[Einstein]

My goal for this topic is to simply be a FAQ topic for all questions pertaining to the RFG (Removed From the Game) section of gameplay. This is the place where cards that are "removed from play" or are "removed from the game," according to certain card texts, such as "Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End", go to.

Since the issue of cards like "Macro Cosmos" and some of their interactions has come into the limelight lately, I've decided to help shed some light on some of the frequent mechanics you see involved with them.

First, a general description of what cards like "Macro Cosmos" and "Banisher of the Light" do. Their texts might help:

"Macro Cosmos":

You can Special Summon 1 "Helios - The Primordial Sun" from your hand or Deck. While this card is on the field, any card sent to the Graveyard is removed from play instead.

"Banisher of the Light":

As long as this card remains face-up on the field, any card sent to the Graveyard is removed from play instead.

What these texts mean is that if a card would definitely be sent to the Graveyard and is about to go there, instead it is removed from play. While that may seem redundant, give me a minute. Think of it like this: when a card is destroyed, it goes to a "nether region" where it has to decide where to go. In most cases, it normally goes to the Graveyard. "Macro Cosmos" changes this so that after the "nether region," it goes to the RFG zone. This does not mean that it goes straight to that zone; rather, it means that if nothing happens to the card in the intermediate zone, it then is removed from the game.

If a card interrupts that, it is not a contradiction. Note that the text for these cards - "any card sent to the Graveyard is removed from play instead." This means that if a card is just about to enter the Graveyard, it instead is redirected. Imagine that all cards are sent to this intermediate zone after being destroyed, and if nothing happens to them, they continue on their merry way. Take "Grave Protector", for instance (While this card is face-up on the field, monsters that are destroyed as a result of battle are returned to the owner's Deck (not sent to the Graveyard). The Deck is then shuffled.). At the intermediate stage, "Grave Protector" redirects the monster. The reasoning for this is that being sent to the Graveyard is the "natural function" for destroyed cards. Any other action supersedes this. Remember that rule I've stated before - that if a "no" and a "yes" collide, the "no" always wins? In this case, the "yes" is the Graveyard - saying "yes," come to me, that's what you normally do; and the "no" is the other card, like "Grave Protector", saying "no", this is what you're doing now.

Now, as I mentioned, "Macro Cosmos" simply changes that natural function - it makes the Graveyard the RFG for destroyed cards. It is not the "nether region" I mentioned, but instead where cards are naturally supposed to go. This explains the ruling between "Macro Cosmos" and "Grave Protector". "Grave Protector" affects that intermediate region, before the monster is ever supposed to be removed from the game.

Also, an important ruling to keep in mind is that if a card cannot fulfill its costs, it cannot be activated. Specifically, if a card's cost indicates it must send a card to the Graveyard, that card may not be activated while "Macro Cosmos" is active on the field, since the card cannot be sent to the Graveyard. Note, though, that this is not relevant if it is the effect of the card, not the cost.

A parallel ruling to this is that if a card specifically states it must be sent to the Graveyard, and a card is not sent to the Graveyard (but removed from the game, as in this case), any effects that are dependent on that card having been sent to the Graveyard will not resolve.

So, I will now list the rulings situations I can come up with and give a brief explanation of why these situations occur as they do. If you can come up with any other good ones, just let me know and I'll add them. All of these situations assume that "Macro Cosmos" is active on the field and the card listed is played.


"Advanced Ritual Art" (or "Polymerization", etc.)

Select 1 Ritual Monster in your hand. Send Normal Monsters from your Deck to the Graveyard whose total Levels are equal to that Ritual Monster's. Ritual Summon a card with the name of the selected Ritual Monster from your hand.

"Advanced Ritual Art" works similarly to "Polymerization" in that it does absolutely nothing until the resolution of the card effect. The mechanic that is important here is what I mentioned above. If the cost of "Advanced Ritual Art" were to send monsters to the Graveyard, it would not be legal to play. However, sending monsters to the Graveyard is not a cost of "Advanced Ritual Art".

Result: "Advanced Ritual Art" is legal to play. The monsters used for its effect will be removed from play, but the Fusion Monster will still be summoned.



"Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch"

When this card is Tribute Summoned, randomly discard 1 card from your opponent's hand to the Graveyard. If the discarded card was a Monster Card, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the Level of the monster x 100.

Being sent to the Graveyard is a requirement for "Thestalos the Fire Monarch"'s effect to resolve.

Result: The card is removed from play, but no damage is dealt because the card was not sent to the Graveyard.



"Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle" (and other "Crystal Beast" Monsters)

When this card is Special Summoned, you can Special Summon as many "Crystal Beast" cards as possible from your Spell & Trap Card Zone. If this card is destroyed while it is in a Monster Card Zone, you can place it face-up in your Spell & Trap Card Zone as a Continuous Spell Card, instead of sending it to the Graveyard.

Refer to what I explained earlier. The "Crystal Beast" monsters' effects activate in that intermediate zone. The card text indicates "instead of sending it to the Graveyard,' whereas "Macro Cosmos" is only relevant if the card actually is being sent to the Graveyard. The "Crystal Beast" monsters prevent this.

Result: The effect of the "Crystal Beast" Monsters may be used, to place them in the Spell/Trap Card Zone after being destroyed.

Remember, if you have other scenarios, just post them here or PM me.



"Mystic Tomato" (and other "Battle Searchers")

When this card is sent to the Graveyard as a result of battle, you can Special Summon 1 DARK monster with an ATK of 1500 or less in face-up Attack Position from your Deck. Then shuffle your Deck.

This card specifically states the effect activates when it is sent to the Graveyard.

Result: "Mystic Tomato" destroyed in battle will not get its effect.



"Exiled Force" (or "Apprentice Magician", or other "destroyed by battle" effects)

If being sent to the Graveyard is not a requirement specifically listed in the card text, it is completely irrelevant whether "Macro Cosmos" is on the field or not, in terms of activation eligibility. Pay special attention to whether a card actually mentions the Graveyard or not, as there is often confusion on this issue.

Result: The effect of "Exiled Force" may be activated, and the selected monster will be destroyed (and "Exiled Force" will be removed from the game).



"Burial from a Different Dimension" (and other cards that move cards from the RFG zone to the Graveyard)

Select up to 3 Monster Cards that are removed from play, and return them to their owners' Graveyards.

This card does not "send" any cards to the Graveyard, so "Macro Cosmos" does not affect it.

[Four Wude]

Great article, but I think some clarification needs to be made on Graveyard effects such as Mystic Tomato. Those get negated if not sent to the Graveyard, so putting a section for redirected GY effects like battle searchers should answer some more questions. Also, some people still believe Apprentice Magician and Exiled Force are considered Graveyard effects, so you could clarify that as well.

Should be sticked and highlighted.

EDIT: I think you explain it here:

"Also, an important ruling to keep in mind is that if a card cannot fulfill its costs, it cannot be activated. Specifically, if a card's cost indicates it must send a card to the Graveyard, that card may not be activated while "Macro Cosmos" is active on the field, since the card cannot be sent to the Graveyard. Note, though, that this is not relevant if it is the effect of the card, not the cost."

Maybe clarify this a bit more with an example, if you were referring to effects such as battle searchers.

[Laughing Man]

can cards like burrial from a
different dimension be
played or not?

[Einstein]

Added.

[BAD31]

go to netrep and look at "apprentice magician". I think you'll see something that doesn't make sense that has to do with this.

[Celtic Swordsman]

go to netrep and look at "apprentice magician". I think you'll see something that doesn't make sense that has to do with this.[/b]

he mentioned that if being sent to the gy is not mentioned then the existence of macro on the field is irrelevant for cards like apprentice magician.

[Laughing Man]

didnt see it

[Einstein]

I have a specific section on the "Crystal Beast" monsters.

[BAD31]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

go to netrep and look at "apprentice magician". I think you'll see something that doesn't make sense that has to do with this.[/b]

he mentioned that if being sent to the gy is not mentioned then the existence of macro on the field is irrelevant for cards like apprentice magician.
[/b]

oh, sorry. I've always know this card as "destroyed as a result of battle and sent to the grave". Apparently they changed the text.

[Zero.]

