Lava Battleguard #MRD-E115

Lava Battleguard #MRD-E115 collector guide

About Lava Battleguard

Lava Battleguard is an Effect Monster, printed as MRD-E115 in Metal Raiders (2002) as a Common. It is a Level 5 EARTH Warrior monster with 1,550 ATK and 1,800 DEF. At its Level it needs one Tribute to Normal Summon. 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 266th of the 508 Metal Raiders cards we track. The top card is Gate Guardian at €301.65.

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 changing ATK and DEF. Its text names Swamp Battleguard, so collectors often look for them together. Swamp Battleguard mentions Lava Battleguard in its 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-E115. The E in MRD-E115 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 Lava Battleguard: MRD-115 (€0.32), MRD-115 1st Edition (€0.96) and MRD-E115 1st Edition. 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 €1.88, a PSA 9 for €9.35 and a PSA 10 for €122.24. Our monthly prices for it go back to May 2026. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €3.07 in May 2026, 39% above today. Of the 3 printings of Lava Battleguard we track, this is the most valuable ungraded. The cheapest is Metal Raiders MRD-115 at €0.32.

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 65× the ungraded price and 13.1× 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. Treat this as background, not a prediction or financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €1.88 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €9.35. Ask the seller to show the code MRD-E115, the missing "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.