img

CARD INFORMATION

  • SUBTYPES:
    • Stage 1
  • HP: 120
  • TYPES:
    • Darkness
  • EVOLVES FROM: Mareanie
  • WEAKNESSES:
    • TYPE: Fighting
    • VALUE: ×2
  • RETREATCOST:
    • Colorless
    • Colorless
  • RETREAT COST: 2
  • RARITY: Uncommon
  • FLAVOR TEXT: To survive in the cold waters of Galar, this Pokémon forms a dome with its legs, enclosing its body so it can capture its own body heat.
  • REGULATIONMARK: F

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

  • NAME: Venoshock
  • COST:
    • Darkness
  • ENERGY COST: 1
  • DAMAGE: 10+
  • DETAILS: If your opponent's Active Pokémon is Poisoned, this attack does 120 more damage.
  • NAME: Spike Shot
  • COST:
    • Darkness
    • Colorless
    • Colorless
  • ENERGY COST: 3
  • DAMAGE: 90
  • DETAILS:

MARKET PRICES FOR TOXAPEX 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11
HIGH

4.99

USD
MID

0.11

USDTREND
LOW

0.05

USD

Check the latest prices on:
Tcgplayer
(link)
Cardmarket
(link)
Pokechange
(link)

Toxapex slithers into the competitive scene with a venomous twist that punishes poisoned opponents.

This Stage 1 Darkness-type Pokémon combines status condition synergy with respectable damage output, offering a specialized approach that rewards strategic poison setup.

Let's dissect how this toxic threat performs in today's metagame.




Offensive Score Image Offensive rating: 7/10

Toxapex's offensive capabilities revolve around its poisonous partnership potential.

Venoshock deals a modest 10 damage for just one Darkness energy, but skyrockets to 130 damage if the opponent's Active Pokémon is poisoned.

This conditional damage boost represents excellent energy efficiency when the condition is met.

However, this strength is also its weakness - without poison in play, Toxapex's primary attack becomes nearly useless.

The secondary Spike Shot attack delivers a consistent 90 damage for three energy, which is underwhelming by modern standards.

The lack of built-in poison application means Toxapex relies heavily on teammate support or prior setup to maximize its offensive potential.

When properly supported, Toxapex can deliver surprising knockout power, but its dependency on poison status significantly limits its standalone offensive rating.




Survival Score Image Survival rating: 4/10

With 120 HP, Toxapex sits in a precarious middle ground for a Stage 1 Pokémon - not frail enough to be knocked out by minimal effort, yet not robust enough to withstand focused attacks from modern powerhouses.

Its Fighting weakness is particularly problematic in formats where Fighting-type attackers are prevalent.

The two-energy retreat cost further hampers its survivability, making it difficult to pivot away when threatened.

Toxapex lacks any built-in defensive abilities or damage reduction effects, offering no protection beyond its base HP.

The card provides no healing mechanisms or ways to shrug off damage.

In the current high-damage meta where 130+ damage attacks are common, Toxapex will rarely survive more than a single hit from established attackers, making it a relatively fragile option that needs protection from support cards or careful bench management.




Versatility Score Image Versatility rating: 5/10

Toxapex's versatility is severely limited by its poison-dependent strategy.

In matchups where you can reliably poison opponents, it performs adequately, but this singular focus makes it predictable and easily countered.

The card lacks utility abilities that would allow it to contribute when not attacking, and its attacks don't offer secondary effects like energy manipulation, card draw, or board control.

It fits primarily into poison-focused archetypes rather than serving as a flexible tech option across multiple deck types.

The Dark typing does give it access to relevant support cards like Dark Patch for energy acceleration, but doesn't offset its narrow strategic lane.

Toxapex can't easily adapt to different situations or opponent strategies, functioning best when the game state aligns with its predetermined role.

This inflexibility significantly reduces its viability as a consistent tournament option in an ever-changing meta environment.




setup Score Image Speed/Setup rating: 4/10

As a Stage 1 Pokémon, Toxapex requires evolving from Mareanie, adding an inherent setup requirement that slows its battlefield impact.

