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.
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 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 |
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Electric is super effective against PoliwagView Jolteon → | ||
 Toedscool GroundGrass | B | |
Grass is super effective against PoliwagView Toedscool → | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | B | |
Grass is super effective against PoliwagView Venusaur → | ||
In Scarlet & Violet, 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% | ||
Scarlet & Violet 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 87 breeding partners from the Water1 egg group. Pass egg moves like Endeavor, Mist, Muddy Water and 2 more to offspring.
Scarlet & Violet Poliwag Best Moveset
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
Moves
Egg moves make a real difference. Poliwag gets Endeavor and Mist 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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Poliwag in Scarlet & Violet
Poliwag can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Bring it over from Red instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Poliwag Guide
Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.
In Scarlet & Violet, 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 Scarlet & Violet. 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
- 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