It was a good article, but I think you should have made it clearer that Grave Protector doesn't override Macro. The way it was put it could have been taken either way.
In fact, it seems like you're saying that if Grave Protector and Macro are on the field at the same time, monsters destroyed as a result of battle are still returned to the deck. However, the exact ruling quoted from the UDE singe card FAQ states otherwise:

If "Banisher of the Light" and "Grave Protector" are both active, destroyed monsters are removed from play.[/b]

I'm most likely just misreading it though.

everything else was good though. But one for Card Trooper vs. Macro would be helpful. Last time I checked there isn't an official ruling up, and I've heard some different opinions from judges on this. However I believe Trooper cannot activate either of its 2 effects if a Macro Cosmos/Dimensional Fissure/Banisher are on the field.

[Einstein]

Quote

It was a good article, but I think you should have made it clearer that Grave Protector doesn't override Macro. The way it was put it could have been taken either way.
In fact, it seems like you're saying that if Grave Protector and Macro are on the field at the same time, monsters destroyed as a result of battle are still returned to the deck. However, the exact ruling quoted from the UDE singe card FAQ states otherwise:

Quote

If "Banisher of the Light" and "Grave Protector" are both active, destroyed monsters are removed from play.[/b]

[/b][/quote]

That ruling is basically wrong. It should be a completely different ruling, but UDE didn't do it the way it should have, and we are stuck with this ruling.

Quote

I'm most likely just misreading it though.

everything else was good though. But one for Card Trooper vs. Macro would be helpful. Last time I checked there isn't an official ruling up, and I've heard some different opinions from judges on this. However I believe Trooper cannot activate either of its 2 effects if a Macro Cosmos/Dimensional Fissure/Banisher are on the field.[/b]

Well, this should be easily determined from my description of costs. "Card Trooper" has a cost of sending monsters to the Graveyard. That cost cannot be fulfilled if "Macro Cosmos"' effect is active, so you cannot activate its effect.

I don't think anyone here still cares about me, so I'm basically done with ETC. If anyone still wants to talk to me, PM's will go to my e-mail address.

[Shanu_Ra]

Side note~ If anything like Dimmensional Fissure or Macro Cosmos is on the field, effects like "Card Trooper" won't work, same with Gravekeeper's Servant etc., this was ruled on during Nats

[pupcet143]

I encounter this in a local tourney and I'm just wondering if it can be done.., When MAcro Cosmos and Gravekeeper's Servant is on the field they see that I cannot attack because i cannot discard any card from my deck to the graveyard since it is reove from play.., Is it true? Is sending to the graveyard of GS a cost to attack or just a consequence.., i believe I can attack, it just that my card from deck will be removed.., but they say it is not... what is the ruling really.., They say they see it in netrep and other site but i cannot see it thx for help.,

[Kirin]

It is indeed true. Gravekeeper's servant MUST be able to put the card from the deck to the graveyard in order for you to attack, and since you cannot put the card into the graveyard, you cannot attack.

[pupcet143]

thx for the confirmation

[.:KH:.]

I was told today that to successfully tribute summon a monster, the monster being tributed must be sent to the graveyard so wouldn't this make D.D. Monarchs illegal?

[Celtic Swordsman]

I was told today that to successfully tribute summon a monster, the monster being tributed must be sent to the graveyard so wouldn't this make D.D. Monarchs illegal?[/b]

whoever told you that was an idiot. a tribute does not have to go to the gy unless it specifically states that it must, like my pal rescue cat.

[Pein]

Can I launch wave-motion cannon if macro cosmos or similar effects are active?

[guruofunk]

If "Wave-Motion Cannon" is not sent to the Graveyard, then its effect will not activate.

[Zero.]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this but there is a new ruling on the effect of D.D. Survivor
http://entertainment...ead/882026.aspx

* Field was full: "D.D. Survivor" will remain removed from play. Its effect will not activate during following End Phases.
* "If "D.D. Survivor's" effect is activated in the End Phase, and it is removed from play again (by "Bottomless Trap Hole", or "Torrential Tribute" while "Dimensional Fissure" is in play, etc.), its effect will activate during the next turn's End Phase."[/b]