The evolution line consumes valuable deck space and necessitates finding both pieces to function.

More critically, Toxapex demands additional setup through poison enablers to maximize its primary attack.

This dual setup requirement (evolution plus poison application) means Toxapex rarely hits full stride before turn 2 or 3.

Its energy requirements further complicate matters - while Venoshock is efficiently costed at one energy, you'll often want the three-energy Spike Shot as backup when poison isn't applicable.

Searching for Toxapex is straightforward with evolution-focused supporters, but the multi-faceted setup requirements significantly delay its effectiveness.

In a format where prize trades often begin on turn one or two, Toxapex's setup speed puts it at a competitive disadvantage against more streamlined attackers.




Toxapex desperately needs poison-enabling partners to maximize its potential.

Seviper from Astral Radiance makes an excellent teammate with its Poison Tail attack and Poison Barb ability, creating reliable poison conditions.

Crobat VMAX offers both poison application and additional damage modifiers.

Galarian Slowking V provides another poison-applying attacker that can set up Toxapex's big Venoshock turns.

Energy acceleration is also critical - Dark Patch can help power up Spike Shot more quickly, while Weavile from Silver Tempest provides Dark energy recovery.

Malamar from Rebel Clash with its Conniving Corruption ability can help cycle resources while maintaining pressure.

Roxanne disrupts opponents while you set up your poison strategy.

Cross Switcher allows you to pivot between your poison-applying Pokémon and Toxapex for maximum damage efficiency.

Consider including Capture Energy to streamline your evolution line setup.

Perfect Partners examples:

Seviper's Poison Barb ability automatically poisons the opponent's Active Pokémon between turns, perfectly setting up Toxapex's Venoshock for maximum damage without requiring an attack. This passive poison application allows you to immediately leverage Toxapex's damage boost as soon as it hits the field.

This card's Psychic Acceleration attack not only applies poison but also accelerates energy attachment, addressing two of Toxapex's core needs simultaneously. It creates perfect synergy by preparing both the poison condition and potentially speeding up energy for Toxapex's attacks.

Dark Patch accelerates Darkness energy attachment from the discard pile, helping Toxapex reach its three-energy Spike Shot attack more quickly when poison setup isn't available. This energy acceleration provides crucial consistency for Toxapex's backup attack strategy.




Toxapex embodies a specialized niche in the Pokémon TCG as a poison-punishing attacker that can deliver impressive damage when conditions align.

Its standout Venoshock attack transforms from underwhelming to overwhelming when facing poisoned opponents, representing excellent energy efficiency in the right circumstances.

However, this potential comes with significant limitations that keep it from top-tier consideration.

The card's dependency on poison status conditions creates an inherent inconsistency that tournament players must carefully address through deck construction.

Without reliable poison enablers like Seviper or Galarian Slowking V, Toxapex struggles to justify its place in a competitive deck.

Its modest HP, Fighting weakness, and lack of built-in defensive mechanisms further compound these challenges.

When building around Toxapex, prioritize a robust poison application strategy with multiple enablers to ensure consistency.

Include energy acceleration to power up the more reliable Spike Shot when poison isn't viable, and consider recovery options to reuse Toxapex after knockouts.

The card performs best in Dark-type decks already focused on status conditions rather than as a standalone attacker.

Ultimately, Toxapex represents a calculated risk in tournament play - potentially devastating when properly supported but vulnerable to disruption and inconsistency.

While it lacks the raw power and flexibility of premier attackers, it offers a unique strategic angle that can surprise unprepared opponents and punish those without status condition counters.

Consider it a specialized weapon in your competitive arsenal rather than a format-defining powerhouse.



POWER INDEX

logo

46

RELATED CARDS

Find your winning card:

move
sad pika Our free website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.

Not sure how to do it? Click here for instructions
Contact Us