by Knowing the different parts, pieces, and zones on the Yugioh! game Field is essential to understanding how the game works. There are spaces on the playing Field for Monsters, Spells, Traps, your Deck, Graveyard, Banishment, Extra Monster Zone… and the Extra Deck! What is the Extra Deck? Let’s take a look at this important part of the game and what it is and how it works!
Purpose of the Extra Deck
The Extra Deck, initially called the Fusion Deck, is located in the bottom left corner of the Field. This stack of 15 cards maximum acts like… well, an extra deck! In a sense. The purpose of the Extra Deck is to contain Monster cards that do not belong in the Main Deck. Some Monster card types (not Types) are kept in the Extra Deck, not the Main Deck, and have special summoning mechanics attached to them. For example: Fusion Monsters. These monsters have a specific summoning mechanic, like a Fusion Summon, and can be summoned from the Extra Deck using that mechanic. These monsters are designed to be accessible at all times, unlike monsters in the Main Deck that usually need to be searched out by card effects or added to the hand via drawing. Extra Deck monsters include Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, Link, and Pendulum Monsters.
Fusion MOnsters
Fusion Monsters were the very first Extra Deck monsters. This is why the Extra Deck was once called the Fusion Deck. These monsters are, as the name implies, fusions of multiple different monsters. Sometimes these monsters require the use of specific materials such as Elemental HERO Thunder Giant, others use generic materials like Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. Originally, Fusion Monsters had to be Fusion Summoned using the Spell Card Polymerization, but this has changed over the years. Now, many Fusion archetypes have their own fusion spells or alternate methods to bring out their Fusion Monsters.
Synchro MOnsters
Synchro Monsters can be Synchro Summoned by using a monster called a Tuner, plus other monsters that have a combined Level that equal the Level of the Synchro Monster. Like Fusion Monsters, some Synchro Monsters need specific materials, other can use more general materials. Unlike most Fusion Monsters, Synchro Summoning does not require the use of a Spell card like Polymerization. As an example: You can Synchro Summon Junk Warrior by using one Tuner and one or more non-Tuner monsters on your Field. Like using Junk Synchron and Junk Converter.
Xyz Monsters
The next Extra Deck monsters type is Xyz! These cards can be Xyz Summoned by using monsters you control with the same Level as material. However, unlike the previous two monster types, when an Xyz Monster is Xyz Summoned, it’s materials are not sent to the GY, they are attached to it as resources. Xyz Monsters have effects that require the use of attached materials. These effects are often activated by detaching one or more of its materials. Xyz Monsters generally do not require specific named cards, but sometimes will gain additional effects if it has a specific card as material. It is important to note that Xyz Monsters do not have a Level, but rather a Rank. This means that they are not subject to the rules or effects that interact with Levels. Good examples of Xyz Monsters are Number 32: Shark Drake, Number 39: Utopia, Traptrix Allomerus, and Number C79: Battlin’ Boxer General Kaiser.
Link Monsters
One of the more recent Extra Deck monsters is the Link Monster. These cards are similar to its other Extra Deck counterparts, but rather than needing to add Levels together or match monsters, Link Monsters generally only require a certain number of materials to Link Summon them. These monsters have an ATK like all other monsters, but they do not have a DEF and cannot be changed to defense position. Instead, these cards have a Link Rating, similar to an Xyz Monster’s Rank. A Link Rating is equal to its material requirement, and its arrows. You see, a Link Monster is designed to connect or “link” monsters and zones together using arrows. Usually, Link Monsters have effects that involve their arrows, but not always. It is important to remember that a Link Monster can ONLY be Link Summoned into your Extra Monster Zone or another Main Monster Zone that a Link Monster you control points to. For example Link Monsters, check out Gouki Jet Ogre, Knightmare Phoenix, Evil★Twin’s Trouble Sunny, and Borrelsword Dragon.
Pendulum MOnsters
Finally, the Pendulum Monster! Now, a Pendulum Monster is a combination Monster/Spell Card. These cards can played as either a Monster in your Main Monster Zones, or as face-up Spell Card in your leftmost or rightmost Spell and Trap Zones, the Pendulum Zones. These cards are actually Main Deck Monsters, but they have a unique relationship with the Extra Deck. You see, if a Pendulum Monster on your Field is destroyed or would leave the Field, it is sent to your Extra Deck face-up. These face-up Pendulum Monsters in your Extra Deck can be Pendulum Summoned into your Extra Monster Zone or a Main Monster Zone your Link Monster points to. When used as Spell Card, a Pendulum Monster has a Pendulum Scale. When you have a Pendulum Monster in both of your Pendulum Zones, you can Pendulum Summon as many monsters from your hand that have a Level that is between the Pendulum Scales of your Pendulum Zone monsters. You can also Pendulum Summon one Pendulum Monster from your Extra Deck when you do this.
Know your cards, know your deck, know your Field, and you will be better prepared to face-off against other players!