Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1 [1st Edition] #MRD-E002

Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1 [1st Edition] #MRD-E002 collector guide

About Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1

Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1 is a Normal Monster, with flavour text instead of an effect, printed as MRD-E002 in Metal Raiders (2002) as a Common. It is a Level 4 WIND Dragon monster with 1,400 ATK and 1,200 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.

Character and collecting appeal

Dragons are the most collected monster Type in Yu-Gi-Oh!, largely thanks to Blue-Eyes and Red-Eyes. As a Normal Monster it is collected for its artwork and its spot in the set rather than for play. Arsenal Summoner mentions Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1 in its 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-E002. The E in MRD-E002 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 Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1: MRD-002 (€0.62), MRD-002 1st Edition (€3.43) and MRD-E002 (€1.66). Each has its own price, so match the code, edition and rarity exactly. It was also printed in Starter Deck: Yugi, which we track separately.

Price history

There are no recent sales of this printing of Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1 yet, so we cannot give it a value.

Investment potential

In its favour: it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again. Against it: reprints in another set, which keep playable copies easy to find. Card prices can fall as well as rise, so this is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Ask the seller to show the code MRD-E002, 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.