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.
It gathers groups of others as their leader. Its cries make Poliwag 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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 10 more.
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
Best Politoed Moveset
- Scald
- Encore
- Protect
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
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
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
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.
Where To Catch Politoed in Black 2 & White 2
Poliwag is your first catch on the way to Politoed. You'll find fishing encounters from Lv. 40-70 across 80 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PoliwagEASYFloccesy RanchWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateFacilityAnyEASYFloccesy RanchBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateFacilityAnyEASYGiant Chasm - CaveWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateIceAnyEASYGiant Chasm - CaveBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateIceAnyEASYGiant Chasm - Inner CaveWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateIceAnyEASYGiant Chasm - Inner CaveBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateIceAnyEASYLostlorn ForestWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateForestAnyEASYLostlorn ForestBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateForestAnyEASYRelic Passage - Room 2Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyEASYRelic Passage - Room 2White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyEASYRoute 19Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyEASYRoute 19White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyEASYRoute 20Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyEASYRoute 20White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyEASYRoute 23Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyEASYRoute 23White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyEASYRoute 6Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyEASYRoute 6White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyEASYVictory Road - 1FBlack 2Super RodLv.40-55CommonLateCaveAnyEASYVictory Road - 1FWhite 2Super RodLv.40-55CommonLateCaveAnyEASYVictory Road - 3FWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyEASYVictory Road - 3FBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyEASYVictory Road - 4FWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyEASYVictory Road - 4FBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyEASYVictory Road - OutsideWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyEASYVictory Road - OutsideBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyEASYClay Tunnel - Room 2Black 2Super RodLv.50-70CommonPostCaveAnyEASYClay Tunnel - Room 2White 2Super RodLv.50-70CommonPostCaveAnyEASYClay Tunnel - Room 3Black 2Super RodLv.50-70CommonPostCaveAnyEASYClay Tunnel - Room 3White 2Super RodLv.50-70CommonPostCaveAnyEASYWellspring Cave - 1FWhite 2Super RodLv.50-70CommonPostCaveAnyEASYWellspring Cave - 1FBlack 2Super RodLv.50-70CommonPostCaveAnyEASYWellspring Cave - B1FWhite 2Super RodLv.50-70CommonPostCaveAnyEASYWellspring Cave - B1FBlack 2Super RodLv.50-70CommonPostCaveAny
Step 2Catch or Evolve PoliwhirlEASYFloccesy RanchWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateFacilityAnyShaking spotEASYFloccesy RanchBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateFacilityAnyShaking spotEASYGiant Chasm - CaveWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spotEASYGiant Chasm - CaveBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spotEASYGiant Chasm - Inner CaveWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spotEASYGiant Chasm - Inner CaveBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spotEASYLostlorn ForestWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateForestAnyShaking spotEASYLostlorn ForestBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateForestAnyShaking spotEASYRelic Passage - Room 2Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spotEASYRelic Passage - Room 2White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spotEASYRoute 19Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spotEASYRoute 19White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spotEASYRoute 20Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spotEASYRoute 20White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spotEASYRoute 23Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spotEASYRoute 23White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spotEASYRoute 6Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spotEASYRoute 6White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - 1FBlack 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - 1FWhite 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - 3FWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - 3FBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - 4FWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - 4FBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - OutsideWhite 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - OutsideBlack 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spotEASYClay Tunnel - Room 2Black 2Super RodLv.50-60CommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYClay Tunnel - Room 2White 2Super RodLv.50-60CommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYClay Tunnel - Room 3Black 2Super RodLv.50-60CommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYClay Tunnel - Room 3White 2Super RodLv.50-60CommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYWellspring Cave - 1FWhite 2Super RodLv.50-60CommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYWellspring Cave - 1FBlack 2Super RodLv.50-60CommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYWellspring Cave - B1FWhite 2Super RodLv.50-60CommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYWellspring Cave - B1FBlack 2Super RodLv.50-60CommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotor evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Step 3Politoed ✓EXTREMEFloccesy RanchBlack 2Super RodLv.50-70RarePostFacilityAnyShaking spotEXTREMEFloccesy RanchWhite 2Super RodLv.50-70RarePostFacilityAnyShaking spotEXTREMELostlorn ForestBlack 2Super RodLv.50-70RarePostForestAnyShaking spotEXTREMELostlorn ForestWhite 2Super RodLv.50-70RarePostForestAnyShaking spotEXTREMERoute 19White 2Super RodLv.50-70RarePostRouteAnyShaking spotEXTREMERoute 19Black 2Super RodLv.50-70RarePostRouteAnyShaking spotEXTREMERoute 20White 2Super RodLv.50-70RarePostRouteAnyShaking spotEXTREMERoute 20Black 2Super RodLv.50-70RarePostRouteAnyShaking spotEXTREMERoute 6White 2Super RodLv.50-70RarePostRouteAnyShaking spotEXTREMERoute 6Black 2Super RodLv.50-70RarePostRouteAnyShaking spotEXTREMEVictory Road - OutsideWhite 2Super RodLv.50-70RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotEXTREMEVictory Road - OutsideBlack 2Super RodLv.50-70RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotor 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