowercase, for example "control" is lowercase and "Special Summon" is uppercase.
1264 
1265Example of Usage are examples of both custom cards and real cards that use the word. Be sure to read these
1266 
1267Note that certain texts on real cards may have some correct aspects and some incorrect ones. Only account for the word you're reading about, not the others.
1268 
1269Also note that some of the card text might be slightly outdated as certain small changes may come in the future. I'll try to update these, and if you find any, let me know.
1270[/spoiler]
1271 
1272[hr]
1273 
1274[spoiler=39: Word List, Explanations and Usage List]
1275Word list from A-Z. To find what you want, use CTRL+F to use the word search feature on most browsers.
1276 
1277[spoiler=activate]
1278Activate is used a lot, especially when talking about something that activates, or something that has been activated. Activating cards and activating effects is not the same thing. If your intention is to negate the activation of an effect, you must say “activates a card effect”.
1279 
1280If your intentions is to negate the activation of a card (as in flipped a Spell/Trap face-up or playing it from the hand) you must say “activates a card.” You also use this when you say that a card or effect can only be activated once per turn.
1281 
1282[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1283 
1284[b][i]“When your opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card or monster effect: You can negate the activation, and if yo do, destroy that card."[/i][/b]
1285 
1286[b][i]"You can only activate this effect of "Darkness Warrior" once per turn."[/i][/b]
1287 
1288[b][i]"You can only activate 1 "Monster Shuffle" per turn."[/i][/b]
1289 
1290[b][i]"Monsters in your opponent's possession cannot activate their effects during the Battle Phase."[/i][/b]
1291 
1292[b]Related:[/b]
1293[i][b]activates/activated/activating[/b][/i]
1294[/spoiler]
1295 
1296[spoiler=add]
1297Adding is the act of adding cards from the Deck (Sangan), GY (Salvage) or one of your banished cards (Dragoncarnation) to the hand. When writing effects with adding, it’s important to note that you do not add cards from the field to your hand, instead, you return them to you hand.
1298 
1299For the Deck, you shuffle them into the Deck or place them on top or bottom of the Deck. Also note that adding is not considered drawing a card (but drawing is considered adding).
1300 
1301[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1302 
1303[b][i]“You can add 1 Level 4 or lower monster from your Deck to your hand."[/i][/b]
1304 
1305[b][i]"Target 1 Spell/Trap in your GY; add that target to your hand.[/i]"[/b]
1306 
1307[b][i]Target 1 of your banished monsters; add that target to your hand.[/i]"[/b]
1308 
1309[b][i]"When your opponent adds a card to their hand: You can send 1 random card from your opponent's hand to the GY.[/i]"[/b]
1310 
1311[b]Related:[/b]
1312[i][b]adds/adding[/b][/i]
1313[/spoiler]
1314 
1315[spoiler=addition]
1316Addition is used when you gain an additional attack, an additional Normal Summon, additional effects etc. The most common use for it however is when gaining additional Normal Summons. This follows a strict writing which you can see below.
1317 
1318[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1319 
1320[b][i]"After this card is Normal Summoned to your field, you can Normal Summon 1 "Melodious" monster during your Main Phase this turn, in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)"[/i][/b]
1321 
1322[b][i]"During your Main Phase, you can Normal Summon 1 "Qli" monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)"[/i][/b]
1323 
1324[b][i]"Once per turn: You can Normal Summon 1 Level 4 LIGHT Thunder monster from your hand, except "Mahunder", as an additional Normal Summon."[/i][/b]
1325 
1326[b][i]"Once per turn: You can Tribute any number of Warrior monsters, except this card; for each Tributed monster, this card gains 1 additional attack during each Battle Phase this turn."[/i][/b]
1327 
1328[b]Related:[/b]
1329[i][b]Additional[/b][/i]
1330[/spoiler]
1331 
1332[spoiler=adjacent]
1333Adjacent refers to moving a card from 1 spot on the field to another, either to the left, or to the right. This is only used on a very few cards, none of which currently have PSCT, and as such, I am providing a PSCT example of how it might look in the future.
1334 
1335[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1336 
1337[b][i]"Move 1 monster you control to an adjacent (horizontal) unoccupied Main Monster Zone."[/i][/b]
1338 
1339[b][i]"While there is a monster in an adjacent (horizontal) Main Monster Zone, this card cannot be destroyed by card effects."[/i][/b]
1340[/spoiler]
1341 
1342[spoiler=apply]
1343Apply is used in situations with multiple option effects, used to describe that certain effects are or are not applied, which also includes Continuous Effects, monsters that attack in Defense Position and apply their ATK or DEF during damage calculation, as well as many other things.
1344 
1345[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1346 
1347[b][i]"Equip only to a Warrior monster. Apply this effect, depending on its battle position.
1348● Attack Position: It gains ATK equal to its original DEF.
1349● Defense Position: It gains DEF equal to its original ATK."[/i][/b]
1350 
1351[b][i]"Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card; apply this effect, depending on this card's current battle position.
1352● Attack Position: If this card attacks an opponent's monster this turn, it gains 1000 ATK, also the opponent's monster loses 500 ATK, during the Damage Step only.
1353● Defense Position: Inflict 800 damage to your opponent."[/i][/b]
1354 
1355[b][i]""Superheavy Samurai" monsters you control can attack while in face-up Defense Position. If they do, apply their DEF for damage calculation."[/i][/b]
1356 
1357[b][i]"This card's effects can only be applied/resolved while it has material."[/i][/b]
1358 
1359[b][i]"When this card is activated: Target 1 Beast-Warrior monster you control; during this phase, it has its effects negated, also it is unaffected by the effects of cards other than this card. (This applies even if this card leaves the field.)"[/i][/b]
1360 
1361[i][b]"Once per Chain, when a Zombie monster, except “Doomking Balerdroch”, activates its effect (except during the Damage Step) (Quick Effect): You can apply 1 of these effects (but you cannot apply that same effect of “Doomking Balerdroch” again this turn).● Negate that effect.● Banish 1 monster from the field or GY."[/b][/i]
1362 
1363[b]Related:
1364[i]Applied/Applies[/i][/b]
1365[/spoiler]
1366 
1367[spoiler=ATK/DEF]
1368ATK and DEF are the numbers written at the bottom of monsters. They are used to determine if a monster would be destroyed by battle or not and how much damage a monster inflicts your opponent's LP. In card text, they are typically used when a monster would gain or lose ATK/DEF, or when if a monster would be valid for a certain effect.
1369 
1370ATK and attack are not the same and should not be confused with each other, they are to be used independently of each other.
1371 
1372Monsters also sometimes have ? ATK/DEF. This means that it's undetermined, and an effect decides the value. While the effect is not in place, they are treated as having 0 ATK/DEF. In case their effects are negated, the undetermined ATK and DEF will return to 0. Monsters with ? ATK/DEF cannot be affected by other cards in the hand, Deck, GY or while they're banished that affects monsters with a specific ATK/DEF (Shining Angel).
1373 
1374Sometimes you might also see "original ATK/DEF", which means the ATK/DEF on the bottom of the card. Similarly, "current ATK/DEF" means the ATK/DEF that it has, even after changed by an effect. Read more on that here:
1375[url=http://ygorganization.com/atk-def-modification-and-you/]http://ygorganization.com/atk-def-modification-and-you/[/url]
1376 
1377[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1378 
1379[b][i]"All monsters you control gain 300 ATK/DEF for each Spell/Trap you control."[/i][/b]
1380 
1381[b]This card has ? ATK as its ATK value. This is an effect that determines that value: [i]"This card's original ATK is equal to the total combined Levels of all monsters on the field x 300."[/i][/b]
1382 
1383[b][i]"Target 1 monster your opponent controls whose current ATK is different from its original ATK; destroy that target." [/i][/b]
1384 
1385[b][i]"Add 1 FIRE monster with 1500 or less DEF from your Deck to your hand."[/i][/b]
1386 
1387[b][i]"When this card destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the GY: Inflict damage to your opponent equal to either the ATK or DEF (whichever is higher) of the destroyed monster in the GY."[/i][/b]
1388 
1389[b]Related: [/b]
1390[i][b]? ATK/DEF[/b][/i]
1391[/spoiler]
1392 
1393[spoiler=attach]
1394Attach is used [sub]when you[/sub] Xyz Summon a monster, which is done by putting the materials under the Xyz Monster you want to Xyz Summon. This is not considered for the monsters to leave the field. Both monsters and Spell/Traps can be attached by effects, but not Tokens cannot ever be attached.
1395 
1396[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1397 
1398[b][i]"Gains 300 ATK/DEF for each material attached to it."[/i][/b]
1399 
1400[b][i]"Target 1 Spell/Trap in your GY and [b][i]1 Xyz Monster you control[/i][/b]; attach the first target to the second target."[/i][/b]
1401 
1402[b]Related:[/b]
1403[i][b]attached[/b][/i]
1404[/spoiler]
1405
1406[spoiler=attack]
1407Attack is something you do in the Battle Phase, either to attack an opponent's monster or to attack them directly. You can normally only do this if a monster is in Attack Position, and only once per turn. Some cards allow additional attacks and some cards prevent attacking. Some cards can attack while in Defense Position. Some cards must attack each turn if they are able to, meaning if they're in Attack Position or an effect allows them to attack while in Defense Position.
1408 
1409It's important to note that targeting an opponent's monster for attack and declaring an attack are not the complete same thing. This is important in al a replay happens, as some cards can only activate when an attack is declared (Mirror Force), and if a replay happens, you don't declare an attack again, rather you target an opponent's monster for an attack, or attack directly.
1410 
1411[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1412 
1413[b][i]"Can attack while in face-up Defense Position. If it does, apply its DEF for damage calculation."[/i][/b]
1414 
1415[b][i]"If this card attacks, your opponent's cards and effects cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step."[/i][/b]
1416 
1417[b][i]"If this card targets an opponent's monster for an attack: You can destroy this card and the attack target."[/i][/b]
1418 
1419[b][i]"If this card is targeted for an attack: You can discard 1 card; negate the attack, and if you do, end the Battle Phase."[/i][/b]
1420 
1421[b][i]"When this card is destroyed by battle with an opponent's attacking monster and sent to the GY: You can draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
1422 
1423[b][i]"All monsters your opponent controls must attack, if able."[/i][/b]
1424 
1425[b]Related:[/b]
1426[i][b]attacks/attacked/attacking[/b][/i]
1427[/spoiler]
1428 
1429[spoiler=Attack Position]
1430Attack Position: Attack Position is when a monster is on the field, and is placed vertically. When in this position, you are allowed to attack with the card, and the when you battle, you compare the monster's ATK to the attack target's ATK or DEF, depending on its battle position.
1431 
1432You can also change the monster's battle position, unless you Summoned the card this turn (unless a card effect says you can).
1433 
1434Do not ever say ATK Position, as that's not a real term.
1435 
1436[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1437 
1438[b][i]"Target 1 Special Summoned Attack Position monster your opponent controls; take control of that target."[/i][/b]
1439 
1440[b][i]"All Attack Position monsters your opponent controls lose ATK equal to this card's ATK."[/i][/b]
1441 
1442[b][i]"Cannot be targeted by card effects while in Attack Position."[/i][/b]
1443[/spoiler]
1444 
1445[spoiler=Attribute]
1446The icon you see in the top right of the card. The Attributes themselves are always written in all-caps, such as "LIGHT" or "WATER". Instead of always saying Attribute after you mentioned the Attribute, you simply omit the Attribute part. It's only use in cases where a monster has multiple Attributes, you wish to mention Attributes as a whole, rather than a specific Attribute. See the list of Attributes above as well.
1447 
1448[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1449 
1450[b][i]"Once per turn: You can declare 1 Attribute, then target 1 face-up monster with a different Attribute than the declared Attribute; that target becomes the declared Attribute."[/i][/b]
1451 
1452[b][i]"This card is also LIGHT-Attribute."[/i][/b]
1453 
1454[b]To show when you do not want to use Attribute[i]: "All LIGHT monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle".[/i][/b]
1455 
1456[b]Related:[/b]
1457[i][b]Attributes[/b][/i]
1458[/spoiler]
1459 
1460[spoiler=banish]
1461This was before refereed to as "removed from play", but do not use that. You also shouldn't mention "Banished Zone" as that is actually never used on a card, rather you want to word it in a way that uses "banish" or "banished" instead.
1462 
1463[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1464 
1465[b][i]"Once per turn: You can target 1 of your banished monsters; Special Summon that target in face-up Defense Position."[/i][/b]
1466 
1467[b][i]"If a monster(s) is banished: This card gains 500 ATK/DEF. [/i]"[/b]
1468 
1469[b][i]"Banish all cards that would be sent to the GY by card effects."[/i][/b]
1470 
1471[b][i]"Target 1 face-down monster on the field; destroy that target, and if you do, banish it, then, if it was a Flip monster, each player reveals their Main Deck, then banishes all cards from it with that monster's name."[/i][/b]
1472 
1473[b]Related:[/b]
1474[i][b]Banished/Banishes[/b][/i]
1475[/spoiler]
1476 
1477[spoiler=battle]
1478A battle happens whenever a monster attacks or is attacked, even if it is a direct attack. A battle happens from the point you declare you wish to attack, and thus any effect that prevents cards from being activated at the point of a battle starts cannot be activated, see the first example below for how to write that kind of effect. Battle is also used in many other uses, as you'll see in other examples, and can have many uses in general.
1479 
1480[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1481 
1482[i][b]"If this card battles, your opponent's cards and effects cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step"[/b][/i]
1483 
1484[i][b]"Cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects."[/b][/i]
1485 
1486[b]Related:[/b]
1487[b]battle damage[i]/[b]Battle Step/Damage Step/Damage Calculation[/b][/i][/b]
1488[/spoiler]
1489 
1490[spoiler=battle damage]
1491Battle damage is the kind of damage you inflict when a monster you control has higher ATK than the opponent's monster, or DEF if you can inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent, or from a direct attack. You can also take damage if you attack a monster with more ATK/DEF than your monster has.
1492 
1493Note that battle damage is different from effect damage. If a card activates when you take effect damage, inflicting battle damage will not trigger it. However, if it just says "if you take damage" it will activate.
1494 
1495[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1496 
1497[b][i]"If you[i] take battle damage: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent."[/i][/i][/b]
1498 
1499[b][i][i]"If you inflict battle damage to your opponent while the only monsters you control are EARTH: You can Special Summon 1 EARTH monsters from your Deck whose ATK is less than or equal to the amount of battle damage you inflicted."[/i][/i][/b]
1500 
1501[b][i][i]"You take no battle damage from attacks/battles involving this card/Normal Monsters you control."[/i][/i][/b]
1502[/spoiler]
1503 
1504[spoiler=Battle Step]
1505A part of the Battle Phase. This some right after the Start Step (not used in actual text). The Battle Step is where cards like Mirror Force activate.
1506 
1507[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1508 
1509[b][i]"During the Battle Step (Quick Effect): You can Special Summon this card from your hand, and if you do, gain 1000 LP."[/i][/b]
1510 
1511[b][i]"During the Battle Step, when this card battles an opponent's monster (Quick Effect): You can target the monster this card is battling; banish both the opponent's monster and this card."[/i][/b]
1512 
1513[b]Related:[/b]
1514[b][i]Battle Phase/Damage Step[/i][/b]
1515[/spoiler]
1516 
1517[spoiler=Battle Phase]
1518The Battle Phase comes after the Main Phase. You don't need to go into it, you can go directly to the End Phase from your Main Phase 1, but to go into the Main Phase 2, you must go into it. You cannot go into it during the first turn of the duel either. You can attack in this Phase, but you don't have to do that if you don't wish to.
1519 
1520There are a lot of different Steps in the Battle Phase, such as the Battle Step and the Damage Step, as well as damage calculation, but view those to get a better picture of what they do. There also exists the End Step, but that term isn't used in PSCT, rather say "at the end of the Battle Phase".
1521 
1522[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1523 
1524[i][b]"When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: End the Battle Phase, then you can Special Summon 1 Tuner monster and 1 Synchro Monster from your GY, but they have their effects negated.[/b][/i]
1525 
1526[i][b]"Can make a second attack during each Battle Phase."[/b][/i]
1527 
1528[i][b]"At the start of the Battle Phase: For the rest of this turn after this card resolves, Spell/Traps, and their effects, cannot be activated."[/b][/i]
1529 
1530[i][b][i][b]"At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card battled: You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to this card's original ATK."[/b][/i][/b][/i]
1531 
1532[b]Related:[/b]
1533[i][b]battle/Battle Step/Damage Step/Damage Calculation[/b][/i]
1534[/spoiler]
1535 
1536[spoiler=battle position]
1537Battle position is the position in which a monster is in, either Attack Position or Defense Position. Monsters can change their battle position during your Main Phase, but not the turn they are Summoned or have attacked.
1538 
1539You can also change the battle position of a monster with an effect. Whenever a card says that it changes the battle position of the monster, it changes its current battle position for the other one. Face-down monsters go to face-up Attack Position, and face-up monsters simply change to the opposite of the one they're currently in.
1540 
1541[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1542 
1543[b][i]"Target 1 Attack Position monster on the field; change its battle position, then it loses DEF equal to its ATK."[/i][/b]
1544 
1545[b][i]"Neither player can change the battle position of monsters they control."[/i][/b]
1546 
1547[b][i]"If this card is Special Summoned: Change the battle positions of all monsters on the field (Flip monsters' effects are not activated at this time.), then both players draw 1 card for each monster they control whose battle position was changed by this effect."[/i][/b]
1548 
1549[b]Related:[/b]
1550[i][b]battle positions[/b][/i]
1551[/spoiler]
1552 
1553[spoiler=become]
1554This is used when talking about ATK/DEF becoming an exact amount, when talking about a Level/Rank becoming an exact Level/Rank, when talking about a name becoming another name, when talking about a Type/Attribute coming another, changing to a specific Phase (Summon Breaker).
1555 
1556[b][i]Target 1 face-up monster on the field; its ATK becomes 0 and its Level/Rank becomes 1 until the end of this turn."[/i][/b]
1557 
1558[b][i]"This card's name becomes "Cyber Dragon" while on the field or in the GY."[/i][/b]
1559 
1560[b][i]"All monsters on the field become Dragon monsters."[/i][/b]
1561 
1562[b][i]"Activate this card by discarding 1 card; it becomes the End Phase. Neither player can Special Summon monsters, except during the End Phase."[/i][/b]
1563 
1564[b]Related:[/b]
1565[i][b]becomes[/b][/i]
1566[/spoiler]
1567
1568[spoiler=card]
1569One of the most generic terms you can find, simply meaning any form of card. It's also used in other terms, but you typically capitalize it (see the specific terms for correct capitalization). You always capitalize this word when talking about other kinds of cards, such as Spells. Do not say Monster Card though, instead just say monster. Tokens and Trap Monsters are considered cards. EoU:
1570 
1571[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1572 
1573[b][i]"[i]Draw 2 cards, then discard 1 card."[/i][/i][/b]
1574 
1575[b][i][i]"If a card you control is sent to the GY: Target 1 card from your GY; add it to your hand."[/i][/i][/b]
1576 
1577[b][i][i]"While you control 2 or more other face-up cards, battle damage you take it halved."[/i][/i][/b]
1578 
1579[b]Related:[/b]
1580[i][b]cards[/b][/i]
1581[/spoiler]
1582 
1583[spoiler=card effect]
1584Card effects are seen on most cards. These are abilities that tell you what the card does or how it works. Not all cards have card effects, some are Normal Monsters or non-Effect Monsters.
1585 
1586Some effects do not activate, called Continuous Effects, others do, and have different names depending on how they're worded. See above for more.
1587 
1588Cards with card effects and cards without them are different, and sometimes you may only be able to affect a monster with a card effect and sometimes you may be able to target only those without one.
1589 
1590All monsters with card effects card considered Effect Monsters, not just the orange-framed ones, but also Rituals, Fusions etc.
1591 
1592Sometimes you may just see "effect" instead, both are fine to use and can most of the time be used interchangeably, though from what I have noticed is that you generally want to use "card effect" when you generalize more, and "effect" when you're talking about only one specific effect. See below for cases to get a general overview of which to use where, but I of course can't get all cases, so it's fine if you simply choose which one sounds the best to you.
1593 
1594[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1595 
1596[b][i]"When this card is destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to the GY: You can draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
1597 
1598[b][i]"Cannot be targeted by an opponent's card effect."[/i][/b]
1599 
1600[b][i]"You can target 1 face-up monster on the field; it has its effects negated. You can only use this effect of "Crazy Clown" once per turn."[/i][/b]
1601 
1602[b][i]"When a card or effect is activated that targets this face-up card (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it."[/i][/b]
1603 
1604[b][i]"This card is unaffected by Spell/Trap effects that do not target it."[/i][/b]
1605 
1606[b]Related:[/b]
1607[i][b]card effects/effect/effects[/b][/i]
1608[/spoiler]
1609 
1610[spoiler=card type]
1611A card type is either a Monster, Spell or Trap. This is not used on a lot of cards, however when referring to multiples choices for different card types, then it's useful to use this. A popular example is "Number 16: Shock Master".
1612 
1613You can also say Extra Deck monster card type to specify Fusion, Synchro, Xyz or Link Monsters.
1614 
1615Newer cards may say "type of card" instead, such as Vampire Lord, but they mean the same thing.
1616 
1617[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1618 
1619[b][i]"You can declare 1 card type (Monster, Spell, Trap); reveal your opponent's hand, and if your opponent has the declared card type in their hand, they must discard those cards."[/i][/b]
1620 
1621[b][i]"Declare 1 Extra Deck monster card type (Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz); both players reveal their Extra Deck, and if your opponent has more monsters of the declared card type, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent."[/i][/b]
1622 
1623[i]Link Monsters were not released at the time of the above card, so that is why it's not included, Inspector Boarder includes this though.[/i]
1624 
1625[b][i]"Neither player can activate a monster effect unless the number of monster effects that player has previously activated that turn is less than the number of monster card types currently on the field (Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, Pendulum, and Link)."[/i][/b]
1626 
1627[b]Related:[/b]
1628[i][b]Extra Deck monster card type[/b][/i]
1629[/spoiler]
1630 
1631[spoiler=category]
1632Quite a new term, which is only used on one card, that being "Onomatopia The meaning of it is to describe that each bullet point is a different category,
1633 
1634[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1635 
1636[b][i]"You can only activate 1 "Onomatopaira" per turn. Send 1 card from your hand to the GY; add up to 2 of these monsters from your Deck to your hand (you cannot add 2 from the same category).
1637● 1 "Zubaba" monster
1638● 1 "Gagaga" monster
1639● 1 "Gogogo" monster
1640● 1 "Dododo" monster"[/i][/b]
1641[/spoiler]
1642 
1643[spoiler=Center]
1644Center refers to the zone in the middle of the field, or in other words, the third zone from the left. Ghost Bird of Bewitchment is the only card that uses it so far, also it may not be capitalized if used in the middle of the effect, unknown right now since we only have it as a bullet hole effect.
1645 
1646[b]Example of Usage: [/b]
1647 
1648[i][b]"This card gains an effect based on your Main Monster Zone it is in.[/b][/i]
1649[i][b]● Leftmost: Gains 1000 ATK/DEF.[/b][/i]
1650[i][b]● Rightmost: Can make up to 2 attacks on monsters during each Battle Phase.[/b][/i]
1651[i][b]● Center: Your opponent cannot target this card with card effects, also it cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects.[/b][/i]
1652[i][b]● Others: Monsters in this column cannot activate their effects."[/b][/i]
1653 
1654[b]Related: [/b]
1655[i][b]Leftmost/Rightmost[/b][/i]
1656[/spoiler]
1657 
1658[spoiler=Chain]
1659Typically used when talking about how many times it can be used during a Chain, but has some other uses as well. If it says "Once per Chain" then it's always a Quick Effect, since this implies you can use it at any point during the Chain.
1660 
1661You may also see that a card that has multiple effects say that those effects cannot be activated in the same Chain.
