Spell Speed

Spell Speeds come in 3 settings:


 * Spell Speed 1
 * Spell Speed 2
 * Spell Speed 3

Each speed can only be countered with one that is greater, or equal. The exception is Spell Speed 1, which cannot be used against each other.

Summoning a Monster, or Declaring an Attack, are actions that do not have a Spell Speed, and therefore cannot be chained to. However, if it was the last action to happen on the field, you may activate a card in response, that becomes Chain Link 1, for example, Bottomless Trap Hole, or Negate Attack.

Spell Speed 1
Spell Speed 1 is the slowest of all the Spell Speeds, and is the only Spell Speed that cannot be used against each other.

The following are all Spell Speed 1:....

The only case in which Spell Speed 1 effects can be used against each other, is when they occur simultaneously i.e. 2 Mystic Tomatos attacking each other, or 2 Sangans attacking each other.
 * Normal/Field/Continuous/Equip/Ritual Spell Cards
 * Continuous/Ignition/Trigger/Flip Monster Effects

As per simultaneous effects, the Turn Player has priority. However as a chain resolves backwards, the opponents effect(s) would resolve first, and then the Turn Player's effect(s) will resolve. In the case of 2 Mystic Tomatos attacking each other, the opponent would search out a monster first, then the turn player.

Spell Speed 2
Spell Speed 2 card effects can be used against Spell Speed 1 and other Spell Speed 2 Card Effects.

The following are all Spell Speed 2:


 * Quick-Play Spell Cards
 * Normal Trap Cards/Continuous Trap Cards
 * Multi-Trigger Monster Effects

Spell Speed 3
Spell Speed 3 Card Effects can be used against Spell Speed 1, Spell Speed 2, and other Spell Speed 3 cards. The only Spell Speed that can be used against a Spell Speed 3 card is another Spell Speed 3 card. So you cannot counter Negate Attack, Magic Jammer, Trap Jammer or Magic Drain with Royal Decree.

The following are Spell Speed 3:


 * Counter Trap Cards

Also See: Simultaneous Effects Go On Chain.

Spell Speed 4
Spell Speed 4 is a fictitious Spell Speed that was devised to accurately translate the Orichalcos Spell Speed for its effects. It has no real-life relation in the OCG/TCG, and was only used as a reference by Upper Deck Entertainment, for their version of The Seal of Orichalcos, to indicate that no-other effect could counter it, apart from another Spell Speed 4 effect.

Upper Deck Entertainment has repeatedly stated that Spell Speed 4 was never a concept that they have described for use in the TCG. However, some have counter-claimed that, since they created a card (albeit, one that's secret and controlled only by employees of UDE), it still represents a precedent in the order of Spell Speeds.