What does Poliwag evolve into?

Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25, then the line branches. Poliwhirl can become Poliwrath using a Water Stone and Politoed while holding a Kings Rock. Two final forms from the same mid-stage.

At what level does Poliwag evolve?

Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.

Should I use Poliwag?

In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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.

Where can you catch Poliwag?

Poliwag is catchable in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 19 other games across the series.

Poliwag - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Utility

Balanced

DTier

90Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

Avg

HP40

Attack50

Defense40

Sp. Atk40

Sp. Def40

Speed90

Total300

Details

Catch Rate

Guaranteed255 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height0.6 m

Weight12.4 kg

Base XP60

Abilities

Water Absorb

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

Damp

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

Swift SwimHA

Doubles Speed during rain.

Water Absorb grants Water immunity

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1

Speed training source

Pokedex Entries

Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.

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.

Poliwag 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 Poliwag in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (Best Counters)

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 20 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 213-251%KO Energy Ball 2x 161-190%KO Giga Drain 2x 135-159%KO Razor Leaf 2x 98-116%KO View Abomasnow builds →
Pachirisu Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 DischargeLv. 41 Volt SwitchTM43 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 114-135%KO Thunderbolt 2x 93-110%KO Discharge 2x 86-101%KO Volt Switch 2x 74-89% View Pachirisu builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 15 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 229-269%KO Energy Ball 2x 171-202%KO Giga Drain 2x 145-171%KO Magical Leaf 2x 116-138%KO View Roselia builds →
Luxio Electric	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchTM43 SparkLv. 18 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 140-165%KO Thunderbolt 2x 116-138%KO Volt Switch 2x 91-107%KO Spark 2x 109-129%KO View Luxio builds →
Voltorb Electric	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 DischargeLv. 37 Volt SwitchTM43 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 133-156%KO Thunderbolt 2x 109-129%KO Discharge 2x 98-116%KO Volt Switch 2x 86-101%KO View Voltorb builds →

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl 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

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 Poliwag easily with 69 breeding partners from the Water1 egg group. Pass egg moves like Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 5 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

Water1

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

8moves

Breed With (best first)

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Poliwag Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

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.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Hypnosis

C—6020Psychic

Lv 1

Water Gun

—4010025Water

Lv 6

Pound

—4010035Normal

Lv 12

Mud Shot

D559515Ground

Lv 18

Bubble Beam

D6510020Water

Lv 24

Rain Dance

C——5Water

Lv 30

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

Lv 36

Earth Power

D9010010Ground

Lv 42

Hydro Pump

D110805Water

Lv 48

Belly Drum

C——10Normal

Lv 54

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

C—10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D110705Ice

TM83

Bulldoze

D6010020Ground

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM58

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM07

Hail

C——10Ice

TM13

Ice Beam

D9010010Ice

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

D9010010Psychic

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM49

Scald

D8010015Water

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM95

Surf

D9010015Water

TM87

Swagger

D—8515Normal

TM46

Thief

D6010025Dark

TM03

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

TM99

Waterfall

C8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Bubble Beam

D6510020Water

Egg

Encore

C—1005Normal

Egg

Endeavor

D—1005Normal

Egg

Haze

C——30Ice

Egg

Mind Reader

———5Normal

Egg

Mist

D——30Ice

Egg

Mud Shot

D559515Ground

Egg

Splash

D——40Normal

Tutor Moves

Poliwag can't learn any Tutor moves

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Poliwag Locations

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.

Route 225

Shining PearlGood Rod Lv.10-25 Route

35%Early

Route 225

Brilliant DiamondGood Rod Lv.10-25 Route

35%Early

Route 227

Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route

30%Mid

Route 227

Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route

30%Mid

Route 228

Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route

30%Mid

Route 228

Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route

30%Mid

Fountainspring Cave

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave

Post

Post-game

Fountainspring Cave

Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave

Post

Post-game

Grassland Cave

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave

Post

Post-game

Grassland Cave

Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave

Post

Post-game

Riverbank Cave

Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave

Post

Post-game

Riverbank Cave

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave

Post

Post-game

Still-Water Cavern

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave

Post

Post-game

Still-Water Cavern

Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave

Post

Post-game

Sunlit Cavern

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave

Post

Post-game

Sunlit Cavern

Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave

Post

Post-game

Poliwag Guide

Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25, then the line branches. Poliwhirl can become Poliwrath using a Water Stone and Politoed while holding a Kings Rock. Two final forms from the same mid-stage.
Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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 is catchable in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 19 other games across the series.

