The Best Poison-Type Pokemon

One of the best things about playing a Pokemon game is running a team built around your favorite type. Does this work competitively? Well, no. But from that first tango with Blue in Red and Blue to the challenge against Cynthia in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and beyond, put your mind to it and victory is possible.

Within that context, one of the less-appreciated types is Poison, which, frankly, is a real injustice. They’ve become much more useful since the Fairy-type was introduced back in 2013, and even in online battling, they have finally carved an appreciable niche that’s well worth exploring.

Updated on December 13, 2024, by Andrew Scariati: The best Poison Pokemon club has received several new friends in recent years, but there are plenty of powerful choices from the early days as well. We’ve included two new contenders for the crown of the best Poison Pokemon, including an unusual Pokemon from Paldea.

18

Seviper

In the real world, snakes are better known for striking their prey with their teeth or wrapping them up in a coil, but Seviper thrashes its poison tail at its enemies instead, allowing the sharpened tip to enter the body and administer the deadly liquid. It’s not the absolute strongest Poison-type Pokemon, but it’s criminally under-appreciated.

Though many fans aren’t fond of Seviper’s design, you can’t deny the fact that it’s a recognizable, prototypical Poison-type Pokemon. Hook yours up with Poison Jab or Sludge Bomb and add in X-Scissor for Bug-type coverage.

17

Ariados

The Bug and Poison-type Ariados has been around since Gold and Silver, though it wasn’t until their remakes, HeartGold and SoulSilver, that fans could appreciate the full artistic terror therein. “It’s just a spider,” some might say.

But consider the fact that many ultra-venomous animals in the real world are lavishly colorful as a warning to potential predators to chill out or pay the lethal consequences. Ariados has a lot of that going on and if its poison wasn’t enough to deter enemies, then they’ll find themselves stuck in this spider’s tangled web.

16

Salazzle

Rather than just coming at an opposing monster with poison or venom, Salazzle is all about spreading toxic clouds that can leave the enemy filled with deadly gas. Salazzle’s also got one of the most bizarre-looking stat spreads around, with lots of “jagged” numbers and appreciable spikes in Special Attack and Speed at the complete cost of utterly rough counterparts.

This evolution line, with its unique Corrosion ability, can poison Steel-types, which are immune to Poison otherwise. To go to such lengths just to inflict venom upon other living creatures is almost admirable. Weirdly, Salazzle’s signature move is Fire Lash, a physical-based technique reliant upon a bad Attack stat. But hey, replace it with Fire Blast and all is well.

15

Garbodor

This Pokemon is trash, but that’s the whole point. Garbodor was introduced in the Unova region, a setting often criticized for its weak designs. Garbodor is typically trumped as the ultimate example of it, alongside a certain ice cream Ice-type.

Have you ever wandered down the dingy streets of Hunts Point in the South Bronx and not seen a Garbodor, though? They’re everywhere. Unova’s modeled after New York, so you know what, here’s your Garbodor. Give this piece of garbage Gunk Shot, a 120-base power physical move with a 30 percent chance of poisoning the target.

14

Weezing

Weezing is the evolved form of Koffing. Even in the halcyon days of Red and Blue, Game Freak’s name game was on point. It’s also a fairly physically tanky Pokemon with Attack decent enough to make a dent and a plethora of status-inflicting options. Also, it has two heads, but it happens to even the best Poison Pokemon among us.

And then there’s Galarian Weezing, introduced in Sword and Shield. Both heads wear top hats and green gas fuses on their faces in the likeness of a beard and mustache. It’s Poison/Fairy, which is, terribly odd but also quite unique. Sludge Bomb, Fire Blast, and Thunderbolt are all good choices for both varieties; toss in Dazzling Gleam on the Galarian chaps for a good STAB option.

13

Nidoking & Nidoqueen

It’s impossible to mention Nidoqueen and Nidoking separately, given their clear links and shared base stat total of 505. While each has a legitimate case as one of the best Poison Pokemon, their minor stat differences aren’t enough to separate them beyond picking and choosing on a case-by-case basis.

As generation after generation passes, it seems like a matter of time before these Pokemon receive additional mechanics like a Mega Evolution, as their complementary style sticks out from the crowd. For now, the king and queen will have to wait to reclaim their crowns.

12

Toxicroak

The Pokemon anime just loves to present its protagonists with companions who never evolve to their final form. Sure, there are exceptions. But look at Croagunk, one of Brock’s most iconic buddies. Why didn’t he evolve into Toxicroak? We have a theory. Croagunk loved to beat Brock up for his lecherous tendencies. Toxicroak probably would have just straight up killed Brock by accident.

From a fighting perspective, the coolest thing about Toxicroak is that it poisons its foes if they make contact. Most physical attacks, and even a handful of special ones, fit the contact rule. Stick with Poison Jab until Gunk Shot comes along as a great replacement. Its high Attack stat gives Toxicroak an edge with access to Stone Edge as well.

11

Tentacruel

Tentacruel is another Kanto classic, and frankly, it’s unnerving that it and its pre-evolution are the most common creatures in pretty much every regional sea. Why are there more of these things than there are fish? What monstrous places these naval routes prove to be. And there are swimmers all over the place; are they even remotely aware of these beasts?

The glass-half-full philosophy here is that Tentacruel is so prolific precisely because it’s so good. Its Special Defense makes it a nice special-based wall stall in the competitive game, while its Speed keeps it swimming swiftly. An 80 Special Attack might not set the sea on fire, but combined with Tentacruel’s clear penchant for inflicting poison, it’s enough to make moves like Sludge Bomb and Hydro Pump shine.

10

Toxapex

Mareanie and its evolved form, Toxapex are excellent representations of a true Poison-type Pokemon. This starfish-like sea creature uses its spiny legs that extend from its head as an impenetrable defensive shield, as evidenced by its top-notch defensive statistics.

