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The Poison type (Japanese: どくタイプ Poison type) is one of the eighteen types. Poison-type moves are super effective against Fairy- and Grass-type Pokémon, while Poison-type Pokémon are weak to Ground- and Psychic-type moves.

Table of Contents

Battle properties

Note: Type effectiveness multipliers may vary in other games outside the core series.

Generation I

Generations II to V

Generation VI onward

Additional effects

Poison-type Pokémon cannot become poisoned, except by a Pokémon with the Ability Corrosion, introduced in Generation VII.

From Generation IV onward, grounded Poison-type Pokémon will remove Toxic Spikes from its side when it switches in.

From Generation VI onward, when a Poison-type Pokémon uses the move Toxic, it cannot miss, bypassing accuracy checks and semi-invulnerable turns from moves such as Fly and Dig.

Pokémon

As of Generation IX, there are 87 Poison-type Pokémon or 8.49% of all Pokémon (counting those that are Poison-type in at least one of their forms, including regional forms), causing it to tie with Fire as the 8th most common type after Bug and before Dark and Fighting.

Pure Poison-type Pokémon

Half Poison-type Pokémon

Primary Poison-type Pokémon

Secondary Poison-type Pokémon

Other opponents

Moves

As of Generation IX, there are 36 Poison-type moves, which makes up 3.85% of all moves (excluding those that are Poison-type only under certain circumstances), making it the 5th rarest type among moves, after Bug, Ghost, and Fairy and before Steel.

Prior to changes in Generation IV, all damaging Poison-type moves were physical, but they may now also be special depending on the attack.

Gen Move Category Contest Power Accuracy PP Range Description
I Acid Special Clever 40 100% 30 (max 48)
     
     
Many Others
Opposing Pokémon are attacked with a spray of harsh acid. This may also lower their Sp. Def stats.
I Acid Armor Status Tough — —% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Self
The user alters its cellular structure to liquefy itself, sharply boosting its Defense stat.
VII Acid Downpour Physical — —% 1 (max 1)
     
     
Normal
The user creates a poisonous swamp using its Z-Power and sinks the target into it at full force. The power varies, depending on the original move.
VII Acid Downpour Special — —% 1 (max 1)
     
     
Normal
The user creates a poisonous swamp using its Z-Power and sinks the target into it at full force. The power varies, depending on the original move.
V Acid Spray Special Beautiful 40 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Normal
The user attacks by spitting fluid that works to melt the target. This also harshly lowers the target's Sp. Def stat.
VII Baneful Bunker Status — —% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Self
In addition to protecting the user from attacks, this move also poisons any attacker that makes direct contact.
VIII Barb Barrage Physical 60 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Normal
The user launches countless toxic barbs to inflict damage. This may also poison the target. This move’s power is doubled if the target is already poisoned.
VI Belch Special Tough 120 90% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Normal
The user lets out a damaging belch at the target. The user must eat a held Berry to use this move.
V Clear Smog Special Beautiful 50 —% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Normal
The user attacks the target by throwing a clump of special mud. All stat changes are eliminated.
V Coil Status Tough — —% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Self
The user coils up and concentrates. This boosts its Attack and Defense stats as well as its accuracy.
VIII Corrosive Gas Status — 100% 40 (max 64)
     
     
All Others
The user surrounds everything around it with highly acidic gas and melts away items held by other Pokémon.
IV Cross Poison Physical Cool 70 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Normal
A slashing attack with a poisonous blade that may also poison the target. This move has a heightened chance of landing a critical hit.
VIII Dire Claw Physical 80 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Normal
The user lashes out at the target with ruinous claws, aiming to land a critical hit. This may also leave the target poisoned, paralyzed, or asleep.
IV Gastro Acid Status Tough — 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Normal
The user hurls up its stomach acids on the target. The fluid eliminates the effect of the target's Ability.
VIII G-Max Malodor Physical — —% 3 (max 4)
     
     
1 Other
A Poison-type attack that Gigantamax Garbodor use. This move poisons opponents.
VIII G-Max Malodor Special — —% 3 (max 4)
     
