Competitive Pokemon players who participate in the Pokemon Video Game Championships (VGC) use strategies surrounding Weather Conditions, Pokemon stats, and Status Conditions. Poison-type Pokemon fall into this last category, as many have moves that inflict Poison. For Fairy and Grass-types, Poison can break them down quickly, even though there are many dual Grass/Poison-types in the series.

Related: Pokemon VGC: Held Item Guide

Poison-type Pokemon have pretty few resistances, so they aren't too bad defensively. A massive perk from them is whenever a Poison-type switches onto the field and wipes out the Toxic Spike entry hazard. Some of the best competitive Poison-types in Pokemon also bypass all accuracy checks on the move Toxic.

Updated July 3, by Taylor Pittman:Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced many new Pokemon, moves, abilities, and evolution forms. Poison-type Pokemon weren't forgotten in the roster, with some making an appearance in the competitive realm.

There has also been an increase in dual-type variants featuring Poison-type Pokemon, giving them more versatility outside support roles and status conditions. This guide has been updated to include more of the best competitive Poison-type Pokemon from Generation 9.

8 Grafaiai

Grafaiai is a dual Poison/Normal type Pokemon from Generation 9. It was originally revealed before Pokemon Scarlet and Violet dropped, and its popularity has remained relevant in competitive settings. Its already bolstered Speed can be boosted with its ability Unburden, which doubles the user's Speed after it uses or loses a held item. An alternative option is to run it with the ability Poison Touch for a 30% chance of poisonings opponents if Grafaiai is hit with a physical move.

As with most Poison-types, taking advantage of Grafaiai's status moves is the best strategy. Since the 'mon is so fast, most targets are unable to avoid its poisonous hits. Grafaiai's signature move Doodle can make it a wild card by switching it and its ally's abilities to match the targeted Pokemon's. This creates an interesting dynamic on the field that opponents may not have prepared for.

7 Clodsire

Clodsire is a Paldean regional variant evolved from Wooper, introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. The Pokemon can be a triple threat coverage-wise with Poison, Ground, and Water-type moves in its arsenal. However, Clodsire is notoriously slow and works better as a Wall on most teams, even with speed-boosting items. A high HP and decent Defense means it can soak up damage for a little while to give any allies a chance to move.

Clodsire can set up an entry hazard with Toxic Spikes or trigger a sandstorm with the Rock-type move of the same name. This can almost guarantee passive damage from their opponents. Alternatively, players could have Clodsire use Rain Dance if they're using a Rain team.

6 Revavroom

Revavroom is a unique Generation 9 Pokemon that evolves from Varoom. It's a dual Steel/Poison type Pokemon that features in the games as a Team Star companion. Despite its 4X weakness to Ground-type, competitive players can still get some use out of its high Attack stat. Especially with the move Magnet Rise, which makes it immune to Ground-type moves for five turns.

Players can also use Revavroom's move Shift Gear to increase its Speed and Attack. This works well with its powerful signature attack, Spin Out, which knocks its Speed down by two stages with each use. Revavroom is resistant to and super effective against several popular offensive types, such as Grass and Fairy. Players can stretch its time on the field to pull in more damage by pairing it with a strong support Pokemon.

5 Weezing

Weezing is a Generation 1 Poison-type Pokemon. It has an excellent Defense stat and is equipped with many support moves. Players can use it for passive damage from Toxic or the move Haze for more widespread use. Haze removes all stat-changing effects on the field, so it can seriously hinder Screen users. Weezing can also set up Toxic Spikes against opponents while protecting its allies from the same thing.

Related: Pokemon VGC: The Best Normal-types For Competitive Battle

Offensively, it does have some good Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB) moves in its arsenal. Sludge Wave, Sludge Bomb, and Venoshock all pack a punch and have a chance of Poisoning targets. It's also got some worthwhile type coverage options like Fire Blast and Thunderbolt. Nonetheless, it works well as a poisonous wall on lots of teams.

4 Toxicroak

Toxicroak is the less popular evolved form of Croagunk - who's a charming face seen in the Pokemon Series. However, stat-wise and competitively, Toxicroak far exceeds its predecessor. Due to it being a Fighting-type, it's got a high Attack stat, which means that many of its best moves are going to be Physical. An example of this is Close Combat or Revenge.

It also has the standard Toxic, Sludge Bomb, and Belch set as a Poison-type. However, Belch only works if the user has previously eaten a Berry in the same battle and has lower accuracy. Even so, its power level of 120 means the risk will hugely pay off. In addition, Toxicroak has some Ground-type options to take on Fire and Steel-types.

3 Toxtricity

Toxtricity is a unique mix of Electric and Poison introduced in Generation 8. It has two forms, Amped or Low Key, which differ in both appearance and moveset. Its Amped form learns the non-damaging move Shift Gear, which raises its Attack and Speed. On the other hand, its Low Key form can learn Magnetic Flux, which increases the user's Defense and Sp. Def as well as an ally, usually Steel or Electric, with the ability Plus or Minus.

Toxtricity's Sp. Atk is deadly with moves like Over Drive, Boom Burst, and Belch. It is something of a Sweeper, but its Speed is slightly lacking. However, any supportive allies that can redirect moves to them or even stall opponents will alleviate this problem, and it can use its Electric and Poison STAB moves.

2 Toxapex

Toxapex was introduced in Generation 7. The dual Poison/Water-type has good Defensive stats, so opponents can expect a challenge when trying to eliminate it from the field. Its recovery options include the ability Regenerator, the move Recover, or the Held Item Black Sludge. Toxapex is not meant to be an offensive tool, but it has many support passive damage options like Toxic and Baneful Bunker. It can also set up Toxic Spikes, so switching onto the field against it is dangerous.

Its best STAB moves are Scald and Sludge Wave, if not just for the potential Status Condition they might leave behind, so not all hope is lost if it manages to end up as the last Pokemon on the field. Players do have some Ice-type moves they could use as well if it is given a chance, which could help against Dragon or Ground-type opponents.

1 Gengar

Gengar is a dual Ghost/Poison-type Pokemon. It is often used as a Glass Cannon in competitive play because of its high Speed and Sp. Atk stats. It also has an immunity to Normal and Fighting-type Pokemon, which helps with its lack of defense. Likewise, its Levitate ability protects it from entry hazards and Ground-type moves.

Players can use its Speed to set up a defensive field with moves like Will-O-Wisp and Disable for slower allies. Alternatively, Gengar often finds itself taking the offensive front. Its STAB options, Shadow Ball and Sludge Wave are hard to survive, and it has potentially good type coverage moves from TMs.

More: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Leaker First Poison/Steel-Type Ever