In the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime, there is a set of cards that is exceptionally cool but too hazardous to include in a real set. Unlike most battles in Yu-Gi-Oh!, which involve monster proxies, this particular archetype grants physical weight to the duelists' attacks, allowing them to physically harm each other. This unique feature sets these armor cards apart from other games in the series, intensifying the danger of Duel Monsters.
Throughout the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime, various special effects and stipulations have been employed to enhance the peril of battles. In addition to utilizing Millennium Objects to manifest Shadow Games and banish souls to the terrifying Shadow Realm, certain cards possess the ability to cause actual harm. The Egyptian Gods serve as the quintessential example, possessing immense power that enables them to inflict real damage through their attacks. Another notable card, the Seal of Orichalcos, functions as a field spell that results in the loser of a duel losing their soul, making it the most severe consequence. However, a specific set of cards grants duelists the capability to personally inflict damage upon their opponents.
Yu-Gi-Oh!'s Armor Cards Cause Duels To Get Physical
The Armor monsters are the main cards utilized by Valon, the duelist from the often overlooked Waking the Dragons filler arc. These cards are unique as they are pieces of armor that can be equipped by their wielder, granting them the ability to directly attack their opponent's monsters. Although Valon does not directly attack Joey in their duel, it is implied that these monsters possess the capability to launch direct assaults, allowing Valon to physically strike Joey. This is evident when Joey also summons his own armor-like monsters to engage in a direct clash with Valon, showcasing the immense power these cards hold.
While these armor cards may not possess the mystical danger associated with items like the Seal of Orichalcos or the Egyptian God Cards, they do present a more tangible form of physical risk. Even in ordinary games of Yu-Gi-Oh!, where the fate of the world is not at stake, duelists utilizing these Armor cards have the ability to equip them onto themselves. This means that they can both inflict and receive damage directly. The concept of monsters transforming into armor that players can don adds a captivating element to the franchise. However, it is due to this very reason that these particular Yu-Gi-Oh! cards have never been officially released as physical cards. Many duelists would likely use them as a justification for physically attacking their opponents, replicating the actions of the Armor card users in the animated world.
Armor Cards Could Never Be Printed In The Real World
The Armor cards in the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime take the battles between monsters a step further by allowing duelists to actively participate in these conflicts. While some critics argue that dueling diminishes the physical risks for the characters, the Armor cards challenge this perception. This is what sets the Armor cards apart from the other highly risky cards in Yu-Gi-Oh!