Can Sphere Mode Be Tributed? A Yu-Gi-Oh! Deep Dive
Yes, The Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode can indeed be tributed. While on the field, Sphere Mode itself cannot be targeted for attacks or card effects by your opponent, but this does not prevent it from being tributed. This is because tributing is considered a cost, not targeting. Understanding how and why Sphere Mode can be tributed opens up a world of strategic possibilities in Yu-Gi-Oh!
Understanding Sphere Mode’s Role
The Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode serves as a disruptive force. You Tribute Summon it by tributing 3 monsters on either side of the field. It cannot be Special Summoned normally, but can be Special Summoned via card effects that ignore its Summoning Conditions. Furthermore, it shifts control back to the owner during the end phase of the next turn after it was summoned. While it’s on the field under your opponent’s control, they can’t attack it or target it with card effects, making it a temporary defensive wall.
Why Can It Be Tributed?
The crucial aspect here is the distinction between targeting and cost. Sphere Mode’s protection only prevents targeting. Tribute Summoning, activating card effects that require tributing, or Fusion Summoning that requires tributing is not considered targeting, but as paying a cost. Therefore, you or your opponent can tribute Sphere Mode. Here are a few examples:
- Tribute Summoning: You can tribute Sphere Mode for another high-level monster.
- Card Effects: Many cards require a tribute as part of their activation cost (e.g. “Lava Golem” tributing monsters for its Summon).
- Fusion Summoning: Sphere Mode can be used as material for a Fusion Summon if the card states tribute.
Strategic Implications
Knowing that Sphere Mode can be tributed offers various tactical options:
- Breaking Stalemate: If Sphere Mode is hindering your opponent’s plays, tributing it as cost for a card or tribute summoning a monster is an effective way to remove it.
- Advancing Your Game: Utilize the tributing to summon monsters with powerful effects or large attack power, thus gaining an advantage.
- Defensive Maneuvers: Depending on the situation, if you get Sphere Mode back to your side of the field, you can use it as tribute fodder to prevent your opponent from using card effects or tributing it themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Sphere Mode and tributing, along with detailed answers:
1. Can Ra’s Disciple be tributed for Sphere Mode?
No. Ra’s Disciple has the restriction: “Cannot be Tributed, except for the Tribute Summon of “Slifer the Sky Dragon”, “Obelisk the Tormentor”, or “The Winged Dragon of Ra””. Sphere Mode is a different form of “The Winged Dragon of Ra”, and thus Ra’s Disciple cannot be tributed for it.
2. Can you attack Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode?
No. The Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode states: “Your opponent cannot target this card for attacks or by card effects”. Therefore, attacking it directly is prohibited.
3. What counts as a Tribute Summon?
Any monster of Level 5 or higher requires a Tribute Summon. Monsters that are Level 5 or 6 require one monster to be tributed, while monsters of Level 7 or higher require two monsters to be tributed.
4. Can you Special Summon Winged Dragon of Ra?
Yes, but not the Sphere Mode directly. You can utilize card effects like the effect from the card that mentions “…this turn, you can Special Summon “The Winged Dragon of Ra” from your GY with “Monster Reborn”, ignoring its Summoning conditions.”
5. Is The Winged Dragon of Ra stronger than Exodia?
It’s a subjective debate. Exodia’s lore suggests infinite power due to being trapped with a seal and separated into 5 parts, whereas Ra’s power comes from ancient texts and is largely unknown. It ultimately depends on the specific scenario and interpretation of their lore.
6. Is Sphere Mode a Tribute Summon?
Yes. Normal Summoning “The Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode” requires you to Tribute Summon it, either to your Monster Zone or your opponent’s Monster Zone.
7. Can I tribute the same turn I summon?
Yes, but keep in mind that a Tribute Summon counts as your Normal Summon. Unless you have a card effect that allows you to Normal Summon multiple times, you can’t Normal Summon and then Tribute Summon in the same turn.
8. Does Special Summoning count as tributing?
No. A Ritual Summon is a type of Special Summon, and a Tribute Summon is a type of Normal Summon. These are distinct methods.
9. Can you attack directly if Sphere Mode is on the field?
It depends on the field and the other cards. Sphere Mode itself cannot attack, and your opponent cannot target it for attacks. Sphere Mode protects itself from being attacked, but doesn’t prevent direct attacks if no other monsters are on the field.
10. Can Monster Reborn be used on Winged Dragon of Ra?
Normally no, but yes. Due to the card restriction, Monster Reborn cannot be used on Winged Dragon of Ra, UNLESS you use cards with effects such as, “…this turn, you can Special Summon “The Winged Dragon of Ra” from your GY with “Monster Reborn”, ignoring its Summoning conditions”.
11. Can Winged Dragon of Ra be destroyed by traps?
Yes. Compared to its anime counterpart and Obelisk, Ra has no innate protection from spells, traps, or other effects. It is vulnerable to most card effects unless stated otherwise.
12. Can Obelisk be tributed?
Yes. After Obelisk is on the field, you can tribute it, along with 2 other monsters, to destroy all your opponent’s monsters.
13. Can you tribute summon Scapegoat?
A tribute summons is only a normal summons. Scapegoats can be tributed for a special summons.
14. Can you tribute a face-down monster?
Yes. You can always tribute your own face-down monsters, even if the tribute relies on factors which would not be public knowledge (e.g., it’s a DARK monster face-down for a tribute requiring a DARK monster).
15. Can Sphere Mode Summon Immortal Phoenix?
Yes. Immortal Phoenix sends itself to the Graveyard during the End Phase and allows you to Special Summon Ra Sphere Mode from your hand, Deck, or Graveyard. While Sphere Mode normally can’t be Special Summoned, Immortal Phoenix ignores that Summoning Condition.
Games Learning Society
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Conclusion
Understanding that Sphere Mode can be tributed, even with its protective effect, is crucial for mastering Yu-Gi-Oh! This knowledge unlocks diverse strategic options, allowing you to break stalemates, advance your game, and outmaneuver your opponents. So, the next time you face The Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode, remember its limitations and exploit them for victory!