Poliwag Best Moveset
Water at 40 Sp. Atk and 90 Speed. Fast for a pre-evolution but nothing else. AbilitySwift Swim doubles Speed under rain, which doesn't matter when the damage output is zero. Evolve through to Poliwrath or Politoed for stats that function.
Water pre-evolution at 300 BST in Gen I (Red & Blue). Hypnosis was the utility move. 90 Speed was surprisingly fast for a tadpole.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Hypnosis
- Amnesia
- Blizzard
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Borderline at the lowest level in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Swift Swim in rain later. Two gens of the basic Water pre-evolution.
Utility Moveset
- Surf
- Hydro Pump
- Waterfall
- Bubble Beam
Poliwag saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Poliwag maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Damp with Sitrus Berry, favoring a Hasty nature.
Utility Moveset
- Belly Drum
- Surf
- Endure
- Hidden Power Flying
Recommended Teammates
Poliwag saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Poliwag maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Waterabsorb with Oranberry, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power Electric
- Belly Drum
Recommended Teammates
Poliwag saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Poliwag maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Waterabsorb with Sitrus Berry, favoring a Jolly nature.
Utility Moveset
- Hydro Pump
- Belly Drum
- Waterfall
- Thief
Recommended Teammates
Poliwag saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Poliwag maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Waterabsorb with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.
Utility Moveset
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Body Slam
- Waterfall
Recommended Teammates
Poliwag saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Poliwag maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Waterabsorb with Berryjuice, favoring a Jolly nature.
Utility Moveset
- Waterfall
- Belly Drum
- Return
- Hypnosis
Poliwag saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Poliwag maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Waterabsorb with Salacberry, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
- Psychic
Recommended Teammates
Poliwag saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Poliwag maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Waterabsorb with Life Orb, favoring a Timid nature.
Utility Moveset
- Hypnosis
- Belly Drum
- Liquidation
- Earth Power
Recommended Teammates
Poliwag Weakness
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 |
What is Poliwag Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Poliwag
Jolteon can KO Poliwag with Thunderbolt (361-425%). Venusaur threatens a KO with Giga Drain (246-289%).
 Jolteon Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Poliwag View Jolteon builds →Volt Switch 2x281-331%KO Thunderbolt 2x361-425%KO Shadow Ball107-126%KO | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureNaive Moves
Damage vs Poliwag View Venusaur builds →Giga Drain 2x246-289%KO Sludge Bomb147-173%KO | ||
Evolution
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.
How to Get Poliwag
moderate rates across 8 locations for Poliwag in early-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Poliwhirl in SV
To get Poliwhirl, start by catching Poliwag through walking encounters at Lv. 7-60. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓Fellhorn GorgeLv.7-60OverworldKitakami RoadLv.7-60OverworldMossfell ConfluenceLv.7-60OverworldRevelers RoadLv.7-60Overworldor evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
PolitoedTrade holding Kings Rock
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.
Where To Catch Poliwhirl in BDSP
The path to Poliwhirl starts with Poliwag at Lv. 10-63 via walking, surfing, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch Poliwag
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓Route 225Lv.10-25Good RodRate 35%Route 227Lv.20-30Surfing on waterRate 30%Route 228Lv.20-30Surfing on waterRate 30%Fountainspring CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameGrassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameor evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
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.
Where To Catch Poliwhirl in SwSh
The path to Poliwhirl starts with Poliwag at Lv. 13-45 via walking and surfing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓Brawlers' CaveLv.13-18OverworldRate 16%ThunderstormBrawlers' CaveLv.13-18OverworldRate 16%RainingBrawlers' CaveLv.13-18OverworldRate 16%OvercastBrawlers' CaveLv.13-18OverworldRate 16%Intense SunBrawlers' CaveLv.13-18OverworldRate 16%Normal WeatherBrawlers' CaveLv.13-18OverworldRate 16%SnowingBrawlers' CaveLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 50%All Weatheror evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
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.
Where To Catch Poliwag in LGPE
To get Poliwag, start by catching Poliwag through surfing encounters at Lv. 3-56. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Poliwag ✓Route 22Lv.3-4Surfing on waterRate 45%Route 25Lv.9-14Surfing on waterRate 45%Route 23Lv.41-46Surfing on waterRate 45%Cerulean Cave - 1FLv.51-56Surfing on waterRate 45%Cerulean Cave - B1FLv.51-56Surfing on waterRate 45%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into PoliwhirlRoute 22Lv.3-4Surfing on waterRate 10%Route 25Lv.9-14Surfing on waterRate 10%Route 23Lv.41-46Surfing on waterRate 10%Cerulean Cave - 1FLv.51-56Surfing on waterRate 9%Cerulean Cave - B1FLv.51-56Surfing on waterRate 9%or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Step 3Catch or Evolve into PoliwrathCerulean Cave - 1FLv.51-56Surfing on waterRate 1%Cerulean Cave - B1FLv.51-56Surfing on waterRate 1%or evolve from Poliwhirl (Step 2)
Base Stats
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.
For Poliwag, swimming is easier than walking. The swirl pattern on its belly is actually part of the Pokémon’s innards showing through the skin.
Poliwag Guide
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.
Game Availability
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 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves