Who are the best Poison Pokémon? Poisonous ‘mon can cause all sorts of problems on the battlefield, often inflicting horrid status effects that chip away at the HP of their foes. It’s not easy picking the best poison Pokémon in Pokémon Go, but we like a challenge, and we’re always happy to take a sting or a bite from poison-types if it means learning more about them.
If you already have a Poison Pokémon on your team, we can help you fill out the other five slots. Our list of the best fire Pokémon burns bright, while our best electric Pokémon picks have some shocking results. We can also help you cause some frights with spooky ghost Pokémon or reach for the skies with some flying Pokémon. Honestly, the Pokédex is full of different creatures that can help you out.
Here are the best poison Pokémon:
Mega Beedrill
Fast attack: Poison jab
Charged attack: Sludge bomb
Do you know the ol’ saying, float like a Butterfree sting like a Beedrill? Well, there’s a reason for it, and that’s that the latter has some potent venom that can ruin your day. Seriously, Beedrill is one of the originators when it comes to poison-types, and you know what they say – don’t mess with the original.
However, it’s actually Mega Beedrill you want to try and use for your team, as while Beedrill is a formidable ‘mon, it can’t hold a handle to its mega evolution. Reaching a respectable 3,824 CP, Mega Beedrill boasts a 303 attack stat, backed by 148 in defense and 163 in stamina, respectively. Regarding its moveset, poison jab and sludge bomb are the best attacks you can give it.
If you want to know a little bit more about Beedrill, this Kanto native comes in at number 15 in the Pokédex and is one of the easiest stage three Pokémon to get as it evolves from Kakuna at level ten. You need to be on your guard when encountering a Beedrill, as this bug moves at high speed, using its stingers to cause maximum damage before fleeing.
Oh, and let’s not forget that Beedrill is a dual type, doubling as a bug Pokémon, so if you want to know the best way to beat it, give our bug Pokémon weakness guide a read.
Shadow Victreebel
Fast attack: Acid
Charged attack: Sludge bomb
Another gen 1 Pokémon that paved the way for future poisonous creatures is Victreebel, and this poison and grass Pokémon and hybrid is one ferocious-looking plant. Yes, it’s as dangerous as it looks, so even though it might take a while to reach this stage three Pokémon, it’s worth the effort, especially since you can create a combination of attacks that can cause some serious problems for your rivals.
However, we should point out that it’s the Shadow variant you want, as that 20% increase in damage is handy, especially when you consider that its attack stat is already 207. When it comes to its attacks, as a poison-type, we recommend you go with acid and sludge bomb, though if you want it for its grass-type attacks, magical leaf and leaf blade are its best moves overall.
In the original Pokédex, Victreebell comes in at number 71, evolving from Weepinbell when it receives a leaf stone. Early Pokédex entries for this creature are quite grotesque, explaining that they live in colonies in deep jungles, but little more is known due to the fact no one ever returns. What’s more, they lure in their prey with a sweet aroma, only to swallow them whole and melt them away. Yes, that includes their bones. Their acidic fluid truly can dissolve anything.
To weed out Victreebel, you might want to know what the grass Pokémon weakness is. Please don’t harm any Bellsprouts though, those little guys are just vibing.
Drapion
Fast attack: Poison sting
Charged attack: Sludge bomb
When it comes to poison Pokémon, this is a favorite at PT because no matter what game you play, Drapion is a solid addition to any party, and that’s especially true in Pokémon Go. Does it take a lot of time to get Drapion? Yes. Is it worth the hassle? Absolutely. Drapion has access to some powerful attacks that not only inflict the poison status effect, but also hit like a freight train.
Number 452 in the Pokédex, Drapion originally hails from Sinnoh and is known to be a highly poisonous creature who can even scrap a car with its claws. Despite its incredibly potent poison, Drapion relies a lot on its strength, opting to win a battle with its physical prowess more often than not.
Roserade
Fast attack: Poison jab
Charged attack: Sludge bomb
Roserade is one of the most powerful poison Pokémon in the entire franchise, never mind in Pokémon Go. The thing about this stage three ‘mon is that it has access to some brutal attacks that can inflict plenty of damage, then stack poison on top of it. This rose really does have thorns. We suggest you read our Budew evolution guide to discover the best way to get one.
Overall, Roserade can reach 3,359 CP with a 243 attack stat, giving it quite the advantage on the offensive side of things. Regarding its moveset, Roserade’s best poison-type moves are poison jab and sludge bomb. However, its best charged attack overall is actually grass knot, which might be something to consider if you want to use Roserade for its grass-type capabilities instead.
Toxicroak / Shadow Toxicroak
Fast attack: Poison jab
Charged attack: Sludge bomb
As the great Britney Spears once said, ‘I’m addicted to you, don’t you know that you’re toxic?’ Well, actually, we’re not addicted to Toxicroak, cause you know, that would be all kinds of weird, but the gen 4 Pokémon is most certainly toxic. As such, it has no problem dishing out some lovely poison, with impressive speed, we might add. But more than that, Toxicroak is also a fighting Pokémon, so it can not only poison its foes but knock ’em out too – talk about a double whammy.
If you want any hope of defeating Toxicroak, you really need to know what the fighting Pokémon weakness is.
