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.

What is Poliwhirl weak to?

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.

How do you evolve Poliwhirl?

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.

What is the best ability for Poliwhirl?

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.

What role does Poliwhirl play in battle?

Base 90 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Poliwhirl is a mixed attacker — base 65 Attack and 50 Sp. Atk.

What games is Poliwhirl in?

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

Poliwhirl Location, Evolution & Stats

Mixed

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

Attack65

Defense65

Sp. Atk50

Sp. Def50

Speed90

Total385

Low <60

Avg 60-89

High 90-149

Top 150+

EV Yield

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.

Heart Gold

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

Soul Silver

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 IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCriticali

None

2xWeaki

Electric Grass

½xResisti

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResisti

None

0xImmunei

Water

STAB (3)i

Fire Ground Rock

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

#060Poliwag

Level 25

#061Poliwhirl

#062PoliwrathWater Stone

#186PolitoedTrade + Kings Rock

Stat Comparison 4 Stages

Poliwag

Water

Poliwhirl

Water

Poliwrath

WaterFighting

Politoed

Water

65+25

90+25

ATK

65+15

95+30

75+10

DEF

65+25

95+30

75+10

SP.ATK

50+10

70+20

90+40

SP.DEF

50+10

90+40

100+50

SPE

70-20

BST

300D-Tier

385D-Tier+85

510C-Tier+125

500B-Tier+115

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

Utility

Physical

Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Poliwhirl to get Poliwag eggs easily using 69 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 8 more.

Egg Groups

Water1

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

11moves

Breed With (best first)

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

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

Without breeding, Poliwhirl misses out on Bubble Beam and Encore. That's 11 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

—7020Psychic

Lv 1

Water Sport

——15Water

Lv 5

Bubble

2010030Water

Lv 8

Hypnosis

—7020Psychic

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

Captivate

—10020Normal

TM28

Dig

8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

——15Normal

TM26

Earthquake

10010010Ground

TM58

Endure+4

——10Normal

TM42

Facade

7010020Normal

TM56

Fling

—10010Dark

TM01

Focus Punch-3

15010020Fighting

TM21

Frustration

—10020Normal

TM07

Hail

——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

6010015Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

9510010Ice

TM83

Natural Gift

—10015Normal

TM17

Protect+4

——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

9010010Psychic

TM18

Rain Dance

——5Water

TM44

Rest

——10Psychic

TM27

Return

—10020Normal

HM06

Rock Smash

4010015Fighting

TM43

Secret Power

7010020Normal

TM82

Sleep Talk

——10Normal

HM04

Strength

8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

——10Normal

HM03

Surf

9510015Water

TM87

Swagger

—9015Normal

TM46

Thief

6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

—8510Poison

TM03

Water Pulse

6010020Water

HM07

Waterfall

8010015Water

HM05

Whirlpool

358515Water

Egg Moves

Src

Egg

Bubble Beam

6510020Water

Egg

Encore

—1005Normal

Egg

Endeavor

—1005Normal

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 Sport

——15Water

Tutor Moves

Src

Tutor

Dive

8010010Water

Tutor

Headbutt

7010015Normal

Tutor

Helping Hand+5

——20Normal

Tutor

Ice Punch

7510015Ice

Tutor

Icy Wind

559515Ice

Tutor

Mud-Slap

2010010Ground

Tutor

Snore

4010015Normal

Transfer Moves

Src

Gen 3

Counter-5

—10020Fighting

Gen 3

Defense Curl

——40Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

12010015Normal

Gen 3

Mega Kick

120755Normal

Gen 3

Mega Punch

808520Normal

Gen 3

Metronome

——10Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

——10Normal

Gen 3

Seismic Toss

—10020Fighting

Poliwhirl is available from early-game water routes onward at high spawn rates. 22 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver

To get Poliwhirl, start by catching Poliwag through fishing and surfing encounters at Lv. 5-48. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

