There are several cards inPokémon Trading Card Game Pocketthat use the poison ability to damage the opponent. This effect can slowly chip away at an opponent’s HP over multiple turns, making poison-type Pokémon a fantastic choice for players who favor long-term damage and well-thought-out battles rather than quick knockouts. Once a Pokémon has the poison status effect, the opponent is forced to rethink their strategy or use valuable resources to counter it.
The Pokémon in this list possess a poison-related attack or ability that can be strategically used to wear down opponents and secure victories in competitive battles. They are especially valuable indecks designed to disrupt the opponent’s strategy, forcing them to adapt their gameplay and make unfavorable decisions. The poison ability takes 10 damage from the Pokémon which has the status effect on it.
10Skuntank
Poison Gas And A High HP Makes It A Strong Darkness Choice
Skuntank is a Darkness-type Pokémon introduced in the Space-Time Smackdown expansion, released on January 30th, 2025. This Stage 1 card’s most notable feature is its 100 HP, providing durability across multiple turns. This is particularly useful for stalling strategies,allowing more turns for its poison ability to inflict damageand knock out powerful opponents.
Pair Pokémon that inflicts poison, like Weezing, with those that deal extra damage to poisoned opponents, like Salandit and Scolipede, for maximum effect.
Evolved from Stunky, Skuntank can be a valuable addition todarkness decks inPokémon TCG Pocket. Its attack,Poison Gas, deals a solid 50 damagewhile also poisoning the opponent’s Active Pokémon. This attack requires two Energy—one Darkness Energy and one Colorless Energy—making it slightly less efficient than other cards on this list. Additionally, its retreat cost of two can make it difficult to protect once it has sustained significant damage.
9Salandit
Use This Card For A Cheap And Efficient Attack
Salandit is a Fire-type Pokémon featured in theMythical Islandexpansion, released on December 17th, 2024. Beyond its stunning Art Rare card, Salandit offers several features that can be useful in battle. First,it has an average 60 HP, which is decent for a Basic Pokémon. This can be increased by using the Giant Cape Tool card, which boosts its HP by 20, making Salandit better suited for occupying the Active Spot from the first turn.
When paired with a card that can inflict the Poison status effect, Salandit can become a serious threat, disrupting the opponent’s strategy and forcing them to adapt.
Salandit also boasts a deceptively strong attack.Venoshock deals 10 damage initially,which may seem underwhelming, but if the opponent’s Active Pokémon is Poisoned, it inflicts an additional 40 damage. The best part is that this attack only requires one Energy, making it highly efficient. When paired with a card that can inflict the Poison status effect, Salandit can become a serious threat, disrupting the opponent’s strategy and forcing them to adapt.
8Drapion
Drapion is a Darkness-type card featured in the Space-Time Smackdown expansion, bringing with it a unique and intriguing attack.Cross Poisonallows you to flip four coins, dealing 40 damage for each heads. While this alone makes it a potentially powerful move, it gets even better—if at least two of the flips land on heads, the opponent’s Active Pokémon becomes Poisoned. Although this attack relies heavily on RNG, it can be incredibly effective against high-HP Pokémon. However, its three Energy cost is a notable drawback, making it less efficient than some alternatives in fast-paced battles.
Evolved from Skorupi, this Stage 1 Pokémon can make a significant impact in aggressive Darkness Energy decks.Its 120 HP allows it to withstand most attacks, while its offensive capabilities make it a strong addition to any lineup. However, its high retreat cost of three energy can be a drawback. To mitigate this, run the Leaf Supporter card alongside Drapion.
7Scolipede
Though It Takes Time To Get Online, Its Attack Is Efficient
Scolipede is a Darkness-type Pokémon from the Mythical Island expansion, boasting several strong features,including 140 HP—a stat comparable to some ex cards, allowing it to withstand most attacks in the game. However, since it is a Stage 2 Pokémon that evolves from Whirlipede, it requires a significant amount of time to set up before it can start attacking.
Scolipede’s attack, Venoshock, is particularly powerful. For just two Energy—one Darkness Energy and one Colorless Energy—it deals 70 damage. This increases by an additional 50 damage if the opponent’s Active Pokémon is Poisoned, making it an excellent offensive option. Its synergy with Whirlipede, which can inflict Poison with its Poison Sting attack, makes it even more effective in decks built around the Poison status effect.
