Custom Mechanic - Deck Masters

[XGlitchy30]

Introduction
If you remember the Virtual World Ark of the first YGO anime series, then you're probably already familiar with the concept of Deck Masters. They are a special kind of monsters that can be placed on the field at the start of the Duel by their owner and grant specific benefits throughout the game. Now, let's analyze the details of this custom mechanic (keep in mind that this "version" is pretty different from the one showed in the anime):

INITIAL LOCATION and ACTIVATION

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- First of all, Deck Masters must be placed in the Extra Deck.
- Just like Pendulums, Deck Masters can have an additional Card Type (Effect, Fusion, Ritual, Synchro, Xyz, Link, Evolute...). However Deck Masters cannot be Pendulums (or Pandemoniums).
- At the start of the Duel, each player CAN activate ONLY 1 Deck Master from their ED (if they have one).
- Deck Masters are placed face-up in the center Spell/Trap Card Zone upon Activation, also, their owner has to pay a cost or follows some special rules (listed on the Deck Master) in order to be Activated.
- A player cannot Activate multiple Deck Masters with the same original name within the same Duel (however it is possible to Activate the same Deck Master multiple times in a Duel by using specific card effects).
- There can only be 1 face-up Deck Master card on each side of the field.

ACTIVATED STATE

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- After being Activated, Deck Masters in the Spells & Traps Zone are in an Activated State.
- While in an Activated State, Deck Masters cannot be targeted and are unaffected by other card effects, also they cannot be used as cost.
- Each Deck Master has its own "Deck Master Ability" that applies only while it is in an Activated State.

MASTER SUMMON and PENALTY EFFECTS

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- If a player manages to fulfill the conditions listed on the Deck Master, they can Special Summon it whenever they want from their S/T Zone to an unoccupied Main Monster Zone.
- This Special Summon is called "Master Summon"; it doesn't start a Chain (unless stated otherwise) and cannot be negated (cards and effects can still be chained to it)
- After a Deck Master is Master Summoned, its "Deck Master Ability" isn't applied anymore and it loses its Activated State. However it gains its regular Monster Effects (if any).
- If the Deck Master leaves its controller's field, they must apply its "Penalty Effect" at the end of their turn if they do not have an activated Deck Master or a face-up Deck Master in a MMZ.

REPLACING A DECK MASTER

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There are 2 ways to replace a Deck Master:
- If the current Deck Master is used as material for the Summon of another Monster: that Monster is treated as the player's new Deck Master (as long as it remains face-up on the field). These monsters are referred to as "Deck Substitutes"
- If a player does not control a Deck Master because its previous one left the field or was flipped face-down, they can activate another Deck Master (if they have one) from their ED by sending a face-up monster with the same card type and Level/Rank/Link/... from their field to the GY (the cost for the activation is still paid).

ADDITIONAL RULES and OTHER DETAILS

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- Deck Masters MUST be Master Summoned, and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways.
- A Deck Substitute is considered a Deck Master as long as it remains face-up on the field. It loses the status if:
   * it is flipped face-down. It does not regain the role of Deck Master if flipped face-up
   * it leaves the field as a result of a battle
   * it leaves the field because of a card effect or as a cost
   * it leaves the field as a Material for the Summon of a monster. The monster that was Summoned is NOT treated as the new Deck Master
- Original (not Substitutes) Deck Masters (while on the MMZ) are also treated as ED Monsters and behave as such (for example, they do not return to the hand or Deck but to the ED)
- Deck Masters that have been Master Summoned cannot regain their previous status (Activated State) even if they return to the S/T Zone by any means (for example, when they become equipped to a monster they are NOT treated as Activated Deck Masters and their Deck Master Abilities are not applied)
- If a player does not control a face-up Deck Master (that IS activated or that IS LOCATED in the MMZ), Penalties Effects are applied at the end of their turn, also Penalties Effect are always "Once per Duel".
   *In case a player activated multiple Original Deck Masters during the Duel, they must apply all available Penalty Effects at the end of the turn.
   *Penalties Effects are always Continuous Effects

Here you can find an example of a Deck Master and a first set of cards: the upper text zone contains the Activation Cost, the DM Ability and the Penalty Effect; the Master Summon Conditions and the actual Monster Effects go in the below zone