Hybrid Monsters (
Originally, Hybrid Monsters were almost identical in use to Fusion Monsters, with the exception that Hybrid Monsters always had at least 1 Spell or Trap Card as a Material.
The current version of Hybrid Monsters are quite different, taking elements from different Summons. This version of Hybrid Monsters can only be Hybrid Summoned through Spell and Trap Cards, but similar to Ritual Spell Cards, these cards are their own Type: Splice Spell Cards and Splice Trap Cards (collectively known simply as Splice Cards). Rather than list any Materials that are needed, Hybrid Monsters only list the proper Splice Card that is needed to Hybrid Summon them, as the usable monster(s) are listed on the Splice Card's Splice Effect.
While most Hybrid Monsters have Levels, those that specifically state an Xyz Monster or a Composition Monster in their Splice Cards often have Ranks or Qualities, making Hybrid Monsters the only monster type able to have more than one power indicator.
Hybrid Monsters debuted in Taylor Gorrell's Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V fanfiction, Fury of the Dragon, with "Helix Chimera Hybrid Dragon". They are stated to be the trump card of the mysterious Helix Duel School, created through powerful technology believed to be linked to the Splice Matrices. Though only HDS possesses them at the moment, it is hinted that Reiji Akaba had something to do with their creation.
Hybrid Monsters (
However, a new type of card is introduced alongside this variation of Hybrid Monsters called Splice Cards which are used for multiple purposes including Hybrid Summons. This variation is introduced in Yu-Gi-Oh! Zero.
Example Card Border
Trivia
- The original concept of Hybrid Monsters was probably inspired by the "Yasushi the Skull Knight" (an Illegal Fusion Monster who had the Trap Card "Ultimate Offering" as a Fusion Material) and "Fang of Critias" (which fused itself with a Trap Card to Fusion Summon a new monster).