Players will get a sense for these mechanics during duels against decks using a variety of strategies. Some decks will rely on events or chaining effects that share a specific timing window. Any basic deck with an emphasis on monster combat can learn to take advantage of these mechanics to defend its owner or make advantageous plays.

This week, we examine the timing mechanics of the battle step, when monsters first declare their attack. The battle step has some subtlety which experienced players can use to gain an unanticipated advantage over their opponent, and many have used this when dealing with Light and Darkness Dragon.

War Is Declared

Whenever a player declares an attack with a monster, the game sets up a brief period in which players can activate effects used when a monster “declares an attack,” “a monster attacks,” or any other variation of the same. This opportunity equates to a single chain with effects typically activated in response to an attack, and after it resolves the timing to activate these types of cards, it passes. It isn’t possible to start a new chain with these types of effects afterward.

Example 1: One Chance

Jaden declares a direct attack with Elemental Hero Stratos. His opponent Travis activates Sakuretsu Armor in response to the attack, starting a chain. Jaden activates his set Seven Tools of the Bandit to negate the Sakuretsu Armor.

Travis has another set Sakuretsu Armor, but he cannot activate it now because its spell speed isn’t high enough to chain against Seven Tools of the Bandit. After this chain resolves, the opportunity to activate effects that activate “when a monster attacks” has passed, so it won’t be possible for Travis to start a new chain with his second Sakuretsu Armor.

Example 2: The Old One-Two

Kel has The Six Samurai - Irou in face-up attack position. His opponent Kara has Magic Cylinder and Mirror Force set in her spell and trap card zone. Kel declares an attack against Kara’s attack-position The Six Samurai - Nisashi. Kara activates her set Mirror Force in response. Kel has no response, so Kara chains her Magic Cylinder.

When the chain resolves, Magic Cylinder negates Irou’s attack and inflicts 1800 damage to Kel’s life points. Mirror Force resolves next and destroys Irou.  Mirror Force doesn't care that Cylinder negated the attack, because it doesn't target the attacking monster.  It destroys every attack position monster Kel has, attacking or not.

Multiple cards can be placed onto this chain and any one of them can be a card that activates when a monster attacks. Just because an unrelated effect is chained doesn’t mean that these specific timing effects “miss their timing.” The “monster attacks” timing is true for the entire chain.

Example: Another Chance

Jaden declares a direct attack with Elemental Hero Ocean against his opponent Robert. Robert activates Sakuretsu Armor in response to the attack, so Jaden chains Royal Decree. Robert knows that when the chain resolves, his Sakuretsu Armor will be negated, but he also has a set Widespread Ruin on his side of the field.

Robert can chain Widespread Ruin, and by doing so, it will resolve before Royal Decree can begin negating the effects of trap cards. The timing to activate Widespread Ruin is still correct because this chain was begun in response to the attack of Elemental Hero Ocean. The activation of Royal Decree does not interfere with the timing of Widespread Ruin.

Not every effect in this chain needs to have the “activate because a monster attacked” timing requirement. It is possible to activate effects in this chain that don’t really have anything to do with the attack, but seem useful at the time. Sometimes these types of effects can start the chain or simply respond to another effect on the chain.

Example 1: Malevolent Catastrophe

Winston has Jar of Greed set from a previous turn and a face-up Messenger of Peace. He attacks his opponent Sarah directly with Giant Rat. Sarah responds by activating Malevolent Catastrophe.

At this time Winston can chain Jar of Greed. It has no specific timing requirement and it was set during a previous turn, so nothing prevents Winston from activating it. He might as well activate it so it won’t be lost to the Malevolent Catastrophe for no good reason.

Example 2: Tricking the Dragon

Chazz has Light and Darkness Dragon at full power in face-up attack position. His opponent Casey has Ojama Trio and Sakuretsu Armor set on his spell and trap card zone. Chazz declares a direct attack against Casey with Light and Darkness Dragon. Casey knows that the first trap card he activates will be negated by Light and Darkness Dragon, but he really wants to take the Dragon out. He decides to respond to the attack by activating Ojama Trio. This forces Light and Darkness Dragon to chain, with the intent of negating Ojama Trio.

At this time, Casey can chain Sakuretsu Armor. Light and Darkness Dragon will not chain because it will only activate its effect once per chain. Sakuretsu Armor will destroy the Light and Darkness Dragon and the Ojama Trio will successfully special summon three Ojama Tokens onto Chazz’s side of the field. Now Light and Darkness Dragon’s third effect activates and Chazz will special summon a monster from his graveyard, but he will also destroy the Ojama Tokens and receive 900 damage.

The Battle Step Continues

When the special “monster is attacking” chain has come and gone, the battle step doesn’t immediately progress to the damage step. It is still possible to activate effects in the battle step as long as they do not have those pesky “monster is attacking” requirements. Normally disruptive cards or non-event specific stall cards can be used at this time, as can a number of effects.

Example 1: One More Chance?

Jaden declares a direct attack with Elemental Hero Stratos. His opponent Travis activates Sakuretsu Armor in response, starting a chain. Jaden activates his set Seven Tools of the Bandit to negate the Sakuretsu Armor. The last time we saw this scenario, Travis had another Sakuretsu Armor but was unable to chain it. This time, Travis has a set Waboku, which doesn’t have a specific timing requirement. So after this chain resolves, Travis can begin a new one by activating his Waboku.

Example 2: Perhaps This Instead?

Makenna attacks her opponent Zach directly with Nanobreaker. Zach activates Sakuretsu Armor. Makenna chains Dark Bribe to negate and destroy Sakuretsu Armor. After the chain resolves, Zach activates Gravity Bind, which prevents level 4 or higher monsters from attacking. That shuts down Nanobreaker’s attack and keeps the attack from progressing into the damage step.

Replays

It is possible that a replay may occur during this process. Replays will occur as a result of effects used in the “monster is attacking” chain or when effects are used afterward during the battle step. You can’t say replays will never happen just because you’ve made it past the “monster is attacking” chain.

Example 1: Now or Never

Mike has Cyber Dragon in attack position and Seven Tools of the Bandit set on his spell and trap card zone. His opponent Natalie has Mirror Force and Call of the Haunted set in her spell and trap card zone. Mike declares a direct attack. In response, Natalie activates her set Mirror Force. Mike chains Seven Tools of the Bandit to negate Mirror Force.

After the chain resolves, Natalie can start a new chain by activating Call of the Haunted. A replay will occur when she does, and Mike will have to re-decide Cyber Dragon’s attack.

Next week: The Damage Step

Send all comments and questions to Curtis@Metagame.com.