Speed and HP carry most of Poliwhirl's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 2 Speed EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
The spiral pattern on its belly subtly undulates. Staring at it gradually causes drowsiness.
The spiral pattern on its belly subtly undulates. Staring at it gradually causes drowsiness.
Electric and Grass moves hit Poliwhirl for super-effective damage. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. 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 can KO Poliwhirl with Thunderbolt (168-198%). Raikou threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (115-136%). Toedscool deals 43-51% with Giga Drain.
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Poliwhirl View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x168-198%KO Volt Switch 2x131-154%KO Shadow Ball50-59% | ||
 Raikou Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Poliwhirl View Raikou builds →Scald17-20% Thunderbolt 2x115-136%KO Volt Switch 2x90-106%KO | ||
 Toedscool GroundGrass | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMyceliummight ItemEviolite NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Poliwhirl View Toedscool builds →Rapid Spin6-7% Knock Off7-9% Giga Drain 2x43-51% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemToxic Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Poliwhirl View Breloom builds →Mach Punch25-30% Bullet Seed 2x33-39% | ||
From here, Poliwhirl's line branches into Poliwrath and Politoed. That's 2 possible evolutions, each with its own method. So far, HP got the biggest boost (+25 from Poliwag). The final form adds another 125 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Poliwhirl to get Poliwag eggs easily using 114 partners from the Water1 egg group.
Eviolite makes Poliwhirl bulkier than you'd expect from something that still evolves. Max Attack and Speed EVs with Jolly nature handle the stat profile. Ground coverage keeps it from being passive.
Best Build
Poliwhirl best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Belly Drum
- Liquidation
- Earthquake
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Icy Wind
- Protect
- Encore
- Whirlpool
Recommended Teammates
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Poliwhirl. TMs unlock Ground and Normal coverage and more and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Hydro Pump and Muddy Water into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without breeding, Poliwhirl misses out on Bubble Beam and Encore. That's 8 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Hydro Pump and Surf, with Ground and Normal coverage and more rounding things out.
Without breeding, Poliwhirl misses out on Endeavor and Haze. That's 6 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Hydro Pump and Muddy Water, with Ground and Normal coverage and more rounding things out.
Leveling does the heavy lifting. Poliwhirl picks up Hydro Pump and Blizzard along the way, building toward a complete offensive set. TMs add Normal and Fighting coverage and more, but the foundation's already strong by then.
Poliwhirl can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer Poliwag from Red and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
high spawn rates across 18 locations for Poliwhirl in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Poliwhirl in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The path to Poliwhirl starts with Poliwag at Lv. 10-63 via walking, surfing, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch PoliwagRoute 225Shining PearlGood Rod Lv.10-25 Route35%EarlyRoute 225Brilliant DiamondGood Rod Lv.10-25 Route35%EarlyRoute 227Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route30%MidRoute 227Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route30%MidRoute 228Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route30%MidRoute 228Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route30%MidFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-game
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓Route 225Brilliant DiamondSuper Rod Lv.30-55 Route35%MidRoute 225Shining PearlSuper Rod Lv.30-55 Route35%MidRoute 227Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route70%LateRoute 227Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route70%LateRoute 228Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route70%LateRoute 228Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route70%LateRoute 225Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.40-50 Route30%LateRoute 225Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.40-50 Route30%LateFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameor evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Can't catch Poliwhirl directly. Start with Poliwag at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 25. The 2-stage line from Poliwag to Poliwhirl is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Poliwhirl in Sword & Shield
The path to Poliwhirl starts with Poliwag at Lv. 13-45 via walking and surfing encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch PoliwagBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlyNormal WeatherBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlySnowingBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlyRainingBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlyOvercastBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlyNormal WeatherBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlyThunderstormBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlyIntense SunBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlySnowingBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlyRainingBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlyThunderstormBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlyOvercastBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlyIntense SunBrawlers' CaveShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Cave50%LateAll WeatherBrawlers' CaveSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Cave50%LateAll Weather
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓
10 encounter spots for Poliwhirl at moderate rates starting from early-game water routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Poliwhirl in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
To get Poliwhirl, start by catching Poliwag through surfing encounters at Lv. 3-56. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PoliwagRoute 22Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.3-4 Route45%EarlyRoute 22Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.3-4 Route45%EarlyRoute 25Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.9-14 Route45%EarlyRoute 25Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.9-14 Route45%EarlyRoute 23Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.41-46 Route45%LateRoute 23Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.41-46 Route45%LateCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave45%PostCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave45%PostCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave45%PostCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave45%Post
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓Route 22Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.3-4 Route10%EarlyRoute 22Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.3-4 Route10%EarlyRoute 25Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.9-14 Route10%EarlyRoute 25Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.9-14 Route10%EarlyRoute 23Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.41-46 Route10%LateRoute 23Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.41-46 Route10%LateCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave9%PostCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave9%PostCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave9%PostCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave9%Postor evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Poliwhirl is meant to evolve into Poliwrath. At 385 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Swift Swim is what you want on Poliwhirl. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Water Absorb, Damp) work on paper but Swift Swim is what makes Poliwhirl worth using.
Poliwhirl's hidden ability is Swift Swim. Doubles Speed during rain. Better than the standard options for competitive play.
One of the original 151, Poliwhirl has appeared in 20 games — most mainline games. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.
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