In X & Y, 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. Scald with Sitrus Berry is the standard set.

What is Politoed weak to?

In X & Y, 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 is the best ability for Politoed?

In X & Y, 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.

What role does Politoed play in battle?

In X & Y, 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 is Politoed's hidden ability?

In X & Y, Drizzle is the hidden ability. It summons rain that lasts indefinitely upon entering battle. Worth hunting for if you want Politoed to compete at a higher level.

Politoed - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Special

Balanced

BTier

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 EVs, 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

Water AbsorbRare

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

Damp

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

DrizzleHATop Pick

Summons rain that lasts indefinitely upon entering battle.

Water Absorb grants Water immunity

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpD+3Spe

Strong Special Defense training target

Pokedex Entries

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

Politoed Weakness

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.

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

Type ChartGood

2Weak

4Resist

1Immune

Score0

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Water

STAB (3)

Fire Ground Rock

How to Beat Politoed in X & Y (Best Counters)

Amoonguss GrassPoison	A
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamLv. 49 Giga DrainLv. 28 Mega DrainLv. 15 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Politoed Solar Beam 2x 74-87% Giga Drain 2x 46-55% Mega Drain 2x 26-31% Absorb 2x 13-16% View Amoonguss builds →
Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 36 Razor LeafLv. 5 Damage vs Politoed Wood Hammer 2x 99-116%KO Razor Leaf 2x 46-55% View Abomasnow builds →
Trevenant GhostGrass	C
Available Move Moves Wood HammerLv. 49 Damage vs Politoed Wood Hammer 2x 114-135%KO View Trevenant builds →
Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Power WhipLv. 50 Leaf TornadoLv. 31 Vine WhipLv. 11 Damage vs Politoed Power Whip 2x 105-124%KO Leaf Tornado 2x 43-51% Vine Whip 2x 41-49% View Carnivine builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Petal DanceLv. 37 Petal BlizzardLv. 50 Giga DrainLv. 25 Magical LeafLv. 19 Damage vs Politoed Petal Dance 2x 83-98% Petal Blizzard 2x 54-64% Giga Drain 2x 54-64% Magical Leaf 2x 43-51% View Roselia builds →

X & Y 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 87 partners 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

Breed With (best first)

X & Y Politoed Best Moveset

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. Drizzle does its job quietly.

Best Build

Experimental

Ability

Drizzle

Item

Sitrus BerryRECOVERY

Best Nature for Politoed

Sassy+SPD

Politoed best EVs are HP and Sp. Atk

EVs

SpA

SpD

Doubles Bulky Support Moveset

ScaldSTAB
ProtectFAST +4
Perish Song
EncoreUtility

Recommended Teammates

AmoongussDecent

GothitelleDecent

Moves

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

D—6020Psychic

Lv 1

Perish Song

A——5Normal

Lv 27

Swagger

——9015Normal

Lv 37

Bounce

D85855Flying

Lv 48

Hyper Voice

C9010010Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

D—10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

C110705Ice

TM31

Brick Break

D7510015Fighting

TM78

Bulldoze

D6010020Ground

TM100

Confide

———20Normal

TM28

Dig

C8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM26

Earthquake

C10010010Ground

TM49

Echoed Voice

D4010015Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM56

Fling

D—10010Dark

TM52

Focus Blast

C120705Fighting

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM68

Giga Impact

C150905Normal

TM07

Hail

D——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

B150905Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

A9010010Ice

TM66

Payback

—5010010Dark

TM98

Power-Up Punch

D4010020Fighting

TM17

Protect+4

S——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

C9010010Psychic

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

A——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM94

Rock Smash

—4010015Fighting

TM48

Round

D6010015Normal

TM55

Scald

S8010015Water

TM88

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

HM04

Strength

—8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

B——10Normal

HM03

Surf

B9010015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM46

Thief

D6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

S—9010Poison

HM05

Waterfall

C8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Egg

Encore

S—1005Normal

Egg

Endeavor

D—1005Normal

Egg

Endure+4

D——10Normal

Egg

Haze

C——30Ice

Egg

Ice Ball

—309020Ice

Egg

Mind Reader

———5Normal

Egg

Mist

———30Ice

Egg

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Egg

Refresh

D——20Normal

Egg

Splash

———40Normal

Egg

Water Pulse

C6010020Water

Egg

Water Sport

———15Water

Tutor Moves

Politoed can't learn any Tutor moves

Reminder Moves

Rem

Belly Drum

C——10Normal

Rem

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

Rem

Bubble

—4010030Water

Rem

Hydro Pump

C110805Water

Rem

Mud Bomb

—658510Ground

Rem

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Rem

Rain Dance

C——5Water

Rem

Wake-Up Slap

—7010010Fighting

Rem

Water Gun

—4010025Water

Rem

Water Sport

———15Water

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 4

Captivate

——10020Normal

Gen 3

Counter-5

D—10020Fighting

Gen 3

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 3

Dynamic Punch

D100505Fighting

Gen 4

Headbutt

D7010015Normal

Gen 3

Mega Kick

C120755Normal

Gen 3

Mega Punch

—808520Normal

Gen 3

Metronome

———10Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 4

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Gen 4

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

Gen 3

Seismic Toss

D—10020Fighting

Gen 4

Whirlpool

—358515Water

How to Get Politoed in X & Y

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.

