In Crystal, Politoed has a 500 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Crystal's meta. It works best as a balanced. Bellydrum with Leftovers is the standard set.

What is Politoed weak to?

In Crystal, 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.

What role does Politoed play in battle?

In Crystal, 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.

What counters Politoed?

In Crystal, the best way to handle Politoed: Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Electric and Grass-type attackers hit hardest.

How do you use Politoed in battle?

In Crystal, Politoed plays as a balanced. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully.

Politoed - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Special

Balanced

CTier

70Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

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

High

HP90

Attack75

Defense75

Sp. Atk90

Sp. Def100

Speed70

Total500

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging45 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height1.1 m

Weight33.9 kg

Base XP225

Abilities

Abilities were introduced in Generation III. Shown below for reference.

Water Absorb

Absorbs water moves, healing for 1/4 max HP.

Damp

Prevents self destruct, explosion, and aftermath from working while the Pokémon is in battle.

DrizzleHA

Summons rain that lasts indefinitely upon entering battle.

Water Absorb grants Water immunity

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpD+3Spe

Strong Special Defense training target

Pokedex Entries

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

Crystal

Politoed Weakness

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.

Politoed Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)	Fire, Water, Ice, Steel

Type ChartGood

2Weak

4Resist

0Immune

Score0

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

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (3)

Fire Ground Rock

How to Beat Politoed in Crystal (Best Counters)

In Crystal, Jolteon's Thunderbolt hits Politoed for 67-79%. Venusaur's Giga Drain hits Politoed for 51-61%.

Jolteon Electric	A
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves ThunderboltSTAB Baton Pass Thunder Wave GrowthSetup Damage vs Politoed Thunderbolt 2x 67-79% View Jolteon builds →
Venusaur GrassPoison	C
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves Leech Seed Sleep Powder Giga Drain SynthesisRecovery Damage vs Politoed Giga Drain 2x 51-61% View Venusaur builds →

Crystal Evolution

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). View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

4 Forms

#060Poliwag

Level 25

#061Poliwhirl

#062PoliwrathWater Stone

#186PolitoedTrade + Kings Rock

Stat Comparison 4 Stages

Poliwag

Water

Poliwhirl

Water

Poliwrath

WaterFighting

Politoed

Water

65+25

90+25

ATK

65+15

95+30

75+10

DEF

65+25

95+30

75+10

SP.ATK

50+10

70+20

90+40

SP.DEF

50+10

90+40

100+50

SPE

70-20

BST

300D-Tier

385D-Tier+85

510C-Tier+125

500B-Tier+115

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

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)

Crystal Politoed Best Moveset

Best Build

Experimental

Utility

Ability

Not in Gen 2

Item

LeftoversSUSTAIN

Nature

Not in Gen 2

Utility Moveset

Belly Drum
EarthquakeCoverage
Lovely Kiss
Hidden Power Bug

Recommended Teammates

TyranitarGood

VenusaurDecent

CloysterDecent

Moves

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

C—6020Psychic

Lv 1

Perish Song

D——5Normal

Lv 1

Water Gun

D4010025Water

Lv 35

Perish Song

D——5Normal

Lv 51

Swagger

C—8515Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

D—10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

C120705Ice

TM03

Curse

C——10Ghost

TM40

Defense Curl

D——40Normal

TM43

Detect+4

D——5Fighting

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM01

Dynamic Punch

D100505Fighting

TM26

Earthquake

S10010010Ground

TM20

Endure+4

D——10Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM02

Headbutt

D7010015Normal

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

B150905Normal

TM33

Ice Punch

D7510015Ice

TM16

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

TM31

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

C9010010Psychic

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM08

Rock Smash

—2010015Fighting

TM35

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM13

Snore

—4010015Normal

HM04

Strength

C8010015Normal

HM03

Surf

B9510015Water

TM34

Swagger

C—8515Normal

TM46

Thief

D6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

HM07

Waterfall

—8010015Water

HM06

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Egg

Haze

C——30Ice

Egg

Mind Reader

——1005Normal

Egg

Mist

———30Ice

Egg

Splash

———40Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Ice Beam

B9510010Ice

Reminder Moves

Rem

Belly Drum

S——10Normal

Rem

Body Slam

B8510015Normal

Rem

Bubble

—2010030Water

Rem

Hydro Pump

C120805Water

Rem

Rain Dance

C——5Water

How to Get Politoed in Crystal

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.

