Hiro's Shadow Scout #MRL-024

Hiro's Shadow Scout #MRL-024 collector guide

About Hiro's Shadow Scout

Hiro's Shadow Scout is a Flip Effect Monster, whose effect happens when it is flipped face-up, printed as MRL-024 in Magic Ruler (2002) as a Rare. It is a Level 2 DARK Fiend monster with 650 ATK and 500 DEF. Magic Ruler was the third English booster set and brought Pegasus's Toon cards into the game. Magic Cards were later renamed Spell Cards and the set was reprinted as Spell Ruler, so Magic Ruler copies are the original printing. Ungraded, this printing ranks 185th of the 321 Magic Ruler cards we track. The top card is Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon at €223.11.

Character and collecting appeal

Fiends are one of the largest Types in the game, home to many of its darker and more unusual designs. Its effect centres on discarding.

Version and identification

This guide covers the Unlimited printing, without the "1st Edition" text below the artwork. 1st Edition copies of the same card have their own, usually higher, prices. Check the code printed below the artwork on the right: it should read MRL-024. The code MRL-024, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as MRL-E024, and are priced separately. It is the Rare version. Rares have a silver-foil name and plain artwork. Magic Ruler has 3 other printings of Hiro's Shadow Scout: MRL-024 1st Edition (€0.97), MRL-E024 (€1.97) and MRL-E024 1st Edition. 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 €1.19, a PSA 9 for €7.13 and a PSA 10 for €73.80. Our monthly prices for it go back to October 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 21%, and up 83% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €1.81 in February 2023, 34% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 12% over the same 12 months. Of the 3 printings of Hiro's Shadow Scout we track, this one ranks 2nd by ungraded value. The most valuable is Magic Ruler MRL-E024 at €1.97. Unusually, Unlimited copies currently sell for as much as or more than 1st Edition ones (€1.19 against €0.97).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 62× the ungraded price and 10.4× 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 21% in a year; it comes from the first years of the English game, which are no longer printed; an active market (25 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 €1.19 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 MRL-024, the missing "1st Edition" text and the Rare finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. Cards from 2002 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.