Pokémon TCG · Energy Types
Lightning-Type Pokémon Cards
Lightning is the Pokémon TCG's yellow type, the card game's name for Electric Pokémon such as Pikachu, Raichu and Zekrom. Lightning decks put a lot of Energy into play quickly, Lightning is weak to Fighting, and it hits Water Pokémon for double damage.
Lightning at a Glance
Standard figures count every Pokémon legal in Standard on October 15, 2026, each card once however often it was reprinted. Printing figures count every English printing.
How Lightning Plays
Lightning is the type of Energy acceleration and big attacks. Iono's Bellibolt ex attaches Basic Lightning Energy from your hand to your Iono's Pokémon as often as you like, and Mega Zeraora ex's Thunderous Fist does 60 for each Lightning Energy on it, so the two halves of the plan are often on the same table.
Lightning attacks also tend to hurt their user. Zekrom ex's Voltage Burst does 130 plus 50 for each Prize card your opponent has taken and 30 damage to itself, so it gets stronger as you fall behind.
Things to Know About Lightning Pokémon Cards
- Lightning Pokémon are weak to Fighting on almost every card in Standard.
- Lightning hits Water Pokémon and Flying Pokémon of any type for Weakness, because Flying Pokémon are printed weak to Lightning.
- The card game calls the type Lightning, not Electric, and its Basic Energy is Basic Lightning Energy.
- Pikachu has more cards than any other Pokémon, and almost all of them are Lightning.
- Pikachu has 188 English Lightning cards, more than any Pokémon has in any type.
Popular Lightning Pokémon in Standard
Lightning Pokémon legal in Standard that show what the type does. Not a ranking: each is here for what its text does.
Pikachu ex
Surging Sparks #57
Iono's Bellibolt ex
Journey Together #53
Zekrom ex
Black Bolt #34
Mega Zeraora ex
Pitch Black #27
- Pikachu ex: Resolute Heart keeps it in play at 10 HP when a full-HP Pikachu ex would be Knocked Out by an attack, and Topaz Bolt does 300.
- Iono's Bellibolt ex: Electric Streamer attaches Basic Lightning Energy from your hand to your Iono's Pokémon as often as you like; Thunderous Bolt does 230.
- Zekrom ex: Voltage Burst does 130 plus 50 for each Prize card your opponent has taken, and 30 damage to itself.
- Mega Zeraora ex: A Basic Mega whose Thunderous Fist does 60 for each Lightning Energy attached to it.
Most Valuable Lightning Cards
The highest-priced Lightning Pokémon of the Scarlet & Violet and Mega Evolution series, one printing per card name, by TCGplayer market price on November 2, 2026. Prices change daily; each card's page has today's.
Classic Lightning Cards Collectors Know
Older cards that collectors know the type by. No prices here: vintage cards sell too rarely, in too many conditions, for one number to mean much. How to check what your Pokémon cards are worth →
- Pikachu: The 1999 Base Set common, and the Pikachu most players opened first.
- Shining Raichu: Neo Destiny (2002), one of the original shiny cards.
- Pikachu ★: The Gold Star Pikachu from EX Holon Phantoms (2006).
The Other Types
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lightning type weak to in the Pokémon TCG?
Fighting. 162 of 172 Lightning Pokémon legal in Standard as of October 15, 2026 are weak to Fighting; the rest are Flying Pokémon weak to Lightning itself.
Is Electric a type in the Pokémon TCG?
Not by that name. Electric-type Pokémon from the video games are Lightning cards, paid for with Lightning Energy.
What is the most valuable Lightning-type Pokémon card?
Of the Scarlet & Violet and Mega Evolution series, Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat from Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos at $976.56 on TCGplayer as of November 2, 2026. Older cards, such as the vintage Shining and Gold Star cards, can sell for more, but they trade too rarely for one price to mean much.
Which Pokémon has the most Lightning-type cards?
Pikachu, with 188 English Lightning cards counting every printing, then Raichu (63) and Electrode (41).
Track your Lightning cards and what they are worth.
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