Mixed
Balanced
510High
70Moderate
CTier

Poliwrath's stats are solid on their own, but Swift Swim is what pushes it over the line. It doubles its Speed in rain. Only weak to Electric, Grass, Flying, and Psychic. Known as the Tadpole Pokemon.

You won't find a real weakness in Poliwrath's stat line. It's well-rounded for the Tadpole Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 3 Defense EVs, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.

Base Stats
510High
HP90
B
Attack95
B
Defense95
B
Sp. Atk70
C
Sp. Def90
B
Speed70
C
Total510
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Poliwrath yields +3 Def
HPAtkDef+3SpASpDSpe
Details
Catch45Challenging•Medium Slow1.06M XP•1.3m / 4'03"•54kg / 119 lbs•230Base XP
Pokedex Entries

With its extremely tough muscles, it can keep swimming in the Pacific Ocean without resting.

Black / White

Poliwrath Weakness

Avg

Type-wise, Poliwrath takes extra damage from Electric, Grass, Flying, and Psychic. It resists 7 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.

Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
ElectricGrassFlyingPsychic
½xResisti
FireWaterIceBugRockDarkSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
Water
STAB (7)i
FireGroundRockNormalIceDarkSteel
4Weak
7Resist
1Immune
Scorei-1
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

Poliwrath is one of 2 ways Poliwhirl's chain can end. This one takes the item path, while the siblings go different directions. Breed through Poliwag to get eggs. Poliwrath edges out Politoed by 10 total stats (510 vs 500). Defense is where most of the advantage lives.

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 Poliwrath to get Poliwag eggs easily using 78 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 10 more.

Egg Groups
Water1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
13moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolodewgongcrawdaunt
12 of 78·

Bulk and offense in one package. Poliwrath runs Leftovers for passive recovery each turn with a Adamant nature, so it survives long enough to threaten with Waterfall. Max Attack and Speed EVs and double STAB make it hard to safely switch into.

Best Build

Physical Sweeper
Ability
Waterabsorb
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Best Poliwrath Moveset

  • WaterfallSTAB
  • Brick BreakSTAB
  • Ice Punch
  • ScaldSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Machamp
MachampDecent
Scrafty
ScraftyDecent
Hitmontop
HitmontopDecent

Breeding's the move. Bubble Beam and Encore give Poliwrath options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 7 types already covers a decent range on top of Focus Punch and Focus Blast. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Lv 1
Double Slap
158510Normal
Lv 1
Hypnosis
—6020Psychic
Lv 1
Submission
808025Fighting
Lv 32
Dynamic Punch
100505Fighting
Lv 43
Mind Reader
——5Normal
Lv 53
Circle Throw-6
609010Fighting

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TM08
Bulk Up
——20Fighting
TM78
Bulldoze
6010020Ground
TM28
Dig
8010010Ground
HM06
Dive
8010010Water
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM56
Fling
—10010Dark
TM52
Focus Blast
120705Fighting
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM07
Hail
——10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9510010Ice
TM47
Low Sweep
6010020Fighting
TM66
Payback
5010010Dark
TM84
Poison Jab
8010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM80
Rock Slide
759010Rock
TM94
Rock Smash
4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
609510Rock
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM55
Scald
8010015Water
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
——10Normal
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM87
Swagger
—9015Normal
TM46
Thief
6010010Dark
TM06
Toxic
—9010Poison
HM05
Waterfall
8010015Water
TM83
Work Up
——30Normal

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Encore
—1005Normal
Egg
Endeavor
—1005Normal
Egg
Endure+4
——10Normal
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 Pulse
6010020Water
Egg
Water Sport
——15Water

Tutor Moves

Poliwrath can't learn any Tutor moves

Reminder Moves

Src
Rem
Belly Drum
——10Normal
Rem
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Rem
Bubble
2010030Water
Rem
Hydro Pump
120805Water
Rem
Mud Bomb
658510Ground
Rem
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Rem
Rain Dance
——5Water
Rem
Wake-Up Slap
6010010Fighting
Rem
Water Gun
4010025Water
Rem
Water Sport
——15Water

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 4
Captivate
—10020Normal
Gen 3
Counter-5
—10020Fighting
Gen 3
Defense Curl
——40Normal
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 4
Focus Punch-3
15010020Fighting
Gen 4
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Gen 3
Mega Kick
120755Normal
Gen 3
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Gen 3
Metronome
——10Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
——10Normal
Gen 4
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
Gen 4
Natural Gift
—10015Normal
Gen 4
Secret Power
7010020Normal
Gen 3
Seismic Toss
—10020Fighting
Gen 4
Vacuum Wave+1
4010030Fighting
Gen 4
Whirlpool
358515Water

moderate rates is the best you'll get on Poliwrath in late-game fishing spots. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.

Where To Catch Poliwrath in Black & White

Poliwag is your first catch on the way to Poliwrath. You'll find fishing encounters from Lv. 35-70 across 62 total spots in the chain.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
    EASY
    Route 6
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
    EASY
    Route 6
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
    EASY
    Victory Road - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Victory Road - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Victory Road - 3F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Victory Road - 3F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
    EASY
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Route 6
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Route 6
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Victory Road - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Victory Road - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Victory Road - 3F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Victory Road - 3F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateIceAny
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateIceAny
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateIceAny
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateIceAny
    EXTREME
    Route 6
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateRouteAny
    EXTREME
    Route 6
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateRouteAny
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 3F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 3F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateCaveAny
    EXTREME
    or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
  3. Poliwrath
    Step 3Poliwrath ✓
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-60RareLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60RareLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-60RareLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60RareLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    BlackSuper RodLv.45-70RareLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Challenger's Cave - B2F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.45-70RareLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.45-70RareLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.45-70RareLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    WhiteSuper RodLv.45-70RareLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    BlackSuper RodLv.45-70RareLateIceAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 1F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.45-70RareLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 1F
    BlackSuper RodLv.45-70RareLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 3F
    WhiteSuper RodLv.45-70RareLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - 3F
    BlackSuper RodLv.45-70RareLateCaveAnyShaking spot
    EXTREME
    or evolve from Poliwhirl (Step 2)

  • Poliwrath looks average on paper at 510 BST. But Swift Swim is why it sees play — build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier on our tier list.

  • Poliwrath's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Exeggutor (Grass), and Dodrio (Flying), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Psychic-type attackers are also a problem.

  • Poliwhirl evolves into Poliwrath using a Water Stone. Poliwrath is the final evolution in a 4-stage line starting from Poliwag. At 510 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.

  • Poliwrath gets Swift Swim, Water Absorb, and Damp. But Swift Swim is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.

  • Poliwrath is a mixed attacker — base 95 Attack and 70 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 70 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many.

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

Present since Red & Blue, Poliwrath appears in 20 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Poliwrath have the longest track record of availability in the series.