Do Synchro Monsters Go to the Graveyard? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, Synchro Monsters typically go to the Graveyard when they are destroyed in battle or by card effects, just like most other monsters in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game. However, there are exceptions and nuances to this rule, which this article will explore in detail. Understanding these exceptions is crucial for effective deck building and strategic gameplay.
Understanding the Basics of Synchro Monsters
What Are Synchro Monsters?
Synchro Monsters are a type of Extra Deck monster in Yu-Gi-Oh!. They are summoned by sending specific combinations of monsters you control to the Graveyard. This usually involves a Tuner monster and one or more non-Tuner monsters whose combined Levels equal the Level of the Synchro Monster you wish to summon.
The Extra Deck and Synchro Summons
Synchro Monsters reside in your Extra Deck at the start of the duel, separate from your Main Deck. They are Special Summoned to the field using the Synchro Summoning process. After being successfully summoned, a Synchro Monster is treated like any other monster on the field and is subject to the same rules.
What Happens When a Synchro Monster is Destroyed?
Standard Graveyard Procedure
In most situations, when a Synchro Monster is destroyed (either in battle or by a card effect), it is sent to the Graveyard. This is the standard procedure. The Graveyard is a location where cards go after they have been used, discarded, or destroyed.
Exceptions: Banishment and Returning to the Extra Deck
There are, however, exceptions to this rule. If a Synchro Monster is banished (removed from play), it goes to the Banished Zone instead of the Graveyard. Certain card effects, such as that of Macro Cosmos, can cause monsters to be banished instead of being sent to the Graveyard.
Additionally, if a card effect would return a Synchro Monster to your hand or shuffle it into your Main Deck, it instead returns to the Extra Deck. This is a key distinction from Main Deck monsters. The reason behind this is that Synchro Monsters belong to the Extra Deck, so they are never added to the hand or the Main Deck.
Graveyard Revival and Re-Summoning
Special Summoning from the Graveyard
Synchro Monsters that have been properly Synchro Summoned and subsequently sent to the Graveyard can be Special Summoned from the Graveyard using cards like Monster Reborn or Call of the Haunted. However, it’s important to note that if a Synchro Monster is sent to the Graveyard without being properly Synchro Summoned first, it generally cannot be Special Summoned from the Graveyard. It must first be properly summoned.
Negated Summons and Graveyard Restrictions
If the Synchro Summon of a monster is negated (e.g., by Solemn Judgment), the materials used for the Synchro Summon are sent to the Graveyard, but the Synchro Monster itself is not considered to have been properly summoned. This means it cannot be Special Summoned from the Graveyard later on.
Synchro Monster Destruction: A Summary
Key Takeaways
- Synchro Monsters typically go to the Graveyard when destroyed.
- Banishment sends them to the Banished Zone.
- Effects that would return them to the hand or Main Deck instead return them to the Extra Deck.
- Properly Synchro Summoned monsters can be Special Summoned from the Graveyard.
- Negated Synchro Summons prevent future revival from the Graveyard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Synchro Monsters and the Graveyard
1. Can I use Monster Reborn on a Synchro Monster in my opponent’s Graveyard?
Yes, if the Synchro Monster was properly Synchro Summoned by your opponent and then sent to their Graveyard, you can use Monster Reborn to Special Summon it to your side of the field.
2. What happens if a Synchro Monster is flipped face-down?
Synchro Monsters always remain face-up on the field. There are no card effects that can flip them face-down since the Synchro Monsters reside on the Extra Deck.
3. If my Synchro Monster is sent to the Banished Zone, can I get it back?
Yes, cards like Burial from a Different Dimension can return banished Synchro Monsters to the Graveyard, allowing you to potentially revive them later.
4. Can I use a Pendulum Monster as Synchro Material?
Yes, you can use Pendulum Monsters as Synchro Material. If the Pendulum Monster is face-up in your Extra Deck, you can special summon it to the field.
5. If a card effect says “shuffle all monsters from the Graveyard into the Deck,” where does my Synchro Monster go?
Since Synchro Monsters are Extra Deck monsters, they would return to the Extra Deck instead of being shuffled into the Main Deck.
6. Can I use a Synchro Monster as Link Material?
Yes, you can use a Synchro Monster as Link Material, provided it meets the requirements specified on the Link Monster’s card.
7. What is the strongest Synchro Monster in the game?
The strength of a Synchro Monster is subjective and depends on the current meta, but some of the most powerful and impactful Synchro Monsters include Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier, Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon, and Shooting Quasar Dragon.
8. Can I use a Link Monster as a Synchro Material?
No. Link Monsters do not have a Level. The Tuner’s and Non-Tuners level must match the total level needed for the Synchro Summon, therefore you cannot use it as Synchro Material.
9. What happens if a Synchro Monster is destroyed by a card that says “negate the summon”?
The Synchro Monster is sent to the Graveyard. As you’ve successfully Synchro Summoned the monster and have then been removed. Cards like Solemn Judgement will negate the summon, which will not make it able to Special Summon from the GY.
10. Can I use a Level 1 Tuner monster to Synchro Summon a Level 1 Synchro Monster?
Yes, with the release of Ursarctic Polari, you can use a Level 1 Tuner monster to Synchro Summon a Level 1 Synchro Monster.
11. Is there any way to protect my Synchro Monsters from being destroyed?
Yes, many cards can protect your Synchro Monsters from destruction, such as Solemn Judgement, Icarus Attack, Dark Bribe, and Torrential Tribute.
12. Can I use a Synchro Monster as Xyz Material?
Yes, you can use it, but you must match its level to the materials needed for an Xyz Summon.
13. Can I use a “Token” monster as Synchro Material?
Yes, you can use a Token monster as Synchro Material, provided it meets the Level and other requirements for the Synchro Summon.
14. If I use a Synchro Monster as material for another Synchro Summon, does it go to the Graveyard?
Yes, unless the Synchro Monster is banished. If the Synchro is destroyed, it goes to the graveyard, but if card(s) like Macro Cosmos, it will be banished from play.
15. Are Synchro Monsters affected by cards that prevent Special Summoning from the Graveyard?
Yes, cards that prevent Special Summoning from the Graveyard, such as Necrovalley, will prevent you from Special Summoning Synchro Monsters from the Graveyard. Understanding these interactions is crucial for strategic gameplay.
Understanding the intricacies of how Synchro Monsters interact with the Graveyard and other game mechanics is essential for any serious Yu-Gi-Oh! player. By mastering these rules and exceptions, you can significantly improve your deck-building and gameplay strategies. For further learning on the intersection of games and education, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.