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 X & Y, 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 X & Y, 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 is the best ability for Poliwhirl?

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.

What is Poliwhirl's hidden ability?

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

Poliwhirl - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Utility

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

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

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

It can live in or out of water. When out of water, it constantly sweats to keep its body slimy.

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
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 Poliwhirl in X & Y (Best Counters)

Amoonguss GrassPoison	A
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamLv. 49 Giga DrainLv. 28 Mega DrainLv. 15 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 147-174%KO Giga Drain 2x 93-109%KO Mega Drain 2x 51-60% Absorb 2x 27-32% View Amoonguss builds →
Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 36 Razor LeafLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwhirl Wood Hammer 2x 129-152%KO Razor Leaf 2x 60-71% View Abomasnow builds →
Trevenant GhostGrass	C
Available Move Moves Wood HammerLv. 49 Damage vs Poliwhirl Wood Hammer 2x 149-176%KO View Trevenant builds →
Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Power WhipLv. 50 Leaf TornadoLv. 31 Vine WhipLv. 11 Damage vs Poliwhirl Power Whip 2x 138-163%KO Leaf Tornado 2x 84-99% Vine Whip 2x 52-62% View Carnivine builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Petal DanceLv. 37 Petal BlizzardLv. 50 Giga DrainLv. 25 Magical LeafLv. 19 Damage vs Poliwhirl Petal Dance 2x 167-197%KO Petal Blizzard 2x 71-84% Giga Drain 2x 105-124%KO Magical Leaf 2x 85-101%KO View Roselia builds →

X & Y 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 87 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 10 more.

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 Poliwhirl 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

Without breeding, Poliwhirl misses out on Bubble Beam and Encore. That's 13 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Hydro Pump and Surf, with Normal and Ground coverage and more rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Hypnosis

D—6020Psychic

Lv 1

Water Gun

—4010025Water

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 27

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Lv 32

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Lv 37

Belly Drum

C——10Normal

Lv 43

Wake-Up Slap

—7010010Fighting

Lv 48

Hydro Pump

C110805Water

Lv 53

Mud Bomb

—658510Ground

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

D—10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D110705Ice

TM31

Brick Break

D7510015Fighting

TM78

Bulldoze

D6010020Ground

TM100

Confide

———20Normal

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM26

Earthquake

C10010010Ground

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM56

Fling

D—10010Dark

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM07

Hail

D——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9010010Ice

TM98

Power-Up Punch

D4010020Fighting

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

D9010010Psychic

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM94

Rock Smash

—4010015Fighting

TM48

Round

D6010015Normal

TM55

Scald

C8010015Water

TM88

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

HM04

Strength

—8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

HM03

Surf

C9010015Water

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

Poliwhirl can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 4

Captivate

——10020Normal

Gen 3

Counter-5

D—10020Fighting

Gen 3

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 4

Headbutt

D7010015Normal

Gen 3

Mega Kick

D120755Normal

Gen 3

Mega Punch

—808520Normal

Gen 3

Metronome

———10Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 4

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Gen 4

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

Gen 3

Seismic Toss

D—10020Fighting

Gen 4

Whirlpool

—358515Water

How to Get Poliwhirl in X & Y

Plenty of locations for Poliwhirl with high spawn rates across mid-game fishing spots. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.

Where To Catch Poliwhirl in X & Y

To get Poliwhirl, start by catching Poliwag through fishing, surfing, and more encounters at Lv. 15-59. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

Step 1Catch Poliwag
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
Train until Level 25
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓
Couriway Town
XGood Rod Lv.25 City
UncommonMid
Couriway Town
YGood Rod Lv.25 City
UncommonMid
Frost Cavern - 2F
XGood Rod Lv.25 Ice
UncommonMid
Frost Cavern - 2F
YGood Rod Lv.25 Ice
UncommonMid
Frost Cavern - Outside
XGood Rod Lv.25 Ice
UncommonMid
Frost Cavern - Outside
YGood Rod Lv.25 Ice
UncommonMid
Laverre City
XGood Rod Lv.25 City
UncommonMid
Laverre City
YGood Rod Lv.25 City
UncommonMid
Pokémon Village
YGood Rod Lv.25
UncommonMid
Pokémon Village
XGood Rod Lv.25
UncommonMid
Route 14
XGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 14
YGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 15
XGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 15
YGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 16
XGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 16
YGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 19
XGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Route 19
YGood Rod Lv.25 Route
UncommonMid
Victory Road - Cave 1
XGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
UncommonMid
Victory Road - Cave 1
YGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
UncommonMid
Victory Road - Cave 4
XGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
UncommonMid
Victory Road - Cave 4
YGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
UncommonMid
Victory Road - Outside Section 3
XGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
UncommonMid
Victory Road - Outside Section 3
YGood Rod Lv.25 Cave
UncommonMid
Couriway Town
XSuper Rod Lv.35 City
CommonLate
Couriway Town
YSuper Rod Lv.35 City
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - 2F
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Ice
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - 2F
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Ice
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - Outside
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Ice
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - Outside
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Ice
CommonLate
Laverre City
XSuper Rod Lv.35 City
CommonLate
Laverre City
YSuper Rod Lv.35 City
CommonLate
Pokémon Village
XSuper Rod Lv.35
CommonLate
Pokémon Village
YSuper Rod Lv.35
CommonLate
Route 14
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 14
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 15
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 15
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 16
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 16
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Victory Road - Cave 1
XSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Victory Road - Cave 1
YSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Victory Road - Cave 4
XSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Victory Road - Cave 4
YSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Victory Road - Outside Section 3
XSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Victory Road - Outside Section 3
YSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - 2F
YSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Ice
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - 2F
XSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Ice
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - Outside
XSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Ice
CommonLate
Frost Cavern - Outside
YSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Ice
CommonLate
Route 21
XGood Rod Lv.40 Route
UncommonLate
Route 21
YGood Rod Lv.40 Route
UncommonLate
Pokémon Village
XSurfing on water Lv.48-50
CommonPost
Pokémon Village
YSurfing on water Lv.48-50
CommonPost
Route 19
XSuper Rod Lv.50 Route
CommonPost
Route 19
YSuper Rod Lv.50 Route
CommonPost
Route 21
XSuper Rod Lv.50 Route
CommonPost
Route 21
YSuper Rod Lv.50-55 Route
CommonPost
Victory Road - Cave 1
YSurfing on water Lv.57-59 Cave
CommonPost
Victory Road - Cave 1
XSurfing on water Lv.57-59 Cave
CommonPost
Victory Road - Cave 4
XSurfing on water Lv.57-59 Cave
CommonPost
Victory Road - Cave 4
YSurfing on water Lv.57-59 Cave
CommonPost
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 X & Y, 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 X & Y, 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 X & Y, 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

