BASIC STRATEGY: Fusions and their Substitutes

With numerous Fusion strategies available in Edison Format, it is important to fully understand this game mechanic. For example, "Versago the Destroyer's" unclassified effect (that cannot be negated) applies while in the hand, Graveyard, and on the field 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 / while it is removed from play, nor will it apply if the Summoning method is not specifically a Fusion Summon. The "Hex-Sealed Fusions'" Ignition Effects tribute themselves and the correct Fusion Material to Special Summon Fusion Monsters of their respective Attributes (this is not a Fusion Summon). But there is more to Fusion Monsters, their Conditions especially!

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

This Condition is more succinctly expressed as "Must be Fusion Summoned" as seen on "Elemental Hero Absolute Zero's" updated card text.

• Such Monsters CAN be Fusion Summoned using Fusion Substitutes ("King of the Swamp").
  
• Such Fusion Monsters can ONLY be Summoned from the Extra Deck via Fusion Summon.
• They CAN be Summoned with "Instant Fusion".
  
• Such Monsters CANNOT be Special Summoned by the effects of the "Hex-Sealed Fusions".
• Such Monsters CANNOT be Special Summoned from the Graveyard or removed from play area!

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

As with the first Condition, this sentence describes the restrictive Summoning procedure by which the Evil Hero Fusion Monsters may be Summoned.

• Such Monsters CAN be Fusion Summoned using Fusion Substitutes ("King of the Swamp").
• Such Fusion Monsters can ONLY be Summoned from the Extra Deck via the specified card.
• They CANNOT be Summoned by "Future Fusion"!
  
• Such Monsters CANNOT be Special Summoned by the effects of the "Hex-Sealed Fusions".
• Such Monsters CANNOT be Special Summoned from the Graveyard or removed from play area!

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

This Condition requires all Fusion Material monsters used in a Fusion Summon to have the correct names.

• Such Monsters CANNOT be Fusion Summoned using Fusion Substitutes ("King of the Swamp").
  
• Such Monsters CAN be Fusion Summoned with "Elemental Hero Prisma" which gained a name.
• Such Monsters CAN be Special Summoned by the effects of the "Hex-Sealed Fusions".
• CANNOT be Summoned by "Instant Fusion" as it does not use any listed Fusion Materials.
• Such Monsters CAN be Special Summoned from the Graveyard / removed from play area.

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

Contact Fusion is a type of built-in Special Summon.

• Such Monsters CANNOT be Special Summoned using Fusion Substitutes ("King of the Swamp").
  
• Such Monsters CAN be Special Summoned with "Elemental Hero Prisma" which gained a name.
• Such Monsters CANNOT be Special Summoned by the effects of the "Hex-Sealed Fusions".
• Such Monsters CAN be Special Summoned from the Graveyard / removed from play area.
• Such Monsters CANNOT be Fusion Summoned using "Instant Fusion" / "Polymerization".
• Such Special Summons are permitted while the effect of "Non-Fusion Area" applies.

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

• Can gain the name of a Fusion Material Monster that is specifically named by sending that monster from the Main Deck to the Graveyard. Extra Deck monsters cannot be sent by Prisma.
  
• You cannot reveal "Elemental Hero Absolute Zero" or "Five-Headed Dragon" as they do not specifically name any fusion material monsters.
  
• Will still retain the Fusion Material Monster’s name if "Skill Drain" is activated later in the turn, since the effect has already been applied.
• You may still send a monster whose name was declared by "Prohibition", but then Prisma cannot attack while it has that monster's name.

"Instant Fusion" plays an important role as an extender for several Synchro plays as it can generate a wide range of non-tuner Synchro Material monsters. While many popular Synchro Monsters are generic, that is they do not require specific Types or Attributes among the non-Tuners listed in their Synchro Material recipe, some particular Synchros do - and their effects warrant the sacrifice. "Instant Fusion" can [Fusion] Summon 12 Level 5s, two Level 4s, and four Level 3s. Let "Musician King" provide you with a Spellcaster to help Summon "Arcanite Magician", Summon "Darkfire Dragon" in your Dragon Deck, or "Reaper on the Knightmare" in Zombies so you can revive it later with "Mezuki" or "Book of Life". There's even a "Debris Dragon" target - "Ojama Knight"! "Elemental Hero Mariner" and "Elemental Hero Steam Healer" can be used as Synchro Material Monsters and subsequently used to Fusion Summon "Elemental Hero Absolute Zero" via "Miracle Fusion"! There are even Beast-Type Fusion Monsters for those of you wanting to Summon "Zeman the Ape King". Now, let's recap the important rulings surrounding "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") cannot be Summoned with "Instant Fusion".
  
• Fusion Monsters Summoned by "Instant Fusion" are treated as properly Fusion Summoned, and can be Special Summoned from the Graveyard / removed from play area.
• The lingering effect of "Instant Fusion" affects the Summoned monster so long as 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..

With so many different strategies involving Fusion Monsters and their various Summoning Conditions, it can be a headache explaining why certain plays are illegal. "King of the Swamp" cannot assume the name of a "Hero monster" for the Fusion Summon of "Elemental Hero Absolute Zero" because it does not specify a single monster's name, but it can act as the "1 WATER monster". Another curiosity involves "UFOroid Fighter", which can be Special Summoned by "The Light - Hex-Sealed Fusion's" effect, will only have 0 ATK since its Continuous Effect only applies if it was Fusion Summoned. With these Conditions now elucidated, try Fusion Monsters and cook up some new strategies for play in Edison Format!