Step 1Catch Poliwag
Route 22
Surfing on water Lv.5-14 Route
90%Early
Viridian City
Surfing on water Lv.5-14 City
90%Early
Ecruteak City
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 City
90%Early
Route 30
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
90%Early
Route 31
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
90%Early
Route 44
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
90%Early
Violet City
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 City
90%Early
Route 22
Grass Lv.3-4 Route
40%Early
Night
Route 31
Grass Lv.4 Route
30%Early
Night
Route 30
Grass Lv.4 Route
20%Early
Night
Blackthorn City
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Ecruteak City
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Ilex Forest
Old Rod Lv.10 Forest
15%Early
Mt. Silver - Outside
Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
15%Early
Route 30
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 31
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 35
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 44
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Ruins of Alph - Outside
Old Rod Lv.10 Ruins
15%Early
Violet City
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Route 22
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 28
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 6
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Viridian City
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Blackthorn City
Good Rod Lv.20 City
65%Mid
Ecruteak City
Good Rod Lv.20 City
65%Mid
Ilex Forest
Good Rod Lv.20 Forest
65%Mid
Mt. Silver - Outside
Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
65%Mid
Route 30
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 31
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 35
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 44
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Ruins of Alph - Outside
Good Rod Lv.20 Ruins
65%Mid
Violet City
Good Rod Lv.20 City
65%Mid
Route 22
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 28
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 6
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Viridian City
Good Rod Lv.20 City
65%Mid
Route 44
Grass Lv.22 Route
30%Mid
Night
Route 28
Surfing on water Lv.35-44 Route
90%Late
Blackthorn City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Ecruteak City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Ilex Forest
Super Rod Lv.40 Forest
80%Late
Mt. Silver - Outside
Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
80%Late
Route 30
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 31
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 35
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Ruins of Alph - Outside
Super Rod Lv.40 Ruins
80%Late
Violet City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Route 28
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Viridian City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Route 44
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
70%Late
Route 22
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
50%Late
Route 6
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
50%Late
Mt. Silver - Outside
Surfing on water Lv.35-39 Cave
10%Late
Train until Level 25
Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
Route 22
Surfing on water Lv.10-14 Route
10%Early
Viridian City
Surfing on water Lv.10-14 City
10%Early
Ecruteak City
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 City
10%Mid
Route 30
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
10%Mid
Route 31
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
10%Mid
Route 44
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
10%Mid
Violet City
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 City
10%Mid
Route 44
Grass Lv.24-26 Route
10%Mid
Night
Mt. Silver - Outside
Surfing on water Lv.35-44 Cave
90%Late
Route 28
Grass Lv.40 Route
40%Late
Night
Mt. Silver - Outside
Grass Lv.42-44 Cave
40%Late
Night
Blackthorn City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
30%Late
Ecruteak City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
30%Late
Ilex Forest
Super Rod Lv.40 Forest
30%Late
Route 30
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
30%Late
Route 31
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
30%Late
Route 35
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
30%Late
Ruins of Alph - Outside
Super Rod Lv.40 Ruins
30%Late
Violet City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
30%Late
Route 22
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
30%Late
Route 28
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
30%Late
Route 6
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
30%Late
Viridian City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
30%Late
Route 28
Surfing on water Lv.40-44 Route
10%Late
or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Trade + King's Rock
Step 3Politoed ✓

Politoed Guide

In Crystal, Politoed has a 500 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Crystal's meta. It works best as a balanced. Bellydrum with Leftovers is the standard set.
In Crystal, 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.
In Crystal, 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.
In Crystal, the best way to handle Politoed: Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Electric and Grass-type attackers hit hardest.
In Crystal, Politoed plays as a balanced. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully.

Game Availability

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.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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