What is a Tuner Monster?

In Yugioh!, there are many different monsters with many different Abilities. One of those monsters is the Tuner! But, what is a Tuner Monster? How do Tuners work? Why are they important? Let’s examine Tuner Monsters and answer these questions together!

What is a Tuner?

So, what is a Tuner? “Tuner” is not an effect, but rather a monster Ability. Other monster Abilities include Toon, Gemini, Union, Sprit, and Flip (Special Summon is an Ability as well, but it a little different). This Ability was created specifically for Synchro Summoning. To perform a Synchro Summon, a player must use one or more Tuner Monsters and one ore more non-Tuner Monsters together with combined levels that equal the level of the Synchro Monster. The exact conditions will vary Synchro Monster to Synchro Monster. Most Synchro Monsters require one Tuner, and one or more non-Tuners, like Black Rose Dragon. Other Synchro Monsters require multiple Tuners, like Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend. Then there are Synchro archetypes like Kewl Tune that use all Tuners, or Ursarctic with uses level differences to Synchro Summon rather than totals.

How do Tuners work?

As mentioned above, Tuners are designed for Synchro Summoning. These monsters are used to “tune” your other monsters into the “frequency” of your Synchro Monster. Tuners and non-Tuners harmonize their levels to bring out Synchro Monsters. To use a Tuner, all you have to do is declare that you would like to perform a Synchro Summon. Then, after you choose a Synchro Monster to summon, select a Tuner you control, then select other monsters you control and send those monsters to the GY and bring out your Synchro Monster. Remember! The levels of your Tuners and non-Tuners must add up exactly to the level of the Synchro Monster you want to Summon.

Why are Tuners important?

If you want to Synchro Summon, you need Tuners! If you are running a Synchro deck, you wont make it very far without tuners. Similarly, knowing your Tuners and how they work can help you understand your opponent’s strategy, too. If you know your opponent is playing a Synchro strategy, you can use your knowledge of Tuners against them. Thwart your opponent’s moves by messing with their Tuners, preventing them from reaching their goals.

List of popular Tuner Monsters

There are hundreds of Tuner Monsters out there! The list below does not contain all of them, but it does highlight some of the most well-known and most popular Tuners in the game. Give them a try today!

• Plaguespreader Zombie
• Ukanomitsune-no-Tamayura
• Effect Veiler
• Shif, Fairy of the Ghoti
• Dakki, the Graceful Mayakashi
• Shiranui Spectralsword
• Windwitch – Glass Bell
• Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke
• Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice
• X-Saber Pellina
• Rokket Tracer
• Incredible Ecclesia the Virtuous
• T.G. Screw Serpent
• Genex Controller
• Roxrose Dragon
• Kewl Tune Reco
• Junk Synchron
• Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind
• Dark Resonator
• Soul Resonator
• Red Resonator
• Psychic Wheeleder
• Tatsunecro
• Nettles
• Naturia Cosmobeet
• PSY-Framegear Gamma
• Mecha Phantom Beast O-Lion
• Diviner of the Herald
• Battlewasp – Sting the Poison
• Deep Sea Diva
• Spore
• Jet Synchron
• Glow-Up Bloom
• Glow-Up Bulb
• Maiden with Eyes of Blue