1662 
1663[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1664 
1665[b][i]"[i]Once per Chain, when your opponent activates a monster effect (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation and if you do, destroy that monster."[/i][/i][/b]
1666 
1667[b][i][i]"[b][i][i]Once per turn[/i][/i][/b] (Quick Effect): You can discard 1 card; this card is unaffected by other card effects until the end of this turn. Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can banish 2 cards from your GY, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; destroy that target. You cannot activate these effects in the same Chain."[/i][/i][/b]
1668[/spoiler]
1669 
1670[spoiler=Chain Link]
1671A term that describes the number the effect in a Chain occupies. Typically used on cards where you can only activate the card at a certain Chain Link or higher.
1672 
1673[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1674 
1675[b][i]"As Chain Link 3 or higher (Quick Effect): You can discard this card; destroy all monsters your opponent controls."[/i][/b]
1676 
1677[b][i]"Activate this card as Chain Link 3 or higher. Monsters in either player's GY cannot be banished."[/i][/b]
1678[/spoiler]
1679 
1680[spoiler=change]
1681Change is a pretty common word, most of the time it's used to describe the act of changing the battle position of a monster, but it has been used instead of "switch", so choose whichever one you wish. Don't use this to say things like "change its ATK to 0", instead say "its ATK becomes 0".
1682 
1683The word changes is also used, but not in the same way, rather it's used when saying "These changes last until the end of this turn." on cards which have an effect with multiple parts to it, though you can simply also just say "until the end of this turn, all monsters you control gain 300 ATK, also they cannot be targeted by your opponent's card effects".
1684 
1685[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1686 
1687[b][i]"Target 2 monsters you control; change those targets' battle position. Monsters changed by this effect cannot declare an attack for the rest of the turn."[/i][/b]
1688 
1689[b][i]"During the Battle Phase (Quick Effect): You can change this card's battle position."[/i][/b]
1690 
1691[b][i]"When an opponent's monster declares an attack: You can change the attack target to this card and proceed to damage calculation."[/i][/b]
1692 
1693[b][i]"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; its ATK becomes 0, and if it does, it has its effects negated. These changes last until the end of this turn."[/i][/b]
1694 
1695[b]Related:[/b]
1696[i][b]changed/changes[/b][/i]
1697[/spoiler]
1698 
1699[spoiler=choose]
1700Use choose in case you want to pick a card during the resolution of an effect. You should avoid using it to indicate that you wish to target something, targeting ALWAYS happens at activation, choosing always happens at resolution.
1701 
1702You also don't need to always state that you "choose 1 monster and destroy it", instead you should say "destroy 1 monster" instead.
1703 
1704You can also use it in case you want to pick a card in your Deck and do something with it, since they can't be targeted. Remember that you want to do this at resolution of an effect, since you can't pick a card in your Deck during the activation of the effect.
1705 
1706It can also be used to make a decision between different things, such as choosing between a card type or a number.
1707 
1708[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1709 
1710[b][i][i]Once per turn: You can choose a number from 1 to 3, then send that many cards from the top of your Deck to the GY; this card gains 500 ATK for each card sent to the GY this way, until the end of this turn. [/i][/i][/b]
1711 
1712[b][i][i]"Each player chooses 1 monster they control and switches control of those monsters with each other. Those monsters cannot change their battle positions for the rest of this turn."[/i][/i][/b]
1713 
1714[b][i][i]"Once per turn: You can choose 1 FIRE monster in your Deck and place it on top of your Deck."[/i][/i][/b]
1715 
1716 
1717[b][i]"Each time a player rolls a die (or dice), you can choose 1 die result, and apply the appropriate effect, based on the result.
1718●1, 3, or 5: The die result is treated as 6.
1719●2, 4, or 6: The die result is treated as 1.2[/i]"[/b]
1720 
1721[i][b]"If your opponent controls more cards than you do: You can detach 1 material from this card, then choose 1 unused Monster Card Zone or Spell & Trap Zone; while this card is face-up on the field, that Card Zone cannot be used."[/b][/i]
1722 
1723[b]Related:[/b]
1724[i][b]chooses[/b][/i]
1725[/spoiler]
1726 
1727[spoiler=coin]
1728When talking about tossing a coin, typically in luck-based cards. You typically write them so the other outcome is after a period, like you'll see in the examples. You typically "call" what it lands on, either Heads or Tails, and the gain an effect or the effect depends on the outcome of the result.
1729 
1730[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1731 
1732[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; toss a coin 3 times, and destroy that target if at least 2 of the results are Heads."[/b][/i]
1733 
1734[i][b]"Declare a Level from 1 to 12; each player tosses a coin, and if both are Heads, the Levels of all face-up monsters you currently control become the declared Level. If both are tails, you lose LP equal to the declared Level x 500."[/b][/i]
1735 
1736[i][b]"Once per turn: You can toss a coin and call it. If you call it right, destroy all monsters your opponent controls. If you call it wrong, destroy all monsters you control, and if you do, you take damage equal to half the total ATK that those destroyed monsters had on the field."[/b][/i]
1737[/spoiler]
1738 
1739[spoiler=column]
1740A column is the 4 zones going vertically and is used with Senet-like cards. You say that the columns are either occupied or unoccupied, and you move cards to another column.
1741 
1742[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1743 
1744[b][i]"Target 1 card on the field in this card's column; destroy that target."[/i][/b]
1745 
1746[b][i]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Spell/Trap you control; move that target to this card's column.[/i][/b]
1747[/spoiler]
1748
1749[spoiler=conduct]
1750Used mostly when talking about conducting your Battle Phase, though there's also a few other things, such as conducting a Summon, as seen on "Summon Breaker" and "Extra Net". Almost all cards use the phrase "You cannot conduct your Battle Phase during the turn you activate/use this card/effect."
1751 
1752Some older Fusion Monsters say "Fusion Summon of this card can only be conducted with the above Fusion Material Monsters." though now you want to say "Must (first) be Fusion Summoned with the above Fusion Materials".
1753 
1754[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1755 
1756[b][i]"Once per turn: You can banish 1 monster you control; banish 1 monster your opponent controls. You cannot conduct your Battle Phase the turn you use this effect.[/i]"[/b]
1757 
1758[b][i]"During Main Phase 1, if the turn player successfully conducts their third Summon of a monster(s) this turn: It becomes the End Phase."[/i][/b]
1759 
1760[b][i]"If a monster(s) is Special Summoned from the Extra Deck: The opponent of the player that conducted the Special Summon can apply this effect.
1761● Draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
1762 
1763[b]Related:[/b]
1764[i][b]conducts/conducted[/b][/i]
1765[/spoiler]
1766 
1767[spoiler=Continuous Spell]
1768These stay on the field for as long as the card allows it, or until removed by an outside source. These typically have Continuous Effects, but sometimes their effects activate.
1769 
1770It's important to note that for an effect to resolve with a Continuous Spell/Trap, Field or Equip Spell, it must remain face-up, unless that effect doesn't activate on the field of course. A popular example of this is Chaining "Mystical Space Typhoon" to "Fire Formation - Tenki" so the searching effect resolves without effect.
1771 
1772These are always Spell Speed 1. You can Set these and activate them later if you want, during your Main Phase only.
1773 
1774These are also sometimes activated/Set from the Deck or GY.
1775 
1776[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1777 
1778[b][i]"Target 1 Continuous Spell in your GY; add it your hand."[/i][/b]
1779 
1780[b][i]"Activate 1 Continuous Spell directly from your Deck."[/i][/b]
1781[/spoiler]
1782 
1783[spoiler=Continuous Trap]
1784These stay on the field for as long as the card allows it, or until removed by an outside source. These typically have Continuous Effects, but sometimes their effects activate.
1785 
1786You first Set these, and after that, they cannot be activated during that turn, even if it isn't your turn that you Set them, only on the turn after can you activate them.
1787 
1788It's important to note that for an effect to resolve with a Continuous Spell/Trap, Field or Equip, it must remain face-up, unless that effect doesn't activate on the field of course. A popular example of this is Chaining "Mystical Space Typhoon" to "Fire Formation - Tenki" so the searching effect resolves without effect.
1789 
1790These are always Spell Speed 2, also, an important thing to note is that their effects can be activated during the same Chain Link as you activate the card, for example, you can activate the effect of "Ultimate Offering" as the same Chain Link as you activated the card if you wanted to.
1791 
1792However, they are not face-up before they resolve, so if the effect requires it to be face-up, for example with cards like "Hazy Glory", you cannot activate it in the same Chain Link as you activate the card.
1793 
1794These are also sometimes activated/Set from the Deck or GY. Do note that they cannot be activated the same turn they are Set, even if Set this way.
1795 
1796[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1797 
1798[b][i]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Continuous Trap you control; return it to the hand.[/i][/b]
1799 
1800[b][i]"If this card is Summoned: Target 1 Continuous Trap in your GY; Set that target."[/i][/b]
1801[/spoiler]
1802 
1803[spoiler=control]
1804When a player controls a card that means that it’s on the field. It’s important to note that control is not the same as having a card in possession, as possessing a card refers both the also your hand, Deck or GY.
1805 
1806Control is also used when you take control of a card you opponent controls, for example with "Snatch Steal". Switching control means that 1 or more monsters switch from one side of the field to the other, as seen on ”Creature Swap”. Controlling is sometimes used on cards that Special Summon themselves, such as "XX-Saber Faultroll". You can give control of a card to your opponent, as seen on "Mystic Box". You can also return control of cards, as seen on "Owner's Seal".
1807 
1808The controller of a card when it is destroyed, is the person who had it on their side of the field, NOT the person whose Deck it belongs to. An example of this would be the Duston monsters.
1809 
1810Some cards also work when you do not control something, such as "Cyber Dragon".
1811 
1812[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1813 
1814[i][b]"Once per turn, if a monster you control is destroyed by battle: You can draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
1815 
1816[i][b]"If you control no monsters: You can discard 1 card; Special Summon this card from your hand."[/b][/i]
1817 
1818[i][b]"Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; take control of that target until the end of this turn."[/b][/i]
1819 
1820[i][b]"Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by controlling 3 or more Spell/Traps."[/b][/i]
1821 
1822[i][b]"You can discard 1 card, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; switch control of both this card and that target."[/b][/i]
1823 
1824[i][b]"Once per turn: You can give control of 1 monster you control to your opponent, and if you do, return control of all other monsters your opponent controls to their original owners."[/b][/i]
1825 
1826[b]Related:[/b]
1827[i][b]controls/controller/controlling[/b][/i]
1828[/spoiler]
1829 
1830[spoiler=copy]
1831Not used very often, though when used, it refers to cards with the same name, typically when you refer to multiple copies of "Card Name Here". Don't use this when you want to "copy" a name/effect. Instead say "This card's effect becomes that target's effect" or something like that.
1832 
1833[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1834 
1835[b][i]"If you control a face-up "Don Zaloog": You can Special Summon any number of "Dark Scorpion" monsters from your hand, but only 1 copy of each."[/i][/b]
1836 
1837[b][i]"Declare 1 card name; if that card is in your opponent's hand, they must discard all copies of it, otherwise you discard 1 random card. If you control a face-up "Don Zaloog": You can Special Summon any number of "Dark Scorpion" monsters from your hand, but only 1 copy of each."[/i][/b]
1838 
1839[b]Related:[/b]
1840[i][b]copies[/b][/i]
1841[/spoiler]
1842 
1843[spoiler=counter]
1844Not to be confused with Counter Traps. Counters are things that you place on cards on the field, which can be used to gain certain effects. There are many different kinds of counters, for example, Spellbook Counters, Ice Counters or A-Counters.
1845 
1846Note that if you do not use a named counter, you don to capitalize the word, as seen on "Miracle Jurassic Egg". This is also true in case you simply wish to affect counters in general, as seen on "Gate Blocker".
1847 
1848Each counter is different from each other, both named and unnamed ones, so if you place a Venom Counter on "Miracle Jurassic Egg", those counters are not considered to be correct for its effect.
1849 
1850Some cards remove counters as well, typically as a cost to activate an effect, or in the case of cards like "Counter Cleaner", as an offensive effect.
1851 
1852[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1853 
1854[b][i]"Your opponent cannot place counters on cards on the field."[/i][/b]
1855 
1856[b][i]"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster on the field; place 1 counter on that target. It gains 500 ATK for each counter on it."[/i][/b]
1857 
1858[b][i]"When this card is Normal Summoned: You can place 1 Fireball Counter on it. You can remove 1 Fireball Counter from this card; inflict 500 damage to your opponent."[/i][/b]
1859 
1860[b]Related:[/b]
1861[i][b]counters[/b][/i]
1862[/spoiler]
1863 
1864[spoiler=Counter Trap]
1865Not to be confused with counters. The Trap with the little arrow icon. Always Spell Speed 3, and they are the only ones with this Spell Speed. They typically always negate something, either being an effect or an attack, and when they negate cards or effects, they typically always negate the activation. Not related to counters.
1866 
1867[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1868 
1869[b][i]"Add 1 Counter Trap from your Deck to your hand".[/i][/b]
1870 
1871[b][i]"When a Counter Trap Card is activated: Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it.[/i][/b]
1872[/spoiler]
1873 
1874[spoiler=co-linked]
1875This means that multiple Link Monsters are pointing their Link Arrows at each other. Cards like Firewall Dragon use this for various effects. This is also important to making an Extra Link, but check the rulebook for information about that.
1876 
1877[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1878 
1879[i][b]"Once while face-up on the field (Quick Effect): You can target monsters on the field and/or GY up to the number of monsters co-linked to this card; return them to the hand."[/b][/i]
1880 
1881[b]Related:[/b]
1882[i][b]linked[/b][/i]
1883[/spoiler]
1884 
1885[spoiler=damage]
1886When you take damage, you either take it by battle or by an effect. Taking damage and paying LP are not the same thing. You want to say that you take damage or that you pay *number* LP.
1887 
1888You can inflict damage to your opponent, but you cannot inflict it to yourself, you can only take damage.
1889 
1890Sometimes effects activate when you inflict damage or take damage. Do note that battle damage and effect damage are two different things, so they may not be able to activate in certain cases.
1891 
1892[b]Example of Usage[i]:[/i][/b]
1893 
1894[b][i]"Inflict 500 damage to your opponent for each card in their hand."[/i][/b]
1895 
1896[b][i]"Inflict damage to your opponent equal to this card's Level x 200."[/i][/b]
1897 
1898[b][i]"When you take effect damage: You can draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
1899 
1900[b][i]"If this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent's: Draw 2 cards, then discard 1 card."[/i][/b]
1901 
1902[b][i]"Any battle damage this card inflicts to your opponent is halved."[/i][/b]
1903 
1904[b][i]"Your opponent takes any battle damage you would have taken from battles involving this card."[/i][/b]
1905[/spoiler]
1906 
1907[spoiler=damage calculation]
1908A part of the Damage Step, which is where you calculate ATK and DEF to determine damage and if the monster would be destroyed (if any). Only certain effects can be used here, an unlike the rest of the Damage Step, only one Chain is allowed here. Read more about that [url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Breakdown_of_the_Battle_Phase]here.[/url]
1909 
1910[b]Example of Usage[i]:[/i][/b]
1911 
1912[i][b]""Superheavy Samurai" monsters you control can attack while in face-up Defense Position. If they do, apply their DEF for damage calculation."[/b][/i]
1913 
1914[i][b]"When another monster you control is targeted for an attack while this card is in Attack Position: You can change this card to face-up Defense Position, and if you do, change the attack target to this card and perform damage calculation."[/b][/i]
1915[/spoiler]
1916 
1917[spoiler=Damage Step]
1918The Damage Step is a part of the Battle Phase when you attack or is attacked. It a has a lot of differnet rules to it and is quite complex and going into detail would take a very long time, so you can read more about it [url=]here.[/url]
1919 
1920For some Trigger Effects, they will state you can't use them in the Damage Step, which will be stated on parentheses.
1921 
1922[b]Example of Usage[i]:[/i][/b]
1923 
1924[i][b]"At the start of the Damage Step, if this card battles a Special Summoned monster: Destroy that monster."[/b][/i]
1925 
1926[i][b]"If you activate a "Hole" Normal Trap (except during the Damage Step): You can add to your hand, or Special Summon, 1 "Traptrix" monster from your Deck, except "Traptrix Nepenthes"."[/b][/i]
1927 
1928[b]Related:[/b]
1929[i][b]damage calculation/Battle Step[/b][/i]
1930[/spoiler]
1931 
1932[spoiler=Deck]
1933There are 3 different kinds of Decks. The first is Main Deck. This is where all your Normal/Effect, Spell and Traps go. No Extra Deck  monsters may be in here, with the exception of Pendulum Monsters, which start in the Main Deck, but can go to the Extra Deck later on.
1934 
1935The second is the Extra Deck, this is where Fusion, Synchro, Xyz and Link Monsters go. Also, Pendulum Monsters go here when they would be sent from the field to the GY.
1936 
1937The third is the Side Deck. This is not an official term used in the game, and should not be used unless you wish to make a new concept in the game.
1938 
1939Cards that can be returned to the Deck (but doesn't say Main Deck) may also return to the Extra Deck (See "Pot of Avarice"). If a monster is returned to the hand, but it is an Extra Deck monster, it is returned to the Extra Deck instead.
1940 
1941At no point may there be Extra Deck monsters in your Main Deck, or vice-versa, with the exception of Pendulum Monsters. 
1942 
1943It's important to note that you do not wish to say "draw 1 card from your Deck", rather simply say "draw 1 card".
1944 
1945You typically want to say "the Deck", instead of "your Deck" in most cases where you return a card to the Deck somehow, as cards your opponent owns cannot be in your Deck normally. See below to get a better overview of when to use it and when not to use it.
1946 
1947[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1948 
1949[b][i]"Add 1 Spell from your Deck to your hand."[/i][/b]
1950 
1951[b][i]"Send 2 cards from the top of your Deck to the GY."[/i][/b]
1952 
1953[b][i]"Target 2 cards on the field; place the first target on top of the Deck, and if you do, place the second target on the bottom of the Deck."[/i][/b]
1954 
1955[b][i]"Draw 1 card, then shuffle 1 card from your hand into your Deck."[/i][/b]
1956[/spoiler]
1957 
1958[spoiler=declare]
1959This is mostly used when talking about "declaring an attack", but is also used when you want to declare a card name, type of card (Monster, Spell or Trap), monster type (Type), Level, a number for an effect (such as a number on a die), a Pendulum Scale etc.
1960 
1961When you declare an attack, you can only have on Chain at this time, which can be important to make sure your cards work properly.
1962 
1963While rare, you can say "When an opponent's monster declares an attack on a monster you control", but you typically say "Targets a monster you control for an attack". There is a small difference here, that being cards using the former cannot be activated in case a replay happens, as you do not declare an attack again if a replay happens.
1964 
1965In case you wish to make a card that works both when you declare an attack and when opponent declares an attack on one of your monsters, you want to say "When an attack is declared involving this card/a monster  you control and an opponent's monster:"
1966 
1967[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1968 
1969[b]"When this card declares a direct attack: You can discard 1 card; until the end of the Damage Step, this card cannot be destroyed by card effects."[/b]
1970 
1971[b]"When an attack is declared involving this card and an opponent's LIGHT monster: You can negate that attack, then end the Battle Phase."[/b]
1972 
1973[b]"When an opponent's monster declares an attack on this card: You can banish this card until the end of the Battle Phase."[/b]
1974 
1975[b]"Declare 1 card name; until the end of the turn, this card's name becomes the declared card's name."[/b]
1976 
1977[b]"Once per turn: You can declare a Level from 1 to 4; the Level of this card becomes that Level until the end of this turn."[/b]
1978 
1979[b]"Destroy all cards on the field. You cannot declare an attack the turn you use activate this card."[/b]
1980 
1981[b]"Activate this card by declaring 1 type of card (Monster, Spell or Trap); cards with declared card type are unaffected by other card effects."[/b]
1982 
1983[b]Related:
1984[i]declares/declared/declaring[/i][/b]
1985[/spoiler]
1986 
1987[spoiler=decrease]
1988Was previously used when talking about a monster that lost ATK/DEF or you losing LP, but instead you want to say that you lose ATK/DEF or lose LP. Decrease is rarely used, PSCT only uses it for Levels, and even then it is rare, and you will most of the time see "reduce" used instead, and you should probably avoid using decrease as much as possible.
1989 
1990[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
1991 
1992[i][b]"Once per turn: You can decrease this card's Level by 1."[/b][/i]
1993 
1994[i][b]"Decrease the Levels of all monsters on the field by 1."[/b][/i]
1995[/spoiler]
1996 
1997[spoiler=Defense Position]
1998Defense Position is when the card is on the field, and is placed horizontally. When in this position, you are not allowed to attack with the card, except if a card says you can.
1999 
2000You compare the DEF equal to the ATK of the opponent's monster (or DEF in case they have a monster that can attack while in Defense Position), and if the DEF is higher than the opponent's monster, the opponent takes damage, and neither monster is destroyed. If it's higher than your monster's DEF, your monster is destroyed, but you do not take damage, except if the opponent's monster can inflict piercing battle damage.
2001 
2002You can also change the card's battle position, unless you Summoned the card this turn. When you change the battle position of a Defense Position monster, you change it to Attack Position, and if it is face-down, it is considered to have been Flip Summoned.
2003 
2004You can also change the battle position by an effect, which in that case will not be considered a Flip Summon if face-down, just it being flipped face-up.
2005 
2006If a face-down Defense Position monster is attacked, it will remain in face-up Defense Position after being flipped face-up, and Flip monsters' effects may activate after damage calculation.
2007 
2008[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2009 
2010[i][b]"Target 1 Defense Position monster you control; change its battle position."[/b][/i]
2011 
2012[i][b]"If you control no cards: You can Special Summon this card from your hand in Defense Position."[/b][/i]
2013 
2014[i][b]"Target 1 face-up monster on the field; change that target to face-down Defense Position, and if you do, draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
2015[/spoiler]
2016 
2017[spoiler=depending]
2018Used with multiple option effects, where the effect is different depending on something, such as position, types, Attribute etc. Typically you use bullets with these kinds of effects, but there are exceptions such as "7 Completed".
2019 
2020[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2021 
2022[b][i]"[/i]Equip only to a Warrior monster. Apply this effect, depending on its battle position.
2023[i]● Attack Position: It gains ATK equal to its original DEF.
2024● Defense Position: It gains DEF equal to its original ATK."[/i][/b]
2025 
2026[b][i]"Each time a "Yosenju" monster(s) is Normal or Special Summoned, place 1 Yosen Counter on this card. You can remove any number of Yosen Counters from this card; apply this effect, depending on the number of Yosen Counters removed. You can only use this effect of "Yosen Training Grounds" once per turn.
2027● 1 Counter: All "Yosenju" monsters you currently control gain 300 ATK until the end of this turn (even if this card leaves the field).
2028● 3 Counters: Add 1 "Yosenju" card from your Deck or GY to your hand."[/i][/b]
2029 
2030[b][i]"Activate this card by choosing ATK or DEF; equip only to a Machine monster. It gains 700 ATK or DEF, depending on the choice."[/i][/b]
2031[/spoiler]
2032
2033[spoiler=destroy]
2034Destroy is one of the most common words in the game. The act of destroying a card will put it in the GY, except cards that are destroyed in Main Deck, GY or Banished Zone. Note that Tributing or sending is NOT the same as destroying, but destroying a card will send it somewhere (normally to the GY).
2035 
2036Destroying a card can be done in various ways, the most common is by battle. Monsters are typically the only card that can be destroyed this way, but Trap Monsters can be destroyed this way too. The other way is by a card effect, which is whenever an effect say to destroy a card. The last way is by game mechanics, which is not the same as a card effect. See [url=http://forum.duelingnetwork.com/index.php?/topic/150619-advancedniche-rulings/]this page[/url] for more about that.
2037 
2038Destroying a card by battle or an effect are different things and will trigger different effects as well, so wording it exactly how you want is important.
