The God Cards

The Egyptian God Cards, also known in Japan as the Three Phantom Gods, 「三幻神」 or Sangenshin, are a series of cards in Yu-Gi-Oh! that serve as a focal point in the series' manga, the second series anime, and numerous video games.

[edit] History Obelisk, Slifer, Ra and HorakhtyThe Egyptian Gods are one-of-a-kind all-powerful cards created by Maximillion Pegasus, who modeled them after three Ancient Egypt divine beasts whose likenesses surround the Millennium Puzzle on the stone tablet said to hold the memories of the nameless Pharaoh. The wielder of these great cards is able to acquire the title of "Duel King," but in the wrong hands, they are capable of causing legitimate injury or even death.

Slifer the Sky Dragon (「オシリスの天空竜」 Oshirisu no Tenkūryū - Sky Dragon of Osiris) Obelisk the Tormentor (「オベリスクの巨神兵」 Oberisuku no Kyoshinhei - Giant God-Soldier of Obelisk) The Winged Dragon of Ra (「ラーの翼神竜」 Rā no Yokushinryū - Winged God-Dragon of Ra) The Creator God of Light, Horakhty (「光の創造神ホルアケティ」 Hikari no Sōzōshin - Horuaketi)

These were originally released as promotional cards (in Gameboy Worldwide Edition Promos) for people who just wanted to say they had them, but the cards were later used in Duels and complaints were sent into Konami. Konami responded to this in an FAQ that said these cards weren't to be used. Official tournaments stopped allowing these cards, although there have been rumours that certain official tournaments will allow Obelisk the Tormentor by tributing three monsters but Obelisk will have no other effects. Most people won't duel against these cards at all, but some people will agree to various conditions. All three God Cards share these similar effects in the Manga: Each card requires a Tribute of 3 monsters in order to be Summoned from your hand to the field. This is treated as a Normal Summon (As part of the Battle City's Super Expert Rules). They are unaffected by Trap Cards. The effect of Spell Card and Monster Effects affect the God Card for 1 turn only, including the players own, and the effect of Spell Cards that are no longer in play (i.e Monster Reborn). Control of the cards on the field cannot change. However, they can switch possession while not on the field. When a God Card is Special Summoned by the effect of a Spell Card, it remains on the field for only 1 turn (see Spell Cards). Only chosen duelists can control a God Card. A duelist the God Card deems unworthy suffers the anger of the god, and may be rendered unconcious or even killed. All three God Cards share these slightly different effects in the Anime: Each card requires a Tribute of 3 monsters in order to be Summoned from your hand to the field. This is treated as a Normal Summon (As part of the Battle City Rules). They are unaffected by most Trap and Spell Cards, and those that do affect them last only 1 turn. When a God Card is Special Summoned by the effect of a Spell Card, it reamins on the field for only 1 turn (see Spell Cards). Monster Effects remain in effect on a God for 1 turn only. Control of the cards on the field cannot change. However, they can switch possession while not on the field. Only chosen duelists linked to the ancient past may control a God Card. In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX (Episode 85 ~ Ra Ra Rah) a copy of The Winged Dragon of Ra is stolen by a disruntled card designer for I2 ([Industrial Illusions]). The abilities of the card as far as immunity goes is not fully disclosed, however it seems to add the slightly different ruling to already estabished perceptions, that the God Cards are unaffected by Spell Cards completley (so one can assume this would go for Trap Cards and perhaps Monster Effects too). There is a trend in GX for monsters of significant importance, to simply recieve blanket immunity from all Spell, Trap and Monster Effects (e.g. Exodios the Ultimate Forbidden God).

In Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour, the Egyptian God Cards are affected by card effects that don't Target e.g. Gravity Bind, Field Spell Cards, as well as cards like Smashing Ground and Mirror Force. They are also Tribute Summoned by offering 3 monsters, and include the line that if Special Summoned the card is destroyed at the end of the turn, during the End Phase.

In the original manga, the three Egyptian Gods possess a hierarchy amoung themselves. This is explained as a pyramid, with The Winged Dragon of Ra being at the top, and Slifer and Obelisk at the base (as equals). Because of this, the effect's of Slifer the Sky Dragon and Obelisk the Tormentor do not work on The Winged Dragon of Ra. Where as the effects of Obelisk and Slifer will work on each other, for one turn. It's worth noting that this immunity only occurs in the Manga, and not in the anime.

There, however, remains several disputes over the abilities of God Cards, due to the way they are used in the anime.Some contend that in addition to the "Divine-Beast" Type, Obelisk is considered to be a Warrior, Slifer a Dragon, and Ra a Machine (mainly due to its Machine-like appearance, although it was classified as a Machine-type monster in the Game Boy Advance games in which it appeared). In an episode of the anime, Yugi Muto's Buster Blader gains 500 points when Slifer is on the field, and it only gains points from Dragon-Type monsters.In the Game Boy Advance games, Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards and Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction, the God cards are listed as being of Divine-Attribute, with the above Types. There has been no resolution to the ambiguities, largely as the real-world cards weren't meant for use in competition.

