Utility
Balanced
90Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

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
Avg
HP65
C
Attack65
C
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def50
D
Speed90
B
Total385
Details
Catch Rate
Moderate120 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.0 m
Weight20.0 kg
Base XP135
Abilities
Water Absorb
Absorbs water moves, healing for 1/4 max HP.
Damp
Prevents self destruct, explosion, and aftermath from working while the Pokémon is in battle.
Swift SwimHANot in game
Doubles Speed during rain.
Water Absorb grants Water immunity
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entries

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

Poliwhirl Weakness

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.

Poliwhirl Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Type ChartGood
2Weak
4Resist
1Immune
Score0
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
How to Beat Poliwhirl in HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)
C
Available Moves
Moves
  • Solar BeamTM22
  • Energy BallTM53
  • Vine WhipLv. 11
  • Bullet SeedTM09
Damage vs Poliwhirl
Solar Beam 2x
154-182%KO
Energy Ball 2x
116-137%KO
Vine Whip 2x
54-63%
Bullet Seed 2x
31-37%
View Carnivine builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution

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

4 Forms
Poliwag
#060Poliwag
25
Level 25
Poliwhirl
#061Poliwhirl
Poliwrath
#062Poliwrath
Water Stone
Politoed
#186Politoed
Trade + Kings Rock
Stat Comparison 4 Stages
Poliwag
Water
Poliwhirl
Water
Poliwrath
WaterFighting
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 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)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolodewgongcrawdaunt

HeartGold & SoulSilver Poliwhirl Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

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

Moves

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
D7020Psychic
Lv 1
Water Sport
15Water
Lv 5
Bubble
2010030Water
Lv 8
Hypnosis
D7020Psychic
Lv 11
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 15
Double Slap
158510Normal
Lv 18
Rain Dance
C5Water
Lv 21
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Lv 27
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Lv 32
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Lv 37
Belly Drum
D10Normal
Lv 43
Wake-Up Slap
6010010Fighting
Lv 48
Hydro Pump
C120805Water
Lv 53
Mud Bomb
658510Ground

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
D7510015Fighting
TM78
Captivate
10020Normal
TM28
Dig
D8010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
C10010010Ground
TM58
Endure+4
10Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM56
Fling
10010Dark
TM01
Focus Punch-3
C15010020Fighting
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM07
Hail
D10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
D9510010Ice
TM83
Natural Gift
D10015Normal
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM29
Psychic
D9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D4010015Fighting
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
HM04
Strength
D8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
HM03
Surf
C9510015Water
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM46
Thief
6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
D6010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
C8010015Water
HM05
Whirlpool
D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Encore
C1005Normal
Egg
Endeavor
D1005Normal
Egg
Haze
D30Ice
Egg
Ice Ball
309020Ice
Egg
Mind Reader
5Normal
Egg
Mist
30Ice
Egg
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Egg
Refresh
D20Normal
Egg
Splash
40Normal
Egg
Water Sport
15Water

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Dive
C8010010Water
Tutor
Headbutt
D7010015Normal
Tutor
Helping Hand+5
20Normal
Tutor
Ice Punch
D7510015Ice
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 3
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Gen 3
Defense Curl
40Normal
Gen 3
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mega Kick
120755Normal
Gen 3
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Gen 3
Metronome
10Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
10Normal
Gen 3
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting

