Whether you're a duelist chasing nostalgia or a collector hunting Holy Grails, Yu-Gi-Oh! has dropped some legendary sets over the years. From game-changing monster debuts to secret rare stunners, these are the sets that shook the Dueling world and left fans screaming “Heart of the cards!” Here's our definitive countdown of the top 10 Yu-Gi-Oh! sets of all time.
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#10: Shadow of Infinity (SOI)
Released in 2006, SOI introduced the Sacred Beasts—Raviel, Uria, and Hamon—dark counterparts to the Egyptian Gods. These powerhouse monsters were a huge hit with fans of the GX era, and their Secret Rare versions are still highly sought after today. The set also includes powerful cards like Demise, King of Armageddon and Treeborn Frog. Shadow of Infinity brought serious boss monster energy to the game.
#9: Storm of Ragnarok (SOR)
Storm of Ragnarok rode the Nordic wave from the anime’s 5D’s era, featuring fan-favourites like Odin, Thor, and Loki. It brought the Aesir monsters into the competitive meta and gave players explosive synchro combos. Key cards include Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En and Maxx “C,” one of the most meta-shaping hand traps of all time.
#8: Dark Beginning 1 & 2 (DB1 & DB2)
These reprint sets from the early 2000s were a treasure chest for duelists wanting to catch up on classic cards. From staples like Mirror Force and Jinzo to Exodia pieces, DB1 & DB2 were a one-stop shop for early meta powerhouses. These sets are great for newer collectors wanting vintage value without first-edition prices.
#7: Flaming Eternity (FE)
One of the final sets of the original series era, Flaming Eternity gave us the beloved Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys and deck-defining cards like Lightning Vortex. It also introduced support for Beast-type monsters. While not as flashy as others on this list, it holds a special place for late-era DM collectors.
#6: Battle City Tournament Pack (BCTP)
Not a standard booster, but a tournament-exclusive set that holds serious collector value. BCTP cards featured alt-arts and foils of classic cards from the Battle City arc. Rare copies of cards like Dark Magician Girl and XYZ-Dragon Cannon make this one of the most prized sets among OG anime fans.
#5: Metal Raiders (MRD)
The follow-up to LOB, Metal Raiders ramped things up with a massive 144-card checklist and game-breaking cards like Mirror Force, Solemn Judgment, and Summoned Skull. It also introduced Fusion monsters in a big way. MRD packs are tough to find and carry major nostalgia (and price tag) with them.
#4: Dark Crisis (DC)
Dark Crisis brought big boss energy with cards like Vampire Lord and Exodia Necross. It was also home to some incredibly stylish secret rares like Dark Flare Knight and Judgement of Anubis. This set gave collectors rare foils and anime-heavy nostalgia.
#3: Invasion of Chaos (IOC)
Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End. Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning. Enough said. IOC changed everything. This set was so busted it triggered the first major banlist. It’s one of the most competitive and collectible sets ever printed.
#2: Pharaonic Guardian (PGD)
PGD is iconic for introducing Gravekeeper’s cards and the legendary Lava Golem. Its dark, ancient Egypt aesthetic and strategic trap-heavy cards made it a unique shift in gameplay and collecting. It's a must-have for any vintage Yu-Gi-Oh! enthusiast.
#1: Legend of Blue-Eyes White Dragon (LOB)
The OG. The Holy Grail. LOB is where it all began. Released in 2002, this set introduced the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Exodia, Dark Magician, and the foundation of the game. First-edition LOB packs and cards, especially in PSA 10 condition, fetch eye-watering prices. It’s not just a card set—it’s history.
How to Start Collecting Cards From These Popular Yu-Gi-Oh! Sets
Getting into these classic sets can feel like opening a Millennium Puzzle—but it's worth it. You can hunt these cards at:
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Online marketplaces (like eBay or TCGPlayer)
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Conventions & card shows
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Your local card store (or here at Cherry!)
Many of these sets are out of print, so prices can get wild—especially for high-grade or sealed packs. Be ready to chase and choose carefully.
Start Collecting Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards Today with Cherry Collectables
Whether you're tracking down a first-edition Blue-Eyes or building your Gravekeeper’s deck from scratch, Cherry has your back. Our massive range of Yu-Gi-Oh! singles, sealed boxes, and exclusive breaks is built for every type of duelist—from rookie to Kaiba-level elite.
We’ve been doing this since 2009, and we treat every collector’s cards with the same care and excitement we’d give our own.
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