Poliwhirl is meant to evolve into Poliwrath . At 385 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

What is Poliwhirl weak to?

In Crystal, watch for Raikou (Electric) and Venusaur (Grass) when using Poliwhirl. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

How do you evolve Poliwhirl?

In Crystal, Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25. Poliwhirl can evolve into Poliwrath and Politoed depending on the method. Poliwhirl is a middle-stage evolution in the Poliwag line.

What role does Poliwhirl play in battle?

Base 90 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Poliwhirl is a special attacker with base 50 Sp. Atk.

Should I use Poliwhirl?

For Crystal, you can run Poliwhirl through the first few routes without issues. 385 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Poliwrath as fast as you can.

Poliwhirl - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Special

Balanced

DTier

90Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

Speed and HP carry most of Poliwhirl's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 2 Speed stat exp. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.

Base Stats

Avg

HP65

Attack65

Defense65

Sp. Atk50

Sp. Def50

Speed90

Total385

Details

Catch Rate

Moderate120 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height1.0 m

Weight20.0 kg

Base XP135

Abilities

Abilities were introduced in Generation III. Shown below for reference.

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+2

Speed training target

Pokedex Entries

Though it is skilled at walking, it prefers to live underwater where there is less danger.

Crystal

Poliwhirl Weakness

Electric and Grass moves hit Poliwhirl for super-effective damage. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Just 2 weak spots to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.

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

Type ChartGood

2Weak

4Resist

0Immune

Score0

Gen II Type Chart

Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (3)

Fire Ground Rock

How to Beat Poliwhirl in Crystal (Best Counters)

Tangela Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 31 AbsorbLv. 10 Damage vs Poliwhirl Vine Whip 2x 62-74% Mega Drain 2x 55-65% Absorb 2x 30-35% View Tangela builds →
Weepinbell GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Vine Whip 2x 55-65% View Weepinbell builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Absorb 2x 24-29% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Razor LeafLv. 8 Damage vs Poliwhirl Razor Leaf 2x 46-55% View Chikorita builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
Available Move Moves Mega DrainLv. 30 Damage vs Poliwhirl Mega Drain 2x 30-35% View Hoppip builds →

Crystal Evolution

From here, Poliwhirl's line branches into Poliwrath and Politoed. That's 2 possible evolutions, each with its own method. So far, HP got the biggest boost (+25 from Poliwag). The final form adds another 125 stats on top. 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 with Poliwhirl to get Poliwag eggs easily using 37 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Haze, Mind Reader and 2 more.

Egg Groups

Water1

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

5moves

Breed With (best first)

Crystal Poliwhirl Best Moveset

Best Build

Experimental

Utility

Ability

Not in Gen 2

Item

LeftoversSUSTAIN

Nature

Not in Gen 2

Utility Moveset

Lovely Kiss
EarthquakeCoverage
SubmissionCoverage
Belly Drum

Recommended Teammates

CloysterExcellent

SnorlaxExcellent

RaikouExcellent

Moves

Without breeding, Poliwhirl misses out on Bubble Beam and Haze. That's 5 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Hydro Pump and Surf, with Normal and Ice coverage and more rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Bubble

—2010030Water

Lv 1

Hypnosis

C—6020Psychic

Lv 1

Water Gun

D4010025Water

Lv 7

Hypnosis

C—6020Psychic

Lv 13

Water Gun

D4010025Water

Lv 19

Double Slap

—158510Normal

Lv 27

Rain Dance

C——5Water

Lv 35

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

Lv 43

Belly Drum

S——10Normal

Lv 51

Hydro Pump

C120805Water

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

D—10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D120705Ice

TM03

Curse

C——10Ghost

TM40

Defense Curl

D——40Normal

TM43

Detect+4

D——5Fighting

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM26

Earthquake

S10010010Ground

TM20

Endure+4

D——10Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM02

Headbutt

D7010015Normal

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM33

Ice Punch

D7510015Ice

TM16

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

TM31

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

D9010010Psychic

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM08

Rock Smash

—2010015Fighting

TM35

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM13

Snore

—4010015Normal

HM04

Strength

D8010015Normal

HM03

Surf

C9510015Water

TM34

Swagger

C—8515Normal

TM46

Thief

D6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

HM07

Waterfall

—8010015Water

HM06

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Egg

Haze

C——30Ice

Egg

Mind Reader

——1005Normal

Egg

Mist

———30Ice

Egg

Splash

———40Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Ice Beam

D9510010Ice

How to Get Poliwhirl in Crystal

Poliwhirl is available from early-game fishing spots onward at high spawn rates. 24 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.

Where To Catch Poliwhirl in Crystal

The path to Poliwhirl starts with Poliwag at Lv. 3-44 via fishing, surfing, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

