Redu Format
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Master Rule 2

Rulings

REDU Format is played under Master Rule 2, the rule set in effect when Return of the Duelist was legal. Xyz Monsters exist, Pendulum and Link mechanics do not, and the Extra Monster Zone was still years away.

The consequence duelists notice first is Priority. Master Rule 2 removed Ignition Effect Priority, so summoning a monster no longer protects its effect: your opponent answers the Summon before you get to use it.

Master Rule history

Where Master Rule 2 came from, and what each revision changed.

  1. Master Rule

    Starter Deck 2008 · March 15, 2008

    New terminology

    • Tuner monster
    • Synchro Monster
    • Synchro Summon

    Renamed

    • Sacrifice SummonAdvance Summon
    • SacrificeRelease
    • Fusion DeckExtra Deck

    Rule changes

    • Introduced deck size limits: Main Deck 40-60, Extra Deck 0-15, Side Deck 0-15.

  2. Master Rule 2

    This format

    Starter Deck 2011 · March 19, 2011

    New terminology

    • Xyz Monster
    • Xyz Summon
    • Rank

    Renamed

    • Advance SummonTribute Summon
    • ReleaseTribute

    Rule changes

    • Removed Ignition Effect Priority.

Format-only rulings

Rulings specific to REDU Format, on top of Master Rule 2.

  1. Rule 1

    Starting player draws a card turn 1

    The player who goes first draws a card during their Draw Phase, starting with 6 cards in hand.

  2. Rule 2

    Only 1 active Field Spell

    Only 1 Field Spell Card can be face-up at a time. If a new Field Spell resolves while another is face-up, the previous one is destroyed.

    Example

    Player A activates "Mountain" while Player B's "Umi" is active. When "Mountain" resolves, "Umi" is destroyed by game mechanic.

  3. Rule 3

    Union monster condition

    A monster can only be equipped with 1 Union Monster at a time. This prevents you from equipping a second Union Monster to a monster already equipped with one altogether.

  4. Rule 4

    Trap Monsters stay in the Spell/Trap Zone

    Trap Monsters occupy BOTH a Trap Card Zone AND a Monster Card Zone. You cannot activate a Trap Monster if there are no empty Monster Card Zones.

  5. Rule 5

    No Ignition Effect Priority

    Ignition Effect Priority was removed on April 25, 2012. Unlike prior Retro Formats, in REDU Format the opponent can respond to a Summon before the turn player can activate Ignition Effects.

    Trigger Effects still activate normally upon Summon. Only Ignition (Spell Speed 1) Effects lose Priority.

    Example

    Player A Normal Summons "Elemental HERO Stratos". Player B can immediately activate "Bottomless Trap Hole" — Player A does NOT get Priority to activate "Stratos"'s search effect first.

  6. Rule 6

    Infinite loops

    Voluntary infinite loops are illegal and cannot be activated. Involuntary loops will cause the primary cause to be destroyed.

    Voluntary (illegal)

    Player A has "Gemini Elf", "Luminous Spark", and "Pole Position". Player B cannot Summon "X-Head Cannon" because "Luminous Spark" would create an infinite ATK loop.

    Involuntary

    Player B draws a card, raising "Muka Muka"'s ATK above "Opticlops" equipped with "Axe of Despair" and "Pole Position" active. This is an unavoidable loop, so "Pole Position" is destroyed by game mechanics.