Physical
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 swirl on its belly subtly undulates. Staring at it may gradually cause drowsiness.

Gold

The skin on most of its body is moist. However, the skin on its belly spiral feels smooth.

Silver

Poliwhirl Weakness

Good

Electric 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.

Gen II Type Chart
  • 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
4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
ElectricGrass
½xResisti
FireWaterIceSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
STAB (3)i
FireGroundRock
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
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 37 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Haze, Mind Reader and 2 more.

Egg Groups
Water1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
5moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraslowbroslowkingoctillerydewgongseadramarillquagsire
12 of 37·

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

Utility
Ability
Not in Gen 2
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Not in Gen 2

Best Poliwhirl Moveset

  • Lovely Kiss
  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • SubmissionCoverage
  • Belly Drum

Recommended Teammates

Cloyster
CloysterExcellent
Snorlax
SnorlaxExcellent
Raikou
RaikouExcellent

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

Lv 1
Bubble
2010030Water
Lv 1
Hypnosis
—6020Psychic
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 7
Hypnosis
—6020Psychic
Lv 13
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 19
Double Slap
158510Normal
Lv 27
Rain Dance
——5Water
Lv 35
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Lv 43
Belly Drum
——10Normal
Lv 51
Hydro Pump
120805Water

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
TM03
Curse
——10Ghost
TM40
Defense Curl
——40Normal
TM43
Detect+4
——5Fighting
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
10010010Ground
TM20
Endure+4
——10Normal
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM02
Headbutt
7010015Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM33
Ice Punch
7510015Ice
TM16
Icy Wind
559515Ice
TM31
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM08
Rock Smash
2010015Fighting
TM35
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
TM13
Snore
4010015Normal
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM34
Swagger
—8515Normal
TM46
Thief
6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
—8510Poison
HM07
Waterfall
8010015Water
HM06
Whirlpool
358515Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Haze
——30Ice
Egg
Mind Reader
—1005Normal
Egg
Mist
——30Ice
Egg
Splash
——40Normal

Tutor Moves

Poliwhirl can't learn any Tutor moves

high spawn rates in early-game fishing spots across 44 locations. Poliwhirl's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.

Where To Catch Poliwhirl in Gold & Silver

To get Poliwhirl, start by catching Poliwag through fishing and surfing encounters at Lv. 5-44. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    Route 22
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 22
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Viridian City
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Viridian City
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Route 30
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 30
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Violet City
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Violet City
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Blackthorn City
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Blackthorn City
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Ilex Forest
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyForest
    MODERATE
    Ilex Forest
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyForest
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCave
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCave
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 35
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 35
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 44
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 44
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRuins
    MODERATE
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRuins
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Route 22
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 22
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 6
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 6
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Blackthorn City
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Blackthorn City
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Ilex Forest
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidForest
    EASY
    Ilex Forest
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidForest
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCave
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCave
    EASY
    Route 30
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 30
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 35
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 35
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRuins
    EASY
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRuins
    EASY
    Violet City
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Violet City
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Route 22
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 22
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 28
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 28
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 6
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 6
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Viridian City
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Viridian City
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Route 28
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 28
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Blackthorn City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Blackthorn City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Ilex Forest
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateForest
    EASY
    Ilex Forest
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateForest
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Route 30
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 30
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 35
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 35
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRuins
    EASY
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRuins
    EASY
    Violet City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Violet City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Route 22
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 22
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 28
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 28
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 6
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 6
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Viridian City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Viridian City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateCave
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateCave
    MODERATE
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Poliwhirl ✓
    Route 22
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 22
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 44
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 44
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Blackthorn City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Blackthorn City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Ilex Forest
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateForest
    MODERATE
    Ilex Forest
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateForest
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCave
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCave
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 35
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 35
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRuins
    MODERATE
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRuins
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Route 22
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 22
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.40-44UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.40-44UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 6
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 6
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    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.

  • 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.