Is Poliwag Good in HeartGold & SoulSilver Playthrough?
Fishing encounters across Johto waterways from early on. Water-type with AbilityWater Absorb healing from Water hits. The Poliwrath path at Water Stone adds Fighting for Pryce and Whitney's Miltank. Politoed through King's Rock trade is the alternative.
Poliwag has the type edge here and should clean up Falkner's team.
Poliwag has the type edge here and should clean up Bugsy's team.
Poliwag trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.
Poliwhirl has the type edge here and should clean up Morty's team.
Chuck's typing presses Poliwhirl's defenses.
Poliwrath resists most of Jasmine's coverage and hits back hard.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Jasmine:
Poliwrath resists most of Pryce's coverage and hits back hard.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Pryce:
Poliwrath trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Clair:
Poliwrath resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Brock:
Poliwrath has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Misty:
Poliwrath has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Lt. Surge:
Poliwrath trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Erika:
Poliwrath has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Janine:
Poliwrath trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Sabrina:
Poliwrath resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Blaine:
Poliwrath has the type edge here and should clean up Blue's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Blue:
Poliwrath trades roughly evenly with Will's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Will:
Poliwrath has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Koga:
Poliwrath has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Bruno:
Poliwrath has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Karen:
Poliwrath has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Lance:
Catchable
Catch Poliwag on Route 30 (Old Rod fishing, Lv 10, rare).
Recommended Moves
- After Bugsy
- TM14IceBlizzardPower 120Accuracy 70%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- TM13IceIce BeamPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 10Goldenrod Game Corner
- TM28GroundDigPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 10National Park
- After Whitney
- HM03WaterSurfPower 143Accuracy 100%PP 15Gift from a Kimono Girl in the Ecruteak Dance Theater
- LV 21NormalBody SlamPower 85Accuracy 100%PP 15
- LV 25WaterBubble BeamPower 98Accuracy 100%PP 20
- After Pryce
- HM07WaterWaterfallPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15Item ball on Ice Path 1F
- LV 38WaterHydro PumpPower 180Accuracy 80%PP 5
Evolve Poliwag to Poliwhirl
Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at Level 25. Your Poliwag should hit Level 25 before you reach Morty, at typical leveling pace.
Recommended Moves
- STARTING (Lv 25)
- LV 25NormalBody SlamPower 85Accuracy 100%PP 15
- After Bugsy
- TM13IceIce BeamPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 10Goldenrod Game Corner
- After Whitney
- HM03WaterSurfPower 143Accuracy 100%PP 15Gift from a Kimono Girl in the Ecruteak Dance Theater
- LV 27WaterBubble BeamPower 98Accuracy 100%PP 20
- After Chuck
- TM01FightingFocus PunchPower 150Accuracy 100%PP 20Prize for defeating Chuck
- After Pryce
- HM07WaterWaterfallPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15Item ball on Ice Path 1F
- After Clair
- TM26GroundEarthquakePower 100Accuracy 100%PP 10Victory Road
- LV 48WaterHydro PumpPower 180Accuracy 80%PP 5
Evolve Poliwhirl to Poliwrath
Poliwhirl evolves into Poliwrath with a Water Stone. You can receive the Water Stone from an NPC in Route 42. 2 other locations are also available.
Recommended Moves
- STARTING (Lv 31)
- LV 31FightingSubmissionPower 120Accuracy 80%PP 25
- LV 31WaterBubble BeamPower 98Accuracy 100%PP 20
- After Bugsy
- TM52FightingFocus BlastPower 180Accuracy 70%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- TM15NormalHyper BeamPower 150Accuracy 90%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- After Whitney
- HM03WaterSurfPower 143Accuracy 100%PP 15Gift from a Kimono Girl in the Ecruteak Dance Theater
- After Chuck
- TM01FightingFocus PunchPower 225Accuracy 100%PP 20Prize for defeating Chuck
- After Pryce
- HM07WaterWaterfallPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15Item ball on Ice Path 1F
- After Clair
- TM26GroundEarthquakePower 100Accuracy 100%PP 10Victory Road
Evolve Poliwhirl to Politoed
Poliwhirl evolves into Politoed when traded. Most players are ready to trade before reaching Jasmine.
