Card Rulings:Trap Monster

The following rulings apply to all Trap Monsters:

TCG Rulings

 * Once "Embodiment of Apophis" has been activated, it takes up 1 Monster Card Zone and 1 Spell & Trap Card Zone. The physical location of "Embodiment of Apophis" should be on the Monster Card Zones, however.


 * If your Monster Card Zones are all full you cannot activate "Embodiment of Apophis". If your Spell & Trap Card Zones are all full you cannot take control of your opponent's "Embodiment of Apophis" because you will need 1 Monster Card Zone and 1 Spell & Trap Card Zone for it.


 * If your opponent has no vacant Spell & Trap Card Zones, you cannot give them "Embodiment of Apophis" for "Creature Swap". If "Embodiment of Apophis" is your only monster in such a case, neither player can activate "Creature Swap".


 * You can activate "Embodiment of Apophis" during your opponent's Main Phase, or your own.


 * While "Embodiment of Apophis" is a monster, it is still treated as a Trap Card and can be destroyed by "Heavy Storm" or "Mystical Space Typhoon".


 * If an effect that destroys Trap Cards is used against "Embodiment of Apophis", you can use "Fake Trap" to prevent it from being destroyed. When preventing the destruction of "Embodiment of Apophis", you must be using a card of the appropriate type. You cannot use "My Body as a Shield" to rescue it from "Heavy Storm". You cannot use "Fake Trap" to rescue it from "Raigeki". You can use "Riryoku Field" when "Embodiment of Apophis" is targeted by "Snatch Steal", but not when it's targeted by "Mystical Space Typhoon". You can use any of these effects to protect "Embodiment of Apophis" from "Raigeki Break" because "Raigeki Break" can destroy a Monster card or a Trap Card.


 * vs. "Jinzo": If "Embodiment of Apophis" is a monster, and "Jinzo" or "Royal Decree" is played, "Embodiment of Apophis" cannot remain as a monster and is placed face-up in the Spell & Trap Card Zone, where it remains on the field meaninglessly (even if "Jinzo" leaves play later). If "Royal Decree" is chained to the activation of "Embodiment of Apophis", the effect of "Embodiment of Apophis" is negated and it remains on the field in the Spell & Trap Card Zone meaninglessly.


 * If "Embodiment of Apophis" attacks a face-down "Jinzo", once "Jinzo" is flipped face-up, "Embodiment of Apophis" reverts to a Trap Card. Damage calculation is not applied.


 * If "Embodiment of Apophis" is a monster, and is flipped face-down, it goes back to the Spell & Trap Card Zone as a Trap Card (vertically, since Trap Cards do not have battle positions). You cannot activate "Embodiment of Apophis" that same turn, because it is a Trap Card that was just Set.


 * When "Embodiment of Apophis" is sent to the Graveyard, it is sent as a Trap Card and remains treated as a Trap Card. You cannot revive it with "Monster Reborn" or retrieve it with "Return of the Doomed". It will not trigger "Last Will". You cannot activate "Michizure". It will not be Special Summoned by "Red-Moon Baby". No damage is inflicted by "KA-2 Des Scissors" or "Inferno" or "Fatal Abacus". "Emes the Infinity" does not increase its ATK. No Life Points are increased by "Absorbing Kid from the Sky". You would not gain Life Points for "Altar for Tribute". (You can, however, now add it back to your hand with "Mask of Darkness".)


 * If your opponent controls your "Embodiment of Apophis" as a monster with "Snatch Steal" or "Creature Swap", and it is flipped face-down, it goes to your opponent's Spell & Trap Card Zone because he/she is the controller.


 * If your opponent controls your "Embodiment of Apophis" as a monster with "Snatch Steal", and "Jinzo" is Summoned, it returns to your Spell & Trap Card Zone and remains there meaninglessly. If your opponent controls your "Embodiment of Apophis" as a monster because of "Creature Swap", and "Jinzo" is Summoned, it is placed on your opponent's Spell & Trap Card Zone and remains there meaninglessly.


