If you're a fan of Yu-Gi-Oh!, you know that not all cards are created equal. There is a whole system for determining how rare each card is. There are six different rarity levels of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards that distinguish cards by design and price in the secondary market.
Most cards are common, easy to find, and relatively inexpensive. Some rare cards are the most sought-after cards by collectors and players alike, as they are relatively scarce and can command a high price. Finally, super rare are the rarest of the rare, and they can fetch an astronomical price on the secondary market.
In this guide, we'll look at the different rarity levels for Yu-Gi-Oh! cards and what that means for collectors and players alike. This little guide will help you better understand all types of card rarity and select the best ones for your collection.
Normal Cards In Yu-Gi-Oh!
The first in the Yu-Gi-Oh! rarity list are these cards. Regular Yu-Gi-Oh! will be the same as in all other board card games. So, ordinary cards are those collectible items that come across in most sets, in larger quantities in a booster, and do not have a foil cover. Such cards are cheap but can sometimes be worth something if they are particularly strong or valuable in combat.
Otherwise, these cards will be in your deck in greater numbers. Such cards do not need to be protected by a card sleeve, as they can be easily replaced by purchasing a new set from the store.
Most often, such cards are perfectly combined with other characters and spells and are something universal. They do not provide an incredible advantage, but they do not make the player give up after a few turns.
Rare Cards In Yu-Gi-Oh!
They are of more interest to card collectors and players. So, such cards will first have a foil coating on the card's name. The original Yu-Gi-Oh cards will have this coating, and you can feel it if you run your fingers along the front of the card.
In addition, rare cards will have more exciting and valuable effects on spells, monsters, and traps. Although these cards are rare, they are still inferior to super rares, ultra rares, and other more unique cards. However, even rare Yo-Gi-Oh cards can be sleeved for protection and wait for their price to rise to sell.
Such cards also combine well with others, but in this case, they can give a slight advantage to the player.
Super Rare Cards In Yu-Gi-Oh!
This type of card is more special in our Yu-Gi-Oh! rarity guide and can bring good cash rewards to the owner for sale. These cards are harder to get from regular sets and require a small ‘Luck Boost’ to get one in your hand.
You can identify such a card by the foil coating and the name on the card. So, in the case of a rare card, the name and the image will be fully foiled, while the super rare will not have a holographic name, and the foil will only be in the picture.
Such cards will not give you an incredible advantage on the battlefield, but they can still offer you many useful features. Such cards bring iconic characters or abilities from the original anime and can work well with many decks.
Ultra Rare Cards In Yu-Gi-Oh!
These Yu-Gi-Oh! rare type cards take players to a new level, which will be closed to novice battle fans. Such cards can be considered one of the most powerful, forming the basis of many strategies during the battle. Such cards require skill to play and are challenging to use to get the desired effect. However, with the right approach, such cards can become a lifeline or an ace in the hole and completely turn the game around.
The holographic trim can identify these cards on the character's image and the hologram on the card's name.
These cards should definitely be placed in card sleeves for protection from the environment and other damage, and if you want to play with these cards, you should use a playmat as it will provide another layer of protection for your cards.
Secret Rare Cards In Yu-Gi-Oh!
These cards are difficult to classify as a single card type, as they are more of a standalone version of Ultra Rare cards and are ranked according to difficulty to use and usefulness in the game. Such cards have higher-quality printing and may have iridescence in the name and image of the character.
These cards, like the ones mentioned above, can be perfectly combined with other types of cards and help you in defeating any opponent on the battlefield.
Starlight Rare Cards In Yu-Gi-Oh!
These cards have been included as a new rarity section for Yu-Gi-Oh! only in 2019 with the release of Rising Rampage. Such cards are considered special due to the holographic coating, which covers not only the card's name and the card image but, in general, the entire surface of the card.
These cards should be kept in boxes, sleeves, and other card protectors so they can stay fresh and sealed until you decide to sell them.
Other Rare Cards In Yu-Gi-Oh!
In addition to the cards mentioned above, there are other types of rarity. They often depend on the limited series, release date, and other settings. Generally speaking, such cards can no longer be bought in new booster packs and can only be obtained from collectors for a lot of money.
So, these cards include:
- Gold Rare. Such cards belong to the Gold Series line. Such cards have a golden name, an illustration, a frame, and a holographic design finish. Such cards are highly valued among the gaming community and are the holy grail;
- Prismatic Secret Rare. These cards are part of the Gold Rare group;
- Platinum Rare. Exclusive to the Noble Knights of the Round Table Box set are Platinum Rare Cards. The text box and related icons are not included in the platinum foil that covers the whole surface of these cards.
How To Take Care Of Rare Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards?
If you're a Yu-Gi-Oh fan, chances are you have a few Yu-Gi-Oh! rare type cards in your collection. These cards can be worth a lot of money, so taking care of them properly is essential. Here are some tips on how to do just that, no matter what rarity of your Yu-Gi-Oh! cards.
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Keep your cards in the sleeves |
This will help protect them from wear and tear. You can find sleeves at most hobby stores or online. |
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Store your cards in a cool, dry place |
Extremes of temperature and humidity can damage your cards, so it's best to keep them stored in a room that is neither too hot nor too cold. A closet or cabinet is ideal. |
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Avoid letting your cards come into contact with water |
Water can damage the cardboard and ruin the printing on the card. If your cards do get wet, be sure to dry them off as soon as possible. |
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Don't bend or crease your cards |
Bending or creasing can damage the card and make it less valuable. If you must handle your cards, be sure to do so carefully. |
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Keep your cards away from pets and small children |
Pets and small children can cause damage to your cards without meaning to. It's best to keep them away in a safe place where they can't get damaged accidentally. |
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Sunlight can fade the printing on the card over time, making it less valuable. If you must store your cards in an area that gets direct sunlight, be sure to do so for only short periods and keep an eye on the condition of the cards so you can take steps to prevent further damage if necessary. |
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Consider getting insurance for your rarest and most valuable cards |
This will ensure that you will be compensated financially if they are ever lost or stolen. You can usually find insurance policies designed specifically for collectible items like trading cards at most insurance companies. |
Bottom Line
Now that you know the basics of Yu-Gi-Oh! card rarity, you can begin your journey into collecting or competitive play armed with this valuable knowledge. Remember that rarity is just one factor determining a card's value; other factors, such as usefulness in specific decks or strategies, can also affect how much a card is worth.
Ultimately, it is up to each collector or player to decide which cards are worth pursuing based on their criteria. Happy hunting!
FAQ
What Are The Chances Of Getting A Secret Rare Yu-Gi-Oh! Card?
Due to the heavy use of electronic scales, Secret Rares were put on hold after the Soul of the Duelist packs, but they have been brought back in Strike of Neos. Before the introduction of The Shining Darkness, the likelihood of finding a Secret Rare in a booster pack was 1:31; after its release, the likelihood was 1:23.
How Can You Tell The Rarity Of A Yu-Gi-Oh! Card?
The most important principle of card rarity, which will be observed in all rare cards, is a hologram. It will be either in the title, or in the picture, or on the entire card. There also can be a combination of a hologram on the name and picture with the character.
Are Super Rares And Ultra Rares Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards Identical?
Super Rares and Ultra Rares are identical, however the card name on the latter has gold foil lettering.
Is Yu-Gi-Oh! More Expensive Than Pokémon?
Some people collect trading cards more for the possibility of a big sale than for the game because many rare cards have a high value. Pokémon cards are typically more expensive than Yu-Gi-Oh! cards.