Decoding the Venom: How Poison Counters Work in Pokémon

Poison, that insidious affliction, has been a staple of the Pokémon world since its very inception. But how do those pesky poison counters actually work? In essence, when a Pokémon becomes Poisoned (either through a move like Poison Powder, Toxic, or by having certain Abilities), a marker, often a physical counter or notation on a playmat, is placed on that Pokémon. At the end of each turn, including the turn in which the Pokémon was poisoned, the affected Pokémon takes damage equal to 10 HP between turns. Crucially, this damage is applied after any other end-of-turn effects, such as healing or Trainer card effects, have resolved. The Poison condition remains in effect until the Pokémon is Cured of the Poison status condition, usually by items like an Antidote or through the effects of certain Abilities or Trainer cards.

Diving Deeper: The Mechanics of Poison

While the core principle of taking 10 damage between turns sounds simple, several nuances affect how Poison operates within the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). Let’s explore some of these key aspects:

• Stacking Poison: Unlike some status conditions, Poison cannot be stacked. Applying Poison to a Pokémon that is already Poisoned does not increase the damage dealt between turns. However, the Toxic status condition does interact with Poison, as explained below.

• Toxic Poison: A move like Toxic inflicts a special type of Poison. Instead of the standard 10 damage, Toxic Poison damage increases by 10 each turn. The first turn the Pokémon takes damage, it takes 10 damage, the second turn 20, then 30, and so on. Like regular Poison, Toxic Poison persists until the Pokémon is cured. It’s a slow burn, but incredibly potent!

• Curing Poison: Numerous methods exist to cure Poison. Trainer cards like Antidotes are a straightforward solution. Switching the Poisoned Pokémon out of the Active Spot also typically removes the Poison status (check the card’s specific wording, as some cards may not be able to move out of the Active Spot). Certain Pokémon Abilities can also passively cure Poison, offering strategic advantages.

• Damage Calculation and Weakness/Resistance: Poison damage, like all damage in the Pokémon TCG, is affected by Weakness and Resistance. If a Pokémon is weak to its own type, it will suffer double Poison damage. Conversely, Resistance reduces the damage. Some Pokémon are even immune to Poison altogether.

• Abilities and Items that Interact with Poison: The Pokémon TCG is rife with cards that interact with status conditions. Some Abilities might cause extra damage to Poisoned Pokémon, while others might heal based on the number of status conditions present. Similarly, Trainer cards can exploit the vulnerability of Poisoned Pokémon or even spread the affliction further.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Poison Counters

Here are some common questions I get asked about the ins and outs of Poison. Remember, the official Pokémon TCG rulebook is always the final word on rulings, but these answers should give you a solid understanding.

1. What happens if a Pokémon is both Asleep and Poisoned?

The Pokémon is affected by both status conditions. It will attempt to wake up between turns, and if it remains Asleep, it skips its turn. Regardless, it will still take Poison damage at the end of the turn.

2. Can a Pokémon be both Poisoned and Burned?

Yes! Pokémon can be affected by multiple status conditions simultaneously, with the exception of Special Conditions that replace each other (Asleep, Confused, Paralyzed). Poison and Burn are standard conditions and can coexist with other non-conflicting conditions.

3. If a Pokémon uses an attack that Poisons the opponent, does the opponent take damage immediately that turn?

No. The Poison damage is applied at the end of the opponent’s turn. The Poisoned Pokémon does not take damage immediately after being Poisoned by the attack, but instead at the end of their turn.

4. Does Weakness/Resistance apply to Poison damage?

Yes, Weakness and Resistance do apply to Poison damage. If a Pokémon is weak to its own type and gets Poisoned, it will take double the Poison damage. Similarly, Resistance will reduce the damage.

5. If a Pokémon has an Ability that prevents it from being Poisoned, what happens if an attack attempts to Poison it?

The attack’s effect to Poison the Pokémon is nullified. The Pokémon remains unaffected by Poison, thanks to its protective Ability.

6. Can I use an Antidote on an opponent’s Pokémon to remove Poison?

No, you cannot use an Antidote on an opponent’s Pokémon. Antidotes, like most Trainer cards, can only be used on your own Pokémon, unless specifically stated otherwise on the card.

7. If a Pokémon is Poisoned and then uses an attack that heals itself, does it still take Poison damage that turn?

Yes. The Pokémon first uses its attack and heals itself. Then, at the end of the turn, after all other effects have resolved, it takes the Poison damage.

8. What happens if a Pokémon is Poisoned, then evolves? Does the Poison go away?

Evolving a Pokémon generally removes all Special Conditions and certain other card effects. This would include the Poison condition. However, evolving does not cure standard conditions such as burn and poison in all expansions. It is always important to check the card being played as the interaction will be clearly written on it.

9. If a Pokémon is Poisoned by Toxic, and then switches out, what happens when it’s switched back in?

The Toxic Poison condition is typically reset when the Pokémon leaves the Active Spot. When it returns, if it’s Poisoned again with Toxic, the damage starts again from 10.

10. Can a Pokémon be Poisoned if it is protected by an Ability that reduces all damage it takes to 0?

Yes! The status condition is still applied regardless of the damage reduction. While the Pokémon takes no initial damage from an attack, it will still be Poisoned and take Poison damage between turns (unless it has an Ability that specifically prevents it from being Poisoned).

11. Are there any Pokémon that are immune to Poison?

Yes! Certain Pokémon possess Abilities that render them immune to Poison. These Pokémon simply cannot be Poisoned, regardless of the source. The specific wording on the Ability will clearly indicate this immunity.

12. If I use a Trainer card that heals all damage from my Pokémon, does it also cure Poison?

Not necessarily. Healing damage is separate from curing a status condition. Some Trainer cards might explicitly state that they cure status conditions in addition to healing damage, but unless it’s specified, the Poison remains.

13. Can multiple Pokémon on my Bench be Poisoned at the same time?

Yes! Any number of Pokémon on your Bench or in the Active Spot can be Poisoned simultaneously, provided they aren’t protected by Abilities or other effects.

14. What is the best strategy to counter a Poison-heavy deck?

The most effective counter-strategies involve healing and status condition removal. Include plenty of Antidotes, Full Heals, or Pokémon with Abilities that cure status conditions. Switching Pokémon frequently can also mitigate the effects of Poison, especially Toxic Poison. Also consider using Pokémon with high HP or resistance to certain attacks! Thinking about these types of questions can help you to learn more about game based learning, check out Games Learning Society on GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more!

15. Are Poison counters ever used for anything other than tracking Poison damage?

While primarily used for tracking Poison, the Pokémon TCG’s adaptability often sees counters repurposed. Some cards may have effects that trigger based on the number of counters on a Pokémon, regardless of what the counters represent. Always read card text carefully!

By understanding these nuances and frequently asked questions, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the treacherous waters of Poison in the Pokémon TCG. Happy battling!