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

This guide explores the intricacies of the Poisoned condition in Pokémon TCG Pocket, covering its mechanics, affected cards, cures, and optimal deck strategies.

Quick Navigation

• What is Poisoned?
• Poisoned Cards
• Curing Poisoned
• Top Poison Decks

Pokémon TCG Pocket incorporates Special Conditions like Poisoned, mirroring the physical card game. A Poisoned Active Pokémon loses 10 HP each round's Checkup phase, persisting until cured or defeated. This effect doesn't stack with itself, but it can combine with other Special Conditions. Certain Pokémon, like Muk, deal bonus damage against Poisoned opponents.

What is Poisoned?

Poisoned is a Special Condition inflicting 10 HP damage at the end of each round. Unlike some temporary effects, it doesn't automatically disappear and requires a specific action to remove.

While multiple Poisoned applications won't increase the damage per turn, it can synergize with cards that benefit from a poisoned opponent.

Poisoned Cards

In the Genetic Apex expansion, these Pokémon inflict the Poisoned status:

• Weezing
• Grimer
• Nidoking
• Tentacruel
• Venomoth

Grimer stands out as an efficient Basic Pokémon, poisoning with a single Energy. Weezing's Gas Leak ability also applies Poisoned (while active), energy-free.

Consider exploring Rental Decks, such as Koga's, for a Poison-focused starting point.

Curing Poisoned

Three methods exist to counteract Poisoned:

1. Evolution: Evolving a Poisoned Pokémon removes the effect.
2. Retreat: Moving the 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 centers around the Grimer, Arbok, and Muk synergy. Grimer quickly poisons, Arbok locks opponents, and Muk unleashes up to 120 damage against poisoned targets.

Below is a sample META Poison deck leveraging these synergies:

Poisoned Deck Composition

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