Counter Trap Cards

In Yugioh!, there are several different types of cards and resources. One of the most powerful of these is the Counter Trap! These cards are practically unstoppable, but they can also be costly at times and require some additional set-up to pull off. Even so, Counter Traps make their way into many decks and archetypes, adding extra strength to the deck. Let’s take a look at some of these cards and what makes them so strong!

Spell Speed

One reason why Counter Trap cards are so powerful comes down to Spell Speed. This mechanic determines how effects and card activation chains form and resolve. The basics of Spell Speed are simple, though it can become complex at times. Basically, there are three levels of Spell Speed. Only cards or effects of equal Spell Seed or higher can be activated in response to an effect or card activation. And Counter Traps are the only Spell Speed 3 cards currently in the game. As such, the only cards that can be activated in response to a Counter Trap card is another Counter Trap. This makes them very difficult cards to play against. These cards are often a “NOPE!” card that nixes an opponent’s move.

Counter Strike!

Counter Traps are very potent cards, and as such, many of them come with a steep cost, very specific set-up, or are aimed at countering a very niche type of effect. Cards like the “Solemn” Counter Traps can have a steep cost, like Solemn Judgement costing half of your Life Points to activate, or Solemn Scolding requiring 3000 LPs and it being the only set card in your Spell and Trap Zones. Alternatively, many Counter Trap cards require additional set-up to be activated. For example, Divine Punishment can only be activated if the card The Sanctuary in the Sky is on the Field. Likewise, Imperial Tombs of Necrovalley can only be activated if a “Gravekeeper’s” monster AND Necrovalley are on the Field. Then, there are some Counter Traps that are designed for countering very specific effects, like Rebound specifically countering an effect that returns a card from the Field to the Hand.

List of Counter Traps

Try adding some Counter Traps to your next deck and see how powerful they are! Below is a list of some popular Counter Traps. This is not an exhaustive list, but highlights some of the more common and most popular Counter Traps.

• Solemn Judgement
• Solemn Scolding
• Solemn Warning
• Solemn Strike
• Divine Punishment
• Grand Horn of Heaven
• Horn of Heaven
• Curse of Royal
• Wiretap
• Tutan Mask
• Seven Tools of the Bandit
• Dark Illusion
• Malfunction
• Jolt Counter
• Chaos Trap Hole
• Negate Attack
• Trap Jammer
• Magic Jammer
• Red Reboot
• Earthbound Wave
• Spell Shield Type-8
• Ultimate Providence
• Divine Wrath
• Judgment of Anubis
• Dark Bribe
• Oh F!sh!