Playthrough tier listRuby & Sapphire

Best Poison Pokémon in Ruby & Sapphire

Hoenn has no Poison gym leader. Tentacool bites the Old Rod after the first badge, and Roselia and Gulpin follow after the second. We graded 17 Poison Pokémon you can get in Ruby & Sapphire, S to D, for beating the game. Tentacruel leads.

17gradedOct 18, 2026updated
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  • Trade-in
  • Sapphire only
STop0 PokémonCarries a Ruby & Sapphire run against most of the bosses
No Pokémon is graded S right now.
AStrong6 PokémonA strong pick for most of the gameClick any Pokémon for its gradeTap a card for its grade
TentacruelTentacruel
GengarGengarTrade-in only
VenusaurVenusaurTrade-in only
VictreebelVictreebelTrade-in only
QwilfishQwilfishTrade-in only
NidokingNidokingTrade-in only
Click any Pokémon for its gradeTap a card for its grade
BSolid3 PokémonDoes the job with some help
RoseliaRoselia
CrobatCrobat
NidoqueenNidoqueenTrade-in only
CSituational9 PokémonStruggles against several bosses
VileplumeVileplume
SeviperSeviperSapphire only
SwalotSwalot
MukMuk
TentacoolTentacool
HaunterHaunterTrade-in only
IvysaurIvysaurTrade-in only
WeepinbellWeepinbellTrade-in only
NidorinoNidorinoTrade-in only
DBottom24 PokémonHard to use for beating the game
WeezingWeezing
DustoxDustox
GolbatGolbat
ZubatZubat
GloomGloom
OddishOddish
GulpinGulpin
GrimerGrimer
KoffingKoffing
VenomothVenomothTrade-in only
ArbokArbokTrade-in only
BeedrillBeedrillTrade-in only
AriadosAriadosTrade-in only
GastlyGastlyTrade-in only
BulbasaurBulbasaurTrade-in only
BellsproutBellsproutTrade-in only
Nidoran♂Nidoran♂Trade-in only
NidorinaNidorinaTrade-in only
Nidoran♀Nidoran♀Trade-in only
VenonatVenonatTrade-in only
EkansEkansTrade-in only
KakunaKakunaTrade-in only
WeedleWeedleTrade-in only
SpinarakSpinarakTrade-in only

What each tier means

  • STop Carries a Ruby & Sapphire run against most of the bosses
  • AStrong A strong pick for most of the game
  • BSolid Does the job with some help
  • CSituational Struggles against several bosses
  • DBottom Hard to use for beating the game
2 reads blended into one listreblend in Showing42 17 in Ruby & Sapphire + 25 trade-ins

Board breakdown

This breakdown rates each Poison Pokémon you can get against all 13 Ruby & Sapphire gym leader, Elite Four and Champion fights, from Roxanne to Steven. Swalot does well in 6 of them, 5 fights have no Poison answer, and the versions differ in 4 fights.

Swalot against Tentacruel: which Poison pick should you train?

Raise Swalot, the Poison Pokemon that does well in 6 of 13 fights, starting with Flannery.

Tentacruel sits higher on the board and Tentacool comes sooner, after badge 1, yet Swalot helps in 1 more fight.

Each row is one Poison pick and its 13 boxes are the fights in order. A filled box means it does well there: Swalot has 6, first at Flannery.

