Can You Tribute Monsters That Are Face Down?
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The answer to the question of whether you can tribute monsters that are face down is yes, as long as the player controls the face-down monster and the card or effect does not specify otherwise, such as in the case of Forbidden Arts of the Gishki, which forces the player to tribute face-up monsters. This tributing mechanic is a fundamental part of the game, allowing players to use face-down monsters as tributes for summoning other monsters, as long as the card specifically says “Tribute” and not just “send“.
Understanding the Tributing Mechanic
To fully comprehend the rules surrounding face-down monsters and tributing, it’s essential to dive into the specifics of how the tributing mechanic works and address common questions that arise during gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do Tribute Summons Have to Be Face Up?
Tribute Summons follow the same position rules as Normal Summons, meaning a monster can be Tribute Summoned in either face-up attack or face-down defense position.
2. Can You Tribute a Face-Down Monster for Crush Card Virus?
Yes, a face-down monster can be tributed for activating Crush Card Virus, as the cost for its activation is tributing a DARK monster with 1000 or less ATK.
3. Can You Tribute Effect Monsters?
Effect Monsters can be tributed for Normal Summons or Special Summons using the effect of a Spell, Trap, or another Effect Monster Card.
4. Can Monsters Unaffected by Card Effects Be Tributed?
Even if a monster is unaffected by Spell effects, it can still be tributed for a Tribute Summon, as the Tribute Summon itself is not an effect that affects the monster.
5. What Happens if You Tribute a Pendulum Monster?
When a Pendulum Monster is tributed, it first goes to the Graveyard and then is sent to the Extra Deck, unlike when they are sent from the hand or deck.
6. What Can You Do with Face-Down Monsters?
Face-down cards on the field can be looked at by their controller at any time but cannot be looked at by their opponent, and Monster Cards can be Normal Set in face-down Defense Position.
7. Can You Tribute Summon a Card Face-Down?
Tribute Summons can be performed with monsters in face-down Defense Position, but the monster being summoned must be level 5 or higher.
8. What Happens When a Face-Down Monster Is Attacked?
If a face-down monster is attacked, it is flipped face-up before any modifications to ATK/DEF can activate, and any Trigger Effects that activate by being flipped face-up do not activate yet.
9. What Is the Rule for Tribute Summon?
Any monster of Level 5 or higher requires a Tribute Summon, with Level 5 or 6 monsters requiring one tribute and Level 7 or higher monsters requiring two tributes.
10. How Many Tributes Does Blue Eyes Need?
Blue Eyes White Dragon, being a Level 8 monster, requires two tributes to be Tribute Summoned.
11. Do Level 10 Monsters Require 3 Tributes?
Level 10 monsters do not necessarily require three tributes unless the card’s summoning conditions or an effect specifically requires it.
12. Can You Use Face-Down Monsters to Xyz Summon?
No, Xyz Materials must be face-up before they can be used for an Xyz Summon.
13. What Are the Rules for Face-Down Cards in Yugioh?
Face-down cards do not obligate their controller to disclose any details to their opponent, and Monster Effects cannot be activated face-down unless specified on the card.
14. Can You Tribute Face-Down Monsters with Lair of Darkness?
No, face-down monsters cannot be tributed by the controller of Lair of Darkness because their attribute is considered unknown.
15. Can I Tribute the Same Turn I Summon?
Yes, you can tribute the same turn you summon, but remember that a Tribute Summon counts as a Normal Summon, and you can’t Normal Summon and then Tribute Summon in the same turn unless allowed by a card effect.