[Einstein]

Note that this is in no way official - this is simply something I wrote based on the existing accepted standard as well as conclusions drawn from certain rulings. Nothing on priority is really official aside from what's in the rulebook for the time being.



The topic of what priority is, exactly, is often very confusing. Some people believe that "Breaker the Magical Warrior" has priority when you summon it, or that "Exiled Force" has priority to Tribute itself when you summon. Both of those, and probably many interpretations you have heard, are incorrect (in this case, because, as I mention below, monsters do not have priority, players do).

Priority is the principle that determines which player has the chance to activate an effect at a given time. In most normal situations, a simpler definition is that priority is the ability of the Turn Player to place an effect of theirs in Chain Link 1.

Yes, this means that only players have priority, not monsters, and that it's a concept or rule, not an actual effect.

Well, what does this mean for the game? Let's analyze it in several sections:

Priority, in Relation to SEGOC:

SEGOC, or Simultaneous Effects Go On a Chain, is not a topic that strictly concerns priority. However, it does directly relate to priority in several ways, so I shall address it here.

To get an in-depth idea of simultaneous effects, I advise you to read the "Simultaneous Effects" article in the Advanced Gameplay FAQ. Here, I'll just briefly describe it to you:

When two or more effects attempt to resolve at the same time, they are placed into a chain, even if they are Spell Speed 1 effects. Note that this is an example of Spell Speed 1 effects chaining to each other, which does not usually occur.

A great example is if a "Mystic Tomato" attacks a "Mystic Tomato". Both effects attempt to resolve at the same time, so they are placed into a chain with the following rules:

1. Mandatory effects are always placed on the chain before optional effects.

If there are simultaneous effects are of the same type, the rules for chain placement are governed by Rule 2:

2. Turn Player's effects are always placed onto the chain before the opponent's.

If one player controls two effects of the same type, chain placement is determined by Rule 3:

3. If one player controls two simultaneous effects, that player chooses the order in which they are placed in the chain.

(These rules have been created by me and are not official in any way)

Since in this case, both effects are optional, we skip to the second rule; the Turn Player, or attacking player, places their "Mystic Tomato" on Chain Link 1, and the opponent, or defending player, places theirs on Chain Link 2. It will resolve in reverse order, and the opponent will search first.

In relation to priority as you will need it for the game, the most common issue is in dealing with how simultaneous Trigger Effects activate and resolve.

Some examples of this type of priority:

(In all examples, assume Player A is the Turn Player)

1) Player A summons "Mobius the Frost Monarch" while "Stumbling" is on the field. Both effects trigger upon the summon, so they are placed on the chain. In this case, the first rule shows that the mandatory trigger effect of "Stumbling" must be placed in Chain Link 1, while the optional trigger effect of "Mobius the Frost Monarch" is placed in Chain Link 2 (the second rule only applies if both effects are of the same type). "Mobius the Frost Monarch" will resolve first, destroying two Spell or Trap Cards, and if one of them was "Stumbling", will remain in Attack Position.

2) Player A summons "Exiled Force" while "Stumbling" is on the field. The mandatory trigger effect of "Stumbling" is placed automatically into Chain Link 1 (assuming the Turn Player has no mandatory trigger effects to activate). Now, however, since "Exiled Force" has an Ignition Effect, it cannot be chained to the effect of "Stumbling" (the only time Spell Speed 1 effects can be chained to each other in this type of priority example is Trigger Effects). In this example, the Turn Player essentially "loses" their priority (although this isn't really true, imagine it that way).

3) Player A Normal Summons "Marauding Captain" while "King Tiger Wanghu" is on the field. The effect of "King Tiger Wanghu" is mandatory and is placed in Chain Link 1; however, since "Marauding Captain" has an optional Trigger Effect, it can be chained to that of "King Tiger Wanghu". "Marauding Captain" will still be destroyed, but the monster will be summoned.

4) Player A Normal Summons "Marauding Captain" while Player B's "King Tiger Wanghu" and Player A's "Stumbling" are on the field. According to Rule 1, since "King Tiger Wanghu" and "Stumbling" are both mandatory Trigger Effects, they are placed on the chain first. According to Rule 2, the Turn Player's effect is placed in Chain Link 1, so "Stumbling" will activate its effect, "King Tiger Wanghu" will chain to that, and then "Marauding Captain", an optional effect, will chain to the effect of "King Tiger Wanghu" if so chosen. The chain will resolve in reverse order.

Note that in this example, if Player B controlled "Stumbling" and "King Tiger Wanghu", Rule 3 would mean that Player B would choose which was Chain Link 1 and which was Chain Link 2.



