Energy Switch

What it does

Energy Switch repositions an already-attached basic Energy card between your Pokémon, letting a player redirect resources without discarding them. The wording has stayed consistent in effect through four versions, moving from 'basic Energy card' in Aquapolis to the capitalized 'Basic Energy' used from Scarlet and Violet onward.

Printing history

Energy Switch first appeared in Aquapolis in 2003 with art by Mikio Menjo, then moved through the EX era under Ken Ikuji and the Diamond and Pearl and HeartGold and SoulSilver eras under Ryo Ueda and Wataru Kawahara. It has appeared in many eras since, including a Secret Rare in Roaring Skies and a Secret Rare in Silver Tempest, with Studio Bora Inc. providing recent Scarlet and Violet and Mega Evolution era art.

Printings in detail

Our catalog lists 24 printings of Energy Switch across 24 sets, spanning from the WOTC era Aquapolis through the Mega Evolution era's Pitch Black set, where it received an Ultra Rare treatment. Illustrators have rotated with the sets across each era, from Mikio Menjo and Ken Ikuji in the early WOTC and EX years, through Ryo Ueda and Wataru Kawahara in Diamond and Pearl and HeartGold and SoulSilver, to Kent Kanetsuna, 5ban Graphics, Ryo Ueda again, Toyste Beach, and Studio Bora Inc. across the Black and White era through the Mega Evolution era.

Cards to know

• Energy Switch (Aquapolis #120)

  Aquapolis printing is Energy Switch's first appearance, illustrated by Mikio Menjo

• Energy Switch (Roaring Skies #109)

  Roaring Skies printing gives Energy Switch a Secret Rare treatment

• Energy Switch (Silver Tempest #212)

  Silver Tempest printing is a Secret Rare version illustrated by Toyste Beach

• Energy Switch (Pitch Black #107)

  Pitch Black printing is an Ultra Rare treatment in the Mega Evolution era