This is the page where the wiki admins and editors will answer all the questions you have for the wiki, including our translation process and update frequency, and so on. If you have a question, feel free to leave a comment under this page, and we'll make sure to answer you. Please refer to the headings to find the suitable section for the question you're looking for.
This page is updated irregularly.
General Detail[]
Archetype[]
Q1: What's an archetype?
A1: It's a colloquial term referring to a specific name which is repeatedly used between card names, resulting in a collection of cards which shares that name, such as the "Pentan"-named cards. This feature is mainly used by the game to connect the cards within the same archetype to create a deck of themselves, like how a player can create a deck composed entirely of "Pentan"-named cards. This feature is also frequently used in collaboration decks, such as the Godzilla deck.
Searching for Information[]
Q1: If I have a question on a card, where can I find the answers on the wiki?
A1: Generally, we include any noticeable Q&As of each card under the "Extra" section of the card's page. If it's a question related to a keyword which the card possesses, then the answer may be found on the keyword's page instead. However, if you still can't find your answer, feel free to leave a comment, and we'll make sure to answer you. You can also join the wiki's Discord server to ask the other players.
Q2: Will there ever be a filter engine on the wiki?
A2: No, there won't be. The wiki's fundamental coding doesn't support such a complex system. The most we can provide is filtering through categories, which you can get the link here. Apart from that, on individual card pages, you can check whether there are links in the "related cards" section of the card table. Links to specific cards or categories that provide you a list of cards of a certain name/team/family referenced in the effect of the card is sometimes offered there. For example, you can access the link to a list of "Lampo"-named cards in the "Related cards" section of The WindHornedBeast Windeer's page.
Alternatively, if you can't find your way through, you can always join the wiki's Discord server to ask the other players for help.
Translation Process[]
Card Name[]
Q1: What's with the "the" at the beginning of almost every card?
A1: This is to do with the tradition which the official Battle Spirits had started while they were still printing official English cards. The editors have adapted the habit and it's passed onto the new editors. If we have to give a better reason, then it'd be because most card names consist of epithets, which are commonly accompanied with the word "the" due to... let's say the English grammar. However, recently we're also breaking off from the habit, most noticeable on the collaboration cards.
Q2: Why are words in card names stuck together?
A2: This is to do with the tradition which the official Battle Spirits had started while they were still printing official English cards. The editors have adapted the habit and it's passed onto the new editors. While the official never gave a clear explanation on their decision, it's generally believed that there were a few reasons. First, there was limited space on the card, so cramping the words together saves space; and second, it was a method for players to immediately identify the title within the card name. However, this feature is slowly being rid of by us editors, as we believe it's slowly becoming inconvenient for the translation process, especially when the official is getting more creative with card names (e.g. So Busy One Would Even Welcome the Help of a Cat Sword). The collaboration cards have already abandoned this feature, and it's been decided between admins and editors that starting from the Contract: Kai era, some main set cards will also abandon this feature.
Effect[]
Q1: From your translation, how do we know which effects are mandatory to activate, and which are optional?
A1: At the end, this depends entirely on the game rule of Battle Spirits. While we can't explain why Bandai decides this effect to be optional and that not, there are specific wordings which are used in the Japanese text to define that fine line, in which we have also set down the English equivalents. In most cases, as long an effect contains the word "can" or "may", it's optional. There are also effects with sentences structured as "By doing A, do B", which are also optional. Effects containing the word "unless" are also optional.
Q2: Why do some of your translations refer to cards as "bodies", such as how Zoffy (Shin Ultraman) states "By returning another body of your "Ultraman" to the deckbottom, put a core from the Void to your Life."?
A2: This concerns with the Japanese language, which uses an expression that doesn't exist in the English language called numeral classifier, used to determine the type of object or entity referred in the sentence. For example, while in English we simply refer to one attacking monster as "a Spirit", in Japanese it's referred (literally) as "a body of Spirit". While Spirits and Ultimates are used with the classifier "body", the classifier used for Braves and Nexuses is different (and technically untranslatable as well). So, using Zoffy as an example again, if the effect is simply translated as "By returning another of your "Ultraman" to the deckbottom [...]", it'd indicate that the effect can also return an "Ultraman"-named Brave or Nexus, which in fact it doesn't, because in the Japanese text, even though it doesn't specify a card type, it's using the classifier "body", meaning that the effect can only target Spirits or Ultimates. That's the reason why we have to stress the classifier in the effects, even though it's technically grammatically incorrect in terms of sentence structure.
Q3: What's the difference between "send a core from an opposing Spirit [...]" and "send a core from any opposing Spirit [...]"?
