Guardian

Guardians are part of a special group of monsters identified by having "Guardian" (ガーディアン) in their Japanese names. This archetype is played by Rafael in Yu-Gi-Oh! (Duel Monsters) anime.

The core Guardian Monsters were initially released in Dark Crisis and re-released in Dark Revelation Volume 1. Each monster has a corresponding Equip Spell Card and can only be summoned if that Equip Card is already face-up on the field. However you can still set them since that doesn't count as a summoning.

The equip does not have to be equipped to their corresponding monster. The only Guardian that is an exception to this rule is "Guardian Eatos", whom can be Special and Normal Summoned without restrictions.

Each Guardian monster and Equip Spell Card also has their own independent effects. Aside from these "true" Guardian monsters, there are also several other "Guardian" cards. These include cards released before and after Dark Crisis.

Some of these cards are not considered "true Guardian monsters," as "Arsenal Summoner" cannot search them out. However, due to the wording on the card that lists monsters that can't be searched out.

"Arsenal Summoner's" effect can also search out "Guardian" monsters not mentioned in its card text, such as "Guardian Sphinx", even though they may not be "true Guardian" monsters".

The true Guardian Monsters are "Guardian Eatos", "Guardian Kay'est", "Guardian Elma", "Guardian Grarl", "Guardian Baou", "Guardian Ceal" and "Guardian Tryce". The former four were used by Rafael in the anime. There is also the anime-only "Guardian Dreadscythe".

"Guardian Baou" appears as a character in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX and is a minion of the The Supreme King.