In the Manga, there existed a 'Super God', which was merely a fusion of all 3, called The Creator God of Light, Horakhty. This was never played as an actual card, but was created when the Namless Pharaoh recovered his lost name, Atem/Atemu, during the Final Ark of the original anime.

In the Basic Game Play FAQ on the Official Web Site there is a question that says "What do the Egyptian God cards do?" and it is answered with "Nothing. They're not legitimate Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game cards. They have no effects and can't be used in your Deck."

The Egyptian Gods are:

Slifer the Sky Dragon オシリスの天空竜 (Oshirisu no Tenkūryū, or Sky Dragon of Osiris in the Japanese language version) Obelisk the Tormentor 「オベリスクの巨神兵」(Oberisuku no Kyoshinhei or Giant God-Soldier of Obelisk in the Japanese language version) The Winged Dragon of Ra ラーの翼神竜 (Rā no Yokushinryū, or Winged God-Dragon of Ra in the Japanese language version) Nearing the finale of the Millennium World storyline, the three Egyptian Gods combine to form the The Creator God of Light, Horakhty 「光の創造神ホルアケティ」 (Hikari no Sōzōshin - Horuaketi), after the nameless Pharaoh recovers his true name. Horakhti would then destroy the evil Zorc Necrophades, freeing Egypt from its dark power, and impart key information about the final battle that was lost in time.

In Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid of Light, Slifer the Sky Dragon and The Winged Dragon of Ra combine with Obelisk the Tormentor to form a monster with infinite strength. This allowed Yugi to destroy Anubis' Theinen the Great Sphinx with an ultimate attack, "Titan Firestorm," and win the Duel. In the Japanese version of the second series anime, this is the equivalent of Obelisk's "Soul Energy Max" ability, which, as alluded to by Seto Kaiba, was a "miracle of God's anger."

[edit] Naming The names of the Egyptian God cards are derived from the names of items in Egyptian mythology:

Slifer the Sky Dragon - Original name derived from the name of Osiris, the god of life, death, and fertility. English name is an inside joke, derived from the name of Roger Slifer, a producer of the English-language adaption to the anime. Obelisk the Tormentor - Derived from the term "obelisk," a type of monument. The Winged Dragon of Ra - Derived from the name of Ra, the solar deity. In the Filipino anime, Ra's name is changed to "Apollo," the Greek equivalent of Ra. The names of the Egyptian Gods are basis for the names of the dormitories of Duel Academy (Duel Academia) in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX; Slifer Red, Ra Yellow and Obelisk Blue. This also reflects how Seto Kaiba viewed the three Egyptian God Cards; Slifer the Sky Dragon was owned by Yugi Muto, his arch-rival, so it's only natural that he holds the card in such contempt. The Winged Dragon of Ra is in the middle, since it was owned by Marik Ishtar, until Yugi won it from him in Battle City, Seto Kaiba is neutral to this card. Of course, with Obelisk Blue, it's plainly obvious why he based this dorm off of Obelisk the Tormentor; it was the first and only Egyptian God Card he recieved, and indeed has seen the power it holds, until Yugi won it from him in Battle City. Jaden Yuki is also at Slifer Red, and that provides the connection between him and Yugi.

[edit] The real God Cards The use of the God Cards is forbidden in all sanctioned tournaments of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game[1] because of their unique color templates and backings (red/blue/yellow), and the fact that the cards themselves state that they may not be used in a Duel. As they do not possess effect text, conflicts arise over how they operate once summoned. Some local hobby stores allow people to play "unofficial matches" provided everyone playing agrees on their effects.

The first version of the God Cards was released by Konami as a privilege for those who made a pre-order of the Japanese Game Boy Color game Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters IV: Battle of Great Duelist released on December 7, 2000. The second set was released by Konami on April 17, 2003 as special pack-in cards in the Game Boy Advance game Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters International — Worldwide Edition, the Japanese version of the English-language Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel.

Unlike previous versions, the third version of the God Cards was not released simultaneously. The Winged Dragon of Ra was included as a limited edition card in the Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dawn of Destiny game for Xbox, released March 23, 2004. Slifer the Sky Dragon was released as a special pack-in card for the ani-manga of Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid of Light, published November 23, 2004 by VIZ Media. Obelisk the Tormentor, finally, was released as a free gift to subscribers of Shonen Jump Magazine in May 2005.

The God Cards once demanded high prices on the secondary market. This was prior to their current widespread availability. During this time, countless counterfeit copies were made and distributed primarily throughout East Asia.