Gym 1, RoxanneGym 2, BrawlyGym 3, WattsonGym 4, FlanneryGym 5, NormanGym 6, WinonaGym 7, Tate & LizaGym 8, WallaceElite Four, SidneyElite Four, PhoebeElite Four, GlaciaElite Four, DrakeChampion, Steven
  • SwalotGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: has troubleGym 4 Flannery: does wellGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: does wellGym 7 Tate & Liza: has troubleGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: has troubleGlacia: does wellDrake: does wellSteven: has troubleAfter badge 2GulpinRoute 11015% of encounters#095GulpinLevel 26#096Swalotfinal form by Flannery
    Not yet: Roxanne, BrawlyDoes wellFlanneryWinonaWallaceSidneyGlaciaDrakeHas troubleWattson, Tate & Liza, Phoebe, StevenNo clear edgeNorman
  • TentacruelGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: no clear edgeGym 3 Wattson: has troubleGym 4 Flannery: does wellGym 5 Norman: has troubleGym 6 Winona: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: does wellGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: does wellSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 1TentacoolRoute 103Old Rod30% of encounters#066TentacoolLevel 30#067Tentacruelfinal form by Winona
    Not yet: RoxanneDoes wellFlanneryTate & LizaWallaceSidneyDrakeHas troubleWattson, NormanNo clear edgeBrawly, Winona, Phoebe, Glacia, Steven
  • RoseliaGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: no clear edgeGym 4 Flannery: no clear edgeGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: has troubleGym 7 Tate & Liza: does wellGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: has troubleSteven: has troubleAfter badge 2Route 11730% of encounters
    Not yet: Roxanne, BrawlyDoes wellTate & LizaWallaceSidneyGlaciaHas troubleWinona, Drake, StevenNo clear edgeWattson, Flannery, Norman, Phoebe
  • CrobatGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: no clear edgeGym 3 Wattson: has troubleGym 4 Flannery: does wellGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: has troubleGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 1ZubatGranite Cave 1F30% of encounters#063ZubatLevel 22#064GolbatFriendship#065Crobat
    Not yet: RoxanneDoes wellFlanneryWallaceSidneyGlaciaHas troubleWattson, Tate & LizaNo clear edgeBrawly, Norman, Winona, Phoebe, Drake, Steven
  • VileplumeGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: not on your team yetGym 4 Flannery: not on your team yetGym 5 Norman: not on your team yetGym 6 Winona: has troubleGym 7 Tate & Liza: does wellGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeSteven: no clear edgeVileplume after badge 5OddishAfter badge 2Route 11010% of encounters#088OddishLevel 21#089GloomLeaf Stone#090VileplumeLeaf Stone on Route 119
    Not yet: Roxanne to NormanDoes wellTate & LizaWallaceSidneyGlaciaHas troubleWinonaNo clear edgePhoebe, Drake, Steven
NextSeviper 4Muk 3Dustox 3

Best pair

Swalot + Tentacruel7/13 togetherall Poison picks: 8

On the road from Roxanne to Steven, which fights leave Poison with no answer?

You will need another type for Roxanne, Wattson, Norman, Phoebe and Steven.

One row per fight, Roxanne to Steven, with the best Poison pick you can have by then. Tap a fight for its team and every pick. First with none: Roxanne.

Gyms

  1. Has trouble: Dustox

    Team

    1. GeodudeLv 14RockGround
    2. NosepassLv 15RockAce

    Has trouble (1)Dustox

    Full fight

  2. Dustox

    Team

    1. MachopLv 17Fighting
    2. MakuhitaLv 18FightingAce

    Does well (1)DustoxMoves: Gust

    No clear edge (2)Tentacruelas TentacoolCrobatas Zubat

    Full fight

  3. Closest: Roselia

    Team

    1. MagnemiteLv 22ElectricSteel
    2. VoltorbLv 20Electric
    3. MagnetonLv 23ElectricSteelAce

    No clear edge (1)Roselia

    Has trouble (4)Swalotas GulpinTentacruelas TentacoolCrobatas ZubatDustox

    Full fight

  4. Tentacruelas TentacoolRuby +3 moreSapphire +4 more

    Team

    1. SlugmaLv 26Fire
    2. SlugmaLv 26Fire
    3. TorkoalLv 28FireAce

    Does well (5)Tentacruelas TentacoolMoves: Bubble BeamSeviperSapphire onlyMoves: DigSwalotMoves: Sludge BombMukas GrimerMoves: DigCrobatMoves: Wing Attack

    No clear edge (3)Weezingas KoffingDustoxRoselia

    Full fight

  5. Closest: Swalot

    Team

    1. SlakingLv 28Normal
    2. VigorothLv 30Normal
    3. SlakingLv 31NormalAce

    No clear edge (5)SwalotSeviperSapphire onlyRoseliaCrobatWeezingas Koffing

    Has trouble (3)Tentacruelas TentacoolMukas GrimerDustox

    Full fight

  6. Swalot

    Team

    1. SwellowLv 31NormalFlying
    2. PelipperLv 30WaterFlying
    3. SkarmoryLv 32SteelFlying
    4. AltariaLv 33DragonFlyingAce

    Does well (1)SwalotMoves: Shock Wave and Ice Beam

    No clear edge (5)TentacruelWeezingas KoffingSeviperSapphire onlyMukas GrimerCrobat

    Has trouble (3)RoseliaVileplumeDustox

    Full fight

  7. Tentacruel+2 more

    Team

    1. LunatoneLv 42RockPsychicAce
    2. SolrockLv 42RockPsychic

    Does well (3)TentacruelMoves: SurfRoseliaMoves: Solar BeamVileplumeMoves: Solar Beam

