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 Red & Blue, 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 Red & Blue. 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

Special

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 stat exp, 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

Abilities were introduced in Generation III. Shown below for reference.

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 newly grown legs prevent it from running. It appears to prefer swimming than trying to stand.

Poliwag Weakness

Poliwag is weak to Electric and Grass. Its Water typing keeps the defensive matchups simple. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.

Poliwag Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)	Fire, Water, Ice

Type ChartAvg

2Weak

3Resist

0Immune

Score-1

Gen I Type Chart

Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass

½xResist

Fire Water Ice

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (3)

Fire Ground Rock

How to Beat Poliwag in Red & Blue (Best Counters)

Pikachu Electric	C
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder Shock 2x 55-68% View Pikachu builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift Upcoming Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 13 Learns Vine Whip at Level 13 View Bulbasaur builds →

Red & Blue Evolution

Poliwag evolves into Politoed, but can't breed. At 300 stats as a Water type, evolution is the only path. Evolving adds up to 210 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms

#060Poliwag

Level 25

#061Poliwhirl

Water Stone

#062Poliwrath

Stat Comparison 3 Stages

Poliwag

Water

Poliwhirl

Water

Poliwrath

WaterFighting

65+25

90+25

ATK

65+15

95+30

DEF

65+25

95+30

SP.ATK

50+10

70+20

SP.DEF

50+10

90+40

SPE

70-20

BST

300D-Tier

385D-Tier+85

510C-Tier+125

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

Utility

Physical

Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

Red & Blue Poliwag Best Moveset

Best Build

Experimental

Utility

Ability

Not in Gen 1

Item

Not in Gen 1

Nature

Not in Gen 1

Utility Moveset

HypnosisUtility
AmnesiaUtility
BlizzardCoverage
SurfSTAB

Recommended Teammates

AlakazamExcellent

GengarGood

ChanseyGood

Moves

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 Ice coverage. That's where the options open up.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Bubble

—2010030Water

Lv 16

Hypnosis

S—6020Psychic

Lv 19

Water Gun

D4010025Water

Lv 25

Double Slap

—158510Normal

Lv 31

Body Slam

B8510015Normal

Lv 38

Amnesia

S——20Psychic

Lv 45

Hydro Pump

D120805Water

TM Moves

TM34

Bide+1

———10Normal

TM14

Blizzard

S110905Ice

TM08

Body Slam

B8510015Normal

TM11

Bubble Beam

D6510020Water

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM10

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9510010Ice

TM31

Mimic

———10Normal

TM29

Psychic

B9010010Psychic

TM46

Psywave

——10015Psychic

TM20

Rage

—2010020Normal

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM40

Skull Bash

C10010010Normal

TM50

Substitute

B——10Normal

HM03

Surf

S9510015Water

TM09

Take Down

—908520Normal

TM06

Toxic

C—9010Poison

TM12

Water Gun

D4010025Water

Egg Moves

Poliwag doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Poliwag can't learn any Tutor moves

Red & Blue Poliwag Locations

high spawn rates in early-game fishing spots across 62 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 Red & Blue

Bring Good Rod and Super Rod for Poliwag. There are 62 fishing encounters from Lv. 10-15 with no walking alternatives. Pick the spot with the best rate and settle in.

