Pokémon fans have long valued Poison-types for their devastating namesake status condition. By poisoning an opponent, players can chip away at their foes’ health, weakening them until they take back the lead. However, there’s more than one way to achieve this deadly effect, with a wide and varied Poison-type move pool.
While poison’s chip damage is a useful strategy, plenty of Poison-type moves can cause huge damage by virtue of their own attack power. Every new generation has contributed new ways to use Pokémon’s toxins in battle—but some are more useful than others. Here’s a list of the strongest Poison-type move from each generation, ranked from worst to best.
8 Gen VII: Baneful Bunker
Interestingly, Gen VII didn’t introduce any new damage-dealing Poison-type moves (except for game-exclusive Z-moves). Thus, Baneful Bunker is unique as the only status move included here—but that doesn’t mean it’s not useful.
The signature move of Toxapex, Baneful Bunker acts similarly to Protect, shielding the user from all affects of their opponent’s moves. Additionally, when blocking a move that makes contact, it poisons the attacker. In this way, Baneful Bunker plays double duty in a way that sets it slightly above other Poison-type status moves. However, it still ranks here as the only non-damaging move on this list.
7 Gen III: Poison Fang
With only 50 base power, Poison Fang is objectively the weakest move on this list that actually does damage. However, considering its 50% chance to badly poison the target, it’s not a move to be underestimated.
Bad poison, as opposed to regular old run-of-the-mill poison, doubles its damage with each turn. It’s the most severe status condition across the Pokémon games, and can often swing a fight in favor of those who use it against their opponents. For any Pokémon who can learn Poison Fang, it’s worth keeping for this effect.
6 Gen I: Sludge
At 65 base damage and 100% accuracy, Sludge is a solid attack. It also carries a 30% chance to poison the target, adding to its usefulness. With 20 PP, players can use this move repeatedly to fight their way to victory.
Most Pokémon who learn this move through level-up do so fairly early. This makes Sludge a great choice for players focusing on this type, as it gives their Pokémon a decent advantage. However, though 65 power is decent for a level 20 Pokémon, Sludge’s damage doesn’t measure up to the more powerful moves to come.
5 Gen II: Sludge Bomb
As the only Poison-type move that Gen II introduced, Sludge Bomb earns its place here by default; however, it’s not a move players should overlook. At 90 base damage and 100% accuracy, this attack also carries a 30% chance to poison the target.
A reliable attack with a fair number of uses at ten PP, Sludge Bomb is a move worth adding to a team’s repertoire. Furthermore, a huge pool of Pokémon can learn it via TM, including several non-Poison types. For any Pokémon team, Sludge Bomb is a great way to deal huge damage and cripple enemies.
4 Gen V: Sludge Wave
95 base power and 100% accuracy is a rare combination that makes for a powerful attack. Additionally, its 10% chance to poison means the potential for even more damage. Furthermore, with ten PP, it can be used enough times to sweep a full enemy team.
One drawback is that Sludge Wave automatically affects all adjacent Pokémon in double and triple battles, including allies. Avoid friendly fire by keeping this attack as a single battle favorite, because it has the power to knock out Pokémon on the player’s side if they’re not careful.
3 Gen VIII: Shell Side Arm
Galarian Slowbro’s signature move boasts 90 base power and 100% accuracy. Though its damage is slightly lower than the previous entry, its potential to poison is higher at 20%. Additionally, Shell Side Arm has a unique way of dealing damage.
While most Pokémon attacks automatically fall under either Physical or Special, Shell Side Arm first considers the stats of both the attacker and opponent. It determines which category will allow it to do more damage, and changes accordingly. Considering this feature, it has the potential to do greater damage than Sludge Wave, despite the latter’s slightly higher base power.
2 Gen IV: Gunk Shot
Few Poison-type moves have such a high base power. At 120 damage, Gunk Shot stands head and shoulders above the competition in terms of damage. However, it only has five PP and its accuracy stands at 80%, making it a little less reliable than some other moves here.
Despite this, Gunk Shot is still an incredibly valuable move not just for its brute strength, but also its 30% chance to poison its target. To ensure that it hits and doesn’t waste valuable PP, players might consider using accuracy-boosting items like an X Accuracy or the Wide Lens.
1 Gen VI: Belch
This move shares its base power with Gunk Shot, but boasts higher accuracy at 90%. It also has double the uses, with ten PP. There’s only one catch that comes with this powerful move: The user must first eat a Berry in order to use it.
However, this requirement is a cinch to meet. Simply have the belching Pokémon hold a Berry when entering a battle. Oran or Sitrus Berries, for example, are a great way to both regain HP and activate Belch. Once a Pokémon has chowed down, they can use this move for the rest of the battle, devastating opponents.
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