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.
Though it is skilled at walking, it prefers to live underwater where there is less danger.
Poliwhirl Weakness
GoodElectric and Grass-type moves hit Poliwhirl for super-effective damage. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Just 2 weak spots to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
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
Breed with Poliwhirl to get Poliwag eggs easily using 37 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Haze, Mind Reader and 2 more.
Start with flexible EVs EVs. A nature nature gives Poliwhirl the right balanced lean, Leftovers adds passive recovery each turn, and an ability works in the background. Lovely Kiss is the main damage option.
Best Build
Best Poliwhirl Moveset
- Lovely Kiss
- Earthquake
- Submission
- Belly Drum
Recommended Teammates
Without breeding, Poliwhirl misses out on Bubble Beam and Haze. That's 5 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Hydro Pump and Surf, with Normal and Ice coverage and more rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Poliwhirl is available from early-game fishing spots onward at high spawn rates. 24 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Where To Catch Poliwhirl in Crystal
The path to Poliwhirl starts with Poliwag at Lv. 3-44 via fishing, surfing, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch PoliwagEFFORTLESSRoute 22GrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 31GrassLv.4CommonEarlyRouteNightEASYRoute 22Surfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyRouteEASYViridian CitySurfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyCityEASYEcruteak CitySurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCityEASYRoute 30Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 31Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 44Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRouteEASYViolet CitySurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCityEASYRoute 30GrassLv.4UncommonEarlyRouteNightMODERATEBlackthorn CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEEcruteak CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEIlex ForestOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyForestMODERATEMt. Silver - OutsideOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCaveMODERATERoute 30Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 31Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 35Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 44Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERuins of Alph - OutsideOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRuinsMODERATEViolet CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATERoute 22Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 28Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 6Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATEViridian CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityEASYBlackthorn CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYEcruteak CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYIlex ForestGood RodLv.20CommonMidForestEASYMt. Silver - OutsideGood RodLv.20CommonMidCaveEASYRoute 30Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 31Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 35Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 44Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRuins of Alph - OutsideGood RodLv.20CommonMidRuinsEASYViolet CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYRoute 22Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 28Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 6Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYViridian CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEFFORTLESSRoute 44GrassLv.22CommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 28Surfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateRouteEASYBlackthorn CitySuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYEcruteak CitySuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYIlex ForestSuper RodLv.40CommonLateForestEASYMt. Silver - OutsideSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCaveEASYRoute 30Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 31Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 35Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 44Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRuins of Alph - OutsideSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRuinsEASYViolet CitySuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYRoute 22Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 28Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 6Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYViridian CitySuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityMODERATEMt. Silver - OutsideSurfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateCave
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓MODERATERoute 22Surfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATEViridian CitySurfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEEcruteak CitySurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCityMODERATERoute 30Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 31Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 44Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRouteMODERATEViolet CitySurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCityEASYRoute 44GrassLv.24-26UncommonMidRouteNightEASYMt. Silver - OutsideSurfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateCaveEFFORTLESSRoute 28GrassLv.40CommonLateRouteNightEFFORTLESSMt. Silver - OutsideGrassLv.42-44CommonLateCaveNightMODERATEBlackthorn CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATEEcruteak CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATEIlex ForestSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateForestMODERATERoute 30Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 31Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 35Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERuins of Alph - OutsideSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRuinsMODERATEViolet CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATERoute 22Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 28Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 28Surfing on waterLv.40-44UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 6Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATEViridian CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityor 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.
Base 90 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Poliwhirl is a physical attacker with 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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A