Swordstalker [1st Edition] #SDK-025

Swordstalker [1st Edition] #SDK-025 collector guide

About Swordstalker

Swordstalker is a Normal Monster, with flavour text instead of an effect, printed as SDK-025 in Starter Deck: Kaiba (2002) as a Common. It is a Level 6 DARK Warrior monster with 2,000 ATK and 1,600 DEF. At its Level it needs one Tribute to Normal Summon. Its ATK is the 3rd highest of the 31 monsters in the set. Starter Deck: Kaiba was one of the two pre-built decks that launched the English game in 2002, built around Seto Kaiba and his Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Ungraded, this printing ranks 6th of the 110 Starter Deck: Kaiba cards we track, one of the chase cards of the set. The top card is Blue-Eyes White Dragon at €300.65.

Character and collecting appeal

Warriors are one of the oldest and largest Types, and have had support in almost every era of the game. Normal Monsters like this one are mostly collected for their art and to complete the set.

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 SDK-025. The code SDK-025, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as SDK-E025, and are priced separately. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Starter Deck: Kaiba has one other printing of Swordstalker: SDK-025 (€1.32). 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 €14.17, a PSA 9 for €48.41 and a PSA 10 for €162.73. Our monthly prices for it go back to December 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 39%, and up 127% in the last month. The current price is its high point on our records. PSA 10 copies have moved up 96% over the same 12 months. 1st Edition copies sell for about 10.7× the Unlimited printing (€14.17 against €1.32).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 11.5× the ungraded price and 3.4× a PSA 9. That gap is big enough that grading a sharp, well-centred copy can pay for itself. Early English Yu-Gi-Oh! cards often have off-centre cuts and wear on the dark brown back borders, which is why high grades are hard to reach.

Investment potential

In its favour: steady demand, with ungraded prices up 39% in a year; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (39 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Treat this as background, not a prediction or financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €14.17 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €48.41. Ask the seller to show the code SDK-025, 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.