The Wicked Dreadroot - Appears to be the equivalent to Obelisk the Tormentor. He looks human shaped with wings like Obelisk. The Wicked Eraser - Appears to be the equivalent to Slifer the Sky Dragon. He looks like a dragon, just like Slifer. The Wicked Avatar - Appears to be the equivalent to The Winged Dragon of Ra. He looks like Ra's sealed orb form. Originally featured in the Yu-Gi-Oh! R manga, these cards formed the counterparts of the Egyptian God Cards. Although their hierarchies are unknown (e.g., among the Egyptian God Cards "Obelisk the Tormentor" and "Slifer the Sky Dragon" were Hierarchy 1, while "The Winged Dragon of Ra" was Hierarchy 2), it is known that they share the remainder of the "Divine" traits with the Egyptian God Cards.

One key difference that must be noted, however, is that these are intended as the opposites of the Egyptian God Cards. Hence, while both are "Divine", the kanji is placed against the LIGHT-attribute symbol for the Egyptian God Cards, but against the DARK-attribute coloration for the Wicked God Cards. In order to avoid a repetition of the unplayability issue which surrounds the DIVINE/Divine-Beast-Type Egyptian God Cards, however, Konami has made the "real world" cards DARK/Fiend-Type monsters. In the manga, The Wicked Avatar's form changes into a dark version of whatever monster's stats it's copying plus 100.

Sacred Beasts From Yu-Gi-Oh! Jump to: navigation, search Raviel, Hamon and UriaThe Sacred Beasts are 3 very powerful monsters released in the Shadow of Infinity booster set:

Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder Uria, Lord of Searing Flames Raviel, Lord of Phantasms These were the main plot of Season 1 of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, and they are the legally "Redone" versions of the Egyptian God Cards.

The Sacred Beasts have a combined form Armitael, Phantasm of Chaos, a fusion of the three. While the Egyptian God cards have a fusion form named The Creator God of Light, Horakhty(Anime and Manga only)

[edit] Design lineworkThe designs of the Sacred Beasts, Uria, Hamon and Raviel were overseen by Kenichi Hara. Each of them resembles one of the three Egyptian God Cards; Uria finds a counterpart in Slifer the Sky Dragon, Hamon in The Winged Dragon of Ra, and Raviel in Obelisk the Tormentor. Unlike the God Cards, however, they possess certain visual cues that make them distinct from their predecessors, including translucent wings and more pronounced claws and skeletal features.

The Sacred Beasts are named after angels in Judeo-Christianity. Uria's name is an alternate spelling of the name of Uriah. Hamon's name originates from the Book of Esther (Hamon is considered an alternate spelling of Haman), and Raviel's name is an alternate spelling of the name of Raziel.

[edit] Anime History In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, the Sacred Beasts are legendary creatures whose cards were sealed by Kagemaru underneath Duel Academy behind the Spirit Gate, which requires seven Spirit Keys to open. Should they ever be set free from their stronghold, chaos and darkness will envelop the world, destroying everything. They were believed to have been created as a means of bringing about a balance of power between the Egyptian God Cards.

The Shadow Riders sought to acquire the Spirit Keys and revive the Sacred Beasts. In order to open the gate, a strong dueling presence is required; if the keys are stolen and placed in the gate, for example, nothing will occur. To meet the challenge of the Shadow Riders, seven of Duel Academy's finest duelists were selected, and although the Shadow Riders were defeated, Kagemaru managed to awaken the Sacred Beasts regardless. In exchange for freeing them from imprisonment, the Sacred Beasts slowly returned Kagemaru to a youthful state, empowering him with the energy sapped from Duel Monster spirits, but Jaden Yuki's interference resulted in the man's downfall. They were thus locked away once more.

After Duel Academy is transported to an alternate dimension in the third season, a Yubel-possessed Marcel retrieves the Sacred Beasts and adds them to his deck, which boosts the summoning speed of the Sacred Beasts and also supports the summoning of their combined form, Armitael, Phantasm of Chaos.

And when Jesse Anderson (possessed by Yubel) reappears after having been missing for Episode 131-147, he uses them in a deck based around quickly summoning the Beasts and Armitael. Although Yubel didn't use them in her final duel with Jaden, they were in her deck. What happened to them after Yubel merged with Jaden is currently unknown.

Maju Gods From Yu-Gi-Oh! Jump to: navigation, search The Maju God cards are short print cards design off the Egyptian God Cards and all have Maju in there name

Gren Maju Da Eiza- resembles Slifer the sky Dragon and has a similiar ATK increasing effect

Maju Garzett - Looks like Ra from one side and obelisk on the other and has a similiar ATK increasing effect as Ra

Great Maju Garzett - Is in great resemblance to Obelisk and has a similar ATK or higher when sommoned.

These cards made a appearance in Marik Ishtar's Deck and only one of them was actually used throuh out the first anime and are the weakest Of god Cards Unless put in a D.D. Deck