 * "Embodiment of Apophis", while a monster, has original ATK 1600 and original DEF 1800 (for purposes of "Megamorph", etc.).


 * You can negate the activation of "Embodiment of Apophis" by chaining "Solemn Judgment" or "Seven Tools of the Bandit" or "Royal Oppression", but you cannot use these against it once it is a monster.


 * When "Embodiment of Apophis" is Special Summoned, you can activate "Torrential Tribute" just like with any other Summon.


 * You can use "Chain Destruction" when "Embodiment of Apophis" is Special Summoned, and "Chain Destruction" will destroy all copies of "Embodiment of Apophis" in the hand and Deck even though they are Trap Cards.


 * You can use "Embodiment of Apophis" as a Tribute once it is a monster. You cannot Tribute it for a Ritual Summon, etc., while it is in your hand.


 * If "Embodiment of Apophis" is a monster and "Morphing Jar #2" is activated, "Embodiment of Apophis" is shuffled into the Deck as a Trap Card, so it does NOT count towards the number of monsters you need to pick up. (Also, if you pick up "Embodiment of Apophis" for the effect of "Morphing Jar #2", it is not counted as a monster and will be one of the cards sent to the Graveyard.)


 * If you pick up "Embodiment of Apophis" for "Cyber Jar", it is added to your hand.


 * If "Embodiment of Apophis" is a monster and is equipped to "Relinquished", "Embodiment of Apophis" is treated as any other monster equipped to "Relinquished", and "Relinquished" gets 1600 ATK and 1800 DEF.


 * If "Embodiment of Apophis" is a monster, "Giant Trunade" will still return it to the owner's hand.


 * When "Embodiment of Apophis" is a monster, and is returned to the hand by "Penguin Soldier", etc., it is returned as a Trap Card. So you cannot activate "Major Riot".


 * You can target "Embodiment of Apophis" with "Monster Recovery" while it is a monster, and return it to the Deck.


 * If "Embodiment of Apophis" is a monster, and you use "Magical Hats" with it, it returns to your Spell & Trap Card Zone face-down. The other effects of "Magical Hats" apply normally.


 * If "Embodiment of Apophis" battles "D.D. Warrior Lady" and her effect is activated, both will be removed from play.


 * If you select "Embodiment of Apophis" as your monster for "Last Turn", it is not sent to the Graveyard even though "Last Turn" sends all other cards to the Graveyard.


 * If you control "Theban Nightmare" and "Embodiment of Apophis", you control a Trap Card so the effect of "Theban Nightmare" cannot be applied.


 * If you change "Embodiment of Apophis" to Machine-Type and use "Limiter Removal", then "Jinzo" is Summoned later that turn and "Embodiment of Apophis" switches back to a Trap Card, "Embodiment of Apophis" is not destroyed in the End Phase by "Limiter Removal".


 * If you use "Dimensionhole" or "Interdimensional Matter Transporter" against "Embodiment of Apophis", it returns to the field as a Trap Card and is destroyed immediately. If "Dimensionhole" was used, you cannot use the Monster Card Zone while "Embodiment of Apophis" is removed from play, but you can use the Spell & Trap Card Zone it was occupying.


 * You can select "Metal Reflect Slime" with "Last Turn" and it will not be sent to the Graveyard.


 * A "Metal Reflect Slime" equipped with "Heart of Clear Water" will be destroyed by "Mystical Space Typhoon" because it still functions as a trap while played as a monster.


 * You cannot activate "A Deal with Dark Ruler" when "Metal Reflect Slime" is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard because it is a Trap Card in the Graveyard.


 * While "Metal Reflect Slime" is treated as an Effect Monster Card, it will count as 1 card for "Spatial Collapse".


 * When "Inferno" destroys "Metal Reflect Slime" in battle, its effect does not activate.


 * You can activate "Chain Disappearance" when "Metal Reflect Slime" is Special Summoned. The Special Summoned "Metal Reflect Slime" and all copies of "Metal Reflect Slime" in the Deck will be removed from play.


