Ancient Brain [1st Edition] #MRD-E082

Ancient Brain [1st Edition] #MRD-E082 collector guide

About Ancient Brain

Ancient Brain is a Normal Monster, with flavour text instead of an effect, printed as MRD-E082 in Metal Raiders (2002) as a Common. It is a Level 3 DARK Fiend monster with 1,000 ATK and 700 DEF. Metal Raiders was the second English booster set. It added Summoned Skull, Gate Guardian, Mirror Force and Change of Heart, and many of its cards shaped how the early game was played. Ungraded, this printing ranks 199th of the 508 Metal Raiders cards we track. The top card is Gate Guardian at €301.65.

Character and collecting appeal

Fiends are one of the largest Types in the game, home to many of its darker and more unusual designs. As a Normal Monster it is collected for its artwork and its spot in the set rather than for play. Skull Knight mentions Ancient Brain 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 MRD-E082. The E in MRD-E082 marks the European English printing. The North American printing uses a code without the letter, sometimes with a different card number, and has its own prices. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Metal Raiders has 3 other printings of Ancient Brain: MRD-082 (€0.49), MRD-082 1st Edition (€1.29) and MRD-E082 (€1.49). 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 €2.53. Our monthly prices for it go back to August 2023. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 31%, and down 1% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €2.69 in January 2026, 6% above today. Of the 4 printings of Ancient Brain we track, this is the most valuable ungraded. The cheapest is Metal Raiders MRD-082 at €0.49. 1st Edition copies sell for about 1.7× the Unlimited printing (€2.53 against €1.49).

Investment potential

In its favour: steady demand, with ungraded prices up 31% in a year; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again. Against it: thin trading, so selling quickly can mean accepting a lower price. Past prices do not guarantee future ones. This is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €2.53 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less. Ask the seller to show the code MRD-E082, 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.