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.
Staring at the swirl on its belly causes drowsiness. This trait of Poliwhirl’s has been used in place of lullabies to get children to go to sleep.
This Pokémon’s sweat is a slimy mucus. When captured, Poliwhirl can slither from its enemies’ grasp and escape.
Poliwhirl Weakness
GoodElectric 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.
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 74 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Endeavor, Haze, Mind Reader and 3 more.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
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Without breeding, Poliwhirl misses out on Endeavor and Haze. That's 6 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Hydro Pump and Muddy Water, with Ground and Normal coverage and more rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Can't catch Poliwhirl directly. Start with Poliwag at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 25. The 2-stage line from Poliwag to Poliwhirl is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Poliwhirl in Sword & Shield
The path to Poliwhirl starts with Poliwag at Lv. 13-45 via walking and surfing encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch PoliwagEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveNormal WeatherEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveSnowingEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveRainingEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveOvercastEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveNormal WeatherEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveThunderstormEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveIntense SunEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveSnowingEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveRainingEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveThunderstormEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveOvercastEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveIntense SunEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4550%LateCaveAll WeatherEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4550%LateCaveAll Weather
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓
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.
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.
- 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