Poliwrath's stats are solid on their own, but Swift Swim is what pushes it over the line. It doubles its Speed in rain. 5 type weaknesses to keep in mind. Known as the Tadpole Pokemon. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets.
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.
Its body is solid muscle. When swimming through cold seas, Poliwrath uses its impressive arms to smash through drift ice and plow forward.
Poliwrath is skilled at both swimming and martial arts. It uses its well-trained arms to dish out powerful punches.
Poliwrath Weakness
AvgType-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.
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 74 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Endeavor, Haze, Mind Reader and 3 more.
The Sash lets Poliwrath ignore defensive shortcomings for one turn. Use that turn to deal early damage, and Waterabsorb squeezes extra value from the position. Max HP and Attack EVs push damage output.
Best Build
Best Poliwrath Moveset
- Earthquake
- Close Combat
- Waterfall
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Endeavor and Haze give Poliwrath options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 7 types already covers a decent range on top of Close Combat and Focus Blast. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 Sword & Shield
To get Poliwrath, start by catching Poliwag through walking and surfing encounters at Lv. 13-45. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PoliwagEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveNormal WeatherEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveSnowingEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveRainingEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveOvercastEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveNormal WeatherEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveThunderstormEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveIntense SunEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveSnowingEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveRainingEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveThunderstormEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveOvercastEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveIntense SunEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4550%LateCaveAll WeatherEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4550%LateCaveAll Weather
Step 2Evolve into Poliwhirl
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