LEGIT RULINGS

A "Trigger Effect" is an effect monster that activates its effects when certain actions or conditions take place, i.e. When a monster is Summoned or if a monster is destroyed by battle. "Trigger Effect" monsters are seperated by 2 categories: Manditory effects, and Optional effects. These 2 descriptions are defined by specific words. 

 

Example: A "Trigger Effect" monster that has an effect when it is Summoned will activate, and its text will describe whether it is manditory or optional. 

 

A Manditory effect MUST be applied when the "Trigger Effect" monster meets its requirement in order for its effect to activate and resolve. 

 

An Optional effect will state that "You can" activate its effect when certain conditions are met in order to activate and reslove it. However, an Optional "Trigger Effect" monster may not always get to activate or resolve its effect even if it meets its requirement. See the Advance Rules on "Missing the Timing" for more details.

 

Here's an example of a Manditory "Trigger Effect" monster:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Caius the Shadow Monarch" is a manditory "Trigger Effect" monster, since it states that when it is Normal Summoned, target 1 card on the field and banish that card. It does not have the phrase "You can" in its card text, therefore, not optional and you cannot by pass its effect.

 

Another example is: If "Caius the Shadow Monarch" is Tribute Summoned, and it is the only card on the field at the time of its Summon, then it must target iself as a target for its effect, and banish itself from play.

 

 

A monster with an Optional "Trigger Effect" allows you the option to resolve its effect at your discretion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Tour Guide From the Underworld" is an optional "Trigger Effect" monster, where in its text it describes "You can" summon another monster. Since it is an optional effect, you do not have to Summon another monster if you do not want to. 

 

All Summoned "Trigger Effect" monsters always have priority to become chain link 1 during the turn they are played. Most likely this will occur with the turn player (and that is of course, if the Summon was successful, and not neagted).

 

 

As mentioned in the section of "Flip Effect" monsters, those with effects that activate when flipped face-up are not categorized as "Flip Effect" monsters because the word "Flip" is not written in the card text. It is classified as a "Trigger Effect" and activates its effect when it is simply flipped face-up.

 

"Trigger Effect" monsters also have effects that activate when they are destroyed by battle, or sent to the Graveyard. More commonly referred to as a "Graveyard Effect". A "Trigger Effect" monster with a "Graveyard Effect" may also miss its timing if it is an optioanl effect, and it being sent to the Graveyard is not the last thing to happen, or sent to the Graveyard during the resoltuion of other card effects. 

 

*Note: A "Trigger Effect" monster that has an effect that activates when it is sent to the Graveyard by battle must be sent to the Graveyard BY battle.

 

 

                                                                                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Mystic Tomato" is a "Trigger Effect" monster that activates when it is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard. Its effect allows the player to Special Summon a DARK monster with 1500 or less ATK from the Deck. "Red Dragon Archfiend"'s effect is to destroy a Defense Position monster (and any other monsters in Defense Position) immediately after Damage Calculation is performed. In most cases, a monster destroyed in battle during the Battle Phase is sent to the Graveyard at the end of the Damage Step and is considered to be destroyed by battle. However, with "Red Dragon Archfiend"'s effect, it destroys a monster AFTER Damage Calculation, which is an event that occurs within the Damage Step, and not after. Because of this event and the effect of "Red Dragon Archfiend", then the effect of "Mystic Tomato" cannot activate, as it will constitue as being destroyed by an effect rather than by battle. And although it was attacked and eventually sent to the Graveyard when destroyed, it was due to an effect. 

 

*Note: This particular event can only occur if "Mystic Tomato" was attacked by "Red Draon Archfiend" while in Defense Position. Since "Red Dragon Archfiend"'s effect destroys all monsters in Defense Position when its effects activates and resolves, then "Mystic Tomato"'s effect will not activate either, for the same rule applies as before. It WAS NOT destroyed by battle, but by a card effect.

 

Another rule to remember about "Trigger Effect" monster's with Graveyard effects that can Special Summon monsters to the field when destroyed by battle is that these effects are occuring during the Damage Step, and cards like "Torrential Tribute" and "Bottomless Trap Hole" CANNOT be activated in response to the monster's summon. Once the monster is Special Summoned, the Damage Step for that battle is over, and will proceed to the next step.