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Whether Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl players are visiting Sinnoh for the first time or returning after many years, they will be on the lookout for strong Pokemon to add to their team. Poison-type Pokemon aren’t always the easiest to come by, but they can be extremely useful in battle with their effectiveness against Fairy and Grass-type Pokemon.
10 Vileplume
Vileplume is a great Pokemon that has nice stats overall. Its 110 Special Attack is a nice boost to most Pokemon teams and serves especially useful when fighting Grass-type opponents.
Vileplume’s lower evolutions, Oddish and Gloom, can be caught in the wild. Oddish can be found in tall grass on Route 229 and Route 230, and an already evolved Gloom can be caught on Route 224, Route 229, and Route 230. Both Pokemon can also be found in the game’s Grand Underground. Oddish will evolve into Gloom at level 21, and then will need a Leaf Stone to be evolved into Vileplume.
Vileplume’s Stats:
HP: 75
Attack: 80
Special Attack: 110
Defense: 85
Special Defense: 90
Speed: 50
Total: 490
9 Drapion
Drapion is a dual-type Poison and Dark Pokemon, giving it a helpful immunity to Psychic-type moves. This can be a great asset in battle, especially during the Elite Four’s Psychic-type trainer battle.
Drapion evolves from Skorupi, and both Pokemon can be found in tall grass in Great Marsh. Skorupi can also be found in the Grand Underground and will evolve into Drapion at level 40. This is a higher-level evolution, but players shouldn’t have a hard time leveling Skorupi up due to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl’sExp. Share being constantly active.
Drapion’s Stats:
HP: 70
Attack: 90
Special Attack: 60
Defense: 110
Special Defense: 75
Speed: 95
Total: 500
8 Gengar
Gengar is a Poison and Ghost dual-type Pokemon with two immunities, Fighting and Normal-type moves. Having multiple immunities sets Gengar apart from not only other Poison-type Pokemon but also Pokemon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl in general. With a 130 Special Attack stat that could rival even some of the legendaries in the game, Gengar is a great addition to any trainer’s team.
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Gengar evolves from Ghastly and Haunter. Ghastly can be found in the Lost Tower and Old Chateau and can be found in tall grass on Route 209. Haunter can be found in Turnback Cave. Ghastly will need to be level 25 to evolve into Haunter and then traded with another trainer to evolve into Gengar.
Gengar’s Stats:
HP: 60
Attack: 65
Special Attack: 130
Defense: 60
Special Defense: 75
Speed: 110
Total: 500
7 Muk
While none of Muk’s stats are overly impressive, none are overly disappointing either. Muk is a reliable Pokemon for players looking for a Poison-type attacker. Muk’s sole Poison-typing also gives it few weaknesses and a good amount of resistances.
Grimer, Muk’s pre-evolution, can be caught on Route 212 in tall grass once players have access to the Poke Radar. Grimer can also be caught in the Grand Underground and will evolve into Muk at level 38.
Muk’s Stats:
HP: 105
Attack: 105
Special Attack: 65
Defense: 75
Special Defense: 100
Speed: 50
Total: 500
6 Nidoqueen
Nidoqueen is the Poison and Ground-type “Drill Pokemon”. Nidoqueen’s dual-typing gives it a unique immunity to Electric-type moves, which comes in handy during the game’s final gym battle in Sunyshore City. Nidoqueen has access to a great move pool, with Poison, Fighting, Ground, and even Dark-type moves at its disposal, making it a versatile choice to fill the Poison-type hole in a trainer’s team.
To get Nidoqueen, players will need to catch a female Nidoran which can be found on Route 201 using the Poke Radar or in the Grand Underground. Nidoran will evolve into Nidorina at level 16 and will then require a Moon Stone to evolve into Nidoqueen.
Nidoqueen’s Stats:
HP: 90
Attack: 92
Special Attack: 75
Defense: 87
Special Defense: 85
Speed: 76
Total: 505
5 Nidoking
Nidoking is a Ground and Poison-type Pokemon with an immunity to Electric-type damage. Nidoking is more specialized in its attack when compared to its counterpart, Nidoqueen, which is both a weakness and a strength. With a 102 Attack and an 85 Special Attack, Nidoking can hold its own against opponents but may fall short in its defensive stats.
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To get ahold of Nidoking, players will need to first catch a male Nidoran which can be found on Route 201 using the Poke Radar. Nidoran will evolve into Nidorino at level 16, and will then require a Moon Stone to be evolved into Nidoking.
Nidoking’s Stats:
HP: 81
Attack: 102
Special Attack: 85
Defense: 77
Special Defense: 75
Speed: 85
Total: 505
4 Tentacruel
Tentacruel’s useful Water and Poison dual-typing gives it a long list of resistences and only three weaknesses (Electric, Ground, and Psychic-type moves). Tentacruel has a nice Speed, allowing the Pokemon to outpace many opponents in battle, and a Special Defense stat that isn’t bad either.
Tentacruel will evolve from its pre-evolution, Tentacool, at level 30. Tentacool can be found in many bodies of water around Sinnoh, though Tentacruel is just as common, being found on Route 205, Route 213, Route 218, Route 219, Route 220, Route 221, Route 222, and many others.
Tentacruel’s Stats:
HP: 80
Attack: 70
Special Attack: 80
Defense: 65
Special Defense: 120
Speed: 100
Total: 515
3 Roserade
Roserade is a Poison and Grass dual-type Pokemon. With a 125 Special Attack stat and access to a great move pool of strong Grass-type moves, Roserade is a useful Pokemon throughout the entire game.
Roserade evolves from Budew and Roselia. Roselia can be caught in tall grass on Route 212, Route 221, Route 224, Route 229, and in the Grand Underground. Budew will evolve into Roselia during the daytime with high friendship, and then will require a Shiny Stone to evolve into Roserade.
Roserade’s Stats:
HP: 60
Attack: 70
Special Attack: 125
Defense: 65
Special Defense: 105
Speed: 90
Total: 515
2 Venusaur
Venusaur, one of Pokemon’s iconic original starters, is not only a good Poison-type Pokemon but also one of the best Grass-types as well. None of Venusaur’s stats are bad and with its dual-typing of Grass and Poison comes useful resistances like Water, Electric, Fighting, Grass, and Fair-type resistance.
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Venusaur evolves from Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur is catchable in the Grand Underground and will evolve into Ivysaur at level 16 and Venusaur at level 32.
Venusaur’s Stats:
HP: 80
Attack: 82
Special Attack: 100
Defense: 83
Special Defense: 100
Speed: 80
Total: 525
1 Crobat
Crobat’s Poison and Flying dual-typing gives it an immunity to Ground-type moves, which is extremely useful throughout Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. This comes in especially valuable during the Elite Four’s Ground-type battle. Crobat also has an impressive 130 Speed stat allowing it to outpace most opponents in battle.
Crobat’s prior evolution, Zubat, can be caught easily throughout Sinnoh. Route 203, Route 204, Route 206, Route 207, Route 208, Route 209, Route 211, Route 216, and Route 217. Zubat will evolve into Golbat at level 22 and then Crobat with high friendship.
Crobat’s Stats:
HP: 85
Attack: 90
Special Attack: 70
Defense: 80
Special Defense: 80
Speed: 130
Total: 535
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are available for the Nintendo Switch.
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