Dark Paladin [Platinum Secret Rare] #RA03-EN126

Dark Paladin [Platinum Secret Rare] #RA03-EN126 collector guide

About Dark Paladin

Dark Paladin is a Fusion Monster, made from its Fusion Materials with a card such as Polymerization, printed as RA03-EN126 in Quarter Century Bonanza (2024) as a Platinum Secret Rare. It is a Level 8 DARK Spellcaster monster with 2,900 ATK and 2,400 DEF. Quarter Century Bonanza, released in late 2024, mixes classic cards from the original series with modern staples, each in several rarities including Quarter Century Secret Rare and Platinum Secret Rare. Ungraded, this printing ranks 185th of the 968 Quarter Century Bonanza cards we track. The top card is Blue-Eyes White Dragon at €192.99.

Character and collecting appeal

Dark Paladin fuses Dark Magician with Buster Blader, two of Yugi's swordsman and magician monsters. Its text is about negating cards and effects, destroying cards and changing ATK and DEF. It has a Quick Effect, so it can also be used during the opponent's turn. Its Fusion Materials include Dark Magician.

Version and identification

Check the code printed below the artwork on the right: it should read RA03-EN126. RA03-EN126 is the English printing. Other languages use their own letters in place of EN, such as DE or FR, and are priced separately. It is the Platinum Secret Rare version. Platinum Secret Rares are a newer Secret Rare variant with a platinum-coloured finish. Quarter Century Bonanza has one other printing of Dark Paladin: RA03-EN126 Quarter Century Secret Rare (€57.35). 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 €8.60, a PSA 9 for €33.18 and a PSA 10 for €66.87. Our monthly prices for it go back to November 2024. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 72%, and up 5% in the last month. The current price is its high point on our records. PSA 10 copies have moved up 10% over the same 12 months.

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 7.8× the ungraded price and 2× a PSA 9. That gap is small, so grading fees may outweigh the gain unless the card is for your own collection. Modern foils can leave the pack with scratches, print lines or a slight curl, so even fresh copies do not always reach a 10.

Investment potential

In its favour: steady demand, with ungraded prices up 72% in a year; lasting fame from the anime or the competitive game; an active market (36 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: large modern print runs, which tend to cap prices unless a card becomes iconic. Treat this as background, not a prediction or financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €8.60 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €33.18. Ask the seller to show the code RA03-EN126 and the Platinum Secret Rare finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. Modern foils can be scratched or curled straight from the pack, so check the surface under a light if you plan to grade.

Card details and image from YGOPRODeck. Yu-Gi-Oh! is a trademark of Konami; Search Cards is not affiliated with Konami.