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

Pikachu Electric	C
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Thunder Shock 2x 50-60% View Pikachu builds →
Chespin Grass	D
Obtain MethodAquacorde Town Gift Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwhirl Vine Whip 2x 50-60% View Chespin builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Absorb 2x 33-40% 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 Poliwhirl Magical Leaf 2x 85-102%KO Mega Drain 2x 61-73% Absorb 2x 32-39% View Roselia builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwhirl Razor Leaf 2x 53-63% Vine Whip 2x 45-53% View Skiddo builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Absorb 2x 27-34% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodLumiose City Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 19 Vine WhipLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwhirl Razor Leaf 2x 40-48% Vine Whip 2x 35-44% View Bulbasaur builds →
Pansage Grass	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 10 Damage vs Poliwhirl Vine Whip 2x 35-44% View Pansage builds →

Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainLv. 25 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Giga Drain 2x 101-119%KO Magical Leaf 2x 82-97% Mega Drain 2x 55-65% Absorb 2x 30-35% View Roselia builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 30 Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwhirl Seed Bomb 2x 66-77% Razor Leaf 2x 46-55% Vine Whip 2x 38-45% View Skiddo builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 21 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Mega Drain 2x 46-55% Absorb 2x 24-29% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodLumiose City Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 19 Vine WhipLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwhirl Razor Leaf 2x 38-45% Vine Whip 2x 32-39% View Bulbasaur builds →
Pansage Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 22 Vine WhipLv. 10 Damage vs Poliwhirl Seed Bomb 2x 57-68% Vine Whip 2x 32-39% View Pansage builds →

Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainLv. 25 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Giga Drain 2x 101-119%KO Magical Leaf 2x 82-97% Mega Drain 2x 55-65% Absorb 2x 30-35% View Roselia builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 30 Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwhirl Seed Bomb 2x 66-77% Razor Leaf 2x 46-55% Vine Whip 2x 38-45% View Skiddo builds →
Exeggcute GrassPsychic	D
Available Move Moves Bullet SeedLv. 17 Damage vs Poliwhirl Bullet Seed 2x 18-23% View Exeggcute builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 21 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Mega Drain 2x 46-55% Absorb 2x 24-29% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodLumiose City Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 19 Vine WhipLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwhirl Razor Leaf 2x 38-45% Vine Whip 2x 32-39% View Bulbasaur builds →

Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainLv. 25 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Giga Drain 2x 101-119%KO Magical Leaf 2x 82-97% Mega Drain 2x 55-65% Absorb 2x 30-35% View Roselia builds →
Skiddo Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Seed BombLv. 30 Razor LeafLv. 13 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Poliwhirl Seed Bomb 2x 66-77% Razor Leaf 2x 46-55% Vine Whip 2x 38-45% View Skiddo builds →
Exeggcute GrassPsychic	D
Available Move Moves Bullet SeedLv. 17 Damage vs Poliwhirl Bullet Seed 2x 18-23% View Exeggcute builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 21 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Mega Drain 2x 46-55% Absorb 2x 24-29% View Oddish builds →
Bulbasaur GrassPoison	D
Obtain MethodLumiose City Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 19 Vine WhipLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwhirl Razor Leaf 2x 38-45% Vine Whip 2x 32-39% 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 Poliwhirl Flash Cannon 42-49% Volt Switch 2x 148-174%KO Thunderbolt 2x 189-223%KO View Magnezone builds →
Raikou Electric	B
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves Hidden Power Ice Volt Switch ThunderboltSTAB Shadow Ball Damage vs Poliwhirl Volt Switch 2x 135-159%KO Thunderbolt 2x 173-204%KO Shadow Ball 51-61% View Raikou builds →
Breloom GrassFighting	B
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemMiracleseed NatureJolly Moves SporeUtility Bullet Seed Mach Punch Swords Dance Damage vs Poliwhirl Bullet Seed 2x 44-52% Mach Punch 35-41% View Breloom builds →