Damage Step Rules (2024)

See Also

Here is a detailed breakdown of how the Damage Step works.

For a larger overview,please consult the Rulebook.

Sequence	What Happens	Key Phrases that can Happen Now
Start of the Damage Step	* You declare that you are entering the Damage Step.	* effects that activate "at the start of the damage step"
Before Damage Calculation	* If the monster being attacked is face-down, flip it face-up. Then, cards or effects that modify ATK/DEF can activate. If the monster has a Trigger Effect that activates by being flipped face-up, it does not activate yet.	* effects that activate "before damage calculation"
Perform Damage Calculation	* Cards or effects that can activate "during damage calculation" activate/resolve, then the damage calculation is performed. * Compare ATK/DEF and apply damage to Life Points.* Determine whether either monster will be destroyed by battle or not, but do not send it to the Graveyard yet.	* effects that activate "during damage calculation"
After Damage Calculation	* Effects that activate as a result of battle happen here .* Trigger effects that activate by being flipped face-up, of monsters flipped face-up "before damage calculation," happen here. * A monster that was determined to be destroyed is still not sent to the Graveyard.	* effects that activate "when this card battles" or "attacks or is attacked" * effects that acitvate "when battle damage is inflicted" or "when you take damage" * effects that activate "after damage calculation"* FLIP: effects* effects that activate "when this card is flipped face-up"
End of the Damage Step	* If a monster was determined to be destroyed by the battle during damage calculation, send it to the Graveyard first. * Then effects that activate when a monster is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, activate now. * Then if all effects activates/resolves and you would end the Damage Step, effects that apply "until the end of the Damage Step" disappear * After the end of the Damage Step, return to the Battle Step. If the turn player does not want to attack again after that, go to the End Step.	* effects that activate "when a monster is destroyed by battle" * effects that activate "when a monster is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard" * effects that activate "when a monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard"* effects that activate "at the end of the Damage Step"