Poison in Pokémon TCG Pocket: New Ability, Cards Revealed

This guide explores the nuances of the Poisoned condition in Pokémon TCG Pocket, detailing its mechanics, affected cards, countermeasures, and optimal deck strategies.

Quick Navigation

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

What is Poisoned?

Poisoned is a Special Condition inflicting 10 HP damage at the end of each round. Unlike some conditions, it persists until cured or the Pokémon is knocked out. While it can combine with other Special Conditions, multiple Poisoned effects don't stack; a Pokémon only loses 10 HP per turn. Strategically, this condition can synergize with cards that inflict bonus damage to Poisoned opponents, such as Muk (+50 DMG).

Poison-Causing Cards

In the Genetic Apex expansion, five cards apply the Poisoned condition:

• Weezing (via its Gas Leak ability, usable only while Active)
• Grimer (efficient Basic Pokémon, poisoning with one Energy)
• Nidoking
• Tentacruel
• Venomoth

Grimer stands out as a highly effective Basic Pokémon for its efficient poisoning.

Curing Poisoned

Three methods exist to counteract the Poisoned effect:

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

Top Poison Decks

While not a top-tier archetype, a potent Poison deck can be built around the Grimer, Arbok, and Muk synergy. This strategy focuses on rapid poisoning with Grimer, opponent lock-in with Arbok, and high damage output from Muk against Poisoned opponents (up to 120 DMG).

Sample Poison Deck (META):

Alternative strategies include using Jigglypuff (PA) and Wigglytuff ex, or a slower, high-damage approach with the Nidoking evolution line (Nidoran, Nidorino, Nidoking). Rental Decks offer a good starting point for experimenting with Poison-based strategies.