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 Sword & Shield, 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 Sword & Shield. 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

For Poliwag, swimming is easier than walking. The swirl pattern on its belly is actually part of the Pokémon’s innards showing through the skin.

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 Sword & Shield (Best Counters)

Ferrothorn GrassSteel	A
Available Moves Moves Power WhipLv. 1 Solar BeamTM11 Damage vs Poliwag Power Whip 2x 223-262%KO Solar Beam 2x 144-170%KO View Ferrothorn builds →
Dhelmise GhostGrass	B
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 28 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 206-243%KO Giga Drain 2x 131-154%KO Mega Drain 2x 71-84% Absorb 2x 36-43% View Dhelmise builds →
Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 43 Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Razor LeafLv. 20 Damage vs Poliwag Wood Hammer 2x 218-257%KO Solar Beam 2x 218-257%KO Magical Leaf 2x 110-130%KO Razor Leaf 2x 103-122%KO View Abomasnow builds →
Maractus Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Petal BlizzardLv. 36 Giga DrainLv. 24 Mega DrainLv. 8 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 245-289%KO Petal Blizzard 2x 156-184%KO Giga Drain 2x 153-181%KO Mega Drain 2x 85-100%KO View Maractus builds →
Eldegoss Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Leaf StormLv. 46 Solar BeamTM11 Leaf TornadoLv. 23 Magical LeafTM10 Damage vs Poliwag Leaf Storm 2x 211-249%KO Solar Beam 2x 195-230%KO Leaf Tornado 2x 107-127%KO Magical Leaf 2x 98-116%KO View Eldegoss builds →

Sword & Shield 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 81 breeding partners from the Water1 egg group. Pass egg moves like Endeavor, Haze, Mind Reader and 3 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

6moves

Breed With (best first)

Sword & Shield Poliwag Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

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

Moves

Egg moves make a real difference. Poliwag gets Endeavor and Haze 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 Muddy Water.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Hypnosis

C—6020Psychic

Lv 1

Water Gun

—4010025Water

Lv 6

Pound

—4010035Normal

Lv 12

Mud Shot

D559515Ground

Lv 18

Bubble Beam

D6510020Water

Lv 24

Rain Dance

C——5Water

Lv 30

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

Lv 36

Earth Power

D9010010Ground

Lv 42

Hydro Pump

D110805Water

Lv 48

Belly Drum

C——10Normal

Lv 54

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

TM Moves

TM31

Attract

C—10015Normal

TR06

Blizzard

D110705Ice

TR01

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

TM81

Bulldoze

D6010020Ground

TM15

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM45

Dive

C8010010Water

TR67

Earth Power

D9010010Ground

TR30

Encore

C—1005Normal

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM39

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM35

Hail

C——10Ice

TM41

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

TR03

Hydro Pump

D110805Water

TR05

Ice Beam

D9010010Ice

TM27

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

TM53

Mud Shot

D559515Ground

TR45

Muddy Water

D908510Water

TM25

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TR11

Psychic

D9010010Psychic

TM33

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM21

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM76

Round

D6010015Normal

TR84

Scald

D8010015Water

TR27

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

TR04

Surf

D9010015Water

TM23

Thief

D6010025Dark

TR16

Waterfall

C8010015Water

TM36

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Endeavor

D—1005Normal

Egg

Haze

C——30Ice

Egg

Mind Reader

———5Normal

Egg

Mist

D——30Ice

Egg

Splash

D——40Normal

Egg

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

Tutor Moves

Poliwag can't learn any Tutor moves

Sword & Shield Poliwag Locations

Easy grab on Poliwag with high spawn rates across 14 locations in early-game routes. 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 Sword & Shield

Which version you're playing matters for Poliwag. 14 walking and surfing spots at Lv. 13-45 spread across Shield and Sword, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.

Brawlers' Cave

ShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave

16%Early

Normal Weather

Brawlers' Cave

SwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave

16%Early

Snowing

Brawlers' Cave

SwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave

16%Early

Raining

Brawlers' Cave

SwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave

16%Early

Overcast

Brawlers' Cave

SwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave

16%Early

Normal Weather

Brawlers' Cave

ShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave

16%Early

Thunderstorm

Brawlers' Cave

ShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave

16%Early

Intense Sun

Brawlers' Cave

ShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave

16%Early

Snowing

Brawlers' Cave

ShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave

16%Early

Raining

Brawlers' Cave

SwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave

16%Early

Thunderstorm

Brawlers' Cave

ShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave

16%Early

Overcast

Brawlers' Cave

SwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave

16%Early

Intense Sun

Brawlers' Cave

ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Cave

50%Late

All Weather

Brawlers' Cave

SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Cave

50%Late

All Weather

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 Sword & Shield, 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 Sword & Shield. 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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Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 20 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 206-242%KO Giga Drain 2x 131-156%KO Mega Drain 2x 73-87% Absorb 2x 38-46% View Gloom builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 229-271%KO Magical Leaf 2x 117-138%KO Mega Drain 2x 83-98% Absorb 2x 42-52% View Roselia builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 162-190%KO Mega Drain 2x 58-69% Absorb 2x 33-40% View Lombre builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Razor LeafLv. 1 Mega DrainLv. 18 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 162-190%KO Razor Leaf 2x 83-98% Mega Drain 2x 58-69% Absorb 2x 33-40% View Nuzleaf builds →
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Razor LeafLv. 12 Bullet SeedLv. 20 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 127-150%KO Razor Leaf 2x 83-98% Bullet Seed 2x 38-46% View Pumpkaboo builds →

Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 20 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 198-235%KO Giga Drain 2x 127-150%KO Mega Drain 2x 72-85% Absorb 2x 37-45% View Gloom builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 225-265%KO Magical Leaf 2x 113-135%KO Mega Drain 2x 80-95% Absorb 2x 42-50% View Roselia builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 152-180%KO Mega Drain 2x 55-65% Absorb 2x 28-35% View Lombre builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Razor LeafLv. 1 Mega DrainLv. 18 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 152-180%KO Razor Leaf 2x 80-95% Mega Drain 2x 55-65% Absorb 2x 28-35% View Nuzleaf builds →
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Razor LeafLv. 12 Bullet SeedLv. 20 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 127-150%KO Razor Leaf 2x 80-95% Bullet Seed 2x 37-45% View Pumpkaboo builds →

Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 20 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 197-232%KO Giga Drain 2x 127-150%KO Mega Drain 2x 68-82% Absorb 2x 38-45% View Gloom builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 223-264%KO Magical Leaf 2x 115-136%KO Mega Drain 2x 77-91% Absorb 2x 42-50% View Roselia builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 155-182%KO Mega Drain 2x 53-64% Absorb 2x 30-36% View Lombre builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Razor LeafLv. 1 Mega DrainLv. 18 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 155-182%KO Razor Leaf 2x 80-95% Mega Drain 2x 53-64% Absorb 2x 30-36% View Nuzleaf builds →
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Razor LeafLv. 12 Bullet SeedLv. 20 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 127-150%KO Razor Leaf 2x 80-95% Bullet Seed 2x 38-45% View Pumpkaboo builds →

Maractus Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Petal BlizzardLv. 36 Giga DrainLv. 24 Mega DrainLv. 8 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 246-289%KO Petal Blizzard 2x 159-187%KO Giga Drain 2x 155-184%KO Mega Drain 2x 84-99% View Maractus builds →
Eldegoss Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Leaf TornadoLv. 23 Magical LeafTM10 Razor LeafLv. 12 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 194-229%KO Leaf Tornado 2x 107-127%KO Magical Leaf 2x 99-116%KO Razor Leaf 2x 66-78% View Eldegoss builds →
Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 20 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 206-244%KO Giga Drain 2x 132-155%KO Mega Drain 2x 72-85% Absorb 2x 39-46% View Gloom builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 30 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 233-275%KO Giga Drain 2x 149-176%KO Magical Leaf 2x 120-141%KO Mega Drain 2x 80-95% View Roselia builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 36 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 159-187%KO Giga Drain 2x 101-120%KO Mega Drain 2x 56-67% Absorb 2x 29-35% View Lombre builds →

Maractus Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Petal BlizzardLv. 36 Giga DrainLv. 24 Mega DrainLv. 8 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 243-287%KO Petal Blizzard 2x 156-183%KO Giga Drain 2x 152-180%KO Mega Drain 2x 84-100%KO View Maractus builds →
Eldegoss Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Leaf TornadoLv. 23 Magical LeafTM10 Razor LeafLv. 12 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 192-227%KO Leaf Tornado 2x 107-127%KO Magical Leaf 2x 99-117%KO Razor Leaf 2x 64-77% View Eldegoss builds →
Shiinotic GrassFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 32 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 212-250%KO Giga Drain 2x 136-160%KO Mega Drain 2x 73-87% Absorb 2x 39-47% View Shiinotic builds →
Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 20 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 203-240%KO Giga Drain 2x 127-150%KO Mega Drain 2x 70-83% Absorb 2x 37-43% View Gloom builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 30 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwag Solar Beam 2x 229-270%KO Giga Drain 2x 144-170%KO Magical Leaf 2x 116-137%KO Mega Drain 2x 79-93% View Roselia builds →

Zarude DarkGrass	A
Recommended Build AbilityLeafguard ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves Darkest Lariat Power Whip U Turn Close Combat Damage vs Poliwag U Turn 67-78% Close Combat 114-134%KO View Zarude builds →
Regieleki Electric	A
Recommended Build AbilityTransistor ItemMagnet NatureTimid Moves Volt Switch ProtectPriority ElectrowebSTAB ThunderboltSTAB Damage vs Poliwag Volt Switch 2x 176-208%KO Electroweb 2x 139-164%KO Thunderbolt 2x 226-266%KO View Regieleki builds →
Jolteon Electric	B
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves ThunderSTAB Weather Ball WishRecovery SubstituteUtility Damage vs Poliwag Thunder 2x 441-519%KO View Jolteon builds →
Venusaur GrassPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureModest Moves Sludge Bomb Weather Ball GrowthSetup Giga Drain Damage vs Poliwag Sludge Bomb 161-190%KO Giga Drain 2x 270-318%KO View Venusaur builds →