Best Poison Type Pokemon

Picking the best Poison type Pokemon means sorting through a type that hits very little for big damage. Poison type moves hit only Grass and Fairy for double damage and have no effect on Steel, while Poison type Pokemon take half damage from five types, Fighting and Fairy included.

The type was all over the first games, and seven of the 15 here come from Gen I. (Poison is the type that brings its own hazard sign. We respect the honesty.)

This list ranks 15 of the 83 Poison type Pokemon by how many different players named each one as their favorite or best Poison type. Let's get into the countdown:

Best Poison Type Pokemon

#15

Salazzle

Salazzle appears to be based on a salamander, both the poisonous real kind and the fire-associated mythical kind, and on whiptail lizards. Certain whiptail species have a mostly female population, and some, such as the New Mexico whiptail, are female only. It may also be inspired by the mo'o of Hawaiian myth, large female lizards that would shape-shift into seductive women to devour men. Its category is Toxic Lizard Pokemon, and its Pokedex entry says the winner of competitions between Salazzle is decided by which one has the most male Salandit with it. (We would lose this competition. We would also lose the tiebreaker.)

Salandit evolves into it at level 33. Its Speed of 117 is second only to Crobat's on this list (Speed decides who attacks first in a turn), and its Special Attack is 111. Every Pokemon has an ability, a passive effect that works on its own in battle, and Salazzle's Corrosion lets it poison Poison and Steel Pokemon, which are normally immune. Its hidden ability (a rarer ability some Pokemon can have) is Oblivious.

#14

Toxtricity

Toxtricity resembles lizards from the Agama genus, which show off bright colors and have spikes near the ear, and it may also be based on newts, which are poisonous. It also appears to be based on punk rock guitarists. Its Amped and Low Key forms resemble electric guitars and bass guitars, and the number of organs on their chests matches the strings on each guitar, six and four. The mohawk, torn pants and spiked bracelets finish the look. Its Pokedex entry says this short-tempered and aggressive Pokemon chugs stagnant water to absorb any toxins it might contain. (We have also chugged questionable water at a concert. We did not gain any powers.)

Toxel evolves into it at level 30, and its Special Attack is 114. Its ability, Punk Rock, powers up its sound-based moves and halves the damage it takes from them. Its hidden ability, Technician, makes moves with a base power (a move's raw strength before stats are counted) of 60 or less hit 1.5× as hard.

#13

Roserade

Roserade appears to be based on a bouquet of roses and a mysterious guest at a masquerade ball, where masks hid the identity of the people taking part. Its mask and cape back that up. Its flowers could also come from hellebores, which are often poisonous and look deceptively like roses, which ties back into the theme of disguise. Its Pokedex entry says thorned whips loaded with virulent poison are hidden within the bouquet on each hand, and that it moves gracefully as it corners its prey and lashes them without mercy. (A bouquet that whips you. We have received worse gifts, but not many.)

Roselia evolves into it with a Shiny Stone, an evolution item. Its Special Attack of 125 is second only to Gengar's on this list, and its Special Defense is 105. Its abilities are Natural Cure, which cures any major status ailment when it switches out, and Poison Point, which gives it a 30% chance of poisoning any Pokemon that touches it. Its hidden ability is Technician.

#12

Seviper

Seviper appears to be based on a viper, specifically the habu, a venomous snake, and the shape of its color pattern resembles the elegant pitviper. Its rivalry with Zangoose comes from the real relationship between mongooses and snakes. In Okinawa and Amami, it was common for the habu and the mongoose to be pitted against each other in roadside shows, a practice now considered inhumane. Its Pokedex entry says its swordlike tail slashes foes and douses them with secreted poison, and that it will not give up its long-running blood feud with Zangoose. (We still hold a grudge over a borrowed phone charger. We understand Seviper.)

It does not evolve. Its Attack and Special Attack are both 100. Its ability, Shed Skin, gives it a 33% chance of curing a major status ailment such as a burn or sleep after each turn, and its hidden ability, Infiltrator, lets it get past defensive moves such as Reflect and Light Screen.

Its design gets called cool, sometimes outright awesome.

#11

Toxicroak

Toxicroak may have been based on the poison dart frog. The claws on its hands may come from the hairy frog, which defends itself by breaking its own toes and pushing the sharpened bones through its skin. It may also be based on a ninja, since its claws resemble the knives assassins wore on their wrists. Its Pokedex entry says its crimson claws contain a virulent toxin that can be made into a tonic by diluting it, mixing it with several types of wild grass and boiling it down over two days. (Two days of boiling. We cannot wait two minutes for a kettle.)

Croagunk evolves into it at level 37. Its Attack of 106 is the highest on this list. Its ability Dry Skin heals it in rain and when Water moves hit it, but costs it HP in strong sunlight and makes Fire moves hurt more. Its other ability, Anticipation, warns it when an opponent has a super effective move (a move that deals double damage), and its hidden ability, Poison Touch, gives its contact moves a 30% chance to poison.

