Yu-Gi-Oh! Rush Duel

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Yu-Gi-Oh! Rush Duel is a collectible card game derived from the well-known Yu-Gi-Oh! card game, first released in 2020 alongside the sixth spin-off to Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS.

While most of its rules are exactly the same as the official card game's, some modifications were made to ensure a simpler, fast-paced gameplay that is more enticing to younger audience and older players who are looking for a lighter game that can be picked up and played easily. Due to the different design philosophies and card layout, Rush Duel cards and OCG cards are not interchangeable.

Major changes from the official card game include:

  • Each player has 3 Monster Zones and 3 Spell/Trap Zones.
  • Each player starts the Duel with 4 cards in their hand.
  • Each turn, during their Draw Phase, the turn player draws until they have 5 cards in their hand. If they already have 5 or more cards in their hand, they draw 1 card instead. There is no limit to hand size. The player who goes first still get their first turn Draw Phase.
  • If a player couldn't draw a required amount of card(s) from their Deck, they lose.
  • Standby Phase and Main Phase 2 are nonexistent.
  • Each player can Normal Summon/Set as many monsters as they possibly can each turn. Level 5 or higher monsters still require their respective amount of Tributes.
  • Certain mechanics such as Trigger Effects, Quick Effects, hand-based Ignition Effects, GY-based Ignition Effects and Banishing are absent to simplify the game. Additionally, all activated effects are limited to once per turn per that card's instance (exactly like the OCG's "Once per turn: ..." clause).
  • Completely brand new Types of monsters, the Cyborg, Magical Knight, High Dragon, Omega Psychic and Celestial Warrior are added for Rush Duel. So far, all these Types are exclusive to certain Fusion Monsters, and are specifically shown to be the results of the Fusion Dance that ensued in their creation.
  • A completely brand new type of monster, the Maximum Monster, is added exclusively for Rush Duel. Maximum Monsters come in sets of 3 separate monsters, each of them are able to function as standalone monsters when needed; however, if a player managed to complete a set in their hand, they can Maximum Summon all 3 as a single powerful monster, in which case it enters Maximum Mode. In Maximum Mode, Maximum Monsters don't possess DEF (and thus can't become Defense Position) and use the MAXIMUM ATK printed on the central monster instead of their normal ATK value.
  • So far,[when?] the only returning Extra Deck Special Summon mechanic is Fusion, and it was handled differently from its OCG counterpart. To differentiate it from OCG's "Yuugou", the mechanic is called "Fusion" with Gratuitous English, with their main Fusion Summoning Spell being Fusion instead of Polymerization.
  • A subset of cards called Legend Cards are added to the game. These are powerful and iconic cards from the OCG that are imported to Rush Duel environment. Due to their sheer power, only 1 Legend Card, full stop, is allowed on each Deck (exactly like DUEL LINKS‍'‍ "Limited 1" rule).

Aside from the rule adaptations, Rush Duel cards are also designed much more differently, with simplified text boxes that separate the effect's requirement and execution, a larger art box, a simpler Level indicator, and a generally more stylized layout.

While the format is set to debut internationally in Fall of 2021 through the video game Yu-Gi-Oh! Rush Duel Saikyo Battle Royale, the physical game itself is currently exclusive to Japan and Korea only.

Tropes used in Yu-Gi-Oh! Rush Duel include: