Castle of Dark Illusions [1st Edition] #MRD-E073

Castle of Dark Illusions [1st Edition] #MRD-E073 collector guide

About Castle of Dark Illusions

Castle of Dark Illusions is a Flip Effect Monster, whose effect happens when it is flipped face-up, printed as MRD-E073 in Metal Raiders (2002) as a Common. It is a Level 4 DARK Fiend monster with 920 ATK and 1,930 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 133rd 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. Its effect centres on changing ATK and DEF. Pumpking the King of Ghosts mentions Castle of Dark Illusions 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-E073. The E in MRD-E073 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 Castle of Dark Illusions: MRD-073 (€0.95), MRD-073 1st Edition (€4.21) and MRD-E073 (€2.00). 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 €3.62. Our monthly prices for it go back to May 2026. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €4.81 in May 2026, 25% above today. Of the 4 printings of Castle of Dark Illusions we track, this one ranks 2nd by ungraded value. The most valuable is Metal Raiders MRD-073 1st Edition at €4.21. 1st Edition copies sell for about 1.8× the Unlimited printing (€3.62 against €2.00).

Investment potential

In its favour: 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 €3.62 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less. Ask the seller to show the code MRD-E073, 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.