TheYu-Gi-Oh! TCGmay seem complicated to understand due to the size of the text boxes and the multiple Summoning methods the game provides. There are Monsters that require you to sacrifice others in order to make room for them, while others force the player to do a bit of math.
For the most part, each generation of Yu-Gi-Oh! has introduced a brand-new Summoning mechanic that shakes up the game. Some of these additions are much better than others, either because they are easier to use or can help a deck reach an even higher potential. So here is every Summoning Mechanic in Yu-Gi-Oh! ranked.
8Pendulum
Pendulum Effects Are Better Than The Summoning Mechanic
Pendulum Summon is a mechanic that goes hard on paper but mostly doesn’t see that much play. The premise is that Pendulum Monsters act as both Spells and Monsters with you, the player, making a scale that allows other Monsters in your hands to Special Summon themselves for free.
If done properly, this is a great way to get material on the field, but most of the time there are better ways to do so that don’t require you to empty your hand in the process. This also requires two Pendulum Monsters on the scale and a number wide enough to support them. Pendulum Monsters see more use as Spells than for the mechanic they are meant to support.
7Tribute
Good In Certain Situations
Even inthe Duel Monsters days of Yu-Gi-Oh!, Tributing Monsters is not all it is cracked up to be. This counts as a Normal Summon to get a powerful Monster on the board. In the Duel Monsters era, this could mean tributing one Monster for a Summoned Skull. However, it was rare to find something worth Tributing two Monsters for.
Over the years, Tributing Monsters may take a backseat as a way to get Monsters on your side of the field. However, Tributing Monsters on your opponent’s side is even better. Lava Golem, Sphere Mode, and Kaijus let you Tribute your opponent’s Monsters and, because it is a Summoning Rule and not an Effect, it cannot be blocked by normal means.
6Ritual
Lots Of Setup Necessary
Ritual Summoning has never been particularly amazing, but occasionally, it does see a playable archetype that uses it. Unlike Fusion Monsters which just need the Fusion materials somewhere that you can see them, Ritual Monsters require you to have multiple things in hand at once.
You need the Ritual Monster, the Ritual Spell, and enough Monsters to use as Tribute to get that Monster out there. This has proven a somewhat cumbersome method of Summoning, but not impossible to use. Some cool decks that use this are the Nouvelles as well as the Voiceless Voice archetypes. However, this Summoning Mechanic could be better.
5Normal Summoning
Basic But Useful
Normal Summoning is the original Summoning mechanic introduced to the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game. You can Normal Summon any Level Four or lower directly from your hand. Normal Summoning remains a vital part of the TCG, but it is also the most vulnerable.
Most decks rely on Special Summoning multiple Monsters in one turn using Special Summoning. In these cases, Normal Summoning is a valuable extra Summon during your turn. However, some decks will highly rely on that Normal Summon as a starter to get a specific combo going. Since you only get one though, this may act as a chokepoint for your deck if you’re not careful. Overall, a solid and basic Summoning Mechanic.
4Fusion
Gets Better Every Year
Fusion has been revitalized over the years. In the past, you needed a Polymerization Spell and multiple Monsters on the Field or in your hand to get out a tough Monster. It’s much faster than Tributing, but it got even better with all the supplementary methods of performing a Fusion.
Contact Fusion just needs you to have the Monsters wherever the card says you need them. In this regard, Fusion spells are unnecessary. Meanwhile, some Spells like Branded Fusion, let you Fuse using Monsters directly from the deck. It is one of the Special Summoning methods with the most support and even some that let you use your opponent’s Monsters as material.
3Synchro
Learn To Do Math
Synchro Summoning was introduced inthe 5DS era of the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game. You no longer have to tribute two Monsters and use up your Normal Summon. All you need is to get at least two Monsters on the board.
The only limitation that Synchro Summoning has is that one of the Monsters needs to be a Tuner and the other has to be a Non-Tuner. You also need to match up the Levels with the Levels of the Synchro Monster you want to bring out. The greatest advantage is that the Synchro Monsters come from the Extra Deck, so you don’t need to draw into them. Unlike other mechanics, though, you can use Tokens as material.
2XYZ
Flexible Cards With Ammunition
XYZ Monsters are a fantastic Summoning Mechanic that has a few advantages over Synchro Summons. All you need is two Monsters with matching Levels, and you’re good to go. XYZ Monsters continue the tradition of coming from the Extra Deck, so there is no need to draw them.
XYZ Monsters offer a lot more freedom in getting them out and Effects that can sometimes be used multiple times as long as they have material for the activation. Some XYZ Monsters can even overlay themselves on top of existing ones, so you don’t need to get the specific Levels out. The only limit is that XYZ Monsters can’t use Tokens which makes them slightly less usable than other methods of Special Summoning.
1Link
Link Climbing To Victory
Most decks havefantastic Extra Deck Monsters, and Link Monsters are vastly compatible with many decks. You no longer need specific numbers on the field, you just need Monsters. Link Monsters also go in the Extra Monster Zone, which means they don’t take up space on your main board.
Link monsters can also easily climb into other Monsters while giving the player an advantage along the way. The Monsters needed to perform Link Summons will often be specified on the card, but for Decks that utilize Links, there is usually a way to get them out easily. Decks with Link-1 Monsters are usually the best since they only require one Monster to Summon and can give great Effects for making your plays.
