Attack (TCG)/Attack Cost

Most attacks have an attack cost, which is printed as energy symbols to the left of the attack name. A Pokémon card can only use an attack if it has enough TCG Energy card (Energy) attached to it to pay for that attack's cost. Energy only needs to be attached to the Pokémon; unless explicitly stated otherwise, all Energy cards remain attached to a Pokémon after it attacks. The attack cost is printed using energy symbols. For each symbol, the Pokémon must have a corresponding Energy attached to it. TCG Colorless Energy requirements may be fulfilled by any kind of Energy, while all other Energy requirements must be fulfilled by that particular Energy. For example, in order to use an attack with a cost of one TCG Fire Energy and one TCG Colorless Energy, at least one Fire Energy and one of any other Energy must be attached to the attacking Pokémon.

Some attacks have an attack cost of zero. These attacks first appeared in TCG Diamond and Pearl. They have a symbol indicating an attack cost of 0 on them. Some Pokémon cards also have a TCG Pokémon Power (Pokémon Power, Poké-Power, Poké-Body, or Ability), which is similar to an attack. However, using a Pokémon Power does not end a player's turn, and a player's Pokémon can use a Pokémon Power from the bench.