(Or: “Previously, on Yu-Gi-Oh!…”)

We’ve seen a lot of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG fans from all different eras coming back to Dueling since the launch of Genesys! Welcome back!

If you’re wondering what’s changed since the last time you played, let’s get you up to speed. Genesys uses the original field layout that you’re used to. It also does not use Pendulum or Link Monsters, which were added more recently to the game. But there are still a few rule changes that you need to know.

Let’s go back through time! Just look below for when you last played…

If you last played in ARC-V or VRAINS…

You’re good. No changes since then.

If you last played during the ZEXAL era…

If you’ve played with Xyz Monsters, then you’re all up to date on the Monster Card types that can be used in Genesys! But there were two major changes to the basic game rules since then:

• The player who goes first no longer draws a card on the first turn.
• Both players can control 1 Field Spell each.

If you last played during the 5Ds era…

If you’ve played with Synchro Monsters, then the only new kind of Monster Card you need to learn about are Xyz Monsters! We’ve got a quick video on how to play them here.

In addition, the two rules from above also apply:

• The player who goes first no longer draws a card on the first turn.
• Both players can control 1 Field Spell each.

If you last played during the GX era (or before)…

If you haven’t played since 2008, then you’re familiar with Fusion Monsters and Ritual Monsters. Back then, you could have as many Fusion Monsters in your Fusion Deck as you wanted, and as many cards in your Main Deck as you wanted. Since then, there have been a few big changes to the basic rules, and for Genesys there are 2 new types of Monster Cards to learn about: Synchro Monsters and Xyz Monsters. But they’re both pretty easy!

In addition, these changes to the basic game rules have been made:

• The Fusion Deck is now called the Extra Deck (your Synchro Monsters and Xyz Monsters share it with your Fusion Monsters, now).
• The Extra Deck is capped at 15 cards max and the Main Deck at 60 cards max.
• The player who goes first no longer draws a card on the first turn.
• Both players can control 1 Field Spell each.

So that’s it for gameplay changes. To play in Genesys, you’ll also need to know the Genesys Deck construction rules, which you can find here.

Once you’re ready to dive in, head on over to your local participating Official Tournament Store and It’s Time to Duel!