Ruling Self Charge

[PMJ]

Since EX: CG Nuzleaf is pre-DP, does that mean that Self Charge can only attack Special Darkness Energy cards?

 

[Chairman Kaga]

No, it can grab Basic Dark as well. Dark Energy is Dark Energy, and that's all the effect calls for. The addition of Basic Dark just gives the old cards more flexibility.

 

[PMJ]

Then in what instances would using, attaching, discarding, etc. the basic versions not be acceptable, for pre-DP cards? Team Aqua's Cacturne has an attack that auto-paralyzes if you discard a Darkness Energy on TAC. Would basic Darkness Energy work in that instance?

And while I'm asking, can Weavile's Shadow Charge fetch Dark Metal Energy, or not because it doesn't explicitly say you can (a la Dark Electrode)?

 

[Chairman Kaga]

Then in what instances would using, attaching, discarding, etc. the basic versions not be acceptable, for pre-DP cards? Team Aqua's Cacturne has an attack that auto-paralyzes if you discard a Darkness Energy on TAC. Would basic Darkness Energy work in that instance?

There are no such instances A Basic Dark would work in any instance where Dark Energy is called for. Like I said, Dark Energy is Dark Energy -- or more simply, Energy is Energy. For the example you cited, a Multi/DRE/Scramble providing Dark at the time would work as well.

If an effect requires a Basic Energy, it will specifically say so (cf. Magmortar SW's Flame Body Kecleon SW's Camouflage). This is the case going all the way back through the EX sets. If it doesn't restrict it to Basic Energy, any Energy card providing the required Energy will do.

The fact that EX-series cards work with the new Basic Energies is a feature. It's even advertised in the DP1 rulebook (it "adds more strategic options" for your decks )

And while I'm asking, can Weavile's Shadow Charge fetch Dark Metal Energy, or not because it doesn't explicitly say you can (a la Dark Electrode)?

It can't fetch Dark Metal because Dark Metal only provides Dark Energy while in play. It's just a card while in the deck.

This is the same reason you can't grab Double Rainbow, Scramble, et al. with these types of effects. If you read the Energy cards carefully, they all say they only provide their Special Energy effects while in play.

Special Dark and Special Metal are the exceptions -- if you read them, you'll notice the "while in play" qualifier is not there. They provide their respective energies at all times, including while they're in the deck.

 

[PMJ]

Magmortar doesn't say basic anywhere on its card.

 

[Chairman Kaga]

Doh.

Yeah, I got my examples turned around.

Try Kecleon SW's Camouflage Poke-Body instead:

If any basic Energy card attached to Kecleon is the same type as the Attacking Pokemon's type, any damage done by attacks from that Pokemon to Kecleon is reduced by 40 (after applying Weakness and Resistance).

Multi Energies don't work here. It specifically requires Basic Energy.

 

[Lucario X]

So let me get this straight. As long as a card doesn't explicitly say you need basic Energy, any Energy card that counts as whatever Energy you need at the time is acceptable to be used?

 

[Riskbreakers]

But can self charge attach dark metal energies?

 

[Chairman Kaga]

So let me get this straight. As long as a card doesn't explicitly say you need basic Energy, any Energy card that counts as whatever Energy you need at the time is acceptable to be used?

Yes. Now here is where I can appropriately reference Magmortar SW's Flame Body.

When you attach a [Fire] Energy card from your hand to Magmortar, remove 2 damage counters from Magmortar.

Any Energy card that provides Fire when attached will trigger it. That includes Multi (if no other Special Energies are attached), Double Rainbow, Holon's Castform, and Scramble (if you're behind on prizes).

But can self charge attach dark metal energies?

No, for the same reason stated above. Dark Metal only provides Dark Energy "while in play". Your deck and your hand are not "in play". The only cards that qualify as "in play" are those out on the field for everyone to see:

• Active and Benched Pokemon
• The cards attached to those Pokemon
• The current Stadium (if any)
• Whatever Supporter you play on your turn (as the cards all say, you play a Supporter next to your Active Pokemon, and it is considered in play until the end of your turn, when you discard it. If you're curious why that matters, look at Armaldo d HP's Delta Edge).