Physical
Balanced
510High
70Moderate
CTier

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.

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

This strong and skilled swimmer is even capable of crossing the Pacific Ocean just by kicking.

Gold

Although an energetic, skilled swimmer that uses all of its muscles, it lives on dry land.

Silver

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.

Gen II Type Chart
  • 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
4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
ElectricGrassFlyingPsychic
½xResisti
FireWaterIceBugRockDarkSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
STAB (7)i
FireGroundRockNormalIceDarkSteel
4Weak
7Resist
0Immune
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 37 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Haze, Mind Reader and 2 more.

Egg Groups
Water1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
5moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraslowbroslowkingoctillerydewgongseadramarillquagsire
12 of 37·

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

Utility
Ability
Not in Gen 2
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Not in Gen 2

Best Poliwrath Moveset

  • Belly Drum
  • Lovely Kiss
  • Body Slam
  • Hydro PumpSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Snorlax
SnorlaxGood
Jolteon
JolteonDecent
Smeargle
SmeargleDecent

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

Lv 1
Double Slap
158510Normal
Lv 1
Hypnosis
—6020Psychic
Lv 1
Submission
808025Fighting
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 35
Submission
808025Fighting
Lv 51
Mind Reader
—1005Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
TM03
Curse
——10Ghost
TM40
Defense Curl
——40Normal
TM43
Detect+4
——5Fighting
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM01
Dynamic Punch
100505Fighting
TM26
Earthquake
10010010Ground
TM20
Endure+4
——10Normal
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM02
Headbutt
7010015Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM33
Ice Punch
7510015Ice
TM16
Icy Wind
559515Ice
TM31
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM08
Rock Smash
2010015Fighting
TM35
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
TM13
Snore
4010015Normal
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM34
Swagger
—8515Normal
TM46
Thief
6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
—8510Poison
HM07
Waterfall
8010015Water
HM06
Whirlpool
358515Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Haze
——30Ice
Egg
Mind Reader
—1005Normal
Egg
Mist
——30Ice
Egg
Splash
——40Normal

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
Rain Dance
——5Water

You're catching Poliwag first, not Poliwrath. Poliwag appears at solid rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.

How to Obtain Poliwrath in Gold & Silver

The path to Poliwrath starts with Poliwag at Lv. 5-44 via fishing and surfing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    Route 22
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 22
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Viridian City
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Viridian City
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.5-14CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Route 30
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 30
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Violet City
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Violet City
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Blackthorn City
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Blackthorn City
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Ilex Forest
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyForest
    MODERATE
    Ilex Forest
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyForest
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCave
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCave
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 35
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 35
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 44
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 44
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRuins
    MODERATE
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRuins
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Route 22
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 22
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 6
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 6
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Blackthorn City
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Blackthorn City
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Ilex Forest
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidForest
    EASY
    Ilex Forest
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidForest
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCave
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCave
    EASY
    Route 30
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 30
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 35
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 35
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRuins
    EASY
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRuins
    EASY
    Violet City
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Violet City
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Route 22
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 22
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 28
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 28
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 6
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 6
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Viridian City
    SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Viridian City
    GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Route 28
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 28
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Blackthorn City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Blackthorn City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Ecruteak City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Ilex Forest
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateForest
    EASY
    Ilex Forest
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateForest
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Route 30
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 30
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 31
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 35
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 35
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 44
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRuins
    EASY
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRuins
    EASY
    Violet City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Violet City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Route 22
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 22
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 28
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 28
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 6
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 6
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Viridian City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Viridian City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateCave
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateCave
    MODERATE
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
    Route 22
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 22
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 44
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 44
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.35-44CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Blackthorn City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Blackthorn City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Ecruteak City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Ilex Forest
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateForest
    MODERATE
    Ilex Forest
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateForest
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCave
    MODERATE
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCave
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 30
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 31
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 35
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 35
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRuins
    MODERATE
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRuins
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Violet City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Route 22
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 22
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.40-44UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 28
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.40-44UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 6
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 6
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Viridian City
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
  3. Poliwrath
    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'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 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.