 * When "Absorbing Kid from the Sky" destroys "Metal Reflect Slime" in battle, its effect does not activate because "Metal Reflect Slime" is a Trap Card in the Graveyard.


 * When you activate "Call of the Earthbound" and chain "Metal Reflect Slime", a replay will occur when "Metal Reflect Slime" is Special Summoned. If the opponent decides to attack with the same monster, you will select its attack target.


 * If "Metal Reflect Slime" becomes a Machine-Type Monster with "DNA Surgery", you can select it with "Machine Duplication" but you will not be able to Special Summon any cards because "Metal Reflect Slime" is a Trap Card while in your Deck.


 * When "Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning" destroys "Skull Zoma" [sic] by battle, it can activate its effect to attack once again.


 * When "Skull Zoma" [sic] is equipped to "Relinquished" by its effect, it is only treated as an Equip Spell Card, not a Trap Card or Monster Card.


 * While "Skull Zoma" [sic] is treated as an Effect Monster Card, it can be targeted with "Generation Shift" or "Next to be Lost".

Mentions in Other Rulings

 * Caius the Shadow Monarch: No damage is inflicted when "Caius the Shadow Monarch's" effect removes "Zoma the Spirit" from play...


 * Dark Strike Fighter: Compute damage based on the monster’s Level while it was on the field, not its level in the Graveyard or removed zone. This means you can Tribute “Embodiment of Apophis” or “Zoma the Spirit” to do 800 damage.


 * Dimensional Inversion: You cannot activate "Dimensional Inversion" when a Trap Monster like "Embodiment of Apophis" is removed from play.


 * Elemental Hero Glow Neos: If you destroy "Embodiment of Apophis", it is treated as a Trap Card after it is destroyed, so the additional effect for destroying a Trap Card is applied.


 * Flamvell Firedog: If this monster destroys "Embodiment of Apophis" or "Metal Reflect Slime" by battle and sends it to the Graveyard you cannot activate the effect to Summon a monster.


 * Generation Shift: You can target "Embodiment of Apophis" with "Generation Shift". It will be destroyed and a copy of "Embodiment of Apophis" from your Deck will be added to your hand.


 * Hate Buster: "Hate Buster" inflicts damage equal to the original ATK of the destroyed monster after it is sent to the Graveyard or removed zone. If you destroy a Monster Token or a Trap Card that is treated as a monster ("Embodiment of Apophis", etc.) no damage will be inflicted.


 * Imperial Custom: If "Embodiment of Apophis" is being treated as a monster while "Imperial Custom" is active, it cannot be destroyed by effects or battle.


 * Infernity Avenger: You cannot activate Infernity Avenger's effect when a Token Monster or Embodiment of Apophis is destroyed by battle.


 * Linear Accelerator Cannon: You can Tribute a Trap Monster like "Embodiment of Apophis" for this effect, but no damage will be inflicted.


 * Magic Planter: You can send a Trap Monster like “Embodiment of Apophis” to the Graveyard to pay the cost for “Magic Planter.”


 * Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab: If your opponent has "Embodiment of Apophis" on the field as a monster, it is still treated as 1 Trap Card, so "Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab" gains 400 ATK.


 * Next to be Lost: You can target "Embodiment of Apophis" with "Next to be Lost", and a copy of "Embodiment of Apophis" will be sent from your Deck to your Graveyard.


 * Sage of Silence: If this card destroys "Embodiment of Apophis", this effect will activate.


 * Sage of Stillness: If this card destroys "Embodiment of Apophis", this effect will activate.


 * Straight Flush: If your opponent controls an "Embodiment of Apophis" as a Monster Card, it is not counted as a card in the Spell & Trap Card Zone (even though 1 of those Zones cannot be used). So you could not activate "Straight Flush".


 * Stygian Street Patrol: You cannot activate Stygian Street Patrol’s effect if it destroys a Token or a Trap Card that’s turned into a monster, like Embodiment of Apophis.


 * Time Machine: If "Embodiment of Apophis" is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, "Time Machine" cannot be activated because "Embodiment of Apophis" is not a monster while in the Graveyard.