2039 
2040[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2041 
2042[b][i]"You can target 1 monster on the field; destroy that target."[/i][/b]
2043 
2044[b][i]"When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the GY: You can target 1  face-up monster you control; it gains ATK equal to the destroyed monster's Level/Rank x 500."[/i][/b]
2045 
2046[b][i]"When this card is destroyed by a card effect and sent to the GY: You can return 1 monster you control to the hand, and if you  do, destroy 1 monster on the field."[/i][/b]
2047 
2048[b][i]"If a monster(s) you control would be destroyed by a card effect, you can discard 1 card instead of destroying 1 of those monsters."[/i][/b]
2049 
2050[b]Related:
2051[i]destroys/destroyed/destroying[/i][/b]
2052[/spoiler]
2053 
2054[spoiler=detach]
2055Detaching an material is often the cost of a Xyz Monster to activate that card's effects. It may not always be the case though, as some cards like "Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction" detaches its material as an effect instead. The same goes for Continuous Effects like "Maestroke the Symphony Djinn" whose second effect does not start a chain, and is a card effect rather than a cost.
2056 
2057You can also detach with other effects as well, not just the own card. Do note that detaching materials from a monster does not affect it (attaching does) when making your cards.
2058 
2059materials are not considered to be on the field, neither so when they are detached, so make sure you write your cards so they will work in case you want cards to trigger when sent from the field to the GY.
2060 
2061[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2062 
2063[b][i]"Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 Spell in your GY; add that target to your hand."[/i][/b]
2064 
2065[b][i]"If this face-up card would be destroyed, you can detach 1 material from this card instead."[/i][/b]
2066 
2067[b][i]"During each of your End Phases: Detach 1 material from this card or banish this card."[/i][/b]
2068 
2069[b][i]"Target 1 Xyz Monster you control; detach all its materials, then draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
2070[/spoiler]
2071 
2072[spoiler=discard]
2073Discarding is the act of sending a card from your hand to the GY. It's important to note that you don't discard from the Deck, rather you send. Discarding is the same as sending, but sending is not the same as discard (see "Dark World" rulings for more information).
2074 
2075Discarding is typically done as a cost, but you can also discard as an effect, typically done when you want to discard a random card from your opponent's hand.
2076 
2077You can still discard as a cost while cards like "Macro Cosmos" are up, unless you state that you "discard 1 card to the GY" or something similar.
2078 
2079[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2080 
2081[b][i]"Discard 1 card, then target 1 of your banished monsters; shuffle that target into the Deck, then draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
2082 
2083[b][i]"Once per turn: You can discard 1 card to the GY; draw 2 cards, then discard 1 card."[/i][/b]
2084 
2085[b][i]"Each player discards their entire hand, then draws the same number of cards they discarded."[/i][/b]
2086 
2087[b][i]"You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by discarding 1 card."[/i][/b]
2088 
2089[b]Related:
2090[i]discards/discarded/discarding[/i][/b]
2091[/spoiler]
2092 
2093[spoiler=draw]
2094Drawing a card is the act of adding the top card from your Deck to your hand. Note that you do not capitalize draw, except when you say Draw Phase. You draw for your normal draw during your Draw Phase, but card effects can also make you draw cards.
2095 
2096Draw and DRAW is not the same thing, as DRAW is the act of both people losing/winning at the same time.
2097 
2098Drawing a card is considered to be adding a card from your Deck to your hand, but adding a card from your Deck to your hand may not always be drawing it.
2099 
2100[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2101 
2102[b][i]"If this card is Ritual Summoned: Draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
2103 
2104[b][i]"Once per turn: You can draw cards equal to the number of Spell/Traps your opponent controls, then banish 1 card from your hand."[/i][/b]
2105 
2106[b][i]"When your opponent draws for their normal draw in their Draw Phase: Your opponent discards 1 card they just drew."[/i][/b]
2107 
2108[b][i]"Neither player can add cards from their Deck to their hand except by drawing them."[/i][/b]
2109 
2110[b][i]"During your Draw Phase, before your draw: You can give up your normal draw this turn, and if you do, add 1 monster from your GY to your hand."[/i][/b]
2111 
2112[b]Related:
2113[i]draws/drew/drawing[/i][/b]
2114[/spoiler]
2115 
2116[spoiler=DRAW]
2117DRAW is different from draw, in that this talks about when both players would lose to Duel. It's only used on one card, that being "Last Turn", as far as a I know.
2118 
2119Some cards create a DRAW, but doesn't say it does, such as "Self-Destruct Button". 
2120 
2121[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2122 
2123[b][i]"Target 1 Set monster on each field; reveal both those targets, then the player whose monster has the highest combined ATK/DEF wins the Duel. If both monsters have the same combined ATK/DEF, the Duel results in a DRAW."[/i][/b]
2124[/spoiler]
2125 
2126[spoiler=Draw Phase]
2127The Draw Phase is the first Phase of your turn. You always start by drawing 1 card, though some effects can happen before drawing or instead of it. Cards you draw for your normal draw are different than other cards you draw.
2128 
2129After the Draw Phase, you must go into your Standby Phase.
2130 
2131[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2132 
2133[b][i][b]"[/b]During your Draw Phase, before your draw: You can give up your normal draw this turn, and if you do, add 1 monster from your GY to your hand."[/i][/b]
2134 
2135[b][i]"Target 1 face-up monster on the field; destroy that target, also skip your next Draw Phase."[/i][/b]
2136 
2137[b][i]"Each time you draw a card(s) for your normal draw in your Draw Phase, place 1 Greed Counter on this card. You can send this card with 2 or more Greed Counters to the GY; draw 2 cards."[/i][/b]
2138 
2139[b][i]"Once per turn, if your opponent adds a card(s) from their Deck to their hand (except during the Draw Phase or the Damage Step): You can banish 1 random card from your opponent's hand."[/i][/b]
2140 
2141[b]Related:[/b]
2142[i][b]draw[/b][/i]
2143[/spoiler]
2144 
2145[spoiler=Duel]
2146Duel isn't used very often. It is used when talking about only being able to activate/use a card or effect once per Duel, when talking about alternate win conditions, or on cards which state that certain cards cannot be used for the rest of the Duel, such as "Armageddon Designator".
2147 
2148[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2149 
2150[b][i]"Target 1 monster your opponent controls; banish it face-down. You can only use this effect of "Doom Knight" once per Duel."[/i][/b]
2151 
2152[b][i]"Banish 1 card from your hand; neither player can activate cards, or the effects of cards, with that name for the rest of this Duel."[/i][/b]
2153 
2154[b][i]"During your End Phase, if your opponent's LP are 2000 or less, and this card has no materials, you win the Duel."[/i][/b]
2155[/spoiler]
2156 
2157[spoiler=during]
2158During is a very commonly used word. It is used to explain when you can/must activate/apply a card or effect. You typically name the Phase of Step where you are able to activate the effect, for example "During your Battle Phase". You typically don't say this for Main Phase though, you normally just say the effect itself, though in case the effect activates, it can be useful, since simply writing the effect without colons/semi-colons makes it look like a Continuous Effect, which may not be the case. Something like "Draw 1 card" would not work, since it doesn't have a colon/semi-colon, instead you can use "During your Main Phase: You can draw 1 card".
2159 
2160Typically when you activate an effect during a specific Phase or Step, it's a Trigger Effect, though this may not always be the case, for example, "Effect Veiler" can be activated during your opponent's Main Phases, but it's a Quick Effect, meaning that you can activate it in response to other effects. In case you mean for it to be a Quick Effect in a specific Phase or Step, just before the colon put (Quick Effect). Previously, it was at the end of the effect and said (This is a Quick Effect)
2161 
2162Cards that activate during either player's turn previously stated "during either player's turn", however this has been changed to simply say "(Quick Effect)" before the colon. For example, a card that said Once per turn, during either player's turn: You can return this card to the hand." would be "Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can return this card to your hand."
2163 
2164You want to say (Quick Effect) to indicate that it can be activated in response to another card during either player's turn when you use a card that negates the activation of a card. However, in the case of Quick-Play Spells and Traps, mostly Counter Traps, you do not need to state this, as those can by default be activated during either player, though for cards that stay face-up after resolution, you do want to use this wording, however, Continuous Traps are by default a Quick Effect, so you may not always need to state this, unless it's a specific Phase or Step of course. For example Dark Smog says "Once per turn: You can target 1 monster in your opponent's GY; discard 1 Fiend monster, and if you do, banish that target." This is a Quick Effect, since it is a Continuous Trap.
2165 
2166Sometimes you will also see that an effect cannot be activated in a specific Phase or Step. Most commonly, this is in the Damage Step and certain Trigger Effects. For example "Wind-Up Factory" says "Once per turn, if an effect of a "Wind-Up" monster is activated (except during the Damage Step): You can add 1 Level 4 or lower "Wind-Up" monster from your Deck to your hand." As you can see, you have parentheses stating that it cannot be activated during the Damage Step, but note that it's not at the end of the effect, but rather in the conditions for the effect. Note that you should always write it after the specific condition which cannot be activated during that Step or Phase, and that there is no need to do this in case you already specify a Phase or Step already.
2167 
2168Sometimes you'll see "During each of your Standby Phases" or something similar. What this means is that it can/must activate during each of your Phases or Steps, not just at that point once. Another similar thing is "During each End Phase", which means that it can/must activate in both players' End Phases.
2169 
2170For cards that can make multiple attacks, you'll see something like "Can make a second attack during each Battle Phase". Other wordings may also say "If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: You can discard 1 card; this card can make a second attack in a row." instead. The difference is that the latter you must attack with that monster right away, where the second you can attack with your monsters in any order you wish.
2171 
2172[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2173 
2174[b][i]"During the End Phase, if this card was Special Summoned this turn: You can destroy 1 other card on the field, then place this card on top of your Deck."[/i][/b]
2175 
2176[b][i]"During each of your End Phases: Discard 1 card."[/i][/b]
2177 
2178[b][i]"If a monster(s) was destroyed during this turn, while you controlled it: Excavate the top 5 cards of your Deck, then you can Special Summon 1 excavated "Performapal" monster, also shuffle the rest back into your Deck."[/i][/b]
2179[/spoiler]
2180 
2181[spoiler=effect damage]
2182Effect damage, as the name applies, is a form of damage done by an effect, rather than by battle. Battle damage and effect damage are NOT the same thing, but they are both a form of damage.
2183 
2184You can either take effect damage or inflict it. Whenever you want to word an effect that inflicts effect damage, you do not say "inflict 500 effect damage", you simply say "inflict 500 damage" instead.
2185 
2186[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2187 
2188[b][i]"When you take effect damage while this card is in your Monster Zone: You can place this card in your Pendulum Zone, and if you do, gain LP equal to damage to took."[/i][/b]
2189 
2190[b][i]"Any effect damage you inflict to your opponent is doubled, also any effect damage you take from your opponent's card effects is halved."[/i][/b]
2191 
2192[b][i]"You take no effect damage that is higher than 1000."[/i][/b]
2193[/spoiler]
2194 
2195[spoiler=Effect Monster]
2196Monsters with the orange/brown frame. While Effect Monsters by themselves are a kind of card, Ritual, Fusion, Synchro etc. can all be Effect Monsters as well. You can tell this by the "Effect" line in the text box after the Type. Any card that can affect an Effect Monster can also affect those monsters as well (if appropriate).
2197 
2198Monsters that are not Effect Monsters are Normal Monsters, or non-Effect Monsters, in the case of Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, Xyz and Link Monsters.
2199 
2200If an Effect Monster is in your Spell & Trap Zone, it's no longer an Effect Monster, and as such, it does not have any of its normal effects, only those that apply while it's in the Spell & Trap Zone. An example of this would be the Inzektor monsters, which tend to have effects while they're equipped to a monster.
2201 
2202Pendulum Monsters can be Effect Monsters as well, but if they're in the Pendulum Zone, they are NOT Effect Monsters.
2203 
2204[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2205 
2206[b][i]"Effect Monsters you control cannot be targeted by card effects."[/i][/b]
2207 
2208[b][i]"If a Normal Monster you control battles an opponent's Effect Monster, negate that monster's effects until the end of the Damage Step."[/i][/b]
2209 
2210[b][i]"You can reveal 1 Effect Monster in your hand, then target 1 non-Effect Monster you control; that target gains the effects of the revealed monster until the end of this turn.[/i][/b]
2211 
2212[b]Related:
2213[i]Effect Monsters/non-Effect Monster[/i][/b]
2214[/spoiler]
2215 
2216[spoiler=End Phase]
2217The End Phase comes after the Main Phase 2, but you can also skip from Main Phase 1 to it. During the End Phase, certain effects activate and end, as well as maintenance costs. You also may have to discard for your hand size limit, but view that for more info about it.
2218 
2219An important note is that you don't want to say "until the End Phase" anymore, but rather "until the end of this turn." More info can be found in the "Do not use "ca Phase" anymore" section.
2220 
2221After the End Phase, it becomes your opponent's Draw Phase.
2222 
2223[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2224 
2225[i][b]"Once per turn, during your End Phase: Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the GY."[/b][/i]
2226 
2227[i][b]"Special Summon 1 "Dinomist" monster from your Deck, and if you do, it is unaffected by other cards' effects, also destroy it during the End Phase."[/b][/i]
2228 
2229[i][b]"When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Majespecter" card from your Deck to your hand during the End Phase of this turn."[/b][/i]
2230 
2231[b]Related:[/b]
2232[i][b]hand size limit[/b][/i]
2233[/spoiler]
2234 
2235[spoiler=Equip Card]
2236Equip Cards are cards that equip themselves to monsters. Typically Equip Spells, but can be other cards as well, such as monsters or Normal Traps (never Continuous Traps).
2237 
2238Note that Traps are not treated as Equip Spells if the Equip themselves, only monsters are this. Cards that are not natively Equip Spells typically refer to themselves/other cards of the same nature to Equip Cards instead.
2239 
2240[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2241 
2242[b][i]"Face-up Equip Cards you control cannot be destroyed by card effects"[/i][/b]
2243 
2244[b][i]"While this card is equipped to a monster: You can send this Equip Card to the GY to target 1 card on the field; destroy that target."[/i][/b]
2245 
2246[b]Related:[/b]
2247[b]Equip Cards/Equip Spell[/b]
2248[/spoiler]
2249 
2250[spoiler=Equip Spell]
2251Spells with the little plus icon. These are activated by targeting 1 face-up monster on the field that's a legal target for that card, or in some cases, a card in the GY or one that's banished.
2252 
2253Equipping always targets a monster, and the card keeps targeting continuously while equipped, similar to how cards like Fiendish Chain keeps targeting the monster it is effecting.
2254 
2255Note that not all cards that equip are Equip Spells, sometimes they are just Equip Cards. All Traps equip become this, and this is not the same as Equip Spells, but Equip Spells are Equip Cards.
2256 
2257[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2258 
2259[i][b]"Target 1 Equip Spell in your GY and 1 appropriate monster on the field; equip the Equip Spell to that monster. Destroy that Equip Spell during the End Phase."[/b][/i]
2260 
2261[i][b]"When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the GY: You can equip that monster to this card as an Equip Spell with this effect.
2262●The equipped monster gains 1000 ATK."[/b][/i]
2263 
2264[i][b]"If this card is Normal Summoned: Target 1 Equip Spell in your GY; banish that target, and if you do, add it to your hand during your next Standby Phase."[/b][/i]
2265 
2266[i][b]"This card is unaffected by the effects of Equip Spells."
2267 [/b][/i]
2268[b]Related:[/b]
2269[b]Equip Card/Equip Spells[/b]
2270[/spoiler]
2271 
2272[spoiler=excavate]
2273Excavate is a term used when talking about revealing cards from the top of the Deck. Note that this is not the same as reveal, even if they show the top card in a similar way. This is important, because Sylvans only work when excavated, not when revealed.
2274 
2275[i][b]"If a monster(s) was destroyed during this turn, while you controlled it: Excavate the top 5 cards of your Deck, then you can Special Summon 1 excavated "Performapal" monster, also shuffle the rest back into your Deck."[/b][/i]
2276 
2277[i][b]"During the End Phase, if this card was Normal Summoned this turn: You can Tribute this card; excavate the top 5 cards of your Deck, you can add 1 excavated Spell/Trap to your hand, also send the remaining cards to the GY."[/b][/i]
2278[/spoiler]
2279 
2280[spoiler=Extra Deck]
2281The Extra Deck is where you store Fusion, Synchro, Xyz and Link Monsters (Pendulums too, but they don't start there). You can have 15 monsters in here. No other cards are allowed in here. The Extra Deck works mostly like the Main Deck, but there is no order needed in your Extra Deck, so can shuffle it as much as you want. You can't put cards in the Extra Deck that belong in your Main Deck, except for Pendulum Monsters, but they start in the Main Deck.
2282 
2283[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2284 
2285[i][b]"If your opponent controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, this card cannot be targeted by card effects."[/b][/i]
2286 
2287[i][b]"Send 1 monster from your Extra Deck to the GY."[/b][/i]
2288[/spoiler]
2289 
2290[spoiler=Extra Link]
2291An Extra Link is when your monsters are co-linked from one Extra Monster Zone to the other one, which makes it kind of look like a necklace. As of writing this, it's only used on Match winners.
2292 
2293[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2294 
2295[b][i]"If this Extra Linked card attacks your opponent directly and reduces their LP to 0, you win the Match."[/i][/b]
2296 
2297[b]Related:
2298[i]linked/co-link[/i][/b]
2299[/spoiler]
2300 
2301[spoiler=Extra Monster Zone]
2302It is a Monster Zone, and Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, Link Monsters as well as Pendulum Monsters that are face-up in your Extra Deck are Special Summoned to here.
2303 
2304Keep in mind that monsters Special Summoned from the GY or while banished are not placed here, but rather in your Main Monster Zone instead.
2305 
2306Additionally, any monster that changes control or is temporarily banished that was in the Extra Monster Zone go to the Main Monster Zone instead.
2307 
2308[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2309 
2310[i][b]"If this card on the field is destroyed by a card effect: Send all monsters in the Extra Monster Zones to the GY."[/b][/i]
2311 
2312[b]Related:[/b]
2313[b][i]Main Monster Zone/Monster Zone[/i][/b]
2314[/spoiler]
2315 
2316[spoiler=face-down]
2317Used when talking about face-down monsters. Keep in that you do not use this when talking about Spell/Traps, instead you use "Set". You do however use this when you want to say that you banish a card face-down, even Spell/Traps.
2318 
2319Do not say "flip it face-down", instead say "change it to face-down Defense Position".
2320 
2321[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2322 
2323[i][b]"Face-down monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects."[/b][/i]
2324 
2325[i][b]"Once per turn: You can banish the top card of your Deck face-down, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; change that target to face-down Defense Position."[/b][/i]
2326[/spoiler]
2327 
2328[spoiler=face-up]
2329Can both be used when talking about monsters being in face-up Attack or Defense Position, but also refers to other cards that are face-up. Only face-up monsters can be targeted by cards that change the ATK/DEF, Type, Attribute, Level/Rank or effects of that monster.
2330 
2331Note that you do not say face-up when you Special Summon a monster, simply say "Special Summon that target in Attack Position" or "Special Summon 1 FIRE monster from your hand in Defense Position" or something like that.
2332 
2333[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2334 
2335[i][b]"Target 1 face-up monster you control; return it to the hand, then draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
2336 
2337[i][b]"All face-up monsters you control cannot be targeted by card effects".[/b][/i]
2338 
2339[i][b]"Target 1 FIRE monster in your GY; Special Summon that target in face-up [/b][/i]
2340[/spoiler]
2341 
2342[spoiler=field]
2343Not related to Field Spells. Refers to the whole field where cards are placed face-up or face-down. Does not refer to the Extra Deck, GY etc.
2344 
2345Before, you used to say "your side of the field" in most cases, but now you want to say "you control" instead. Sometimes you may still say it, for example with cards that use from both your hand and field, such as Polymerization. Recently, an update came that changed it from "your side of the field" to "your field", as well as "your opponent's field" etc.
2346 
2347Try to avoid using "while this card is on the field" or something similar if you can, as most of the time it isn't needed.
2348 
2349[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2350 
2351[i][b]"Target 1 monster on the field; destroy it."[/b][/i]
2352 
2353[i][b]"When a monster effect is activated on your opponent's field (except during the Damage Step) (Quick Effect): You can detach 2 materials from this card, then target 1 Effect Monster your opponent controls; while this card is face-up on the field, that Effect Monster has its effects negated, also it cannot change its battle position."[/b][/i]
2354 
2355[i][b]"Must first be Special Summoned (from your Extra Deck) by sending the above cards from either field to the GY. (You do not use "Polymerization".)"[/b][/i]
2356 
2357[i][b]"When your opponent Normal or Special Summons a monster(s) (except during the Damage Step): You can Special Summon this card from your hand to the opponent's field in Defense Position."[/b][/i]
2358[/spoiler]
2359 
2360[spoiler=Field Zone]
2361The Zone where you place Field Spells. Each player has one. Keep in mind that it's not a part of the Spell & Trap Zone, it's independent of the total amount you are normally allowed (being 5). Note that this was previously called the Field Card Zone, so don't use the previous term.
2362 
2363[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2364 
2365[i][b]"If your opponent controls a card in their Field Zone and you do not: Activate 1 Field Spell from your Deck. You can only activate 1 "Pop-Up" per turn."[/b][/i]
2366 
2367[i][b]"If this card is sent from your Field Zone to the GY: You can draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
2368 
2369[b]Related:
2370[i]Monster Zone/Spell & Trap Zone/Pendulum Zone[/i][/b]
2371[/spoiler]
2372 
2373[spoiler=Field Spell]
2374The card you place in your Field Zone. You can only have one in there, but you can replace it by activating another one, causing the previous one to get sent to the GY by game mechanics. You may also Set one, even if you have another one, just note that this is not the same as activating it, so it will not start a Chain.
2375 
2376Previously, you could only have 1 on the field, but now both players may have 1 each. Field Spells are similar to Continuous Spells in almost all ways otherwise.
2377 
2378[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2379 
2380[i][b]"I[i]f you control a Field Spell: Target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy it."[/i][/b][/i]
2381 
2382[i][b][i]"While you control a Field Spell, your opponent cannot declare an attack."[/i][/b][/i]
2383[/spoiler]
2384
2385[spoiler=flip]
2386Not used a lot, only very few cards actually use it, so I suggest you try to avoid using it, instead say "change it to face-up Defense Position". Also note that this is not the same as the FLIP you see on Flip monsters.
2387 
2388[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2389 
2390[i][b]"Target 1 face-down Defense Position monster on the field; flip it face-up, then destroy it if its DEF is 2000 or less, or return it face-down if its DEF is more than 2000."[/b][/i]
2391 
2392[i][b]"Change all face-up monsters on the field to face-down Defense Position. During the End Phase, flip all face-down Defense Position monsters your opponent controls face-up, and if you do, your opponent draws 1 card for each."[/b][/i]
2393 
2394[b]Related:[/b]
2395[i][b]flipped face-up/FLIP[/b][/i]
2396[/spoiler]
2397 
2398[spoiler=flipped (face-up)]
2399More common than simply flip, this is used when you want to indicate that it isn't just by Flip Summon, but also by other ways, such as effect or by an attack. This is also used on Spirit monsters.
2400 
2401Note that monsters that use "when this card is flipped face-up" are not Flip monsters, even though they may act very similarly to them.
2402 
2403[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2404 
2405[i][b]"When this card is flipped face-up: You can discard 1 card; change all monsters on the field to face-down Defense Position."[/b][/i]
2406 
2407[i][b]"During the End Phase of the turn this card is Normal Summoned or flipped face-up: Return it to the hand."[/b][/i]
2408 
2409[b]Related:[/b]
2410[i][b]flip/FLIP[/b][/i]
2411[/spoiler]
2412 
2413[spoiler=FLIP]
2414Used when you indicate a that a Flip monster activates its effect when flipped face-up You always follow it with a colon after it, and it's ALWAYS at the start of the effect, no exceptions.
2415 
2416Since Special Summon-only monsters cannot be Set normally, there are no real examples of them being Flip monsters, so you should probably avoid to make cards that do that, since they don't work without any outside source.
2417 
2418Remember to put a line break after the effect that activates when flipped face-up, as any other effect of course don't activate when flipped face-up. See examples for more.
