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Missing the Timing

 

What is Activation Timing?
Optional “when” effects can only be activated if the most recent thing to happen was their activation condition. If something else happens afterwards, they have incorrect timing.

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What can have the wrong Timing?

• Any trigger effect which is optional (even cards like Trap Cards),
  which can be activated “when” something happens, can have the wrong timing.

• Any trigger effect which is mandatory (eg, "Sangan"’s effect),
  or which can be activated “if” something happens, will always have correct timing.

When do things have the wrong timing?
If the last thing to happen wasn’t the activation requirement, that card/effect can’t be activated. The “last thing to happen” can have a variety of causes, but it’s usually because:

1. The trigger condition happened before a "then" or "after that" effect.

2. The trigger condition was met at Chain Link 2 or higher.

3. The trigger condition was met in order to pay a cost.