Thunder Dragon [1st Edition] #MRD-097

Thunder Dragon [1st Edition] #MRD-097 collector guide

About Thunder Dragon

Thunder Dragon is an Effect Monster, printed as MRD-097 in Metal Raiders (2002) as a Short Print. It is a Level 5 LIGHT Thunder monster with 1,600 ATK and 1,500 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 32nd of the 508 Metal Raiders cards we track. The top card is Gate Guardian at €301.65.

Character and collecting appeal

Thunder monsters are LIGHT-heavy and include the Thunder Dragon line. Its text is about searching the Deck and discarding. Thunder Dragon Colossus, Thunder Dragondark and Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon mention Thunder Dragon in their 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-097. The code MRD-097, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as MRD-E097, and are priced separately. It is the Short Print version. Short Prints look like Commons but were printed in smaller numbers. Metal Raiders has 3 other printings of Thunder Dragon: MRD-097 (€4.46), MRD-E097 (€5.71) and MRD-E097 1st Edition (€12.49). 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 €22.32, a PSA 9 for €33.88 and a PSA 10 for €150.25. Our monthly prices for it go back to September 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 43%, and flat in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €26.75 in September 2021, 17% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 143% over the same 12 months. Of the 4 printings of Thunder Dragon we track, this is the most valuable ungraded. The cheapest is Metal Raiders MRD-097 at €4.46. 1st Edition copies sell for about 5× the Unlimited printing (€22.32 against €4.46).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 6.7× the ungraded price and 4.4× 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: steady demand, with ungraded prices up 43% in a year; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (42 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Past prices do not guarantee future ones. This is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €22.32 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €33.88. Ask the seller to show the code MRD-097, the "1st Edition" text and the 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.