How to Get Poliwhirl in HeartGold & SoulSilver

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.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    Viridian City
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.5-10 City
    90%Early
    Viridian City
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.5-10 City
    90%Early
    Ecruteak City
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City
    90%Early
    Ecruteak City
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City
    90%Early
    Route 30
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
    90%Early
    Route 30
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
    90%Early
    Route 31
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
    90%Early
    Route 31
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
    90%Early
    Route 44
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
    90%Early
    Route 44
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
    90%Early
    Violet City
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City
    90%Early
    Violet City
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City
    90%Early
    Route 22
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.5-10 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 22
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.5-10 Route
    CommonEarly
    Blackthorn City
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Blackthorn City
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Ecruteak City
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Ecruteak City
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Ilex Forest
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Forest
    15%Early
    Ilex Forest
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Forest
    15%Early
    Route 30
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 30
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 31
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 31
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 35
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 35
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 43
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 43
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 44
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 44
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 45
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 45
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Ruins
    15%Early
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Ruins
    15%Early
    Violet City
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Violet City
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Route 28
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 28
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Viridian City
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Viridian City
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Mt. Silver - Base
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Cave
    RareEarly
    Mt. Silver - Base
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Cave
    RareEarly
    Route 22
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    RareEarly
    Route 22
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    RareEarly
    Route 6
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    RareEarly
    Route 6
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    RareEarly
    Ecruteak City
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    60%Mid
    Ecruteak City
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    60%Mid
    Ilex Forest
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Forest
    60%Mid
    Ilex Forest
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Forest
    60%Mid
    Route 43
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 43
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 45
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 45
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    60%Mid
    Violet City
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    60%Mid
    Violet City
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    60%Mid
    Viridian City
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    60%Mid
    Viridian City
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    60%Mid
    Route 44
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    55%Mid
    Route 44
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    55%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    45%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    45%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    45%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    45%Mid
    Blackthorn City
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    40%Mid
    Blackthorn City
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    40%Mid
    Route 30
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 30
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 31
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 31
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 35
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 35
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Ruins
    40%Mid
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Ruins
    40%Mid
    Route 28
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 28
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Mt. Silver - Base
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    CommonMid
    Mt. Silver - Base
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    CommonMid
    Route 22
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 22
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 6
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 6
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    CommonMid
    Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    UncommonMid
    Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    UncommonMid
    Cliff Edge Gate
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20
    RareMid
    Cliff Edge Gate
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20
    RareMid
    Mt. Silver - Base
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.30-40 Cave
    RareMid
    Mt. Silver - Base
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.30-40 Cave
    RareMid
    Route 28
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.35-40 Route
    90%Late
    Route 28
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.35-40 Route
    90%Late
    Blackthorn City
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Blackthorn City
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Ecruteak City
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Ecruteak City
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Ilex Forest
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Forest
    80%Late
    Ilex Forest
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Forest
    80%Late
    Route 30
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 30
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 31
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 31
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 35
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 35
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 43
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 43
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 45
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 45
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Ruins
    80%Late
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Ruins
    80%Late
    Violet City
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Violet City
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Route 28
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 28
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Viridian City
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Viridian City
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Route 44
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    70%Late
    Route 44
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    70%Late
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    40%Late
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    40%Late
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    40%Late
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    40%Late
    Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.35 Cave
    CommonLate
    Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.35 Cave
    CommonLate
    Mt. Silver - Base
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    CommonLate
    Mt. Silver - Base
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    CommonLate
    Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    CommonLate
    Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    CommonLate
    Route 22
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    CommonLate
    Route 22
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    CommonLate
    Route 6
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    CommonLate
    Route 6
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    CommonLate
    Cliff Edge Gate
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40
    UncommonLate
    Cliff Edge Gate
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40
    UncommonLate
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Poliwhirl
    Route 22
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10 Route
    UncommonEarly
    Route 22
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10 Route
    UncommonEarly
    Viridian City
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10 City
    10%Early
    Viridian City
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10 City
    10%Early
    Ecruteak City
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-25 City
    10%Early
    Ecruteak City
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-25 City
    10%Early
    Route 30
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
    10%Early
    Route 30
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
    10%Early
    Route 31
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
    10%Early
    Route 31
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
    10%Early
    Route 44
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
    10%Early
    Route 44
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
    10%Early
    Violet City
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-32 City
    10%Early
    Violet City
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-32 City
    10%Early
    Mt. Silver - Base
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.30-48 Cave
    CommonMid
    Mt. Silver - Base
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.30-48 Cave
    CommonMid
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    30%Late
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    30%Late
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    30%Late
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    30%Late
    Route 28
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.40 Route
    10%Late
    Route 28
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.40 Route
    10%Late
    or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)

Poliwhirl Guide

  • 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.

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Poliwhirl's hidden ability is Swift Swim. Doubles Speed during rain. Better than the standard options for competitive play.

Game Availability

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.

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