Introduction to Effect Monsters Effect Monsters are the second type of Monster Card that you should be familiarizing yourself with . Following on from " Basics of Monster Cards " , the only explanation yet to be given are on the different types of Monster Effects . Knowing the differences between these effects can prove critical . Continuous Monster Effects . These are the most basic ; Continuous Monster Effects come into play the second the monster hits the field . Their effects are " always on " , and do not start a chain . This is why you can summon " Jinzo " , and you opponent will then be unable to chain to " Jinzo ' s " effect with , say , " Torrential Tribute " . Flip Monster Effects . Monsters with these effects will have " FLIP " at the start of their lore . These effects activate as soon as the monster is flipped face - up , unless the effect is negated , such as by the effect of " Dark Ruler Ha Des " or " Ceasefire " . If the monster is flipped face - up during the Damage Step ; damage calculation is carried out , then the Flip Effect is resolved . This will become clearer later on . Ignition Monster Effects . These are effects that can only be activated during your Main Phase , be it your first or your second . The most common mistake , is thinking a monster ' s effect can ' t be activated during either player ' s turn ; in truth , this can be possible , but usually only Quick Effects of a Monster can be activated during either player ' s turn . Ignition Monster Effects cannot be chained to each other , so you cannot , for example , chain the effects of two " Hand of Nephthys " , to avoid Tributing other monsters , and at the same time , Special Summon 2 " Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys " . Trigger Monster Effects . These can be easily identified , as these effects require a specific time , event or situation to have occurred for the effect to become eligible for activation . There are two sub - types of Trigger Monster Effects . Mandatory Trigger Effects . These are effects that must activate , the player is not given a choice as to whether to do so or not . Common examples include " Zaborg the Thunder Monarch " and " Sangan " . These effects cannot miss their timing , and if they would . Form a new chain . Optional Trigger Effects . These are effects that must be the last link on the Chain for the player to be able to activate the effect when the condition ( s ) for activation are met . For example , if your opponent activates " Dust Tornado " , and you chain " Call of the Haunted " , targeting " Dark Magician of Chaos " , " Dust Tornado " will resolve after " Dark Magician of Chaos " hits the field via " Call of the Haunted " . " Dust Tornado " will be the last card whose effect has resolved on the field , so the controller of " Dark Magician of Chaos " will not be able to activate the effect . Quick Monster Effects . These are a special type of Monster Effect ; they are the only Spell Speed 2 Monster Card Effects , and the only one that can be activated during either player ' s turn . These can be easily identified because the player can choose , at any time ( subject to activation limitations ) , to activate the effect , either on its own , or chained to another Spell Speed 1 or Spell Speed 2 effect . Spell Speed s will be explained in greater detail later on . Summon Monster Effects . These are an advanced form of Monster Effects , and are only used in a few isolated cases . These are not to be confused with " Summoning Conditions " ( which restrict how the monster is Summoned to the field ) . An example of a card with a Summon Monster Effect is " Cocoon of Evolution " . " Cocoon of Evolution " allows you to , instead of conducting your Normal Summon or Set for the turn , equip it to a face - up " Petit Moth " as an Equip Spell Card .