Konami’s official blog has decided to give players a brief glimpse at what Skills Cards from the Speed Duel Decks will be like, as well as some of the special format rules.
First off, as to the special format rules, they’re essentially the same as Duel Links, functionally:
- Each player begins the game with 4000 LP (Life Points)
- Each player starts the game with 4 cards in the starting hand
- The Main Deck size is 20 to 30 cards
- 5 cards maximum size in the Extra Deck
- Each player has 1 Skill Card
- Skill Card’s effects do not use the chain
- Extra Deck monsters can be placed in the Main Monster Zone (there are no Extra Monster Zones on the field)
Each player has 3 Main Monster Zones, 3 Spell and Trap Zones, 1 Field Zone and a Graveyard.
The first player doesn’t draw on their first turn, the hand size limit is 6. Both players can have an active Field Spell Card and a maximum of 3 copies of any card with the same name in both the Main Deck and the Extra Deck.
Each player will have one Skill Card that they place near the Dueling field at the start of the Duel.
There is no Main Phase 2, so remember to set any Spells or Traps you want to use before you enter your Battle Phase!
As noted, you place a Skill Card next to your playing area where both players can see it clearly. Afterwards, you can flip these cards over once you’ve fulfilled the conditions to activate them. To carry over from the official word from R&D:
At the beginning of the game you will place your Skill Card face down near the playing area, your opponent should be able to see your character but not which Skill you have chosen to use. Almost all the card backs for each character will conceal what your Skill is at the beginning of the game so your opponent will have to guess which Skill you decided to use and keep it in mind as they are making their plays.
Once you meet the activation requirements, when there are no cards resolving on the Chain, you can announce that you are activating your Skill and then flip it over and resolve the effect. Skills do not use the Chain and cannot be responded to. So, with that explained here is an exclusive look at the brand-new Skill for Mai Valentine!
As to Skill Cards, this will be the back of such cards:
This card’s activation requirement is “At the start of the Duel, flip this card over.”
While an example of the front side of such a card is as thus:
SS02-ENCS3 Tribal Synergy
Mai / Skill
If you have an “Amazoness” monster and a “Harpie” monster in your hand, reveal them and draw 1 card.
If you control an “Amazoness” monster and a “Harpie” monster, draw 2 cards.
Each of these Skills can only be used once per Duel.