Those spikes can be used for more than just defense, as Toxapaex can shoot its poisonous spines at Pokemon, injecting them with a powerful poison that can hurt the victim for up to a few days after the incident. Toxapex roams the ocean floor looking for Corsola to feast on, making them a powerful ocean predator and one of the best Poison-type Pokemon around.

9

Muk

Muk’s high HP and Special Defense give it solid tanking ability, while its solid Attack allows it to take advantage of the usual physical-based Poison picks. You know, Garbodor’s probably uglier, but it’s worth noting for all those ‘Unova-no-buena’ fans out there that Kanto has had a pile of purple sludge for a Pokemon since 1996. Luckily, after more than 20 years, this garbage-based Poison-type Pokemon finally got some love.

After the release of Pokemon Sun and Moon, we’ve also got Alolan Muk to consider, and it shines like a rainbow. It’s… weirdly pretty. It’s also Poison and Dark type rather than the original’s pure Poison, so make certain you’ve got a Dark-type attack for STAB if you prefer the rainbow version.

8

Toxtricity

This eighth-gen rock star melted hearts from the get-go. Its pre-evolution, Toxel, evolves into one of two types of Toxtricity depending on its Nature, into either Amped Form or Low Key form instead. The movepools are pretty different between the two, lending a sense of choice that Pokemon games seldom dabble in.

Both forms can also Gigantamax into a quadrupedal Pokemon that would be all the rage at any KISS concert. High Special Attack grants the Electric and Poison dual type access to some of the best and most reliable moves of each type, such as Sludge Bomb and Thunderbolt. It eventually learns Overdrive, which you absolutely must see; what a gem, that one.

7

Vileplume

Gloom can evolve into either Vileplume or Bellossom. If it takes the latter route, all that pain, suffering, and sympathetic anguish on its face gives way to a little bright-green cheerleading flower.

Vileplume boasts a 110 Special Attack and a diverse movepool that makes it one of the best Poison Pokemon.

Poison, sleep, paralysis — this Pokemon is custom-tailored to inflict long-lasting pain whilst kicking back with Mega Drain to keep itself alive to watch. To watch as the victim suffers a terrible end.

6

Sneasler

When it debuted in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Sneasler catapulted toward the top of everyone’s favorite Poison-type Pokemon list due to its elegant design and fantastic stats. As an alternative form to its shorter Ice and Dark-type companion, Sneasel, Sneasler takes the offensive potency of its cousin and combines it with excellent Speed and respectable defenses.

Sneasler’s elongated height compared to even Hisuian Sneasel is a result of it living in the frigid mountains of Hisui. It adapted to the difficult conditions with long, sharp claws capable of latching onto even the most slippery ice-covered mountain, climbing it with ease. Sneasler prefers to live away from other Poison-type Pokemon as it does not enjoy living in a pack like its cousin Weavile does.

5

Clodsire

Clodsire earns its place among the very best new Poison-type Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet. Poison Pokemon received a lot of love in Generation Nine and this goofy new evolution for an alternate Wooper form not only fits the Pokemon’s theme but is also surprisingly good.

Clodsire’s secondary Ground typing negates its weakness to it, helping to nullify one of a Poison type’s biggest threats. In addition, its Water Absorb ability will help to nullify Ground’s glaring weakness to Water-type moves. Despite low Defense and abysmal Speed, Clodsire has plenty of tricks up its sleeves to keep your opponents guessing.

4

Dragalge

Dragalge’s excellent stat spread, rare typing, and solid movepool make it easily one of the best Poison-type Pokemon around. It combines the tanking ability of a specialist like Muk with solid offensive stats, though they fall quite short of Sneasler, for example.

This slender, seahorse-like dragon patrols its territory with extreme prejudice, spitting poison at any Pokemon or human foolish enough to encroach on its space. Dragalge uses its appearance to its advantage, hiding and ambushing unsuspecting victims with its noxious poison spray. Even the hulls of large ships are no match for Dragalge as its poison can melt through metal.

3

Naganadel

Naganadel stands out as one of the most intimidating Poison-type Pokemon. This Ultra Beast sets a high standard with incredible stats, a superb movepool, and an intimidating design that will strike fear into the heart of any Pokemon.

Much like Dragalge, Naganadel’s Poison and Dragon dual typing give it a huge advantage over powerful threats with resistances to common attacking types like Electric, Water, Fire, Grass, Fighting, and more! Surprisingly, Naganadel’s lower half houses both its brain and incredibly deadly poison. Its three stingers jutting from the bottom are actually attached to its brain and should be avoided at all costs.

2

Glimmora

Glimmora offers a similar stat breakdown to Nagandel, though this Paldean Pokemon is far easier to find than its Ultra Beast counterpart. As another Special Attack specialist, Glimmora comes equipped with access to moves like Sludge Wave and Power Gem, as it blends its Rock and Poison typings seamlessly into its design.

As one of the best Poison Pokemon, Glimmora is surprisingly easy to find in Scarlet & Violet, and it was initially regarded as boring, in large part due to its plentiful availability in the Great Crater of Paldea.

1

Eternatus

Eternatus flies head and shoulders above the Poison-type competition as one of the best Pokemon to ever represent the typing. In addition to its incredibly high stats, Eternatus also flaunts its exclusive Eternamax for all to see with an unthinkable 1125 Base Stat Total.

Unfortunately, you cannot evolve Eternatus to permanently achieve this completely overpowered form, but you can still marvel at its size when Eternabeam is used. While there are numerous powerful Dragon-type legendary Pokemon, Eternatus easily fills the Poison-type throne with a worthy ruler. Few Pokemon can compete with this incredible Galarian legendary.