Ryu Senshi [1st Edition] #LOD-019

Ryu Senshi [1st Edition] #LOD-019 collector guide

About Ryu Senshi

Ryu Senshi is a Fusion Monster, made from its Fusion Materials with a card such as Polymerization, printed as LOD-019 in Legacy of Darkness (2003) as a Super Rare. It is a Level 6 EARTH Warrior monster with 2,000 ATK and 1,200 DEF. Its ATK is the 8th highest of the 56 monsters in the set. 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 23rd of the 206 Legacy of Darkness cards we track. The top card is Yata-Garasu at €78.25.

Character and collecting appeal

Warriors are one of the oldest and largest Types, and have had support in almost every era of the game. In play, it is a card for negating cards and effects and destroying cards. It has a Quick Effect, so it can also be used during the opponent's turn. Its Fusion Materials include Spirit Ryu and Warrior Dai Grepher.

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-019. The code LOD-019, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as LOD-E019, and are priced separately. It is the Super Rare version. Super Rares have holographic artwork and a plain name. Legacy of Darkness has one other printing of Ryu Senshi: LOD-019 (€5.88). 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 €9.37, a PSA 9 for €38.72 and a PSA 10 for €419.36. Our monthly prices for it go back to November 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 17%, and up 11% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €10.72 in December 2021, 13% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved down 10% over the same 12 months. 1st Edition copies sell for about 1.6× the Unlimited printing (€9.37 against €5.88).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 44.8× the ungraded price and 10.8× 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 17% in a year; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (65 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Past prices do not guarantee future ones. This is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €9.37 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €38.72. Ask the seller to show the code LOD-019, the "1st Edition" text and the Super 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 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.