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Special Summoning conditions refer to specific restrictions under which certain monsters are allowed to be Special Summoned.

Cannot be Special Summoned[]

This is a blanket Summon Condition that forbids the card from being Special Summoned by any means, be it from the hand, Deck, Graveyard, or Banished Zone.

Original First erratum
This card cannot be Special Summoned. Cannot be Special Summoned.

Cannot be Special Summoned from...[]

A less limiting restriction than the one above. This allows cards to be Special Summoned from any place except the one or ones mentioned in the text. This restriction usually applies on the Graveyard, and because you cannot Special Summon from it, you have no choose but to move those cards from the Graveyard by using cards like "Monster Reincarnation" or "Pot of Avarice" for example.

Original First erratum
This card cannot be Special Summoned from... Neither player can Special Summon this card from...
Second erratum Third erratum
This card cannot be Special Summoned from... Cannot be Special Summoned from...

Cannot be Special Summoned unless...[]

This allows cards to be Special Summoned from anywhere, but only if the condition is met.

Original First erratum Second erratum
This card cannot be summoned unless... This card can only be Special Summoned while... Cannot be Special Summoned unless...

Must first be Special Summoned...[]

This refers places a restriction on how the card must be first Special Summoned. The card cannot be Special Summoned by an external effect until the summoning condition has been properly fulfilled, after which, the monster in question may be Summoned with cards such as "Monster Reborn". If the card was sent to the Graveyard before being Summoned correctly, it cannot be Special Summoned; likewise, if the card was Special Summoned correctly the first time, but is then sent from the field or the Graveyard back to the hand, Deck or Extra Deck, the Summoning Conditions are then reset. These cards are referred to as Special Summon-only monsters or sometimes referred to as Semi-Nomi monsters.

Original First erratum
This [monster/card] can only be Special Summoned... Must first be Special Summoned...

Must be Special Summoned...[]

This is much like the first example, but this time, it prevents the card from being Special Summoned by any effect other than the one on its effect, preventing it from being Special Summoned by cards such as "Monster Reborn". "LV" monsters' support cards, such as "Level Modulation", get around this by including Ignoring its Summoning conditions in their card text. However, even with this restriction lifted, such cards can only Special Summoned from the Graveyard if they have been properly Summoned first. "Level Up!" is able to bypass this completely, since it Special Summons directly from the Deck. These cards are referred to as Nomi monsters. Cards such as "Dark Armed Dragon" and "Destiny HERO - Plasma" are Nomi monsters and can only be Special Summoned with its Summoning Condition from the hand. "Stardust Dragon/Assault Mode" is also a Nomi monster and can only be Special Summoned from the Deck with "Assault Mode Activate".

Original First erratum
This card can only be Special Summoned... This card cannot be Special Summoned except...
Second erratum Third erratum
Must be Special Summoned... and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. Must be Special Summoned...


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