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 Diamond & 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 Diamond & 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 SwimHANot in game

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

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Water

STAB (3)

Fire Ground Rock

How to Beat Poliwag in Diamond & Pearl (Best Counters)

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 36 Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwag Wood Hammer 2x 218-257%KO Solar Beam 2x 218-257%KO Giga Drain 2x 138-162%KO Razor Leaf 2x 103-122%KO View Abomasnow builds →
Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Power WhipLv. 47 Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Vine WhipLv. 11 Damage vs Poliwag Power Whip 2x 232-273%KO Solar Beam 2x 215-254%KO Giga Drain 2x 135-159%KO Vine Whip 2x 89-105%KO View Carnivine builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Petal DanceLv. 40 Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Damage vs Poliwag Petal Dance 2x 232-273%KO Solar Beam 2x 232-273%KO Giga Drain 2x 147-173%KO Magical Leaf 2x 117-138%KO View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 158-186%KO Giga Drain 2x 101-119%KO Bullet Seed 2x 27-32% View Lileep builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 156-184%KO Giga Drain 2x 98-116%KO Bullet Seed 2x 32-38% Absorb 2x 30-35% View Lombre builds →

Diamond & 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, Endeavor, Haze and 7 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

10moves

Breed With (best first)

Diamond & Pearl Poliwag Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

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

Moves

Egg moves make a real difference. Poliwag gets Bubble Beam and Endeavor 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

Water Sport

———15Water

Lv 5

Bubble

—2010030Water

Lv 8

Hypnosis

D—7020Psychic

Lv 11

Water Gun

—4010025Water

Lv 15

Double Slap

—158510Normal

Lv 18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

Lv 21

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

Lv 25

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Lv 28

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Lv 31

Belly Drum

D——10Normal

Lv 35

Wake-Up Slap

—6010010Fighting

Lv 38

Hydro Pump

D120805Water

Lv 41

Mud Bomb

—658510Ground

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D120705Ice

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM07

Hail

D——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9510010Ice

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

D9010010Psychic

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

HM03

Surf

D9510015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM46

Thief

—6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

TM03

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

HM07

Waterfall

C8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Egg

Endeavor

D—1005Normal

Egg

Haze

D——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 Sport

———15Water

Tutor Moves

Poliwag can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Diamond & Pearl Poliwag Locations

Poliwag is available from early-game water routes onward at high spawn rates. 6 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.

Best Locations to Catch Poliwag in Diamond & Pearl

6 surfing and fishing encounters at Lv. 10-30 for Poliwag across Diamond and Pearl. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.

Route 225

DiamondGood Rod Lv.10-25 Route

45%Early

Route 225

PearlGood Rod Lv.10-25 Route

45%Early

Route 227

DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route

CommonMid

Route 227

PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route

CommonMid

Route 228

PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route

CommonMid

Route 228

DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route

CommonMid

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 Diamond & 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 Diamond & 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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Pachirisu Electric	C
Available Move Moves SparkLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwag Spark 2x 72-85% View Pachirisu builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodLake Verity Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwag Razor Leaf 2x 77-92% Absorb 2x 26-31% View Turtwig builds →
Lotad WaterGrass	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwag Absorb 2x 26-31% View Lotad builds →
Elekid Electric	D
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder Shock 2x 56-69% View Elekid builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Upcoming Move Moves Energy BallLv. 50 Learns Energy Ball at Level 50 View Lileep builds →

Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift TM Move Moves Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Bullet Seed 2x 30-38% View Lileep builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodLake Verity Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwag Razor Leaf 2x 77-91% Bullet Seed 2x 39-48% Absorb 2x 27-32% View Turtwig builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 13 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Mega Drain 2x 50-59% Bullet Seed 2x 27-32% Absorb 2x 27-32% View Budew builds →
Cherubi Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Magical LeafLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Magical Leaf 2x 80-96% Bullet Seed 2x 27-32% View Cherubi builds →
Lotad WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwag Mega Drain 2x 45-54% Bullet Seed 2x 27-32% Absorb 2x 27-32% View Lotad builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 219-259%KO Giga Drain 2x 140-164%KO Razor Leaf 2x 100-119%KO Bullet Seed 2x 48-58% View Abomasnow builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 160-189%KO Giga Drain 2x 100-119%KO Bullet Seed 2x 30-37% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 160-189%KO Giga Drain 2x 100-119%KO Razor Leaf 2x 84-99% Bullet Seed 2x 41-49% View Nuzleaf builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodLake Verity Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 13 Mega DrainLv. 25 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 132-156%KO Giga Drain 2x 84-99% Razor Leaf 2x 84-99% Mega Drain 2x 48-58% View Turtwig builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 140-164%KO Giga Drain 2x 90-107%KO Mega Drain 2x 48-58% Bullet Seed 2x 23-29% View Budew builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 219-259%KO Giga Drain 2x 140-164%KO Razor Leaf 2x 100-119%KO Bullet Seed 2x 48-58% View Abomasnow builds →
Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 216-255%KO Giga Drain 2x 136-160%KO Vine Whip 2x 90-107%KO Bullet Seed 2x 52-62% View Carnivine builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 233-275%KO Giga Drain 2x 147-173%KO Magical Leaf 2x 118-140%KO Mega Drain 2x 79-95% View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 160-189%KO Giga Drain 2x 100-119%KO Bullet Seed 2x 30-37% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 160-189%KO Giga Drain 2x 100-119%KO Razor Leaf 2x 84-99% Bullet Seed 2x 41-49% View Nuzleaf builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 36 Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwag Wood Hammer 2x 219-258%KO Solar Beam 2x 219-258%KO Giga Drain 2x 138-162%KO Razor Leaf 2x 101-120%KO View Abomasnow builds →
Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 213-251%KO Giga Drain 2x 134-159%KO Vine Whip 2x 89-106%KO Bullet Seed 2x 53-64% View Carnivine builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 233-275%KO Giga Drain 2x 149-176%KO Magical Leaf 2x 120-141%KO Mega Drain 2x 80-95% View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 161-191%KO Giga Drain 2x 101-120%KO Bullet Seed 2x 29-35% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 159-187%KO Giga Drain 2x 101-120%KO Razor Leaf 2x 84-99% Bullet Seed 2x 41-49% View Nuzleaf builds →

Magnezone ElectricSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves ThunderboltSTAB Hidden Power Fire Thunder Wave Explosion Damage vs Poliwag Thunderbolt 2x 271-319%KO Explosion 110-130%KO View Magnezone builds →
Roserade GrassPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves Toxic Spikes Hidden Power Fire SpikesHazard Sleep Powder View Roserade builds →
Jolteon Electric	B
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves ThunderboltSTAB Shadow Ball Hidden Power Ice Signal Beam Damage vs Poliwag Thunderbolt 2x 361-425%KO Shadow Ball 107-126%KO View Jolteon builds →
Venusaur GrassPoison	C
Recommended Build AbilityOvergrow ItemBlack Sludge NatureCalm Moves Sleep Powder Leech Seed Giga Drain Sludge Bomb Damage vs Poliwag Giga Drain 2x 153-181%KO Sludge Bomb 91-108%KO View Venusaur builds →