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.
Poliwrath’s highly developed, brawny muscles never grow fatigued, however much it exercises. It is so tirelessly strong, this Pokémon can swim back and forth across the ocean without effort.
Poliwrath’s highly developed, brawny muscles never grow fatigued, however much it exercises. It is so tirelessly strong, this Pokémon can swim back and forth across the ocean without effort.
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 |
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Clefable's Moonblast hits Poliwrath for 65-77%. Serperior threatens a KO with Leaf Storm (93-109%). Zapdos deals 78-92% with Thunderbolt.
 Clefable Fairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Clefable builds →Moonblast 2x65-77% | ||
 Serperior Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityContrary ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Serperior builds →Leaf Storm 2x93-109%KO | ||
 Zapdos Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityStatic ItemSitrus Berry NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Zapdos builds →Heat Wave13-16% Thunderbolt 2x78-92% | ||
 Latios DragonPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Latios builds →Draco Meteor91-107%KO Psyshock 2x112-132%KO | ||
 Talonflame Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGalewings ItemLife Orb NatureHasty Moves
Damage vs Poliwrath View Talonflame builds →Flare Blitz30-35% | ||
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire 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
Breeding
Breed with Poliwrath to get Poliwag eggs easily using 87 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 10 more.
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Poliwrath Best Moveset
the remaining moves keeps opponents guessing about Poliwrath's real targets. Salacberry provides extra utility while flexible EVs and Jolly nature handle the stat profile. Waterabsorb ties it together.
Best Build
Poliwrath best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Waterfall
- Endure
- Belly Drum
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dynamic Punch
- Hydro Pump
- Mega Kick
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Poliwrath in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Poliwrath can't be caught in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. Transfer Poliwag from Red and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Poliwrath Guide
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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 Salacberry 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.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Swift Swim is the hidden ability. It doubles Speed during rain. Worth hunting for if you want Poliwrath to compete at a higher level.
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