OK. King Dragun states that it negates EFFECTS that target Dragon types. So if Dark Paladin comes out, does DP's effect get negated (increase ATK for all dragon types on field and in graveyard)?

That effect doesn’t target.

It’s a continuous Attack modifier that is constantly counting the number of Dragons on the field and Graveyards.



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Dangit! I was hoping it got rid of his effect. Oh, well...

Dangit! I was hoping it got rid of his effect. Oh, well...

Does it stop things like Raigeki, or do cards like that not actually "target" anything?

It wouldn't stop Raigeki, Raigeki doesn't target. It can be switched with Creature Swap.

Edit: If you select a monster for the card effect when you activate that card's effect, the card targets. If you select a monster only when it resolves, it doesn't target. Creature Swap and Last Turn both select monsters when they resolve, so neither is considered a targeting effect.

Note the difference between targeting and tributing. If you tribute a monster for a card effect, you are not targeting that monster, but simply paying a cost.

Then I guess I might need a layman's explanation of "target."

Then I think I might need a layman's explanation of "target."

I'm working on an article for this wednesday that should go over targeting effects in some detail.

Basically, any card that has you choose a monster (other than Last Turn and Creature Swap) is a targeting effect.

First of all...King Dragun DOES NOT...I repeat...DOES NOT..."negate" ANYTHING at all.

"Lord of D." + "Divine Dragon Ragnarok"
As long as this card remains face-up on the field, your opponent cannot target Dragon-Type monsters for the effect of a Spell, Trap, or Monster Card. Once per turn, you can Special Summon 1 Dragon-Type monster from your hand to your side of the field.


Meaning if it's face up on the field BEFORE a targeting effect is used then the opponent cannot select one of your dragon types as a target for a card effect.

For example....

Player A has Blue-Eyes White Dragon and a Tri-Horned Dragon face up on their field

Player B activates Ring of Destruction and selects Blue-Eyes White Dragon as a target

Player A now chains Ring of Destruction's activation (it doesn't activate until a target is already selected) with Call of the Haunted to special summon King Dragun from their graveyard (assume it was fusion summoned correctly).

Since a Dragon type was ALREADY selected as a target, King Dragun cannot stop that effect from resolving so Blue-Eyes White Dragon will be destroyed by Ring of Destruction and both players take 3000 damage. However, now that King Dragun is face up on your side of the field, the opponent cannot select your Tri-Horned Dragon as a target for another effect like Compulsory Evacuation Device.

Preventing a dragon from being target DOES NOT mean it negates it. There is a big difference.

Second of all....Black Paladin's effect DOES NOT target dragon types. It's merely a continous ATK modifier that keeps tracks of dragons on the field and in the graveyard for both player's and adjusts itself accordingly.


Also, King Dragun ONLY prevents stuff that "targets" so if non targeting effects like Raigeki, Dark Hole, Tribe-Infecting Virus, Cyber Jar, etc are activated, they WILL be destroyed since they DO NOT designate any specific monster as a target.

A card targets/designates a card if it:
1) Has you (the controller of the card) select a specific card(s) as a target(s) when you activate the card.
2) If you activate a card that selects specific card(s) at its activation for an effect.

A card does NOT target/designate if:
1) The card chooses a card(s) at resolution for the fulfillment of its effect.
2) Players choose a card(s) at reslolution for the fulfillment of an effect(s).
3) The card does not cause you to choose a specific card(s).
4) The selected card(s) are used to fulfill a cost.

Examples for each case:
1) Ring of Destruction has you select 1 monster at its activation. (targets)
2) You activate Magic Cylinder in response to an attack. Magic Cylinder chooses the 1 ATK of the 1 Attacking monster to inflict as damage to your opponent. (targets)
3) Smashing Ground does not target because it selects a monster at resolution. (non-targeting)
4) Creature Swap doesn't target because both you and your opponent choose the monsters to "swap" when Creature Swap resloves. (non-targeting)
5) Tribe-Infecting Virus does not target even though you declare 1 card Type. Neither you nor the card selected a specific monster(s). (non-targeting)
6) Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning's cost of removing 1 LIGHT and 1 DARK monster from play is not targeting because costs simply are considered non-targeting. (non-targeting)