Special
Balanced
500High
70Moderate
CTier

Politoed doesn't stand out in any single area, but it gets the job done for in-game teams. Only weak to Electric and Grass. Been around since Gen 2. It needs some investment to avoid getting outsped. Known as the Frog Pokemon.

Politoed's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Def leads, Speed trails, 3 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 3 Sp. Def stat exp, 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

When it expands its throat to croak out a tune, nearby POLIWAG and POLIWHIRL gather immediately.

Crystal

Politoed Weakness

Good

Type-wise, Politoed takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Politoed's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Gen II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
ElectricGrass
½xResisti
FireWaterIceSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
STAB (3)i
FireGroundRock
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
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 37 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Haze, Mind Reader and 2 more.

Egg Groups
Water1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
5moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraslowbroslowkingoctillerydewgongseadramarillquagsire
12 of 37·

Best Build

Utility
Ability
Not in Gen 2
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Not in Gen 2

Best Politoed Moveset

  • Belly Drum
  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Lovely Kiss
  • Hidden Power Bug

Recommended Teammates

Tyranitar
TyranitarGood
Venusaur
VenusaurDecent
Cloyster
CloysterDecent

The egg pool carries weight here. Bubble Beam 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 Surf for solid options.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Double Slap
158510Normal
Lv 1
Hypnosis
—6020Psychic
Lv 1
Perish Song
——5Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 35
Perish Song
——5Normal
Lv 51
Swagger
—8515Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
TM03
Curse
——10Ghost
TM40
Defense Curl
——40Normal
TM43
Detect+4
——5Fighting
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM01
Dynamic Punch
100505Fighting
TM26
Earthquake
10010010Ground
TM20
Endure+4
——10Normal
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM02
Headbutt
7010015Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM33
Ice Punch
7510015Ice
TM16
Icy Wind
559515Ice
TM31
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM08
Rock Smash
2010015Fighting
TM35
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
TM13
Snore
4010015Normal
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM34
Swagger
—8515Normal
TM46
Thief
6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
—8510Poison
HM07
Waterfall
8010015Water
HM06
Whirlpool
358515Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Haze
——30Ice
Egg
Mind Reader
—1005Normal
Egg
Mist
——30Ice
Egg
Splash
——40Normal

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Ice Beam
9510010Ice

Reminder Moves

Src
Rem
Belly Drum
——10Normal
Rem
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Rem
Bubble
2010030Water
Rem
Hydro Pump
120805Water
Rem
Rain Dance
——5Water

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.

Trade Evolution Required — Requires trading with another player

How to Obtain Politoed in Crystal

To get Politoed, start by catching Poliwag through fishing, surfing, and more encounters at Lv. 3-44. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    Route 22
    GrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 31
    GrassLv.4CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 22
    Surfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Viridian City
    Surfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Route 30
    Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Violet City
    Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Route 30
    GrassLv.4UncommonEarlyRouteNight
    EASY
    Blackthorn City
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Ilex Forest
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyForest
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCave
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 35
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 44
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRuins
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Route 22
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 6
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Blackthorn City
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Ilex Forest
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidForest
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidCave
    EASY
    Route 30
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 35
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidRuins
    EASY
    Violet City
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Route 22
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 28
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 6
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Viridian City
    Good RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Route 44
    GrassLv.22CommonMidRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 28
    Surfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Blackthorn City
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Ilex Forest
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateForest
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Route 30
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 35
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateRuins
    EASY
    Violet City
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Route 22
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 28
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 6
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Viridian City
    Super RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    Surfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateCave
    MODERATE
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
    Route 22
    Surfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    Surfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 44
    Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Route 44
    GrassLv.24-26UncommonMidRouteNight
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    Surfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Route 28
    GrassLv.40CommonLateRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GrassLv.42-44CommonLateCaveNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Blackthorn City
    Super RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    Super RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Ilex Forest
    Super RodLv.40UncommonLateForest
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 35
    Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRuins
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    Super RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Route 22
    Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    Surfing on waterLv.40-44UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 6
    Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    Super RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
  3. Politoed
    Step 3Politoed ✓

  • Politoed has a 500 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier — a situational pick that fills a niche. It works best as a balanced. Base 100 Sp. Def is where it shines.

  • 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.

  • 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.