Can You Special Summon Link Monsters From the Grave? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, you absolutely can Special Summon Link Monsters from the Graveyard, but there’s a crucial caveat! A Link Monster must first be properly Link Summoned to the field before it can be Special Summoned from the GY. Think of it as a “graduation requirement” – it needs to “graduate” from the Extra Deck via a Link Summon before being eligible for resurrection. If a Link Monster ends up in the Graveyard without being properly summoned first (for example, being discarded directly from the Extra Deck), it’s stuck there. This is a fundamental rule that applies to most Special Summon-only monsters in Yu-Gi-Oh!. Let’s delve into the nuances of this rule and explore related concepts.
Link Summoning Basics
Before we dive deeper, let’s quickly recap Link Summoning. Link Monsters reside in the Extra Deck and are Special Summoned by sending face-up monsters you control to the Graveyard as Link Materials. Each Link Monster has a Link Rating, indicating how many materials are required. A regular monster counts as one material, but certain Link Monsters can count as their Link Rating (e.g., a Link-2 monster can count as two materials if used for a Link-3 or higher monster).
Link Monsters are unique because they don’t have a DEF stat and cannot be in Defense Position. Their most distinguishing feature is their Link Arrows, which point to Main Monster Zones. These arrows are crucial for Extra Deck summoning mechanics and can influence card effects. Understanding these basics is vital to grasping the revival rules.
The “Properly Summoned” Clause
The key to understanding Special Summoning from the Graveyard lies in the phrase “properly summoned.” Many Special Summon-only monsters, including Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, Ritual, and Link Monsters, have this requirement. The rule essentially ensures that these monsters can only be revived if they were summoned according to their intended summoning method at least once. This prevents players from circumventing the intended summoning procedure and abusing revival cards like Monster Reborn or Call of the Haunted.
FAQs: Unveiling the Mysteries of Link Monster Revival
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that shed further light on the revival of Link Monsters and related mechanics:
1. What happens if a Link Monster is sent directly from the Extra Deck to the Graveyard without being summoned?
If a Link Monster is sent directly to the Graveyard (e.g., by a card effect like Foolish Burial Goods or Twin Twisters targeting a set card that turns out to be a Link Monster), it cannot be Special Summoned from the Graveyard, even if you later meet its summoning requirements. The initial failure to properly summon it taints its eligibility for revival.
2. Can a Link Monster be Special Summoned from the Banished Zone?
Similar to the Graveyard, a Link Monster can only be Special Summoned from the Banished Zone if it was properly summoned before being banished. Cards like Pot of Desires can banish properly summoned Link Monsters, and cards like Return from the Different Dimension can bring them back.
3. How does this “properly summoned” rule apply to Ritual Monsters?
Ritual Monsters operate under the same principle. They must be Ritual Summoned first using a Ritual Spell Card. If a Ritual Monster is discarded or sent to the Graveyard from the hand without being properly summoned, it cannot be Special Summoned from the Graveyard.
4. Can you Special Summon a Fusion Monster from the Graveyard?
Yes, Fusion Monsters can be Special Summoned from the Graveyard if they were first properly Fusion Summoned using a Fusion Spell Card like Polymerization or a card effect like Contact Fusion.
5. Does Link Summoning count as a Special Summon?
Absolutely. Link Summoning is a type of Special Summon, just like Fusion Summoning, Synchro Summoning, Xyz Summoning, and Pendulum Summoning. All Extra Deck Summons are forms of Special Summons.
6. What happens if a Link Monster is destroyed by battle before its Link Summon is complete?
This scenario is impossible. The Link Summon is completed when the Link Materials are sent to the Graveyard, and the Link Monster is successfully summoned to the field. The only time a Link Summon would “fail” is if the summon itself is negated by cards such as Solemn Judgment or Solemn Strike. If the summon resolves, then the Link Monster has been “properly summoned”.
7. Can you use a Link-4 monster as material for another Link-4 monster?
No, you generally cannot use a Link-4 monster as the sole material for another Link-4 monster. This is due to the material requirements for Link Summons. A Link-4 can be used as a single material, but you’ll need additional materials to fulfill the Link-4 requirement. Some cards may have exceptions to this rule, check the card’s text.
8. Are Link Monsters sent to the Graveyard when used as Link Material?
Yes. When a Link Monster (or any other monster) is used as Link Material, it is sent to the Graveyard (unless a card effect states otherwise).
9. Can you Pendulum Summon Link Monsters?
You can use Pendulum Monsters as Link Materials, and they will go to the Extra Deck face-up instead of the Graveyard. However, you cannot Pendulum Summon Link Monsters from the Extra Deck to the Main Monster Zones unless a Link Monster‘s arrow points to that Main Monster Zone or unless you summon to the Extra Monster Zone.
10. Can you Special Summon a Link Monster in Defense Position?
No. Link Monsters have no DEF and cannot be in Defense Position. They are always in Attack Position. This limitation is a key characteristic of Link Monsters.
11. Can Eater of Millions be used for a Link Summon?
Yes, Eater of Millions can be used as material for a Link Summon because its effect that switches control of a monster can be activated.
12. Can you Link Summon with Scapegoat tokens?
Yes, but not on the same turn you activate Scapegoat. The tokens can be used as Link Material on a subsequent turn.
13. What is an Extra Link, and is it legal?
An Extra Link is a specific field configuration where you control a chain of linked Link Monsters that connect your Extra Monster Zone to your opponent’s Extra Monster Zone. Extra Linking is a complex strategy that is legal, but highly dependent on the current ban list.
14. What is the highest Link Rating monster?
The Five-Headed Link Dragon has the highest Link Rating with a Link Rating of 5.
15. Can you use your opponent’s Link Arrows to Special Summon?
You cannot summon to your opponent’s field. You may only use the opponent’s Link Arrows to determine summon locations on your field.
Concluding Thoughts
Understanding the rules surrounding the Special Summoning of Link Monsters from the Graveyard (and banished zone) is crucial for competitive Yu-Gi-Oh! play. Remember the “properly summoned” clause, and be mindful of the interactions between card effects and summoning mechanics. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions and optimize your plays. Good luck dueling! Also, make sure to visit the Games Learning Society website for more education on gaming and education: GamesLearningSociety.org.