Poliwag sits at the start of its evolution line — not yet at full power, but that changes fast. Most trainers push through to Poliwrath as fast as possible. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets. Been around since Gen 1.
Poliwag's spread isn't flashy. Speed leads, HP trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Easy to catch and worth 1 Speed EV, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
Poliwag Weakness
GoodPoliwag is weak to Electric and Grass-type moves. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
Poliwag's evolution chain splits 2 ways into Poliwrath and Politoed. The method you choose determines which form you get. Evolving adds up to 210 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Poliwag easily with 114 breeding partners from the Water1 egg group.
For a special attacker, Poliwag wants a spread EV build EVs and Life Orb. The Timid nature tilts toward fast special duty, and Waterabsorb contributes without taking a move slot.
Best Build
Best Poliwag Moveset
- Hypnosis
- Belly Drum
- Liquidation
- Earth Power
Recommended Teammates
TMs define Poliwag's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Hydro Pump and Muddy Water, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Normal and Ground coverage and more. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Egg moves make a real difference. Poliwag gets Bubble Beam and Encore exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Normal and Ground coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Hydro Pump and Surf.
Egg moves make a real difference. Poliwag gets Endeavor and Haze exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Normal and Ground coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Hydro Pump and Muddy Water.
TMs define Poliwag's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Hydro Pump and Surf, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Normal and Fighting coverage and more. That's where the options open up.
Poliwag can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Bring it over from Red instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Poliwag's scattered across 16 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Best Locations
Poliwag appears in 16 walking, surfing, and more locations at Lv. 10-63 across Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond. Not all encounters show up in every version, so check which ones match your game.
Easy grab on Poliwag with high spawn rates across 14 locations in early-game routes. Two different catch methods are in play here. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations
Which version you're playing matters for Poliwag. 14 walking and surfing spots at Lv. 13-45 spread across Shield and Sword, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
high spawn rates in early-game water routes across 10 locations. Poliwag's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations
10 spots to find Poliwag at Lv. 3-56 via surfing. Not all of them exist in both Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee versions, so filter by your copy below.
Poliwag isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Poliwhirl to unlock its full potential. At 300 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25. Poliwag is the base form in a 4-stage evolutionary line.
Run Swift Swim on Poliwag. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Poliwag also gets Water Absorb and Damp, but they don't compare.
Poliwag fills the balanced role. It's a mixed attacker — base 50 Attack and 40 Sp. Atk. Base 90 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Poliwag appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Poliwag has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
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