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

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Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 113-135%KO Giga Drain 2x 97-116%KO Bullet Seed 2x 32-39% Absorb 2x 32-39% View Budew builds →
Shinx Electric	D
Available Moves Moves Volt SwitchTM43 Shock WaveTM34 Charge BeamTM57 Thunder ShockLv. 4 Damage vs Poliwag Volt Switch 2x 81-97% Shock Wave 2x 71-87% Charge Beam 2x 65-77% Thunder Shock 2x 48-58% View Shinx builds →

Pachirisu Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchTM43 Shock WaveTM34 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Poliwag Thunderbolt 2x 94-111%KO Volt Switch 2x 71-86% Shock Wave 2x 63-77% Charge Beam 2x 57-69% View Pachirisu builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 100-120%KO Giga Drain 2x 86-103%KO Bullet Seed 2x 29-34% Absorb 2x 29-34% View Budew builds →
Electrike Electric	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchTM43 Shock WaveTM34 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Poliwag Thunderbolt 2x 114-137%KO Volt Switch 2x 94-111%KO Shock Wave 2x 80-94% Charge Beam 2x 71-86% View Electrike builds →
Shinx Electric	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchTM43 Shock WaveTM34 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Poliwag Thunderbolt 2x 86-103%KO Volt Switch 2x 71-86% Shock Wave 2x 63-77% Charge Beam 2x 57-69% View Shinx builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 20 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 219-259%KO Energy Ball 2x 163-193%KO Giga Drain 2x 140-164%KO Razor Leaf 2x 100-119%KO View Abomasnow builds →
Pachirisu Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchTM43 SparkLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 122-144%KO Thunderbolt 2x 100-119%KO Volt Switch 2x 79-95% Spark 2x 73-86% View Pachirisu builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 140-164%KO Energy Ball 2x 108-127%KO Giga Drain 2x 90-107%KO Bullet Seed 2x 23-29% View Budew builds →
Electrike Electric	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchTM43 Thunder FangLv. 24 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 153-181%KO Thunderbolt 2x 129-152%KO Volt Switch 2x 100-119%KO Thunder Fang 2x 73-86% View Electrike builds →
Shinx Electric	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchTM43 SparkLv. 16 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 111-132%KO Thunderbolt 2x 93-111%KO Volt Switch 2x 73-86% Spark 2x 93-111%KO View Shinx builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 20 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 219-259%KO Energy Ball 2x 163-193%KO Giga Drain 2x 140-164%KO Razor Leaf 2x 100-119%KO View Abomasnow builds →
Pachirisu Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchTM43 SparkLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 122-144%KO Thunderbolt 2x 100-119%KO Volt Switch 2x 79-95% Spark 2x 73-86% View Pachirisu builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 140-164%KO Energy Ball 2x 108-127%KO Giga Drain 2x 90-107%KO Bullet Seed 2x 23-29% View Budew builds →
Electrike Electric	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchTM43 Thunder FangLv. 24 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 153-181%KO Thunderbolt 2x 129-152%KO Volt Switch 2x 100-119%KO Thunder Fang 2x 73-86% View Electrike builds →
Shinx Electric	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchTM43 SparkLv. 16 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 111-132%KO Thunderbolt 2x 93-111%KO Volt Switch 2x 73-86% Spark 2x 93-111%KO View Shinx builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 20 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 219-258%KO Energy Ball 2x 165-194%KO Giga Drain 2x 138-162%KO Razor Leaf 2x 101-120%KO View Abomasnow builds →
Pachirisu Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchTM43 SparkLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 120-141%KO Thunderbolt 2x 99-116%KO Volt Switch 2x 78-92% Spark 2x 72-85% View Pachirisu builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 140-166%KO Energy Ball 2x 107-127%KO Giga Drain 2x 89-106%KO Bullet Seed 2x 24-28% View Budew builds →
Electrike Electric	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 DischargeLv. 32 Volt SwitchTM43 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 153-180%KO Thunderbolt 2x 126-148%KO Discharge 2x 113-134%KO Volt Switch 2x 99-116%KO View Electrike builds →
Shinx Electric	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchTM43 SparkLv. 16 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 111-131%KO Thunderbolt 2x 89-106%KO Volt Switch 2x 72-85% Spark 2x 93-109%KO View Shinx builds →

Jolteon Electric	B
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves ThunderSTAB Weather Ball WishRecovery SubstituteUtility Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 441-519%KO View Jolteon builds →
Venusaur GrassPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureModest Moves Sludge Bomb Weather Ball GrowthSetup Giga Drain Damage vs Poliwag Sludge Bomb 161-190%KO Giga Drain 2x 270-318%KO View Venusaur builds →