Mixed
Balanced
70Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

Poliwrath's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Balanced defenses with Defense doing the heavy lifting. And the 1.06M XP medium-slow curve means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 3 Defense EVs.

Base Stats
High
HP90
B
Attack85
C
Defense95
B
Sp. Atk70
C
Sp. Def90
B
Speed70
C
Total500
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.3 m
Weight54.0 kg
Base XP230
Abilities
Water AbsorbPopular
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 SwimHANiche
Doubles Speed during rain.
Water Absorb grants Water immunity
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+3SpASpDSpe
Strong Defense training target
Pokedex Entries

With its extremely tough muscles, it can keep swimming in the Pacific Ocean without resting.

Poliwrath Weakness

Type-wise, Poliwrath takes extra damage from Electric, Grass, Flying, and Psychic. It resists 7 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.

Poliwrath Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass, Flying, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Bug, Rock, Dark, Steel
Type ChartAvg
4Weak
7Resist
1Immune
Score-1
Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
How to Beat Poliwrath in Black 2 & White 2 (Best Counters)
Roserade
Roserade
GrassPoison
B
Available Moves
Moves
  • Energy BallTM53
  • Magical LeafLv. 1
  • Mega DrainLv. 1
Damage vs Poliwrath
Energy Ball 2x
83-98%
Magical Leaf 2x
55-65%
Mega Drain 2x
38-45%
View Roserade builds →

Black 2 & White 2 Evolution

Poliwrath is one of 2 ways Poliwhirl's chain can end. This one takes the item path, while the siblings go different directions. Breed through Poliwag to get eggs. Poliwrath and Politoed share the same 500 total stats, but they're distributed differently. Check the comparison below to see where each one specializes. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

4 Forms
Poliwag
#060Poliwag
25
Level 25
Poliwhirl
#061Poliwhirl
Poliwrath
#062Poliwrath
Water Stone
Politoed
#186Politoed
Trade + Kings Rock
Stat Comparison 4 Stages
Poliwag
Water
Poliwrath
WaterFighting
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 Poliwrath to get Poliwag eggs easily using 78 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)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolodewgongcrawdaunt

Black 2 & White 2 Poliwrath Best Moveset

Bulk and offense in one package. Poliwrath runs Leftovers for passive recovery each turn with a Adamant nature, so it survives long enough to threaten with Waterfall. Max Attack and Speed EVs and double STAB make it hard to safely switch into.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Water Absorb
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Poliwrath

Poliwrath best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • WaterfallSTAB
  • Brick BreakSTAB
  • Ice Punch
  • ScaldSTAB

Moves

Breeding's the move. Bubble Beam and Encore give Poliwrath options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 7 types already covers a decent range on top of Focus Punch and Focus Blast. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Lv 1
Double Slap
158510Normal
Lv 1
Hypnosis
6020Psychic
Lv 1
Submission
808025Fighting
Lv 32
Dynamic Punch
C100505Fighting
Lv 43
Mind Reader
5Normal
Lv 53
Circle Throw-6
B609010Fighting

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
C10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
A7510015Fighting
TM08
Bulk Up
C20Fighting
TM78
Bulldoze
D6010020Ground
TM28
Dig
C8010010Ground
HM06
Dive
C8010010Water
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
C10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM56
Fling
10010Dark
TM52
Focus Blast
C120705Fighting
TM21
Frustration
10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
C150905Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
C9510010Ice
TM47
Low Sweep
C6010020Fighting
TM66
Payback
D5010010Dark
TM84
Poison Jab
C8010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
B10Normal
TM29
Psychic
C9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM80
Rock Slide
D759010Rock
TM94
Rock Smash
D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
609510Rock
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM55
Scald
A8010015Water
HM04
Strength
C8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
HM03
Surf
C9510015Water
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM46
Thief
6010010Dark
TM06
Toxic
B9010Poison
HM05
Waterfall
S8010015Water
TM83
Work Up
D30Normal

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Encore
C1005Normal
Egg
Endeavor
D1005Normal
Egg
Endure+4
D10Normal
Egg
Haze
C30Ice
Egg
Ice Ball
309020Ice
Egg
Mind Reader
5Normal
Egg
Mist
30Ice
Egg
Mud Shot
D559515Ground
Egg
Refresh
D20Normal
Egg
Splash
40Normal
Egg
Water Pulse
C6010020Water
Egg
Water Sport
15Water

