Physical
Balanced
70Speed · Below Avg

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.

Base Stats
High
HP90
B
Attack95
B
Defense95
B
Sp. Atk70
C
Sp. Def90
B
Speed70
C
Total510
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.3 m
Weight54.0 kg
Base XP230
Abilities
Water AbsorbPopular
Absorbs water moves, healing for 1/4 max HP.
Damp
Prevents self destruct, explosion, and aftermath from working while the Pokémon is in battle.
Swift SwimHAPopular
Doubles Speed during rain.
Water Absorb grants Water immunity
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+3SpASpDSpe
Strong Defense training target
Pokedex Entries

With its extremely tough muscles, it can keep swimming in the Pacific Ocean without resting.

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.

Poliwrath Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass, Flying, Psychic, Fairy
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Bug, Rock, Dark, Steel
Type ChartAvg
5Weak
7Resist
1Immune
Score-3
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
How to Beat Poliwrath in X & Y (Best Counters)
Amoonguss
Amoonguss
GrassPoison
A
Available Moves
Moves
  • Solar BeamLv. 49
  • Giga DrainLv. 28
  • Mega DrainLv. 15
  • AbsorbLv. 1
Damage vs Poliwrath
Solar Beam 2x
80-95%
Giga Drain 2x
51-60%
Mega Drain 2x
27-33%
Absorb 2x
15-18%
View Amoonguss builds →

X & Y 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

4 Forms
Poliwag
#060Poliwag
25
Level 25
Poliwhirl
#061Poliwhirl
Poliwrath
#062Poliwrath
Water Stone
Politoed
#186Politoed
Trade + Kings Rock
Stat Comparison 4 Stages
Poliwag
Water
Poliwrath
WaterFighting
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 87 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 10 more.

Egg Groups
Water1
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
13moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolodewgongcrawdaunt

X & Y 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

Experimental
Ability
Water Absorb
Item
Salac BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Poliwrath
Jolly+SPE

Poliwrath best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • WaterfallSTAB
  • EndureFAST +4
  • Belly Drum
  • Brick BreakSTAB

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 Blast and Hydro Pump. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Lv 1
Circle Throw-6
C609010Fighting
Lv 1
Double Slap
158510Normal
Lv 1
Hypnosis
D6020Psychic
Lv 1
Submission
B808025Fighting
Lv 32
Dynamic Punch
S100505Fighting
Lv 43
Mind Reader
5Normal
Lv 53
Circle Throw-6
C609010Fighting

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
D10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D110705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
A7510015Fighting
TM08
Bulk Up
C20Fighting
TM78
Bulldoze
D6010020Ground
TM100
Confide
20Normal
TM28
Dig
C8010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
S10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM56
Fling
D10010Dark
TM52
Focus Blast
C120705Fighting
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
B150905Normal
TM07
Hail
D10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
C9010010Ice
TM47
Low Sweep
6510020Fighting
TM66
Payback
5010010Dark
TM84
Poison Jab
C8010020Poison
TM98
Power-Up Punch
D4010020Fighting
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM29
Psychic
C9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM80
Rock Slide
C759010Rock
TM94
Rock Smash
4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
D609515Rock
TM48
Round
D6010015Normal
TM55
Scald
C8010015Water
TM88
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
HM03
Surf
C9010015Water
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C9010Poison
HM05
Waterfall
S8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Encore
C1005Normal
Egg
Endeavor
D1005Normal
Egg
Endure+4
A10Normal
Egg
Haze
C30Ice
Egg
Ice Ball
309020Ice
Egg
Mind Reader
5Normal
Egg
Mist
30Ice
Egg
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Egg
Refresh
D20Normal
Egg
Splash
40Normal
Egg
Water Pulse
C6010020Water
Egg
Water Sport
15Water

Tutor Moves

Poliwrath can't learn any Tutor moves

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Belly Drum
A10Normal
Rem
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Rem
Bubble
4010030Water
Rem
Hydro Pump
S110805Water
Rem
Mud Bomb
658510Ground
Rem
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Rem
Rain Dance
C5Water
Rem
Wake-Up Slap
7010010Fighting
Rem
Water Gun
4010025Water
Rem
Water Sport
15Water

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 4
Captivate
10020Normal
Gen 3
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Gen 3
Defense Curl
40Normal
Gen 3
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Gen 4
Headbutt
C7010015Normal
Gen 3
Mega Kick
S120755Normal
Gen 3
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Gen 3
Metronome
10Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
10Normal
Gen 4
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Gen 4
Natural Gift
D10015Normal
Gen 3
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
Gen 4
Vacuum Wave+1
D4010030Fighting
Gen 4
Whirlpool
358515Water
Gen 5
Work Up
D30Normal

How to Get Poliwrath in X & Y

You'll want late-game access before hunting Poliwrath. Moderate rates across 4 encounter spots means the location matters. Sort by Best below and target the top-rated area first.

