Energy Retrieval

What it does

Energy Retrieval recycles basic Energy cards from the discard pile back to hand. The Base Set wording required trading 1 other card from hand for up to 2 Energy cards, a cost that Black and White's wording dropped entirely, simply putting 2 basic Energy cards from discard into hand for free.

Printing history

Energy Retrieval first appeared in Base Set in 1999 with art by Keiji Kinebuchi. Kent Kanetsuna illustrated the Black and White era reprints, and 5ban Graphics, Toyste Beach, Ryo Ueda, and Studio Bora Inc. have illustrated the XY through Mega Evolution era printings, including a Secret Rare in Ancient Origins and an Ultra Rare in Chaos Rising. It was also included in the BW trainer Kit (Zoroark) and has been printed in every era from Black and White through the Mega Evolution era.

Trivia

In Japan, before the Leaders' Stadium expansion, the Expansion Pack printing could retrieve any Energy cards, not just basic ones, before receiving an erratum that was carried into the Nivi City Gym print and all international releases. It shares this trait with Super Energy Retrieval. In Japan it was reprinted with a reworded effect in the Nivi City Gym deck and later included in the Tamamushi City Gym deck, both decks of the Quick Starter Gift Set, and the Yamabuki City Gym deck.

Cards to know

• Energy Retrieval (Base Set #81)

  Base Set printing is Energy Retrieval's first appearance, illustrated by Keiji Kinebuchi

• Energy Retrieval (Black & White #92)

  Black and White printing drops the hand-card trade cost

• Energy Retrieval (Ancient Origins #99)

  Ancient Origins printing includes a Secret Rare treatment

• Energy Retrieval (Chaos Rising #108)

  Chaos Rising printing includes an Ultra Rare treatment