Pokemon TCG Pocket: Poisoned, Explained (& All Cards with ‘Poison’ Ability)

This guide delves into the intricacies of Poisoned status in Pokémon TCG Pocket, covering its mechanics, effective cards, countermeasures, and optimal deck strategies.

Quick Navigation

• Understanding Poisoned in Pokémon TCG Pocket
• Poison-Causing Cards
• Neutralizing Poisoned Status
• Top Poison Decks

Pokémon TCG Pocket incorporates several Special Conditions from the physical card game, including Poisoned. This condition gradually depletes an Active Pokémon's HP until it's cured or defeated. This guide clarifies how Poisoned works, which cards inflict it, how to counteract it, and the most effective deck builds utilizing this effect.

Understanding Poisoned

Poisoned is a Special Condition inflicting 10 HP loss at the end of each round. This calculation occurs during the round's Checkup phase and, unlike some effects, isn't automatically removed or reliant on chance. A Poisoned Pokémon continuously loses HP until cured or knocked out.

While stackable with other Special Conditions, Poisoned doesn't stack with itself. A Pokémon only loses 10 HP per turn regardless of repeated applications. However, this status can be exploited; Pokémon like Muk benefit, dealing increased damage (+50 DMG) against Poisoned opponents.

Poison-Causing Cards

In the Genetic Apex expansion, five cards inflict Poisoned: Weezing, Grimer, Nidoking, Tentacruel, and Venomoth. Grimer stands out as an effective Basic Pokémon, poisoning enemies with a single Energy. Weezing offers another strong option, using its Gas Leak ability (no Energy required) while Active.

For aspiring Poison deck builders, exploring Pokémon Pocket's Rental Decks is recommended. Koga's Rental Deck, featuring Grimer and Arbok, provides an excellent starting point.

Neutralizing Poisoned Status

Three methods exist to manage the Poisoned effect:

1. Evolution: Evolving a Poisoned Pokémon removes the condition.
2. Retreat: Moving a Poisoned Pokémon to the Bench halts HP loss.
3. Item Cards: Cards like Potion heal HP, extending survivability but not outright curing Poisoned.

Top Poison Decks

While not a top-tier archetype, a potent Poison deck can be built around the Grimer, Arbok, and Muk synergy. The strategy involves rapid poisoning with Grimer, opponent lock-in with Arbok, and Muk's boosted damage (up to 120 DMG) against Poisoned foes.

The following table details a META-focused deck leveraging these synergies:

Poison Deck Composition

Alternative strategies include using Jigglypuff (PA) and Wigglytuff ex, or a slower, high-damage approach with the Nidoking evolution line (Nidoran, Nidorino, Nidoking).