Physical
Balanced
510High
70Moderate
CTier

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.

Base Stats
510High
HP90
B
Attack95
B
Defense95
B
Sp. Atk70
C
Sp. Def90
B
Speed70
C
Total510
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Poliwrath yields +3 Def
HPAtkDef+3SpASpDSpe
Details
Catch45Challenging•Medium Slow1.06M XP•1.3m / 4'03"•54kg / 119 lbs•230Base XP
Pokedex Entries

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

X

A swimmer adept at both the front crawl and breaststroke. Easily overtakes the best human swimmers.

Y

Poliwrath Weakness

Avg

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.

4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
ElectricGrassFlyingPsychicFairy
½xResisti
FireWaterIceBugRockDarkSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
Water
STAB (7)i
FireGroundRockNormalIceDarkSteel
5Weak
7Resist
1Immune
Scorei-3
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Water AbsorbAbsorbs water moves, healing for 1/4 max HP.
DampPrevents self destruct, explosion, and aftermath from working while the Pokémon is in battle.
Swift SwimHADoubles Speed during rain.
Water Absorb grants Water immunity

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

4 Forms
Poliwag
#060Poliwag
25
Level 25
Poliwhirl
#061Poliwhirl
Poliwrath
#062PoliwrathWater Stone
Politoed
#186PolitoedTrade + Kings Rock
Stat Comparison 4 Stages
Poliwag
Water
Poliwhirl
Water
Poliwrath
WaterFighting
Politoed
Water
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 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

the remaining moves keeps opponents guessing about Poliwrath's real targets. Salacberry provides extra utility while flexible EVs EVs and Jolly nature handle the stat profile. Waterabsorb ties it together.

Best Build

Physical Sweeper
Ability
Waterabsorb
Item
SalacberryRECOVERY
Nature
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Best Poliwrath Moveset

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

Recommended Teammates

Politoed
PolitoedDecent

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
609010Fighting
Lv 1
Double Slap
158510Normal
Lv 1
Hypnosis
—6020Psychic
Lv 1
Submission
808025Fighting
Lv 32
Dynamic Punch
100505Fighting
Lv 43
Mind Reader
——5Normal
Lv 53
Circle Throw-6
609010Fighting

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
110705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TM08
Bulk Up
——20Fighting
TM78
Bulldoze
6010020Ground
TM100
Confide
——20Normal
TM28
Dig
8010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM56
Fling
—10010Dark
TM52
Focus Blast
120705Fighting
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM07
Hail
——10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9010010Ice
TM47
Low Sweep
6510020Fighting
TM66
Payback
5010010Dark
TM84
Poison Jab
8010020Poison
TM98
Power-Up Punch
4010020Fighting
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM80
Rock Slide
759010Rock
TM94
Rock Smash
4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
609515Rock
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM55
Scald
8010015Water
TM88
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
——10Normal
HM03
Surf
9010015Water
TM87
Swagger
—9015Normal
TM46
Thief
6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
—9010Poison
HM05
Waterfall
8010015Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Encore
—1005Normal
Egg
Endeavor
—1005Normal
Egg
Endure+4
——10Normal
Egg
Haze
——30Ice
Egg
Ice Ball
309020Ice
Egg
Mind Reader
——5Normal
Egg
Mist
——30Ice
Egg
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Egg
Refresh
——20Normal
Egg
Splash
——40Normal
Egg
Water Pulse
6010020Water
Egg
Water Sport
——15Water

Tutor Moves

Poliwrath can't learn any Tutor moves

Reminder Moves

Src
Rem
Belly Drum
——10Normal
Rem
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Rem
Bubble
4010030Water
Rem
Hydro Pump
110805Water
Rem
Mud Bomb
658510Ground
Rem
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Rem
Rain Dance
——5Water
Rem
Wake-Up Slap
7010010Fighting
Rem
Water Gun
4010025Water
Rem
Water Sport
——15Water

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 4
Captivate
—10020Normal
Gen 3
Counter-5
—10020Fighting
Gen 3
Defense Curl
——40Normal
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 4
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Gen 3
Mega Kick
120755Normal
Gen 3
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Gen 3
Metronome
——10Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
——10Normal
Gen 4
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
Gen 4
Natural Gift
—10015Normal
Gen 3
Seismic Toss
—10020Fighting
Gen 4
Vacuum Wave+1
4010030Fighting
Gen 4
Whirlpool
358515Water
Gen 5
Work Up
——30Normal

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 RodLv.15CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Couriway Town
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyIce
    EASY
    Laverre City
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Laverre City
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarly
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarly
    EASY
    Route 14
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 14
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 15
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 15
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 16
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 16
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 19
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 19
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 21
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 21
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    YOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    XOld RodLv.15CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    YGrassLv.25UncommonMidHorde battle
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    XGrassLv.25UncommonMidHorde battle
    EASY
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
    Couriway Town
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Couriway Town
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidIce
    MODERATE
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidIce
    MODERATE
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidIce
    MODERATE
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidIce
    MODERATE
    Laverre City
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Laverre City
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCity
    MODERATE
    Pokémon Village
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMid
    MODERATE
    Pokémon Village
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMid
    MODERATE
    Route 14
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 14
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 15
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 15
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 16
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 16
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 19
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 19
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCave
    MODERATE
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCave
    MODERATE
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCave
    MODERATE
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCave
    MODERATE
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCave
    MODERATE
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidCave
    MODERATE
    Couriway Town
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Couriway Town
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Laverre City
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Laverre City
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateCity
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLate
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLate
    EASY
    Route 14
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 14
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 15
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 15
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 16
    XSuper RodLv.35CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 16
    YSuper RodLv.35CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    XSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    YSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    XSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    YSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCave
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    YSurfing on waterLv.38-40CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - 2F
    XSurfing on waterLv.38-40CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    XSurfing on waterLv.38-40CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Frost Cavern - Outside
    YSurfing on waterLv.38-40CommonLateIce
    EASY
    Route 21
    XGood RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 21
    YGood RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Pokémon Village
    XSurfing on waterLv.48-50CommonPost
    EASY
    Pokémon Village
    YSurfing on waterLv.48-50CommonPost
    EASY
    Route 19
    XSuper RodLv.50CommonPostRoute
    EASY
    Route 19
    YSuper RodLv.50CommonPostRoute
    EASY
    Route 21
    XSuper RodLv.50CommonPostRoute
    EASY
    Route 21
    YSuper RodLv.50-55CommonPostRoute
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    YSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 1
    XSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCave
    EASY
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCave
    EASY
    or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
  3. Poliwrath
    Step 3Poliwrath ✓
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    XSuper RodLv.35RareLateCave
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - Cave 4
    YSuper RodLv.35RareLateCave
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    XSuper RodLv.35RareLateCave
    EXTREME
    Victory Road - Outside Section 3
    YSuper RodLv.35RareLateCave
    EXTREME
    or evolve from Poliwhirl (Step 2)

  • 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'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.

  • Poliwhirl evolves into Poliwrath using a Water Stone. Poliwrath is the final evolution in a 4-stage line starting from Poliwag. At 510 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.

  • 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.