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Learn the major difference between the mr3, mr4 and mr5 Yu-Gi-Oh rulings
What is the difference between the Master Rules 3, 4 and 5 (MR3,4,5) in Yu-Gi-Oh?
To start, we’ll go over some specifics that will help understand some terms ahead aswell as understanding the Yu-Gi-Oh rulings!
(NOTE: This article is for beginners that have had at least some knowledge on how to play YGO, knowing the difference between spells, traps, and monsters as well as what a deck and an extra deck is.)
There are 7 different types of special summoning :
- Special summon.
- Ritual summon.
- Fusion summon.
- Synchro Summon.
- Xyz Summon.
- Pendulum summon.
- Link summon.
All of these different types of summoning all originate from different Eras of the anime which all have different concepts and Yu-Gi-Oh rulings. We’ll go through their workings quickly:
1. Special summon is when a monster is summoning to the field by an effect, it could be any type of monster and any effects that specify summon a monster, either a specific one or any monster, from the extra-deck, graveyard, banish zone or deck. It is the one that englobes all types of special summons. Ex :
2. Ritual summoning is the special summon of ritual monsters with ritual spells which allow you to summon a ritual monster in specific or any monster. Usually, you must tribute monsters so it either equates or exceeds the level of the monster you will be summoning. (Ritual summons are only for ritual monsters). Ex :
3. A fusion summon is when you summon a fusion monster from the extra deck using a spell, trap or monster has an effect to fusion summon even if it’s respecting the summoning conditions of the card or not depending on the effect that is used to fusion summon. Ex :
4. A synchro summon is when you synchro summon a monster from the extra deck using tuners and non-tuners (non tuners are basically all monsters that aren’t tuners except Link and Xyz monsters). Ex :
5. An Xyz summon involves the overlay of monsters with the same level to summon an Xyz monster from the extra deck. There is also a special type of Xyz summon which uses another Xyz monster, but that varies on the effect of the monster that is summoned that way. Some Xyz monsters can also be summoned using rank-up-magic spells as well. Ex:
6. Pendulum summoning is one of the more complex ones, involving a right and left side pendulum zone in which you will put any monster you like that have pendulum scales. Then you can special summon any monster from your hand that has a level within the scales. You can also summon from the extra-deck, but it will only be pendulum face-up monsters. Ex:
7.Link summoning is summoning a link monster from the extra deck using monsters from your field and sometimes hand as material, the number of monsters used depend on the link rating of the monster and if using another link monster as material, their link rating indicates as how many monsters they count as. They are the most versatile type, and you can only first link summon in the extra monster zone then you can do more link summons in the monster zones where a link arrow points to. Ex:
Now about the Yu-gi-oh rulings :
Let’s start with MR3, the pendulum era which was first introduced with the Yu-Gi-Oh ARC-V anime. In the MR3 ruling, pendulum monsters as well as pendulum zones were introduced while everything else remained pretty much the same. This ruling revolutionized gameplay as it made monsters much easier to summon. It also changed some of the rules such as:
- First player no longer able to draw during the first draw phase.
- Each player able to control one field spell in their field spell zone and when they activate a new the previous is sent to the grave.
The Master rules 4, is the Link era as the Yu-Gi-Oh Vrains anime was out. It also revolutionized the gameplay by introducing link monsters and extra monster zones. Although, it was a major setback for pendulum monsters as during the MR4 the pendulum zones were moved to the spell and trap zones, the far left and right zones specifically. More rules were added such as:
- Monsters from the extra deck can only be special summoned in the extra monster zone or where a link arrow points to.
The MR5 introduced many Yu-Gi-Oh ruling changes from the MR4 which are listed below:
- Removal of the Extra Monster Zone restriction: In MR5, players can now Summon multiple monsters from the Extra Deck to their Main Monster Zones without using the Extra Monster Zone. There is no longer a limit on how many Extra Deck monsters you can Summon.
- Pendulum Monsters: Pendulum Monsters now follow the same rules as other Special Summoned monsters. They can be Summoned to any Main Monster Zone or Extra Monster Zone, as long as there is an available zone.
- Link Monsters and Link Summoning: Link Monsters still require the Extra Monster Zone or a Main Monster Zone that a Link Monster points to for their initial Summon. However, once on the field, Link Monsters no longer occupy specific zones with their Link Arrows.
- Additional rules for Link Monsters: Link Monsters can now be placed in any Main Monster Zone that a Link Monster points to, regardless of which player controls the Link Monster. This allows for easier Special Summoning and combos involving Link Monsters.
- Removal of the 2-Link Monster requirement: Previously, a player needed to control at least two Link Monsters to Summon additional Link Monsters to their Main Monster Zones. This requirement is no longer necessary, and players can Summon Link Monsters as long as they meet the other requirements.
All of these changes thougout aimed at revolutionizing gameplay and breaking the meta or even making the game more fun through the addition of new ways of summoning. Now we know the basis of each of these 3 eras, which one is your favorite?