2419 
2420[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2421 
2422[i][b]"FLIP: You can target 1 face-down monster you control; change it to Attack Position.[/b][/i]
2423[i][b]Gains 200 ATK/DEF for each Flip monster on the field."[/b][/i]
2424 
2425[i][b]"FLIP: You can destroy all Spell/Traps on the field, then destroy this card.[/b][/i]
2426 
2427[b]Related:[/b]
2428[i][b]flip/Flipped face-up/Flip monster/Flip Summon[/b][/i]
2429[/spoiler]
2430 
2431[spoiler=Flip monster]
2432A monster that says "FLIP:" making it a Flip monster, and it also has Flip as a sub-type. Note that monsters that just say "when this card is flipped face-up" are NOT Flip monsters.
2433 
2434[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2435 
2436[b][i]"Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; change its battle position. (Flip monsters' effects are not activated.)"[/i][/b]
2437 
2438[b][i]"Target 1 Flip monster in your GY; Special Summon that target in face-down Defense Position."[/i][/b]
2439 
2440[b]Related:[/b]
2441[i][b]flip/Flipped face-up/FLIP/Flip Summon[/b][/i]
2442[/spoiler]
2443 
2444[spoiler=Flip Summon]
2445The process of taking a face-down monster you control and putting it into face-up Attack Position. This can only be done in an open game state during your Main Phase 1 or 2, unless you attacked this turn, and your monster was changed to face-down Defense Position by an effect.
2446 
2447Note that monsters being flipped face-up is not the same as being Flip Summoned, but Flip Summoning will activate those effects.
2448 
2449[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2450 
2451[b][i]"When this card is Normal or Flip Summoned: You can discard 2 cards; draw 3 cards."[/i][/b]
2452 
2453[b][i]"While this Flip Summoned monster is on the field, neither player can Normal Summon (but can Normal Set)."[/i][/b]
2454 
2455[b]Related:[/b]
2456[i][b]flip/Flipped face-up/FLIP/Flip monster[/b][/i]
2457[/spoiler]
2458 
2459[spoiler=Fusion Material]
2460Refers to the monsters used to Fusion Summon other tmonsters with, which is written in the top of Fusion Monsters like so: "Dark Magician" + "Buster Blader" or "1 Warrrior monster + 1 Synchro Monster". As you can see, it can either be card names or it can be types or different kinds of monsters.
2461 
2462Note that you don't use the number when you are talking about names, even if you have multiple of the same monster, rather you say "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" + "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" + "Blue-Eyes White Dragon".
2463 
2464Do keep in mind that cards that are substitutes for other monsters are not allowed when it doesn't name a specific monster, for example an Attribute or Archetype.
2465 
2466As of recent, they removed the "Monster" part from Fusion Material, so try to avoid using that.
2467 
2468[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2469 
2470[b][i]"Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials."[/i][/b]
2471 
2472[i][b][i]"[i]While this card is on the field: Either player can Fusion Summon a Fusion Monster without using "Polymerization", but the Fusion Material are banished instead of being sent to the GY."[/i][/i][/b][/i]
2473[i][b][i][i]"If this card is sent to the GY as a Fusion Material for a Fusion Summon: Draw 1 card."[/i][/i][/b][/i]
2474 
2475[b]Related:
2476[i]Fusion Materials/Fusion Monster/Fusion Summon[/i][/b]
2477[/spoiler]
2478 
2479[spoiler=Fusion Monster]
2480A Fusion Monster is a monster you put in your Extra Deck; they have a purple color. They are typically Fusion Summoned with the card "Polymerization", but there are other ways to Fusion Summon (or Special Summon in some cases) as well.
2481 
2482You need 2 or more Fusion Materials to Fusion Summon, and depending on what the Fusion Monster says, you might do this in a specific way that doesn't require another card, known as Contact Fusion unofficially. 
2483 
2484Contact Fusions do not start a Chain, and act much like Special Summon only monsters, and even have the same kind of wording, stating that you Special Summon them from the Extra Deck, see the first example below:
2485 
2486[b][i]"Must be first Special Summoned (from your Extra Deck) by shuffling the above cards you control into the Deck. (You do not use "Polymerization")"[/i][/b]
2487 
2488Note that Contact Fusion isn't actually a Fusion Summon on the real cards, rather it's just a Special Summon, but you could potentially make it a Fusion Summon if you really wanted to.
2489 
2490[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2491 
2492[b][i]"Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials."[/i][/b]
2493 
2494[b][i]"When a Fusion Monster is Fusion Summoned: You can destroy this card, and if you do, destroy all Fusion Monsters on the field, then both players take 800 damage for each Fusion Monster destroyed"[/i][/b]
2495 
2496[b]Related:
2497[i]Fusion Monsters/Fusion Material/Fusion Summon[/i][/b]
2498[/spoiler]
2499 
2500[spoiler=Fusion Summon]
2501A kind of Special Summon that Special Summons Fusion Monsters from the Extra Deck. You typically use "Polymerization", but other cards can Fusion Summon too.
2502 
2503Fusion Monsters monsters are only considered properly Fusion Summoned if you Fusion Summoned them, not if they are just Special Summoned, so you cannot revive them later on.
2504 
2505[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2506 
2507[b][i]"Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials."[/i][/b]
2508 
2509[b][i]"When this card is Fusion Summoned[/i][/b]
2510 
2511[b]Related:
2512[i]Fusion Monster/Fusion Material[/i][/b]
2513[/spoiler]
2514 
2515[spoiler=gain]
2516Used when talking about either gaining LP, gaining ATK/DEF or gaining an effect. Some older cards say "increase" when talking about LP or ATK/DEF, and some older cards use "gain" when talking about Levels. Try to stay away from that, as you Gain LP, and increase Levels, not the other way around.
2517 
2518A monster can gain as much LP or ATK and DEF as you want, even going all the way over 5000 ATK which is the maximum ATK for any card in the same without multipliers, or 8000 LP, being the starting point for LP.
2519 
2520Some cards may also gain an effect, this is common with Chaos Xyz Monsters, as they gain effects if they have their previous form attached to them
2521 
2522[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2523 
2524[i][b]"Gains 500 ATK/DEF for each monster you control."[/b][/i]
2525 
2526[i][b]"If this card leaves the field by your opponent's card effect: Draw 1 card and gain 1000 LP."[/b][/i]
2527 
2528[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up FIRE monster you control; it gains 800 ATK until the end of this turn."[/b][/i]
2529 
2530[i][b]"Gains these effects depending on the number of monsters with different names in your GY[/b][/i]
2531[i][b]● 5+: Cannot be targeted by Spell/Trap effects.[/b][/i]
2532[i][b]● 10+: Neither player can Special Summon monsters."[/b][/i]
2533 
2534[b]Related:[/b]
2535[i][b]gains/increase/lose[/b][/i]
2536[/spoiler]
2537 
2538[spoiler=Gemini]
2539What you see on Gemini monsters. When you refer to Gemini monsters, say Gemini monsters, not just Gemini.
2540 
2541[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2542 
2543[b][i]"[ Fiend / Gemini / Effect ]"[/i][/b]
2544 
2545[b][i]"[ Aqua / Gemini / Tuner / Effect ]"[/i][/b]
2546 
2547[b]Related:
2548[i]Gemini Monster[/i][/b]
2549[/spoiler]
2550 
2551[spoiler=Gemini monster]
2552A Gemini Monster is a monster which is a considered a Normal Monster while on the field or in the GY. Anywhere else, it is an Effect Monster.
2553 
2554All Gemini Monsters have a specific line of text, which is always the same (some older cards may not have been updated to the newest one yet though), which you can view below here.
2555 
2556[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2557 
2558[b][i]"This card is treated as a Normal Monster while face-up on the field or in the GY. While this card is a Normal Monster on the field, you can Normal Summon it to have it become an Effect Monster with this effect.
2559● Once per turn: You can draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
2560 
2561[b][i]"You can target 1 Gemini monster you control; return it to the hand, then Special Summon 1 Gemini monster from your hand with a different name."[/i][/b]
2562 
2563[b]Related:
2564[i]Gemini[/i][/b]
2565[/spoiler]
2566 
2567[spoiler=GY]
2568The GY is where cards go when they are Tributed, destroyed, discarded etc. This was previous referred to as Graveyard, but the wording is the same otherwise.
2569 
2570Cards in the GY can be targeted, just like cards on the field, and unlike cards in the hand or Deck.
2571 
2572It's important to note that unless you properly Ritual, Fusion, Synchro or Xyz Summoned, you cannot Special Summon them from the GY again. Same goes for cards like Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning that say "Must first be Special Summoned..."
2573 
2574Previously you said Graveyard, though now it has been shortened to simply GY.
2575 
2576[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2577 
2578[b][i]"Target 1 FIRE monster in your GY; banish it, and if you do, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent."[/i][/b]
2579 
2580[b][i]"Target Spell/Trap you control and 1 face-up monsters your opponent controls; send them to the GY."[/i][/b]
2581 
2582[b][i]"Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the GY, then draw 1 card for each Zombie monster sent."[/i][/b]
2583 
2584[b][i]"During your Main Phase: You can banish all cards from the GYs, and if you do, take 100 damage for each of those banished cards."[/i][/b]
2585 
2586[b]Related:
2587[i]GYs[/i][/b]
2588[/spoiler]
2589 
2590[spoiler=hand]
2591The hand is where you have your cards you draw or add to the hand. Whenever you draw a card, take the top-most card of your Deck and place it in your hand.
2592 
2593You normally do not show these to your opponent, though some might have you reveal your hand.
2594 
2595Many effects involve the hand, and there can be some confusing things at times, such as Extra Deck monsters that are returned to the hand are returned to the Extra Deck instead.
2596 
2597Another important thing is that you discard cards from your hand only, not the Deck. You can also send cards from your hand to the GY. Do remember that those two terms are different; discard is the same as send, and will trigger effects that activate when a card is sent, or when a card is discarded, but sending is not the same as discarding, and will not trigger effects that activate when a card is discarded.
2598 
2599You always add cards from the Deck or GY or Banished Zone to the hand.
2600 
2601You NEVER target cards in the hand. Make sure you say something else if you want a specific card in your hand, such as "reveal 1 FIRE monster" instead of "target 1 FIRE monster in your hand".
2602 
2603[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2604 
2605[b][i]"Target 1 Spellcaster monster you control; return it to the hand, and if you do, draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
2606 
2607[b][i]"If the opponent controls a monster and you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand)."[/i][/b]
2608 
2609[b][i]"Send 1 monster from your hand to the GY; add 1 Normal Monster from your Deck to your hand."[/i][/b]
2610 
2611[b]Related:[/b]
2612[b][i]hand size limit[/i][/b]
2613[/spoiler]
2614 
2615[spoiler=hand size limit]
2616Refers to the amount of cards allowed in your hand. You normally are allowed as many as you want, but during the End Phase, if you have 7 or more, you must discard so you have only 6. It's also important to note that you cannot activate effects at this point, with the exception of effects that trigger because of the hand size limit, such as that of White Stone of Legend.
2617 
2618[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2619 
2620[b][i]"During your End Phase, if you discard a monster(s) to the GY because you had more cards than your hand size limit: You can target 1 of those monsters; Special Summon that target."[/i][/b]
2621 
2622[b][i]"The hand size limit of this card's controller becomes 3."[/i][/b]
2623 
2624[b]Related:[/b]
2625[b][i]hand[/i][/b]
2626[/spoiler]
2627 
2628[spoiler=increase]
2629Increase is only used when talking about increasing Levels. It was previously used when talking about ATK/DEF and sometimes even LP, but they have changed those to gain instead, so only use increase for Levels.
2630 
2631[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2632 
2633[b][i]"Target 1 face-up monster you control; increase its Level by 1."[/i][/b]
2634 
2635[b][i]"This card's Level is increased by the total number of Spell/Traps you control."[/i][/b]
2636 
2637[b]Related:[/b]
2638[b][i]increased/gain/loss/decrease[/i][/b]
2639[/spoiler]
2640 
2641[spoiler=inflict]
2642Used when talking about inflicting damage, as in battle damage or effect damage. Not that inflicting battle damage and effect damage are NOT the same thing. They are however the same thing when talking about simply inflicting damage of any kind.
2643 
2644Note that you don't inflict damage to yourself, rather you take damage. So don't say "Inflict 500 damage to yourself", rather say "Take 500 damage". Similarly, you do not say "inflict 500 damage to both players," instead you say "both players take 500 damage".
2645 
2646You also don't use "your opponent loses 500 damage", you only use lose when it's for yourself. Note that losing is different from taking damage as well, some cards only activate when you take damage, not when you lose LP.
2647 
2648Paying LP is also not the same as inflicting damage to yourself either, but you are considered to lose LP if you pay them, but you are not considered to pay LP if you take damage or you lose LP.
2649 
2650[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2651 
2652[b][i]"You can discard 1 card; inflict 1000 damage to your opponent."[/i][/b]
2653 
2654[b][i]"When this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent: You can Special Summon 1 "Distant Nightmare" monster from your Deck."[/i][/b]
2655 
2656[b][i]"Can attack your opponent directly, but when it does so using this effect, the battle damage inflicted to your opponent is halved."[/i][/b]
2657 
2658[b]Related:[/b]
2659[b][i]inflicts/inflicted/take/lose [/i][/b]
2660[/spoiler]
2661 
2662[spoiler=kind]
2663Only used on one card, that being "Sacred Serpent's Wake", and is used to describe the different kinds of monsters, such as Synchro or Xyz Monsters, which the card then uses to count how many effects you gain.
2664 
2665Be sure to describe what the kinds of monsters you include are. Do not confuse the different kinds of monsters with Monster Types, as in "types" on cards.
2666 
2667[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2668 
2669[b][i][i]"From "Sacred Serpent's Wake": You can only activate 1 "Sacred Serpent's Wake" per turn. If you control 2 or more different kinds of monsters (Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz): Activate 1 or more effects, depending on the number of different kinds you control, and resolve in sequence.
2670● 2+: Target 1 monster in your GY or 1 of your banished monsters; add that target to your hand.
2671● 3+: Target 1 Trap in your GY; add that target to your hand.
2672● 4: Target 1 Spell in your GY, except "Sacred Serpent's Wake"; add that target to your hand.[/i]"[/i][/b]
2673 
2674Note, currently the Sacred Serpent's Wake does not use GY, nor the "2+" instead of "2 or more", but it is updated to reflect how it should look.
2675[/spoiler]
2676 
2677[spoiler=last]
2678Used in the sentence "These changes/effects last until the end of this turn/Step/Phase". This is used so it's easier to understand that ALL of what the effect writes last until the End Phase, rather than only some of it.
2679 
2680Another way to write would be "Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster you control; until the end of this turn, that target gains 500 ATK, also it cannot be destroyed by card effects."
2681 
2682Avoid writing it like this though, as that would mean that only the first part lasted until the end of the turn: "Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster you control; it gains 500 ATK until the end of this turn, also it cannot be destroyed by card effects".
2683 
2684[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2685 
2686[i][b]"Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card; change this card's DEF to 0, and if you do, change its ATK to 3000. These changes last until the end of this turn."[/b][/i]
2687 
2688[i][b]"During the Battle Step, while an attack involving your Machine monster is occurring (Quick Effect): You can detach 1 material from this card; negate the effects of all face-up cards your opponent currently controls, also [b][i]your opponent's cards and effects cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step. [/i][/b]These effects last until the end of the Damage Step."[/b][/i]
2689[/spoiler]
2690 
2691[spoiler=Leftmost]
2692Leftmost refers to the zone to the leftmost on the field, or in other words the first zone from the left. Ghost Bird of Bewitchment is the only card that uses it so far, also it may not be capitalized if used in the middle of the effect, unknown right now since we only have it as a bullet hole effect.
2693 
2694[b]Example of Usage: [/b]
2695 
2696[i][b]"This card gains an effect based on your Main Monster Zone it is in.[/b][/i]
2697[i][b]● Leftmost: Gains 1000 ATK/DEF.[/b][/i]
2698[i][b]● Rightmost: Can make up to 2 attacks on monsters during each Battle Phase.[/b][/i]
2699[i][b]● Center: Your opponent cannot target this card with card effects, also it cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects.[/b][/i]
2700[i][b]● Others: Monsters in this column cannot activate their effects."[/b][/i]
2701 
2702[b]Related: [/b]
2703[i][b]Center/Rightmost[/b][/i]
2704[/spoiler]
2705 
2706[spoiler=Level]
2707The Level of a monster is displayed under the card name with stars. All monsters have these, except Xyz Monsters that have Ranks instead.
2708 
2709Ranks and Levels are NOT the same thing ever, and cards that affect monsters with Levels can't be used on monsters with Ranks and vice-versa.
2710 
2711Levels go from 1-12, but cannot go lower than 1, but can go higher than 12 (unless stated otherwise). You can increase, reduce (decrease is also used, but not often) or make a Level become something else.
2712 
2713You also state Levels for the requirements of an Xyz Monsters, for example "2 Level 4 monsters" or in the stats of Tokens, for example "Special Summon 2 "Aquabine Tokens" (Aqua/WATER/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0)."
2714 
2715[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2716 
2717[i][b]"Target 1 face-up monster on the field; increase its Level by 1."[/b][/i]
2718 
2719[i][b]"When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster from your hand."[/b][/i]
2720 
2721[i][b]"The Levels of all monsters on the field become 7 until the end of this turn."[/b][/i]
2722[i][b]"Once per turn: You can reduce the Levels of all monsters on the field by 2."[/b][/i]
2723 
2724[b]Related:[/b]
2725[b][i]Levels/Rank[/i][/b]
2726[/spoiler]
2727 
2728[spoiler=Link-#]
2729Replace the number sign with a number such as Link-1 or Link-3. This is the Link Rating of a monster. This is used when you are talking about a specific Link Rating of a Link Monster.
2730 
2731[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2732 
2733[i][b]"Target 1 Link-3 Cyberse Link Monster you control or is in your GY; banish it, and if you do, Special Summon 1 "Code Talker" monster from your Extra Deck."[/b][/i]
2734 
2735[b]Related:
2736[i]Link Rating[/i][/b]
2737[/spoiler]
2738 
2739[spoiler=linked]
2740This is used when talking about a Link Monster either pointing an another monster or it is being pointed at. A co-linked monster is also considered linked.
2741 
2742[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2743 
2744[i][b]"This linked card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects."[/b][/i]
2745 
2746[b]Related: [/b]
2747[b]co-linked[/b]
2748[/spoiler]
2749 
2750[spoiler=Link Material]
2751Link Materials are the monsters used for a Link Summon. This is listed in the recipe as "2+ monsters". Like other kinds of materials, you may be restricted in how they can be used, or Link Materials in the GY can be used for various effects later on, though they are only Link Material as long as the Link Summon is not negated.
2752 
2753[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2754 
2755[i][b]"You can discard 1 card; Special Summon 1 "Mecha Phantom Beast Token" (Machine/WIND/Level 3/ATK 0/DEF 0), also you can only use "Mecha Phantom Beast" monsters as Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Material for a Summon, for the rest of this turn."[/b][/i]
2756 
2757[b]Related:[/b]
2758[b][i]Link Rating/Link Monster[/i][/b]
2759[/spoiler]
2760 
2761[spoiler=Link Monster]
2762Link Monsters are the newest kind of monster, and have many properties, like Link Arrows and Link Ratings, they also have no DEF and cannot be in Defense Position. They are placed in the Extra Deck and are Special Summon only monsters.
2763 
2764[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2765 
2766[b][i]"All Link Monsters you control gain 300 ATK."[/i][/b]
2767 
2768[b]Related:[/b]
2769[b][i]Link Summon/Link Material/Link Rating/Link Arrow[/i][/b]
2770[/spoiler]
2771 
2772[spoiler=Link Rating]
2773Link Rating is the number on Link Monsters that is in the spot instead of DEF, written like [b]LINK-3[/b] in bold letters. A monster's Link Rating is how many Link Materials you are required to use, as well as how many Link Arrows it has, and Link Monsters' Link Rating corresponds to how many they can treat themselves as, though only as that number or as 1 Link Material.
2774 
2775[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2776 
2777[b][i]"Gains ATK equal to the combined Link Ratings of all Link Monsters on the field x 300."[/i][/b]
2778 
2779[b][i]"Once per turn: You can declare 1 card name; excavate cards from the top of your Deck, equal to the total Link Rating of the Link Monsters co-linked to this card, then if you excavated any copies of the declared card, add them to your hand, also send the remaining cards to the GY."[/i][/b]
2780 
2781[b][i]Related: [/i][/b]
2782[b][i]Link Monster/Link Arrow/Link Summon[/i][/b]
2783[/spoiler]
2784 
2785[spoiler=Link Summon]
2786A Link Summon is performed by sending face-up monsters you control to the GY equal to the Link Rating of the Link Monster you wish you Link Summon. Additionally the Link Monster may have other requirements, such as the monster being an Effect Monster and how many you need as a minimum.
2787 
2788[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2789 
2790[i][b]"If this card is Link Summoned: Draw cards equal to the number of "World Chalice" monsters this card points to."[/b][/i]
2791 
2792[b]Related:[/b]
2793[b]Link Monster/Link Material/Link Rating/Link Arrow[/b]
2794[/spoiler]
2795 
2796[spoiler=location]
2797Used on Senet-like cards and relates to moving two monsters with each other. Currently only one card uses it, Castle Link, but as Link Monsters become more prevalent, moving cards like this will be more important, so this term will be used a lot I feel.
2798 
2799[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2800 
2801[b][i]"Once per turn: You can switch the locations of 2 Link Monsters in your Main Monster Zones or 2 Link Monsters in your opponent's Main Monster Zones."[/i][/b]
2802 
2803[b]Related: [/b]
2804[i][b]move[/b][/i]
2805[/spoiler]
2806 
2807[spoiler=look]
2808Look is used when you look at the top or bottom cards of the Deck. This is similar to reveal and excavate, but with look, only the user of the effect that uses look may look at the card, where the opponent cannot look at it (except for cases where an effect requires that both players look at it to confirm stats and what not).
2809 
2810You also look at Set cards your opponent controls and their hand and sometimes even in their Extra Deck.
2811 
2812[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2813 
2814[i][b]"Once per turn: You can look at up to 3 cards from the top of your Deck, then place them on the top of the Deck in any order."[/b][/i]
2815 
2816[i][b]"Tribute 1 WATER monster; look at your opponent's hand, then send 1 card from their hand to the GY."[/b][/i]
2817 
2818[i][b]"Once per turn: You can declare either Spell or Trap, then target 1 Set card in your opponent's Spell & Trap Zone; look at that target, and if it is the declared card type, that card cannot be activated this turn."[/b][/i]
2819 
2820[i][b]"If this card is Normal Summoned: Look at 1 random card in your opponent's Extra Deck, and if it has 2000 or more ATK, this card gains 1000 ATK. If it has less than 2000 ATK, you gain LP equal to that monster's ATK."[/b][/i]
2821 
2822[b]Related:[/b]
2823[b][i]reveal/excavate[/i][/b]
2824[/spoiler]
2825 
2826[spoiler=lose]
2827The counterpart to gains. All the same rules apply, though monsters cannot go under 0 ATK/DEF, which also means that if a card says "this card loses exactly 500 ATK, and if it does, all monsters your opponent control are destroyed", it cannot activate its effect.
2828 
2829It's important to note that when talking about losing LP, that it isn't the same as taking or paying LP. Also note that you don't say "your opponent loses 500 LP", but instead "inflict 500 damage to your opponent".
2830 
2831[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2832 
2833[i][b]"Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; destroy it, and if you do, lose 1000 LP."[/b][/i]
2834 
2835[i][b]"All monsters your opponent control lose 100 ATK/DEF equal to the number of Spell/Traps you control."[/b][/i]
2836 
2837[b]Related:[/b]
2838[b][i]loses/pay/take/inflict[/i][/b]
2839[/spoiler]
2840 
2841[spoiler=LP (Life Points)]
2842LP, which stands for Life Points, is what both players have and if it becomes 0, they lose the Duel. Previously, this was known as Life Points, but have been changed to just LP now.
2843 
2844Players can lose or gain LP in various ways, such as gaining LP, losing LP, paying LP and taking or inflicting damage. Each way you lose them are different, so certain cards may be able to activate though sometimes they cannot. For example, taking damage is not the same as paying LP, but paying LP is considered losing LP. You can view more by looking at the entries for these terms.
