Flip monster

Flip Effect Monster Cards 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". So far, all but five Flip Effect Monsters are Level 4 or lower (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 Monster Cards 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, when a spell, trap, or monster's effect destroyed the face down flip monster card, you cannot activate its flip effect since it is not flipped face-up.

To date there are no Flip Effect Dragon-type monsters.

The recent Worm Archetype is almost entirely based upon Flip Effect monster cards.

See Also: Flip Monster Effects