     
1 Other
A Poison-type attack that Gigantamax Garbodor use. This move poisons opponents.
IV Gunk Shot Physical Tough 120 80% 5 (max 8)
     
     
Normal
The user shoots filthy garbage at the target to attack. This may also poison the target.
IX Malignant Chain Special 100 100% 5 (max 8)
     
     
Normal
The user pours toxins into the target by wrapping them in a toxic, corrosive chain. This may also leave the target badly poisoned.
VIII Max Ooze Physical — —% 3 (max 4)
     
     
1 Other
This is a Poison-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This boosts ally Pokémon's Sp. Atk stats.
VIII Max Ooze Special — —% 3 (max 4)
     
     
1 Other
This is a Poison-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This boosts ally Pokémon's Sp. Atk stats.
IX Mortal Spin Physical 30 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Many Others
The user performs a spin attack that can also eliminate the effects of such moves as Bind, Wrap, and Leech Seed. This also poisons opposing Pokémon.
IX Noxious Torque Physical 100 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Normal
This move is only used by a Starmobile. It may poison the opponent.*
III Poison Fang Physical Clever 50 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Normal
The user bites the target with toxic fangs. This may also leave the target badly poisoned.
I Poison Gas Status Clever — 90% 40 (max 64)
     
     
Many Others
A cloud of poison gas is sprayed in the faces of opposing Pokémon, poisoning those it hits.
IV Poison Jab Physical Tough 80 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Normal
The target is stabbed with a tentacle, an arm, or the like steeped in poison. This may also poison the target.
I Poison Powder Status Clever — 75% 35 (max 56)
     
     
Normal
The user scatters a cloud of poisonous dust that poisons the target.
I Poison Sting Physical Clever 15 100% 35 (max 56)
     
     
Normal
The user stabs the target with a poisonous stinger to inflict damage. This may also poison the target.
III Poison Tail Physical Clever 50 100% 25 (max 40)
     
     
Normal
The user hits the target with its tail. This move has a heightened chance of landing a critical hit and may also poison the target.
VII Purify Status — —% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Normal
The user cures the target's status condition. If the move succeeds, it also restores the user's own HP.
VIII Shell Side Arm Special 90 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Normal
This move is either physical or special—whichever will inflict more damage. This may also poison the target.
I Sludge Special Tough 65 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Normal
The user hurls unsanitary sludge at the target to inflict damage. This may also poison the target.
II Sludge Bomb Special Tough 90 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Normal
The user hurls unsanitary sludge at the target to inflict damage. This may also poison the target.
V Sludge Wave Special Tough 95 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
All Others
The user strikes everything around it by swamping the area with a giant sludge wave. This may also poison those it hits.
I Smog Special Tough 30 70% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Normal
The target is attacked with a discharge of filthy gases. This may also poison the target.
I Toxic Status Clever — 90% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Normal
A move that leaves the target badly poisoned. Its poison damage worsens every turn.
IV Toxic Spikes Status Clever — —% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Other Side
The user lays a trap of poison spikes at the feet of the opposing team. The spikes will poison opposing Pokémon that switch into battle.
VII Toxic Thread Status — 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Normal
The user shoots poisonous threads to poison the target and lower the target's Speed stat.
VI Venom Drench Status Clever — 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Many Others
Opposing Pokémon are drenched in an odd poisonous liquid. This lowers the Attack, Sp. Atk, and Speed stats of a poisoned target.
V Venoshock Special Beautiful 65 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Normal
The user drenches the target in a special poisonous liquid. This move's 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.

Abilities

Interacting with the Poison type

A Pokémon with Protean or Libero will become a Poison-type Pokémon if it uses a Poison-type move. A Pokémon with Color Change, Imposter, RKS System, or Multitype will become a Poison-type Pokémon if (respectively) it is hit with a Poison-type move, is sent out against a Poison-type opponent, is holding a Poison Memory, or is holding a Toxic Plate or Poisonium Z.

Poison-type Pokémon are also immune to becoming poisoned from the Abilities Poison Point, Poison Touch, Synchronize, or Effect Spore.

Gen Ability Description
VII Corrosion The Pokémon can poison the target even if it's a Steel or Poison type.
All details are accurate to Generation IX games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page.

