Berserk Dragon [1st Edition] #DCR-019

Berserk Dragon [1st Edition] #DCR-019 collector guide

About Berserk Dragon

Berserk Dragon is an Effect Monster, printed as DCR-019 in Dark Crisis (2003) as a Super Rare. It is a Level 8 DARK Zombie monster with 3,500 ATK and 0 DEF. No monster in Dark Crisis has more ATK. Dark Crisis closed out 2003 with cards such as Exodia Necross, Vampire Lord and Skull Archfiend of Lightning. Ungraded, this printing ranks 22nd of the 216 Dark Crisis cards we track. The top card is Contract with the Abyss at €53.55.

Character and collecting appeal

Zombies are built around the Graveyard, bringing monsters back again and again. In play, it is a card for Special Summoning and changing ATK and DEF. It cannot be Normal Summoned, so it has to be brought out by its own conditions. Its text names A Deal with Dark Ruler, so collectors often look for them together. A Deal with Dark Ruler mentions Berserk Dragon in its text, which keeps it relevant.

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-019. The code DCR-019, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as DCR-E019, and are priced separately. It is the Super Rare version. Super Rares have holographic artwork and a plain name. Dark Crisis has one other printing of Berserk Dragon: DCR-019 (€3.79). 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 €7.20, a PSA 9 for €47.14 and a PSA 10 for €207.92. Our monthly prices for it go back to September 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 18%, and up 4% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €11.40 in March 2022, 37% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 29% over the same 12 months. 1st Edition copies sell for about 1.9× the Unlimited printing (€7.20 against €3.79).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 28.9× the ungraded price and 4.4× a PSA 9. That gap is big enough that grading a sharp, well-centred copy can pay for itself. On cards from the early 2000s, the dark brown backs show every scuff and white edge, so top grades are scarce.

Investment potential

In its favour: steady demand, with ungraded prices up 18% in a year; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (53 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Treat this as background, not a prediction or financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €7.20 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €47.14. Ask the seller to show the code DCR-019, the "1st Edition" text and the Super Rare 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.