2845 
2846It's important to note that you don't say "Inflict 1000 damage to your opponent's LP", but instead just say "Inflict 1000 damage to your opponent". Same goes for take, but for pay, lose and gain, you always say LP.
2847 
2848[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2849 
2850[i][b]"Pay 600 LP, then target 1 Spell/Trap on the field; destroy it, then draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
2851 
2852[i][b]"When this card is destroyed by your opponent's card effect and sent to the GY: You can discard 1 card; Special Summon this card from your GY, and if you do, lose 800 LP."[/b][/i]
2853 
2854[i][b]"Once per turn: You can gain LP equal to the number of monsters on the field x 300."[/b][/i]
2855 
2856[i][b]"While you have more LP than your opponent, this card can attack your opponent directly."[/b][/i]
2857[/spoiler]
2858 
2859[spoiler=Main Deck]
2860Typically, only just saying Deck will do, though in the few cases where you mean ONLY the Main Deck, then you say Main Deck. This is important in case your effect requires the monster to be Special Summoned from the Main Deck, but not the hand, Extra Deck etc.
2861 
2862It's also important in case of Pendulum Monsters, as they can both be in the Main and the Extra Deck, so you need to be more careful at times.
2863 
2864[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2865 
2866[i][b]"Send 1 monster you control to the GY; Special Summon from your Main Deck, 1 Pendulum Monster with the same Level as the sent monster's original Level, but destroy it during the End Phase."[/b][/i]
2867 
2868[i][b]"Any monster sent from the hand or Main Deck to the GY is banished instead."[/b][/i]
2869 
2870[i][b]"When a monster(s) with 2000 or less ATK is Summoned: Target 1 of them; destroy all cards with that name in its controller's hand and Main Deck."[/b][/i]
2871 
2872[b]Related:[/b]
2873[b][i]Deck/Extra Deck[/i][/b]
2874[/spoiler]
2875 
2876[spoiler=Main Monster Zone]
2877The Main Monster Zone is the 5 zones above the Spell & Trap Zone. Certain cards only affect these zones rather than all your Monster Zones or only the Extra Monster Zone. Additionally, Link Monsters can point to this zone for various effects as well as allowing you to Special Summon monsters from your Extra Deck to the Main Monster Zone.
2878 
2879[b]Example of Usage: [/b]
2880 
2881[i][b]"If another monster is Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, while this monster is on the field: Destroy all monsters in the Main Monster Zones, also your other monsters cannot attack for the rest of this turn."[/b][/i]
2882 
2883[b]Related:[/b]
2884[b][i]Extra Monster Zone/Monster Zone[/i][/b]
2885[/spoiler]
2886 
2887[spoiler=Main Phase]
2888The Main Phase 1 comes after the Standby Phase, and the Main Phase 2 comes after the Battle Phase. You must go into your Main Phase 1 after the Standby Phase and you must go into the Main Phase 2 if you entered the Battle Phase, however you cannot go to the Main Phase 2 from the Main Phase 1, you must first go into the Battle Phase.
2889 
2890It's important to note that you want to use "During your Main Phase" in case you don't have any other condition or activation requirement. The reason for this is that it would be impossible to know if the effect activated or not otherwise. You can see an example below here.
2891 
2892You can typically use effects in both Main Phases, but there are exceptions, so simply say "Main Phase 2" if you can only use it in there.
2893 
2894The Battle Phase comes after Main Phase 1, and the End Phase comes after the Main Phase 2.
2895 
2896[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2897 
2898[i][b]"During your opponent's Main Phase, if this card is in your hand (Quick Effect): You can banish 1 "Monarch" Spell/Trap from your GY; immediately after this effect resolves, Tribute Summon this card.[/b][/i]
2899 
2900[i][b]"Neither player can activate Spell Cards during Main Phase 1."[/b][/i]
2901 
2902[i][b]"During your Main Phase 2, you can also Xyz Summon this card by using a Rank 3 or lower Xyz Monster you control as material. (Transfer its materials to this card.)"[/b][/i]
2903 
2904[i][b]"During your Main Phase: You can Fusion Summon 1 Dragon Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters you control as Fusion Materials."[/b][/i]
2905[/spoiler]
2906 
2907[spoiler=Match]
2908Match is only used on very few cards, and those cards are what are known as "Match Winners", what they do is that when you reduce your opponent's LP to 0, you win the entire Match, even if it's the first or second duel of the Match.
2909 
2910[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2911 
2912[i][b]"Once per turn: You can banish 3 Beast Pendulum Monsters you control, then target 1 Pendulum Monster you control; if it attacks your opponent directly and reduces their LP to 0 this turn, you win the Match."[/b][/i]
2913 
2914[i][b]"Once per turn: You can banish 3 Machine Pendulum Monsters you control, then target 1 Pendulum Monster you control; if it attacks your opponent directly and reduces their LP to 0 this turn, you win the Match."[/b][/i]
2915[/spoiler]
2916 
2917[spoiler=material]
2918Used when talking about Xyz Materials mostly. You also use it when talking about a non-specific material. A material can be a Fusion, Synchro, Xyz or Link Material.
2919 
2920[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2921 
2922[i][b]"Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card; draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
2923 
2924[i][b]"Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster, using materials you control, including this card."[/b][/i]
2925 
2926[b]Related:[/b]
2927[i][b]Fusion Material/Synchro Material/Xyz Material/Link Material[/b][/i]
2928[/spoiler]
2929 
2930[spoiler=(max.) & (min.)]
2931Used to indicate the maximum and minimum amount of something, mostly cards or counters though. You can also see it on Xyz Monsters, in case you are allowed to used more than simply 2 or 3 materials, then it will state a maximum amount you are allowed.
2932 
2933[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2934 
2935[i][b]"If you have no card in your Field Zone and all face-up monsters you control (min. 1) are Zombie: Activate 1 "Vampire Kingdom" directly from your Deck, then, you can Special Summon 1 DARK "Vampire" monster from your GY in face-up Defense Position."[/b][/i]
2936 
2937[i][b]"If this card is Special Summoned during your opponent's turn: Destroy up to 2 Set cards you control (min. 1)."[/b][/i]
2938 
2939[i][b]"Each time a Spell Card is activated, place 1 Spell Counter on this card when that Spell resolves (max. 3)."[/b][/i]
2940 
2941[i][b]"From an Xyz Monster's Material requirement text: 2 or more (max. 5) Level 6 FIRE monsters"[/b][/i]
2942[/spoiler]
2943 
2944[spoiler=monster]
2945Monsters are an important part of the game, and this term is used quite a lot. It describes any card that is considered a monster, Extra Deck monster or otherwise. Note that you do not capitalize monster like you would for specific kinds of monsters, such as Ritual Monsters.
2946 
2947Tokens Summoned from card effects are considered monsters as well, and Trap monsters (and pseudo-Trap monsters as well) are also monsters, but only when they have fulfilled their requirement.
2948 
2949Previously, most cards would say Monster Card, though that has been almost abolished for monster exclusively.
2950 
2951[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2952 
2953[i][b]"Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; destroy it."[/b][/i]
2954 
2955[i][b]"When your opponent Special Summons a monster from their hand: Destroy that monster, and if you do, banish it."[/b][/i]
2956 
2957[i][b]"Once per turn: You can Special Summon 2 Level 4 FIRE monsters from your Deck, but they are destroyed during the End Phase."[/b][/i]
2958 
2959[b]Related:
2960[i]Monster Card/Any special kind of monster (Fusion Monster, Ritual Monster etc.)[/i][/b]
2961[/spoiler]
2962 
2963[spoiler=Monster Card]
2964This term was pre-PSCT, but there are some PSCT cards that do use it, though there doesn't seem to be much of a difference between this and simply saying monster, so I would avoid using it.
2965 
2966It is also used to talk about specific kinds of monsters, such as Fusion Monsters, but you can again just simply say Fusion Monster instead, without the "Card" part at the end.
2967 
2968 
2969[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2970 
2971[i][b]"[i]Target 1 face-up Xyz Monster your opponent controls that has material; detach all materials from it, and if you do, return it to the Extra Deck, then, if there is a Monster Card in the GY among those detached materials, Special Summon as many of those monsters as possible from the GY to your opponent's field in face-up Defense Position."[/i][/b][/i]
2972 
2973[i][b][i]"Destroy all monsters on the field, then inflict damage to your opponent equal to the number of Fusion Monster Cards in your GY."[/i][/b][/i]
2974 
2975[b]Related:
2976[i]monster/Any special kind of monster (Fusion Monster, Ritual Monster etc.)[/i][/b]
2977[/spoiler]
2978 
2979[spoiler=Monster Zone]
2980The Monster Zone is a Zone that has 5 spot, and is located above the Spell & Trap Zone. Each Zone as a number, going from left to right (from the player's perspective). This is important for Senet-like cards, as they sometimes can used Monster Zones for various effects.
2981 
2982The owner of the monster chooses what Zone you put them in. You cannot change the Zone monsters are in after you put them in there, other than by a card effect.
2983 
2984The term is also used when you need to specify that a monster was sent from the Monster Zone to the GY specifically, as some monsters can be put in the Spell & Trap Zone as well. It's also important for Pendulum Monsters, as they can be in the Pendulum Zone as Spells as well, but are normally considered monsters.
2985 
2986The Monster Zone now also includes the 2 Extra Monster Zones, where the Main Monster Zones are the 5 Monster Zones below them. Keep in mind that certain cards may not be able to use the Extra Monster Zone but only the Main Monster Zone.
2987 
2988[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
2989 
2990[i][b]"If a card is Special Summoned from your Spell & Trap Zone to the Monster Zone while this card is a monster: You can target 1 card on the field; destroy it."[/b][/i]
2991 
2992[i][b]"If this face-up card is destroyed while in a Monster Zone, you can place it face-up in your Spell & Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell, instead of sending it to the GY."[/b][/i]
2993 
2994[i][b]"When this card is Pendulum Summoned, or when this card is destroyed by battle or card effect while in your Monster Zone: You can add 1 "Yang Zing" or "Zefra" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand."[/b][/i]
2995 
2996[i][b][b]Related:
2997[i]Spell & Trap Zone/Field Zone/Pendulum Zone[/i][/b][/b][/i]
2998[/spoiler]
2999 
3000[spoiler=monster effect]
3001A monster effect is the specific effect of a monster, rather than card effect that would apply to all kinds of cards, or a Spell/Trap effect, which only applies for Spell/Traps.
3002 
3003This is important in case you wish to make a card that only negates a certain kind of card, or you wish to indicate when a card could activate if it was destroyed by a monster effect.
3004 
3005[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3006 
3007[i][b]"When your opponent activates a Spell Card or monster effect: Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card, then discard 1 card."[/b][/i]
3008 
3009[i][b]"When this card is destroyed by a monster effect and sent to the GY: You can pay 700 LP; draw 2 cards."[/b][/i]
3010 
3011[i][b][b]Related:
3012[i]Spell/Trap effect/Pendulum Effect[/i][/b][/b][/i]
3013[/spoiler]
3014 
3015[spoiler=move]
3016Used when moving cards from a Zone to another, with Senet-like cards. Used on "Necrovalley" when talking about cards moving to another place. Used on Pyro Clock of Destiny when talking about moving the turn count.
3017 
3018[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3019 
3020[i][b]"Once per turn: You can move this card to an adjacent (horizontal) unoccupied Monster Zone."[/b][/i]
3021 
3022[i][b]"If this card is banished: Move the turn count forward by 1 turn. The turn in which this effect is activated continues as normal."[/b][/i]
3023 
3024[i][b]"Negate any card effect that would move a card in the GY to a different place."[/b][/i]
3025 
3026[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Link Monster on the field; move it to a Main Monster Zone it points to on its controller's field."[/b][/i]
3027[/spoiler]
3028 
3029[spoiler=Normal Monster]
3030Normal Monsters are the monsters with no effects that are beige/yellow. They also always have some flavor to them, written in [i]italic.[/i]
3031 
3032Also note that Pendulum Monsters sometimes can be Normal Monsters as well, though their Pendulum Effect may not be blank. They are both considered Pendulum Monsters and Normal Monsters outside of the Pendulum Zone.
3033 
3034Non-Effect Monster does not mean that it's a Normal Monster, though a Normal Monster is a non-Effect Monster
3035 
3036[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3037 
3038[i][b]"Normal Monsters you control cannot be targeted by an opponent's card effects."[/b][/i]
3039 
3040[i][b]"Add 1 Level 3 or lower Normal Monster from your Deck to your hand, then you can Special Summon 2 DARK Normal Monsters from your hand."[/b][/i]
3041 
3042[b]Related:[/b]
3043[i][b][b][i]Normal Monsters/non-Effect Monster[/i][/b][/b][/i]
3044[/spoiler]
3045 
3046[spoiler=Normal Spell]
3047These are activated from your hand during your Main Phase, due to them being Spell Speed 1, and go to the GY when they resolve, unless stated otherwise, such as with "Swords of the Revealing Light"
3048 
3049These don't have an icon like other Spells do, rather they just say "Spell" in the box under the name.
3050 
3051Note that Pendulum Monsters are activated as Spells the same way as Normal Spells, but this does not make them that, they are simply considered a Spell, not a specific kind of Spell.
3052 
3053[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3054 
3055[i][b]"Add 2 Normal Spells from your Deck to your hand, then discard 1 Normal Spell."[/b][/i]
3056 
3057[i][b]"When your opponent activates a Normal Spell Card: Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it."[/b][/i]
3058 
3059[b]Related:[/b]
3060[i][b][b][i]Normal Spells/Spell/Normal Trap[/i][/b][/b][/i]
3061[/spoiler]
3062 
3063[spoiler=Normal Summon/Set]
3064A Normal Summon is a form of Summon that doesn't start a Chain. You can do it once per turn, unless a card effect allows you to perform additional Normal Summons.
3065A Normal Summon is not like a Special Summon, so if you Normal Summon a monster, effects that activate on a Special Summon cannot apply, also if a monster is Flip Summoned, if it says "When this card is Normal Summoned", you cannot use its effect.
3066 
3067Tribute Summons are a form of Normal Summon, also a Normal Set is a form of Normal Summon, so you can only do those once per turn as well.
3068 
3069Some monsters cannot be Normal Summoned/Set, called Special Summon only monsters. They tend to have the wording "Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summon (from your hand) by banishing 2 DARK monsters from your GY" or similar.
3070 
3071Note that there are different kinds of Normal Summons by other effects, and they all work differently, for example cards stating "you can Normal Summon 1 FIRE monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)" means that other effects that have similar wording cannot be used, even if they say WATER or Warrior monsters instead. More information can be found [url=http://forum.duelingnetwork.com/index.php?/topic/77915-evilswarm-extra-summons/]here.[/url]
3072 
3073[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3074 
3075[i][b]"Neither player can Normal Summon monsters, except LIGHT monsters."[/b][/i]
3076 
3077[i][b]"Cannot be Normal Summoned (but can be Normal Set)."[/b][/i]
3078 
3079[i][b]"If your opponent Normal Summons a monster: Destroy that monster, and if you do, shuffle it into the Deck."[/b][/i]
3080 
3081[i][b]"If this card is Normal Summoned, you can: Immediately after this effect resolves, Normal Summon 1 "Yosenju" monster from your hand, except "Yosenju Kama 1"."[/b][/i]
3082 
3083[b]Related:[/b]
3084[i][b][b][i]Tribute Summon[/i][/b][/b][/i]
3085[/spoiler]
3086 
3087[spoiler=Normal Trap]
3088These must be Set first, and they cannot be activated until the next turn. They're Spell Speed 2, meaning you can Chain them to other cards, though some don't need to be Chained to anything.
3089 
3090Sometimes these kind Equip themselves, and they become Equip Cards, though unlike monsters, they are still treated as Traps, not as Equip Spells.
3091 
3092These don't have an icon like other Traps do, rather they just say "Trap" in the box under the name.
3093 
3094[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3095 
3096[i][b]"You can activate Normal Traps from your hand."[/b][/i]
3097 
3098[i][b]"Target 1 Normal Trap in your GY; Set it, but you cannot Special Summon monsters from your Extra Deck for the rest of the turn."[/b][/i]
3099 
3100[b]Related:[/b]
3101[i][b][b][i]Normal Traps/Trap/Normal Spell[/i][/b][/b][/i]
3102[/spoiler]
3103 
3104[spoiler=non-Effect Monster]
3105non-Effect Monsters are similar to Normal Monsters in that they don't have any effects. You can tell that it's a non-Effect Monster by it not having the "Effect" in the text box.
3106 
3107Ritual, Fusion, Synchro and Xyz Monsters can all be non-Effect Monsters, though Normal Monsters and Pendulum Normal Monsters are also considered to be non-Effect Monsters.
3108 
3109It's important to note that the Summoning conditions on a monster are not an effect, and you still need to write them, even if the card doesn't have any effects.
3110 
3111[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3112 
3113[b][i]"Target 1 non-Effect Monster you control; it gains 1000 ATK."[/i][/b]
3114 
3115[b][i]"While you control another Spell/Trap, non-Effect Monsters you control are unaffected by your opponent's Spell/Trap effects."[/i][/b]
3116 
3117[b]Related:
3118[i]non-Effect Monsters/Normal Monster[/i][/b]
3119[/spoiler]
3120 
3121[spoiler=N/Nth]
3122This is a very new term. This is so far only use on 1 card, Time Magic Hammer. The use for it is pretty simple by looking at the text, it is used for variables, for Time Magic Hammer, the result of the die roll. Also, at the end of the sentence, you'll see that it also explains what the N means.
3123 
3124[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3125 
3126[b][i]"At the start of the Damage Step, if it battles an opponent's monster: You can roll a six-sided die, and banish that opponent's monster until the Standby Phase of the Nth turn after this effect's activation (N = the result)."[/i][/b]
3127[/spoiler]
3128 
3129[spoiler=opponent]
3130The opponent means the player(s) you are playing against. Cards can affect either the opponent or their monsters, and as such, certain effects make it clear that it is not affecting monsters by saying "your opponent cannot..." or something similar.
3131 
3132The opponent can gain control of your cards as well, and in these cases, cards that say "when this card is destroyed by your opponent's card effect" cannot activate if you were to destroy them while your opponent controlled them.
3133 
3134Similarly, cards that say "when this card in your possession is destroyed by battle" will not activate either, since your opponent controlled it at the time.
3135 
3136[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3137 
3138[b][i]"When your opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card: Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it."[/i][/b]
3139 
3140[b][i]"When this card in your possession is destroyed by your opponent's card (by battle or card effect) and sent to your GY: You can draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
3141[/spoiler]
3142[i] [/i]
3143[spoiler=or/OR]
3144This is used that there a choice or when you say something like "whose ATK is less than or equal to..." or "Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster..." etc.
3145 
3146Or can be problematic at time though, as certain cards make it unclear if you have an option between both or only one of them, such as Polymerization that says "Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials." though you can use from both the hand and the field at the same time.
3147 
3148Some cards make this clearer by stating "and/or" instead, though the confusion here is that it's not all cards that do this.
3149 
3150To make this clearer, you can use "OR" instead, and due to the capitalization, it's clear that it's meant to be a distinguisher, and you can only do one of them.
3151 
3152[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3153 
3154[b][i]"You can discard 1 card; Special Summon 1 FIRE monster from your hand or GY."[/i][/b]
3155 
3156[b][i]"Once per turn: You can banish 2 monsters from your hand and/or GY; draw 2 cards."[/i][/b]
3157 
3158[b][i]"If this card is banished: You can banish 2 DARK monsters from your hand OR field, then destroy all Spell/Traps your opponent controls.[/i][/b]
3159[/spoiler]
3160 
3161[spoiler=pay]
3162Paying LP is an act of taking your current LP and subtracting it by the amount that the card says. Paying LP is considered to lose LP, but it isn't considered taking damage.
3163 
3164[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3165 
3166[b][i]"Pay 700 LP; draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
3167 
3168[b][i]"Pay LP equal to the number of cards your opponent controls x 300; destroy all cards your opponent controls."[/i][/b]
3169 
3170[b][i]"When this card is Normal Summoned: You can pay Life Points so that you only have 100 left; this card gains ATK/DEF equal to the amount of Life Points paid."[/i][/b]
3171 
3172[b]Related:
3173[i]paid/lose/take[/i][/b]
3174[/spoiler]
3175 
3176[spoiler=Pendulum Effect]
3177Refers to the effect that Pendulum Monsters have whenever they're in the Pendulum Zone. A Pendulum Effect is not a monster effect, rather it is considered a Spell effect.
3178 
3179Typically, you will see that very low and very high Pendulum Scales will have negative effects in that Pendulum Monster's Pendulum Effect.
3180 
3181You can either say "use this Pendulum Effect of..." or "use this effect of..." in the Pendulum Effect, though newer Pendulum Monsters have the latter.
3182 
3183[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3184 
3185[i][b]"You can reduce the battle damage you take from an attack involving a Pendulum Monster you control to 0. During your End Phase: You can destroy this card, and if you do, add 1 Pendulum Monster with 1500 or less ATK from your Deck to your hand. You can only use each Pendulum Effect of "Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon" once per turn."[/b][/i]
3186 
3187[i][b]"Discard 1 card; add 2 "Magician" Pendulum Monsters with different names from your Deck to your hand, also, until the end of your opponent's next turn after this card resolves, "Magician" cards in your Pendulum Zones cannot be destroyed by card effects. You can only activate 1 "Pendulum Call" per turn. You cannot activate this card if you activated a "Magician" monster's Pendulum Effect this turn."[/b][/i]
3188 
3189[i][b][b]Related:
3190[i]Pendulum Zone/Pendulum Scale/Pendulum Summon/Pendulum Monster[/i][/b][/b][/i]
3191[/spoiler]
3192 
3193[spoiler=Pendulum Monster]
3194Pendulum Monsters are cards that allow you to perform Pendulum Summons by placing them in your Pendulum Zones. These can both be Effect Monsters but they can also be Normal and Xyz Monsters (with more possibly on the way).
3195 
3196While they're in the Pendulum Zone, they're considered Spells. If they would be sent from the field to the GY, they are put face-up in the Extra Deck instead, and they do not count towards the maximum amount of cards allowed there.
3197 
3198[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3199 
3200[i][b]"Once per turn: You can discard 1 Pendulum Monster; add 1 Pendulum Monster from your Main Deck to your hand."[/b][/i]
3201 
3202[i][b]"If this card is Special Summoned from your GY: You can add up to 2 face-up Pendulum Monsters from your Extra Deck to your hand."[/b][/i]
3203 
3204[b]Related:
3205[i]Pendulum Monsters/Pendulum Zone/Pendulum Scale/Pendulum Summon/Pendulum Effect[/i][/b]
3206[/spoiler]
3207 
3208[spoiler=Pendulum Scale]
3209The Pendulum Scale is 2 numbers on Pendulum Monsters that determine the Levels you're allowed to Pendulum Summon. If one is 4 and the other is 8, you can Pendulum Summon any number of Level 5-7 monsters from your hand and/or Pendulum Monsters that are face-up in your Extra Deck.
3210 
3211Typically those with a very low or very high Pendulum Scale have negative Pendulum Effects or are not very strong otherwise, so it's a good idea to balanced your cards this way, similar to how you should avoid making monsters with 3000+ ATK without them being hard to use or have restrictions.
3212 
3213[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3214 
3215[i][b]"This card's Pendulum Scale becomes 4, unless you control a FIRE monster."[/b][/i]
3216 
3217[i][b]"Target 1 card in your Pendulum Zone; increase its Pendulum Scale by 2 until the end of this turn"[/b][/i]
3218 
3219[i][b]"If the Pendulum Scale(s) of a card in your Pendulum Zone(s) changes: Draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
3220 
3221[b]Related:
3222[i]Pendulum Scales/Pendulum Monster/Pendulum Zone/Pendulum Summon/Pendulum Monster[/i][/b]
3223[/spoiler]
3224 
3225[spoiler=Pendulum Summon]
3226A kind of Special Summon that does not start a Chain. You can only do this once per turn during your Main Phase, with the exception of card effects such as Zefraath.
