Are Link Monsters Sent to the Graveyard? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, Link Monsters are sent to the Graveyard under various circumstances, similar to other monster card types in Yu-Gi-Oh!. However, there are specific rules and nuances regarding their treatment and interactions with the Graveyard, especially concerning their Special Summoning and placement after being sent there. This guide will delve into the specifics of when and how Link Monsters end up in the Graveyard, and what implications that holds for gameplay.
When Do Link Monsters End Up in the Graveyard?
Link Monsters, like any other monster card, can find their way to the Graveyard through a variety of common game actions:
- Destruction: If a Link Monster is destroyed by battle or by a card effect, it is sent to the Graveyard.
- Link Summoning: The Link Materials used to Link Summon a Link Monster are sent to the Graveyard as part of the summoning process.
- Tributing: A Link Monster can be tributed for card effects or summons, which sends it to the Graveyard. (Note: Link monsters cannot be tribute summoned for high-level monsters.)
- Discarding: If a card effect forces you to discard a Link Monster from your hand (though they cannot normally exist in the hand), it would be sent to the Extra Deck instead of the Graveyard.
- Card Effects: Certain card effects explicitly send monsters to the Graveyard.
- Banishing: If a Link Monster is sent to the banished zone, it is not sent to the graveyard. This is important because some cards and effects care about where the card went.
Special Considerations for Link Monsters and the Graveyard
While Link Monsters can be sent to the Graveyard, their presence there isn’t always straightforward. Here’s where it gets more intricate:
- Properly Summoned: A crucial rule dictates whether you can Special Summon a Link Monster from the Graveyard. Only if a Link Monster was properly Link Summoned first (correct materials, legal summon, and not negated) can it be Special Summoned from the Graveyard. This rule is in place to prevent cheating the summoning conditions.
- Extra Deck Placement: Link Monsters reside in the Extra Deck. They cannot be in the Main Deck or hand. If a card effect would move a Link Monster to the hand or Main Deck, it is returned to the Extra Deck instead.
- No Defense Position: Link Monsters do not have a DEF stat and cannot be placed in Defense Position, nor can they be flipped face-down. This affects which cards can be used and how they interact in battle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Link Monsters and the Graveyard
Here are some frequently asked questions about Link Monsters and the Graveyard to further clarify any confusion and provide practical examples.
Q1: Can I Special Summon a Link Monster from the Graveyard if it was destroyed before I could use its effect?
A: Yes, as long as the Link Monster was properly Link Summoned onto the field before being destroyed, you can Special Summon it from the Graveyard later, assuming there are no other restrictions.
Q2: If I use a card like “Monster Reborn” to Special Summon a Link Monster from the Graveyard, where does it go?
A: It is Special Summoned to one of your Main Monster Zones. It does not need to be in a zone a link monster points to because it is not being summoned from the extra deck.
Q3: What happens if a Link Monster is sent to the hand?
A: Link Monsters cannot exist in the hand. If a card effect would send a Link Monster to your hand, it is returned to the Extra Deck instead.
Q4: Does using a Link Monster as Link Material count as sending it to the Graveyard?
A: Yes. Using a Link Monster as Link Material for another Link Summon involves sending it to the Graveyard as part of the summoning process.
Q5: Can I use a face-down monster as Link Material?
A: No, a monster used as Link Material for a Link Summon must be face-up in the Monster Zone. You cannot use face-down monsters.
Q6: If a Link Monster is banished, can it be brought back to the field?
A: Yes, if the Link Monster was properly summoned first, and the effect used to special summon it back can special summon from the banished zone.
Q7: Does banishing a Link Monster count as sending it to the Graveyard?
A: No, banishing a monster is different from sending it to the Graveyard. Banished monsters are removed from play (though they may be recoverable depending on other card effects).
Q8: Can I use a Link-2 monster as two materials for a Link-4 Summon?
A: No, a link 2 is only worth 1 material.
Q9: What happens if I try to equip a Link Monster with an Equip Spell Card that requires DEF?
A: Since Link Monsters do not have DEF, they generally cannot be equipped with Equip Spell Cards that require a DEF stat.
Q10: Can I tribute a Link Monster for a Tribute Summon?
A: Yes, you can tribute a Link Monster to Tribute Summon a higher-level monster. Note that this does not apply to high level tribute summons, as Link monsters are summoned, not normal or set.
Q11: What is the strongest Link Monster in Yu-Gi-Oh!, and why?
A: “Five-Headed Link Dragon” has the highest ATK of all Link Monsters, with 5000 ATK. It also has the highest number of required Link Materials of all Link Monsters, requiring 5 monsters. Other contenders often include Firewall Dragon, Borreload Dragon, and similar high-impact Link Monsters. Their power stems from their strong effects and ability to control the game.
Q12: Why do Link Monsters have arrows, and what do they do?
A: Link Arrows indicate which Monster Zones a Link Monster’s effects influence. If a Link Arrow points to a zone with a monster in it, those monsters are “linked.” Monsters with arrows pointing to each other are “co-linked,” which can trigger additional effects. This adds another layer of strategic depth.
Q13: Can you negate an XYZ summon?
A: Anything that says (where it’s Summoned from) in parentheses can be negated by cards that “negate the Summon”. Xyz Summons can be negated. The summon of a Link monster can be negated as well.
Q14: Is sending to the graveyard destroying?
A: A card is destroyed when it is sent to the Graveyard due to battle between monsters or by an effect that destroys a card. A card that is returned from the field to the hand or Deck, or, that is sent to the Graveyard as a cost or Tribute, is NOT considered “destroyed”.
Q15: Does tribute count as sent to the graveyard?
A: Yes. Tribute is usually a way of voluntarily sending a card from the field to the Graveyard, often used to activate a card effect or perform a Summon. When you tribute a card it is not considered destroyed.
Understanding the intricacies of Link Monsters and their relationship with the Graveyard is crucial for successful Yu-Gi-Oh! gameplay. The “properly summoned” rule and their unique Extra Deck mechanics add strategic depth, making Link Monsters a powerful and complex addition to the game. For more information on the intricacies of gaming and learning, explore the resources available at the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org.