Poliwrath doesn't stand out in any single area, but it gets the job done for in-game teams. Only weak to Electric, Grass, Flying, and Psychic. Been around since Gen 1. It needs some investment to avoid getting outsped. 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.
It can use its well-developed arms and legs to run on the surface of the water for a split second.
Poliwrath Weakness
AvgType-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.
- 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
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
Breed with Poliwrath 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.
the remaining moves keeps opponents guessing about Poliwrath's real targets. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn while flexible EVs EVs and a nature nature handle the stat profile. An ability ties it together.
Best Build
Best Poliwrath Moveset
- Belly Drum
- Lovely Kiss
- Body Slam
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Bubble Beam and Haze give Poliwrath options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Ice coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Hydro Pump and Dynamic Punch. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
No wild encounters for Poliwrath. The 3-stage chain runs through Poliwag, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve through a special method once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Poliwrath in Crystal
To get Poliwrath, start by catching Poliwag through fishing, surfing, and more encounters at Lv. 3-44. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PoliwagEFFORTLESSRoute 22GrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 31GrassLv.4CommonEarlyRouteNightEASYRoute 22Surfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyRouteEASYViridian CitySurfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyCityEASYEcruteak CitySurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCityEASYRoute 30Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 31Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 44Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRouteEASYViolet CitySurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCityEASYRoute 30GrassLv.4UncommonEarlyRouteNightMODERATEBlackthorn CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEEcruteak CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEIlex ForestOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyForestMODERATEMt. Silver - OutsideOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCaveMODERATERoute 30Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 31Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 35Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 44Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERuins of Alph - OutsideOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRuinsMODERATEViolet CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATERoute 22Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 28Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 6Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATEViridian CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityEASYBlackthorn CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYEcruteak CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYIlex ForestGood RodLv.20CommonMidForestEASYMt. Silver - OutsideGood RodLv.20CommonMidCaveEASYRoute 30Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 31Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 35Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 44Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRuins of Alph - OutsideGood RodLv.20CommonMidRuinsEASYViolet CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYRoute 22Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 28Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 6Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYViridian CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEFFORTLESSRoute 44GrassLv.22CommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 28Surfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateRouteEASYBlackthorn CitySuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYEcruteak CitySuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYIlex ForestSuper RodLv.40CommonLateForestEASYMt. Silver - OutsideSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCaveEASYRoute 30Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 31Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 35Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 44Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRuins of Alph - OutsideSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRuinsEASYViolet CitySuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYRoute 22Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 28Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 6Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYViridian CitySuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityMODERATEMt. Silver - OutsideSurfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateCave
Step 2Catch or Evolve PoliwhirlMODERATERoute 22Surfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATEViridian CitySurfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEEcruteak CitySurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCityMODERATERoute 30Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 31Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 44Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRouteMODERATEViolet CitySurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCityEASYRoute 44GrassLv.24-26UncommonMidRouteNightEASYMt. Silver - OutsideSurfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateCaveEFFORTLESSRoute 28GrassLv.40CommonLateRouteNightEFFORTLESSMt. Silver - OutsideGrassLv.42-44CommonLateCaveNightMODERATEBlackthorn CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATEEcruteak CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATEIlex ForestSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateForestMODERATERoute 30Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 31Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 35Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERuins of Alph - OutsideSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRuinsMODERATEViolet CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATERoute 22Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 28Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 28Surfing on waterLv.40-44UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 6Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATEViridian CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityor evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Step 3Poliwrath ✓
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 is a physical attacker with base 95 Attack. 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.
- 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