Fusion (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Fusion in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game (also known as "Duel Monsters") is playing a monster card from a secondary deck. Specifically, two or more specific monsters (called fusion material monsters) are used to Summon or Set a monster with the subtype "Fusion" through the use of various card effects.
The usual method of fusion is a Magic/Spell card named "Polymerization". In the English card game, this card reads: "Fuse two or more compatible monsters to form a new Fusion Monster." A Field Magic card called "Fusion Gate" allows any player to perform fusions without "Polymerization", but with a greater cost to the player. Also, various monsters have effects printed on them to fuse with each other.
All of a player's Fusion monsters are stored in a separate, secondary deck called a Fusion Deck. Cards in the Fusion Deck do not count toward or against Deck card amount limits. All Fusion Monster cards have a purple background, and list the necessary Fusion-Material monsters. Playing a Fusion monster is considered a Special Summon, and does not count against the player's limit of one Normal Summon or Set per turn.
Example One, "Polymerization" Method:
- Player A has the monster "Red-Eyes B. Dragon" in play, and the spell card "Polymerization" and the monster "Summoned Skull" in his hand. During his turn, he may play "Polymerization", targeting the "Red-Eyes B. Dragon" and "Summoned Skull". The two monsters are placed in the Graveyard, allowing the monster "Black Skull Dragon" to be Special Summoned from his Fusion Deck to the field. "Polymerization" is considered resolved, and is sent to the graveyard. "Red-Eyes B. Dragon" and "Summoned Skull" are considered the Fusion Material monsters.
Example Two, "Fusion Gate" Method:
- Player A has "Fusion Gate" in play. Player B has both "Buster Blader" and "Dark Magician" on the field. During his turn, he may remove both monsters from the current duel and Special Summon "Black(Dark) Paladin" from his Fusion Deck.
Example Three, "Effect Monster" Method:
- Player A has "Z-Metal Tank" on the field. He summons "Y-Dragon Head" to the field. Player A can then activate the effect of the Fusion Monster "YZ-Tank Dragon". By removing both "Z-Metal Tank" and "Y-Dragon Head" from play, Player A can Special Summon "YZ-Tank Dragon" to the field.