Step 1Catch Poliwag
Route 22
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.5-10CommonEarlyRoute
EASY
Route 22
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.5-10CommonEarlyRoute
EASY
Viridian City
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity
EASY
Viridian City
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity
EASY
Ecruteak City
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyCity
EASY
Ecruteak City
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyCity
EASY
Route 30
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyRoute
EASY
Route 30
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyRoute
EASY
Route 31
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyRoute
EASY
Route 31
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyRoute
EASY
Route 44
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyRoute
EASY
Route 44
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyRoute
EASY
Violet City
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyCity
EASY
Violet City
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyCity
EASY
Blackthorn City
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
CHALLENGING
Blackthorn City
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
CHALLENGING
Ecruteak City
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
CHALLENGING
Ecruteak City
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
CHALLENGING
Ilex Forest
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyForest
CHALLENGING
Ilex Forest
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyForest
CHALLENGING
Mt. Silver - Base
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCave
CHALLENGING
Mt. Silver - Base
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCave
CHALLENGING
Route 30
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 30
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 31
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 31
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 35
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 35
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 43
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 43
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 44
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 44
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 45
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 45
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Ruins of Alph - Outside
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRuins
CHALLENGING
Ruins of Alph - Outside
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRuins
CHALLENGING
Violet City
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
CHALLENGING
Violet City
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
CHALLENGING
Route 22
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 22
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 28
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 28
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 6
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Route 6
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
CHALLENGING
Viridian City
HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
CHALLENGING
Viridian City
SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
CHALLENGING
Blackthorn City
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
EASY
Blackthorn City
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
EASY
Ecruteak City
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
EASY
Ecruteak City
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
EASY
Ilex Forest
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidForest
EASY
Ilex Forest
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidForest
EASY
Mt. Silver - Base
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCave
EASY
Mt. Silver - Base
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCave
EASY
Route 30
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 30
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 31
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 31
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 35
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 35
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 43
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 43
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 44
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 44
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 45
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 45
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Ruins of Alph - Outside
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRuins
EASY
Ruins of Alph - Outside
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRuins
EASY
Violet City
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
EASY
Violet City
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
EASY
Cerulean Cave - 1F
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCave
EASY
Cerulean Cave - 1F
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCave
EASY
Cerulean Cave - B1F
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCave
EASY
Cerulean Cave - B1F
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCave
EASY
Route 22
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 22
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 28
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 28
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 6
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Route 6
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
EASY
Viridian City
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
EASY
Viridian City
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
EASY
Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCave
MODERATE
Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCave
MODERATE
Cliff Edge Gate
SoulSilverGood RodLv.20RareMid
HARD
Cliff Edge Gate
HeartGoldGood RodLv.20RareMid
HARD
Mt. Silver - Base
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.30-40RareMidCave
HARD
Mt. Silver - Base
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.30-40RareMidCave
HARD
Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.35CommonLateCave
EASY
Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.35CommonLateCave
EASY
Route 28
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.35-40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 28
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.35-40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Blackthorn City
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
EASY
Blackthorn City
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
EASY
Ecruteak City
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
EASY
Ecruteak City
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
EASY
Ilex Forest
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateForest
EASY
Ilex Forest
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateForest
EASY
Mt. Silver - Base
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
EASY
Mt. Silver - Base
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
EASY
Route 30
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 30
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 31
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 31
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 35
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 35
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 43
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 43
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 44
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 44
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 45
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 45
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Ruins of Alph - Outside
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRuins
EASY
Ruins of Alph - Outside
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRuins
EASY
Violet City
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
EASY
Violet City
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
EASY
Cerulean Cave - 1F
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
EASY
Cerulean Cave - 1F
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
EASY
Cerulean Cave - B1F
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
EASY
Cerulean Cave - B1F
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
EASY
Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
EASY
Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
EASY
Route 22
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 22
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 28
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 28
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 6
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Route 6
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
EASY
Viridian City
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
EASY
Viridian City
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
EASY
Cliff Edge Gate
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLate
MODERATE
Cliff Edge Gate
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLate
MODERATE
Train until Level 25
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓
Route 22
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
MODERATE
Route 22
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
MODERATE
Viridian City
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
MODERATE
Viridian City
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
MODERATE
Ecruteak City
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-25UncommonEarlyCity
MODERATE
Ecruteak City
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-25UncommonEarlyCity
MODERATE
Route 30
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-32UncommonEarlyRoute
MODERATE
Route 30
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-32UncommonEarlyRoute
MODERATE
Route 31
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-32UncommonEarlyRoute
MODERATE
Route 31
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-32UncommonEarlyRoute
MODERATE
Route 44
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-32UncommonEarlyRoute
MODERATE
Route 44
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-32UncommonEarlyRoute
MODERATE
Violet City
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-32UncommonEarlyCity
MODERATE
Violet City
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-32UncommonEarlyCity
MODERATE
Mt. Silver - Base
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.30-48CommonMidCave
EASY
Mt. Silver - Base
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.30-48CommonMidCave
EASY
Cerulean Cave - 1F
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
EASY
Cerulean Cave - 1F
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
EASY
Cerulean Cave - B1F
HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
EASY
Cerulean Cave - B1F
SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
EASY
Route 28
SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.40UncommonLateRoute
MODERATE
Route 28
HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.40UncommonLateRoute
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.
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 a mixed attacker — base 65 Attack and 50 Sp. Atk.
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.

Poliwhirl

Stats & Training

Poliwhirl Weakness

Evolution & Breeding

How to Evolve

Best Poliwhirl Build & Moves

Best Build

Level-Up Moves

TM Moves

Egg Moves

Tutor Moves

Transfer Moves

How to Get Poliwhirl

Where To Catch Poliwhirl in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Poliwhirl Guide