Can You Banish Obelisk the Tormentor? A Deep Dive into God Card Removal

Yes, Obelisk the Tormentor can be banished, but only under specific circumstances. While he boasts protection from targeting, he isn’t completely invincible. Understanding how to banish this powerful God card is crucial for competitive Yu-Gi-Oh! play.

Understanding Obelisk’s Protections and Weaknesses

Obelisk the Tormentor is a formidable monster due to its high ATK/DEF and the effect that makes it untargetable. This protection, however, only extends to targeting effects. Non-targeting removal is the key to getting rid of him. Banishment, as a form of removal, can be achieved through effects that don’t target.

Key Methods for Banishing Obelisk

Several card effects can banish Obelisk the Tormentor. Examples include:

• Non-Targeting Banishment Spells/Traps: Cards like “Dimensional Fissure” (if face-up on the field before Obelisk is summoned) or “Macro Cosmos” can force all monsters sent to the GY to be banished instead. This is a preventative measure that is established before Obelisk’s summon.

• Cards That Banish All Cards on the Field: Certain powerful cards like “Evenly Matched” can banish cards on the field. While your opponent gets to choose one card to keep, it effectively removes Obelisk if he is one of the options. The downside is your opponent gets to make the choice, which can hurt sometimes.

• Cost-Based Banishment: Some cards require you to banish a monster as a cost to activate their effects. If Obelisk is in the Graveyard, and a card like “Burial From a Different Dimension” is used, Obelisk can be banished from the Graveyard to return a banished monster to the Graveyard.

Banishment Considerations

It’s important to note that Obelisk’s immunity to targeting only applies to effects that specifically choose him as the target. Effects that banish cards generally or affect the entire field bypass this protection. It’s also key to remember the timing of card activations and resolutions when facing Obelisk. Always carefully read the card text.

Frequently Asked Questions About Obelisk the Tormentor

Here are 15 FAQs to further clarify the intricacies of dealing with Obelisk the Tormentor.

1. Can Obelisk be destroyed by battle?

Yes, Obelisk the Tormentor can be destroyed by battle. His protection only applies to card effects that target him. A monster with sufficient ATK can defeat him in battle.

2. Can Obelisk be destroyed by card effects like Dark Hole or Torrential Tribute?

Yes, Obelisk can be destroyed by card effects such as “Dark Hole” or “Torrential Tribute”. These cards do not target, affecting all monsters on the field simultaneously, thus bypassing his targeting immunity.

3. Can Obelisk be targeted in the Graveyard?

Yes, Obelisk can be targeted in the Graveyard. His “cannot be targeted” effect only applies while he is on the field. So, cards that can target monsters in the Graveyard can be used to interact with him there.

4. Is Obelisk affected by “Swords of Revealing Light”?

Yes. Obelisk’s effect is limited to not being able to be targeted by effects. Swords of Revealing Light, doesn’t target.

5. Can Obelisk be targeted by card effects if another effect is negating his effects?

Yes. If a card like “Skill Drain” is active and negating Obelisk’s effects, he loses his protection from targeting and can be targeted by card effects.

6. Can Obelisk be banished by “Evenly Matched”?

Yes, “Evenly Matched” can banish Obelisk. This card forces the opponent to banish cards from their field face-down until they control only one. Since it doesn’t target, Obelisk’s protection is bypassed. It is up to your opponent to keep Obelisk.

7. Can “Forbidden Droplet” weaken and remove Obelisk?

Yes, Forbidden Droplet can weaken Obelisk and remove him from the board. Forbidden Droplet is not a targeting effect, and as such Obelisk is affected by it. Droplet sends cards from your field to the Graveyard. Obelisk will also be affected by the ATK reduction. You can use Droplet to reduce his ATK to zero, making him vulnerable to battle.

8. Can “Kaiju” monsters tribute Obelisk?

Yes, Kaiju monsters tribute the opponents monster as a cost. Cards that tribute the opponent’s monster as a cost can get rid of Obelisk.

9. Can “Lava Golem” tribute Obelisk?

Yes, Lava Golem requires you to tribute two monsters your opponent controls.

10. Is there any way to negate Obelisk the Tormentor?

Yes, Obelisk’s effects can be negated by cards like “Skill Drain” (which negates all monster effects while face-up on the field), “Effect Veiler” (if activated during your opponent’s Main Phase), or “Infinite Impermanence” (if set on the field). Once his effects are negated, he loses his targeting protection.

11. Can “Super Polymerization” use Obelisk as Fusion Material?

Yes. Super Polymerization can use an opponents monster.

12. Can Obelisk be banished if “Macro Cosmos” is active?

Yes, if “Macro Cosmos” is active, all cards sent to the Graveyard are banished instead. This means Obelisk would be banished if destroyed by battle or a non-targeting effect.

13. Does banishing Obelisk from the Extra Monster Zone work the same as from the Main Monster Zone?

Yes. His protections are on field, regardless of the zone.

14. Can Obelisk be banished by a card that returns all cards on the field to the hand?

No. Obelisk is not banished in that case.

15. Does tributing Obelisk get rid of his targeting protection?

Yes. He is no longer on the field to be able to be targeted.

Conclusion: Mastering Obelisk Removal

While Obelisk the Tormentor presents a significant challenge due to its targeting protection, understanding its weaknesses and employing the right removal strategies is crucial for any duelist. Non-targeting effects and effect negation are the primary tools to overcome this powerful God card. Remember to always read card effects carefully and plan your moves strategically. You can learn more about game strategy and educational gaming on the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.