Upstart Goblin [1st Edition] #MRL-033

Upstart Goblin [1st Edition] #MRL-033 collector guide

About Upstart Goblin

Upstart Goblin is a Normal Spell Card, printed as MRL-033 in Magic Ruler (2002) as a Common. 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 82nd of the 321 Magic Ruler cards we track. The top card is Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon at €223.11.

Character and collecting appeal

Upstart Goblin draws a card at the cost of giving the opponent 1000 Life Points, and it was long used to thin decks. Its effect centres on drawing cards.

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 MRL-033. The code MRL-033, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as MRL-E033, and are priced separately. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Magic Ruler has 3 other printings of Upstart Goblin: MRL-033 (€1.91), MRL-E033 (€5.17) and MRL-E033 1st Edition (€4.77). 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 €4.46, a PSA 9 for €29.59 and a PSA 10 for €89.16. Our monthly prices for it go back to October 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 18%, and up 4% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €4.73 in August 2026, 6% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 154% over the same 12 months. Of the 6 printings of Upstart Goblin we track, this one ranks 5th by ungraded value. The most valuable is Quarter Century Bonanza RA03-EN096 Quarter Century Secret Rare at €93.71. 1st Edition copies sell for about 2.3× the Unlimited printing (€4.46 against €1.91).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 20× the ungraded price and 3× 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 18% in a year; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; lasting fame from the anime or the competitive game; it is the original printing, which reprints rarely replace for collectors; an active market (36 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 €4.46 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €29.59. Ask the seller to show the code MRL-033, the "1st Edition" text and the Common 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.