I'm writing this, because there are still some player(s) who are unable to get this straight.
Before I get this started, units' abilities are categorized into three types:
Activate 起,
Auto 自, and
Continuous 永. The following are explanation on how the ability types are being executed:
起: Activate type abilities are only allowed to be activate if condition are fulfilled during your Main Phase, unless being stated otherwise. A certain cost usually has to be paid to activate this type of ability.
自: Auto type abilities activates once condition(s) is being fulfilled, disregarding any player's turn, unless being stated otherwise. However, if "may" is stated on the ability text, the master of the specify unit will be given a choice to either activate the ability or ignore it. Sometimes, a certain cost has to be paid to activate this type of ability; if the cost is not being paid, the ability will not be activated (I know the latter is redundant to mention).
永: Continuous type abilities activates once condition(s) is being fulfilled, disregarding any player's turn, unless being stated otherwise. However, in the event where the condition fulfilled is being canceled, the ability will stop being activated.
All abilities have their respective condition(s) to fulfilled, in order to be activated. But, how do we determine the conditions of the abilities?
First, for an example of
起 ability, we have Solidify Celestial, Zerachiel [BT11/002 RRR]. Let's take a look at this unit's corresponding ability.
起【Ｖ】 : [Counter Blast *2 - Cards with "Celestial" in their names] This unit gains 5000 Power until end of your turn.
For this ability, there is a specific cost to pay, and a condition that must be fulfilled, in order to activate the ability. The cost to pay is 2* Counter Blast, specifically cards with "Celestial" in their names. The condition of the ability is "
【Ｖ】", which means the ability can only be activated if the unit is on the Vanguard circle.
Moving on, for an example of
自 ability, we have Maiden of Trailing Rose [BT05/009 RRR]. Let's take a look at this unit's corresponding ability.
自【Ｖ】 : [Counter Blast *1, discard a "Maiden of Trailing Rose" from your hand] When this unit's attack hits the opponent's Vanguard, you may pay the cost. If you do, look at the top 5 cards of your deck, choose up to 2 of your 《Neo Nectar》 cards,call them to separate 【Ｒ】 and shuffle your deck.
For this ability, there is two costs to pay, and two conditions that must be fulfilled, in order to activate the ability. As I've mentioned, the condition(s) for Auto type ability specifically has to be fulfilled first, before the master of the unit is allowed to pay the cost(s) to activate the ability. The first condition of the ability is "
【Ｖ】", which means the ability can only be activated if the unit is on the Vanguard circle. The second condition to be fulfilled is "
when this unit's attack hits the opponent's Vanguard", which means the unit's attack must hit the opponent's Vanguard in order to be activated. Once the condition if being fulfilled, the two costs - 1* Counter Blast, and discarding discard a "Maiden of Trailing Rose" from the master's hand may be paid to activate the ability.
Let's take another example for
自, in which no cost is needed, and if conditions are met, the ability will be activated disregarding player's choice. For this, we have Storm Rider, Diamantes [BT08/035 R]. Let's take a look at this unit's corresponding ability.
自【Ｒ】 : When this unit attacks the opponent's Vanguard, if you have an 《Aqua Force》 Vanguard, and if it is the first battle of that turn, this unit gains 2000 Power until end of that battle, and at the beginning of the close step of that battle, choose another of your 《Aqua Force》 Rearguard in the same column as this unit, and exchange positions with this unit. (The state of the card does not change)
For this ability, four conditions has to be fulfilled. First, "
【Ｒ】", this unit has to be on a Rearguard circle. Second, "
when this unit attacks the opponent's Vanguard...", this unit must attack an opponent's Vanguard unit. Third, "
if you have an 《Aqua Force》 Vanguard", the master of the unit must have an Aqua Force Vanguard available. The fourth and the last, "
if it is the first battle of that turn", this unit must be the first unit to attack.
What about stackable ability? For this, we have Iron Blood Eradicator Shuki [BT11/039 R]. Let's take a look at this unit's corresponding ability.
自【Ｒ】 : When your opponent's Rearguard is put in the Drop Zone by any of your unit's effect, if you have a Vanguard with "Eradicator" in its name, this unit gains 3000 Power until end of your turn.
For this ability, three conditions has to be fulfilled. First, "
【Ｒ】", this unit has to be on a Rearguard circle. Second, "
when your opponent's Rearguard is put in the Drop Zone by any of your unit's effect", your opponent's Rearguard has to be sent to the Drop Zone by your unit'(s) ability. Third, "
if you have a Vanguard with "Eradicator" in its name", your Vanguard has to have "Eradicator in its name. Since the text actually specify "Rearguard", instead of any Rearguard, the ability activates disregarding the master's choice every time each opponent's Rearguard is being sent to the Drop Zone.
Last but not least, for an example of
永 ability, we have Solidify Celestial, Zerachiel [BT11/002 RRR]. Let's take a look at this unit's corresponding ability.
永【Ｖ】 : LIMIT BREAK 4 (This ability activates when you have four or more damage) During your turn, if you have a face up card named "Solidify Celestial, Zerachiel" in your Damage Zone, all of your units with "Celestial" in their name gains 3000 Power.
For this ability, three conditions has to be fulfilled. First, "
【Ｖ】", this unit has to be on a Vanguard circle. Second, "
LIMIT BREAK 4", the master must have 4 damage in his/her Damage Zone. Third, "
if you have a face up card named "Solidify Celestial, Zerachiel" in your Damage Zone", the master must have a unit named, "Solidify Celestial, Zerachiel" in his/her Damage Zone. Once the condition is being fulfilled, the ability activates during all your and your opponent's phases. However, for this ability, "
during your turn" is stated, which means the ability can only last during your turn, and once your turn ends, the ability is canceled.
To warp up, this is how you should look at the ability of a unit:
自When this unit attacks the opponent's Vanguard, if you have an 《Aqua Force》 Vanguard, and if it is the first battle of that turn, this unit gains 2000 Power until end of that battle, and at the beginning of the close step of that battle, choose another of your 《Aqua Force》 Rearguard in the same column as this unit, and exchange positions with this unit. (The state of the card does not change)
: ability type
: condition to fulfill
: ability to be activated
Alright, that's all for now. If there are any question, you can reach me on my e-mail or by leaving a comment.
