What is a "toxic" Pokémon?
A "toxic Pokémon" refers to a Pokémon that makes exceptional use of the move "Toxic" as a central battle strategy. By badly poisoning opponents with Toxic, these Pokémon aim to gradually weaken and debilitate foes, winning drawn-out wars of attrition. Their mastery of this hazardous battle technique earned them the "toxic" namesake.
How does Toxic work?
Toxic inflicts the "badly poisoned" status on its target. This recurrs damage each turn with a deadly twist – the damage accumulates and increases by 50% every turn in a geometric progression!
| Turn | Damage Taken |
|---|---|
| 1 | 15 HP |
| 2 | 22 HP |
| 3 | 33 HP |
As illustrated, toxic damage starts small but escalates rapidly. After just 7 turns, even tanky Pokémon with massive health can be fainted from full HP!
This recurring damage lets "toxic Pokémon" win gradual wars of attrition – while opponents are worn down turn after turn, the user can heal, boost stats, or pivot around Toxic casualties. It‘s a highly effective WAY to defeat defensive teams designed to weather attacks through raw bulk, recovery, and stat boosts.
Toxic versus regular poison
Unlike regular poisoning where damage is a fixed 5/16 of max HP, Toxic‘s increasing damage outpaces this over time. Against high HP targets, this difference is even more pronounced:
Toxic also never misses when used by Poison types, compared to moves like Poison Gas which can be unreliable. However, regular poisoning persists when Pokémon switch out while Toxic‘s counter resets.
Strengths and weaknesses
- High damage over time – The core strength of toxic strategies
- Bypasses accuracy checks – 100% hit rate for Poison types
- Countered by Clerics – Heal Bell and Aromatherapy ruin toxic‘s ramp
- Walled by immunities – Psychic and Grounds can ignore it
Notable toxic Pokémon
Here are some prime examples of Pokémon that leverage Toxic superbly thanks to their abilities, stats spreads, or playstyles:
Venusaur
As a Poison type, Venusaur‘s Toxic will never miss. With Leech Seed support also chipping away, it breaks through physical and special walls alike. Its Mega Evolution further enhances bulk to toxic stall.
Toxapex
Toxapex tops usage statistics as the premiere toxic user. With Merciless preventing foes from healing, and Regenerator letting it repeatedly switch in, it spreads unlimited toxins. Baneful Bunker gives Toxapex protection as it poisons teams.
Nidoking
Nidoking‘s huge power and wide coverage open opportunities to set up Toxic. It switches moves with Sheer Force but has enough bulk to pivot between attacks, inflicting poison when the time is right.
Prevalence across metagames over time
Toxic has remained one of the most popular competitive moves for over a decade. As of Gen 8 Ubers, it sports a stellar 67.3% usage rate, only trailing Stealth Rock for the top move. Across all tiers, generations, and Smogon metagames, toxic consistently sees usage on over half of eligible Pokémon.
Despite a controversial history with stalling strategies, GameFreak has preserved its niche as battles of attrition remain an enduring playstyle. Its steadfast viability cements toxic‘s status as a cornerstone strategy.
Cultural perceptions and controversies
The combination of toxic and stalling leads to a slow playstyle that some condemn as boring or unfair. Getting worn down turn after turn leaves some players feeling helpless.
This lingering stigma created the "toxic" moniker and associations with excessive poison. Memes mock Salazzle and Toxapex for mercilessly spreading poison until the battle timer runs out. Nonetheless, mastering tempo and counterplay against toxics remains an important skill.
In Gen 5, Team Preview allowing poison immunity scouting made Toxic even more ubiquitous. Some fans argued this increased passive damage and facilitated stall teams excessively. Smogon has tested complex bans like limiting Toxic users while GameFreak continues monitoring its popularity.
The move Toxic, and the Pokémon who employ it with devastating efficacy, have rightfully earned notoriety and the "toxic" namesake through their poisonous battling. By crippling foes with creeping damage that cascades over time, toxic Pokémon demonstrate master class technique – either triumph through stealthy attrition, or perish infamouslydespised. Will you embrace the toxin, or desperately search an antidote?
