Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023
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Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 collector guide
About Despair from the Dark
Despair from the Dark is an Effect Monster, printed as DCR-023 in Dark Crisis (2003) as a Short Print. It is a Level 8 DARK Zombie monster with 2,800 ATK and 3,000 DEF. At its Level it needs two Tributes to Normal Summon. Its ATK is the 3rd highest of the 59 monsters in the set. Dark Crisis closed out 2003 with cards such as Exodia Necross, Vampire Lord and Skull Archfiend of Lightning. Ungraded, this printing ranks 45th 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. Its text is about Special Summoning.
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-023. The code DCR-023, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as DCR-E023, and are priced separately. It is the Short Print version. Short Prints look like Commons but were printed in smaller numbers. Dark Crisis has one other printing of Despair from the Dark: DCR-023 (€0.41). 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 €2.86, a PSA 9 for €14.04 and a PSA 10 for €152.89. Our monthly prices for it go back to July 2022. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 35%, and up 23% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €3.57 in April 2026, 20% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 40% over the same 12 months. 1st Edition copies sell for about 7× the Unlimited printing (€2.86 against €0.41).
Grading and population
A PSA 10 sells for 53.5× the ungraded price and 10.9× a PSA 9. That gap is big enough that grading a sharp, well-centred copy can pay for itself. 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: steady demand, with ungraded prices up 35% in a year; 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. Card prices can fall as well as rise, so this is not financial advice.
Before you buy
Expect to pay around €2.86 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €14.04. Ask the seller to show the code DCR-023, the "1st Edition" text and the Short Print 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.
Most popular Dark Crisis cards
How much is Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 (Dark Crisis) worth?
As of , an ungraded copy of Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 from Dark Crisis sells for about €2.86 (about $3.21), a PSA 9 for about €14.04 (about $15.75) and a PSA 10 for about €152.89 (about $171.47). These values are based on 25 recent completed sales, the latest on 21 Oct 2026. Ungraded values are up 35% over the last 12 months and PSA 10 values are up 40%. A PSA 10 sells for 53.5× the ungraded price.
Prices are market values from completed sales, shown in euros (converted from US dollars) and updated every few hours.
Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 FAQ
How much is Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 (Dark Crisis) worth?
Ungraded, Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 (Dark Crisis) is worth about €2.86 (about $3.21). A PSA 9 sells for about €14.04 (about $15.75). A PSA 10 sells for about €152.89 (about $171.47). Based on recent completed sales as of 23 Oct 2026.
What is a PSA 10 Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 worth?
A PSA 10 Gem Mint Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 (Dark Crisis) recently sold for about €152.89 (about $171.47), up 40% over the last 12 months. Its highest monthly PSA 10 value was €173.79 in April 2026.
Is Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 (Dark Crisis) worth grading?
A PSA 10 sells for about 53.5× the ungraded price (€152.89 vs €2.86). The gap is large enough that grading a clean copy can pay off after fees.
Is Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 (Dark Crisis) going up in value?
Ungraded Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 values are up 35% over the last 12 months and up 23% over the last month. The highest monthly ungraded value was €3.57 in April 2026.
When was Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 (Dark Crisis) released?
Despair from the Dark [1st Edition] #DCR-023 was released on December 1, 2003 as part of Dark Crisis.