What does Poliwag evolve into?

Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25, then the line branches. Poliwhirl can become Poliwrath using a Water Stone and Politoed while holding a Kings Rock. Two final forms from the same mid-stage.

At what level does Poliwag evolve?

Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.

Should I use Poliwag?

In X & Y, Poliwag does the job early-game if you need a Water type on your team. Evolve it into Poliwhirl before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Where can you catch Poliwag?

Poliwag is catchable in X & Y. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 19 other games across the series.

Poliwag - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Utility

Balanced

DTier

90Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

Poliwag's spread isn't flashy. Speed leads, HP trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Easy to catch and worth 1 Speed EV, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.

Base Stats

Avg

HP40

Attack50

Defense40

Sp. Atk40

Sp. Def40

Speed90

Total300

Details

Catch Rate

Guaranteed255 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height0.6 m

Weight12.4 kg

Base XP60

Abilities

Water Absorb

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 SwimHA

Doubles Speed during rain.

Water Absorb grants Water immunity

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1

Speed training source

Pokedex Entries

Its slick black skin is thin and damp. A part of its internal organs can be seen through the skin as a spiral pattern.

Poliwag Weakness

Poliwag is weak to Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.

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

Type ChartGood

2Weak

4Resist

1Immune

Score0

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Water

STAB (3)

Fire Ground Rock

How to Beat Poliwag in X & Y (Best Counters)

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Leaf TornadoLv. 31 Vine WhipLv. 11 Damage vs Poliwag Leaf Tornado 2x 116-137%KO Vine Whip 2x 88-103%KO View Carnivine builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Petal DanceLv. 37 Giga DrainLv. 25 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwag Petal Dance 2x 229-270%KO Giga Drain 2x 144-170%KO Magical Leaf 2x 116-137%KO Mega Drain 2x 79-93% View Roselia builds →
Weepinbell GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Vine Whip 2x 81-97% View Weepinbell builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 30 Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwag Seed Bomb 2x 113-133%KO Razor Leaf 2x 79-93% Vine Whip 2x 64-77% View Skiddo builds →
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 16 Charge BeamTM57 Bullet SeedLv. 26 Damage vs Poliwag Razor Leaf 2x 79-93% Charge Beam 2x 38-44% Bullet Seed 2x 37-43% View Pumpkaboo builds →

X & Y Evolution

Poliwag's evolution chain splits 2 ways into Poliwrath and Politoed. The method you choose determines which form you get. Evolving adds up to 210 stat points total. 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 Poliwag easily with 87 breeding partners from the Water1 egg group. Pass egg moves like Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 10 more to offspring.

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)

X & Y Poliwag Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 6.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

Egg moves make a real difference. Poliwag gets Bubble Beam and Encore exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Normal and Ground coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Hydro Pump and Surf.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Water Sport

———15Water

Lv 5

Water Gun

—4010025Water

Lv 8

Hypnosis

D—6020Psychic

Lv 11

Bubble

—4010030Water

Lv 15

Double Slap

—158510Normal

Lv 18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

Lv 21

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

Lv 25

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Lv 28

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Lv 31

Belly Drum

C——10Normal

Lv 35

Wake-Up Slap

—7010010Fighting

Lv 38

Hydro Pump

D110805Water

Lv 41

Mud Bomb

—658510Ground

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

D—10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D110705Ice

TM100

Confide

———20Normal

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM07

Hail

D——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9010010Ice

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

D9010010Psychic

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM48

Round

D6010015Normal

TM55

Scald

D8010015Water

TM88

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

HM03

Surf

D9010015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM46

Thief

D6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—9010Poison

HM05

Waterfall

C8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Egg

Encore

C—1005Normal

Egg

Endeavor

D—1005Normal

Egg

Endure+4

D——10Normal

Egg

Haze

C——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 Pulse

D6010020Water

Egg

Water Sport

———15Water

Tutor Moves

Poliwag can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 4

Captivate

——10020Normal

Gen 3

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 4

Headbutt

D7010015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 4

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

Gen 4

Whirlpool

—358515Water

X & Y Poliwag Locations

Easy grab on Poliwag with high spawn rates across 28 locations in early-game fishing spots. Two different catch methods are in play here. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.

Best Locations to Catch Poliwag in X & Y

Before you go hunting for Poliwag, check which of the 28 spots belong to your version. X and Y each have different fishing and walking encounters at Lv. 15-25.

