Lets discuss effect monsters

In the game of Yugioh, there are 5 types of effect monsters, Continuous, Trigger, Flip, Quick and Ignition. I'll give you a brief description of each of these and an example so please bare with me


Lets start with the first one, Continuous effects. Continuous effects are constantly active as long as the monster is face up on the field. There is NO activation for continuous effects so they do not start a chain. Because they don't start a chain, cards like "Divine Wrath" can't negate them however other cards such as "Effect Veiler" still can.


Jinzo, is a very old card and is a great example for Continuous effects. His effect reads "Trap Cards, and their effects on the field, cannot be activated. Negate all Trap Card effects on the field"

As you can see, there is no activation required for Jinzo and his effect remains constant.


Trigger effects, are rather special, in the sense that they're technically spell speed 1 effects HOWEVER they may activate on the opponents turn if their conditions have been met. There are two types of trigger effects, "Mandatory Trigger Effects" and "Optional Trigger Effects."

Mandatory Trigger Effects, MUST resolve when it's condition is met. Mandatory Trigger Effects are also usually placed at Chain Link 1 during the resolution of a chain.

An example of a Mandatory Trigger, would be "Goblin Zombie". His effect reads "When this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent: Send the top card of their Deck to the Graveyard. When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard: Add 1 Zombie-Type monster with 1200 or less DEF from your Deck to your hand."

As you can see, BOTH of Goblin Zombie's are Mandatory Triggers.

His first effect is triggered whenever he deals battle damage and his second effect is triggered when he is sent from the field to the grave.

Optional Trigger Effects Optional Triggers are VERY similar to Mandatory effects, however they will ALWAYS have "You can" in their text.

Because Optional Trigger Effects can ONLY be activated WHEN their condition is met, it is possible to miss timing. If something happens after the cards trigger condition was met, than it will miss timing.

Missing the timing is a rather different post however, I may make another topic about it and go into more detail about it on a later date.


Flip effects, Are fairly common and simple and I'm sure most of you already know how they work so I'll be brief. Flip effects activate when a flip effect monster is flipped face up. Either by Battle or by a flip summon.

However, Flip Effects don't activate if the monster is destroyed by a card effect.

An example of a Flip monster would be "Penguin Soldier" who's text reads "FLIP: You can target up to 2 monsters on the field; return those targets to the hand."

Flip effect monsters will ALWAYS have "Flip:" in their texts.


Lets move on to the fourth, Quick Effects Quick Effects, are spell speed 2 effects so they're just as fast as Quick Play Spell cards and Normal Trap cards.

Quick Effect Monsters can be activated during either players turn (And will usually state this in their texts)

Because they have the same speed as trap cards, they're the ONLY types of monsters that can be chained in their summon window likewise, they're the only types of monsters that can be chained to an activation.

An example of a Quick Effect monster is "Abyss Dweller"

"While this card has an Xyz Material attached that was originally WATER, all WATER monsters you control gain 500 ATK. Once per turn, during either player's turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; any card effects that activate in your opponent's Graveyard cannot be activated this turn."

As you see, the 2nd part of Abyss Dweller's effect reads "Once per turn, during either player's turn". This is a clear indication that Abyss Dweller is a quick effect monster.

Last but not least, lets talk about Ignition Effects Ignition effects always need a manual activation during your main phase.

Harpie Channeler's effect: "You can discard 1 "Harpie" card; Special Summon 1 "Harpie" monster from your Deck in face-up Defense Position, except "Harpie Channeler". You can only use this effect of "Harpie Channeler" once per turn"

too much information to remember, ill just continue to say my bad

there's a better chance of cowboy being fired....hmm actually yea let's fire cowboy

This is actually a good lesson plan, as you'd be surprised how many people don't know how Flip effects work. Good job Mokie Kins