    No clear edge (1)Dustox

    Has trouble (5)SwalotCrobatSeviperSapphire onlyMukWeezing

    Full fight

  8. TentacruelRuby +5 moreSapphire +6 more

    Team

    1. LuvdiscLv 40Water
    2. WhiscashLv 42WaterGround
    3. SealeoLv 40IceWater
    4. SeakingLv 42Water
    5. MiloticLv 43WaterAce

    Does well (7)TentacruelMoves: Giga DrainVileplumeMoves: Solar BeamRoseliaMoves: Solar BeamCrobatMoves: Giga DrainDustoxMoves: Solar BeamSwalotMoves: Shock Wave and Solar BeamSeviperSapphire onlyMoves: Giga Drain and Rock Smash

    No clear edge (2)WeezingMuk

    Full fight

League

  1. TentacruelRuby +7 moreSapphire +8 more

    Team

    1. MightyenaLv 46Dark
    2. ShiftryLv 48GrassDark
    3. CacturneLv 46GrassDark
    4. SharpedoLv 48WaterDark
    5. AbsolLv 49DarkAce

    Does well (9)TentacruelMoves: Sludge Bomb and Giga DrainCrobatMoves: Leech LifeMukMoves: Focus Punch, Sludge Bomb and ThunderSwalotMoves: Rock Smash, Sludge Bomb and Shock WaveDustoxMoves: Silver WindSeviperSapphire onlyMoves: Rock Smash and Sludge BombVileplumeMoves: Petal Dance and Sludge BombWeezingMoves: Sludge Bomb and ThunderRoseliaMoves: Solar Beam and Sludge Bomb

    Full fight

  2. Closest: Tentacruel

    Team

    1. DusclopsLv 48Ghost
    2. BanetteLv 49Ghost
    3. SableyeLv 50DarkGhost
    4. BanetteLv 49Ghost
    5. DusclopsLv 51GhostAce

    No clear edge (4)TentacruelCrobatRoseliaVileplume

    Has trouble (5)SwalotSeviperSapphire onlyMukDustoxWeezing

    Full fight

  3. CrobatRuby +5 moreSapphire +6 more

    Team

    1. GlalieLv 50Ice
    2. SealeoLv 50IceWater
    3. SealeoLv 52IceWater
    4. GlalieLv 52Ice
    5. WalreinLv 53IceWaterAce

    Does well (7)CrobatMoves: Steel Wing and Giga DrainRoseliaMoves: Petal DanceVileplumeMoves: Petal DanceMukMoves: Focus Punch and ThunderWeezingMoves: Fire Blast and ThunderSwalotMoves: Rock Smash and Shock WaveSeviperSapphire onlyMoves: Rock Smash

    No clear edge (2)TentacruelDustox

    Full fight

  4. Tentacruel+1 more

    Team

    1. ShelgonLv 52Dragon
    2. AltariaLv 54DragonFlying
    3. FlygonLv 53GroundDragon
    4. FlygonLv 53GroundDragon
    5. SalamenceLv 55DragonFlyingAce

    Does well (2)TentacruelMoves: BlizzardSwalotMoves: Ice Beam

    No clear edge (5)CrobatMukSeviperSapphire onlyVileplumeWeezing

    Has trouble (2)RoseliaDustox

    Full fight

  5. Closest: Tentacruel

    Team

    1. SkarmoryLv 57SteelFlying
    2. ClaydolLv 55GroundPsychic
    3. AggronLv 56SteelRock
    4. CradilyLv 56RockGrass
    5. ArmaldoLv 56RockBug
    6. MetagrossLv 58SteelPsychicAce

    No clear edge (4)TentacruelSeviperSapphire onlyCrobatVileplume

    Has trouble (5)SwalotRoseliaMukDustoxWeezing

    Full fight

What do Seviper and move stats mean for a Poison team?

Seviper is Sapphire only, which leaves Ruby with one answer fewer in 4 fights; each of them still has 4 or more Poison answers.

For Roselia and Vileplume, Grass moves use Sp. Atk, their higher stat, so they keep full power.

Each card is one thing that can change a Poison team before you commit: the two versions and move stats.

  • 4 fights where versions differ
    RubySapphire
    Only hereSeviper
    Same open fights in both versions
  • Poison moves use Attack
    • RoseliaAttack 60, used by Poison movesSp. Atk 100, used by Grass moves
    • VileplumeAttack 80, used by Poison movesSp. Atk 100, used by Grass moves
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