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Errata (Japanese: エラッタ Eratta) are changes to any part of the text of a card (other than Card Number) that occur between reprints.
Errata can be made to a card for a variety of reasons, including to fix mistakes, to update a card's terminology, or to clarify the behavior of a card so that its rulings are easier to understand (such as Problem-Solving Card Text). Some errata specifically modify the card's functionality itself, usually as a way to make the card less powerful in order to remove it from the Forbidden list.
Players are not required to own the most recent erratum of a card, but they must always be played according to the latest erratum even if using an older copy of the card. Konami recommends using the most recent printing of a card, because that text is the most accurate.[1]
This is done when changing the card's name is undesirable, for marketing purposes[2].
Original
First erratum
A fiend with dark powers for confusing the enemy. Among the Fiend-Type monsters, this monster boasts considerable force.
A fiend with dark powers for confusing the enemy. Among the Fiend-Type monsters, this monster boasts considerable force.
(This card is always treated as an "Archfiend" card.)
Correcting mistakes
Original
First erratum
When this card is changed from Defense Position to Attack Position, you can place any number of cards from your hand at the bottom of your Deck in any order you desire.
When this card is changed from Attack Position to Defense Position, you can place any number of cards from your hand at the bottom of your Deck in any order you desire.
Updating a card's flavor text
Original
First erratum
A flame manipulator who is the only woman among the Elemental Heroes. Her Burstfire burns away villainy.
A flame manipulator who was the first Elemental HERO woman. Her Burstfire burns away villainy.
At the time this card is selected as an attack target by your opponent's monster, the controller of this card can activate Trap Card(s) from their hand.
At the time this card is selected as an attack target by an opponent's monster, you can activate Trap Card(s) from your hand.
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except with its own effect or with "Rise of the Snake Deity". This card gains 500 ATK for each Reptile-Type monster in your Graveyard. This card cannot be targeted and is unaffected by the effects of other Monsters, Spells, and Traps. When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, you can remove from play 1 other Reptile-Type monster from your Graveyard to Special Summon this card. When this card inflicts Battle Damage to your opponent, place 1 Hyper-Venom Counter on it. When 3 Hyper-Venom Counters are on this card, you win the Duel.
Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. Must first be Special Summoned with "Rise of the Snake Deity" and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways except by its own effect. This card gains 500 ATK for each Reptile-Type monster in your Graveyard. This card cannot be targeted by, and is unaffected by, Spell/Trap effects and other Effect Monsters' effects. When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard: You can banish 1 other Reptile-Type monster from your Graveyard; Special Summon this card. When this card inflicts Battle Damage to your opponent: Place 1 Hyper-Venom Counter on it. When 3 Hyper-Venom Counters are on this card, you win the Duel.
Major mechanical changes
Beginning in March 2014, cards can receive errata that make major mechanical changes to their effects, rather than simply having errors or consistency corrected. The vast majority of these are to cards that are Forbidden at the time of the erratum, weakening the cards enough so that they no longer need to be Forbidden.
Original
First erratum
Tribute 1 DARK monster with 1000 or less ATK. Check all monsters on your opponent's side of the field, your opponent's hand, and all cards they draw (until the end of your opponent's 3rd turn after this card's activation), and destroy all monsters with 1500 or more ATK.
Tribute 1 DARK monster with 1000 or less ATK; your opponent takes no damage until the end of the next turn, also you look at your opponent's hand and all monsters they control, and if you do, destroy the monsters among them with 1500 or more ATK, then your opponent can destroy up to 3 monsters with 1500 or more ATK in their Deck.
A complete list of cards that have been modified in this way[3] is:
Players with the old text of these cards may still use them; however the rules require notifying the opponent about the erratum (such as by having a printout of the Card Database entry available)[4].