Pokémon TCG: 'Poisoned' Status and Associated Cards Revealed

This guide delves into the intricacies of the Poisoned condition in Pokémon TCG Pocket, exploring its mechanics, effective cards, countermeasures, and optimal deck building strategies.

Quick Navigation

• Understanding Poisoned in Pokémon TCG Pocket
• Poison-Causing Cards
• Curing the Poisoned Status
• Crafting a Winning Poison Deck

Pokémon TCG Pocket incorporates several Special Conditions from the physical card game, including the debilitating Poisoned status. This condition gradually drains an Active Pokémon's HP until it's neutralized or the Pokémon faints. This guide will cover the nuances of this condition.

Understanding Poisoned

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, unlike some effects, isn't automatically removed or dependent on chance. A Poisoned Pokémon will continuously lose HP until cured or defeated. While it can coexist with other Special Conditions, it doesn't stack with additional Poison effects; a Pokémon only suffers 10 HP loss per turn regardless of multiple Poison applications. Strategically, you can exploit a Pokémon's Poisoned status to inflict bonus damage with cards like Muk, which gains a significant damage boost against poisoned opponents.

Poison-Causing Cards

In the Genetic Apex expansion, five cards can inflict the Poisoned status: Weezing, Grimer, Nidoking, Tentacruel, and Venomoth. Grimer stands out as a highly effective Basic Pokémon, poisoning enemies with only one Energy. Weezing offers another potent option, utilizing its Gas Leak ability (no Energy required) while active.

Curing the Poisoned Status

There are three primary methods to counteract the Poisoned effect:

1. Evolution: Evolving a Poisoned Pokémon removes the condition.
2. Retreat: Switching the Poisoned Pokémon to the Bench prevents further HP loss.
3. Item Cards: Cards like Potion mitigate the damage by healing HP, but they don't fully cure the Poisoned status; they merely extend the Active Pokémon's lifespan.

Crafting a Winning Poison Deck

While not a top-tier archetype, a powerful Poison-based deck can be constructed using the synergistic trio of Grimer, Arbok, and Muk. This strategy focuses on swiftly poisoning opponents with Grimer, trapping them with Arbok, and exploiting Muk's increased damage against poisoned targets.

Sample Poison Deck

Consider incorporating Jigglypuff (PA) and Wigglytuff ex as a backup strategy, or the Nidoran, Nidorino, Nidoking evolution line for a slower, high-damage approach. This comprehensive guide provides a solid foundation for mastering the Poisoned condition and building effective Poison decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket.