Politoed's stats are solid on their own, but Drizzle is what pushes it over the line. It sets rain on switch-in. Only weak to Electric and Grass. A competitive option since Gen 2. It needs some investment to avoid getting outsped.
Politoed's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Def leads, Speed trails, 3 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 3 Sp. Def EVs, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
A group of Poliwag and Poliwhirl will form with a Politoed as the leader. Politoed’s cries make the Pokémon of the group obey.
Politoed Weakness
GoodType-wise, Politoed takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Politoed's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
Politoed is one of 2 ways Poliwhirl's chain can end. This one takes the trade route, while the siblings go different directions. Breed through Poliwag to get eggs. Poliwrath has 10 more total stats, but Politoed makes up for it with a stronger Sp.Def gain (+60 from Poliwag).
How to Evolve
Breed with Politoed to get Poliwag eggs easily using 114 partners from the Water1 egg group.
Nothing fancy here. Politoed builds around Damprock for extra utility, Calm nature for the right stat lean, and max HP and Sp. Def EVs. Drizzle does its job quietly.
Best Build
Best Politoed Moveset
- Protect
- Weather Ball
- Helping Hand
- Icy Wind
Recommended Teammates
TMs define Politoed's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Hydro Pump and Muddy Water, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Normal and Ice coverage and more. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The egg pool carries weight here. Bubble Beam and Encore aren't available any other way for Politoed, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Pump and Surf for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Endeavor and Haze aren't available any other way for Politoed, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Pump and Muddy Water for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Bubble Beam and Encore aren't available any other way for Politoed, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Pump and Surf for solid options.
Politoed isn't available in the wild in Scarlet & Violet. Start by transferring Poliwag from Red. The evolution path from Poliwag to Politoed is covered in the steps below.
Politoed's 3-stage chain starts with Poliwag, which appears at solid rates in the locations below. Level through 3 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
How to Obtain Politoed in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Poliwag is your first catch on the way to Politoed. You'll find walking, surfing, and more encounters from Lv. 10-63 across 34 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PoliwagEASYRoute 225Shining PearlGood RodLv.10-2535%EarlyRouteEASYRoute 225Brilliant DiamondGood RodLv.10-2535%EarlyRouteEASYRoute 227Brilliant DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-3030%MidRouteEASYRoute 227Shining PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-3030%MidRouteEASYRoute 228Brilliant DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-3030%MidRouteEASYRoute 228Shining PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-3030%MidRouteFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve PoliwhirlEASYRoute 225Brilliant DiamondSuper RodLv.30-5535%MidRouteEASYRoute 225Shining PearlSuper RodLv.30-5535%MidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 227Brilliant DiamondSurfing on waterLv.40-5570%LateRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 227Shining PearlSurfing on waterLv.40-5570%LateRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 228Brilliant DiamondSurfing on waterLv.40-5570%LateRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 228Shining PearlSurfing on waterLv.40-5570%LateRouteEASYRoute 225Brilliant DiamondSurfing on waterLv.40-5030%LateRouteEASYRoute 225Shining PearlSurfing on waterLv.40-5030%LateRouteFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameor evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Step 3Politoed ✓
The chain to Politoed requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Poliwag at solid rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
How to Obtain Politoed in Sword & Shield
To get Politoed, start by catching Poliwag through walking and surfing encounters at Lv. 13-45. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PoliwagEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveNormal WeatherEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveSnowingEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveRainingEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveOvercastEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveNormal WeatherEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveThunderstormEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveIntense SunEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveSnowingEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveRainingEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveThunderstormEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveOvercastEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveIntense SunEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4550%LateCaveAll WeatherEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4550%LateCaveAll Weather
Step 2Evolve into Poliwhirl
Step 3Politoed ✓
The chain to Politoed requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Poliwag at solid rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Politoed in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
To get Politoed, start by catching Poliwag through walking and surfing encounters at Lv. 14-28. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PoliwagEASYBrooklet Hill - NorthUltra MoonSurfing on waterLv.14-1740%EarlyEASYBrooklet Hill - NorthUltra SunSurfing on waterLv.14-1740%EarlyEASYBrooklet Hill - SouthUltra SunSurfing on waterLv.14-1740%EarlyEASYBrooklet Hill - SouthUltra MoonSurfing on waterLv.14-1740%EarlyEASYBrooklet Hill - NorthUltra MoonGrassLv.14-1720%EarlyEASYBrooklet Hill - NorthUltra SunGrassLv.14-1720%EarlyEASYBrooklet Hill - SouthUltra SunGrassLv.14-1720%EarlyEASYBrooklet Hill - SouthUltra MoonGrassLv.14-1720%Early
Step 2Catch or Evolve PoliwhirlEASYMalie GardenUltra MoonGrassLv.25-2820%MidForestEASYMalie GardenUltra SunGrassLv.25-2820%MidForestMODERATEMalie GardenUltra MoonGrassLv.25-2810%MidForestSOS chain (rain)MODERATEMalie GardenUltra SunGrassLv.25-2810%MidForestSOS chain (rain)or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Step 3Politoed ✓HARDMalie GardenUltra SunGrassLv.25-281%MidForestNightSOS chain (rain)HARDMalie GardenUltra MoonGrassLv.25-281%MidForestNightSOS chain (rain)or evolve from Poliwhirl (Step 2)
Don't let Politoed's 500 base stat total fool you. Drizzle is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier.
Run Drizzle on Politoed. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Politoed also gets Water Absorb and Damp, but they don't compare.
Politoed fills the balanced role. It's leaning toward the special side (base 90 Sp. Atk). Base 70 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Politoed appears in 17 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Politoed has been available in 17 games since Gold & Silver, though obtaining it requires a trade evolution. This extra step makes it less common than Pokemon found through standard wild encounters.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A