Material

Materials (素材 Sozai) are cards used to Special Summon Fusion Monsters, Synchro Monsters and Xyz Monsters from the Extra Deck. Each type of monster has a corresponding type of material: Fusion Material Monsters, Synchro Material Monsters, and Xyz Materials, respectively.

Most Fusion, Synchro and Xyz Monsters have their required materials listed in their card text on a designated line above any card effect, cost or condition. However, some Fusion Monsters such as the Masked HEROs (which are Summoned in a special way that does not use materials) and "Elemental HERO Divine Neos" (which has complex materials) do not list their materials in this way.

While materials are usually only used in Fusion Summons, Synchro Summons, and Xyz Summons, not all of these Summons always require materials, and materials can be used in Special Summons other than these. For example, "Instant Fusion" can Fusion Summon a monster without the need for materials. Conversely, Contact Fusion and the monsters in the Hex-Sealed Fusion series both Special Summon Fusion Monsters using Fusion Material Monsters, despite not being Fusion Summons.

Fusion Material Monsters and Synchro Material Monsters are both sent to the Graveyard after being used (by default); Xyz Materials are instead placed under the Xyz Monster until detached (or that monster is no longer on the field). Cards such as "Overlay Regen" can be used to retroactively attach Xyz Materials to an Xyz Monster.