In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Don't let Politoed's 500 base stat total fool you. Drizzle is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier. Protect with Leftovers is the standard set.

What is Politoed weak to?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Politoed's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric) and Exeggutor (Grass), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

What is the best ability for Politoed?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Run Drizzle on Politoed. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Politoed also gets Water Absorb and Damp, but they don't compare.

What role does Politoed play in battle?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Politoed fills the balanced role. It's a special attacker with base 90 Sp. Atk. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.

What are the best moves for Politoed?

For HeartGold & SoulSilver, the core moveset is Protect, Perishsong, Surf, and Whirlpool. Protect leads at 15% usage. Surf provides reliable STAB damage.

Politoed - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Special

Balanced

CTier

70Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

Politoed's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Def leads, Speed trails, 3 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 3 Sp. Def EVs, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.

Base Stats

High

HP90

Attack75

Defense75

Sp. Atk90

Sp. Def100

Speed70

Total500

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging45 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height1.1 m

Weight33.9 kg

Base XP225

Abilities

Water AbsorbTop Pick

Absorbs water moves, healing for 1/4 max HP.

Damp

Prevents self destruct, explosion, and aftermath from working while the Pokémon is in battle.

DrizzleHANot in game

Summons rain that lasts indefinitely upon entering battle.

Water Absorb grants Water immunity

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpD+3Spe

Strong Special Defense training target

Pokedex Entries

If POLIWAG and POLIWHIRL hear its echoing cry, they respond by gathering from far and wide.

Politoed Weakness

Type-wise, Politoed takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Politoed's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Politoed Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)	Fire, Water, Ice, Steel

Type ChartGood

2Weak

4Resist

1Immune

Score0

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Water

STAB (3)

Fire Ground Rock

How to Beat Politoed in HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Zapdos's Thunderbolt hits Politoed for 60-70%. Rotom deals 60-71% with Thunderbolt.

Zapdos ElectricFlying	A
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves ThunderboltSTAB RoostRecovery Hidden Power Ice Heat Wave Damage vs Politoed Thunderbolt 2x 60-70% Heat Wave 10-12% View Zapdos builds →
Roserade GrassPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves Toxic Spikes Hidden Power Fire SpikesHazard Sleep Powder View Roserade builds →
Rotom ElectricGhost	C
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves ThunderboltSTAB Shadow Ball Will O Wisp TrickUtility Damage vs Politoed Thunderbolt 2x 60-71% Shadow Ball 27-32% View Rotom builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution

Politoed is one of 2 ways Poliwhirl's chain can end. This one takes the trade route, while the siblings go different directions. Breed through Poliwag to get eggs. Poliwrath has 10 more total stats, but Politoed makes up for it with a stronger Sp.Def gain (+60 from Poliwag). View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

4 Forms

#060Poliwag

Level 25

#061Poliwhirl

#062PoliwrathWater Stone

#186PolitoedTrade + Kings Rock

Stat Comparison 4 Stages

Poliwag

Water

Poliwhirl

Water

Poliwrath

WaterFighting

Politoed

Water

65+25

90+25

ATK

65+15

95+30

75+10

DEF

65+25

95+30

75+10

SP.ATK

50+10

70+20

90+40

SP.DEF

50+10

90+40

100+50

SPE

70-20

BST

300D-Tier

385D-Tier+85

510C-Tier+125

500B-Tier+115

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

Utility

Physical

Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Politoed to get Poliwag eggs easily using 69 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 8 more.

Egg Groups

Water1

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

11moves

Breed With (best first)

HeartGold & SoulSilver Politoed Best Moveset

This build takes hits and hits back. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Waterabsorb supports the gameplan, and spread EVs mean Politoed doesn't crumble to chip damage. Plus double STAB backing it up.

