"Can't" Interactions

[TurkeySloth]

I'm posting this here rather than in the discussion forum because it affects my next archetype of "supernova"/"neutron star" cards, and I don't know if the specific interaction I'm curious about even exists in the TCG. One thing most TCG's I've played have in common is a golden rule that, basically, says "cards take priority over rules when 'can't' apears on them", hence, negates. Would the card text "this ability can't be negated" circumvent negates?

[Tinkerer]

Posting so I'll come back and answer later. I have a gut instinct, but I'm having difficulty finding a specific ruling to corroborate it.

Next time though, feel free to ask questions like this in this thread!

 

[TurkeySloth]

Okay. Thanks. I'll keep it in mind.

[Horu]

Well Takahashi/Konami use "cannot" on official cards. And yes, instances that state "This card/effect cannot be negated" would indeed circumvent anything that would attempt to negate it.

[Tinkerer]

Okay, on my lunch break so I can answer~

tl;wr: "This effect cannot be negated" is a condition that exists, and I don't believe there's any way to negate/stop said condition.

 

Okay... so this is a complicated question because I assume you are basically asking about "this effect cannot be negated" (henceforth shortened to "TECBN"). Unfortunately, the phrase "TECBN" only exists on Spells, Traps, and the Pendulum effect of pendulum monsters. It does NOT exist on any monster cards.

Half of the ruling is not complicated. If you have a monster/card already on the field with a "TECBN" effect, then there's nothing your opponent can do to stop that effect. Forbidden Droplets, Forbidden Chalice, Dark Ruler No More... none of that will matter, the effect will still work.

The interesting side of the ruling is whether or not it would work when there's already something on the field that negates effects as a continuous effect (i.e. Skill Drain). In the case of Skill Drain vs Jinzo, whichever card is on the field first overrides the second card. However, I don't think this works against "TECBN" since that is not an effect, but a condition added to an effect. The only interaction that would work in a similar way would be an already active Imperial Order vs a Pendulum like a Deskbot pendulum, but I'm at work and I cannot find any rulings along those lines right now.