#10

Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur is based on a frog, and its short legs, stout build and ear-like bumps on its head make it resemble horned frogs in particular. The bulb on its back resembles a lily or onion. Its Pokedex entry says that while it is young, it uses the nutrients stored in the seed on its back in order to grow. (A packed lunch it carries everywhere. We aspire to this.)

It evolves into Ivysaur at level 16. It is 0.7 m tall and weighs 6.9 kg, and its base stat total of 318 is the lowest on this list, as you would expect from the first stage of a starter line. Its ability, Overgrow, makes its Grass moves hit 1.5× as hard once its HP drops to a third or less. Its hidden ability, Chlorophyll, doubles its Speed in strong sunlight.

Players keep a soft spot for it as one of the original three starters, and some call it the cutest of them.

Arbok

Arbok seems to be based on the Indian cobra, given its venomous bite and hood markings, and it may also be based on the king cobra, the world's largest venomous snake. Its powerful constriction recalls boas, anacondas and pythons. Its spot in the Dragon Egg Group (Egg Groups decide which Pokemon can breed together) and its ability to learn Glare may point to the basilisk, a serpent said to kill people with its stare. Its Pokedex entry says the frightening patterns on its belly have been studied, and six variations have been confirmed. (Somebody did that study. We hope they got a grant.)

Ekans evolves into it at level 22. It is 3.5 m long, the longest on this list. Its ability, Intimidate, lowers the opponent's Attack one stage the moment it enters battle (a stage is one step up or down for a stat during a battle). Its other ability is Shed Skin, and its hidden ability, Unnerve, stops opposing Pokemon from eating their held Berries.

Scolipede

Scolipede may be based on a centipede, most likely Scolopendra gigantea, and on Arthropleura, a prehistoric relative of centipedes that grew to two and a half meters. Its horse-like look may come from a pun on the Japanese word for millipede, yasude, which contains the kanji for horse. Its Pokedex entry says it fights fierce territorial battles with Centiskorch, and the winner makes a meal of the loser. (We also eat after an argument. Snacks, mostly.)

Whirlipede evolves into it at level 30. It weighs 200.5 kg, the heaviest on this list, and its Speed is 112. Its abilities are Poison Point and Swarm, which makes its Bug moves hit 1.5× as hard once its HP drops to a third or less. Its hidden ability, Speed Boost, raises its Speed one stage after each turn.

Players give its design a lot of the credit.

Weezing

Weezing may have been based on a floating naval mine or a living meteorite, given its looks, its ability to float and its tendency to explode. It is also based on smog and other air pollution. Like Koffing, it has a symbol under its larger face that resembles the skull and crossbones, and the three orbs that make up its body resemble a molecule. Its Pokedex entry compares it with Galarian Weezing, its regional form (a version adapted to another region): it can't suck in air as well, but the toxins it makes are more potent. (Two Weezing arguing over who is more toxic. We have been to that dinner party.)

Koffing evolves into it at level 35. Its Defense of 120 is the highest on this list. Its abilities are Levitate, which makes Ground moves miss it, and Neutralizing Gas, which cancels the abilities of every Pokemon in the battle. Its hidden ability, Stench, gives its attacks a 10% chance to make the target flinch (lose its turn).

Venusaur

Venusaur and its earlier forms were inspired by frogs, according to designer Ken Sugimori in a Japanese interview. Its short legs, stout build and ear-like bumps make it resemble horned frogs, and unlike Bulbasaur's, its ears have hollows, which marks them as real ears. The flower on its back resembles the Rafflesia arnoldii. Its Pokedex entry says a bewitching aroma wafts from its flower, and the fragrance calms those engaged in a battle. (We tried a scented candle during an argument. It did not work.)

Ivysaur evolves into it at level 32. Its Special Attack and Special Defense are both 100. Its ability is Overgrow and its hidden ability is Chlorophyll, the same pair as Bulbasaur.

Players rate it as a sturdy battler, and its Mega Evolution (a stronger form it takes for the rest of a battle) most of all.

Muk

Muk appears to be a pile of living sludge. It may draw on the fear that heavy pollution from toxic or radioactive waste could create new and unwanted life, and on Dorotabō, a one-eyed, three-fingered yōkai that rises from the mud of neglected rice fields. Alolan Muk may be based on an oil slick and the rainbow colors that appear when a thin layer of oil floats on water. Its Pokedex entry says it smells so awful it can cause fainting, and that it lost its own sense of smell through the degeneration of its nose. (It cannot smell itself. We have shared a car with this Pokemon.)

Grimer evolves into it at level 38. Its HP of 105 is the highest on this list, and its Attack is also 105. Its abilities are Stench and Sticky Hold, which stops other Pokemon from taking its held item. Its hidden ability, Poison Touch, gives its contact moves a 30% chance to poison.

