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

Quick Links

• What is 'Poisoned' in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
• Which Cards Inflict Poisoned?
• How to Cure Poisoned
• Building a Competitive Poison Deck

Pokémon TCG Pocket incorporates several Special Conditions from the physical card game, including Poisoned. This status effect gradually depletes an Active Pokémon's HP until it's knocked out or the condition is removed. Understanding how Poisoned is applied, which cards utilize it, how to counteract it, and which decks leverage it effectively is crucial for success.

What is 'Poisoned' in Pokémon TCG Pocket?

Poisoned is a Special Condition inflicting 10 HP damage at the end of each round. This damage is calculated during the round's Checkup phase and persists until cured or the Pokémon is knocked out. It doesn't resolve automatically or through chance. While it can coexist with other Special Conditions, multiple Poisoned effects don't stack; a Pokémon only loses 10 HP per turn regardless of application frequency. However, Pokémon benefiting from a Poisoned opponent, like Muk (+50 DMG bonus), can exploit this status.

Which Cards Inflict Poisoned?

In the Genetic Apex expansion, five cards inflict the Poisoned status: Weezing, Grimer, Nidoking, Tentacruel, and Venomoth. Grimer stands out as an efficient Basic Pokémon, poisoning opponents with a single Energy. Weezing offers another strong option, utilizing its "Gas Leak" ability (no Energy required) while Active.

How to Cure Poisoned

Three methods exist to negate 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 mitigate damage by healing HP but don't cure Poisoned directly.

Building a Competitive Poison Deck

While not a top-tier archetype, a potent Poison deck can be built around the Grimer, Arbok, and Muk synergy. The strategy revolves around quickly poisoning opponents with Grimer, trapping them with Arbok, and maximizing Muk's damage against Poisoned targets (up to 120 DMG).

Sample Poison Deck

Alternative strategies include incorporating Jigglypuff (PA) and Wigglytuff ex or a Nidoking evolution line (Nidoran, Nidorino, Nidoking) for a slower, higher-damage approach.