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
B
Attack75
C
Defense75
C
Sp. Atk90
B
Sp. Def100
B
Speed70
C
Total500
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.1 m
3'07"Small
Weight33.9 kg
74.7 lbsLight
Base XP225
High Yield
Abilities
Water AbsorbTop Pick
Absorbs water moves, healing for 1/4 max HP.
DampNiche
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

Whenever three or more of these get together, they sing in a loud voice that sounds like bellowing.

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
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Type ChartGood
2Weak
4Resist
1Immune
Score0
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
ElectricGrass
½xResist
FireWaterIceSteel
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
Water
STAB (3)
FireGroundRock
How to Beat Politoed in FireRed & LeafGreen (Best Counters)

In FireRed & LeafGreen, Magneton can KO Politoed with Thunderbolt (96-113%).

Magneton
Magneton
ElectricSteel
A
Recommended Build
AbilityMagnetpull
ItemMagnet
NatureModest
Moves
  • ThunderboltSTAB
  • Hidden Power Fire
  • ToxicUtility
  • Thunder Wave
Damage vs Politoed
Thunderbolt 2x
96-113%KO
View Magneton builds →

FireRed & LeafGreen 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
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 Politoed to get Poliwag eggs easily using 58 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Haze, Ice Ball and 4 more.

Egg Groups
Water1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolodewgongcrawdaunt
12 of 58·

FireRed & LeafGreen Politoed Best Moveset

This build takes hits and hits back. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Waterabsorb supports the gameplan, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs mean Politoed doesn't crumble to chip damage. Plus Dark coverage backing it up.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Sweeper
Ability
Water Absorb
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Politoed
Timid+SPE

Politoed best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Sweeper Moveset

  • Ice Beam
  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • HypnosisUtility
  • ThiefCoverage

Recommended Teammates

Gengar
GengarDecent
Metagross
MetagrossDecent
Tyranitar
TyranitarDecent

Moves

The egg pool carries weight here. Bubble Beam and Haze 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
Double Slap
—158510Normal
Lv 1
Hypnosis
A—6020Psychic
Lv 1
Perish Song
C——5Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
—4010025Water
Lv 35
Perish Song
C——5Normal
Lv 51
Swagger
——9015Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
——10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
C120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
D7510015Fighting
TM28
Dig
—6010010Ground
TM
Dive
—6010010Water
TM32
Double Team
———15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
C10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM01
Focus Punch-3
C15010020Fighting
TM21
Frustration
——10020Normal
TM07
Hail
———10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
S9510010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
C——10Normal
TM29
Psychic
C9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
C——5Water
TM44
Rest
C——10Psychic
TM27
Return
D—10020Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
—2010015Fighting
TM43
Secret Power
—7010020Normal
HM04
Strength
—8010015Normal
HM03
Surf
A9510015Water
TM46
Thief
A6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
—6010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
C8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Bubble Beam
—6510020Water
Egg
Haze
D——30Ice
Egg
Ice Ball
—309020Ice
Egg
Mind Reader
——1005Normal
Egg
Mist
———30Ice
Egg
Splash
———40Normal
Egg
Water Sport
———15Water

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Mega Kick
—120755Normal
Tutor
Mega Punch
—808520Normal
Tutor
Metronome
D——10Normal
Tutor
Mimic
———10Normal
Tutor
Seismic Toss
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Belly Drum
D——10Normal
Rem
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Rem
Bubble
—2010030Water
Rem
Hydro Pump
A120805Water
Rem
Rain Dance
C——5Water

How to Get Politoed in FireRed & LeafGreen

Politoed's 3-stage chain starts with Poliwag, which appears at solid rates in the locations below. Level through 3 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.

Trade Evolution Required — Requires trading with another player

How to Obtain Politoed in FireRed & LeafGreen

Poliwag is your first catch on the way to Politoed. You'll find fishing encounters from Lv. 5-30 across 78 total spots in the chain.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Cave
    60%Early
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Cave
    60%Early
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Cave
    60%Early
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Cave
    60%Early
    Route 25
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    60%Early
    Route 25
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    60%Early
    Viridian City
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 City
    60%Early
    Viridian City
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 City
    60%Early
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Cave
    40%Early
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Cave
    40%Early
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Cave
    40%Early
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Cave
    40%Early
    Route 25
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    40%Early
    Route 25
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    40%Early
    Viridian City
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 City
    40%Early
    Viridian City
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 City
    40%Early
    Cape Brink
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15
    CommonEarly
    Cape Brink
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15
    CommonEarly
    Four Island
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Water
    CommonEarly
    Four Island
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Water
    CommonEarly
    Icefall Cave - 1F Room 1
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Icefall Cave - 1F Room 1
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Route 22
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 22
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 23
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 23
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 6
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 6
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Ruin Valley
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15
    CommonEarly
    Ruin Valley
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15
    CommonEarly
    Cape Brink
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25
    CommonEarly
    Cape Brink
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25
    CommonEarly
    Four Island
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Water
    CommonEarly
    Four Island
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Water
    CommonEarly
    Icefall Cave - 1F Room 1
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Icefall Cave - 1F Room 1
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Route 22
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 22
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 23
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 23
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 6
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 6
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    CommonEarly
    Ruin Valley
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25
    CommonEarly
    Ruin Valley
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25
    CommonEarly
    Fuchsia City
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 City
    20%Early
    Fuchsia City
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 City
    20%Early
    Berry Forest
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Forest
    UncommonEarly
    Berry Forest
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Forest
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - Center
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - Center
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - East
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - East
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - North
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - North
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - West
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - West
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Cave
    40%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Cave
    40%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Cave
    40%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Cave
    40%Mid
    Route 25
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 25
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    40%Mid
    Viridian City
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 City
    40%Mid
    Viridian City
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 City
    40%Mid
    Cape Brink
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30
    CommonMid
    Cape Brink
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30
    CommonMid
    Four Island
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Water
    CommonMid
    Four Island
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Water
    CommonMid
    Icefall Cave - 1F Room 1
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Cave
    CommonMid
    Icefall Cave - 1F Room 1
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Cave
    CommonMid
    Route 22
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 22
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 23
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 23
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 6
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 6
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    CommonMid
    Ruin Valley
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30
    CommonMid
    Ruin Valley
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30
    CommonMid
    or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
  3. Politoed
    Step 3Politoed ✓

Politoed Guide

  • In FireRed & LeafGreen, 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. Ice Beam with Leftovers is the standard set.

  • In FireRed & LeafGreen, 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 FireRed & LeafGreen, 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 FireRed & LeafGreen, 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 FireRed & LeafGreen, the core moveset is Ice Beam, Hydro Pump, Hypnosis, and Thief. Ice Beam leads at 23% usage. This set covers the balanced role with a mix of damage and utility.

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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