Where To Catch Poliwrath in X & Y

The path to Poliwrath starts with Poliwag at Lv. 15-59 via fishing, surfing, and more encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    Couriway Town
    XOld Rod Lv.15 City
    CommonEarly
    Couriway Town
    YOld Rod Lv.15 City
    CommonEarly
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    XOld Rod Lv.15 Ice
    CommonEarly
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    YOld Rod Lv.15 Ice
    CommonEarly
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    YOld Rod Lv.15 Ice
    CommonEarly
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    XOld Rod Lv.15 Ice
    CommonEarly
    Laverre City
    YOld Rod Lv.15 City
    CommonEarly
    Laverre City
    XOld Rod Lv.15 City
    CommonEarly
    Pokémon Village
    YOld Rod Lv.15
    CommonEarly
    Pokémon Village
    XOld Rod Lv.15
    CommonEarly
    Route 14
    YOld Rod Lv.15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 14
    XOld Rod Lv.15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 15
    YOld Rod Lv.15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 15
    XOld Rod Lv.15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 16
    YOld Rod Lv.15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 16
    XOld Rod Lv.15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 19
    XOld Rod Lv.15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 19
    YOld Rod Lv.15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 21
    XOld Rod Lv.15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 21
    YOld Rod Lv.15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    XOld Rod Lv.15 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    YOld Rod Lv.15 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YOld Rod Lv.15 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XOld Rod Lv.15 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    YOld Rod Lv.15 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    XOld Rod Lv.15 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Pokémon Village
    YGrass Lv.25
    UncommonMid
    Horde battle
    Pokémon Village
    XGrass Lv.25
    UncommonMid
    Horde battle
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
    Couriway Town
    XGood Rod Lv.25 City
    UncommonMid
    Couriway Town
    YGood Rod Lv.25 City
    UncommonMid
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    XGood Rod Lv.25 Ice
    UncommonMid
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    YGood Rod Lv.25 Ice
    UncommonMid
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    XGood Rod Lv.25 Ice
    UncommonMid
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    YGood Rod Lv.25 Ice
    UncommonMid
    Laverre City
    XGood Rod Lv.25 City
    UncommonMid
    Laverre City
    YGood Rod Lv.25 City
    UncommonMid
    Pokémon Village
    YGood Rod Lv.25
    UncommonMid
    Pokémon Village
    XGood Rod Lv.25
    UncommonMid
    Route 14
    XGood Rod Lv.25 Route
    UncommonMid
    Route 14
    YGood Rod Lv.25 Route
    UncommonMid
    Route 15
    XGood Rod Lv.25 Route
    UncommonMid
    Route 15
    YGood Rod Lv.25 Route
    UncommonMid
    Route 16
    XGood Rod Lv.25 Route
    UncommonMid
    Route 16
    YGood Rod Lv.25 Route
    UncommonMid
    Route 19
    XGood Rod Lv.25 Route
    UncommonMid
    Route 19
    YGood Rod Lv.25 Route
    UncommonMid
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    XGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
    UncommonMid
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    YGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
    UncommonMid
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
    UncommonMid
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
    UncommonMid
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    XGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
    UncommonMid
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    YGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
    UncommonMid
    Couriway Town
    XSuper Rod Lv.35 City
    CommonLate
    Couriway Town
    YSuper Rod Lv.35 City
    CommonLate
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    XSuper Rod Lv.35 Ice
    CommonLate
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    YSuper Rod Lv.35 Ice
    CommonLate
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    XSuper Rod Lv.35 Ice
    CommonLate
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    YSuper Rod Lv.35 Ice
    CommonLate
    Laverre City
    XSuper Rod Lv.35 City
    CommonLate
    Laverre City
    YSuper Rod Lv.35 City
    CommonLate
    Pokémon Village
    XSuper Rod Lv.35
    CommonLate
    Pokémon Village
    YSuper Rod Lv.35
    CommonLate
    Route 14
    XSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
    CommonLate
    Route 14
    YSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
    CommonLate
    Route 15
    XSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
    CommonLate
    Route 15
    YSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
    CommonLate
    Route 16
    XSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
    CommonLate
    Route 16
    YSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
    CommonLate
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    XSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
    CommonLate
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    YSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
    CommonLate
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
    CommonLate
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
    CommonLate
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    XSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
    CommonLate
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    YSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
    CommonLate
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    YSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Ice
    CommonLate
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    XSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Ice
    CommonLate
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    XSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Ice
    CommonLate
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    YSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Ice
    CommonLate
    Route 21
    XGood Rod Lv.40 Route
    UncommonLate
    Route 21
    YGood Rod Lv.40 Route
    UncommonLate
    Pokémon Village
    XSurfing on water Lv.48-50
    CommonPost
    Pokémon Village
    YSurfing on water Lv.48-50
    CommonPost
    Route 19
    XSuper Rod Lv.50 Route
    CommonPost
    Route 19
    YSuper Rod Lv.50 Route
    CommonPost
    Route 21
    XSuper Rod Lv.50 Route
    CommonPost
    Route 21
    YSuper Rod Lv.50-55 Route
    CommonPost
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    YSurfing on water Lv.57-59 Cave
    CommonPost
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    XSurfing on water Lv.57-59 Cave
    CommonPost
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XSurfing on water Lv.57-59 Cave
    CommonPost
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YSurfing on water Lv.57-59 Cave
    CommonPost
    or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
  3. Poliwrath
    Step 3Poliwrath
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XSuper Rod Lv.35 Cave
    RareLate
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YSuper Rod Lv.35 Cave
    RareLate
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    XSuper Rod Lv.35 Cave
    RareLate
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    YSuper Rod Lv.35 Cave
    RareLate
    or evolve from Poliwhirl (Step 2)

Poliwrath Guide

  • In X & Y, 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.

  • In X & Y, Poliwrath's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Exeggutor (Grass), and Dodrio (Flying), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Psychic and Fairy-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.

  • 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 X & Y, 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.

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