Flip monster

Flip Effect Monsters, known as Reverse Effect Monsters in the OCG, are Effect Monsters that have an effect that can be activated by flipping the monster from a face-down to a face-up position, though they should not be confused with very similar Trigger Effect monsters whose card texts state "when this card is flipped face-up", such as "Snowman Eater", "Geargiarmor", "Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Wolf", "Sylvan Komushroomo" etc.

They have generally low Level and, so far, only 5 Flip Effect Monsters are Level 5 or higher ("Hade-Hane", "Nobleman-Eater Bug", "Reaper of the Cards", "Worm Noble" and "Worm Victory").

They are differentiated from other Effect Monsters by having the word "FLIP" before the text of the effect. Many Flip Effect Monsters have low ATK and DEF values, but have very useful effects. The challenge is to keep them in play long enough to activate the effect to your advantage. The Flip Effect does not activate if it is Normal Summoned straight to the field. Because Flip Effect Monsters' effect activate when flipped face-up, many players use them as Traps, such as "Man-Eater Bug" and "Penguin Soldier", to handicap the opposing player during the Battle Phase.

When a Flip Effect Monster is attacked, the monster is flipped face-up, and it is determined whether or not the monster is destroyed by battle. Its effect activates (on the field) and resolves near the end of the Damage Step, before being sent to the Graveyard if destroyed by battle. However, if a Spell, Trap, or monster's effect destroys the face-down Flip Effect monster, you cannot activate its Flip Effect, since it is not flipped face-up. Monsters such as "Ancient Gear Beast", "Armades, Keeper of Boundaries" and "Ninja Grandmaster Sasuke" prevent the activation of Flip Effects if they successfully attack and destroy the monster.

Trivia

 * So far, there are no Dragon, Dinosaur, Fish and Sea Serpent-Type Flip Effect Monsters.


 * Flip Effect Monsters are rarely used in the anime, where it is legal to Normal Summon a monster in Defense Position, and setting them is rarely seen.
 * The only character to use them exclusively is the well-named (dub-wise) Flip Turner, who uses a Flip Effect Deck.


 * "Magician of Faith", "Cyber Jar" and "Fiber Jar" are the only Flip Effect Monsters to ever be Forbidden.


 * The "Worm" Archetype is almost entirely based upon Flip Effect Monsters.
 * "Worm Victory" has the highest Level and DEF among all Flip Effect Monsters.

See Also: Flip Monster Effects