Step 1Catch Poliwag
Couriway Town
XOld Rod Lv.15 City
CommonEarly
Couriway Town
YOld Rod Lv.15 City
CommonEarly
Frost Cavern - 2F
XOld Rod Lv.15 Ice
CommonEarly
Frost Cavern - 2F
YOld Rod Lv.15 Ice
CommonEarly
Frost Cavern - Outside
YOld Rod Lv.15 Ice
CommonEarly
Frost Cavern - Outside
XOld Rod Lv.15 Ice
CommonEarly
Laverre City
YOld Rod Lv.15 City
CommonEarly
Laverre City
XOld Rod Lv.15 City
CommonEarly
Pokémon Village
YOld Rod Lv.15
CommonEarly
Pokémon Village
XOld Rod Lv.15
CommonEarly
Route 14
YOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Route 14
XOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Route 15
YOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Route 15
XOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Route 16
YOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Route 16
XOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Route 19
XOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Route 19
YOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Route 21
XOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Route 21
YOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Victory Road - Cave 1
XOld Rod Lv.15 Cave
CommonEarly
Victory Road - Cave 1
YOld Rod Lv.15 Cave
CommonEarly
Victory Road - Cave 4
YOld Rod Lv.15 Cave
CommonEarly
Victory Road - Cave 4
XOld Rod Lv.15 Cave
CommonEarly
Victory Road - Outside Section 3
YOld Rod Lv.15 Cave
CommonEarly
Victory Road - Outside Section 3
XOld Rod Lv.15 Cave
CommonEarly
Pokémon Village
YGrass Lv.25
UncommonMid
Horde battle
Pokémon Village
XGrass Lv.25
UncommonMid
Horde battle
Train until Level 25
Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
Couriway Town
XGood Rod Lv.25 City
UncommonMid
Couriway Town
YGood Rod Lv.25 City
UncommonMid
Frost Cavern - 2F
XGood Rod Lv.25 Ice
UncommonMid
Frost Cavern - 2F
YGood Rod Lv.25 Ice
UncommonMid
Frost Cavern - Outside
XGood Rod Lv.25 Ice
UncommonMid
Frost Cavern - Outside
YGood Rod Lv.25 Ice
UncommonMid
Laverre City
XGood Rod Lv.25 City
UncommonMid
Laverre City
YGood Rod Lv.25 City
UncommonMid
Pokémon Village
YGood Rod Lv.25
UncommonMid
Pokémon Village
XGood Rod Lv.25
UncommonMid
Route 14
XGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 14
YGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 15
XGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 15
YGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 16
XGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 16
YGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 19
XGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 19
YGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Victory Road - Cave 1
XGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
UncommonMid
Victory Road - Cave 1
YGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
UncommonMid
Victory Road - Cave 4
XGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
UncommonMid
Victory Road - Cave 4
YGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
UncommonMid
Victory Road - Outside Section 3
XGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
UncommonMid
Victory Road - Outside Section 3
YGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
UncommonMid
Couriway Town
XSuper Rod Lv.35 City
CommonLate
Couriway Town
YSuper Rod Lv.35 City
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - 2F
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Ice
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - 2F
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Ice
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - Outside
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Ice
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - Outside
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Ice
CommonLate
Laverre City
XSuper Rod Lv.35 City
CommonLate
Laverre City
YSuper Rod Lv.35 City
CommonLate
Pokémon Village
XSuper Rod Lv.35
CommonLate
Pokémon Village
YSuper Rod Lv.35
CommonLate
Route 14
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 14
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 15
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 15
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 16
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 16
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Victory Road - Cave 1
XSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Victory Road - Cave 1
YSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Victory Road - Cave 4
XSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Victory Road - Cave 4
YSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Victory Road - Outside Section 3
XSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Victory Road - Outside Section 3
YSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - 2F
YSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Ice
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - 2F
XSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Ice
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - Outside
XSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Ice
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - Outside
YSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Ice
CommonLate
Route 21
XGood Rod Lv.40 Route
UncommonLate
Route 21
YGood Rod Lv.40 Route
UncommonLate
Pokémon Village
XSurfing on water Lv.48-50
CommonPost
Pokémon Village
YSurfing on water Lv.48-50
CommonPost
Route 19
XSuper Rod Lv.50 Route
CommonPost
Route 19
YSuper Rod Lv.50 Route
CommonPost
Route 21
XSuper Rod Lv.50 Route
CommonPost
Route 21
YSuper Rod Lv.50-55 Route
CommonPost
Victory Road - Cave 1
YSurfing on water Lv.57-59 Cave
CommonPost
Victory Road - Cave 1
XSurfing on water Lv.57-59 Cave
CommonPost
Victory Road - Cave 4
XSurfing on water Lv.57-59 Cave
CommonPost
Victory Road - Cave 4
YSurfing on water Lv.57-59 Cave
CommonPost
or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Trade + King's Rock
Step 3Politoed ✓
Route 19
YSuper Rod Lv.50 Route
RarePost
Route 19
XSuper Rod Lv.50 Route
RarePost
or evolve from Poliwhirl (Step 2)

