Mysterious Guard [1st Edition] #LOD-021

Mysterious Guard [1st Edition] #LOD-021 collector guide

About Mysterious Guard

Mysterious Guard is a Flip Effect Monster, whose effect happens when it is flipped face-up, printed as LOD-021 in Legacy of Darkness (2003) as a Common. It is a Level 3 EARTH Spellcaster monster with 800 ATK and 1,200 DEF. Legacy of Darkness was a smaller 2003 set with a wave of Spirit monsters, including Yata-Garasu, alongside Injection Fairy Lily and Airknight Parshath. Ungraded, this printing ranks 90th of the 206 Legacy of Darkness cards we track. The top card is Yata-Garasu at €78.25.

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. In play, it is a card for returning cards to the hand or Deck.

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 LOD-021. The code LOD-021, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as LOD-E021, and are priced separately. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Legacy of Darkness has one other printing of Mysterious Guard: LOD-021 (€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 €0.86, a PSA 9 for €7.13 and a PSA 10 for €59.20. Our monthly prices for it go back to November 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are down 31%, and up 23% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €1.28 in November 2024, 33% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved down 50% over the same 12 months. 1st Edition copies sell for about 2.1× the Unlimited printing (€0.86 against €0.41).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 68.8× the ungraded price and 8.3× a PSA 9. That gap is small, so grading fees may outweigh the gain unless the card is for your own collection. 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: it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (27 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: falling prices, down 31% in a year. Treat this as background, not a prediction or financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €0.86 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €7.13. Ask the seller to show the code LOD-021, 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.