3227 
3228You need 2 cards in the Pendulum Zone with two different Pendulum Scales to perform a Pendulum Summon.
3229 
3230If one is 4 and the other is 8, you can Pendulum Summon any number of Level 5-7 monsters from your hand and/or Pendulum Monsters that are face-up in your Extra Deck.
3231 
3232[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3233 
3234[i][b]"Neither player can Special Summon, except by Pendulum Summon."[/b][/i]
3235 
3236[i][b]"When this card is Pendulum Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 Pendulum Monster from your Deck whose Level is equal to the combined Levels of all Pendulum Monsters you control."[/b][/i]
3237 
3238[i][b]"When your opponent Pendulum Summons 2 or more monsters: You can destroy this card and all cards in your opponent's Pendulum Zones, then draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
3239 
3240[i][b]"After you Special Summon this card, you can conduct 1 Pendulum Summon of a "Zefra" monster(s) during your Main Phase this turn, in addition to your Pendulum Summon. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)"[/b][/i]
3241 
3242[b]Related:[/b]
3243[i][b][i]Pendulum Summons/Pendulum Summoned/Pendulum Scale/Pendulum Monster/Pendulum Zone/Pendulum Monster[/i][/b][/i]
3244[/spoiler]
3245 
3246[spoiler=Pendulum Zone]
3247You can activate Pendulum Monsters as Spells from your hand during your Main Phase by placing them in the Pendulum Zone.
3248 
3249You need 2 cards in the Pendulum Zone with two different Pendulum Scales to perform a Pendulum Summon.
3250 
3251If one is 4 and the other is 8, you can Pendulum Summon any number of Level 5-7 monsters from your hand and/or Pendulum Monsters that are face-up in your Extra Deck.
3252 
3253Each player have 2 each, and you cannot activate a new one if there already is one in the Pendulum Zone.
3254 
3255There are also effects which place cards in the Pendulum Zone. Note that this is not the same as activating them similar to placing Crystal Beast monsters in the Spell & Trap Zone.
3256 
3257Pendulum Zones were previously not part of the Spell & Trap Zone, but are now at the leftmost and rightmost of the Spell & Trap Zone, meaning that cards that affect the Spell & Trap Zone also are able to affect the Pendulum Zone. Also, you can activate and Set cards in the Pendulum Zone, though they are not considered to be in the Pendulum Zone, only Pendulum Monsters are.
3258 
3259[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3260 
3261[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Pendulum Monster on the field or 1 card in the Pendulum Zone; destroy it, and if you do, shuffle 1 card on the field into the Deck."[/b][/i]
3262 
3263[i][b]"If this card in the Monster Zone is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can destroy as many cards in your Pendulum Zones as possible (min. 1), and if you do, place this card in your Pendulum Zone."[/b][/i]
3264 
3265[i][b]"If your opponent has 2 cards in their Pendulum Zones: Target those 2 cards; while both targets are in their Pendulum Zones, you can Pendulum Summon monsters using their Pendulum Scales this turn, but only from your Extra Deck."[/b][/i]
3266 
3267[b]Related:[/b]
3268[i][b][i]Pendulum Zones/Pendulum Summon/Pendulum Scale/Pendulum Monster/Pendulum Monster[/i][/b][/i]
3269[/spoiler]
3270 
3271[spoiler=piercing]
3272Refers to how attacking Defense Position monsters will inflict battle damage if they have higher ATK than that monster's DEF. 
3273 
3274When a monster attacks, you almost always want to use this phrase: "If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage."
3275 
3276[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3277 
3278[i][b]"An Xyz Monster that was Summoned using this card on the field as material gains this effect.[/b][/i]
3279[i][b]● If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage."[/b][/i]
3280 
3281[i][b]"Equip only to a Warrior monster. If it attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage."[/b][/i]
3282[/spoiler]
3283
3284[spoiler=place]
3285Place is used in various ways, though it's most common when talking about placing counters on cards.
3286 
3287It is used on Crystal Beast monsters and cards such as "Pumprincess the Princess of Ghosts" as they place themselves in the Spell & Trap Zone.
3288 
3289You can only place cards in the Pendulum Zones. Note that this is not the same as activating them.
3290 
3291It's also used when placing a card on top or bottom of the Deck, though note that that if you look at the top of the Deck, you return the cards instead of placing them, where excavating them you say place instead (though this may be inconsistent, so it doesn't matter all that much).
3292 
3293[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3294 
3295[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; place 1 Death Counter on it. When the 2nd Death Counter is placed on a monster: You can destroy that monster."[/b][/i]
3296 
3297[i][b]"Activate this card by placing 3 Spell Counters on this card. Once per turn, during your turn: You can target 1 other face-up card on the field that you can place a Spell Counter on; remove 1 Spell Counter from this card, and if you do, place 1 Spell Counter on that target."[/b][/i]
3298 
3299[i][b]"If this face-up card is destroyed while in a Monster Zone, you can place it face-up in your Spell & Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell, instead of sending it to the GY. While this card is treated as a Continuous Spell by this effect, all monsters you control gain 700 ATK/DEF"[/b][/i]
3300 
3301[i][b]"If this card is discarded by a card effect: You can place it in your Pendulum Zone."[/b][/i]
3302 
3303[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Spell in your GY; place it on the top or bottom of your Deck."[/b][/i]
3304 
3305[i][b]"If both players have 3 or more cards in their hand: Each player places their entire hand on the bottom of the Deck in any order, also you lose LP equal to the total number of cards returned to the Deck by this effect x 300 (min. 1), then each player draws 5 cards."[/b][/i]
3306 
3307[b]Related:[/b]
3308[i][b]places/placed/placing[/b][/i]
3309[/spoiler]
3310 
3311[spoiler=player]
3312Both you and your opponent are considered players. Certain cards and effects may only be activated by a certain player, some may be activated by both, and sometimes even the opponent only.
3313 
3314Cards will tend to say "you" when they mean the controller of the card, where they will say "your opponent" when they mean the something that has to do with cards not in your possession.
3315 
3316The turn player is the player who drew during the Draw Phase this turn, who chooses which Phases to go into, if you're in an open game state, it's the turn player who can perform actions only, it's said they have priority at this time.
3317 
3318Previously, you said "During either player's turn" when referring to a Quick Effect, however now you say (Quick Effect) before the colon. For example "During either player's turn, when your opponent activates a card or effect: You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card." becomes "When your opponent activates a card or effect (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it."
3319 
3320Also, avoid using this on Traps, as they are by default Fast Effects (Fast Effects means Spell Speed 2 and 3), so they can be activated in response to other effects.
3321 
3322[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3323 
3324[i][b]"During the End Phase, when card or effect is activated (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it.[/b][/i]
3325 
3326[i][b]"Neither player can Special Summon monsters from their Extra Deck if they control a Fusion, Synchro or Xyz Monster."[/b][/i]
3327 
3328[i][b]"If both players control a DARK or LIGHT monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand)."[/b][/i]
3329 
3330[b]Related:[/b]
3331[i][b]players[/b][/i]
3332[/spoiler]
3333 
3334[spoiler=point]
3335Link Monsters point to zones, and they can either gain effects or they allow you to Special Summon other monsters from your Extra Deck to your Main Monster Zone this way. This is probably the most used term on Link Monsters, as they almost always have an effect that points.
3336 
3337[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3338 
3339[i][b]"Gains 500 ATK for each monster it points to."[/b][/i]
3340 
3341[b]Related:[/b]
3342[b]Link Monster/zone[/b]
3343[/spoiler]
3344[i] [/i]
3345[spoiler=possession]
3346Possession means that it can be anywhere both on your field, hand or Deck or while they are not yet Summoned or are materials, commonly known as the "limbo state".
3347 
3348This is important since some cards can activate if they are "destroyed while in your possession", and even if their Normal Summon is destroyed by something like Solemn Warning.
3349 
3350[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3351 
3352[b][i]"When this card in your possession is destroyed by your opponent's card (by battle or card effect) and sent to your GY: You can target 1 monster they control; destroy that target, then you can Special Summon 1 "Ice Hand" from your Deck."[/i][/b]
3353 
3354[b][i]"When this card in your possession is sent to the GY by an opponent's card effect: Banish this card."[/i][/b]
3355[/spoiler]
3356 
3357[spoiler=Quick-Play Spell]
3358These are Spell Speed 2 always, and they can be activated during your hand during your turn at any point, or if they're Set on the field, during your opponent's turn, but as with Traps, they cannot be activated the turn they are Set.
3359 
3360Remember to use the hyphen between Quick and Play.
3361 
3362[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3363 
3364[b][i]"Once per turn: You can add 1 "Crazy Speed" Quick-Play Spell from your Deck to your hand, then discard 1 card."[/i][/b]
3365 
3366[b][i]"You can activate Quick-Play Spell Cards the turn they are Set."[/i][/b]
3367 
3368[b][i]"Neither player can activate Quick-Play Spell Cards during the Battle Phase."[/i][/b]
3369 
3370[b]Related:[/b]
3371[i][b]Quick-Play Spells[/b][/i]
3372[/spoiler]
3373 
3374[spoiler=replace]
3375This is a pretty new word, and it is used when a card gains the effects of another card. Before, cards typically said that they gained card's effects.
3376 
3377[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3378 
3379[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Dragon Synchro Monster in the GY; banish that target, and if you do, until the End Phase, this card's name becomes that monster's, and replace this effect with that monster's original effects."[/b][/i]
3380 
3381[i][b]"Once per turn: You can banish 1 Level 7 or lower "Gem-Knight" Fusion Monster from your GY; until the End Phase, this card's name becomes that monster's, and replace this effect with that monster's original effects."[/b][/i]
3382[/spoiler]
3383 
3384[spoiler=Rank]
3385What Xyz Monsters have instead of Levels. Levels are Rank are not the same thing, so you cannot affect Ranks with Level changing effects. You also cannot use Xyz Monsters as material that require Levels, except if a card specifically allows that.
3386 
3387This term is used often in Rank-Up-Magic cards.
3388 
3389[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3390 
3391[i][b]"Target 1 face-up Xyz Monster you control; Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 "Number C" monster with the same Type as that monster you control, but 1 Rank higher, by using it as the material. (This is treated as an Xyz Summon. Transfer its materials to this card.)"[/b][/i]
3392 
3393[i][b]"If you control "Toon World": Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; Special Summon 1 Toon monster from your hand or Deck, whose Level is less than or equal to the Level/Rank of that monster, ignoring its Summoning conditions."[/b][/i]
3394 
3395[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up Xyz Monster you control; this turn, you can use it as an material for an Xyz Summon using its Rank as if it were a Level (even if this card leaves the field)."[/b][/i]
3396 
3397[i][b]"Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by banishing 1 "Infernoid" monster from your hand or GY while the total Levels and Ranks of all Effect Monsters you control are 8 or lower."[/b][/i]
3398[/spoiler]
3399 
3400[spoiler=return]
3401You return cards on the field to the hand, Deck or Extra Deck. For cards in the GY/banished, you typically say you add them to the hand instead, however for the cards that would go to the Extra Deck, you say you return them to the Extra Deck instead.
3402 
3403Note that for cards that say they return or add to the hand, Extra Deck monsters may be returned, but they will just go to the Extra Deck instead (for Pendulum Monsters, they must go to the hand as normal, it's only for cards that cannot be in the hand).
3404 
3405You cannot return Extra Deck monsters to the hand as a cost or for a procedure for a Summon, so you cannot Special Summon Fallen Angel of Roses by returning Meliae of the Tress or return any Synchro Monster for Genex Ally Birdman.
3406 
3407You say that you return cards to the bottom of the Deck, but that you place them on top of the Deck. Also, banished cards can be returned to the GY, but note that this is not sending them.
3408 
3409On older cards, you said that you returned to the Deck as well, though now, you want to say you shuffle the cards into the Deck instead.
3410 
3411You don't have to show face-down cards when they're returned to the hand or Deck, though with some cards that shuffle specific cards in your hand into the Deck, such as Moray of Greed or Kozmotown, you do have to show them first to prove it's the right kind of cards.
3412 
3413[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3414 
3415[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Spell/Trap you control and 1 monster your opponent control; return them to the hand."[/b][/i]
3416 
3417[i][b]"When this card is Xyz Summoned: Target 1 Set card your opponent controls; return that target to the bottom of the Deck."[/b][/i]
3418 
3419[i][b]"Target up to 3 banished monsters; return them to the GY."[/b][/i]
3420 
3421[i][b]"When your opponent Special Summons a monster(s) from the hand or Extra Deck: Shuffle that monster(s) into the Deck, then you lose 1000 LP for each returned monster."[/b][/i]
3422 
3423[i][b]"You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by returning 1 Plant monster you control to the hand, except "Fallen Angel of Roses", but banish it when it leaves the field."[/b][/i]
3424 
3425[b]Related:[/b]
3426[i][b]returns/returned/returning[/b][/i]
3427[/spoiler]
3428 
3429[spoiler=reveal]
3430Close to the terms "excavate" and "look". It was once called "pick up" in the case of your Deck at times. It does have some key differences from "excavate" and "look" though.
3431 
3432You reveal cards from your Deck, hand or Extra Deck, where you only excavate cards from the top of your Main Deck. Look is where only the player who is looking gets to see it (unless specified otherwise).
3433 
3434You cannot reveal cards in the hand if they are already revealed by an effect such as Clear World.
3435 
3436Previously, you used reveal when talking about revealing cards you draw, like with Toy Vendor, now you say show instead.
3437 
3438[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3439 
3440[i][b]"Reveal 1 Fusion Monster in your Extra Deck, add 1 of the Fusion Materials listed on that card from your Deck to your hand, then you can add 1 "Polymerization" from your GY to your hand."[/b][/i]
3441 
3442[i][b]"When an "Elemental HERO" monster you control is destroyed by battle: Your opponent chooses and reveals 1 random card from your hand, then, if it is an "Elemental HERO" monster, you destroy 1 monster your opponent controls and Special Summon the chosen monster."[/b][/i]
3443 
3444[i][b]"Once per turn: You can reveal 1 WIND monster in your hand; until the end of your opponent's next Main Phase 1, monsters with a Level higher than the revealed monster cannot activate their effects."[/b][/i]
3445 
3446[b]Related:[/b]
3447[i][b]reveals/revealed[/b][/i]
3448[/spoiler]
3449 
3450[spoiler=remove]
3451Remove was once used mostly to talk about remove from play, which is today known as "banish". Now we only really use it when talking about removing counters from cards.
3452 
3453You should avoid using "removed from the field", rather say "leaves the field" instead.
3454 
3455[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3456 
3457[b][i]"Once per turn, during your turn: You can target 1 other face-up card on the field that you can place a Spell Counter on; remove 1 Spell Counter from this card, and if you do, place 1 Spell Counter on that target."[/i][/b]
3458 
3459[b][i]"You can remove any number of Darkness Counters from this card; inflict 500 damage to your opponent for each Darkness Counter removed."[/i][/b]
3460 
3461[b][i]"You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by removing 4 Ice Counters from anywhere on the field."[/i][/b]
3462 
3463[b]Related:[/b]
3464[i][b]removed/removing[/b][/i]
3465[/spoiler]
3466 
3467[spoiler=resolve/resolution]
3468Resolve is most commonly used in the sentence of "to activate and to resolve this effect." This is a condition put after the effect on some cards that indicate that not only does the conditions have to be correct at activation, but also when it resolves.
3469 
3470Another common use is for cards that don't Summon the monster when the effect resolves, but right after it, which is the timing where cards such as "Black Horn of Heaven" can be used. This was made popular with the Yang Zing and Yosenju Archetypes.
3471 
3472Also used when talking about resolving in sequence, as seen on cards like "Cyber Repair Plant".
3473 
3474Resolution is not used a lot, but can be found on "Double Spell" and "Limiter Removal".
3475 
3476[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3477 
3478[b][i]"Once per turn: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; banish it and inflict 1000 damage to your opponent. You must control this face-up card to activate and to resolve this effect."[/i][/b]
3479 
3480[b][i]"If "Cyber Dragon" is in your GY: You can activate 1 of these effects. If you have 3 or more "Cyber [b]Dragon[/b]" in your GY at activation, you can activate both effects and resolve in sequence. You can only activate 1 "Cyber Repair Plant" per turn.
3481● Add 1 LIGHT Machine monster from your Deck to your hand.
3482● Target 1 LIGHT Machine monster in your GY; shuffle that target into your Deck."[/i][/b]
3483 
3484[b][i]"Once per turn, during your opponent's Main Phase or Battle Phase, you can (Quick Effect): Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster, using only DARK monsters you control.[/i][/b]
3485 
3486[b][i]"While this card has material, each time your opponent activates a card or effect, inflict 500 damage to your opponent immediately after it resolves."[/i][/b]
3487 
3488[b][i][b][i]"Discard 1 Spell, then target 1 Spell in your opponent's GY; as this card's effect resolution, follow the target's card text as if you had used it yourself."[/i][/b][/i][/b]
3489 
3490[b][i][b][i]"If an opponent's card effect activates, before resolving that effect, toss a coin twice, and if the result is 2 Heads, negate that effect."[/i][/b][/i][/b]
3491 
3492[b][i]"This card's effects can only be applied/resolved while it has material."[/i][/b]
3493 
3494[b]Related:[/b]
3495[i][b]resolves/resolved/resolving[/b][/i]
3496[/spoiler]
3497 
3498[spoiler=Rightmost]
3499Rightmost refers to the zone to the rightmost on the field, or in other words the fifth zone from the left. Ghost Bird of Bewitchment is the only card that uses it so far, also it may not be capitalized if used in the middle of the effect, unknown right now since we only have it as a bullet hole effect.
3500 
3501[b]Example of Usage: [/b]
3502 
3503[i][b]"This card gains an effect based on your Main Monster Zone it is in.[/b][/i]
3504[i][b]● Leftmost: Gains 1000 ATK/DEF.[/b][/i]
3505[i][b]● Rightmost: Can make up to 2 attacks on monsters during each Battle Phase.[/b][/i]
3506[i][b]● Center: Your opponent cannot target this card with card effects, also it cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects.[/b][/i]
3507[i][b]● Others: Monsters in this column cannot activate their effects."[/b][/i]
3508 
3509[b]Related: [/b]
3510[i][b]Leftmost/Center[/b][/i]
3511[/spoiler]
3512 
3513[spoiler=Ritual Monster]
3514Ritual Monsters are monsters in your Main Deck that require a Ritual Spell to be Ritual Summoned.
3515 
3516Ritual Monsters always have this wording or similar[i] [/i]at the start of their effect:[i] "You can Ritual Summon this card with "Luminous Dragon Ritual"." [/i]or [i]"You can Ritual Summon this card with any "Nekroz" Ritual Spell."[/i]
3517 
3518Older cards stated that they must be Ritual Summoned with that card, but there are cards that allow you to Ritual Summon them with other cards as well.
3519 
3520Keep in mind that Ritual Monsters are Special Summon only monsters, so they must first be Ritual Summoned before they can be Special Summoned again from the GY or while banished.
3521 
3522[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3523 
3524[b][i]"You can target 1 Ritual Monster in your GY; shuffle it into your Deck, then draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
3525 
3526[b][i]"When a Ritual Monster(s) you control is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can draw 2 cards."[/i][/b]
3527 
3528[b][i]"Ritual Monsters cannot be targeted by card effects."[/i][/b]
3529 
3530[b]Related:[/b]
3531[i][b]Ritual Monsters[/b][/i]
3532[/spoiler]
3533 
3534[spoiler=Ritual Spell]
3535Ritual Spells are cards used to Ritual Summon Ritual Monsters.
3536 
3537Ritual Spells have this wording or similar: [i]"This card is used to Ritual Summon "Paladin of Dark Dragon". You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal 4 or more."[/i]
3538 
3539These are always done at resolution, Tributing is not a cost, and the last thing to happen is Ritual Summoning the monster, not Tributing.
3540 
3541You cannot Tribute more monsters than required, meaning you cannot use 2 monsters for a Ritual Summon of a Level 1 Ritual Monster, but you can Tribute a single Level 12 monster, should you wish to do so.
3542 
3543[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3544 
3545[b][i]"When you activate a Ritual Spell, place 1 Ritual Stone Counter on this card."[/i][/b]
3546 
3547[b][i]"Once per turn: You can targets up to 2 Ritual Spells in your GY; banish them, and if you do, add 1 Ritual Spell from your Deck to your hand.[/i][/b]
3548 
3549[b]Related:[/b]
3550[i][b]Ritual Spells[/b][/i]
3551[/spoiler]
3552 
3553[spoiler=Ritual Summon]
3554A Ritual Summon is a form of Special Summon that is used to Special Summon Ritual Monsters with.
3555 
3556A Ritual Summon typically Tributes monsters from the hand or you control whose Level equal the Level of the monster you're attempting to Ritual Summon or more, though some cards work differently, like requiring an exact Level, sending from the Deck instead or not being allowed to use a specific Level for the Ritual Summon.
3557 
3558To Ritual Summon, you use a Ritual Spell, or a monster like Zefrasaber, Swordmaster of the Nekroz.
3559 
3560[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3561 
3562[b][i]"This card is used to Ritual Summon "Saffira, Queen of Dragons". You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal 6 or more."[/i][/b]
3563 
3564[b][i]"You can Tribute this card from your hand or face-up from your hand or field; Tribute monsters from your hand or field, then Ritual Summon 1 "Nekroz" Ritual Monster from your hand whose Level exactly equals the total Levels of those monsters."[/i][/b]
3565 
3566[b][i]"If a player Ritual Summons using this card, that Ritual Summoned monster cannot be targeted by the card effects of the other player."[/i][/b]
3567 
3568[b]Related:[/b]
3569[i][b]Ritual Summons/Ritual Summoned[/b][/i]
3570[/spoiler]
3571 
3572[spoiler=round up]
3573Rounding up is the idea of going to the nearest number, rather than using an odd number, for example instead of saying 9.8%, you would round up to 10% instead to make it simpler. Currently, YGO does not do this much, except for one example, that being Power Wall, which is seen below. Rounding down is currently not in the game, but probably isn't meant to be anyway.
3574 
3575[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3576 
3577[i][b]"During damage calculation, when you would take battle damage from an opponent's attacking monster: Send 1 card from the top of your Deck to the Graveyard for every 500 damage (round up) you are about to take, also you take no battle damage from that battle."[/b][/i]
3578[/spoiler]
3579 
3580[spoiler=send]
3581Send is a quite common term. It's used to describe sending from your hand, Deck or Extra Deck to the GY, sending cards on the field to the GY.
3582 
3583Sending a card from the the hand to the GY is the same as discarding, but discarding is not the same as sending it, as seen with Dark World monsters.
3584 
3585An important thing to note is that if you omit "and sends it to the GY" on a card that activates when you destroy a monster, it can change how the card functions. More details can be found [url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Card_Rulings:Blackwing_-_Shura_the_Blue_Flame]here. [/url]
3586 
3587Sometimes, cards are sent by game mechanics, for example if an Equip card is unable to equip itself to the target anymore, then they're sent to the GY.
3588 
3589Note that sending by game mechanics is not considered an effect.
3590 
3591[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3592 
3593[b][i]"Once per turn: You can send 1 monster from your hand to the GY; Special Summon 1 FIRE monster from your hand."[/i][/b]
3594 
3595[b][i]"If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the GY: You can draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
3596 
3597[b][i]"Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by sending 2 DARK monsters you control to the GY."[/i][/b]
3598 
3599[b][i]"During the End Phase, if this card was sent from your hand or Deck to the GY this turn: You can add 1 Spellcaster monster from your Deck to your hand, except "Magician's Friend"."[/i][/b]
3600 
3601[b]Related:[/b]
3602[i][b]sends/sending/sent[/b][/i]
3603[/spoiler]
3604 
3605[spoiler=sequence]
3606Used when you are suppose to apply the effects in the order written on the card when you have multiple options. You will always want to use bullets here, and say something similar to "resolve in sequence" or "apply these effects, in sequence".
3607 
3608Note that the last thing to happen is the last thing in the sequence, similar to how "then" works.
