Prepping For The New Admin Exam.

OverlordMMM said:
In terms of missing timing there is a simple breakdown you can do to figure out whether or not a card will miss timing or not.
1) Check to see if its optional, i.e. "...you can..."

Yes? - Cards with the words "you can" are optional effects. To figure out when to apply the effect, you need to look at the condition which triggers it.
No? - Cards without "you can" are mandatory as long as the condition is met.

2) Check the condition under which the effect applies, i.e. "If...", "When...", None, part of another effect

If? - Cards with this wording only care about whether the condition is met or not. As long as the condition is met, the effect activates.

When? - Cards with this wording care about literally "when" the condition is met. This means they can only activate at that exact moment. If anything happens after that moment, then the effect cannot resolve because it has passed.

None? - If there is no condition, then the effect simply happens. This is the bulk of many spells, some traps, and some monster effects.

Part of another effect? - Cards like this are dependent on the first part of the effect resolving. If the first part doesn't resolve, the second part cannot resolve. This is not the same as missing the timing, but is still important. One great example is Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress. In order for it to resolve, both parts of the effect must be able to resolve. If you cannot change her position, you cannot destroy a S/T.
- There are other cards with similar clauses, but separated by commas, periods, etc. In any of these cases, to do any later parts of the effect, the previous effects may have to happen first.
I hope this clears up timing a bit.