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 EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.

Base Stats
Avg
HP65
C
Attack65
C
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def50
D
Speed90
B
Total385
Details
Catch Rate
Moderate120 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.0 m
3'03"Small
Weight20.0 kg
44.1 lbsFeather
Base XP135
Average
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 SwimHANot in game
Doubles Speed during rain.
Water Absorb grants Water immunity
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entries

Its two legs are well developed. Even though it can live on the ground, it prefers living in water.

Poliwhirl Weakness

Electric and Grass moves hit Poliwhirl for super-effective damage. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.

Poliwhirl Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Type ChartGood
2Weak
4Resist
1Immune
Score0
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
ElectricGrass
½xResist
FireWaterIceSteel
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
Water
STAB (3)
FireGroundRock
How to Beat Poliwhirl in FireRed & LeafGreen (Best Counters)
Oddish
Oddish
GrassPoison
D
Available Moves
Moves
  • Giga DrainTM19
  • Bullet SeedTM09
  • AbsorbLv. 1
Damage vs Poliwhirl
Giga Drain 2x
84-99%
Bullet Seed 2x
29-35%
Absorb 2x
26-32%
View Oddish builds →

FireRed & LeafGreen 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
Poliwag
#060Poliwag
25
Level 25
Poliwhirl
#061Poliwhirl
Poliwrath
#062PoliwrathWater Stone
Politoed
#186PolitoedTrade + Kings Rock
Stat Comparison 4 Stages
Poliwag
Water
Poliwhirl
Water
Poliwrath
WaterFighting
Politoed
Water
HP
40
65+25
90+25
90+25
ATK
50
65+15
95+30
75+10
DEF
40
65+25
95+30
75+10
SP.ATK
40
50+10
70+20
90+40
SP.DEF
40
50+10
90+40
100+50
SPE
90
90
70-20
70-20
BST
300D-Tier
385D-Tier+85
510C-Tier+125
500B-Tier+115
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Physical
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Poliwhirl to get Poliwag eggs easily using 58 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Haze, Ice Ball and 4 more.

Egg Groups
Water1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolodewgongcrawdaunt
12 of 58·

FireRed & LeafGreen Poliwhirl Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 3.

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

Moves

Without breeding, Poliwhirl misses out on Bubble Beam and Haze. That's 7 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
—4010025Water
Lv 7
Hypnosis
C—6020Psychic
Lv 13
Water Gun
—4010025Water
Lv 19
Double Slap
—158510Normal
Lv 27
Rain Dance
C——5Water
Lv 35
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Lv 43
Belly Drum
D——10Normal
Lv 51
Hydro Pump
C120805Water

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
——10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
D7510015Fighting
TM28
Dig
—6010010Ground
TM
Dive
—6010010Water
TM32
Double Team
———15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
C10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM01
Focus Punch-3
C15010020Fighting
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
HM06
Rock Smash
—2010015Fighting
TM43
Secret Power
—7010020Normal
HM04
Strength
—8010015Normal
HM03
Surf
C9510015Water
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
—6010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
C8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Bubble Beam
—6510020Water
Egg
Haze
D——30Ice
Egg
Ice Ball
—309020Ice
Egg
Mind Reader
——1005Normal
Egg
Mist
———30Ice
Egg
Splash
———40Normal
Egg
Water Sport
———15Water

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Tutor
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Mega Kick
—120755Normal
Tutor
Mega Punch
—808520Normal
Tutor
Metronome
D——10Normal
Tutor
Mimic
———10Normal
Tutor
Seismic Toss
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal

How to Get Poliwhirl in FireRed & LeafGreen

Easy grab on Poliwhirl with high spawn rates across 22 locations in mid-game fishing spots. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.

Where To Catch Poliwhirl in FireRed & LeafGreen

The path to Poliwhirl starts with Poliwag at Lv. 5-30 via fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Cave
    60%Early
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Cave
    60%Early
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Cave
    60%Early
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Cave
    60%Early
    Route 25
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    60%Early
    Route 25
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    60%Early
    Viridian City
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 City
    60%Early
    Viridian City
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 City
    60%Early
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Cave
    40%Early
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Cave
    40%Early
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Cave
    40%Early
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Cave
    40%Early
    Route 25
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    40%Early
    Route 25
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    40%Early
    Viridian City
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 City
    40%Early
    Viridian City
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 City
    40%Early
    Cape Brink
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15
    CommonEarly
    Cape Brink
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15
    CommonEarly
    Four Island
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Water
    CommonEarly
    Four Island
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Water
    CommonEarly
    Icefall Cave - 1F Room 1
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Icefall Cave - 1F Room 1
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Route 22
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 22
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 23
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 23
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 6
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 6
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Route
    CommonEarly
    Ruin Valley
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15
    CommonEarly
    Ruin Valley
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15
    CommonEarly
    Cape Brink
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25
    CommonEarly
    Cape Brink
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25
    CommonEarly
    Four Island
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Water
    CommonEarly
    Four Island
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Water
    CommonEarly
    Icefall Cave - 1F Room 1
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Icefall Cave - 1F Room 1
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Cave
    CommonEarly
    Route 22
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 22
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 23
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 23
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 6
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 6
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25 Route
    CommonEarly
    Ruin Valley
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.15-25
    CommonEarly
    Ruin Valley
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.15-25
    CommonEarly
    Fuchsia City
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 City
    20%Early
    Fuchsia City
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 City
    20%Early
    Berry Forest
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Forest
    UncommonEarly
    Berry Forest
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Forest
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - Center
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - Center
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - East
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - East
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - North
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - North
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - West
    LeafGreenGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
    Safari Zone - West
    FireRedGood Rod Lv.5-15 Facility
    UncommonEarly
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Poliwhirl ✓
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Cave
    40%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Cave
    40%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Cave
    40%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Cave
    40%Mid
    Route 25
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 25
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    40%Mid
    Viridian City
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 City
    40%Mid
    Viridian City
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 City
    40%Mid
    Cape Brink
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30
    CommonMid
    Cape Brink
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30
    CommonMid
    Four Island
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Water
    CommonMid
    Four Island
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Water
    CommonMid
    Icefall Cave - 1F Room 1
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Cave
    CommonMid
    Icefall Cave - 1F Room 1
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Cave
    CommonMid
    Route 22
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 22
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 23
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 23
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 6
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 6
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30 Route
    CommonMid
    Ruin Valley
    LeafGreenSuper Rod Lv.20-30
    CommonMid
    Ruin Valley
    FireRedSuper Rod Lv.20-30
    CommonMid
    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 FireRed & LeafGreen, 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 FireRed & LeafGreen, 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.

  • Swift Swim is what you want on Poliwhirl. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Water Absorb, Damp) work on paper but Swift Swim is what makes Poliwhirl worth using.

  • In FireRed & LeafGreen, Poliwhirl's hidden ability is Swift Swim. Doubles Speed during rain. Better than the standard options for competitive play.

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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