Wall Shadow [1st Edition] #MRL-056

Wall Shadow [1st Edition] #MRL-056 collector guide

About Wall Shadow

Wall Shadow is an Effect Monster, printed as MRL-056 in Magic Ruler (2002) as a Common. It is a Level 7 DARK Warrior monster with 1,600 ATK and 3,000 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 226th of the 321 Magic Ruler cards we track. The top card is Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon at €223.11.

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 Special Summoning. It cannot be Normal Summoned, so it has to be brought out by its own conditions. Its text names Magical Labyrinth, so collectors often look for them together. Magical Labyrinth mentions Wall Shadow in its text, which keeps it relevant.

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-056. The code MRL-056, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as MRL-E056, and are priced separately. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Magic Ruler has 3 other printings of Wall Shadow: MRL-056 (€0.52), MRL-E056 (€2.50) and MRL-E056 1st Edition (€3.43). 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 €0.57, a PSA 9 for €27.20 and a PSA 10 for €89.17. Our monthly prices for it go back to October 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are down 77%, and down 2% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €2.87 in February 2024, 80% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 52% over the same 12 months. Of the 4 printings of Wall Shadow we track, this one ranks 3rd by ungraded value. The most valuable is Magic Ruler MRL-E056 1st Edition at €3.43. 1st Edition copies sell for about 1.1× the Unlimited printing (€0.57 against €0.52).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 156.4× the ungraded price and 3.3× 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: a price well below its February 2024 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; an active market (35 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: falling prices, down 77% in a year. Treat this as background, not a prediction or financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €0.57 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €27.20. Ask the seller to show the code MRL-056, 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.