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

Whenever three or more of these get together, they sing in a loud voice that sounds like bellowing.

X

If Poliwag and Poliwhirl hear its echoing cry, they respond by gathering from far and wide.

Y

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.

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 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

Nothing fancy here. Politoed builds around Sitrus Berry for a one-time health recovery at low HP, Sassy nature for the right stat lean, and flexible EVs EVs. Drizzle does its job quietly.

Best Build

Bulky Support
Ability
Drizzle
Item
Sitrus BerryRECOVERY
Nature
Sassy+SPD
EVs

Best Politoed Moveset

  • ScaldSTAB
  • ProtectFAST +4
  • Perish Song
  • EncoreUtility

Recommended Teammates

Amoonguss
AmoongussDecent
Gothitelle
GothitelleDecent

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
110705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TM78
Bulldoze
6010020Ground
TM100
Confide
——20Normal
TM28
Dig
8010010Ground
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
9010010Ice
TM66
Payback
5010010Dark
TM98
Power-Up Punch
4010020Fighting
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
TM88
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
——10Normal
HM03
Surf
9010015Water
TM87
Swagger
—9015Normal
TM46
Thief
6010025Dark
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
4010030Water
Rem
Hydro Pump
110805Water
Rem
Mud Bomb
658510Ground
Rem
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Rem
Rain Dance
——5Water
Rem
Wake-Up Slap
7010010Fighting
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
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 3
Seismic Toss
—10020Fighting
Gen 4
Whirlpool
358515Water

A trade step sits in Politoed's 3-stage chain from Poliwag. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Poliwag shows up at solid rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.

Trade Evolution Required — Requires trading with another player

Where To Catch Politoed in X & Y

The path to Politoed starts with Poliwag at Lv. 15-59 via fishing, surfing, and more encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    Couriway Town
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Couriway Town
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyIce
    EASY
    Laverre City
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Laverre City
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarly
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarly
    EASY
    Route 14
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 14
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 15
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 15
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 16
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 16
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 19
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 19
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 21
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 21
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    YGrassLv.25UncommonMidHorde battle
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    XGrassLv.25UncommonMidHorde battle
    EASY
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
    Couriway Town
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Couriway Town
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidIce
    MODERATE
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidIce
    MODERATE
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidIce
    MODERATE
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidIce
    MODERATE
    Laverre City
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Laverre City
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Pokémon Village
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMid
    MODERATE
    Pokémon Village
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMid
    MODERATE
    Route 14
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 14
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 15
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 15
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 16
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 16
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 19
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 19
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCave
    MODERATE
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCave
    MODERATE
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCave
    MODERATE
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCave
    MODERATE
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCave
    MODERATE
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCave
    MODERATE
    Couriway Town
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Couriway Town
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Laverre City
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Laverre City
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLate
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLate
    EASY
    Route 14
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 14
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 15
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 15
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 16
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 16
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    XSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    YSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    XSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    YSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    YSurfing on waterLv.38-40CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    XSurfing on waterLv.38-40CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    XSurfing on waterLv.38-40CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    YSurfing on waterLv.38-40CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Route 21
    XGood RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 21
    YGood RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Pokémon Village
    XSurfing on waterLv.48-50CommonPost
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    YSurfing on waterLv.48-50CommonPost
    EASY
    Route 19
    XSuper RodLv.50CommonPostRoute
    EASY
    Route 19
    YSuper RodLv.50CommonPostRoute
    EASY
    Route 21
    XSuper RodLv.50CommonPostRoute
    EASY
    Route 21
    YSuper RodLv.50-55CommonPostRoute
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    YSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    XSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCave
    EASY
    or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
  3. Politoed
    Step 3Politoed ✓
    Route 19
    YSuper RodLv.50RarePostRoute
    EXTREME
    Route 19
    XSuper RodLv.50RarePostRoute
    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.