Recommended Moves
- STARTING (Lv 31)
- LV 31WaterBubble BeamPower 98Accuracy 100%PP 20
- After Bugsy
- TM15NormalHyper BeamPower 150Accuracy 90%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- TM13IceIce BeamPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 10Goldenrod Game Corner
- After Whitney
- HM03WaterSurfPower 143Accuracy 100%PP 15Gift from a Kimono Girl in the Ecruteak Dance Theater
- After Chuck
- TM01FightingFocus PunchPower 150Accuracy 100%PP 20Prize for defeating Chuck
- After Pryce
- HM07WaterWaterfallPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15Item ball on Ice Path 1F
- After Clair
- TM26GroundEarthquakePower 100Accuracy 100%PP 10Victory Road
- LV 48NormalHyper VoicePower 90Accuracy 100%PP 10
How to Get Poliwag in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Poliwag is the fishing king of this batch, with over a hundred and fifty encounters spread across twenty locations by every rod and by surf. Common at nearly any water you reach, the tadpole is impossible to miss once you can fish.
20 locations to catch Poliwag
Encountered via fishing with a Rod, Surfing
Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8Where To Catch Poliwhirl in HGSS
- Step 1Catch Poliwag
- Step 2Poliwhirl ✓Route 22Lv.5-10Surfing on waterRate 90%Viridian CityLv.5-10Surfing on waterRate 90%Ecruteak CityLv.10-25Surfing on waterRate 90%Route 30Lv.10-25Surfing on waterRate 90%Route 31Lv.10-25Surfing on waterRate 90%Violet CityLv.10-25Surfing on waterRate 90%Route 44Lv.15-30Surfing on waterRate 90%Safari Zone - MeadowLv.12-15Old RodRate 40%Safari Zone - WetlandLv.12-15Old RodRate 40%Safari Zone - MarshlandLv.12-15Old RodRate 40%Safari Zone - MarshlandLv.15-17Surfing on waterRate 40%Safari Zone - Rocky BeachLv.15-16Surfing on waterRate 30%Safari Zone - WetlandLv.15-16Surfing on waterRate 30%Blackthorn CityLv.10Old RodRate 15%Ecruteak CityLv.10Old RodRate 15%Ilex ForestLv.10Old RodRate 15%Mt. Silver - BaseLv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 30Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 31Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 35Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 43Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 44Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 45Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Ruins of Alph - OutsideLv.10Old RodRate 15%Violet CityLv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 22Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 28Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 6Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Viridian CityLv.10Old RodRate 15%Safari Zone - WetlandLv.22-24Good RodRate 70%Blackthorn CityLv.20Good RodRate 60%Ecruteak CityLv.20Good RodRate 60%Ilex ForestLv.20Good RodRate 60%Mt. Silver - BaseLv.20Good RodRate 60%Route 30Lv.20Good RodRate 60%Route 31Lv.20Good RodRate 60%Route 35Lv.20Good RodRate 60%Route 43Lv.20Good RodRate 60%Route 45Lv.20Good RodRate 60%Ruins of Alph - OutsideLv.20Good RodRate 60%Violet CityLv.20Good RodRate 60%Route 22Lv.20Good RodRate 60%Route 28Lv.20Good RodRate 60%Route 6Lv.20Good RodRate 60%Viridian CityLv.20Good RodRate 60%Route 44Lv.20Good RodRate 55%Cerulean Cave - 1FLv.20Good RodRate 55%NightCerulean Cave - 2FLv.20Good RodRate 55%NightCerulean Cave - B1FLv.20Good RodRate 55%NightCerulean Cave - 1FLv.20Good RodRate 45%Morning/dayCerulean Cave - 2FLv.20Good RodRate 45%Morning/dayCerulean Cave - B1FLv.20Good RodRate 45%Morning/daySafari Zone - MeadowLv.22-24Good RodRate 40%Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon SquareLv.20Good RodRate 30%Cliff Edge GateLv.20Good RodRate 15%Morning/dayMt. Silver - BaseLv.30-40Surfing on waterRate 9%Cliff Edge GateLv.20Good RodRate 5%NightMt. Moon - Mt. Moon SquareLv.40Super RodRate 100%Route 28Lv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 90%Blackthorn CityLv.40Super RodRate 80%Ecruteak CityLv.40Super RodRate 80%Ilex ForestLv.40Super RodRate 80%Mt. Silver - BaseLv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 30Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 31Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 35Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 43Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 45Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Ruins of Alph - OutsideLv.40Super RodRate 80%Violet CityLv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 22Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 28Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 6Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Viridian CityLv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 44Lv.40Super RodRate 70%Cerulean Cave - 1FLv.40Super RodRate 70%NightCerulean Cave - 2FLv.40Super RodRate 70%NightCerulean Cave - B1FLv.40Super RodRate 70%NightMt. Moon - Mt. Moon SquareLv.35Surfing on waterRate 60%Safari Zone - WetlandLv.35-37Super RodRate 50%Safari Zone - MeadowLv.35-36Super RodRate 40%Cerulean Cave - 1FLv.40Super RodRate 40%Morning/dayCerulean Cave - 2FLv.40Super RodRate 40%Morning/dayCerulean Cave - B1FLv.40Super RodRate 40%Morning/dayCliff Edge GateLv.40Super RodRate 30%or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in HeartGold & SoulSilver for Poliwhirl.
How to Get Shiny Poliwag in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Poliwag splashes through Mt. Moon and Cerulean Cave, but breeding it Masuda-style is the fastest way to a shiny. Compare Shiny Poliwag odds across every game
HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny Poliwag Calculator
2 MethodsThe best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.
Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.
Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.
How many you have done, or plan to do.
| Chance | Encounters | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10%lucky few | 173-- | -- |
| 25%one in four | 472-- | -- |
| 50%coin flip | 1,136-- | -- |
| 90%very likely | 3,773-- | -- |
Time assumes -- at your pace and does not change your shiny odds.
How is this calculated?
Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.
chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N, where p = 1 / odds per try
Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.
The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.
These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.
Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your HeartGold & SoulSilver shiny odds for Poliwag.
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
What is Poliwag Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Poliwag
 Parasect BugGrass | C | |
 Cacturne GrassDark | B | |
 Victreebel GrassPoison | C | |
 Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
 Carnivine Grass | C | |
 Meganium Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chikorita (New Bark Town Gift) | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | A | |
 Jolteon Electric | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Goldenrod City Gift) | ||
 Ampharos Electric | C | |
 Jumpluff Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodSafari Zone Surfing | ||
 Plusle Electric | B | |
 Electrode Electric | B | |
Obtain MethodTeam Rocket Hq Interact Encounter | ||
 Luxray Electric | C | |
 Budew GrassPoison | C | |
Poliwag Evolutions
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 69 breeding partners from the Water 1 egg group. Pass egg moves like Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 8 more to offspring.
HGSS Poliwag Best Moveset
90 Speed on an otherwise flat stat profile in the 40s. AbilityWater Absorb heals HP from incoming Water moves, but the moveset has nothing to do with the turns that creates. Poliwhirl opens the path to Poliwrath or Politoed.
Best Build
Poliwag best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Attacker Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power Electric
- Belly Drum
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
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.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
All 20 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
The direction of its belly spiral differs by area. The equator is thought to have an effect on this.
Poliwag HeartGold & SoulSilver Guide
- How do I catch Poliwag in the HeartGold & SoulSilver Safari Zone?
See the Locations section above for where to find Poliwag in HeartGold & SoulSilver.
Safari rules: You can only use Safari Balls. No battling. Two tactical items shift the catch/flee trade-off:
- Throw bait to keep Poliwag from fleeing (flee rate cut to 1/4) but it becomes harder to catch (catch factor halved).
- Throw a rock to make Poliwag easier to catch (catch factor doubled) but it flees twice as often.
- Each effect lasts 2-6 random turns; throwing one cancels the other.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 9 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 7Let's Go
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
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