Is Obelisk a Tribute Summon? Unraveling the Mechanics of the Tormentor
Yes, Obelisk the Tormentor is a Tribute Summon. This iconic God card from Yu-Gi-Oh! requires a specific summoning condition: tributing monsters you control to bring it onto the field. Obelisk’s immense power and unique summoning requirements make it a formidable presence on the duel field.
Understanding Tribute Summons in Yu-Gi-Oh!
Before diving deeper into Obelisk, let’s clarify the fundamentals of Tribute Summons. In Yu-Gi-Oh!, any monster with a level of 5 or higher requires a Tribute Summon. This means you must Tribute (send to the Graveyard) one or two monsters you control as a cost to Normal Summon the higher-level monster.
- Level 5 or 6 monsters: Require one Tribute.
- Level 7 or higher monsters: Require two Tributes.
Obelisk the Tormentor, however, has a unique requirement of three Tributes, making its summoning even more demanding.
Obelisk the Tormentor: A Closer Look
Obelisk’s card text clearly states that it Requires 3 Tributes to Normal Summon (cannot be Normal Set). This sets it apart from many other high-level monsters. The card also stipulates that its Normal Summon cannot be negated, and when Normal Summoned, cards and effects cannot be activated. This makes the summoning of Obelisk a very powerful play, difficult for your opponent to interrupt.
Once Obelisk is on the field, it can either attack directly or activate its effect: tributing 2 monsters to destroy all of your opponent’s monsters and inflicting 6000 points of damage. Interestingly, you can even tribute Obelisk itself with this effect after you Special Summon it, should you choose to.
Strategies for Summoning Obelisk
Given the significant Tribute cost, summoning Obelisk requires careful deck construction and strategic planning. Duelists often employ cards that generate tokens, special summon monsters easily, or reduce the number of tributes needed. Using cards like “One for One” to discard “Malicious” and Special Summon “Evil Thorn,” then using Evil Thorn’s effect to summon two more, and finally using Malicious’ effect to summon another copy and then tributing all three to summon “Obelisk the Tormentor” is one example.
FAQs About Obelisk the Tormentor and Tribute Summons
Here are some frequently asked questions related to Obelisk the Tormentor and Tribute Summons to deepen your understanding:
1. Can Obelisk be Tributed?
Yes, Obelisk can be tributed. You can tribute Obelisk for its own effect, or for other tribute summon or ritual summon purposes.
2. Is Slifer the Sky Dragon also a Tribute Summon?
Yes, just like Obelisk, Slifer the Sky Dragon also requires a Tribute Summon of three monsters. Slifer is similar to Obelisk, however, it is destroyed if it’s special summoned, but if its properly normal summoned, it won’t be impacted.
3. Can Obelisk be destroyed by Torrential Tribute?
Yes, Obelisk can be destroyed by Torrential Tribute. While Obelisk is immune to targeting effects, Torrential Tribute destroys all monsters on the field without targeting, making it effective against Obelisk.
4. Does a Link Summon count as a Tribute?
No, a Link Summon does not count as a Tribute. Monsters used as Link Material are sent to the Graveyard but are not considered Tributed. The important distinction is that using monsters for a Link Summon is not considered a “Tribute”.
5. Can you Normal Summon and then Tribute Summon in the same turn?
No, you cannot Normal Summon and then Tribute Summon in the same turn. A Tribute Summon is a type of Normal Summon, and you are limited to one Normal Summon (or Set) per turn.
6. Can you use Scapegoat tokens for a Tribute Summon?
No, you cannot use Scapegoat Tokens for a Tribute Summon. Scapegoat Tokens are only disallowed for Tribute summons.
7. Is a Tribute Summon a Tribute Set?
The Tribute Summon is treated as a Normal Summon/Set, and so can only be performed once per turn. You cannot Tribute Set a monster face-down.
8. Is Obelisk stronger than Slifer?
The relative strength of Obelisk and Slifer depends on the deck and strategy. Obelisk’s effect to clear the opponent’s field and inflict significant damage is powerful. However, Slifer’s ATK gains based on hand size can make it stronger in some scenarios.
9. Does a Tribute Summon start a chain?
No, a summon (including Tribute Summons) does not start a chain. Summons can only be “responded” to after they occur, by starting a new chain.
10. Does a Tribute Summon count as destruction?
No, when a monster is Tributed, it is not considered destroyed. It is simply sent to the Graveyard as a cost.
11. Can you Tribute Summon a face-down monster?
Yes, you can Tribute Summon using your own face-down monsters. The face-down monster is revealed during the Tribute process.
12. Is the Kaiju tribute an effect?
The “Kaiju” summoning condition that allows you to tribute an opponent’s monster is not an effect. It is a condition of the summon itself and cannot be negated.
13. Is a Ritual Summon a Tribute Summon?
No, a Ritual Summon is a Special Summon, not a Tribute Summon. It has its own unique mechanics and requirements.
14. Can you use a Token as a Tribute Summon?
Normally Tokens cannot be used for a Tribute Summon. You cannot send them to the Graveyard, because they disappear when leaving the monster zone.
15. Is Obelisk affected by Gravity Bind?
Yes, Gravity Bind can affect Obelisk. Obelisk only negates the activation of card effects the turn he is played.
Conclusion
Obelisk the Tormentor’s unique requirement of three tributes to be successfully tribute summoned distinguishes it as a formidable force within the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game. Understanding its summoning mechanic and potential vulnerabilities is critical in the effort to use or counter him in the most effective way possible. Whether you’re a novice duelist or a seasoned professional, mastering the nuances of Tribute Summons and Obelisk’s abilities will significantly enhance your gameplay and open new avenues for strategic deck building.
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