OK, I am STILL confused on this. This posts states that a NOMI will state "CANNOT be summoned EXCEPT by (method)." Dark Paladin does NOT state this, it is a "CAN ONLY be summoned by (method)" card, yet it IS a NOMI. My question is this: which one means NOMI, "CAN ONLY" or "CANNOT / EXCEPT?" Sorry for beating a dead horse, but this is one jacked up rule, LOL!

No, that's one of the DEFINITE texts to know that it's a nomi. You also have realized that some other cards are nomi, despite the way their text looks. Black Paladin's effect It can only be special summoned through a fusion summon meaning that it can only be brought out to the field through a fusion summon. Unlike stuff that usually says "This card can only be special summoned by...." Fusion summoning for Black Paladin is NOT a cost to special summon it so even if you DO fusion summon it and it gets sent to the graveyard, you CANNOT special summon it back any other way except by fusion summoning another one. The other cards have costs, or requirements, to special summon initially and once you do that and they get sent to the graveyard from the field somehow, you can special summon them back since you already fulfilled the cost requirements. If they get sent back to your hand ot deck you'll have to fulfill the requirements again to special summon them.

OK, here's why that confuses me:

Dark Paladin:
Requirement: must be fusion summoned initially
Reborn: No
Ritual Monsters (Shinato, etc.):
Requirement: ritual must be performed initially
Reborn: Yes

So why can one be reborn but not the other? They both state that they can only be special summoned by (whatever requirement). And what does this mean for Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon? Can he be reborn or no?

Errata!!!! AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!!

The DIFFERENCE here is the Ritual's tributing is a "cost" requirement whereas, Fusion Summoning is NOT a "cost" since you're fusing like with any other monster, but the other fusions DO NOT state ONLY a Fusion summon.

Read Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon text and you got your answer =\

Shinato is a Ritual Monster that can be revived is properly Special Summoned.

Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon is a 'nomi'

The keyword in its text is the word except.

Remember that the word 'nomi' wasn't really introduced until about DCR/IOC and so only at that point thereafter did they make sure to include the word except. Look forward to the reprints as they will have the correct wording on them.

So, the reason Dark Paladin is confusing me is because it's an older card? So, when dealing with possible NOMI cards, should I go by these steps (in order):

1. Does the card say "except?"
-----If yes, can not be reborn
-----If no, is this a newer card?
---------If yes, can be reborn
---------If no, proceed to step 2.
2. The card is older and does not say except. Does the card have a "cost" to special summon it?
-----If yes, can be reborn
-----If no, can not be reborn

If this is not correct, feel free to edit it so I (and maybe other confused souls) can have some sort of definitive rule to use.

Thanks, all.

ok, the "newer" cards nomi's say "except". these are nomi, and as you said cannot be reborned.

now, as for the older nomi cards that were out before the nomi text was developed, just remember what is and isn't nomi. i will try to list as many as i can think of.

dark paladin
exodia necross
mirage knight
berserk dragon
harpy lady sister (as far as i know, this is only nomi as of lately)

this may be incomplete, but i'm sure there will be more posts telling what i missed.

also note that the xyz fusions are NOT nomis. but they still cannot be reborned, but for different reasons. they are fusions and therefore must be FUSION SUMMONED to be rebornable. but their text prevents this. but if in some future set theres a card that would allow you to fusion summon the xyz's then you could reborn them.

Harpy Lady Sisters is actually no longer a nomi card. FYI =)

also please note that the only way to special summon the XYZ fusions is to remove them first from the graveyard and then play Return from the DD or dimension fusion

Really??? wow, that'll make Harpie users happy now then, won't it?

Cool. Since there appears to be no "solid set of rules" I'll just check back if I ever have a question on a certain card.

Thanks, guys.

There is a list of nomi cards out there somewhere. That would help if you just know which are nomi.

I'll get on the net and find it somewhere, mortals. Thanks again.

Not necesarrily the net. There was a post on these forums that had the correct list of nomis.