Utility
Balanced
385Low
90Moderate
DTier

Mid-stage Pokemon like Poliwhirl rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Poliwrath, which is where the real potential kicks in. An original Gen 1 pick. Sits at a decent but contested Speed tier.

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.

Base Stats
385Avg
HP65
C
Attack65
C
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def50
D
Speed90
B
Total385
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Poliwhirl yields +2 Spe
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Details
Catch120Moderate•Medium Slow1.06M XP•1m / 3'03"•20kg / 44.1 lbs•135Base XP
Pokedex Entries

The spiral pattern on its belly subtly undulates. Staring at it gradually causes drowsiness.

Black / White

Poliwhirl Weakness

Good

Electric and Grass-type moves hit Poliwhirl for super-effective damage. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.

Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
ElectricGrass
½xResisti
FireWaterIceSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
Water
STAB (3)i
FireGroundRock
2Weak
4Resist
1Immune
Scorei0
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Water AbsorbAbsorbs water moves, healing for 1/4 max HP.
DampPrevents self destruct, explosion, and aftermath from working while the Pokémon is in battle.
Swift SwimHADoubles Speed during rain.
Water Absorb grants Water immunity

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.

How to Evolve

4 Forms
Poliwag
#060Poliwag
25
Level 25
Poliwhirl
#061Poliwhirl
Poliwrath
#062PoliwrathWater Stone
Politoed
#186PolitoedTrade + Kings Rock
Stat Comparison 4 Stages
Poliwag
Water
Poliwhirl
Water
Poliwrath
WaterFighting
Politoed
Water
HP
40
65+25
90+25
90+25
ATK
50
65+15
95+30
75+10
DEF
40
65+25
95+30
75+10
SP.ATK
40
50+10
70+20
90+40
SP.DEF
40
50+10
90+40
100+50
SPE
90
90
70-20
70-20
BST
300D-Tier
385D-Tier+85
510C-Tier+125
500B-Tier+115
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Physical
Mixed
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed with Poliwhirl to get Poliwag eggs easily using 78 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 10 more.

Egg Groups
Water1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
13moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolodewgongcrawdaunt
12 of 78·

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 5.

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

Without breeding, Poliwhirl misses out on Bubble Beam and Encore. That's 13 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Hydro Pump and Surf, with Normal and Ground coverage and more rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bubble
2010030Water
Lv 1
Hypnosis
—6020Psychic
Lv 1
Water Sport
——15Water
Lv 5
Bubble
2010030Water
Lv 8
Hypnosis
—6020Psychic
Lv 11
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 15
Double Slap
158510Normal
Lv 18
Rain Dance
——5Water
Lv 21
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Lv 27
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Lv 32
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Lv 37
Belly Drum
——10Normal
Lv 43
Wake-Up Slap
6010010Fighting
Lv 48
Hydro Pump
120805Water
Lv 53
Mud Bomb
658510Ground

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TM78
Bulldoze
6010020Ground
TM28
Dig
8010010Ground
HM06
Dive
8010010Water
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM56
Fling
—10010Dark
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM07
Hail
——10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9510010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM94
Rock Smash
4010015Fighting
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM55
Scald
8010015Water
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
——10Normal
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM87
Swagger
—9015Normal
TM46
Thief
6010010Dark
TM06
Toxic
—9010Poison
HM05
Waterfall
8010015Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Encore
—1005Normal
Egg
Endeavor
—1005Normal
Egg
Endure+4
——10Normal
Egg
Haze
——30Ice
Egg
Ice Ball
309020Ice
Egg
Mind Reader
——5Normal
Egg
Mist
——30Ice
Egg
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Egg
Refresh
——20Normal
Egg
Splash
——40Normal
Egg
Water Pulse
6010020Water
Egg
Water Sport
——15Water

Tutor Moves

Poliwhirl can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 4
Captivate
—10020Normal
Gen 3
Counter-5
—10020Fighting
Gen 3
Defense Curl
——40Normal
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 4
Focus Punch-3
15010020Fighting
Gen 4
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Gen 3
Mega Kick
120755Normal
Gen 3
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Gen 3
Metronome
——10Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
——10Normal
Gen 4
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
Gen 4
Natural Gift
—10015Normal
Gen 4
Secret Power
7010020Normal
Gen 3
Seismic Toss
—10020Fighting
Gen 4
Whirlpool
358515Water

high spawn rates across 32 locations for Poliwhirl in late-game fishing spots. 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 Black & White

The path to Poliwhirl starts with Poliwag at Lv. 35-70 via fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
    EASY
    Route 6
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
    EASY
    Route 6
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
    EASY
    Victory Road - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Victory Road - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Victory Road - 3F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Victory Road - 3F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Poliwhirl ✓
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Route 6
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Route 6
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Victory Road - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Victory Road - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Victory Road - 3F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Victory Road - 3F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateIceAny
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateIceAny
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateIceAny
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateIceAny
    EXTREME
    Route 6
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateRouteAny
    EXTREME
    Route 6
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateRouteAny
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 3F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 3F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    or 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.

  • Watch for Raikou (Electric) and Venusaur (Grass) when using Poliwhirl. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25. Poliwhirl can evolve into Poliwrath and Politoed depending on the method. Poliwhirl is a middle-stage evolution in the Poliwag line.

  • 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.

  • Base 90 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Poliwhirl is leaning toward the physical side (base 65 Attack).

  • Poliwhirl appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

One of the original 151, Poliwhirl has appeared in 20 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.