Stats & Training
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.
Swims powerfully using all the muscles in its body. It can even overtake world-class swimmers.
Swims powerfully using all the muscles in its body. It can even overtake world-class swimmers.
Poliwrath Weakness
Type-wise, Poliwrath takes extra damage from Electric, Grass, Flying, Psychic, and Fairy. 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass, Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Bug, Rock, Dark, Steel |
 Dragonite Dragon | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Dragonite builds →Thunder Punch 2x47-56% Wing Attack 2x57-67% | ||
 Exeggutor GrassPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Exeggutor builds →Power Whip 2x83-98% Confusion 2x48-56% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Venusaur builds →Power Whip 2x74-87% Petal Dance 2x91-107%KO Razor Leaf 2x35-42% Vine Whip 2x29-35% | ||
 Slowbro WaterPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Slowbro builds →Psychic 2x69-82% Confusion 2x40-47% | ||
 Parasect BugGrass | C | |
In Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, Tapu Koko threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (121-143%). Primarina's Moonblast also KOs at 170-200%.
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureSassy Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
 Tapu Koko ElectricFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Tapu Koko builds →Thunderbolt 2x121-143%KO Volt Switch 2x94-111%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x107-127%KO | ||
 Primarina WaterFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemChoice Specs NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Primarina builds →Moonblast 2x170-200%KO Scald36-42% | ||
 Tapu Lele PsychicFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPsychic Surge ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Tapu Lele builds →Moonblast 2x158-186%KO Psyshock 2x134-157%KO Psychic 2x150-177%KO | ||
 Gliscor Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Gliscor builds →Earthquake34-40% | ||
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee Evolution
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee Poliwrath Best Moveset
the remaining moves keeps opponents guessing about Poliwrath's real targets. Sitrus Berry provides a one-time health recovery at low HP while max Attack and Speed EVs and Jolly nature handle the stat profile. Waterabsorb ties it together.
Best Build
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Most of Poliwrath's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Superpower and Surf, but Normal and Ice and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Poliwrath in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Finding Poliwrath at low spawn rates takes patience. 4 spots are available in endgame water routes, but the rate difference between them matters. Lock in the top one from the sorted list below.
Where To Catch Poliwrath in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Poliwag is your first catch on the way to Poliwrath. You'll find surfing encounters from Lv. 3-56 across 24 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PoliwagRoute 22Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.3-4 Route45%EarlyRoute 22Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.3-4 Route45%EarlyRoute 25Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.9-14 Route45%EarlyRoute 25Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.9-14 Route45%EarlyRoute 23Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.41-46 Route45%LateRoute 23Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.41-46 Route45%LateCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave45%PostCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave45%PostCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave45%PostCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave45%Post
Step 2Catch or Evolve PoliwhirlRoute 22Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.3-4 Route10%EarlyRoute 22Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.3-4 Route10%EarlyRoute 25Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.9-14 Route10%EarlyRoute 25Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.9-14 Route10%EarlyRoute 23Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.41-46 Route10%LateRoute 23Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.41-46 Route10%LateCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave9%PostCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave9%PostCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave9%PostCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave9%Postor evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Step 3Poliwrath ✓Cerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave1%PostCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave1%PostCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave1%PostCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.51-56 Cave1%Postor evolve from Poliwhirl (Step 2)
Poliwrath Guide
In Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, 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. Waterfall with Sitrus Berry is the standard set.
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 physical attacker with base 95 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
For Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, the core moveset is Waterfall, Bellydrum, Brickbreak, and Poweruppunch. Waterfall leads at 25% usage. Waterfall provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Present since Red & Blue, Poliwrath appears in 20 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Poliwrath have the longest track record of availability in the series.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves