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

This guide explores the Special Condition "Poisoned" in Pokémon TCG Pocket, explaining its mechanics, affected cards, cures, and optimal deck building strategies.

Quick Links

• What is Poisoned in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
• Which Cards Inflict Poisoned?
• How to Cure Poisoned
• Best Poison Decks

Pokémon TCG Pocket incorporates Special Conditions like "Poisoned," directly from the physical card game. A Poisoned Active Pokémon loses 10 HP at the end of each round until cured or knocked out. This effect is calculated during the round's Checkup phase and doesn't automatically expire. While it can combine with other Special Conditions, multiple Poisoned effects don't stack; the HP loss remains 10 per turn. However, this status can be exploited by cards like Muk, which gains a damage boost against Poisoned opponents.

What is Poisoned in Pokémon TCG Pocket?

Poisoned is a Special Condition inflicting 10 HP loss per round. Unlike some effects, it persists until cured or the Pokémon faints.

Which Cards Inflict Poisoned?

In the Genetic Apex expansion, five cards inflict Poisoned: Weezing, Grimer, Nidoking, Tentacruel, and Venomoth. Grimer stands out as an efficient Basic Pokémon, poisoning foes with only one Energy. Weezing offers another potent option, using its "Gas Leak" ability (no Energy needed) while Active.

How to Cure Poisoned?

Three methods counter Poisoned:

1. Evolution: Evolving a Poisoned Pokémon removes the effect.
2. Retreat: Benching the Pokémon prevents further HP loss.
3. Item Cards: Cards like Potion heal HP, extending survivability but not curing Poisoned itself.

Best Poison Decks?

While not a top-tier archetype, a strong Poison deck can be built around the Grimer, Arbok, and Muk synergy. Grimer quickly poisons, Arbok traps opponents, and Muk delivers significant damage (+120 to Poisoned foes).

Here's 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 approach with the Nidoking evolution line (Nidoran, Nidorino, Nidoking).