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.
Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
Poliwag is weak to Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
Jolteon can KO Poliwag with Thunderbolt (361-425%). Toedscool threatens a KO with Giga Drain (92-109%). Venusaur's Giga Drain also KOs at 150-176%.
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Poliwag View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x361-425%KO Volt Switch 2x281-331%KO Shadow Ball107-126%KO | ||
 Toedscool GroundGrass | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMyceliummight ItemEviolite NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Poliwag View Toedscool builds →Rapid Spin12-14% Knock Off15-19% Giga Drain 2x92-109%KO | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityOvergrow ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Poliwag View Venusaur builds →Sludge Bomb89-105%KO Giga Drain 2x150-176%KO Knock Off26-31% | ||
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Poliwag easily with 114 breeding partners from the Water1 egg group.
For a special attacker, Poliwag wants spread EVs and Life Orb. The Timid nature tilts toward fast special duty, and Waterabsorb contributes without taking a move slot.
Best Build
Poliwag best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Utility Moveset
- Hypnosis
- Belly Drum
- Liquidation
- Earth Power
Recommended Teammates
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
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 to Catch Poliwag in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
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 to Catch Poliwag in Sword & Shield
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 to Catch Poliwag in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
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 evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.
Poliwag does the job early-game if you need a Water type on your team. Evolve it into Poliwhirl before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Poliwag shows up in 20 games, making it one of the more widely available Pokemon in the series. First catchable in Scarlet & Violet, most recently in Yellow and Red & Blue.
Poliwag has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves