Gate Guardian [Reverse Foil Error] #MRD-000

Gate Guardian [Reverse Foil Error] #MRD-000 collector guide

About Gate Guardian

Gate Guardian is an Effect Monster, printed as MRD-000 in Metal Raiders (2002) as a Secret Rare. It is a Level 11 DARK Warrior monster with 3,750 ATK and 3,400 DEF. No monster in Metal Raiders has more ATK. 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. This printing is the most valuable ungraded card of the 508 Metal Raiders cards we track.

Character and collecting appeal

Gate Guardian is the giant monster of the Paradox Brothers in the anime. Summoning it means Tributing Sanga of the Thunder, Kazejin and Suijin, so it is far more popular with collectors than with players. 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 Kazejin, Sanga of the Thunder and Suijin, so collectors often look for them together.

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-000. The code MRD-000, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as MRD-E000, and are priced separately. It is the Secret Rare version. Secret Rares have a rainbow-foil name and diagonal holographic artwork. This is a reverse foil error, priced separately from correctly printed copies. Make sure the listing photos show the error. Metal Raiders has 4 other printings of Gate Guardian: MRD-000 (€26.93), MRD-000 1st Edition (€128.18), MRD-E000 (€17.84) and MRD-E000 1st Edition (€93.28). 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 €301.38. Our monthly prices for it go back to July 2026. It is trading at or near its highest recorded value. Of the 5 printings of Gate Guardian we track, this is the most valuable ungraded. The cheapest is Metal Raiders MRD-E000 at €17.84.

Investment potential

In its favour: it comes from the first years of the English game, which are no longer printed; lasting fame from the anime or the competitive game. 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 €301.38 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less. Ask the seller to show the code MRD-000, the missing "1st Edition" text and the Secret Rare finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. At this price fakes are worth checking for: genuine cards have a small holographic seal (the Eye of Anubis) in the bottom-right corner, and the font, colours and card back should match a copy you know is genuine. Look up the certificate number of any graded copy on the grading company's website. 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.