6Tentacruel
Tentacruel Is The Perfect Pokémon For Water Decks That Disrupt The Opponent
Tentacruel is an iconic Water-type Pokémon featured in the Genetic Apex set. As a Stage one card evolving from Tentacool, it offers impressive versatility and power.Its attack, Poison Tentacles, deals 50 damagefor just one Water Energy and one Colorless Energy, while also Poisoning the opponent’s Active Pokémon. This is easy to set up, especially when paired with the Misty Supporter card, which provides Water Energy.
With 110 HP, Tentacruel has solid durability for battles. Itperforms best in Water decks that feature Starmie ex, Articuno ex, Misty, and Irida. This synergy allows Tentacruel to inflict Poison, weakening the opponent, beforeStarmie exand Articuno ex unleash powerful attacks to secure knockouts. Meanwhile,Irida provides essential support, ensuring sustain throughout the match.
5Toxicroak
Toxicroak Uses Toxic For An Upgraded Status Effect
Toxicroak is an efficient and tactical card inPokémon TCG Pocket, dealing more damage over time than the average poison attack. The card is available in the Triumphant Light expansion that was released in February 28th, 2025. Its attack, Toxic, inflicts the Poison status effect on the opponent’s Active Pokémon for the cost of one Darkness Energy. At first glance, this may seem underwhelming, as Toxic does not deal immediate damage. However, it stands out because itdoubles the usual Poison damage, dealing 20 damageper turn instead of the standard 10.
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Its 100 HP and one-energy retreat cost are big bonuses for using this card in battles. This will allow you to easily retreat Toxicroak when it has sustained damage. This card works well with Darkness decks,which utilize Arbok and Weezing. This will disrupt the opponent’s tactic and stop them from protecting cards that you damage with the Toxic attack.
4Grimer
Grimer Is A Good Stall Card
Grimer is the pre-evolution to Muk,available in the Genetic Apex set. This Darkness-type Pokémon is one of the stronger Basic cards in the game, boasting 70 HP and a cheap attack. Its biggest, and only, downfall is its three-energy retreat cost. However, this can be mitigated using Supporter cards. Grimer is a solid choice to place in the Active Spot while you wait to draw Muk, though a Giant Cape is recommended to help it survive longer in the early turns.
Its attack, Poison Gas, deals 10 damage for just one Darkness Energy, while also poisoning the opponent’s Active Pokémon. This status effect can be applied as early as the first turn, putting major pressure on the opponent.
3Muk
When Used Correctly, Muk Can Do Massive Damage
Muk is a stage one Pokémon that evolves from Grimer, bringing impressive durability to Poison-themed decks with its 130 HP. This makes it a tough card to knock out quickly, allowing you to maintain pressure throughout the battle. Its attack, Venoshock, deals 70 damage for three Energy—one Darkness Energy and one Colorless Energy. While this is already a solid amount of damage, it amplifies further when the opponent’s Active Pokémon is Poisoned,increasing by 50 additional damage for a total of 120 damage.
Tools like Giant Cape increase HP, while Supporters like Koga help cycle specific Pokémon for sustained pressure.
Muk is a great choice for aggressive decks looking towear down opponents through consistent damage. It serves as a reliable Darkness-type Pokémon capable of defeating many opponents with its powerful attack. This card works best when paired with Weezing, which has a Poison-inducing ability that enhances Muk’s damage potential, making it a dangerous threat in Poison-based strategies.
2Nidoking
Poison Horn Does Huge Damage
Nidoking is a fantastic Darkness-type inPokemon TCG Pocket, available from the Genetic Apex set. The stage two card evolves from Nidorino, meaning it takes time to set up and get online. This is made worth it by its powerful attack andhuge 150 HP. Its three-energy retreat cost is high, but this will usually not affect your play, because it will deal finishing blows.
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Its attack is by far its best feature.Poison Horn does 90 damagefor three energy – two darkness energy and one colorless energy. This also poisons the opponents' Active Pokémon, meaning it will significantly damage ex cards that have high hp.
1Weezing
Weezing Is Fantastic For Poison Decks
Weezing is by far the best poison card in the game. Available in the Genetic Apex set, it’s a stage one card that evolves from Koffing, and is the perfect card for strategies that focus on stalling and disrupting the opponent.It has 110 HPand can easily last the entire battle, especially when partnered with Koga, which allows you to put your Muk or Weezing from the Active Spot into your hand.
Weezing’s attack, Tackle, does a mediocre 30 damage for one darkness energy. This can help increase the pressure on the opponent whilst you wait to draw the other Pokémon in the deck. However, its ability is what makes it particularly strong. Gas Leak allows you to poison the opponent’s active Pokémon. This can be done from the bench, meaning it partners perfectly with Scolipede. These features make it incredibly strong inPokémon TCG Pocket.
