Poison is a unique status condition in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) that can turn the tide of a battle. Understanding how it works and how to use it effectively can be a key strategy in your gameplay.
What Does Poison Do in Pokémon TCG?
When a Pokémon is poisoned in the Pokémon TCG, it suffers damage between turns. At the end of each player’s turn, the poisoned Pokémon takes a set amount of damage. This continuous damage can pressure your opponent and potentially lead to their Pokémon being knocked out outside of regular combat.
How to Effectively Use Poison in Pokémon TCG
To use Poison effectively, consider cards that can inflict poison while also supporting your overall strategy. It’s beneficial to pair poison-inflicting cards with those that can capitalize on weakened Pokémon. Additionally, using poison can force your opponent to use resources or retreat, disrupting their strategy.
How to Cure Poison in Pokémon TCG
Poison can be cured in several ways in the Pokémon TCG. The most common method is to retreat the poisoned Pokémon, as switching to the Bench removes all Special Conditions. Additionally, specific trainer cards, abilities, or other effects can heal or remove the poison condition.
What Cards Inflict Poison in Pokémon TCG?
Various Pokémon cards have attacks or abilities that inflict poison. Some trainer cards can also poison opposing Pokémon. The effectiveness of these cards often depends on the specific deck and strategy. Cards with poison abilities are spread across different sets and generations, offering diverse options for deck building.
Does Poison Lower Stats in Pokémon TCG?
In the Pokémon TCG, poison does not directly lower a Pokémon’s stats like Attack or Defense. Instead, its primary effect is to deal damage over time. This is different from the video games, where poison can have additional effects on a Pokémon’s performance.
In the Pokémon TCG, poison does not stack. A Pokémon can only be poisoned once at any given time. Even if an attack or ability that inflicts poison is used on an already poisoned Pokémon, it will not increase the poison damage unless specifically stated by the card’s effect.
Traditionally, a poisoned Pokémon takes one damage counter (10 damage) at the end of each player’s turn. However, certain abilities, attacks, or special conditions can increase this damage, making poison a more formidable threat.
Understanding and utilizing the poison condition can add depth and strategy to your Pokémon TCG gameplay. Whether you’re using it to whittle down your opponent’s Pokémon or as part of a larger strategy, poison can be a powerful tool in your TCG arsenal.