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.
With its extremely tough muscles, it can keep swimming in the Pacific Ocean without resting.
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. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 69 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Endeavor, Haze and 7 more.
Leftovers buys the setup turn. Poliwrath clicks Bulk Up, then starts cleaning with Waterfall and utility options. Jolly nature with max Attack and Speed EVs makes sure nothing tanks a boosted hit comfortably.
Best Build
Best Poliwrath Moveset
- Waterfall
- Substitute
- Ice Punch
- Bulk Up
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Bubble Beam and Endeavor 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
Can't catch Poliwrath directly. Start with Poliwag at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve through a special method. The 3-stage chain from Poliwag to Poliwrath is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Poliwrath in Platinum
To get Poliwrath, start by catching Poliwag through surfing encounters at Lv. 35-55. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PoliwagEASYRoute 227Surfing on waterLv.35-45CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 228Surfing on waterLv.35-45CommonLateRoute
Step 2Catch or Evolve PoliwhirlEASYRoute 227Surfing on waterLv.35-55CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 228Surfing on waterLv.35-55CommonLateRouteor 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 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. 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