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 Black 2 & White 2, 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 Black 2 & White 2. 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 skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.

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

Gen V 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 Poliwag in Black 2 & White 2 (Best Counters)

Roserade GrassPoison	B
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 1 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 215-253%KO Magical Leaf 2x 143-170%KO Mega Drain 2x 97-115%KO View Roserade builds →
Virizion GrassFighting	C
Obtain MethodRoute 11 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainLv. 37 Magical LeafLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 163-193%KO Giga Drain 2x 137-162%KO Magical Leaf 2x 110-130%KO View Virizion builds →
Tangrowth Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainLv. 36 Vine WhipLv. 7 Mega DrainLv. 23 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 192-227%KO Giga Drain 2x 162-190%KO Vine Whip 2x 90-107%KO Mega Drain 2x 89-104%KO View Tangrowth builds →
Leavanny BugGrass	C
Available Moves Moves Leaf StormLv. 50 Leaf BladeLv. 36 Energy BallTM53 Razor LeafLv. 15 Damage vs Poliwag Leaf Storm 2x 192-227%KO Leaf Blade 2x 183-217%KO Energy Ball 2x 135-159%KO Razor Leaf 2x 113-133%KO View Leavanny builds →
Whimsicott Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 146-172%KO Mega Drain 2x 66-78% View Whimsicott builds →

Black 2 & White 2 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 78 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)

Black 2 & White 2 Poliwag Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 5.

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

Bubble

—2010030Water

Lv 8

Hypnosis

——6020Psychic

Lv 11

Water Gun

—4010025Water

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

D559515Ground

Lv 31

Belly Drum

D——10Normal

Lv 35

Wake-Up Slap

—6010010Fighting

Lv 38

Hydro Pump

D120805Water

Lv 41

Mud Bomb

—658510Ground

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

C—10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D120705Ice

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

HM06

Dive

C8010010Water

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM21

Frustration

——10020Normal

TM07

Hail

———10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9510010Ice

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

D9010010Psychic

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM48

Round

—6010015Normal

TM55

Scald

D8010015Water

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

HM03

Surf

D9510015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM46

Thief

—6010010Dark

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

D559515Ground

Egg

Refresh

D——20Normal

Egg

Splash

———40Normal

Egg

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

Egg

Water Sport

———15Water

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Endeavor

D—1005Normal

Tutor

Helping Hand+5

———20Normal

Tutor

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

Tutor

Sleep Talk

D——10Normal

Tutor

Snore

—4010015Normal

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

——10015Normal

Gen 4

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

Gen 4

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Black 2 & White 2 Poliwag Locations

Poliwag appears at high spawn rates across 34 spots in late-game fishing spots. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.

Best Locations to Catch Poliwag in Black 2 & White 2

Poliwag is a fishing-only catch in this game. 34 spots at Lv. 40-70 using Super Rod, so bring the right rod and check the rates on each location.

Giant Chasm - Cave

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Ice

60%Late

Any

Giant Chasm - Cave

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Ice

60%Late

Any

Giant Chasm - Inner Cave

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Ice

60%Late

Any

Giant Chasm - Inner Cave

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Ice

60%Late

Any

Lostlorn Forest

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Forest

60%Late

Any

Lostlorn Forest

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Forest

60%Late

Any

Floccesy Ranch

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Facility

CommonLate

Any

Floccesy Ranch

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Facility

CommonLate

Any

Relic Passage - Room 2

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave

CommonLate

Any

Relic Passage - Room 2

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave

CommonLate

Any

Route 19

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route

CommonLate

Any

Route 19

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route

CommonLate

Any

Route 20

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route

CommonLate

Any

Route 20

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route

CommonLate

Any

Route 23

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route

CommonLate

Any

Route 23

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route

CommonLate

Any

Route 6

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route

CommonLate

Any

Route 6

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route

CommonLate

Any

Victory Road - 1F

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-55 Cave

CommonLate

Any

Victory Road - 1F

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-55 Cave

CommonLate

Any

Victory Road - 3F

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave

CommonLate

Any

Victory Road - 3F

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave

CommonLate

Any

Victory Road - 4F

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave

CommonLate

Any

Victory Road - 4F

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave

CommonLate

Any

Victory Road - Outside

White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave

CommonLate

Any

Victory Road - Outside

Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave

CommonLate

Any

Wellspring Cave - 1F

White 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave

60%Post

Any

Wellspring Cave - 1F

Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave

60%Post

Any

Wellspring Cave - B1F

White 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave

60%Post

Any

Wellspring Cave - B1F

Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave

60%Post

Any

Clay Tunnel - Room 2

Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave

CommonPost

Any

Clay Tunnel - Room 2

White 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave

CommonPost

Any

Clay Tunnel - Room 3

Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave

CommonPost

Any

Clay Tunnel - Room 3

White 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave

CommonPost

Any

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 Black 2 & White 2, 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 Black 2 & White 2. 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

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Want to tell us more?

What was most useful?

About:

What could be improved?