Step 1Catch Poliwag
Route 22
Surfing on water Lv.5-14 Route
90%Early
Viridian City
Surfing on water Lv.5-14 City
90%Early
Ecruteak City
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 City
90%Early
Route 30
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
90%Early
Route 31
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
90%Early
Route 44
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
90%Early
Violet City
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 City
90%Early
Route 22
Grass Lv.3-4 Route
40%Early
Night
Route 31
Grass Lv.4 Route
30%Early
Night
Route 30
Grass Lv.4 Route
20%Early
Night
Blackthorn City
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Ecruteak City
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Ilex Forest
Old Rod Lv.10 Forest
15%Early
Mt. Silver - Outside
Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
15%Early
Route 30
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 31
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 35
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 44
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Ruins of Alph - Outside
Old Rod Lv.10 Ruins
15%Early
Violet City
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Route 22
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 28
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 6
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Viridian City
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Blackthorn City
Good Rod Lv.20 City
65%Mid
Ecruteak City
Good Rod Lv.20 City
65%Mid
Ilex Forest
Good Rod Lv.20 Forest
65%Mid
Mt. Silver - Outside
Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
65%Mid
Route 30
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 31
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 35
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 44
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Ruins of Alph - Outside
Good Rod Lv.20 Ruins
65%Mid
Violet City
Good Rod Lv.20 City
65%Mid
Route 22
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 28
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 6
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Viridian City
Good Rod Lv.20 City
65%Mid
Route 44
Grass Lv.22 Route
30%Mid
Night
Route 28
Surfing on water Lv.35-44 Route
90%Late
Blackthorn City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Ecruteak City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Ilex Forest
Super Rod Lv.40 Forest
80%Late
Mt. Silver - Outside
Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
80%Late
Route 30
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 31
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Route 35
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Ruins of Alph - Outside
Super Rod Lv.40 Ruins
80%Late
Violet City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Route 28
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
80%Late
Viridian City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
80%Late
Route 44
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
70%Late
Route 22
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
50%Late
Route 6
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
50%Late
Mt. Silver - Outside
Surfing on water Lv.35-39 Cave
10%Late
Train until Level 25
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓
Route 22
Surfing on water Lv.10-14 Route
10%Early
Viridian City
Surfing on water Lv.10-14 City
10%Early
Ecruteak City
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 City
10%Mid
Route 30
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
10%Mid
Route 31
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
10%Mid
Route 44
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
10%Mid
Violet City
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 City
10%Mid
Route 44
Grass Lv.24-26 Route
10%Mid
Night
Mt. Silver - Outside
Surfing on water Lv.35-44 Cave
90%Late
Route 28
Grass Lv.40 Route
40%Late
Night
Mt. Silver - Outside
Grass Lv.42-44 Cave
40%Late
Night
Blackthorn City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
30%Late
Ecruteak City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
30%Late
Ilex Forest
Super Rod Lv.40 Forest
30%Late
Route 30
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
30%Late
Route 31
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
30%Late
Route 35
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
30%Late
Ruins of Alph - Outside
Super Rod Lv.40 Ruins
30%Late
Violet City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
30%Late
Route 22
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
30%Late
Route 28
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
30%Late
Route 6
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
30%Late
Viridian City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
30%Late
Route 28
Surfing on water Lv.40-44 Route
10%Late
or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)

Poliwhirl Guide

Poliwhirl is meant to evolve into Poliwrath. At 385 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
In Crystal, watch for Raikou (Electric) and Venusaur (Grass) when using Poliwhirl. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
In Crystal, Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25. Poliwhirl can evolve into Poliwrath and Politoed depending on the method. Poliwhirl is a middle-stage evolution in the Poliwag line.
Base 90 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Poliwhirl is a special attacker with base 50 Sp. Atk.
For Crystal, you can run Poliwhirl through the first few routes without issues. 385 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Poliwrath as fast as you can.

Game Availability

One of the original 151, Poliwhirl has appeared in 20 games — most mainline games. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Vine Whip 2x 60-72% View Bellsprout builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Upcoming Move Moves Razor LeafLv. 8 Learns Razor Leaf at Level 8 View Chikorita builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
Upcoming Move Moves Mega DrainLv. 30 Learns Mega Drain at Level 30 View Hoppip builds →

Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Absorb 2x 29-35% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Razor LeafLv. 8 Damage vs Poliwhirl Razor Leaf 2x 49-59% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Vine Whip 2x 55-65% View Bellsprout builds →
Elekid Electric	D
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift Available Move Moves Thunder PunchLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwhirl Thunder Punch 2x 78-94% View Elekid builds →
Pichu Electric	D
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Thunder Shock 2x 33-41% View Pichu builds →

Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Absorb 2x 27-34% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Razor LeafLv. 8 Damage vs Poliwhirl Razor Leaf 2x 48-58% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Vine Whip 2x 53-63% View Bellsprout builds →
Elekid Electric	D
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 Thunder PunchTM41 Damage vs Poliwhirl Thunder 2x 115-135%KO Thunder Punch 2x 77-92% View Elekid builds →
Pichu Electric	D
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Thunder 2x 77-92% Thunder Shock 2x 32-39% View Pichu builds →

Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Absorb 2x 27-32% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Razor LeafLv. 8 Damage vs Poliwhirl Razor Leaf 2x 51-60% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Vine Whip 2x 51-60% View Bellsprout builds →
Sunkern Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 10 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Mega Drain 2x 29-36% Absorb 2x 16-20% View Sunkern builds →
Elekid Electric	D
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 Thunder PunchTM41 Damage vs Poliwhirl Thunder 2x 115-136%KO Thunder Punch 2x 77-92% View Elekid builds →

Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Absorb 2x 24-30% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Razor LeafLv. 8 Damage vs Poliwhirl Razor Leaf 2x 48-57% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Vine Whip 2x 50-60% View Bellsprout builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
Available Move Moves Mega DrainLv. 30 Damage vs Poliwhirl Mega Drain 2x 28-33% View Hoppip builds →
Sunkern Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 10 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Mega Drain 2x 28-33% Absorb 2x 17-20% View Sunkern builds →