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

Poliwag Guide

Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25, then the line branches. Poliwhirl can become Poliwrath using a Water Stone and Politoed while holding a Kings Rock. Two final forms from the same mid-stage.
Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.
In X & Y, Poliwag does the job early-game if you need a Water type on your team. Evolve it into Poliwhirl before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Poliwag is catchable in X & Y. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 19 other games across the series.

Game Availability

Poliwag has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Pikachu Electric	C
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder Shock 2x 58-69% View Pikachu builds →
Chespin Grass	D
Obtain MethodAquacorde Town Gift Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwag Vine Whip 2x 65-81% View Chespin builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Absorb 2x 38-46% View Budew builds →
Pansage Grass	D
Upcoming Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 10 Learns Vine Whip at Level 10 View Pansage builds →

Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Magical Leaf 2x 117-138%KO Mega Drain 2x 83-98% Absorb 2x 42-52% View Roselia builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwag Razor Leaf 2x 83-98% Vine Whip 2x 67-81% View Skiddo builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Absorb 2x 38-46% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodLumiose City Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 19 Vine WhipLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwag Razor Leaf 2x 67-81% Vine Whip 2x 58-69% View Bulbasaur builds →
Pansage Grass	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 10 Damage vs Poliwag Vine Whip 2x 58-69% View Pansage builds →

Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainLv. 25 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Giga Drain 2x 139-164%KO Magical Leaf 2x 112-132%KO Mega Drain 2x 75-90% Absorb 2x 39-47% View Roselia builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 30 Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwag Seed Bomb 2x 109-129%KO Razor Leaf 2x 75-90% Vine Whip 2x 62-74% View Skiddo builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 21 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Mega Drain 2x 62-74% Absorb 2x 32-39% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodLumiose City Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 19 Vine WhipLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwag Razor Leaf 2x 62-74% Vine Whip 2x 52-62% View Bulbasaur builds →
Pansage Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 22 Vine WhipLv. 10 Damage vs Poliwag Seed Bomb 2x 92-109%KO Vine Whip 2x 56-66% View Pansage builds →

Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainLv. 25 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Giga Drain 2x 139-164%KO Magical Leaf 2x 112-132%KO Mega Drain 2x 75-90% Absorb 2x 39-47% View Roselia builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 30 Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwag Seed Bomb 2x 109-129%KO Razor Leaf 2x 75-90% Vine Whip 2x 62-74% View Skiddo builds →
Exeggcute GrassPsychic	D
Available Move Moves Bullet SeedLv. 17 Damage vs Poliwag Bullet Seed 2x 29-35% View Exeggcute builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 21 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Mega Drain 2x 62-74% Absorb 2x 32-39% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodLumiose City Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 19 Vine WhipLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwag Razor Leaf 2x 62-74% Vine Whip 2x 52-62% View Bulbasaur builds →

Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainLv. 25 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Giga Drain 2x 139-164%KO Magical Leaf 2x 112-132%KO Mega Drain 2x 75-90% Absorb 2x 39-47% View Roselia builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 30 Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwag Seed Bomb 2x 109-129%KO Razor Leaf 2x 75-90% Vine Whip 2x 62-74% View Skiddo builds →
Exeggcute GrassPsychic	D
Available Move Moves Bullet SeedLv. 17 Damage vs Poliwag Bullet Seed 2x 29-35% View Exeggcute builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 21 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Mega Drain 2x 62-74% Absorb 2x 32-39% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodLumiose City Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 19 Vine WhipLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwag Razor Leaf 2x 62-74% Vine Whip 2x 52-62% View Bulbasaur builds →

Whimsicott GrassFairy	B
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves TailwindUtility EncoreUtility TauntUtility SafeguardUtility View Whimsicott builds →
Magnezone ElectricSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves Flash Cannon Volt Switch ThunderboltSTAB Hidden Power Fire Damage vs Poliwag Flash Cannon 60-71% Volt Switch 2x 211-248%KO Thunderbolt 2x 271-319%KO View Magnezone builds →
Jolteon Electric	B
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemAir Balloon NatureTimid Moves Shadow Ball Hidden Power Ice ThunderboltSTAB Volt Switch Damage vs Poliwag Shadow Ball 71-84% Thunderbolt 2x 241-284%KO Volt Switch 2x 188-221%KO View Jolteon builds →
Venusaur GrassPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureModest Moves Sludge Bomb ProtectPriority Sleep Powder Giga Drain Damage vs Poliwag Sludge Bomb 161-190%KO Giga Drain 2x 270-318%KO View Venusaur builds →