From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
The Poison type (Japanese: どくタイプ Poison type) is one of the eighteen types. Notable Trainers that specialize in Poison-type Pokémon include Koga and Janine of Fuchsia City, who are both related, and Roxie from Virbank City. Some villainous teams, such as Team Rocket, also frequently use Poison-type Pokémon. Prior to changes in Generation IV, all Poison-type moves were physical, but they may now also be special depending on the attack.
Statistical averages
Overall
Fully evolved
Battle properties
Generation I
Offensive
|
|
Defensive
|
Power
|
Types
|
|
Power
|
Types
|
2×
|
|
½×
|
|
½×
|
|
2×
|
|
0×
|
None
|
0×
|
None
|
Generation II-onward
Offensive
|
|
Defensive
|
Power
|
Types
|
|
Power
|
Types
|
2×
|
|
½×
|
|
½×
|
|
2×
|
|
0×
|
|
0×
|
None
|
Characteristics
Defense
When used defensively, the Poison type is considered one of the best in the game. This is because of its ability to block or cause status ailments and resist common moves. Its obvious weakness, Earthquake, can be mitigated by the variety of dual-type Grass and Bug/Poison Pokémon, as well as the Zubat family's Flying type and the Gastly and Koffing families' Levitate. Additionally, the Poison type resists itself, Bug, Fighting, and Grass, giving it resistances to common moves such as Grass Knot, X-Scissor, and Close Combat. Moreover, Poison types tend to hold potent status and support moves, such as Toxic Spikes, and Toxic. Immune to Poison and Toxic Spikes themselves, they have an opportunity to absorb status effects as well. Koga's words of "confusion, sleep, poison" describe the Poison type very well.
Offense
Offensively, Poison-type moves are only suggested for inflicting the Poison condition, STAB or using support moves. Its only strength, which is against the Grass type is largely mitigated by the variety of Grass/Poison Pokémon as well as Torterra's Ground, Lileep and Cradily's Rock, and especially Ferroseed and Ferrothorn's Steel. Ice, Fire, Flying, and even Bug (to some extent) are much more useful in countering the Grass type. Also, Poison moves are not very effective on Poison, Rock, Ghost, or Ground, and are completely ineffective against Steel. Hence, resistances to the Poison type are far more common than weaknesses to it. Poison-type moves are better when used to wear down the opponent in long battles rather than to knock out the opponent in a few moves.
Contest properties
When used in Contests, Poison-type moves typically become Smart moves, but can also be of the other four Contest types, excluding Cute.
Pokémon
As of Generation V, there are 57 Poison-type Pokémon or 8.78% of all Pokémon, making it the eighth most common type.
Pure Poison-type Pokémon
Half Poison-type Pokémon
Primary Poison-type Pokémon
Secondary Poison-type Pokémon
Moves
Gen
|
Move
|
Category
|
Contest
|
Power
|
Accuracy
|
PP
|
Range
|
Description
|
I
|
Acid
|
Special
|
Smart
|
04040
|
100100%
|
3030 (max 48)
|
|
The opposing team is attacked with a spray of harsh acid. The acid may also lower the targets' Sp.Def stats.
|
I
|
Acid Armor
|
Status
|
Tough
|
000—
|
000—%
|
4040 (max 64)
|
|
The user alters its cellular structure to liquefy itself, sharply raising its Defense stat.
|
V
|
Acid Spray
|
Special
|
|
04040
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user spits fluid that works to melt the target. This harshly reduces the target's Sp. Def stat.
|
V
|
Clear Smog
|
Special
|
|
05050
|
000—%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user attacks by throwing a clump of special mud. All status changes are returned to normal.
|
V
|
Coil
|
Status
|
|
000—
|
000—%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user coils up and concentrates. This raises its Attack and Defense stats as well as its accuracy.
|
IV
|
Cross Poison
|
Physical
|
Cool
|
07070
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
A slashing attack with a poisonous blade that may also leave the target poisoned. Critical hits land more easily.