3609 
3610[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3611 
3612[b][i]"[i]If "Cyber Dragon" is in your GY: You can activate 1 of these effects. If you have 3 or more "Cyber [b]Dragon[/b]" in your GY at activation, you can activate both effects and resolve in sequence. You can only activate 1 "Cyber Repair Plant" per turn.
3613● Add 1 LIGHT Machine monster from your Deck to your hand.
3614● Target 1 LIGHT Machine monster in your GY; shuffle that target into your Deck."[/i][/i][/b]
3615 
3616[b][i][i]"Destroy as many cards in each player's Pendulum Zones as possible, then apply these effects, in sequence, depending on the number of cards destroyed by this effect.
3617● 1+: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent.
3618● 2+: You can add 1 Pendulum Monster from your Main Deck to your hand.
3619● 3+: You can banish 1 card on the field.
3620● 4: You can add 1 "Wavering Eyes" from your Deck to your hand."[/i][/i][/b]
3621 
3622Note, currently Wavering Eyes is not updated to reflect the "2+" instead of saying "2 or more", but this is simply meant to be the most correct version of the card.
3623[/spoiler]
3624 
3625[spoiler=Set]
3626Setting a card can be 1 of 2 things, either a monster for a Normal Set, or setting a Spell/Trap. You can only Set 1 monster per turn, unless stated otherwise, but you can Set as many Spell/Traps as you have room for per turn, again, unless stated otherwise.
3627 
3628You may not Flip Summon a Normal Set monster, or activate Quick-Play Spells or any Traps the turn they are Set, unless stated otherwise.
3629 
3630You can however Flip Summon a monster that was Summoned a previous turn and was this turn changed to face-down Defense Position, as long as that monster hasn't changes its position or attacked this turn.
3631 
3632Remember that you should not use "Set that target" when talking about monsters, but instead "Change that target to face-down Defense Position". You do say it about Spell/Traps though, for example Setting a Spell/Trap directly from your Deck.
3633 
3634[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3635 
3636[b][i]"You can target 1 Set card your opponent controls; destroy it, and if you do, banish it."[/i][/b]
3637 
3638[b][i]"When this card is Special Summoned: You can target 1 "Hole" Normal Trap in your GY; Set that target, but banish it during the End Phase of your next turn if it is still on the field."[/i][/b]
3639 
3640[b][i]"During any Main Phase: The turn player can pay 1000 LP x the number of monsters normally needed for the Tribute Summon of a monster (max. 2000); that player Normal Summons/Sets that monster without Tributing. (This is their one Normal Summon/Set for that turn. This is not a Tribute Summon.)"[/i][/b]
3641[i] [/i]
3642[b]Related:[/b]
3643[i][b]Sets[/b][/i]
3644[/spoiler]
3645 
3646[spoiler=shuffle]
3647Shuffling is the act of taking your Deck, and mixing the cards up, so any order that they might have been in before that, for example by putting a card on top of your Deck, is no more.
3648 
3649You always shuffle when you search for a card in your Deck, but some cards also shuffle cards into the Deck.
3650 
3651Return to the Deck was used more commonly before instead of shuffling, but now you say "shuffle it into your Deck" instead of "return it to the Deck".
3652 
3653Do not bother saying that you shuffle your Deck after using an effect that would search your Deck, as that is always done regardless of that wording or not, for example "Sangan" does not say shuffle, but you still always do it.
3654 
3655[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3656 
3657[b][i]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Set card on the field; shuffle it into the Deck."[/i][/b]
3658 
3659[b][i]"You can detach 1 material from this card; each player with a hand shuffles their entire hand into the Deck, then each player draws the same number of cards they shuffled into the Deck."[/i][/b]
3660 
3661[b][i]"Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by shuffling all monsters in your GY into the Deck."[/i][/b]
3662 
3663[b]Related:[/b]
3664[i][b]shuffles/shuffled/shuffling[/b][/i]
3665[/spoiler]
3666 
3667[spoiler=six-sided die/die & dice]
3668Used when talking about rolling a die or dice. You also talk about the result when using cards like this.
3669 
3670Sometimes you don't say six-sided die, but just die/dice, typically when you are not actually rolling it, but rather affecting something that has to do with dice.
3671 
3672[i][b]"At the start of the Damage Step, if it battles an opponent's monster: You can roll a six-sided die, and banish that opponent's monster until the Standby Phase of the Nth turn after this effect's activation (N = the result)."[/b][/i]
3673 
3674[i][b]"When your opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card, or monster effect, that requires a dice roll: Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it."[/b][/i]
3675 
3676[b]Related:[/b]
3677[i][b]result[/b][/i]
3678[/spoiler]
3679 
3680[spoiler=Spell/Trap effect]
3681A Spell/Trap effect is the specific effect of a Spell/Trap, rather than card effect that would apply to all kinds of cards, or a monster effect, which only applies to monsters.
3682 
3683This is important in case you wish to make a card that only negates a certain kind of card, or you wish to indicate when a card could activate if it was destroyed by a Spell/Trap effect.
3684 
3685It's important to note that activating a Spell/Trap are considered to be using a Spell/Trap effect as well, but activating a Spell/Trap effect of the card, such as that of Chicken Game or Breakthrough Skill (in the GY), is not considered to be activating the card itself, rather just an effect of it, so you cannot negate it with cards that negate activations of Spell/Traps.
3686 
3687[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3688 
3689[b][i]"Target 1 "Melodious" monster you control; this turn, that face-up monster you control is unaffected by your opponent's Spell/Trap effects, and it can make a second attack during each Battle Phase."[/i][/b]
3690 
3691[b][i]"A Synchro Monster that used this card as a Synchro Material is unaffected by Spell effects."[/i][/b]
3692 
3693[b][i]"You can banish this card from the GY; Special Summon 1 Plant monster from your hand, and if you do, it is unaffected by your opponent's Trap effects this turn."[/i][/b]
3694 
3695[b]Related:
3696[i]monster effect/Pendulum Effect[/i][/b]
3697[/spoiler]
3698 
3699[spoiler=Spell & Trap Zone]
3700This is mostly used when you refer to monsters being placed in the Spell & Trap Zone.
3701 
3702Note that it's not like Spell/Trap where it has a slash, rather it has an ampersand instead. You do this because Spell/Trap can be either a Spell or a Trap, it doesn't need to be either, but as we are talking about the specific Zone here, you want to use the ampersand instead.
3703 
3704When monsters go here, unless you state it, they always become Spells, and if they equip themselves to a monster, they become Equip Spells, and also are considered an Equip Card.
3705 
3706Try to avoid saying "Target 1 Spell/Trap in your opponent's Spell & Trap Zone", rather just say "Target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls", unless of course you wish to not be able to target cards in the Field Zone, as it is not part of the Spell & Trap Zone.
3707 
3708[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3709 
3710[b][i]"You can send this card from your hand to the GY; Set 1 "Toy Vendor" directly from your Deck to your Spell & Trap Zone."[/i][/b]
3711 
3712[b][i]"If a card is Special Summoned from your Spell & Trap Zone to the Monster Zone while this card is a monster: You can target 1 card on the field; destroy it."[/i][/b]
3713 
3714[b][i]"While you have no cards in your hand nor in your Spell & Trap Zones, this card gains 1500 ATK."[/i][/b]
3715 
3716[b]Related:
3717[i]Spell & Trap Zones/Spell/Trap[/i][/b]
3718[/spoiler]
3719 
3720[spoiler=Spell]
3721The green cards. Spell refers to any kind of Spell, where Normal Spell refers to the ones without a symbol on them, so it's important to know the difference when you design your cards.
3722 
3723All Spells can be activated from your hand during your Main Phases, though Quick-Play Spells work a bit differently in that they can be activated at any time during your own turn. Spells can also be Set, then activated later, even in the turn you Set them, though again, Quick-Play Spells work a bit differently, and cannot be activated until the next turn and if they are Set, they can be activated during the opponent's turn as well.
3724 
3725Cards in the Pendulum Zone are also considered Spells, also when you activate them, they are considered Spells, however anywhere else they are monsters.
3726 
3727Spells were previously called Spell Cards, as well as the different kinds of Spells saying Cards after it, though now you simply say Spells.
3728 
3729[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3730 
3731[b][i]"Target 1 Spell in your GY; banish it. During your next Standby Phase after activation, add it to your hand."[/i][/b]
3732 
3733[b][i]"Reveal 3 "Holy Magic" Spells from your Deck, have your opponent add 1 of those to your hand, then send the rest to the GY."[/i][/b]
3734 
3735[b]Related:
3736[i]Spells/Normal Spell/Continuous Spell/Equip Spell/Field Spell/Ritual Spell/Quick-Play Spell[/i][/b]
3737[/spoiler]
3738 
3739[spoiler=Spirit]
3740What you see on Spirit monsters. When you refer to Spirit monsters, say Spirit monsters, not just Spirit.
3741 
3742[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3743 
3744[b][i]"[/i][/b][i][b][ Fairy / Spirit / Effect ]"[/b][/i]
3745 
3746[i][b]"[ Beast-Warrior / Spirit / Tuner / Effect]"[/b][/i]
3747 
3748[b]Related:
3749[i]Spirit monster[/i][/b]
3750[/spoiler]
3751 
3752[spoiler=Spirit monster]
3753Spirit monsters are a specific kind of monster which cannot be Special Summoned, and return to the hand during the End Phase. They tend to have high ATK and/or DEF and good effect because of this.
3754 
3755They all have a specific wording to them that states "Cannot be Special Summoned. During the End Phase of the turn this card is Normal Summoned or flipped face-up: Return it to the hand." This is always at the start of their effect.
3756 
3757There is an exception though, which is the card "Yamato-no-Kami" which cannot be Normal Summoned, but can only be Special Summoned, making the polar opposite of what a normal Spirit monster is.
3758 
3759Do note that these monsters WILL stay face-up if their effects are negated, and that the effect is mandatory.
3760 
3761[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3762 
3763[b][i]"Once per turn: You can target 1 Spirit monster in your GY; banish it, and if you do, draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
3764 
3765[b][i]"The effects of all Spirit monsters on the field are negated during the End Phase."[/i][/b]
3766 
3767[b]Related:
3768[i]Spirit[/i][/b]
3769[/spoiler]
3770 
3771[spoiler=Standby Phase]
3772The Standby Phase comes after the Draw Phase and you must go into it. During this Phase, typically nothing happens, but certain effects tend to end or activate in here, as well as maintenance costs.
3773 
3774You must go into the Main Phase from the Standby Phase.
3775 
3776[b]Related:[/b]
3777 
3778[i][b]"Once per turn, during your Standby Phase: Take 1000 damage."[/b][/i]
3779 
3780[i][b]"Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can target 1 Special Summoned monster your opponent controls in Attack Position; banish both that monster and this card from the field, but return them in your next Standby Phase."[/b][/i]
3781 
3782[i][b]"Once per turn, during your next Standby Phase after this face-up card on the field was destroyed by a card effect and sent to the GY: Special Summon it from your GY."[/b][/i]
3783[/spoiler]
3784 
3785[spoiler=start]
3786Used when saying things like "At the start of the Battle Phase". An important thing to note is that this only happens one time, so if you have multiple cards that say that, you can only use one of them.
3787 
3788Each player can however Chain these effects to each other, but again, only once, for example, "El Shaddoll Construct" battles with "Ally of Justice Catastor", they will both activate according to SEGOC.
3789 
3790Sometimes "at the beginning" is used instead, but start is more common, so I sugggest avoiding the other term completely.
3791 
3792[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3793 
3794[b][i]"At the start of the Damage Step, if this card battles a face-up non-WIND monster: You can destroy that monster. [/i][/b]
3795 
3796[b][i]"At the start of your Main Phase 1: You can discard this card; it becomes the End Phase."[/i][/b]
3797[/spoiler]
3798 
3799[spoiler=substitute]
3800Used when talking about, Tributes, Fusion and Synchro Materials. What it means is that rather tha
3801 
3802Note that these are conditions, meaning they cannot be negated.
3803 
3804They are most commonly used for Fusion Monsters, and also are the most complex for them, so I suggest you read more by clicking [url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Fusion_Substitute_Monsters]here. [/url]
3805 
3806[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3807 
3808[i][b]"If Summoned this way, you can substitute this monster for 1 Fusion Material that lists an Attribute, on a "Shaddoll" Fusion Monster Card."[/b][/i]
3809 
3810[i][b]"For a Synchro Summon, you can substitute this card for any 1 "Synchron" Tuner.[/b][/i]
3811 
3812[b][i]"If you Tribute Summon an "Ancient Gear" monster, you can substitute this card for a Tribute(s), if the number of counters is equal to or greater than the number of required Tribute(s).[/i]"[/b]
3813[/spoiler]
3814 
3815[spoiler=Summon]
3816Summoning is the act of placing a monster on the field, typically from your hand, but can be from pretty much everywhere else, even sometimes the field in the case of monsters that can be Special Summoned from the Spell & Trap Zone and Pendulum Zone.
3817 
3818There are different kinds of Summoning, which are all explained in their respective sections, but besides Normal Summon, Flip Summon and Tribute Summon all others are considered a Special Summon.
3819 
3820Note that a Normal Set is not considered Summon, so cards like Torrential Tribute cannot be activated when you Normal Set, however for cards like Scapegoat, you may not Tribute Set them.
3821 
3822[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3823 
3824[b][i]"Once per turn: You can destroy all other monsters on the field. If you activated this effect, you cannot Summon for the rest of the turn.[/i][/b]
3825 
3826[b][i]"If this card is Summoned: You can draw 2 cards, then discard 1 card."[/i][/b]
3827 
3828[b][i]"When your opponent Summons a monster(s): Destroy that monster, and if you do, negate the effects of all Spell/Traps on the field."[/i][/b]
3829 
3830[b]Related:
3831[i]Summoned/Summons/Normal Summon/Tribute Summon/Special Summon/Ritual Summon/Fusion Summon/Synchro Summon/Xyz Summon/Pendulum Summon[/i][/b]
3832[/spoiler]
3833 
3834[spoiler=switch]
3835Switch is used mostly when talking about switching control of cards. You also use it when talking about ATK/DEF.
3836 
3837It's important that you switch with 2 different variables, either it be 2 different cards, or it be switching ATK to DEF. For example, you want to say "Change that target to Defense Position" instead of using switch.
3838 
3839You don't want to use this when talking about changing targets to other targets though, as that is not switching between 2 targets, rather making it a new target, such as with "Cairngorgon, Antiluminescent Knight"
3840 
3841[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3842 
3843[b][i]"Once per turn: You can switch the ATK/DEF of all monsters on the field."[/i][/b]
3844 
3845[b][i]"Target 1 face-up Xyz Monster your opponent controls and 1 face-up Xyz Monster you control; switch control of both monsters."[/i][/b]
3846 
3847[b][i]"Each player chooses 1 monster they control and switches control of those monsters with each other."[/i][/b]
3848 
3849[b]Related:
3850[i]Switches/change[/i][/b]
3851[/spoiler]
3852 
3853[spoiler=Synchro Material]
3854Synchro Materials are both the Tuner and the non-Tuner monsters. Some cards may say that  they can be used as a Synchro Material even if they are a Tuner, but normally Tuners can only be used as the part which states “1 Tuner”.
3855 
3856You can always change if there should be 2 Tuners, or if it should be a specific non-Tuner monster, like an Archetype, a specific Attribute etc.
3857 
3858[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3859 
3860[b][i]"If this card is sent to the GY as a Synchro Material: You can Special Summon this card, but it is banished when it leaves the field."[/i][/b]
3861 
3862[b][i]"A Synchro Monster that used this card as a Synchro Material cannot be destroyed by Spell/Trap effects."[/i][/b]
3863 
3864[b][i]"If this card is used as a Synchro Material, all other Synchro Materials must be Spellcaster monsters."[/i][/b]
3865 
3866[i][b]Related:
3867[i]Synchro Materials[/i][/b][/i]
3868[/spoiler]
3869 
3870[spoiler=Synchro Monster]
3871A Synchro Monster is a monster that is in your Extra Deck which are Special Summon by Synchro Summon. They always require at least 1 Tuner (sometimes multiple) and at least 1 non-Tuner monster (though almost all Synchro Monsters say "1+ non-Tuner monsters".) for their Synchro Summon.
3872 
3873Synchro Monsters are Special Summon only monsters, and as with other Special Summon only monsters, they must first be Synchro Summoned, then you can Special Summon them from the GY or while banished.
3874 
3875[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3876 
3877[i][b]"Synchro Monsters you control are unaffected by the effects of Xyz Monsters."[/b][/i]
3878 
3879[i][b]"During your opponent's Main Phase, you can (Quick Effect): Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster, using materials you control, including this card.[/b][/i]
3880 
3881[i][b]Related:
3882[i]Synchro Monsters[/i][/b][/i]
3883[/spoiler]
3884 
3885[spoiler=Synchro Summon]
3886Synchro Summoning is when you send 1 Tuner (sometimes more) and at least 1 non-Tuner monster (though almost all Synchro Monsters say "1+ non-Tuner monsters".) to the GY, then put a Synchro Monster from your Extra Deck on the field whose Level is the combined Levels of those monsters that they had on the field.
3887 
3888You do not need to be able to send them to the GY to Synchro Summon, if a card like "Macro Cosmos" is in play you are still able to Synchro Summon, but they will be banished instead.
3889 
3890You cannot use Xyz Monsters for this, as they have no Levels, but Ranks instead.
3891 
3892Synchro Monsters are Special Summon only monsters, and as with other Special Summon only monsters, they must first be Synchro Summoned, then you can Special Summon them from the GY or while banished.
3893 
3894[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3895 
3896[i][b]"Neither player and Special Summon, except by Synchro Summon."[/b][/i]
3897 
3898[i][b]"If this card is Synchro Summoned: You can draw 2 cards, then discard 1 card."[/b][/i]
3899 
3900[i][b]"If a player Synchro Summons using this card as a Material, the other player cannot activate cards or effects when that monster is Synchro Summoned."[/b][/i]
3901 
3902[i][b]Related:
3903[i]Synchro Summons/Synchro Summoned[/i][/b][/i]
3904[/spoiler]
3905 
3906[spoiler=take]
3907Take is used when talking about taking control (see "control" for more info) or when taking LP away.
3908 
3909When you "take LP" that means either that it's decreased by an amount or you don't take LP.
3910 
3911It's important to note that when talking about taking LP, that it isn't the same as paying LP, but it is considered losing LP. Also note that you don't say "your opponent takes 500 LP", but instead "inflict 500 damage to your opponent", with the exception of both players taking LP, in which case you do use take.
3912 
3913[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3914 
3915[i][b]"You take no battle damage from battles involving Wyrm monsters you control."[/b][/i]
3916 
3917[i][b]"Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; take control of it, but it cannot attack."[/b][/i]
3918 
3919[i][b]"If this card is Summoned: Each player takes 1000 LP for each Special Summoned monster they control."[/b][/i]
3920 
3921[i][b]"Your opponent takes any effect damage you would have taken from their card effects, instead."[/b][/i]
3922 
3923[i][b]"When you take damage from an attack involving this card, or from an opponent's card effect: This card gains ATK equal to the damage you took."[/b][/i]
3924 
3925[b]Related:[/b]
3926[i][b][i]takes/took/taken[/i][/b][/i]
3927[/spoiler]
3928 
3929[spoiler=target]
3930Targets are cards on either the field, the GY or while banished. You cannot target cards in your hand, Deck, or Extra Deck.
3931 
3932Targets always happen at activations of an effect, this is the same time you pay costs. Note that you still have to follow what the card says, if it targets something, then you pay a cost, you have to do it in that order, not the other way around, same as when you are resolving an effect.
3933 
3934Equip Cards target the monster that they equip themselves to and continue doing so until their target leaves the field or isn't legal anymore, in which case it's destroyed by game mechanics (with the exception of when the Equip Card is activated and something makes it not become a legal target, in which case it's considered sent instead of destroyed. Moire info can be found by clicking [url=http://forum.duelingnetwork.com/index.php?/topic/150619-miscellaneous-rulings/]here[/url]).
3935 
3936You also target something when you declare an attack, and the target will stay the same for the rest of that battle (unless a card changes the target/the target is lost, and if it's lost, a replay may happen). If a replay happens, you target a new monster for an attack, note that you don't declare a new attack here, so cards like "Mirror Force" cannot be activated at this time.
3937 
3938[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3939 
3940[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 card on the field, in either player's GY or 1 banished card; shuffle it into the Deck, also you cannot Special Summon for the rest of the turn."[/b][/i]
3941 
3942[i][b]"You can target 1 FIRE monster you control; equip this card from your hand to that target. It gains 300 ATK/DEF and cannot be targeted by an opponent's card effects."[/b][/i]
3943 
3944[i][b]"Discard 1 card, then target 2 cards on the field; destroy both those targets, then inflict 500 damage to your opponent."[/b][/i]
3945 
3946[i][b]"Activate this card by targeting 1 monster in your GY; Special Summon that target in Attack Position. When this card leaves the field, destroy that target. When that target is destroyed, destroy this card."[/b][/i]
3947 
3948[b]Related:[/b]
3949[i][b][i]targets/targeted/targeting[/i][/b][/i]
3950[/spoiler]
3951 
3952[spoiler=Token]
3953A monster Summoned by an effect, they are not actually in the Deck, and as such, you can use anything you want to represent them, though there do exits cards as well that are gray in color which you can use as well.
3954 
3955These are treated as Normal Monsters while on the field, any effect they might seem to have is just a lingering effect placed on it (or the game in general) by the card that Summoned it.
3956 
3957They cannot be used as material, but can be used as Synchro Material unless said so otherwise.
3958 
3959Tokens cannot be returned to the hand or sent to the GY as a cost etc. but you may banish them as a cost or for Summons like "The Atmosphere", and they can be returned to the hand or sent to the GY by effects.
3960 
3961All Tokens have names to them, some may also be part of an Archetype, typically they're named after the card that Summoned it, but it can also be completely different.
3962 
3963[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3964 
3965[i][b]"If a Token you control is destroyed by battle or card effect: Draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
3966 
3967[i][b]"Tribute 2 or more Tokens with the same Level, then target monsters in your GY with that same Level, up to the number of Tokens Tributed; Special Summon those targets, and have their effects negated. Destroy them during the End Phase."[/b][/i]
3968 
3969[i][b]"Special Summon 4 "Sheep Tokens" (Beast/EARTH/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) in Defense Position. These Tokens cannot be Tributed for a Tribute Summon. You cannot Summon other monsters the turn you activate this card (but you can Normal Set)."[/b][/i]
3970 
3971[b]Related:[/b]
3972[i][b][i]Tokens[/i][/b][/i]
3973[/spoiler]
3974
3975[spoiler=Toon]
3976Toon is both an Archetype, but it is also what you see on Toon monsters. When you refer to Toon monsters, say Toon monsters, not just Toon.
3977 
3978[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3979 
3980[i][b]"[Warrior / Toon / Effect ]"[/b][/i]
3981 
3982[i][b]"[Beast / Toon / Tuner / Effect]"[/b][/i]
3983 
3984[b]Related:[/b]
3985[i][b][i]Toon monster[/i][/b][/i]
3986[/spoiler]
3987 
3988[spoiler=Toon monster]
3989Toon monsters are sub-type of monsters, similar to Union or Tuner, but these don't work the same way as those, as each monster falls into various classes, which you can view more about by clicking [url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Toon_monster]here.[/url]
3990 
3991"Toon" is also an Archetype, where Toon monster is the sub-type, so remember that you want to say "Target 1 "Toon" card in your GY" if you wish to be able to target something like "Toon Table of Contents".
3992 
3993[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
3994 
3995[i][b]"Toon monsters you control cannot be banished."[/b][/i]
3996 
3997[i][b]"Negate the effects of all Toon monsters on the field."[/b][/i]
3998 
3999[b]Related:[/b]
4000[i][b][i]Toon[/i][/b][/i]
4001[/spoiler]
4002 
4003[spoiler=toss a coin]
4004Used when you have an effect that tosses a coin (see "coin" for more info).