Politoed Guide

In X & Y, 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. Scald with Sitrus Berry is the standard set.
In X & Y, 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 X & Y, 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.
In X & Y, 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 X & Y, Drizzle is the hidden ability. It summons rain that lasts indefinitely upon entering battle. Worth hunting for if you want Politoed to compete at a higher level.

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

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Want to tell us more?

What was most useful?

About:

What could be improved?

About:

Thanks for your feedback

Pikachu Electric	C
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Politoed Thunder Shock 2x 29-35% View Pikachu builds →
Chespin Grass	D
Obtain MethodAquacorde Town Gift Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 5 Damage vs Politoed Vine Whip 2x 44-53% View Chespin builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Politoed Absorb 2x 21-26% View Budew builds →
Pansage Grass	D
Upcoming Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 10 Learns Vine Whip at Level 10 View Pansage builds →

Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Politoed Magical Leaf 2x 49-58% Mega Drain 2x 35-42% Absorb 2x 21-25% View Roselia builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Politoed Razor Leaf 2x 39-46% Vine Whip 2x 35-42% View Skiddo builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Politoed Absorb 2x 17-21% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodLumiose City Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 19 Vine WhipLv. 9 Damage vs Politoed Razor Leaf 2x 35-42% Vine Whip 2x 28-33% View Bulbasaur builds →
Pansage Grass	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 10 Damage vs Politoed Vine Whip 2x 31-38% View Pansage builds →

Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainLv. 25 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Politoed Giga Drain 2x 53-63% Magical Leaf 2x 41-50% Mega Drain 2x 30-36% Absorb 2x 16-19% View Roselia builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 30 Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Politoed Seed Bomb 2x 51-61% Razor Leaf 2x 35-41% Vine Whip 2x 30-36% View Skiddo builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 21 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Politoed Mega Drain 2x 23-28% Absorb 2x 14-17% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodLumiose City Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 19 Vine WhipLv. 9 Damage vs Politoed Razor Leaf 2x 30-36% Vine Whip 2x 26-30% View Bulbasaur builds →
Pansage Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 22 Vine WhipLv. 10 Damage vs Politoed Seed Bomb 2x 44-52% Vine Whip 2x 26-30% View Pansage builds →

Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainLv. 25 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Politoed Giga Drain 2x 53-63% Magical Leaf 2x 41-50% Mega Drain 2x 30-36% Absorb 2x 16-19% View Roselia builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 30 Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Politoed Seed Bomb 2x 51-61% Razor Leaf 2x 35-41% Vine Whip 2x 30-36% View Skiddo builds →
Exeggcute GrassPsychic	D
Available Move Moves Bullet SeedLv. 17 Damage vs Politoed Bullet Seed 2x 14-17% View Exeggcute builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 21 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Politoed Mega Drain 2x 23-28% Absorb 2x 14-17% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodLumiose City Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 19 Vine WhipLv. 9 Damage vs Politoed Razor Leaf 2x 30-36% Vine Whip 2x 26-30% View Bulbasaur builds →

Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainLv. 25 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Politoed Giga Drain 2x 53-63% Magical Leaf 2x 41-50% Mega Drain 2x 30-36% Absorb 2x 16-19% View Roselia builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 30 Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Politoed Seed Bomb 2x 51-61% Razor Leaf 2x 35-41% Vine Whip 2x 30-36% View Skiddo builds →
Exeggcute GrassPsychic	D
Available Move Moves Bullet SeedLv. 17 Damage vs Politoed Bullet Seed 2x 14-17% View Exeggcute builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 21 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Politoed Mega Drain 2x 23-28% Absorb 2x 14-17% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodLumiose City Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 19 Vine WhipLv. 9 Damage vs Politoed Razor Leaf 2x 30-36% Vine Whip 2x 26-30% View Bulbasaur builds →