Best Build

Experimental

Bulky Support

Ability

Water Absorb

Item

LeftoversSUSTAIN

Best Nature for Politoed

Modest+SPA

Politoed best EVs are Sp. Atk and Sp. Def

EVs

Def

SpA

SpD

Bulky Support Moveset

ProtectFAST +4
Perish Song
SurfSTAB
WhirlpoolSTAB

Recommended Teammates

SuicuneDecent

EmpoleonDecent

RaikouDecent

Moves

The egg pool carries weight here. Bubble Beam and Encore aren't available any other way for Politoed, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Pump and Surf for solid options.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Lv 1

Double Slap

—158510Normal

Lv 1

Hypnosis

D—7020Psychic

Lv 1

Perish Song

A——5Normal

Lv 27

Swagger

——9015Normal

Lv 37

Bounce

D85855Flying

Lv 48

Hyper Voice

C9010010Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

C120705Ice

TM31

Brick Break

D7510015Fighting

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

TM28

Dig

C8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM26

Earthquake

C10010010Ground

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM56

Fling

——10010Dark

TM52

Focus Blast

C120705Fighting

TM01

Focus Punch-3

C15010020Fighting

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM68

Giga Impact

C150905Normal

TM07

Hail

D——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

B150905Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

C9510010Ice

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM66

Payback

D5010010Dark

TM17

Protect+4

A——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

C9010010Psychic

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

HM06

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

HM04

Strength

C8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

B——10Normal

HM03

Surf

A9510015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM46

Thief

—6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

B—8510Poison

TM03

Water Pulse

C6010020Water

HM07

Waterfall

C8010015Water

HM05

Whirlpool

A358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Egg

Encore

B—1005Normal

Egg

Endeavor

D—1005Normal

Egg

Haze

D——30Ice

Egg

Ice Ball

—309020Ice

Egg

Mind Reader

———5Normal

Egg

Mist

———30Ice

Egg

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Egg

Refresh

D——20Normal

Egg

Splash

———40Normal

Egg

Water Sport

———15Water

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Bounce

D85855Flying

Tutor

Dive

C8010010Water

Tutor

Headbutt

D7010015Normal

Tutor

Helping Hand+5

———20Normal

Tutor

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

Tutor

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Reminder Moves

Rem

Belly Drum

D——10Normal

Rem

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

Rem

Bubble

—2010030Water

Rem

Hydro Pump

C120805Water

Rem

Ice Punch

D7510015Ice

Rem

Mud Bomb

—658510Ground

Rem

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Rem

Rain Dance

C——5Water

Rem

Wake-Up Slap

—6010010Fighting

Rem

Water Gun

—4010025Water

Rem

Water Sport

———15Water

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Counter-5

D—10020Fighting

Gen 3

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 3

Dynamic Punch

D100505Fighting

Gen 3

Mega Kick

—120755Normal

Gen 3

Mega Punch

—808520Normal

Gen 3

Metronome

———10Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 3

Seismic Toss

D—10020Fighting

How to Get Politoed in HeartGold & SoulSilver

A trade step sits in Politoed's 3-stage chain from Poliwag. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Poliwag shows up at solid rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.

Trade Evolution Required — Requires trading with another player

How to Obtain Politoed in HeartGold & SoulSilver

The path to Politoed starts with Poliwag at Lv. 5-48 via fishing and surfing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

