Special Energy Cards Explained
Pokémon Special Energy cards have been included in sets since the launch of the Pokémon TCG in Japan in 1996. They form part of an expansion set and are given card numbers. They are different to Basic Energy Cards because they may be provide more than one energy and / or they may offer an additional ability.
The first Special Energy Card to be released was Double Colorless Energy 96/102. It formed part of the Base Set released in Japan in 1996 and Globally in 1999. It is worth two Colorless Energy and this is indicated by the two Colorless Energy symbols at the top of the card and also in the card text.
Pokémon Energy Cards are a vital component of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). In order to use their attacks, Pokémon must have a specified number and type(s) of Energy Card attached to it. For more information on how this works please see our article on Basic Energy Cards.
What are the Different Types of Special Energy Cards?
To date there have been 81 different types of Special Energy Cards. Darkness and Metal Energy were initially introduced as Special Energy Cards but were moved from Special Energy to Basic Energy cards in 2006. Some types have been released many times while others have only been issued once. Detailed below is a complete list of all Special Energy Cards released to date with information about the number and type of Energy they represent and when they were first released.
Complete List of Special Energy Cards (English Language)
Cards are listed in order of first release. Click on links for more detailed information about each type of Special Energy.
Double Colorless Energy
First released – Pokémon Base Set 1999
Last released – Shining Legends 2017
Provides two Colorless Energy
Rainbow Energy
First released – Team Rocket 2000
Last Released – Celestial Storm 2018
Provides one of any type of Energy