I hope this article has given you a little insight as to what priority is and how it affects your gameplay. Priority is not anything new, it just gives structure and names to what you already know. If you have any questions relating to priority, please post them here and I or another member will be happy to answer them.

[2MuchSkill]

OKay, I know everything about priority cuz thats all thats on the Lv2 judge test and this is really long and some of the stuff is long winded and pointless lol no offense

With Mobius you should say something like this

Player A tribute summons Mobius the Frost Monarch and chooses to activate Its effect and target 2 spells or traps - WHICH MUST HAPPEN FIRST, then player B can choose to chain, usually deciding to chain based on what card is destroyed

And I think if Mobius is played while Level Limit Aea B is on the field It switches then destroys but I'll look it up


This article is somewhat good
If anyone takes the Level 2 judge test this might help cause that test is all priority lol

[Einstein]

OKay, I know everything about priority cuz thats all thats on the Lv2 judge test and this is really long and some of the stuff is long winded and pointless lol no offense

I didn't write it for anyone who knows it. If you already know it, don't say anything unless there's something wrong with it (which there isn't).

With Mobius you should say something like this

Player A tribute summons Mobius the Frost Monarch and chooses to activate Its effect and target 2 spells or traps - WHICH MUST HAPPEN FIRST, then player B can choose to chain, usually deciding to chain based on what card is destroyed

It doesn't necessarily have to happen first.

And I think if Mobius is played while Level Limit Aea B is on the field It switches then destroys but I'll look it up

That's correct.

This article is somewhat good
If anyone takes the Level 2 judge test this might help cause that test is all priority lol

Maybe I should re-read it, I haven't taken the Level 2 Judge Test.[/b]

[Loner00]

Regardin to einstein's post in the begining of the priority thread, there was something didnt really make sense to me...the example of:
Player A enters their Main Phase 1. Player B has a face-down "Embodiment of Apophis" and would like to activate it. However, Player A has priority upon entering Main Phase 1, and decides to Tribute Summon "Jinzo". In this case, Player B has no chance to activate "Embodiment of Apophis", as Player A has first chance and summons "Jinzo", thus making said activation impossible.

i never heard that before in my life! is that really tru? summons dont even have spell speed....and i tihnk this whole priority thing is just takin it a bit too far...so if i were to act. a trap card on my oppo's turn....but my oppo was PROBABLY goin to sac his monsters for a jinzo...i'm suppose to take bac the act. of my trap card cuz he has "priority to summon"? doesnt that make any sense...maybe i'm readin that example wrong...::re-reads it:: ....that really sounds like BS...even though jinzo would neg the card anyway...but still....priority to summon a monster before u act a card? i never heard of that....so what would happen if i were to act it durin his draw phase or standby phase, would that be ok? imagine if someone took that seriously....there might be a dumb fight over that.....plus what if the oppo act raigeki break to destroy that monsters but the oppo was goin to tribute it for a jinzo...what would happen there? the turn player has the "priority to summon"? and i want to kno where u even got that info from cuz like i said...i never heard that in my life...so plz explain that one to me


::reads the whole priority post:: .......i'm startin to think that info on priority is wrong on some places...like the one w/ Chaos Sorcerer being torrential tributed and doesnt get his effect....i have been raised that priority no matter what happens, that effect is guaranteed to work no matter what happens to the monster...or ur sayin that since there's no monsters on the field, there's no effect? cuz what if there's a wildheart on the field and the oppo act torrential tribute in response to Chaos Sorcerer but turn player uses priority to remove wildheart...what would happen there? wildheart is removed or is Chaos Sorcerer's effect disappears when it's not on the field no more?

[guruofunk]

All of what Einstein has stated in the article is correct. The Turn Player always retains priority to do/activate something during every Phase, unless the Turn Player relinquishes priority. You could not have activated "Embodiment of Apophis" during your opponent's Draw Phase, or Standby Phase due to the relevant card text printed on "Embodiment of Apophis".

You have misunderstood the scenario of "Chaos Sorcerer" vs. "Torrential Tribute". Player A summons "Chaos Sorcerer" and utilizes priority to activate the effect of "Chaos Sorcerer". Now Player B has a chance to respond, and decides to do so with "Torrential Tribute".

Chain Link 1: "Chaos Sorcerer"
Chain Link 2: "Torrential Tribute"

Chain resolution:
"Torrential Tribute" -> "Chaos Sorcerer"

"Torrential Tribute" would destroy all monsters on the field, and when the effect of "Chaos Sorcerer" attempts to resolve, there is no monster left to remove from play.

