BASIC STRATEGY: Trap Monsters

The Format Rules page has been updated to include rulings for "Trap Monsters". These rulings will be especially useful if you're considering innovating a Deck around "Uria, Lord of Searing Flame" (have you read our last blog post about Special Summons that DO/DO NOT use the chain? Uria makes an appearance)! Trap Monsters that can't be destroyed by battle? "Heavy Storm" resulting in a mere 1-for-1 exchange? Check it out the rules pertaining to "Imperial Custom" in the Individual Rulings & Errata page and let us know if we missed anything!

The 6 Trap Monsters available for play in Edison Format are (from left to right):
- Cyber Shadow Guardna
- Embodiment of Apophis
- Machine King - 3000 B.C.
- Metal Reflect Slime
- Stronghold the Moving Fortress
- Zoma the Spirit

In Edison Format, Trap Monsters occupy BOTH a Trap Card Zone AND a Monster Card Zone. Trap Monsters rulings remain the same as in Goat Format, which established all rulings through "Embodiment of Apophis".

• You cannot activate (flip the Set Trap Card face-up) a Trap Monster if you have no empty Monster Card Zones.
• Control of a Trap Monster cannot be changed if the player gaining control of it has no empty Spell / Trap Card Zones.
• A Trap Monster whose effect was negated (by “Jinzo”) reverts to being a Trap Cards in the Spell / Trap Card Zone.
  • A Trap Monster that attacks a Set “Jinzo” reverts to a Trap Card when “Jinzo” if flipped. Damage Calculation is not applied.
  • Your Trap Monster stolen by “Snatch Steal” returns to your Spell / Trap Card Zone when “Jinzo” is Summoned.
• If a Trap Monster would be Set face-down (by "Book of Moon"), it returns to its corresponding Spell / Trap Card Zone.
  • If your opponent controls your “Embodiment of Apophis” as a monster (with “Snatch Steal” / “Creature Swap”), and it is flipped face-down, it goes to your opponent’s Spell / Trap Card Zone because they are the controller.
• Trap Monsters are affected by cards / effects that would affect Trap Cards as well as those that affect Monster Cards.
  • If “Heavy Storm” is used against a Trap Monster, “Fake Trap” can prevent its destruction, but “My Body as a Shield” cannot.
  • If “Lightning Vortex” is used against a Trap Monster, “My Body as a Shield” can prevent its destruction, but “Fake Trap” cannot.
  • If “Raigeki Break” is used against a Trap Monster, both “My Body as a Shield” and “Fake Trap” can prevent its destruction.
• If a Trap Monster is removed from the field, it is removed as a Trap Card.
  • A Trap Monster sent to the Graveyard cannot be revive with "Time Machine", retrieved with “Return of the Doomed”, will not allow the effect of "Blackwing - Shura the Blue Flame" to trigger, and you cannot activate “Michizure”.
  • If "Caius the Shadow Monarch" removes from play "Zoma the Spirit", no damage will be inflicted.
  • A Trap Monster returned to the hand by “Penguin Soldier” is returned as a Trap Card. You cannot activate “Major Riot”.
  • If a Trap Monster is temporarily removed from play (by “Dimensionhole” or “Interdimensional Matter Transporter”), it returns to the field as a Trap Card and is destroyed IMMEDIATELY by game mechanic. If “Dimensionhole” was used, you cannot use the Monster Card Zone while the Trap Monster is removed from play, but you can use the Spell & Trap Card Zone it was occupying.