|
IV
|
Gastro Acid
|
Status
|
Beauty
|
000—
|
100100%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user hurls up its stomach acids on the target. The fluid eliminates the effect of the target's Ability.
|
IV
|
Gunk Shot
|
Physical
|
Cool
|
120120
|
07070%
|
055 (max 8)
|
|
The user shoots filthy garbage at the target to attack. It may also poison the target.
|
III
|
Poison Fang
|
Physical
|
Smart
|
05050
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user bites the target with toxic fangs. It may also leave the target badly poisoned.
|
I
|
Poison Gas
|
Status
|
Smart
|
000—
|
08080%
|
4040 (max 64)
|
|
A cloud of poison gas is sprayed in the face of opposing Pokémon. It may poison those hit.
|
IV
|
Poison Jab
|
Physical
|
Smart
|
08080
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The target is stabbed with a tentacle or arm seeped with poison. It may also poison the target.
|
I
|
Poison Sting
|
Physical
|
Smart
|
01515
|
100100%
|
3535 (max 56)
|
|
The user stabs the target with a poisonous stinger. This may also poison the target.
|
III
|
Poison Tail
|
Physical
|
Smart
|
05050
|
100100%
|
2525 (max 40)
|
|
The user hits the target with its tail. It may also poison the target. Critical hits land more easily.
|
I
|
PoisonPowder
|
Status
|
Smart
|
000—
|
07575%
|
3535 (max 56)
|
|
The user scatters a cloud of poisonous dust on the target. It may poison the target.
|
I
|
Sludge
|
Special
|
Tough
|
06565
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
Unsanitary sludge is hurled at the target. It may also poison the target.
|
II
|
Sludge Bomb
|
Special
|
Tough
|
09090
|
100100%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
Unsanitary sludge is hurled at the target. It may also poison the target.
|
V
|
Sludge Wave
|
Special
|
|
09595
|
100100%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
It swamps the area around the user with a giant sludge wave. It may also poison those hit.
|
I
|
Smog
|
Special
|
Tough
|
02020
|
07070%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The target is attacked with a discharge of filthy gases. It may also poison the target.
|
I
|
Toxic
|
Status
|
Smart
|
000—
|
09090%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
A move that leaves the target badly poisoned. Its poison damage worsens every turn.
|
IV
|
Toxic Spikes
|
Status
|
Smart
|
000—
|
000—%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user lays a trap of poison spikes at the opponent's feet. They poison opponents that switch into battle.
|
V
|
Venoshock
|
Special
|
|
06565
|
100100%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user drenches the target in a special poisonous liquid. Its power is doubled if the target is poisoned.
|
All details are accurate to Generation VII games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual move's page. Target data assumes user is in the lower left.
|
Trivia
- Generation I introduced the most Poison-type Pokémon of any generation, with 33, and Generation II introduced the fewest Poison-type Pokémon, with four.
- Generation I introduced the most Poison-type moves of any generation, with eight, and Generation II introduced the fewest Poison-type moves, with only one.
- With the exception of Arceus holding a Toxic Plate, there is no Poison-type legendary Pokémon. This makes it the only type without any persistent legendary Pokémon.
- Only a few Poison-type moves do not have a chance to poison their target (under normal battle conditions).
- In Generation I, the Poison type is super effective against Bug-type Pokémon, while the Bug is super effective against Poison-type Pokémon. This trait has never been shared with any other type match-up and is likewise no longer true.
- The Poison type is the only one of the original 15 types not mentioned in the song 2.B.A. Master. Instead, the "Flame type" (which doesn't exist) is mentioned.
- A Pokémon of every type except Poison was added to the Sinnoh Pokédex in Pokémon Platinum.
- Only odd numbered generations have introduced pure Poison-type Pokémon.
- Also, every such generation has a two stage family of blob-shaped pure Poison types: Grimer and Muk in Generation I, Gulpin and Swalot in Generation III, and Trubbish and Garbodor in Generation V.
- Poison is the most common type in Generation I. 58% of the Poison-type Pokémon currently known were introduced in the first generation.
- 22% of the Pokémon introduced in Generation I are Poison-type.
In other languages