What does the "ITEM" designation mean on this card?

"ITEM" signifies that Energy Retrieval is a type of Trainer card that can be played during your turn, before your attack, and you can play as many Item cards as you like during your turn.

Can I retrieve any type of Energy card with Energy Retrieval?

No, the card specifically states "2 basic Energy cards," meaning you cannot retrieve special Energy cards with this effect.

Is Energy Retrieval a rare card?

This printing of Energy Retrieval from the Evolutions set is a common card, indicated by the common rarity symbol.

Why is Energy Retrieval a useful card in the Pokémon TCG?

Energy Retrieval is useful because it allows players to recover essential Energy cards from their discard pile, which can be crucial for powering up Pokémon and maintaining a strong board presence throughout a game.

Who illustrated this specific Energy Retrieval card?

The illustrator for this Energy Retrieval card from the Evolutions set is Keiji Kinebuchi.

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Energy Retrieval — Evolutions Pokémon card

Energy RetrievalEvolutions #77 Pokémon Card

Name: Energy Retrieval — Evolutions #77
Brand: Pokémon TCG

Evolutions·#77·2016

Energy Retrieval is a foundational Trainer card from the Pokémon TCG, an essential Item that has been a staple across many generations of play. This specific card is from the 2016 Evolutions set, a common variant that pays homage to the game's earliest days. Here, visitors will discover the card's precise mechanics, including its effect of retrieving basic Energy, its illustrator, and its historical context within the TCG. This page delves into why this card appeals to both nostalgic collectors and competitive players, covering aspects like its grading potential and common collector questions.

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Card Number: #77
Release Date: November 1, 2016
Language: EN
Set Code: XY12

Energy Retrieval is not a Pokémon, but rather a Trainer card, specifically an Item card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. As such, it does not have Pokédex lore, a natural habitat, diet, or behavior in the traditional sense of a Pokémon. Trainer cards represent various items, supporters, or stadiums that assist players during battles. Item cards, like Energy Retrieval, are essential tools within the game, offering strategic advantages by manipulating resources or the game state. They are a fundamental part of the TCG experience, providing depth and tactical options beyond just the Pokémon themselves. Energy Retrieval has been a recurring and highly useful Item card throughout many generations of the Pokémon TCG, first appearing in the Base Set and receiving numerous reprints due to its consistent utility. Its function is to recover Energy cards from the discard pile, which are crucial for powering up attacks, making it a vital component for many deck strategies centered around energy acceleration or recovery. Its significance lies in its ability to mitigate resource loss and ensure a steady supply of Energy for a player's Pokémon throughout a match.

Last updated: April 11, 2026