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 Platinum, 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 Platinum, 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 Platinum, 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 SwimHANot in game

Doubles Speed during rain.

Water Absorb grants Water immunity

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2

Speed training target

Pokedex Entries

The spiral pattern on its belly subtly undulates. Staring at it gradually causes drowsiness.

Platinum

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

Gen IV 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 Poliwhirl in Platinum (Best Counters)

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 36 Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwhirl Wood Hammer 2x 129-152%KO Solar Beam 2x 156-184%KO Giga Drain 2x 98-116%KO Razor Leaf 2x 60-71% View Abomasnow builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Petal DanceLv. 40 Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Damage vs Poliwhirl Petal Dance 2x 167-197%KO Solar Beam 2x 167-197%KO Giga Drain 2x 105-124%KO Magical Leaf 2x 85-101%KO View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallLv. 50 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 114-135%KO Energy Ball 2x 85-101%KO Giga Drain 2x 73-86% Bullet Seed 2x 16-19% View Lileep builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 113-133%KO Giga Drain 2x 71-84% Bullet Seed 2x 20-24% Absorb 2x 21-26% View Lombre builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 113-133%KO Giga Drain 2x 71-84% Razor Leaf 2x 49-58% Bullet Seed 2x 24-28% View Nuzleaf builds →

Platinum 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 69 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Endeavor, Haze and 7 more.

Egg Groups

Water1

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

10moves

Breed With (best first)

Platinum Poliwhirl Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

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

Moves

Without breeding, Poliwhirl misses out on Bubble Beam and Endeavor. That's 10 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

Bubble

—2010030Water

Lv 1

Hypnosis

D—7020Psychic

Lv 1

Water Sport

———15Water

Lv 5

Bubble

—2010030Water

Lv 8

Hypnosis

D—7020Psychic

Lv 11

Water Gun

—4010025Water

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

D——10Normal

Lv 43

Wake-Up Slap

—6010010Fighting

Lv 48

Hydro Pump

C120805Water

Lv 53

Mud Bomb

—658510Ground

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D120705Ice

TM31

Brick Break

D7510015Fighting

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM26

Earthquake

C10010010Ground

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM56

Fling

——10010Dark

TM01

Focus Punch-3

C15010020Fighting

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM07

Hail

D——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9510010Ice

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

D9010010Psychic

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

HM06

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

HM04

Strength

D8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

HM03

Surf

C9510015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM46

Thief

—6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

TM03

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

HM07

Waterfall

C8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Egg

Endeavor

D—1005Normal

Egg

Haze

D——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 Sport

———15Water

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Dive

C8010010Water

Tutor

Helping Hand+5

———20Normal

Tutor

Ice Punch

D7510015Ice

Tutor

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

Tutor

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Counter-5

D—10020Fighting

Gen 3

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 3

Mega Kick

—120755Normal

Gen 3

Mega Punch

—808520Normal

Gen 3

Metronome

———10Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 3

Seismic Toss

D—10020Fighting

How to Get Poliwhirl in Platinum

A few locations for Poliwhirl with high spawn rates across late-game water routes. 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 Platinum

To get Poliwhirl, start by catching Poliwag through surfing encounters at Lv. 35-55. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

Step 1Catch Poliwag
Route 227
Surfing on water Lv.35-45 Route
CommonLate
Route 228
Surfing on water Lv.35-45 Route
CommonLate
Train until Level 25
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓
Route 227
Surfing on water Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
Route 228
Surfing on water Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
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 Platinum, 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 Platinum, 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 Platinum, 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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Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwhirl Razor Leaf 2x 48-59% Absorb 2x 22-26% View Turtwig builds →
Lotad WaterGrass	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwhirl Absorb 2x 22-26% View Lotad builds →
Shinx Electric	D
Available Move Moves SparkLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwhirl Spark 2x 61-72% View Shinx builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Upcoming Move Moves Energy BallLv. 50 Learns Energy Ball at Level 50 View Lileep builds →
Seedot Grass	D
Upcoming Move Moves View Seedot builds →

Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift TM Move Moves Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Bullet Seed 2x 19-24% View Lileep builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 9 Damage vs Poliwhirl Razor Leaf 2x 53-63% Bullet Seed 2x 27-34% Absorb 2x 19-24% View Turtwig builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 13 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Poliwhirl Mega Drain 2x 40-48% Bullet Seed 2x 19-24% Absorb 2x 24-29% View Budew builds →
Cherubi Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Magical LeafLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Magical Leaf 2x 61-73% Bullet Seed 2x 19-24% View Cherubi builds →
Lotad WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Poliwhirl Mega Drain 2x 32-39% Bullet Seed 2x 19-24% Absorb 2x 19-24% View Lotad builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Giga Drain 2x 95-113%KO Razor Leaf 2x 62-74% Bullet Seed 2x 29-35% View Abomasnow builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Giga Drain 2x 105-125%KO Magical Leaf 2x 86-101%KO Mega Drain 2x 58-70% Bullet Seed 2x 22-27% View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Giga Drain 2x 73-86% Bullet Seed 2x 19-23% View Lileep builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 13 Mega DrainLv. 25 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Giga Drain 2x 58-70% Razor Leaf 2x 49-58% Mega Drain 2x 32-39% Bullet Seed 2x 26-31% View Turtwig builds →
Cherubi Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Giga Drain 2x 73-86% Magical Leaf 2x 58-70% Bullet Seed 2x 19-23% View Cherubi builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 156-184%KO Giga Drain 2x 98-116%KO Razor Leaf 2x 64-75% Bullet Seed 2x 32-38% View Abomasnow builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 167-198%KO Giga Drain 2x 107-126%KO Magical Leaf 2x 86-102%KO Mega Drain 2x 58-68% View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 116-136%KO Giga Drain 2x 72-85% Bullet Seed 2x 19-24% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 116-136%KO Giga Drain 2x 72-85% Razor Leaf 2x 51-61% Bullet Seed 2x 25-31% View Nuzleaf builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 13 Mega DrainLv. 25 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 95-113%KO Giga Drain 2x 60-72% Razor Leaf 2x 49-58% Mega Drain 2x 34-41% View Turtwig builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 156-184%KO Giga Drain 2x 98-116%KO Razor Leaf 2x 64-75% Bullet Seed 2x 32-38% View Abomasnow builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 167-198%KO Giga Drain 2x 107-126%KO Magical Leaf 2x 86-102%KO Mega Drain 2x 58-68% View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 116-136%KO Giga Drain 2x 72-85% Bullet Seed 2x 19-24% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 116-136%KO Giga Drain 2x 72-85% Razor Leaf 2x 51-61% Bullet Seed 2x 25-31% View Nuzleaf builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 13 Mega DrainLv. 25 Damage vs Poliwhirl Solar Beam 2x 95-113%KO Giga Drain 2x 60-72% Razor Leaf 2x 49-58% Mega Drain 2x 34-41% View Turtwig builds →

Breloom GrassFighting	A
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureAdamant Moves SporeUtility Seed Bomb Focus Punch SubstituteUtility View Breloom builds →
Magnezone ElectricSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves ThunderboltSTAB Hidden Power Fire Thunder Wave Explosion Damage vs Poliwhirl Thunderbolt 2x 189-223%KO Explosion 63-74% View Magnezone builds →
Roserade GrassPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves Toxic Spikes Hidden Power Fire SpikesHazard Sleep Powder View Roserade builds →
Raikou Electric	B
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureRash Moves ThunderboltSTAB Hidden Power Ice Aura Sphere Calm Mind Damage vs Poliwhirl Thunderbolt 2x 190-224%KO Aura Sphere 56-66% View Raikou builds →