Special
Balanced
500High
70Moderate
BTier

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.

Base Stats
500High
HP90
B
Attack75
C
Defense75
C
Sp. Atk90
B
Sp. Def100
B
Speed70
C
Total500
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Politoed yields +3 SpD
HPAtkDefSpASpD+3Spe
Details
Catch45Challenging•Medium Slow1.06M XP•1.1m / 3'07"•33.9kg / 74.7 lbs•225Base XP
Pokedex Entries

It gathers groups of others as their leader. Its cries make Poliwag obey.

Black / White

Politoed Weakness

Good

Type-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.

Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
ElectricGrass
½xResisti
FireWaterIceSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
Water
STAB (3)i
FireGroundRock
2Weak
4Resist
1Immune
Scorei0
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Water AbsorbAbsorbs water moves, healing for 1/4 max HP.
DampPrevents self destruct, explosion, and aftermath from working while the Pokémon is in battle.
DrizzleHASummons rain that lasts indefinitely upon entering battle.
Water Absorb grants Water immunity

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

4 Forms
Poliwag
#060Poliwag
25
Level 25
Poliwhirl
#061Poliwhirl
Poliwrath
#062PoliwrathWater Stone
Politoed
#186PolitoedTrade + Kings Rock
Stat Comparison 4 Stages
Poliwag
Water
Poliwhirl
Water
Poliwrath
WaterFighting
Politoed
Water
HP
40
65+25
90+25
90+25
ATK
50
65+15
95+30
75+10
DEF
40
65+25
95+30
75+10
SP.ATK
40
50+10
70+20
90+40
SP.DEF
40
50+10
90+40
100+50
SPE
90
90
70-20
70-20
BST
300D-Tier
385D-Tier+85
510C-Tier+125
500B-Tier+115
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Physical
Mixed
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed with Politoed to get Poliwag eggs easily using 78 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 10 more.

Egg Groups
Water1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
13moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolodewgongcrawdaunt
12 of 78·

This is a pure walling set. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn so Politoed sticks around, and the Bold nature reinforces physical wall. The moveset handles sustain while Drizzle does work passively.

Best Build

Wall
Ability
Drizzle
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Bold+DEF
EVs

Best Politoed Moveset

  • ScaldSTAB
  • EncoreUtility
  • ProtectFAST +4
  • ToxicUtility

Recommended Teammates

Ferrothorn
FerrothornGood
Keldeo
KeldeoDecent

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.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Lv 1
Double Slap
158510Normal
Lv 1
Hypnosis
—6020Psychic
Lv 1
Perish Song
——5Normal
Lv 27
Swagger
—9015Normal
Lv 37
Bounce
85855Flying
Lv 48
Hyper Voice
9010010Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TM78
Bulldoze
6010020Ground
TM28
Dig
8010010Ground
HM06
Dive
8010010Water
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
10010010Ground
TM49
Echoed Voice
4010015Normal
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM56
Fling
—10010Dark
TM52
Focus Blast
120705Fighting
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM07
Hail
——10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9510010Ice
TM66
Payback
5010010Dark
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM94
Rock Smash
4010015Fighting
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM55
Scald
8010015Water
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
——10Normal
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM87
Swagger
—9015Normal
TM46
Thief
6010010Dark
TM06
Toxic
—9010Poison
HM05
Waterfall
8010015Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Encore
—1005Normal
Egg
Endeavor
—1005Normal
Egg
Endure+4
——10Normal
Egg
Haze
——30Ice
Egg
Ice Ball
309020Ice
Egg
Mind Reader
——5Normal
Egg
Mist
——30Ice
Egg
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Egg
Refresh
——20Normal
Egg
Splash
——40Normal
Egg
Water Pulse
6010020Water
Egg
Water Sport
——15Water

Tutor Moves

Politoed can't learn any Tutor moves

Reminder Moves

Src
Rem
Belly Drum
——10Normal
Rem
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Rem
Bubble
2010030Water
Rem
Hydro Pump
120805Water
Rem
Mud Bomb
658510Ground
Rem
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Rem
Rain Dance
——5Water
Rem
Wake-Up Slap
6010010Fighting
Rem
Water Gun
4010025Water
Rem
Water Sport
——15Water

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 4
Captivate
—10020Normal
Gen 3
Counter-5
—10020Fighting
Gen 3
Defense Curl
——40Normal
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 3
Dynamic Punch
100505Fighting
Gen 4
Focus Punch-3
15010020Fighting
Gen 4
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Gen 3
Mega Kick
120755Normal
Gen 3
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Gen 3
Metronome
——10Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
——10Normal
Gen 4
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
Gen 4
Natural Gift
—10015Normal
Gen 4
Secret Power
7010020Normal
Gen 3
Seismic Toss
—10020Fighting
Gen 4
Whirlpool
358515Water

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.

Trade Evolution Required — Requires trading with another player

Where To Catch Politoed in Black & White

Poliwag is your first catch on the way to Politoed. You'll find fishing encounters from Lv. 35-70 across 50 total spots in the chain.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
    EASY
    Route 6
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
    EASY
    Route 6
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
    EASY
    Victory Road - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Victory Road - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Victory Road - 3F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Victory Road - 3F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Route 6
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Route 6
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Victory Road - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Victory Road - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Victory Road - 3F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Victory Road - 3F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateIceAny
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateIceAny
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateIceAny
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateIceAny
    EXTREME
    Route 6
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateRouteAny
    EXTREME
    Route 6
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateRouteAny
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 3F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 3F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
  3. Politoed
    Step 3Politoed ✓
    Route 6
    WhiteSuper RodLv.45-70RareLateRouteAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Route 6
    BlackSuper RodLv.45-70RareLateRouteAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    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.

  • Politoed's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric) and Exeggutor (Grass), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Poliwhirl evolves into Politoed while holding a Kings Rock. Politoed is the final evolution in a 4-stage line starting from Poliwag. At 500 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.

  • 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 a special attacker with 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.