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.
The curled hair on its head proves its status as a king. It is said that the longer and curlier the hair, the more respect it earns from its peers.
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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
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 58 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Haze, Ice Ball and 4 more.
This build takes hits and hits back. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Waterabsorb supports the gameplan, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs mean Politoed doesn't crumble to chip damage. Plus Dark coverage backing it up.
Best Build
Best Politoed Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Hypnosis
- Thief
Recommended Teammates
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
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
No wild encounters for Politoed in Emerald. Bring Poliwag over from Red, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
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 C-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 a mixed attacker — base 75 Attack and 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