Paralyzing Potion [1st Edition] #MRD-137

Paralyzing Potion [1st Edition] #MRD-137 collector guide

About Paralyzing Potion

Paralyzing Potion is an Equip Spell Card, printed as MRD-137 in Metal Raiders (2002) as a Common. 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 461st of the 508 Metal Raiders cards we track. The top card is Gate Guardian at €301.65.

Character and collecting appeal

Its text is about stopping attacks.

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-137. The code MRD-137, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as MRD-E137, and are priced separately. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Metal Raiders has 3 other printings of Paralyzing Potion: MRD-137 (€0.54), MRD-E137 and MRD-E137 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 €0.50, a PSA 9 for €19.62 and a PSA 10 for €58.46. Our monthly prices for it go back to October 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are down 43%, and flat in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €5.93 in January 2024, 92% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved down 18% over the same 12 months. Unusually, Unlimited copies currently sell for as much as or more than 1st Edition ones (€0.54 against €0.50).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 116.9× the ungraded price and 3× a PSA 9. That gap is small, so grading fees may outweigh the gain unless the card is for your own collection. 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: a price well below its January 2024 peak, which some collectors see as room to recover; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (29 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: falling prices, down 43% in a year. Card prices can fall as well as rise, so this is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €0.50 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €19.62. Ask the seller to show the code MRD-137, 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.