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.
They gather on moonlit nights to form a large chorus. Their cries sound angry and not at all pleasant, but they are certainly distinctive.
It’s the leader of Poliwag and Poliwhirl. When Politoed roars, they all cower in fear.
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
 Decidueye GrassGhost | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Rowlet (Iki Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Politoed View Decidueye builds →Leaf Blade 2x83-98% Energy Ball 2x63-75% Razor Leaf 2x52-62% Leafage 2x38-45% | ||
 Meganium Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Politoed View Meganium builds →Petal Dance 2x72-85% Solar Beam 2x72-85% Petal Blizzard 2x68-80% Energy Ball 2x54-64% | ||
 Leafeon Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Paniola Ranch Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Politoed View Leafeon builds →Leaf Blade 2x86-102%KO Energy Ball 2x43-51% Giga Drain 2x37-44% Magical Leaf 2x29-35% | ||
 Victreebel GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Politoed View Victreebel builds →Leaf Storm 2x91-107%KO Leaf Blade 2x83-98% Energy Ball 2x63-75% Leaf Tornado 2x46-55% | ||
 Lurantis Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Politoed View Lurantis builds →Solar Blade 2x114-135%KO Petal Blizzard 2x83-98% Leaf Blade 2x83-98% Energy Ball 2x54-64% | ||
In Sun & Moon, Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt hits Politoed for 82-97%.
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureSassy Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
 Tapu Koko ElectricFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Politoed View Tapu Koko builds →Thunderbolt 2x82-97% Volt Switch 2x64-76% Dazzling Gleam36-43% | ||
 Kartana GrassSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Politoed View Kartana builds →Knock Off25-30% | ||
 Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemColbur Berry NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Politoed View Rotom builds →Volt Switch 2x34-41% Hex16-19% | ||
Sun & Moon 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
Breeding
Breed with Politoed to get Poliwag eggs easily using 95 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 10 more.
Sun & Moon Politoed Best Moveset
Nothing fancy here. Politoed builds around Sitrus Berry for a one-time health recovery at low HP, Sassy nature for the right stat lean, and HP-heavy investment EVs. Drizzle does its job quietly.
Best Build
Politoed best EVs are HP and Defense
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Protect
- Scald
- Helping Hand
- Icy Wind
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Scald
- Toxic
- Protect
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
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
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Politoed in Sun & Moon
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.
Where To Catch Politoed in Sun & Moon
The path to Politoed starts with Poliwag at Lv. 14-55 via walking, gift, and more encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch PoliwagBrooklet Hill - NorthMoonSurfing on water Lv.14-1740%EarlyBrooklet Hill - NorthSunSurfing on water Lv.14-1740%EarlyBrooklet Hill - SouthSunSurfing on water Lv.14-1740%EarlyBrooklet Hill - SouthMoonSurfing on water Lv.14-1740%EarlyBrooklet Hill - SouthSunGrass Lv.14-1720%EarlyBrooklet Hill - SouthMoonGrass Lv.14-1720%EarlyBrooklet Hill - NorthMoonGrass Lv.14-1710%EarlyBrooklet Hill - NorthSunGrass Lv.14-1710%EarlyMalie GardenMoonGrass Lv.24-27 Forest20%MidMalie GardenSunGrass Lv.24-27 Forest20%MidPoké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedMoonGift from NPC Lv.21-278%MidPoké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedSunGift from NPC Lv.21-278%MidPoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedMoonGift from NPC Lv.37-435%LatePoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedSunGift from NPC Lv.37-435%LatePoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedMoonGift from NPC Lv.49-554%PostPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedSunGift from NPC Lv.49-554%Post
Step 2Catch or Evolve PoliwhirlKonikoni CityMoonIn-game trade Lv.22 CityMidTrade for (give Zubat)Konikoni CitySunIn-game trade Lv.22 CityMidTrade for (give Zubat)Malie GardenMoonGrass Lv.24-27 Forest10%MidSOS chain (rain)Malie GardenSunGrass Lv.24-27 Forest10%MidSOS chain (rain)or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
Step 3Politoed ✓Malie GardenSunGrass Lv.24-27 Forest1%MidNightSOS chain (rain)Malie GardenMoonGrass Lv.24-27 Forest1%MidNightSOS chain (rain)or evolve from Poliwhirl (Step 2)
Politoed Guide
In Sun & Moon, 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 Sitrus Berry is the standard set.
In Sun & Moon, 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 Sun & Moon, 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.
In Sun & Moon, Drizzle is the hidden ability. It summons rain that lasts indefinitely upon entering battle. Worth hunting for if you want Politoed to compete at a higher level.
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
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves