BASIC STRATEGY: Fusions and their Substitutes

With so many Fusion strategies in Edison Format, it is important to fully understand this game mechanic. For example, "Versago the Destroyer's" Unclassified Effect (which does not activate) applies while in the hand, on the field, and in the Graveyard - allowing it to be substituted for 1  specifically listed Fusion Material Monster when performing a Fusion Summon. However, this effect does not apply in the Deck or while banished, nor does it apply for a Special Summon (ex: "Chimeratech Fortress Dragon"). The Ignition Effects of the "Hex-Sealed Fusions" Tribute themselves (and the correct Fusion Material) as cost to Special Summon a Fusion Monster sharing the same Attributes (this is not a Fusion Summon). But there is still more to explored; lets study Conditions!

"This monster cannot be Special Summoned except by Fusion Summon."

This Condition, now shortened to: "Must be Fusion Summoned" (ex: "Elemental Hero Absolute Zero"), means that such monsters:

• CAN be Special Summoned using Fusion Substitutes (ex: "King of the Swamp", "Hex-Sealed Fusions").
• CAN ONLY be Summoned (from the Extra Deck) by Fusion Summon (such as "Instant Fusion", "Future Fusion").
  
• CAN'T be Special Summoned (from the Extra Deck) by the effects of the "Hex-Sealed Fusions".
• CAN'T be Summoned from the Graveyard / banished!

"This card cannot be Special Summoned except with Dark Fusion."

This Condition (on Evil Hero Fusion Monsters), and similarly the Neo-Spacian Fusion Monsters (which use "NEX"), means that such monsters:

• CAN be Special Summoned using Fusion Substitutes (ex: "King of the Swamp", "Hex-Sealed Fusions").
  
• CAN ONLY be Summoned (from the Extra Deck) by use of the named card's effect (ex: "Dark Calling").
• CAN'T be Summoned by other cards (ex: "Instant Fusion", "Future Fusion")!
• CAN'T be Special Summoned (from the Extra Deck) by the effects of the "Hex-Sealed Fusions".
• CAN'T be Summoned from the Graveyard / banished!

"A Fusion Summon of this card can only be done with the above Fusion Materials."

This Condition enforces strict use of specifically named Fusion Material Monsters when performing a Fusion Summon. Such Fusion Monsters:

• CAN'T be Special Summoned using Fusion Substitutes (ex: "King of the Swamp", "Hex-Sealed Fusions").
  
• CAN be Fusion Summoned using an "Elemental Hero Prisma" after it gained a printed name with its effect.
• CAN be Special Summoned (from the Extra Deck) by the effects of the "Hex-Sealed Fusions".
• CAN'T be Summoned by "Instant Fusion", since it does not use any listed Fusion Materials.
• CAN be Summoned from the Graveyard / banished IF it was first properly Fusion Summoned.

"Must first be Special Summoned (from your Extra Deck) by [method] (You do not use Polymerization.)"

Contact Fusions are not Fusion Summons, but they properly Summon Fusion Monsters. Such monsters:

• CAN'T be Special Summoned using Fusion Substitutes (ex: "King of the Swamp", "Hex-Sealed Fusions").
• CAN be Special Summoned using "Elemental Hero Prisma" after it gained a printed name with its effect.
• CAN'T be Special Summoned (from the Extra Deck) by the effects of the "Hex-Sealed Fusions".
• CAN be Summoned from the Graveyard / banished.
• CAN'T be Fusion Summoned ("Fusion Gate", "Future Fusion", "Instant Fusion" or "Polymerization").
• CAN be Special Summoned under "Non-Fusion Area".

"Until the End Phase, this card's name is treated as the sent monster's name."

• GAINS the name of Fusion Material Monster named on a Fusion Monster by sending that Main Deck monster to the Graveyard.
• CAN'T gain the name of an Extra Deck Monster.
• CAN'T reveal a Fusion Monster that doesn't specifically name any Fusion Material Monsters (ex: "Elemental Hero Absolute Zero").
• RETAINS the Fusion Material Monster’s name even if "Skill Drain" is activated later in the turn.
• CAN GAIN the name of a monster declared by "Prohibition", but becomes subject to the restrictions applied by "Prohibition".
  

"Instant Fusion" plays an important role as an extender, granting access to 12 Level 5s, two Level 4s, and four Level 3s. "Musician King" will help Summon "Arcanite Magician", "Darkfire Dragon" is at home in Dragons, and "Reaper on the Knightmare" can be revived by "Mezuki" or "Book of Life". There's even a "Debris Dragon" target - "Ojama Knight"! HEROES can play "Elemental Hero Mariner" and "Elemental Hero Steam Healer" for Synchro Material to set up for "Elemental Hero Absolute Zero" via "Miracle Fusion"! There are even Beast-Type Fusions to Summon "Zeman the Ape King". Now, let's review the rulings for "Instant Fusion":

• Fusion Monsters with the text "A Fusion Summon of this monster can only be conducted with the above Fusion Material Monsters." (ex: "Fiend Skull Dragon") can't be Fusion Summoned with "Instant Fusion".
• This properly Fusion Summons the Fusion Monster; it can be Summoned from the Graveyard / banished.
• The lingering effect of "Instant Fusion" affects the Summoned monster while it remains face-up.
  • This lingering effect does not activate.
  • Even if it is later affected by the effect of a card so that it becomes unaffected by the effects of Spell Cards, that Fusion Monster cannot attack and is destroyed during the End Phase.
  • The lingering effect will strike again during the following End Phase if the Fusion Monster's destruction was prevented by a card / effect the turn "Instant Fusion" was used.
  • The lingering effect disappears if the Fusion Monster is flipped face-down / leaves the field.
• The  second Condition specifies that only 1 "Instant Fusion" may be ACTIVATED per turn.
  • You can chain “Serial Spell” to it to duplicate this card's effect.
  • If “Destiny Hero - Diamond Dude” uses its effect and reveals “Instant Fusion”, you can still activate another “Instant Fusion” that same turn. This is because only the EFFECT of "Instant Fusion" is being activated by "Destiny Hero - Diamond Dude".
  • If the ACTIVATION of "Instant Fusion" was negated by "Solemn Judgment", you CAN activate a second copy of "Instant Fusion" in that same turn.
    
  • If the EFFECT of "Instant Fusion" was negated by "Royal Oppression", you CANNOT activate a second copy of "Instant Fusion" in that same turn.

Tying it all together..

It can be a headache explaining the nuances of each Fusion strategy and the different Conditions mid-duel, but hopefully this article has equipped you. "King of the Swamp" can't assume the name of a "Hero monster" for "Elemental Hero Absolute Zero" because it does not specify a monster's name, but it can act as the "1 WATER monster". Another strange case involves "UFOroid Fighter", which can be Special Summoned by "The Light - Hex-Sealed Fusion", but will only have 0 ATK as its Continuous Effect only causes it to gain ATK if it was Fusion Summoned. With these Conditions now elucidated, try Fusion Monsters and cook up some new strategies for play in Edison Format!