Celadon City

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 City

50%Early

Celadon City

RedGood Rod Lv.10 City

50%Early

Cerulean Cave - 1F

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Cave

50%Early

Cerulean Cave - 1F

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Cave

50%Early

Cerulean Cave - B1F

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Cave

50%Early

Cerulean Cave - B1F

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Cave

50%Early

Fuchsia City

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 City

50%Early

Fuchsia City

RedGood Rod Lv.10 City

50%Early

Pallet Town

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 City

50%Early

Pallet Town

RedGood Rod Lv.10 City

50%Early

Route 10

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 10

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 11

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 11

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 12

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 12

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 13

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 13

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 17

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 17

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 18

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 18

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 19

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 19

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 20

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 20

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 21

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 21

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 22

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 22

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 23

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 23

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 24

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 24

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 25

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 25

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 6

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Route 6

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Route

50%Early

Safari Zone - Center

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Facility

50%Early

Safari Zone - Center

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Facility

50%Early

Safari Zone - East

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Facility

50%Early

Safari Zone - East

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Facility

50%Early

Safari Zone - North

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Facility

50%Early

Safari Zone - North

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Facility

50%Early

Safari Zone - West

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Facility

50%Early

Safari Zone - West

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Facility

50%Early

Seafoam Islands - B4F

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Water

50%Early

Seafoam Islands - B4F

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Water

50%Early

Seafoam Islands - B3F

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 Water

50%Early

Seafoam Islands - B3F

RedGood Rod Lv.10 Water

50%Early

Vermilion City - City

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 City

50%Early

Vermilion City - City

RedGood Rod Lv.10 City

50%Early

Vermilion City - Harbor

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 City

50%Early

Vermilion City - Harbor

RedGood Rod Lv.10 City

50%Early

Viridian City

BlueGood Rod Lv.10 City

50%Early

Viridian City

RedGood Rod Lv.10 City

50%Early

Pallet Town

BlueSuper Rod Lv.15 City

50%Early

Pallet Town

RedSuper Rod Lv.15 City

50%Early

Route 22

BlueSuper Rod Lv.15 Route

50%Early

Route 22

RedSuper Rod Lv.15 Route

50%Early

Viridian City

BlueSuper Rod Lv.15 City

50%Early

Viridian City

RedSuper Rod Lv.15 City

50%Early

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 Red & Blue, 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 Red & Blue. 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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Pikachu Electric	C
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder Shock 2x 51-63% View Pikachu builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Absorb 2x 35-42% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwag Vine Whip 2x 65-77% View Bulbasaur builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Vine Whip 2x 70-84% View Bellsprout builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
Upcoming Move Moves View Paras builds →

Pikachu Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Thunderbolt 2x 105-126%KO Thunder Shock 2x 51-63% View Pikachu builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Absorb 2x 35-42% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwag Vine Whip 2x 65-77% View Bulbasaur builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Vine Whip 2x 70-84% View Bellsprout builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
Upcoming Move Moves View Paras builds →

Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainTM21 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Mega Drain 2x 63-76% Absorb 2x 35-42% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 27 Vine WhipLv. 13 Mega DrainTM21 Damage vs Poliwag Razor Leaf 2x 75-89% Vine Whip 2x 63-76% Mega Drain 2x 56-68% View Bulbasaur builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Mega DrainTM21 Damage vs Poliwag Vine Whip 2x 68-80% Mega Drain 2x 61-72% View Bellsprout builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
TM Move Moves Mega DrainTM21 Damage vs Poliwag Mega Drain 2x 46-55% View Paras builds →
Voltorb Electric	D
TM Move Moves ThunderboltTM24 Damage vs Poliwag Thunderbolt 2x 107-127%KO View Voltorb builds →

Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainTM21 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Mega Drain 2x 64-76% Absorb 2x 33-40% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 27 Vine WhipLv. 13 Mega DrainTM21 Damage vs Poliwag Razor Leaf 2x 77-92% Vine Whip 2x 64-76% Mega Drain 2x 57-68% View Bulbasaur builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Mega DrainTM21 Damage vs Poliwag Vine Whip 2x 68-80% Mega Drain 2x 60-72% View Bellsprout builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
TM Move Moves Mega DrainTM21 Damage vs Poliwag Mega Drain 2x 47-56% View Paras builds →
Voltorb Electric	D
TM Move Moves ThunderboltTM24 Damage vs Poliwag Thunderbolt 2x 112-132%KO View Voltorb builds →

Parasect BugGrass	C
TM Move Moves Mega DrainTM21 Damage vs Poliwag Mega Drain 2x 54-65% View Parasect builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Petal DanceLv. 33 Mega DrainTM21 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Petal Dance 2x 186-220%KO Mega Drain 2x 65-76% Absorb 2x 35-42% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 27 Vine WhipLv. 13 Mega DrainTM21 Damage vs Poliwag Razor Leaf 2x 80-95% Vine Whip 2x 67-80% Mega Drain 2x 57-68% View Bulbasaur builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 33 Vine WhipLv. 1 Mega DrainTM21 Damage vs Poliwag Razor Leaf 2x 84-99% Vine Whip 2x 71-84% Mega Drain 2x 61-72% View Bellsprout builds →
Voltorb Electric	D
TM Move Moves ThunderboltTM24 Damage vs Poliwag Thunderbolt 2x 113-133%KO View Voltorb builds →