Spell Speed

Spell Speeds come in 3 official settings:

Spell Speed 1
Spell Speed 1 is the slowest of all the Spell Speeds, and is the only Spell Speed that cannot be countered by cards of the same Spell Speed during normal play.

The following are all Spell Speed 1:


 * Normal/Field/Continuous/Equip & Ritual Spell Cards
 * Continuous/Ignition/Trigger & Flip Monster Effects
 * The only case in which Spell Speed 1 effects can be chained against each other, is when they activate simultaneously i.e. 2 "Mystic Tomatos" attacking each other, or 2 "Sangans" attacking each other, with each effect activating in the Graveyard.


 * For simultaneous Spell Speed 1 effects, please see "Simultaneous Effects Go On Chain".

Spell Speed 2
Spell Speed 2 cards can be used against Spell Speed and other Spell Speed 2 cards, but not against Spell Speed cards.

The following are all Spell Speed 2:


 * Quick-Play Spell Cards
 * Normal & Continuous Trap Cards
 * Quick Monster Effects

Spell Speed 3
Spell Speed 3 cards can be used against Spell Speed, Spell Speed, and other Spell Speed 3 cards. Spell Speed 3 cards can only be countered with other Spell Speed 3 cards. Therefore, you cannot counter "Negate Attack", "Magic Jammer", "Trap Jammer", "Divine Wrath, "Solemn Judgment, "Counter Counter", or "Magic Drain" with "Royal Decree".

The only cards that are Spell Speed 3 are Counter Trap Cards.

Each Spell Speed can only be countered with one that is greater, or equal. The exception to this is Spell Speed, which cannot be used against each other in normal play, unless special situations allow it. See "Simultaneous Effects Go On Chain" for more explanation on this.

Summoning a monster and declaring an attack are actions that do not have a Spell Speed, and therefore cannot be "chained" to. However, if the action in question was the last action to have resolved on the field, you may activate a card in response, which then becomes Chain Link 1. For example, using "Bottomless Trap Hole" when a monster is Summoned, or using "Mirror Force" when your opponent's monster declares an attack, and all considered to be "activated in response".