 * Turret Warrior: You can Tribute a Warrior-Type Token monster to Special Summon “Turret Warrior”, or a card like “Embodiment of Apophis” that is currently a Warrior. “Turret Warrior” still gains the appropriate ATK in these cases.


 * Unibird: You can remove from play Tokens or an Embodiment of Apophis that is being treated as a monster to activate this effect.


 * Uria, Lord of Searing Flames: You can send "Embodiment of Apophis" to the Graveyard even while it is a monster, because it is still a Continuous Trap Card.


 * Wrath of Neos: You can activate “Wrath of Neos” and target a Token or “Embodiment of Apophis” being treated as “Elemental Hero Neos.” If you target a Token, you cannot return it to the Deck or destroy all cards on the field. If you target “Embodiment of Apophis,” you can return it to the Deck and destroy all cards on the field.

OCG Rulings

 * If a Token Monster or "Embodiment of Apophis" is being treated as "Elemental Hero Neos" because of "Hero Mask", then you may select it as a target of "Wrath of Neos". If "Wrath of Neos" attempts to return the Token Monster to the Deck, then the Token Monster disappears instead, so "Wrath of Neos" does not destroy the cards on the field because you did not return the Token Monster to the Deck.  If "Wrath of Neos" targets "Embodiment of Apophis", then "Embodiment of Apophis" is returned to the Deck, so all cards on the field are destroyed.


 * The damage inflicted by "Dark Strike Fighter" is based on the Tributed monster's Level while it is on the field. If you Tribute "Zoma the Spirit" or "Embodiment of Apophis", you will inflict 800 damage.


 * While "Embodiment of Apophis" or "Zoma the Spirit" are being treated as Monster Cards, they are also treated as Trap Cards, so they can be sent to the Graveyard to Special Summon "Trap Eater".


 * You can activate "Magic Planter" by sending to the Graveyard an "Embodiment of Apophis" which is in the Monster Card Zone and being treated as a Monster Card.


 * "Embodiment of Apophis" is treated as a Trap Card, so while "Imperial Custom" is active, "Embodiment of Apophis" is destroyed neither by battle nor by card effects.


 * If ":" destroys a monster such as a "Sheep Token" or "Embodiment of Apophis" by battle, then you do not inflict damage to your opponent's Life Points.


 * The ATK of ":" is increased by half of the original ATK of the Fusion Material Monster.
 * If you use a "Embodiment of Apophis" (1600 ATK) being treated as a Warrior-Type monster by "DNA Surgery" as a Fusion Material Monster for ":", then the ATK of ":" is increased by 800.


 * You can remove from play a monster like a Token Monster or an "Embodiment of Apophis" as an activation cost for the effect of ":". In this case, you will still Special Summon a Synchro Monster whose Level is equal to or lower than the combined Levels of ":" and the removed from play monster.


 * If "Caius the Shadow Monarch" removes from play "Zoma the Spirit", no damage will be inflicted since "Zoma the Spirit" is not a DARK monster while removed from play.


 * The ATK of "Kasha" is determined by the number of returned monsters which are Zombie-Type while they are in the Deck. If "Zoma the Spirit" is returned to the Deck, it is not a Zombie-Type monster while in the Deck, so it is not counted.  Token Monsters are not returned to the Deck, so they will not be counted.


 * "Embodiment of Apophis" may be used as a Synchro Material Monster for a Synchro Summon.

Mentions in Other Rulings

 * Card Rulings:: If you have the Trap Card "Embodiment of Apophis" being treated as a Monster Card and in your Monster Card Zone, then you can return it to the hand as a cost to activate the effect of ":".


 * The Tyrant Neptune: The ATK and DEF of "The Tyrant Neptune" are increased by the printed ATK and DEF of the monster which was Tributed from the field.
 * Example: If "Zoma the Spirit" (1800 ATK / 500 DEF) is Tributed for "The Tyrant Neptune", then the ATK of "The Tyrant Neptune" is increased by 1800, and its DEF is increased by 500.