Do Ritual Monsters Have to be Ritual Summoned?

Ritual Monsters must be Ritually Summoned before they can be Special Summoned by any other effect, meaning that they cannot be Normal Summoned or Tribute Summoned from the hand and cannot be Special Summoned from the Graveyard or while banished unless they were first Ritually Summoned. This is because Ritual Monsters are Special Summon-only monsters, and their card text typically comprises only the monster’s Ritual Summoning condition, indicating the required Ritual Spell Card and tribute monsters needed for the Ritual Summon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding Ritual Summoning

1. Can you special summon a ritual monster without ritual summoning?: No, Ritual Monsters cannot be Special Summoned without first being Ritually Summoned, unless specified by a card effect like Waking the Dragon.
2. Can you ritual summon without a ritual spell?: No, Ritual Monsters can only be Special Summoned when their corresponding Ritual Spell Card has been activated.
3. Is ritual summon normal or special?: A Ritual Summon is a type of Special Summon, distinct from Normal Summons and Tribute Summons.

Ritual Summoning Mechanics

4. Can ritual monsters be pendulum summoned?: Yes, Ritual Pendulum Monsters can exist in the hand and be placed in a Pendulum Zone as a Pendulum Scale, enabling Pendulum Summons.
5. Can waking the dragon summon a ritual monster?: Yes, Waking the Dragon can Special Summon a Ritual Monster without Ritual Summoning, provided the monster does not have a “must be” or “first” Ritual Summon clause.
6. Can you ghost ogre a pendulum?: Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit can destroy a Pendulum Monster in the Pendulum Zone, negating its Pendulum effect.

Ritual Summon Requirements

7. What are the requirements for a ritual summon?: To Ritually Summon, you need the Ritual Monster and an appropriate Ritual Spell Card in your hand, with the Spell Card specifying the required tribute monsters.
8. How does ritual of summoning work?: The Ritual of Summoning involves playing a Ritual Spell Card, tributing the required monsters, and then Special Summoning the Ritual Monster.
9. Are ritual summons good?: While Rituals are often considered the weakest type of Monster Card, they can be very powerful when used effectively.

Interactions with Other Cards

10. Can any spell be cast as a ritual?: No, not every spell can be cast via ritual casting; only spells tagged as rituals can be cast this way.
11. Can ritual monsters be revived?: Yes, Ritual Monsters can be Special Summoned by cards like Monster Reborn or Return from the Different Dimension after being Ritually Summoned and destroyed or removed.
12. Can you use scapegoat to ritual summon?: Yes, Scapegoat tokens can be used for Ritual Summons and Toon Summons, as these are considered Special Summons.

Advanced Topics

13. Does ritual summon start a chain?: Yes, every Ritual Summon starts a chain, making it difficult to negate the Summon itself, but the Ritual Spell Card can be negated.
14. Can you use XYZ monster to ritual summon?: No, Xyz Monsters and Link Monsters cannot be Tributed for a Ritual Summon because they do not have Levels.
15. Can you call of the haunted a ritual monster?: Yes, a Ritual Monster can be Special Summoned by Call of the Haunted after being properly Ritually Summoned, sent to the Graveyard, and then Special Summoned back to the field.