4005 
4006[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4007 
4008[b][i]"From "Blowback Dragon": Once per turn: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; toss a coin 3 times, and destroy that target if at least 2 of the results are Heads."[/i][/b]
4009 
4010[b]Related:[/b]
4011[i][b][i]coin[/i][/b][/i]
4012[/spoiler]
4013 
4014[spoiler=Transfer]
4015This term is used on Xyz Monsters which previously said "(Xyz Materials attached to that monster also become Xyz Materials on this card.). The new term reduces this text by quite a bit, simply referring to that action as Transfer.
4016 
4017Example of Usage:
4018 
4019[i][b]"[i][b]You can also Xyz Summon this card by using a Rank 5 or 6 Xyz Monster you control as material. (Transfer its materials to this card.)"[/b][/i][/b][/i]
4020 
4021[b]Related:[/b]
4022[i][b]attach/material[/b][/i]
4023[/spoiler]
4024 
4025[spoiler=Trap]
4026The purple cards. Trap refers to any form of Trap, either Normal, Continuous or Counter.
4027 
4028All Traps must first be Set, then they can be activated starting from the next turn. Some cards can bypass this though.
4029 
4030Traps are by default Spell Speed 2 (Counter Traps are Spell Speed 3 though), meaning that you don't need to say "during either player's turn" on them, since they can be used either player's turn anyway, though you can do it to make it easier for players, and the same way, you can choose to NOT allow it to be used during the opponent's turn.
4031 
4032Traps were previously called Trap Cards, as well as the different kinds of Traps saying Cards after it, though now you simply say Traps.
4033 
4034[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4035 
4036[b][i]"During either player's turn, when your opponent activates a Trap Card: You can pay 500 LP; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it."[/i][/b]
4037 
4038[b][i]"You can activate 1 Trap the turn it was Set, also during either player's Battle Phase, you can activate 1 Trap from your hand."[/i][/b]
4039 
4040[b][i]"Neither player can Set Spell/Traps, also they cannot target Spell/Traps their opponent control with card effects."[/i][/b]
4041 
4042[b][i][b]Related:[/b]
4043[i][b][i]Traps[/i][/b][/i][/i][/b]
4044[/spoiler]
4045 
4046[spoiler=Tribute/Tribute Summon]
4047Tribute is a term used when talking about sending monsters from the field (sometimes hand) to the GY, typically for effects or because they were Tributed for a Tribute Summon.
4048 
4049A Tribute Summon happens when you want to Summon a Level 5 or higher monster, if it's 5-6 you need to Tribute 1 monster only, if it's 7 or higher, you must Tribute 2 monsters you control.
4050 
4051Whenever a card mentions that Tribute by itself, it can be by any way, though some do say "Tribute Summon" instead.
4052 
4053You may see these on Ritual Spells as well, as they Tribute the monsters instead of sending them, like how Fusion Summons typically work.
4054 
4055Note that monsters sent as Synchro Material are NOT considered Tributed, only Tribute Summons or cards stating it Tributes them considers them a Tribute.
4056 
4057Some cards act like "double Tributers", such as "Double Coston", and some card allow you to Tribute Summon using less Tributes/none at all, such as "Amarylease".
4058 
4059Some cards Tribute monsters for a Special Summon, such as "Hieratic Dragon of Su", do note that this is not a Tribute Summon, by a Special Summon that Tributes monsters.
4060 
4061An interesting note is that you always want to omit the "you control" in something like "Tribute 1 FIRE monster you control". The reasoning behind this may be because by default, you can't Tribute your opponent's cards, so there would be no reason to say it, unless of course you want to Tribute the opponent's monsters as well.
4062 
4063[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4064 
4065[i][b]"You can Tribute this card; Special Summon 1 Level 8 or higher DARK monster from your hand or Deck in Defense Position."[/b][/i]
4066 
4067[i][b]"If you control 2 or more Spell/Traps, you can Normal Summon this card without Tributing."[/b][/i]
4068 
4069[i][b]"You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by Tributing 2 monsters with 2000 or more ATK."[/b][/i]
4070 
4071[i][b]"If this card is Tributed while in your possession: You can pay 500 LP; add this card from your GY to your hand."[/b][/i]
4072 
4073[i][b]"During the End Phase, if you Tribute Summoned this turn: You can draw a number of cards equal to the number of "Qli" monsters you Tributed for Tribute Summons this turn."[/b][/i]
4074 
4075[b][i][b]Related:[/b]
4076[i][b][i]Tributes/Tributed/Tributing/Tribute Summons/Tribute Summoned[/i][/b][/i][/i][/b]
4077[/spoiler]
4078 
4079[spoiler=Tuner]
4080What you see on Tuner monsters. Normally, you write Tuner monster when you refer to Tuners in effects, but when you write the Synchro Material requirement, you exclude the "monster" part in the first line, but not in the second one as such: "1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters".
4081 
4082Tuners are also the only sub-type which have Normal Monsters, and in that case, you do not write the Effect part, but still the Tuner part (see example below).
4083 
4084There are also Synchro Monsters which are Tuners, in which case, you write both that they're Synchro Monsters and that they are Tuners.
4085 
4086Previously, you said "1 or more non-Tuner monsters" instead of "1+ non-Tuner monsters".
4087 
4088[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4089 
4090[i][b]"1 FIRE Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner Pyro monsters."[/b][/i]
4091 
4092[i][b]"2 "Poison Ivy" Tuners + 2+ non-Tuner "Poison Ivy" monster."[/b][/i]
4093 
4094[i][b]"[ Beast / Tuner ]"[/b][/i]
4095 
4096[i][b]"[ Warrior / Tuner / Effect ] "[/b][/i]
4097 
4098[i][b]"[Dragon / Synchro / Tuner / Effect ]"[/b][/i]
4099 
4100[b]Related:[/b]
4101[i][i][b][i]Tuners/Tuner monster[/i][/b][/i][/i]
4102[/spoiler]
4103 
4104[spoiler=Tuner monster]
4105Tuner monsters are monsters you need to Synchro Summon with, along with a non-Tuner monster, as stated on the Synchro Monster you wish to Synchro Summon.
4106 
4107Tuner monster is what you use when talking about them in effects, where simply Tuner is used in the Summoning conditions of Synchro Monsters instead.
4108 
4109Newer cards may say only Tuner instead, such as Cards of Consonance.
4110 
4111[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4112 
4113[i][b]"1 FIRE Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner Pyro monsters."[/b][/i]
4114 
4115[i][b]"2 "Poison Ivy" Tuners + 2+ non-Tuner "Poison Ivy" monster."[/b][/i]
4116 
4117[i][b] "Once per turn: You can target 1 Tuner you control and 1 non-Tuner monster your opponent controls; switch control of those targets."[/b][/i]
4118 
4119[i][b]"Tuners you control cannot be destroyed by card effects while you control a Synchro Monster."[/b][/i]
4120 
4121[b]Related:
4122[i][i][b][i]Tuner monsters/Tuner[/i][/b][/i][/i][/b]
4123[/spoiler]
4124 
4125[spoiler=turn]
4126Turn is one of the most used terms, which can be used in many different ways.
4127 
4128It's most commonly used in the sentence "During either player's turn", which means that it's a Quick-Effect (or Quick-Like Effect in the case of Spells/Traps), or in the sentence "Once per turn".
4129 
4130Can be used when saying "During your turn, except the turn this card was sent to the GY".
4131 
4132Another common use is saying something like "During the turn you activate this card/activate/use this effect" as a condition you put after the effect to note that you can't activate the card or effect if you did something that contradicts the condition and you can't do that for the rest of the turn after activating it either (note that cards that negate activations will prevent conditions from taking place, unless they say "during the turn you use" instead.)
4133 
4134Similar to the above, some cards may say "for the rest of this turn", which means that you may still do something before activating the card or effect, but not after it.
4135 
4136Some cards may last "until the end of this turn/the next turn" or something similar, which means that it stops after it becomes the other player's turn.
4137 
4138Some cards also keep staying face-up for a specific amount of turns, such as "Swords of Revealing Light", that states "This card remains on the field for 3 of your opponent's turns."
4139 
4140It can be used when talking about turn count, which is a concept seen on the card "Pyro Clock of Destiny" that states "Move the turn count forward by 1 turn. The turn in which this card is activated continues as normal."
4141 
4142[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4143 
4144[i][b]"[i]Once per turn, during either player's turn, if you control no other monsters: You can Special Summon 1 "Fast-fighter" monster from your hand, then take 1000 damage. During the turn you activate this effect, you cannot Special Summon other monsters, except "Fast-fighter" monsters."[/i][/b][/i]
4145 
4146[i][b][i]"During your turn, except the turn this card was sent to the GY: You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 Spell/Trap in your GY; shuffle it into the Deck, then draw 1 card, also for the rest of the turn, you cannot activate Spell/Traps."[/i][/b][/i]
4147 
4148[i][b][i]"You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; it loses 500 ATK/DEF until the end of this turn, and if it does, this card gains ATK/DEF equal to that target's ATK/DEF. You can only use this effect of "Fearsome Bloodsucker" once per turn."[/i][/b][/i]
4149 
4150[i][b][i]"Move the turn count forward by 1 turn. The turn in which this card is activated continues as normal."[/i][/b][/i]
4151 
4152[i][b][i]"Inflict damage to your opponent equal to the number of your turns this card has been face-up on your field x 500."[/i][/b][/i]
4153 
4154[b]Related:
4155[i][i][i]Turns[/i][/i][/i][/b]
4156[/spoiler]
4157 
4158[spoiler=Type]
4159This is what you want to write when talking about Monster Types, while Monster Type can also be used, Type is used more often.
4160 
4161In case you mean a specific Type, you want to say something like "Warrior" written as such, never say "Warrior-Monster Type" though.
4162 
4163Do not get this confused with card type, which refers to Monster, Spell or Traps and Extra Deck monster card type, which refers to Fusion, Synchro and Xyz Monsters.
4164 
4165[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4166 
4167[i][b]"T[i]arget 2 monsters you control of the same Type with 1000 or less ATK; both monsters' Levels become the combined Level of those 2 monsters."[/i][/b][/i]
4168 
4169[i][i][b][i]"[i]Tribute 1 Xyz Monster; during this turn's End Phase, Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 "Number" Monster with the same Type as that monster, but 1 Rank lower."[/i][/i][/b][/i][/i]
4170 
4171[i][i][b][i][i]"Declare 2 Types; neither player can Special Summon monsters with the same Types until thte end of this turn."[/i][/i][/b][/i][/i]
4172 
4173[b]Related:
4174[i][i][i]Types[/i][/i][/i][/b]
4175[/spoiler]
4176 
4177[spoiler=unequip]
4178Used on Union Monsters and cards like Armory Arm.
4179 
4180Unequip doesn't really mean anything in reality, other than the equipped card is no longer equipped, so it moves from the Spell & Trap Zone to another place, though all monsters that use it Special Summon themselves so far.
4181 
4182[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4183[i][b]"[b][i]Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 face-up monster you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it.[/i][/b][/b][/i]
4184 
4185[i][b][b][i][i][b]"[b][i]Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 Machine monster you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it."[/i][/b][/b][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i]
4186 
4187[i][b][b]Related:
4188[i][i][i]equip[/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i]
4189[/spoiler]
4190 
4191[spoiler=Union]
4192What you see on Union monsters. When you refer to Union monsters, say Union monsters, not just Union.
4193 
4194[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4195[i][b]"[ Machine / Union / Effect ]"[/b][/i]
4196 
4197[i][b]"[ Aqua / Union / Spirit / Effect]"[/b][/i]
4198 
4199[i][b][i][b][b]Related:
4200[i][i][i]Union monster[/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i]
4201[/spoiler]
4202 
4203[spoiler=Union monster]
4204A subtype which equips themselves to monsters from the field. They give them both a protection, but may also have another effect while they're equipped.
4205 
4206They can Special Summon themselves while equipped to a monster.
4207 
4208Previously, Union monsters said that they could only be equipped to 1 monster at a time, that they Special Summon in Attack Position and that they would only protect from battle, though now they have made it so you can equip any number, they Special Summon in both positions and that they also protect from card effects.
4209 
4210[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4211[b][i]"Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 Machine monster you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it. A monster equipped with this card gains 500 ATK/DEF, also if the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, destroy this card instead."[/i][/b]
4212 
4213[i][b][i][i][b][i][b][b]Related:
4214[i][i][i]Union[/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/b][/i]
4215[/spoiler]
4216 
4217[spoiler=use]
4218Use is most commonly found when saying "You can only use this effect of "card name" once per turn". The difference between this and "activate" is that it doesn't matter if you negate the activation, you still cannot activate the card or effect again that turn. More details can be found in "20: Once per turn clauses".
4219 
4220Using is also quite common, mostly seen on cards related to Xyz Monsters when talking about using them as materials.
4221 
4222[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4223 
4224[i][b]"If there are no monsters on the field: You can Special Summon this card from your hand. You can only use this effect of "Sudden Appearance Ninja" once per turn."[/b][/i]
4225 
4226[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up Xyz Monster you control; this turn, you can use it as an material for an Xyz Summon using its Rank as if it were a Level (even if this card leaves the field)."[/b][/i]
4227 
4228[i][b]"During your Main Phase: You can target 1 face-up monster; change the battle position of that target. After you use this effect 3 times, destroy this card."[/b][/i]
4229 
4230[i][b]"Cannot be used as an material for an Xyz Summon, except for an Xyz Summon that uses 3 or more monsters as materials."[/b][/i]
4231 
4232[i][b]"An Xyz Monster that was Summoned using this card as an material gains this effect.
4233● If it is Xyz Summoned: Draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
4234 
4235 
4236[b][b][b][b]Related:[/b][/b][/b][/b]
4237[i][b][i][i][b][i][b][b][i][i][i]uses/using/used/unused[/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/b][/i]
4238[/spoiler]
4239 
4240[spoiler=used/unused]
4241Used and unused means that a Zone has or does not have a card in it or that it can or cannot be used, as seem on Ojama King and such.
4242 
4243Previously, "occupied and "unoccupied" were used, mostly for Senet-like cards though, which are quite old, so I suggest not using those anymore.
4244 
4245Used is sometimes also found when talking about cards which cannot be used for certain things, mostly Synchro or Xyz Summons.
4246 
4247Cards such as "Psi-Blocker" and "Prohibition" say that the whole card cannot be used, the things you can still do with it can be complicated, so to learn how those cards work, click[url=http://ygorganization.com/prohibition/] here.[/url]
4248 
4249[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4250 
4251[i][b]"Once per turn: You can choose 1 unused Main Monster Zone; while this card is face-up on the field, that Main Monster Zone cannot be used."[/b][/i]
4252 
4253[i][b]"Cannot be used as a material for a Summon."[/b][/i]
4254 
4255[i][b]"Once per turn: You can declare 1 card name; cards with that name, and their effects, cannot be used until the end of your opponent's next turn."[/b][/i]
4256 
4257[i][b]"Discard 1 Spell, then target 1 Spell in your opponent's GY; as this card's effect resolution, follow the target's card text as if you had used it yourself."[/b][/i]
4258 
4259[b]Related:[/b]
4260[i][b][i][b][i][i][b][i][b][b][i][i][i]use[/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/b][/i][/b][/i]
4261[/spoiler]
4262 
4263[spoiler=way]
4264Way is used when talking about when something happens a certain way. Previously, you used this on Special Summon only monsters that said "Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by banishing 2 DARK monsters from your GY, and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways" though now you don't say "and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways" anymore.
4265 
4266[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4267 
4268[i][b]"If a Synchro Monster is on the field, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can only Special Summon "Synkron Resonator" once per turn this way.[/b][/i]
4269 
4270[i][b]"You can Special Summon this card (from your hand or GY) by removing 6 Spell Counters from a "Magical Citadel of Endymion" you control. If Summoned this way: Target 1 Spell in your GY; add that target to your hand."[/b][/i]
4271 
4272[b]Related:[/b]
4273[i][b][i][b][i][b][i][i][b][i][b][b][i][i][i]ways[/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/b][/i][/b][/i][/b][/i]
4274[/spoiler]
4275 
4276[spoiler=when/if]
4277Some of the most commonly used words, explaining at what point something can happen, and if something can activate or be used when a condition is met.
4278 
4279Note that you don't want to use "when" if it isn't a Trigger Effect, as seen in the last example, since that grammatically makes no sense.
4280 
4281More details can be found in "5: Colon and Semi-Colon Integration and When/If".
4282 
4283[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4284 
4285[i][b]"When this card is Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 FIRE monster from your hand, except "Fire Lord Omega"[/b][/i]
4286 
4287[i][b]"If this card is destroyed by your opponent's card effect: Draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
4288 
4289[i][b]"If you control no Spell/Traps, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by banishing 1 Spell/Trap from your GY."[/b][/i]
4290[/spoiler]
4291 
4292[spoiler=while]
4293While is a common term, typically used for Continuous Effects, or in conditions such as "If this card is Special Summoned while you control no other monsters: You can...".
4294 
4295It's important to note that you don't always want to say "while" in conditions, but rather "if" instead. For example, you don't want to say "While you control a FIRE monster: You can", since the condition here depends on "if" you control the FIRE monster at all. Same goes for Trigger Effects, you don't want to say "While this card is sent to the GY", you want to use "if" or "when" instead.
4296 
4297Sometimes you may see it in an effect, such as the second example below, in this case, it means that it Continuously targets while that card is face-up, so if it becomes negates, that effect stops.
4298 
4299[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4300 
4301[b][i]"While you control no Spell/Traps, this card cannot be destroyed by card effects."[/i][/b]
4302 
4303[b][i]"Once per turn: You can target 1 other "Archfiend" monster you control; while this card is face-up on the field, that target gains 500 ATK/DEF."[/i][/b]
4304 
4305[b][i]"If this card is sent to the GY while you control no monsters: You can draw 1 card."[/i][/b]
4306[/spoiler]
4307 
4308[spoiler=Xyz Material]
4309An Xyz Material is the card(s) you put under a Xyz Monster when you Xyz Summon, this is called attaching an Xyz Material to an Xyz Monster.
4310 
4311You must put the requirement stated on the Xyz Monster under it, no more, no less (unless it says that you can do that).
4312 
4313You detach Xyz Materials, either as a cost to activate an effect of that Xyz Monster, though sometimes it can be an effect as well, such as with "Acid Golem".
4314 
4315You cannot use Tokens as Xyz Material, but Trap monsters can be used, and with card effects, Spell/Traps can also be attached to them.
4316 
4317Xyz Materials are not on the field, they exists in "limbo", meaning that if the Xyz Monster leaves the field they get sent to the GY by game mechanics.
4318 
4319Xyz Materials can exist on a face-down Xyz Monster, but not on one in the Spell & Trap Zone, nor anywhere that isn't in the Monster Zone.
4320 
4321An important update is that Xyz Material isn't used the same way it was before, now you simply say material instead. I have included the change below, as the way you use it is the same as before and some cards still use, such as Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon,  Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Photon Dragon and Bujintei Tsukuyomi, as seen below on the first three cards (I believe the reason being that they refer to specific cards as their Xyz Material, but that's my personal guess)
4322 
4323[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4324 
4325[i][b]"If this card has a "Raidraptor" Xyz Monster as Xyz Material, it is unaffected by other cards' effects."[/b][/i]
4326 
4327[i][b]"Any battle damage this card inflicts to your opponent is halved unless it has "Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon" as Xyz Material."[/b][/i]
4328 
4329[i][b]"When this card you controlled while face-up leaves the field because of an opponent's card effect: You can target Level 4 Beast-Warrior "Bujin" monsters in your GY, up to the number of Xyz Materials this card had on the field; Special Summon those targets."[/b][/i]
4330 
4331[i][b]"Once per turn, during either player's turn: You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 face-up monster on the field; this turn, its effects are negated, but it is unaffected by other card effects."[/b][/i]
4332 
4333[i][b]"Cannot be destroyed by card effects while it has material."[/b][/i]
4334 
4335[i][b]"Each Xyz Monster on the field gains 300 ATK/DEF for each material attached to it."[/b][/i]
4336 
4337[i][b]"[b][i]You can detach 2 materials from this card, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; its ATK becomes half its current ATK, and if it does, this card gains that lost ATK."[/i][/b][/b][/i]
4338 
4339[i][b][b][i][i][b]"An Xyz Monster that was Summoned using this card as a material gains this effect.
4340● If it is Xyz Summoned: Draw 1 card."[/b][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i]
4341 
4342[b]Related:[/b]
4343[i][b][i][b][i][i][b][i][b][b][i][i][i]material/Xyz Materials/Xyz Monster/Xyz Summon[/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/b][/i][/b][/i]
4344[/spoiler]
4345 
4346[spoiler=Xyz Monster]
4347An Xyz Monster is a monster that belongs in the Extra Deck. Xyz Monsters have Ranks, and unlike other monsters cannot be used for a Synchro Summon, and you cannot use any card that talks about Levels with them.
4348 
4349Like any other Extra Deck monster, they must first be Xyz Summoned before you can Summon them again from the GY or while banished.
4350 
4351[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4352 
4353[i][b]"Once per turn, if an Xyz Monster on the field is destroyed by battle: You can draw 1 card."[/b][/i]
4354 
4355[i][b]"Xyz Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects."[/b][/i]
4356 
4357[b]Related:[/b]
4358[i][b][i][b][i][i][b][i][b][b][i][i][i][i][b][i][b][i][i][b][i][b][b][i][i][i]Xyz Monsters[/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/b][/i][/b][/i]/Xyz Material/Xyz Summon[/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/b][/i][/b][/i]
4359[/spoiler]
4360 
4361[spoiler=Xyz Summon]
4362An Xyz Summon is a form of Special Summon that requires you to put (called attach) 2 monsters of the same Level on each other (called materials) and then put the Xyz Monster from your Extra Deck on top of them, sometimes more depending on what the Xyz Monster says and sometimes with other requirements.
4363 
4364You must put the requirement amount stated on the Xyz Monster under it, no more; no less (unless  it says that you can do that).
4365 
4366Xyz Summons don't start a Chain, like Synchro Summons or Pendulum Summons. Only when you use another card to Xyz Summon, such as the "Rank-Up Magic" cards do you start a Chain.
4367 
4368[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4369 
4370[i][b]"Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up Xyz Monster you control; this turn, you can use it as an material for an Xyz Summon using its Rank as if it were a Level (even if this card leaves the field)."[/b][/i]
4371 
4372[i][b]"If either player Xyz Summons this turn, they cannot activate Spell/Trap Cards during their next turn."[/b][/i]
4373 
4374[i][b]"When this card is Xyz Summoned: You can destroy all Synchro Monsters on the field."[/b][/i]
4375 
4376[i][b]"You can treat this card as 2 monsters when Xyz Summoning an Xyz Monster requiring 3 monsters."[/b][/i]
4377 
4378[i][b]Related:[/b]
4379[i][b][i][b][i][i][b][i][b][b][i][i][i][i][b][i][b][i][i][b][i][b][b][i][i][i][i][i][b][i][b][i][i][b][i][b][b][i][i][i]Xyz Summons/Xyz Summoned/Xyz Summoning[/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][i][i][b][i][b][i][i][b][i][b][b][i][i][i][i][b][i][b][i][i][b][i][b][b][i][i][i]/Xyz Monster[/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/b][/i][/b][/i]/Xyz Material[/i][/i][/i][/b][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i][/b][/i][/b][/i][/i]
4380[/spoiler]
4381 
4382[spoiler=zone]
4383This term is used when talking about Link Monster pointing to a zone. Keep in mind that this is not capitalized like Main Monster Zone is.
4384 
4385[b]Example of Usage:[/b]
4386 
4387[i][b]"Once per turn: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from your hand to your zone this card points to."[/b][/i]
4388 
4389[b]Related:
4390[i]Main Monster Zone/Extra Monster Zone/Monster Zone/Spell & Trap Zone/Field Zone/Pendulum Zone[/i][/b]
4391[/spoiler]
4392[/spoiler]
4393 
4394[hr]
4395 
4396[spoiler=40: OCG Quiz]
4397I have made a quiz that you should be able to answer correctly after reading this thread through. It may be outdated, so let me know if you spot any mistakes. Take it here:
4398 
4399[url=https://testmoz.com/319026]https://testmoz.com/319026[/url]
4400[/spoiler]