What are Rainbow Energy Cards?
Rainbow Energy Cards are Special Energy Cards that are used in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). They were first introduced in 2000 with the launch of the Team Rocket expansion set.
See also: What are Special Energy Cards?
Rainbow Energy Cards – Info & Gallery
Rainbow Energy Cards are very popular because they can be used as any Energy Type. They have featured in many expansion sets and although there have been many design changes over the years, Rainbow Energy Cards always feature a design that includes the colours of the rainbow. The artwork also includes either the Rainbow symbol or the Colorless Energy symbol in the middle. (Scroll to bottom for timeline and gallery of all cards released to date).
In the Pokémon TCG, a player can only use an Attack Move if the specified number of Energy are attached. This specified number generally includes one or more Energy that corresponds to the Pokémon type, and / or a number of Colorless Energy. Rainbow Energy Cards are useful because they provide one of any type of Energy.
Rainbow Energy Cards Text:
The text on all releases is broadly the same but there have been some changes to the damage amount. Listed below are the different texts seen on Rainbow Energy Cards in order of release.
2000 Team Rocket release – ‘Attach Rainbow Energy to 1 of your Pokémon. While in play, Rainbow Energy counts as every type of basic Energy but only provides 1 Energy at a time. (Doesn’t count as a basic Energy card when not in play.) When you attach this card from your hand to 1 of your Pokémon, it does 10 damage to that Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance.)’
2003 Ruby and Sapphire release – ‘Attach Rainbow Energy to 1 of your Pokémon. While in play, Rainbow Energy provides every type of Energy but provides only 1 Energy at a time. (Doesn’t count as a basic Energy card when not in play.) When you attach this card from your hand to 1 of your Pokémon, put 1 damage counter on that Pokémon.’
2010 HeartGold SoulSilver release – ‘Attach Rainbow Energy to 1 of your Pokémon. While in play, Rainbow Energy provides every type of Energy but provides only 1 Energy at a time. (Has no effect other than providing Energy.) When you attach this card from your hand to 1 of your Pokémon, put 1 damage counter on that Pokémon. (While not in play, Rainbow Energy counts as 
Energy.)‘
2014 XY release – ‘This card provides Energy. While in play, this card provides every type of Energy but provides only 1 Energy at a time. When you attach this card from your hand to 1 of your Pokémon, put 1 damage counter on that Pokémon.
Timeline of Rainbow Energy Cards:
To date Rainbow Energy has been included in 13 different expansion sets. They have always been part of the set and have card numbers. The cards released are listed in order of release. (scroll to bottom for gallery view).
Team Rocket
First Released 2000
Card Number –
17/82
First Released 2000
Card Number –
80/82
Aquapolis
First Released 2003
Card Number –
144/147
EX Ruby & Sapphire
First Released 2003
Card Number –
95/109
EX Legend Maker
First Released 2006
Card Number –
81/92
EX Holon Phantoms
First Released 2006
Card Number –
98/110
EX Dragon Frontiers
First Released 2006
Card Number –
88/101
POP Series 5
First Released 2007
Card Number –
9/17
Platinum Base Set
First Released 2009
Card Number –
121/127
HeartGold, SoulSilver
First Released 2010
Card Number –
104/123
XY Base Set
First Released 2014
Card Number –
131/146
XY BREAKThrough
First Released 2015
Card Number –
152/162
Sun and Moon Base Set
First Released 2017
Card Number –
137/149
SM Celestial Storm
First Released 2018
Card Number –
151/168
First Released 2018
Card Number –
183/168
Gallery
