Cocoon of Evolution #MRD-E011

Cocoon of Evolution #MRD-E011 collector guide

About Cocoon of Evolution

Cocoon of Evolution is an Effect Monster, printed as MRD-E011 in Metal Raiders (2002) as a Super Short Print. It is a Level 3 EARTH Insect monster with 0 ATK and 2,000 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 184th of the 508 Metal Raiders cards we track. The top card is Gate Guardian at €301.65.

Character and collecting appeal

Insects are a small Type best known from Weevil Underwood's deck in the anime. Its text names Petit Moth, so collectors often look for them together. Great Moth and Larvae Moth mention Cocoon of Evolution in their text, which keeps it relevant.

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 MRD-E011. The E in MRD-E011 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 Super Short Print version. Super Short Prints look like Commons but were printed in even smaller numbers than Short Prints. Metal Raiders has 3 other printings of Cocoon of Evolution: MRD-011 (€0.66), MRD-011 1st Edition (€4.41) and MRD-E011 1st Edition (€3.45). 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 €2.67, a PSA 9 for €13.25 and a PSA 10 for €162.02. Our monthly prices for it go back to May 2026. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €3.37 in August 2026, 21% above today. Of the 4 printings of Cocoon of Evolution we track, this one ranks 3rd by ungraded value. The most valuable is Metal Raiders MRD-011 1st Edition at €4.41. 1st Edition copies sell for about 1.3× the Unlimited printing (€3.45 against €2.67).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 60.7× the ungraded price and 12.2× 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: it comes from the first years of the English game, which are no longer printed. Against it: thin trading, so selling quickly can mean accepting a lower price. Card prices can fall as well as rise, so this is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €2.67 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €13.25. Ask the seller to show the code MRD-E011, the missing "1st Edition" text and the Super Short Print 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.