Strike Ninja [1st Edition] #IOC-007

Strike Ninja [1st Edition] #IOC-007 collector guide

About Strike Ninja

Strike Ninja is an Effect Monster, printed as IOC-007 in Invasion of Chaos (2004) as an Ultra Rare. It is a Level 4 DARK Warrior monster with 1,700 ATK and 1,200 DEF. Invasion of Chaos, released in 2004, brought Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End and Dark Magician of Chaos. The Envoys went on to dominate competitive play, which makes it one of the most important sets of the early game. Ungraded, this printing ranks 13th of the 224 Invasion of Chaos cards we track. The top card is Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning at €143.91.

Character and collecting appeal

Warriors are one of the oldest and largest Types, and have had support in almost every era of the game. Its effect centres on banishing cards. It has a Quick Effect, so it can also be used during the opponent's turn. Its once-per-turn limits are typical of modern card design.

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 IOC-007. The code IOC-007, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as IOC-E007, and are priced separately. It is the Ultra Rare version. Ultra Rares have a gold-foil name and holographic artwork. Invasion of Chaos has one other printing of Strike Ninja: IOC-007 (€3.33). Each has its own price, so match the code, edition and rarity exactly. It was also printed in Quarter Century Bonanza, which we track separately.

Price history

Today an ungraded copy of this printing sells for about €10.69, a PSA 9 for €66.87 and a PSA 10 for €553.72. Our monthly prices for it go back to October 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 15%, and down 11% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €29.96 in October 2021, 64% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved sideways over the same 12 months. Of the 4 printings of Strike Ninja we track, this is the most valuable ungraded. The cheapest is Quarter Century Bonanza RA03-EN131 Platinum Secret Rare at €1.37. 1st Edition copies sell for about 3.2× the Unlimited printing (€10.69 against €3.33).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 51.8× the ungraded price and 8.3× 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 15% in a year; a price well below its October 2021 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; it is the original printing, which reprints rarely replace for collectors; an active market (55 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 €10.69 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €66.87. Ask the seller to show the code IOC-007, the "1st Edition" text and the Ultra Rare finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. At this price fakes are worth checking for: genuine cards have a small holographic seal (the Eye of Anubis) in the bottom-right corner, and the font, colours and card back should match a copy you know is genuine. Look up the certificate number of any graded copy on the grading company's website. Cards from 2004 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.