Rainbow Energy

Rainbow Energy was first introduced to the Pokémon Trading Card Game in the Team Rocket expansion, released in North America in 2000. It was designed to introduce a layer of tactical flexibility to deck building, as it functioned as a multi-type energy card that provided one energy of any type while simultaneously placing a damage counter on the active Pokémon to which it was attached. This trade-off between versatility and self-inflicted damage became a hallmark of the card's strategic identity.

The holographic artwork for the Team Rocket release was created by Ken Sugimori, whose distinct, clean style defined much of the early TCG aesthetic. As one of the earliest special energy cards in the game, it was well-received by players for its utility in multi-type decks, despite the inherent risk of its activation cost. The card has since become a nostalgic touchstone for collectors, representing a pivotal era in the game's evolving mechanical complexity.