Poisoned Pokémon TCG Pocket: Unleashing Abilities

This guide explores the Special Condition "Poisoned" in Pokémon TCG Pocket, covering its effects, applicable cards, cures, and optimal deck strategies.

Quick Links

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

Pokémon TCG Pocket incorporates several Special Conditions from the physical card game, including Poisoned. This status gradually depletes an Active Pokémon's HP until cured or knocked out. This guide details how Poisoned works, which cards utilize it, how to counteract it, and effective deck compositions leveraging this effect.

What is Poisoned in Pokémon TCG Pocket?

Poisoned is a Special Condition inflicting 10 HP loss at the end of each round. Calculated during the round's Checkup, unlike some effects, it persists until cured or the Pokémon faints. 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.

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 effective Basic Pokémon, poisoning opponents with a single Energy. Weezing offers another strong option, using its "Gas Leak" ability (requiring no Energy) while Active.

For aspiring Poison deck builders, exploring Pokémon TCG Pocket's Rental Decks is recommended, specifically Koga's deck featuring Grimer and Arbok.

How to Cure Poisoned

Three methods exist to address the Poisoned effect:

1. Evolution: Evolving a Poisoned Pokémon removes the status.
2. Retreat: Moving the Poisoned Pokémon to the Bench halts HP loss.
3. Item Cards: Cards like Potion heal HP, extending survivability but not curing Poisoned itself.

Building a Strong Poison Deck

While not a top-tier archetype, a powerful Poison deck can be constructed around the Grimer, Arbok, and Muk synergy. This strategy involves rapid poisoning with Grimer, opponent lock-in via Arbok, and Muk's boosted damage against Poisoned targets (up to 120 DMG).

Below is a sample decklist showcasing this strategy:

Poison Deck Composition

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