Arsenal Summoner [1st Edition] #DCR-004

Arsenal Summoner [1st Edition] #DCR-004 collector guide

About Arsenal Summoner

Arsenal Summoner is a Flip Effect Monster, whose effect happens when it is flipped face-up, printed as DCR-004 in Dark Crisis (2003) as a Common. It is a Level 4 WIND Spellcaster monster with 1,600 ATK and 1,600 DEF. Dark Crisis closed out 2003 with cards such as Exodia Necross, Vampire Lord and Skull Archfiend of Lightning. Ungraded, this printing ranks 149th of the 216 Dark Crisis cards we track. The top card is Contract with the Abyss at €53.55.

Character and collecting appeal

Spellcasters have been popular since Dark Magician, and the Type has some of the most sought-after artwork in the game. Its effect centres on searching the Deck. Its text names Celtic Guardian, Guardian of the Labyrinth and The Reliable Guardian, so collectors often look for them together.

Version and identification

This guide covers the 1st Edition printing. The words "1st Edition" are printed below the artwork on the left; copies without them are the Unlimited printing and usually sell for less. Check the code printed below the artwork on the right: it should read DCR-004. The code DCR-004, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as DCR-E004, and are priced separately. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Dark Crisis has one other printing of Arsenal Summoner: DCR-004 (€0.29). Each has its own price, so match the code, edition and rarity exactly.

Price history

Today an ungraded copy of this printing sells for about €0.42, a PSA 9 for €6.24 and a PSA 10 for €47.02. Our monthly prices for it go back to August 2022. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are down 79%, and down 2% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €2.17 in March 2023, 81% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved down 49% over the same 12 months. 1st Edition copies sell for about 1.4× the Unlimited printing (€0.42 against €0.29).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 112× the ungraded price and 7.5× a PSA 9. That gap is small, so grading fees may outweigh the gain unless the card is for your own collection. Early English Yu-Gi-Oh! cards often have off-centre cuts and wear on the dark brown back borders, which is why high grades are hard to reach.

Investment potential

In its favour: a price well below its March 2023 peak, which some collectors see as room to recover; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (25 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: falling prices, down 79% in a year. Card prices can fall as well as rise, so this is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €0.42 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €6.24. Ask the seller to show the code DCR-004, the "1st Edition" text and the Common finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. Cards from 2003 often show white wear on the back edges and corners, so ask for photos of the back before you buy.

Card details and image from YGOPRODeck. Yu-Gi-Oh! is a trademark of Konami; Search Cards is not affiliated with Konami.