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- What Does 'Poisoned' Mean in Pokemon TCG Pocket?
- Which Cards Can Inflict Poison?
- How Can You Cure Poison?
- What’s the Top Poison Deck?
Pokemon TCG Pocket incorporates several Special Conditions from the physical Pokemon Trading Card Game, including Poisoned. This status causes an Active Pokemon to lose HP over time until it’s knocked out or healed. To master this mechanic, you need to know how Poisoned works, which cards apply it, how to counter it, and which decks use it effectively in the current metagame. This Pokemon TCG Pocket guide covers all these aspects.
What Does 'Poisoned' Mean in Pokemon TCG Pocket?
Poisoned is a Special Condition that deducts 10 HP at the end of each round. This effect is evaluated during the round’s Checkup phase. Unlike some conditions, Poisoned doesn’t resolve on its own or through coin flips—it persists until the Pokemon is cured or knocked out.
Poisoned can coexist with other Special Conditions but doesn’t stack with additional Poison effects. This means a Pokemon loses only 10 HP per turn, no matter how many times it’s poisoned. However, cards like Muk can capitalize on a Poisoned opponent, dealing an extra +50 DMG.
Which Cards Can Inflict Poison?
- Weezing
- Grimer
- Nidoking
- Tentacruel
- Venomoth
In the Genetic Apex set, five cards can inflict Poisoned: Weezing, Grimer, Nidoking, Tentacruel, and Venomoth. Grimer stands out as a Basic Pokemon that applies Poisoned with just one Energy. Weezing is also effective, using its Gas Leak ability to poison without Energy, but only when in the Active slot.
Want to try a Poisoned deck? Explore Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Rental Decks. Koga’s Rental Deck, featuring cards like Grimer and Arbok, is a solid choice to start.
How Can You Cure Poison?
There are three ways to address the Poisoned condition:
- Evolution: Evolving a Poisoned Pokemon clears its Poisoned status.
- Retreat: Moving the Poisoned Pokemon to the Bench halts HP loss.
- Item Cards: Cards like Potion can mitigate Poisoned by restoring HP, though they don’t remove the condition, only prolonging the Pokemon’s survival.
What’s the Top Poison Deck?
While Poison decks aren’t dominant in the Pokemon TCG Pocket metagame, a strong lineup features Grimer, Arbok, and Muk. The tactic is to poison opponents quickly with Grimer, trap them with Arbok, and use Muk to deliver up to 120 DMG against Poisoned foes.
The table below details how to construct a competitive deck around these synergies.
Poison Deck Breakdown
Card
Quantity
Effect
Grimer
x2
Inflicts Poisoned
Ekans
x2
Evolves into Arbok
Arbok
x2
Traps the opponent’s Active Pokemon
Muk
x2
Deals 120 DMG to Poisoned foes
Koffing
x2
Evolves into Weezing
Weezing
x2
Inflicts Poisoned via Ability
Koga
x2
Returns an Active Weezing or Muk to your hand
Poke Ball
x2
Draws a Basic Pokemon
Professor’s Research
x2
Draws two cards
Sabrina
x1
Forces the opponent’s Active Pokemon to Retreat
X Speed
x1
Reduces Retreat cost
For a backup strategy, consider adding Jigglypuff (PA) and Wigglytuff ex to a Poisoned deck. Alternatively, the Nidoking evolution line (Nidoran, Nidorino, Nidoking) offers a slower but high-damage Poisoned build.
