Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
2008 Yu-Gi-Oh! Sets
Nine sets from 2008: the year Synchro Monsters arrived in The Duelist Genesis, Gold Rares in the first Gold Series, and core sets grew to 100 cards.
The 2008 sets
Nine sets released in 2008: four 100-card core booster sets (Phantom Darkness, Light of Destruction, The Duelist Genesis and Crossroads of Chaos), two Duelist Packs, the first Gold Series, and the reprint sets Retro Pack and Dark Legends. Every Yu-Gi-Oh! set →
| Set | Code | Released | Product | Set codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duelist Pack: Jaden Yuki 3 | DP06 | January 26, 2008 | Duelist Pack | 25 |
| Duelist Pack: Jesse Anderson | DP07 | January 26, 2008 | Duelist Pack | 25 |
| Phantom Darkness | PTDN | February 13, 2008 | Core booster set | 100 |
| Gold Series | GLD1 | April 2, 2008 | Gold Series reprint set | 45 |
| Light of Destruction | LODT | May 13, 2008 | Core booster set | 100 |
| Retro Pack | RP01 | July 8, 2008 | Reprint set | 101 |
| The Duelist Genesis | TDGS | September 2, 2008 | Core booster set | 100 |
| Crossroads of Chaos | CSOC | November 18, 2008 | Core booster set | 100 |
| Dark Legends | DLG1 | November 21, 2008 | Reprint set | 113 |
A card printed at two rarities shares one set code, so it counts once here, and each guide's rarity table counts it at both.
The chase card in each set
Every set has one printing its collectors look for first. These are each set's most valuable cards on October 23, 2026, in the edition each guide quotes.
Evil HERO Infernal Prodigy
DP06-EN008
Duelist Pack: Jaden Yuki 3
Hand Destruction
DP07-EN018
Duelist Pack: Jesse Anderson
Dark Armed Dragon
PTDN-EN019
Phantom Darkness
Crush Card Virus
GLD1-EN038
Gold Series
Stardust Dragon
TDGS-EN040
The Duelist Genesis
Black Rose Dragon
CSOC-EN039
Crossroads of Chaos
Card Trooper
DLG1-EN107
Dark Legends
| Set | Chase card | Rarity | Edition | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duelist Pack: Jaden Yuki 3 | Evil HERO Infernal Prodigy | Super Rare | 1st Edition | $11.18 |
| Duelist Pack: Jesse Anderson | Hand Destruction | Rare | 1st Edition | $3.34 |
| Phantom Darkness | Dark Armed Dragon | Secret Rare | 1st Edition | $351.47 |
| Gold Series | Crush Card Virus | Gold Rare | Limited | $105.98 |
| The Duelist Genesis | Stardust Dragon | Ghost Rare | 1st Edition | $1,212.50 |
| Crossroads of Chaos | Black Rose Dragon | Ghost Rare | 1st Edition | $1,499.09 |
| Dark Legends | Card Trooper | Ultra Rare | Unlimited | $55.00 |
Prices are TCGplayer market prices on October 23, 2026 and move daily, in the edition beside each: Gold Series is priced as Limited Edition and Dark Legends in Unlimited. Light of Destruction and Retro Pack are left out because the catalog has no usable prices for them.
The guides
Duelist Pack: Jaden Yuki 3 (January 26, 2008). Jaden Yuki's third Duelist Pack: 25 cards built around the Evil HEROes and Dark Fusion, with eight new cards including Evil HERO Malicious Fiend.
Duelist Pack: Jesse Anderson (January 26, 2008). 25 cards of Jesse Anderson's Crystal Beasts from Force of the Breaker, plus eight new cards, among them Hand Destruction and Grinder Golem.
Phantom Darkness (February 13, 2008). The first core set of 2008: 100 cards that pushed DARK monsters in the GY, with Dark Armed Dragon, Allure of Darkness, Dark Grepher, Yubel and Rainbow Neos as a Ghost Rare.
Gold Series (April 2, 2008). The first Gold Series: 45 reprints of popular cards, 18 printed in the new Gold Rare foil, from Crush Card Virus to Dark Magician of Chaos.
Light of Destruction (May 13, 2008). 100 cards that introduced the Lightsworn and Judgment Dragon, with the Arcana Force coin-toss monsters, Honest and Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem.
Retro Pack (July 8, 2008). A 101-card reprint set of the game's first cards, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Dark Magician and Exodia among them, with eleven Secret Rares.
The Duelist Genesis (September 2, 2008). The first Synchro set: 100 cards that introduced Synchro Summoning, with Stardust Dragon, Red Dragon Archfiend, Goyo Guardian and the first Psychic monsters.
Crossroads of Chaos (November 18, 2008). The second Synchro set: 100 cards with Black Rose Dragon, Plaguespreader Zombie and its Zombie Synchros, the Morphtronics and the Iron Chains.
Dark Legends (November 21, 2008). A 113-card reprint set that repeats much of Retro Pack and adds newer cards such as Card Trooper and Dark Bribe, with Gorz the Emissary of Darkness as its one new card.
The top rarities in 2008
The 2008 core sets settle into one format: about ten Secret Rares, ten Ultra Rares also printed as Ultimate Rares, and one Ghost Rare. The Gold Series adds Gold Rare, and the Duelist Packs stay at Ultra Rare. Reading the foil →
Other 2008 products
These 2008 products have no guide here yet. TurnZero HQ's catalog and set completion still cover them, and the all-sets directory lists them with the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Yu-Gi-Oh! sets came out in 2008?
9: Duelist Pack: Jaden Yuki 3 (January 26), Duelist Pack: Jesse Anderson (January 26), Phantom Darkness (February 13), Gold Series (April 2), Light of Destruction (May 13), Retro Pack (July 8), The Duelist Genesis (September 2), Crossroads of Chaos (November 18) and Dark Legends (November 21).
What is the most valuable card from the 2008 Yu-Gi-Oh! sets?
On October 23, 2026, the 1st Edition Ghost Rare Black Rose Dragon from Crossroads of Chaos (CSOC-EN039), at $1,499.09. The 1st Edition Ghost Rare Stardust Dragon from The Duelist Genesis was next at $1,212.50. Prices move daily.
When did Synchro Monsters come out in Yu-Gi-Oh!?
With The Duelist Genesis, released September 2, 2008. Crossroads of Chaos added more in November.
Where are the 2007 Yu-Gi-Oh! sets?
On their own page, 2007 Yu-Gi-Oh! Sets, with a guide to each release from Duelist Pack: Aster Phoenix to Gladiator's Assault.
Where are the 2009 Yu-Gi-Oh! sets?
On their own page, 2009 Yu-Gi-Oh! Sets, with a guide to each release from Duelist Pack: Yusei to Stardust Overdrive.
Track every 2008 set.
Scan cards in by the set code, record 1st Edition, see how much of each set you own, and value every printing from daily TCGplayer prices. Free to start.
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