About:

Thanks for your feedback

Sewaddle BugGrass	D
TM Move Moves Energy BallTM53 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 90-108%KO View Sewaddle builds →
Snivy Grass	D
Obtain MethodAspertia City Gift Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 97-115%KO Vine Whip 2x 51-62% View Snivy builds →
Sunkern Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 10 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 77-92% Mega Drain 2x 38-46% Absorb 2x 26-31% View Sunkern builds →
Mareep Electric	D
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 8 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder Shock 2x 56-69% View Mareep builds →
Magnemite ElectricSteel	D
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwag Thunder Shock 2x 72-85% View Magnemite builds →

Whimsicott Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 132-156%KO Mega Drain 2x 66-78% View Whimsicott builds →
Lilligant Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 172-204%KO Mega Drain 2x 80-96% View Lilligant builds →
Sewaddle BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Razor LeafLv. 15 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 90-108%KO Razor Leaf 2x 66-78% View Sewaddle builds →
Snivy Grass	D
Obtain MethodAspertia City Gift Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Leaf TornadoLv. 16 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 90-108%KO Leaf Tornado 2x 70-84% Vine Whip 2x 50-60% View Snivy builds →
Sunkern Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Razor LeafLv. 16 Mega DrainLv. 10 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 76-90% Razor Leaf 2x 50-60% Mega Drain 2x 40-48% Absorb 2x 24-30% View Sunkern builds →

Whimsicott Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 142-168%KO Mega Drain 2x 66-78% View Whimsicott builds →
Lilligant Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 192-226%KO Mega Drain 2x 86-103%KO View Lilligant builds →
Maractus Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainLv. 26 Needle ArmLv. 22 Mega DrainLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 185-218%KO Giga Drain 2x 153-181%KO Needle Arm 2x 104-123%KO Mega Drain 2x 84-99% View Maractus builds →
Sewaddle BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Razor LeafLv. 15 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 93-111%KO Razor Leaf 2x 70-82% View Sewaddle builds →
Snivy Grass	D
Obtain MethodAspertia City Gift Available Moves Moves Leaf BladeLv. 28 Energy BallTM53 Leaf TornadoLv. 16 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwag Leaf Blade 2x 100-119%KO Energy Ball 2x 100-119%KO Leaf Tornado 2x 73-86% Vine Whip 2x 52-62% View Snivy builds →

Roserade GrassPoison	B
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 1 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 207-244%KO Magical Leaf 2x 138-163%KO Mega Drain 2x 94-111%KO View Roserade builds →
Leavanny BugGrass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Razor LeafLv. 15 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 132-156%KO Razor Leaf 2x 110-130%KO View Leavanny builds →
Whimsicott Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 141-167%KO Mega Drain 2x 65-78% View Whimsicott builds →
Lilligant Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 185-219%KO Mega Drain 2x 84-100%KO View Lilligant builds →
Maractus Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainLv. 26 Needle ArmLv. 22 Mega DrainLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 179-211%KO Giga Drain 2x 151-178%KO Needle Arm 2x 104-122%KO Mega Drain 2x 81-96% View Maractus builds →

Roserade GrassPoison	B
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 1 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 204-241%KO Magical Leaf 2x 138-163%KO Mega Drain 2x 93-111%KO View Roserade builds →
Leavanny BugGrass	C
Available Moves Moves Leaf BladeLv. 36 Energy BallTM53 Razor LeafLv. 15 Damage vs Poliwag Leaf Blade 2x 174-205%KO Energy Ball 2x 129-153%KO Razor Leaf 2x 108-127%KO View Leavanny builds →
Whimsicott Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 141-166%KO Mega Drain 2x 63-75% View Whimsicott builds →
Lilligant Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwag Energy Ball 2x 185-218%KO Mega Drain 2x 83-98% View Lilligant builds →
Maractus Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Petal DanceLv. 38 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainLv. 26 Needle ArmLv. 22 Damage vs Poliwag Petal Dance 2x 238-280%KO Energy Ball 2x 179-212%KO Giga Drain 2x 149-176%KO Needle Arm 2x 102-121%KO View Maractus builds →

Magnezone ElectricSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemAir Balloon NatureModest Moves Hidden Power Fire ThunderboltSTAB Flash Cannon Volt Switch Damage vs Poliwag Thunderbolt 2x 297-350%KO Flash Cannon 66-78% Volt Switch 2x 232-273%KO View Magnezone builds →
Breloom GrassFighting	B
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves Mach Punch Bullet Seed Swords Dance Low Sweep Damage vs Poliwag Mach Punch 87-102%KO Bullet Seed 2x 109-129%KO View Breloom builds →
Jolteon Electric	B
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemFlame Orb NatureTimid Moves Hidden Power Ice ThunderboltSTAB Shadow Ball Volt Switch Damage vs Poliwag Thunderbolt 2x 241-284%KO Shadow Ball 71-84% Volt Switch 2x 188-221%KO View Jolteon builds →
Venusaur GrassPoison	C
Recommended Build AbilityOvergrow ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves Giga Drain Sludge Bomb Leech Seed Hidden Power Fire Damage vs Poliwag Giga Drain 2x 189-223%KO Sludge Bomb 113-133%KO View Venusaur builds →