Exclusive Abilities

Only Poison-type Pokémon can have these Abilities. This does not include signature Abilities.

Gen Ability Description
III Liquid Ooze The strong stench of the Pokémon's oozed liquid damages attackers that use HP-draining moves.
III Stench By releasing a stench when attacking, the Pokémon may cause the target to flinch.
VII Corrosion The Pokémon can poison the target even if it's a Steel or Poison type.
All details are accurate to Generation IX games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page.

Items

Cram-o-matic

Notable Poison-type Trainers

Main article: Category:Poison-type Trainers

Icons

Core series

Icon fromPokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, HeartGold and SoulSilver Icon fromPokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Icon fromGeneration IV Icon fromGeneration V Icon fromGeneration VI Icon fromPokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Icon fromLet's Go, Pikachu!; Let's Go, Eevee! Icon fromPokémon Sword and Shield Symbol icon fromLet's Go, Pikachu!; Let's Go, Eevee!; Sword, Shield and HOME (Gen VIII) Icon fromPokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Symbol icon fromPokémon Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Scarlet and Violet, and HOME (Gen IX) Icon fromPokémon Legends: Arceus Symbol icon fromPokémon Legends: Arceus Icon fromPokémon Scarlet and Violet Tera icon fromPokémon Scarlet and Violet Tera symbol icon fromPokémon Scarlet and Violet

Side series

Spin-off games

In the TCG

See also: Grass (TCG), Psychic (TCG) or Darkness (TCG)

Due to the decreased amount of types in the TCG, Poison-type Pokémon have been listed as three different types. They were listed as Grass-type Pokémon prior to the Diamond & Pearl set and as Psychic-type Pokémon from Diamond & Pearl to Cosmic Eclipse. Starting with Sword & Shield, they are now listed as Darkness-type.

Poison-type Pokémon in the TCG were generally weak to Psychic prior to Sword & Shield, as Grass or Psychic types, and are now weak to Fighting. They have no resistances. As Grass types, they were strong against some Fighting Pokémon prior to Diamond & Pearl; from Diamond and Pearl to Cosmic Eclipse, they were changed to the Psychic type, and were strong against most Fighting and Psychic types; and from Sword and Shield onward they are Darkness type, and are strong against most Psychic types. They can be resisted by Darkness from Diamond and Pearl to Cosmic Eclipse, as well as Metal until Sword and Shield.

Statistical averages

Overall

Stat
Attack: 75.07
Defense: 70.27
Sp.Atk: 73.17
Sp.Def: 72.95
Speed: 70.08
Total: 431.41

Fully evolved

Stat
Attack: 89.5
Defense: 84.44
Sp.Atk: 88.43
Sp.Def: 89.48
Speed: 83.35
Total: 519.96

Trivia

  • Generation I introduced the most Poison-type Pokémon of any generation, with 33, and Generation VI introduced the fewest Poison-type Pokémon, with two.
  • Generation I had more Poison-type Pokémon (33) than Water-type Pokémon (32), and it was the only generation where Poison is the most common type.
  • 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.
  • In Generation I, Poison-type moves are super effective against Bug-type Pokémon, while Bug-type moves are super effective against Poison-type Pokémon. This is the only case in which a pair of distinct types is super effective against each other.
  • A Pokémon of every type except Poison was added to the Sinnoh Pokédex in Pokémon Platinum.
  • 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 does not exist) is mentioned.
  • All types that are super effective against the Dark type are resisted by the Poison type.
  • The Poison type is the type that has been represented by the most types in the TCG, with three.
  • Only odd-numbered generations introduced pure Poison-type Pokémon.
    • Generation IX is the first one to break this chain, not adding any pure Poison-type Pokémon.
  • The Poison type is one of the only two types, the other being Fairy, to not have any moves that cause flinching.
  • The Poison type is tied with the Steel type for being the most common type among Ultra Beasts, with three Ultra Beasts being Poison- or Steel-type each.
  • Poison and Flying are the only types to have at least one Pokémon in every Egg Group (not counting the Ditto Egg Group).
  • The Poison type has been paired up with every other type except for Ice.

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