Special Summon Monster

The OCG Rulings refer to both Semi-Nomi and Nomi monsters as Special Summon Monster. These monsters cannot be Normal Summoned or Set.

Usually, a Special Summon Monster has a condition that restricts how the monster must be Summoned. Other than this, the Special Summon Monster cannot be Special Summoned from the hand/Deck. The condition is almost always a Summoning Condition, so the monster can only be Special Summoned from the hand. Also, such a monster cannot be Special Summoned from Graveyard/Removed Zone unless it was properly Special Summoned beforehand via its condition - this last restriction is a game mechanic, and cannot be ignored by cards that ignore Summoning Conditions.

Alternately, a Normal Summon Monster is a monster almost without these restrictions. A Normal Summon Monster may be Normal Summoned or Set, and mostly can be Special Summoned from the hand/Deck/Graveyard/Removed Zone by other card effects.

Some Normal Summon Monster - like "Cyber Dragon" or "Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon" - have an additional Summoning Condition that allows you to Special Summon it. In this case, the monster may still be Special Summoned from the hand/Deck by other effects, and may be Special Summoned from the Graveyard/Removed Zone regardless of whether the monster was "properly" Special Summoned beforehand.

Some other Normal Summon Monster - like "Ancient Gear Beast" or "Blackwing - Blizzard the Far North" - cannot be Special Summoned. They must be Normal Summoned or Set.


 * See Nomi and Semi-Nomi for more information.