Special Conditions + Retreating

[Formula Nine]

Is it possible for a Benched Pokemon to have a Special Condition?

In this case, Cacturne targeting a Benched Pokemon and poisoning them with his Poke Power?

Are things like Switch and Warp Point considered a retreat? Say my opponent's active is put to sleep, and they use a Switch or Warp Point. Is this legal?

 

[PokePop]

1. No. Special Conditions can only exist in the Active Position.

2. No.

3. They don't use up your one Retreat that is allowed per turn. Going to the Bench by any means removes all Conditions.

 

[bulbasnore]

The term "Defending Pokemon" in Cacturne's Poison Structure always refers to your opponent's active Pokemon. It says "one of" because you may be playing in 2 vs. 2 battle, where there are two actives. There has never been a "special condition" that could be applied to the bench, but there are some persistent effects that can apply to benched Pokemon, like Gardevoir ex ∂ Imprison, but these are not "special conditions".

Short answers:

No special conditions for Benched Pokemon.
Cacturne can only apply its power to (one of) your opponent's active Pokemon.
Switch & Warp are most definitely NOT retreating, but going to the Bench always clears special conditions.

Hope that helps.