Step 1Catch Poliwag
Viridian City
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.5-10 City
90%Early
Viridian City
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.5-10 City
90%Early
Ecruteak City
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City
90%Early
Ecruteak City
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City
90%Early
Route 30
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
90%Early
Route 30
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
90%Early
Route 31
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
90%Early
Route 31
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
90%Early
Route 44
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
90%Early
Route 44
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
90%Early
Violet City
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City
90%Early
Violet City
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City
90%Early
Route 22
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.5-10 Route
CommonEarly
Route 22
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.5-10 Route
CommonEarly
Blackthorn City
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Blackthorn City
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Ecruteak City
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Ecruteak City
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Ilex Forest
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Forest
15%Early
Ilex Forest
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Forest
15%Early
Route 30
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 30
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 31
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 31
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 35
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 35
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 43
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 43
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 44
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 44
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 45
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 45
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Ruins of Alph - Outside
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Ruins
15%Early
Ruins of Alph - Outside
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Ruins
15%Early
Violet City
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Violet City
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Route 28
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 28
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Viridian City
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Viridian City
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Mt. Silver - Base
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Cave
RareEarly
Mt. Silver - Base
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Cave
RareEarly
Route 22
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
RareEarly
Route 22
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
RareEarly
Route 6
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
RareEarly
Route 6
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
RareEarly
Ecruteak City
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
60%Mid
Ecruteak City
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
60%Mid
Ilex Forest
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Forest
60%Mid
Ilex Forest
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Forest
60%Mid
Route 43
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
60%Mid
Route 43
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
60%Mid
Route 45
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
60%Mid
Route 45
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
60%Mid
Violet City
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
60%Mid
Violet City
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
60%Mid
Viridian City
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
60%Mid
Viridian City
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
60%Mid
Route 44
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
55%Mid
Route 44
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
55%Mid
Cerulean Cave - 1F
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
45%Mid
Cerulean Cave - 1F
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
45%Mid
Cerulean Cave - B1F
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
45%Mid
Cerulean Cave - B1F
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
45%Mid
Blackthorn City
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
40%Mid
Blackthorn City
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
40%Mid
Route 30
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
40%Mid
Route 30
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
40%Mid
Route 31
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
40%Mid
Route 31
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
40%Mid
Route 35
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
40%Mid
Route 35
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
40%Mid
Ruins of Alph - Outside
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Ruins
40%Mid
Ruins of Alph - Outside
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Ruins
40%Mid
Route 28
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
40%Mid
Route 28
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
40%Mid
Mt. Silver - Base
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
CommonMid
Mt. Silver - Base
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
CommonMid
Route 22
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
CommonMid
Route 22
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
CommonMid
Route 6
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
CommonMid
Route 6
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
CommonMid
Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
UncommonMid
Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Edge Gate
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20
RareMid
Cliff Edge Gate
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20
RareMid
Mt. Silver - Base
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.30-40 Cave
RareMid
Mt. Silver - Base
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.30-40 Cave
RareMid
Route 28
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.35-40 Route
90%Late
Route 28
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.35-40 Route
90%Late
Blackthorn City
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Blackthorn City
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Ecruteak City
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Ecruteak City
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Ilex Forest
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Forest
80%Late
Ilex Forest
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Forest
80%Late
Route 30
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 30
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 31
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 31
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 35
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 35
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 43
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 43
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 45
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 45
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Ruins of Alph - Outside
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Ruins
80%Late
Ruins of Alph - Outside
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Ruins
80%Late
Violet City
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Violet City
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Route 28
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 28
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Viridian City
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Viridian City
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Route 44
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
70%Late
Route 44
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
70%Late
Cerulean Cave - 1F
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
40%Late
Cerulean Cave - 1F
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
40%Late
Cerulean Cave - B1F
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
40%Late
Cerulean Cave - B1F
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
40%Late
Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.35 Cave
CommonLate
Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.35 Cave
CommonLate
Mt. Silver - Base
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
CommonLate
Mt. Silver - Base
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
CommonLate
Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
CommonLate
Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
CommonLate
Route 22
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
CommonLate
Route 22
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
CommonLate
Route 6
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
CommonLate
Route 6
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
CommonLate
Cliff Edge Gate
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40
UncommonLate
Cliff Edge Gate
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40
UncommonLate
Train until Level 25
Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
Route 22
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10 Route
UncommonEarly
Route 22
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10 Route
UncommonEarly
Viridian City
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10 City
10%Early
Viridian City
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10 City
10%Early
Ecruteak City
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-25 City
10%Early
Ecruteak City
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-25 City
10%Early
Route 30
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
10%Early
Route 30
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
10%Early
Route 31
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
10%Early
Route 31
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
10%Early
Route 44
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
10%Early
Route 44
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
10%Early
Violet City
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-32 City
10%Early
Violet City
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-32 City
10%Early
Mt. Silver - Base
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.30-48 Cave
CommonMid
Mt. Silver - Base
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.30-48 Cave
CommonMid
Cerulean Cave - 1F
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
30%Late
Cerulean Cave - 1F
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
30%Late
Cerulean Cave - B1F
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
30%Late
Cerulean Cave - B1F
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
30%Late
Route 28
SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.40 Route
10%Late
Route 28
HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.40 Route
10%Late
or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Trade + King's Rock
Step 3Politoed ✓

Politoed Guide

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Don't let Politoed's 500 base stat total fool you. Drizzle is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier. Protect with Leftovers is the standard set.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Politoed's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric) and Exeggutor (Grass), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Run Drizzle on Politoed. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Politoed also gets Water Absorb and Damp, but they don't compare.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Politoed fills the balanced role. It's a special attacker with base 90 Sp. Atk. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
For HeartGold & SoulSilver, the core moveset is Protect, Perishsong, Surf, and Whirlpool. Protect leads at 15% usage. Surf provides reliable STAB damage.

Game Availability

Politoed has been available in 17 games since Gold & Silver, though obtaining it requires a trade evolution. This extra step makes it less common than Pokemon found through standard wild encounters.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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