Vileplume
Fast attack: Acid
Charged attack: Sludge bomb
Vileplume has a special place in the hearts of many, mainly due to it being one of the most powerful Pokémon from generation one, and it’s only gotten stronger over the years, as it became a grass and poison-type hybrid, which means you can mix and match its abilities, but if you choose a pure poison approach, Vileplume is a fine choice that can get the job done.
However, if it’s not Vileplume you want, there’s a second Gloom evolution for you to consider in the form of Bellossom. However, if you opt to go this happy grass-type, you do give up the secondary poison-typing.
Overqwil
Fast attack: Poison jab
Charged attack: Sludge bomb
Overqwil is one of the best poison Pokémon in Pokémon for a simple reason: it has a 222 attack stat, making it a good choice if you care about dealing damage. Better still, a 198 stamina stat helps to keep it in the fight, as does a healthy 171 defense stat. As for its CP, Overqwil can reach 3330, which, while lower than some other entries, is still respectable. Without a shadow of a doubt, the best attacks for Overqwil are poison jab and sludge bomb, though you can swap out the latter for shadow ball or dark pulse if you want a ghost- or dark-type attack instead.
Shadow Muk
Fast attack: Poison jab
Charged attack: Gunk shot
Shadow Muk is one of the best poison Pokémon in Pokémon Go, so it’s wise to try and get one, particularly if you hold a soft spot for the Kanto native. Shadow Muck can reach up to 3,117 CP with a 190 attack stat, which admittedly isn’t quite as high as other entries on this list, but it’s still a solid contender. To up your chances of getting a Shadow Muk, wait for cloudy weather.
Regarding its moves, Shadow Muk operates best with poison jab as its fast attack and gunk shot as its charged attack, though it does have access to dark-, bug-, ghost-, and electric-type moves, too, if you want to mix it up a bit.
Tentacruel
Fast attack: Poison jab
Charged attack: Sludge wave
Under the sea, not where you should be, down there is danger, poison can get ya, take it from me. Now we all have that delightful Disney song stuck in our heads, let me explain why Tentacruel is one of the best poison Pokémon (and water Pokémon) you can get in Pokémon Go. Quite simply, thanks to its water and poison capabilities, you can use some great combinations that are sure to damage the opposition.
To make a splash against Tentacruel you need to know what the water Pokémon weakness is, and we’re more than happy to help you with that.
Mega Gengar / Gengar
Fast attack: Lick
Charged attack: Sludge bomb
You really do have one powerful Pokémon at your disposal if you have a Gengar on your team, as not only is it one of the best poison Pokémon in Pokémon Go, but it’s one of the best ghost Pokémon too. All you have to do is change its charged attack to shadow ball to turn it into a ghostly menace.
While we maintain that Gengar is a solid addition to any team in need of a poison-type, its mega evolution might just be the best possible option, so that’s what you want to aim for. Mega Gengar can reach a staggering 4,902 CP, backed by a behemoth 349 attack stat. It does a lot of damage and has it can double as both a poison- and ghost-type entry on your team, it packs a devastating punch.
Admittedly, Mega Gengar’s best move is actually shadow ball when it comes to its charged attack, but sludge bomb is what you need if you want the ‘mon for its poisonous capabilities.
Nihilego
Fast attack: Pound
Charged attack: Gunk shot
Got room for an ultra beast on your team? Of course, you do, especially when they’re as strong as Nihilego, which can reach a maximum of 4,465 CP, meaning it can dish out some serious damage, and as a dual ground- and poison-type, you can tailor its moves to suit what you want. If you want it for its toxic aspects, then it’s poison jab and gunk shot that you want to use.
Mega Venusaur
Fast attack: Vine whip
Charged attack: Sludge bomb
One of the OG poison Pokémon, Venusaur, is by far and away one of the most popular poison-types in the franchise. However, if you want to use it in Pokémon Go, you need to aim for Mega Venusaur instead, as it’s much more powerful than the base version, reaching up to 4181 CP. With 246 defense, this mega evolution is a bit of a tank in battle and the 241 attack stat means it’s just as capable of dishing out some damage.
While there isn’t a poison-type fast move for Venasaur, you can use sludge bomb as its charged attack. However, that’s not the most powerful move at its disposal; that title belongs to the grass-type move, frenzy plant, which we suggest you go for if you want Venusaur to have a focus on grass instead of poison.
Darkrai
Darkrai might be a dark Pokémon, but that doesn’t mean it can’t slot into your team as a poison Pokémon thanks to its ability to learn sludge bomb – that’s the only poison-type attack Darkrai can use, but it uses it to great effect. Overall, this mythical ‘mon can reach 4,227 CP, which is better than some of the other entries on this list, and the fact that it’s a dark-type means you have access to some vicious attacks.
How many poison Pokémon are there?
Across the entire series, there are 96 different poison Pokémon, many of which appear in Pokémon Go. The first poison-type in the Pokédex is the gen one starter Bulbasaur, as it’s both a poison and grass-type.
There you have it, the best poison Pokémon in Pokémon Go – just keep some antidotes handy in case a trainer turns the tables on you. Oh, and check out our poison Pokémon weakness guide for some more assistance. Or, if it’s those that lurk in the shadows giving you trouble, consult our psychic Pokémon weakness, dark Pokémon weakness, and ghost Pokémon weakness guides.