Using the same example, "Elemental Hero Wildheart" would be different because it would be unaffected by "Torrential Tribute", and when the effect of "Chaos Sorcerer" resolves, "Elemental Hero Wildheart" is removed from play.

Priority, in no shape or form, changes the game mechanics.

[Loner00]

kk that's what i thought...but what about that "priority to summon" thing...cuz i never heard of that, what's that about? or was that used in only in example w/ that trap monster card?

[Celtic Swordsman]

kk that's what i thought...but what about that "priority to summon" thing...cuz i never heard of that, what's that about? or was that used in only in example w/ that trap monster card?[/b]

the turn player has the right to do any game action as the first event in any given phase. so for instance if your opponent does not have any cards to play during the draw and standby phase then play moves to the main phase 1. the turn player now has priority to do any game action before the opponent, such as tribute summoning jinzo.

[Loner00]

the turn player has the right to do any game action as the first event in any given phase. so for instance if your opponent does not have any cards to play during the draw and standby phase then play moves to the main phase 1. the turn player now has priority to do any game action before the opponent, such as tribute summoning jinzo.[/b]

ooooooo ok i think i got it...mmm....so for example, if the oppo doesnt choose to act raigeki break on a monster durin the turn player's draw/standby phase and decided to do it on turn player's main phase, the turn player has the priority to tribute his monsters? is that how it works? mmm....::thinks of ways to take advantage of this::

[Celtic Swordsman]

ooooooo ok i think i got it...mmm....so for example, if the oppo doesnt choose to act raigeki break on a monster durin the turn player's draw/standby phase and decided to do it on turn player's main phase, the turn player has the priority to tribute his monsters? is that how it works? mmm....::thinks of ways to take advantage of this::[/b]

exactly, just remember that the turn player has priority in every phase but due to the fact that so few cards can be played in the draw and standby phase it makes it a good oppourtunity to drop your trap cards. but be careful if you enter the main phase and try to bait your opponent by asking if they have anything to play, then you relinquished your priority to your opponent.

basically play smart but don't be a jerk about it, not that you would be but i've seen arguments where the turn player tried baiting the opponent to play something to get a free look at a f/d then claiming priority. do not do this! not only does it get you on a judges bad side but you also lose priority since your essentially telling your opponent that they can play something.

[Loner00]

i got a ques...traps...u can act them durin the oppo's draw and standby phase as well rite? or do u have to wait until the opp's main phase to act. it?

[Celtic Swordsman]

you can play traps during any phase after they have been set for a turn. unless the trap has a specific time that it needs to be activated.

[Loner00]

o iight just checkin thx

[Stein&#39d]

im pretty sure im allowed to do this but...

lets say i summon cyber stein and call priority and than activate "torrential tribute" and have my fusion monster with a clear field, thats legal, right?

[Celtic Swordsman]

im pretty sure im allowed to do this but...

lets say i summon cyber stein and call priority and than activate "torrential tribute" and have my fusion monster with a clear field, thats legal, right?[/b]

indeed, i do this all the time with my kitty cat. however remember that you have to give your opponent a chance to respond so they may play a counter trap which would make it impossible to chain torrential due to spell speed.

[Stein&#39d]

thanks

[emperornikko]

can someone explain to me what happens when exiled force is summoned when tiger wanghu is on the field. does the other player who summons exiled force get to use priority when my king tiger wanghu is on the field?

[guruofunk]

The effect of "King Tinger Wanghu" activates immediately, and destroys "Exiled Force" prior to the Turn Player being able to tribute "Exiled Force".

[emperornikko]

then why does marauding captain get to chain his effect to king tiger but not exiled force?

[guruofunk]

We are dealing with two different types of effects here. "Exiled Force" which has an Ignition effect, and "Marauding Captain" which has a Trigger effect.

Now Ignition effects cannot be activated if the monster in question was face-down, or is not face-up on the field during the window in which you wish to activate the Ignition effect (as is the case with "King Tiger Wanghu" vs. "Exiled Force"). Since "Exiled Force" cannot be chained, "King Tiger Wanghu" will destroy "Exiled Force" before the Turn Player can tribute "Exiled Force".

"Marauding Captain" and "King Tiger Wanghu" both have Trigger effects. In this case, both effects would go on a chain. An effect monster with a Trigger effect does not need to be face-up on the field for its effect to successfully resolve, which is consistent with the rulings based on the "Marauding Captain" vs. "King Tiger Wanghu" scenario.

[Ken34]

so if i summon exiled force and my opponent activates trap hole, i cant call priority to use exiled effect? right?