A3: In the Japanese effects, when they don't give an exact quantity, it means the player can choose multiple targets with the effect. For example, with the effect "send two cores from any opposing Spirits [...]", the player can either choose to move two cores from one Spirit, or move one core each from two Spirits. Obviously, in the case of "send a core from any opposing Spirit [...]", the target can still only be one most of the time, as the effect only moves one core. However, the number of cores moved can be increased via other effects such as Charge. When that happens, since the effect doesn't specify a set number of Spirits to be targeted, the player is able to choose freely the number of Spirits to have their cores moved.
Q4: What's the difference between "send a core from an opposing Spirit [...]" and "send a core from a single opposing Spirit [...]"?
A4: In our translations, "send a core from an opposing Spirit [...]" is always a standalone effect, while "send a core from a single opposing Spirit [...]" usually comes with a condition of counting game pieces. For example, the (When Reborn) effect of The Purple Evil Deity states "For every two Purple-only "Primal" family cards in your Trash, send one core from a single opposing Spirit to the Trash.", and we have to specify that the effect only targets one Spirit, no matter how many cores the effect is moving; instead of targeting one Spirit for every two Purple-only "Primal" family cards, which a lot of players have mistaken. This difference in wording for the sake of specification is also apparent in the Japanese texts.
Q5: The term which you translate as "Stage Name" is literally pronounced as "name" in the furigana, why aren't you just calling it "Name"?
A5: While most of the time we do follow the furigana for a more accurate translation, sometimes we do (partly) ignore that to avoid confusion. In this case, if we simply put it as "name", it may be too ambiguous for wiki users to remember or grasp the concept, especially since it's not a universal term, and is specifically used on cards of the Diva and Idol families. As such, we've decided to name the term "Stage Name", which contains the original furigana while being a unique term.
Q6: Why do you sometimes display numbers in words, but sometimes also display them as Arabic numbers?
A6: This is a rule for the English language in general. Any numbers ranging from one to nine should always be spelt out, while any numbers from ten or above can be displayed as Arabic numbers.
Q7: Does "C1 or more" mean "Cost 1 or more"?
A7: No, "C1 or more" means "1 counter or more" under official terms. Currently, there are no abbreviations for "cost", so if the effect isn't using the word "cost" directly, then it's not referring to the cost. For more information on counters, please check Rebirth and Contract Card.
Keyword[]
Q1: Some keywords have official English names, like how Advent is called Radiant Descend officially. Why aren't you following that?
A1: When we translate cards and effects, what we're looking for isn't just official accuracy, but also the flavor and context within each and every word, so while we do follow official translations at times, we tend to use our own translation because we believe we can provide the better meaning and efficiency. Using Advent as an example, the official English name is called Radiant Descend because the original Japanese name is a portmanteau between the kanji "radiant" and the kanji "descend" (the keyword itself isn't a legit vocabulary in the Japanese dictionary), and that's how the official translated it because it's straight-forward and easy. However, we turned to Advent because of how the word fits into the context better (a notable individual arriving to the scene). It's also shorter, and hence looking more neat on the translated texts. As the word "advent" also has holy connotations due to it representing the coming of Christ in Christian theology, the inference is enough to represent the "radiant" part of the keyword.
Media[]
Anime[]
Q1: Will you update the episode pages for the anime?
A1: Currently, we have no plans to continue updating the episode pages, as that'd mean rewatching every episode of every season in order to type out the summary, as well as paying attention to all the staff members at the end of every episode, in which the details can be different even between each episode within the same season. If you're interested in what the anime is about, just go watch them!
Q2: Will you update pages for songs used in the anime?
A2: It's currently within consideration to renew the pages into a better format.
Extreme Game/League[]
Q1: Will you update episode pages for the Extreme Game/League series?
A1: Currently, we have no plans to continue updating the episode pages, as that'd mean rewatching every episode of every season in order to type out the summary, as well as listing down information of every participant in the episode, in which the details can be different even between each episode. If you're interested in the Extreme Game/League series, just go watch them! It's on the official YouTube channel, and it's completely free to watch!
Miscellaneous[]
Q1: How often do you update the wiki?
A1: Currently, our most active editor is Gurendragon, who updates at least one page every day. In general, we try to keep the wiki updated to the latest official news, but due to a shortage of editors, sometimes progress may be slow.
Q2: Can I become an editor as well?
A2: Certainly! Anyone is welcomed to be an editor. However, there may be a limitation in what you're allowed to do from the start, as we have to make sure that you understand the work behind maintaining the wiki, as well as confirming that you're not just a troll. You can contact me, Ayumu Seiki, here on the wiki if you're interested in joining the team.