Summary
In thePokemon TCG, Darkness-type cards easily rank among the coolest-looking—and we all know it’s thanks to that sleek, mysterious black design. Known as the “Evil” type in Japanese, Darkness made its TCG debut alongside Metal in the Neo Genesis set. These two types didn’t exist in the early days of the game, and Darkness cards correspond to Dark-type Pokemon from the video games (with a few Poison-types sneaking in too).
If you’re building a sneaky, trickster-style deck, basic energy is a must—and that’s where this list comes in. We’ve gathered the most stylish—and most expensive—Basic Darkness Energy cards the game has to offer!
All these prices are fromTCGplayer.com’s Market Value and are subject to change at any time.
10Darkness Energy: 2011-2012 League & Championship Promo Cards - $4.28
Earn Your Foil, Earn Your Fame!
This Darkness Energy card is part of the Pokemon League promo set, where certain league cards are given out with a shiny foil finish. What’s extra special about these cards is the “Play! Pokemon” logo, making them stand out in any collection. This particular card was part of the 2011-2012 Legend Season promo, alongside the Fraxure card.
To snag one of these beauties, you had to be one of the top four players in the league’s tournament. So, if you’ve got one, you’re basically a Pokemon league legend—at least in the eyes of your friends!
9Darkness Energy: TAG TEAM GX: Tag All Stars - $4.42
Where Legends And Energy Collide!
This Basic Darkness Energy comes from the TAG TEAM GX: Tag All Stars set, a Japan-exclusive release and the 19th and final set of the Sun & Moon era. While this Super Rare card might seem elusive, finding it in the set wasn’t too hard—every pack included an energy card!
On top of that, about one in every 250 cards in this set contained a Super Rare card alongside the energy. Who knows? Maybe some of these Darkness Energy cards were lucky enough to land in those coveted “god packs.” Talk about a legendary draw!
8Darkness Energy: 2011-2012 League & Championship Promo Cards - $7.37
Add Darkness, Add Victory!
This Basic Darkness Energy card is just like the one ranked tenth on the list—another foil promo card given out as a prize. The only difference? It features the “Pokemon League” logo. Pokemon League events are typically local, casual gatherings—think fun tournaments and meet-ups for social players.
These events are designed for newer or more casual players, and this Darkness Energy card was one of the promo cards handed out in 2011. In short, Pokemon League promo cards are a symbol of success for participants and winners. By adding this Darkness Energy to your deck, you’d be showing off your own achievements—and proving you’ve got something to brag about!
7Darkness Energy: 2007-2008 League & Championship Promo Cards - $9.70
Darkness Never Gets Old!
This Basic Darkness Energy is part of the league & championship promo squad—just like the others on this list—but with one key difference: it’s older. A few years older, in fact. But age isn’t the only thing setting it apart. You won’t need a magnifying glass to spot what’s missing: there’s no “Play! Pokemon” logo, and no “Pokemon League” logo either.
That’s because back in the pre-2009 era, those logos simply weren’t a thing yet. So while it might look a bit plain compared to theflashy newer promos, this card brings serious old-school energy—literally—and a price tag boosted by pure vintage charm!
6Darkness Energy: Call Of Legends (94/95) - $10.00
City Lights, Shadow Bites!
This Basic Darkness Energy comes from the Call of Legends set, where—like all the other Energy cards—it’s just a humble common. But don’t let that fool you! Released right before the Black & White era, this set had no Japanese equivalent, making it a bit of an oddball in the TCG world.
What really sets this card apart is its background: a cityscape with none other than Umbreon lurking in the shadows. All Basic Energy cards in the set were printed as Reverse Holofoil, adding a shiny twist. So instead of a boring ol’ Darkness Energy, you’re getting an artsy little surprise—and who doesn’t love that?
5Darkness Energy: Ancient Roar - $13.91
UR Ready For Darkness?
This Basic Darkness Energy card isone of the hyper rare beautiesfrom the Japanese Ancient Roar set. How do you know it’s hyper rare? Just check out that golden border and the shiny “UR” symbol—it’s not trying to be subtle. You might not have heard of Ancient Roar, and that’s fair—it’s a Japanese set that corresponds to Paradox Rift in English.
What makes this expansion extra special is its focus on Ancient and Future Pokemon variants. As the name suggests, Ancient Roar is all about the past, and fittingly, the only Energy card in the entire set is this one: Darkness Energy. Now that’s prehistoric power!
4Darkness Energy: Heart Gold & Soul Silver (121/123) - $28.41
Same Look, Triple The Value!
This Basic Darkness Energy card is basically identical to the one ranked sixth on this list. Same art, same vibe—only difference? That one’s from Call of Legends, while this one hails from the earlier HeartGold & SoulSilver set. So yes, the card numbers are different, but the design? A copy-paste dream.
Fun fact: Call of Legends actually reprinted a bunch of cards from HeartGold & SoulSilver, making this Energy card the original trendsetter. The HeartGold & SoulSilver set also featured flashy things like Pokemon Prime and Pokemon LEGEND cards. And here’s the kicker—despite looking the same, this version costs nearly three times more. Vintage wins again!
3Darkness Energy: Burning Shadows (168/147) - $35.90
Not Ultra Rare, Just Ultra Cool!
This Darkness Energy card is a rare secret, which looks like an Hyper Rare—but sadly, it’s not quite there. Sure, it’s got that flashy golden border, but don’t be fooled: there’s no “UR” symbol and no trio of golden stars to seal the deal. It comes from the Burning Shadows set, the third main expansion in the Sun & Moon series.
This Gen Seven set only had three special Energy cards: Fire, Fairy, and Darkness. Sadly, Fairy-type met an untimely end in the TCG world not long after. But don’t worry—Darkness types are still lurking in the shadows, and they’re here to stay!
2Darkness Energy: Shrouded Fable (098/064) - $36.33
Three Stars, One Darkness, Infinite Flex!
This Basic Darkness Energy card comes from the Shrouded Fable set—but it’s not just that glittering gold border that makes it special.This beauty is a Hyper Rare, proudly marked by three golden stars down in the bottom-left corner, like a tiny badge of honor. Pulling a Hyper Rare isn’t exactly a walk in the PokePark, and this one is just one of five Hyper Rares in the entire set.
Shrouded Fable also marks the debut of Pecharunt and the return of the Royal Guardians. So yes, this gilded, shimmering Darkness Energy card looks like royalty—and its price tag definitely thinks it is.
1Darkness Energy: 2011-2012 League & Championship Promo Cards - $91.61
Prestige? Check. Price Hike? Also Check.
This Basic Darkness Energy card is identical to the one from the Call of Legends set—except for one flashy little detail: the ‘Play! Pokemon’ logo stamped right on it. That tiny mark of honor, combined with its rarity as a tournament reward, skyrockets its value to nearly nine times more than its logo-free sibling.
Basically, this card has it all: an epic background, exclusive status, limited print, tournament prestige… and a price tag to match. But hey, if you’re not the kind of person who needs their Energy cards to come with a resume, you may always grab the plain version for a fraction of the cost!
