Pokémon TCG: 'Poison' Ability Explored

This guide explores the Special Condition "Poisoned" in Pokémon TCG Pocket, explaining its effects, which cards inflict it, how to cure it, and viable deck strategies.

Quick Links

• What is Poisoned?
• Which Cards Inflict Poisoned?
• How to Cure Poisoned?
• Best Poison Decks?

Pokémon TCG Pocket features several Special Conditions, including Poisoned. This condition causes an Active Pokémon to lose 10 HP at the end of each round until cured or knocked out. It doesn't automatically disappear and doesn't stack with itself (only one 10 HP loss per turn), but it can combine with other Special Conditions. Pokémon like Muk benefit from this status, dealing increased damage.

What is Poisoned?

Poisoned is a Special Condition inflicting 10 HP damage at the end of each round, calculated during the Checkup phase. It persists until cured or the Pokémon is knocked out.

Which Cards Inflict Poisoned?

In the Genetic Apex expansion, these cards inflict the Poisoned condition:

• Weezing
• Grimer
• Nidoking
• Tentacruel
• Venomoth

Grimer is particularly efficient as a Basic Pokémon, poisoning opponents with a single Energy. Weezing's "Gas Leak" ability also inflicts Poisoned without Energy cost, but only while active.

Rental Decks, such as Koga's, offer a good starting point for building a Poison deck, often including Grimer and Arbok.

How to Cure Poisoned?

Three methods remove the Poisoned status:

1. Evolution: Evolving a Poisoned Pokémon cures it.
2. Retreat: Moving a Poisoned Pokémon to the Bench prevents further HP loss.
3. Item Cards: While Potion heals HP, it doesn't cure Poisoned, only increasing survivability.

Best Poison Decks?

Poison isn't a top-tier archetype, but a strong strategy uses the Grimer, Arbok, and Muk synergy. Grimer quickly poisons, Arbok locks opponents' Active Pokémon, and Muk deals significant damage to Poisoned opponents.

A sample META Poison deck focusing on this synergy:

Alternative strategies include Jigglypuff/Wigglytuff ex or a slower Nidoking evolution line (Nidoran, Nidorino, Nidoking).