Drapion

Drapion is likely based on a scorpion, with some traits of a vinegarroon, a similar arachnid. Its spot in the Water 3 Egg Group may refer to sea scorpions, ancient arthropods that lived in the oceans and may have been the ancestors of modern scorpions. Its category is Ogre Scorpion Pokemon, and its Pokedex entry says it has a brutish, ferocious temperament and a shell so sturdy that swords bounce off it as it rampages about. (We are also brutish before coffee. Swords have not been tested.)

Skorupi evolves into it at level 40. Its Defense is 110. Its abilities are Battle Armor, which protects it from critical hits (rare hits that deal extra damage), and Sniper, which makes its own critical hits deal 3× damage instead of 2×. Its hidden ability, Keen Eye, stops its accuracy from being lowered.

Its Dark half makes it immune to Psychic moves, so Ground is its only weakness, and that single weak spot is what players bring up about it.

Nidoking

Nidoking was created with a kaiju monster motif. Physically, it appears to have traits of rhinoceroses, gorillas, rabbits and porcupines. Its category is Drill Pokemon, and its Pokedex entry says it prides itself on its strength and is forceful and spirited in battle, making use of its thick tail and diamond-crushing horn. (Part rabbit, part rhino. We have no punchline, only respect.)

Nidorino evolves into it with a Moon Stone, an evolution item. Its Attack is 102, and its Special Attack and Speed are both 85. Its abilities are Poison Point and Rivalry, which makes it hit 1.25× as hard against Pokemon of the same gender and 0.75× as hard against the opposite gender. Its hidden ability, Sheer Force, makes moves that have extra effects 1.3× as strong but removes those effects. Its Ground half also makes it immune to Electric moves.

Gengar

Gengar appears to be based on a ghost, and its line seems to show a ghost crossing from the afterlife into the living world, with Gengar as the one that broke through. Its shadow abilities and its category, Shadow Pokemon, suggest it is partly based on shadow people, and its name may hint at doppelgängers. It may also be loosely inspired by the Cheshire Cat, with pointed ears, a wide toothy grin and the ability to vanish at will. Its Pokedex entry says it possesses potential victims' shadows to steal away their lives, and if your shadow begins to laugh, you must take hold of a protective charm posthaste. (We checked our shadow after reading that. It was not laughing. Yet.)

Haunter evolves into it when traded. Its Special Attack of 130 is the highest on this list, and its Speed is 110. Its ability, Cursed Body, gives it a 30% chance of disabling any move that hits it, which stops the attacker from using that move for a few turns.

It missed the top spot by one player.

Crobat

Crobat seems to be based on a bat, particularly vampire bats, which bite other animals to feed on their blood, and it may also be inspired by mythological vampires. Its extra set of wings may come from the way a bat's front legs and hind legs are joined by their wing membrane. Its very high Speed may be based on the Mexican free-tailed bat, and its Poison type may come from the anticoagulant in vampire bat saliva. Its Pokedex entry says its hind limbs have become another set of wings, and it uses all four to dart through even the most confined caves without losing any speed. (Four wings and no wasted motion. We trip over the same rug daily.)

Golbat evolves into it when leveled up with a friendship of at least 160 (friendship is a hidden score of how much a Pokemon likes its Trainer). Its Speed of 130 and its base stat total of 535 are both the highest on this list. Its ability, Inner Focus, prevents flinching, and its hidden ability is Infiltrator.

More players named it as their favorite Poison type than any other, 41 against 40 for Gengar. It also turns up on plenty of teams that went on to beat the Elite Four (the last four Trainers before the Champion).

Conclusion

Poison type Pokemon take double damage from Ground and Psychic attacks, and a lot of this list has a way around the Ground half of that. Crobat's Flying type and Weezing's Levitate make Ground moves miss, while a Grass or Bug half takes Ground moves back down to normal damage for Bulbasaur, Venusaur, Roserade and Scolipede. Drapion is the only one with an answer to Psychic, since Dark types are immune to it.

The pairing can also go wrong. Salazzle and Toxtricity take four times damage from Ground, and Toxicroak takes four times damage from Psychic. (We also make our weaknesses worse by bringing friends along.)

If your favorite didn't make it, the full list of Poison type Pokemon has all 83, and the type chart shows what each pairing covers.

Poison Type Pokemon FAQ

What is the best Poison type Pokemon?

Crobat. More players name it as their favorite Poison type than any other.

How many Poison type Pokemon are there?

There are 83 Poison type Pokemon in the National Pokedex.

Is Gengar a Poison type?

Yes. Gengar is a Ghost and Poison type, and so are Gastly and Haunter before it.

Best Poison Type Pokemon

Best Poison Type Pokemon

Salazzle

Toxtricity

Roserade

Seviper

Toxicroak

Bulbasaur

Arbok

Scolipede

Weezing

Venusaur

Muk

Drapion

Nidoking

Gengar

Crobat

Conclusion

Poison Type Pokemon FAQ

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Best Steel Type Pokemon

Best Water Type Pokemon

Best Bug Type Pokemon

Best Dark Type Pokemon