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Endeavor
D1005Normal
Tutor
Helping Hand+5
20Normal
Tutor
Ice Punch
A7510015Ice
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D10Normal
Tutor
Snore
4010015Normal

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Belly Drum
B10Normal
Rem
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Rem
Bubble
2010030Water
Rem
Hydro Pump
C120805Water
Rem
Mud Bomb
658510Ground
Rem
Mud Shot
D559515Ground
Rem
Rain Dance
C5Water
Rem
Wake-Up Slap
6010010Fighting
Rem
Water Gun
4010025Water
Rem
Water Sport
15Water

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 4
Captivate
10020Normal
Gen 3
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Gen 3
Defense Curl
40Normal
Gen 3
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Gen 4
Focus Punch-3
B15010020Fighting
Gen 4
Headbutt
D7010015Normal
Gen 3
Mega Kick
120755Normal
Gen 3
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Gen 3
Metronome
10Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
10Normal
Gen 4
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Gen 4
Natural Gift
10015Normal
Gen 4
Secret Power
7010020Normal
Gen 3
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
Gen 4
Vacuum Wave+1
D4010030Fighting
Gen 4
Whirlpool
D358515Water

How to Get Poliwrath in Black 2 & White 2

moderate rates is the best you'll get on Poliwrath in endgame fishing spots. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.

Where To Catch Poliwrath in Black 2 & White 2

Poliwag is your first catch on the way to Poliwrath. You'll find fishing encounters from Lv. 40-70 across 90 total spots in the chain.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    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
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Ice
    55%Late
    AnyShaking spot
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Ice
    55%Late
    AnyShaking spot
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Ice
    55%Late
    AnyShaking spot
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Ice
    55%Late
    AnyShaking spot
    Floccesy Ranch
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Facility
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Floccesy Ranch
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Facility
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Lostlorn Forest
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Forest
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Lostlorn Forest
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Forest
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Relic Passage - Room 2
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Relic Passage - Room 2
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Route 19
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Route 19
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Route 20
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Route 20
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Route 23
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Route 23
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Route 6
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Route 6
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Route
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - 1F
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-60 Cave
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - 1F
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-60 Cave
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - 3F
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - 3F
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - 4F
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - 4F
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - Outside
    White 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - Outside
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.40-70 Cave
    CommonLate
    AnyShaking spot
    Clay Tunnel - Room 2
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-60 Cave
    CommonPost
    AnyShaking spot
    Clay Tunnel - Room 2
    White 2Super Rod Lv.50-60 Cave
    CommonPost
    AnyShaking spot
    Clay Tunnel - Room 3
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-60 Cave
    CommonPost
    AnyShaking spot
    Clay Tunnel - Room 3
    White 2Super Rod Lv.50-60 Cave
    CommonPost
    AnyShaking spot
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    White 2Super Rod Lv.50-60 Cave
    CommonPost
    AnyShaking spot
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-60 Cave
    CommonPost
    AnyShaking spot
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    White 2Super Rod Lv.50-60 Cave
    CommonPost
    AnyShaking spot
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-60 Cave
    CommonPost
    AnyShaking spot
    or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
  3. Poliwrath
    Step 3Poliwrath
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    White 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Ice
    5%Post
    AnyShaking spot
    Giant Chasm - Cave
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Ice
    5%Post
    AnyShaking spot
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    White 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Ice
    5%Post
    AnyShaking spot
    Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Ice
    5%Post
    AnyShaking spot
    Relic Passage - Room 2
    White 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Relic Passage - Room 2
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Route 23
    White 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Route
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Route 23
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Route
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - 1F
    White 2Super Rod Lv.50-60 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - 1F
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-60 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - 3F
    White 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - 3F
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - 4F
    White 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Victory Road - 4F
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.50-70 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Clay Tunnel - Room 2
    White 2Super Rod Lv.60 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Clay Tunnel - Room 2
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.60 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Clay Tunnel - Room 3
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.60 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Clay Tunnel - Room 3
    White 2Super Rod Lv.60 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    White 2Super Rod Lv.60 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Wellspring Cave - 1F
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.60 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    White 2Super Rod Lv.60 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    Wellspring Cave - B1F
    Black 2Super Rod Lv.60 Cave
    RarePost
    AnyShaking spot
    or evolve from Poliwhirl (Step 2)

Poliwrath Guide

  • In Black 2 & White 2, Poliwrath looks average on paper at 500 BST. But Swift Swim is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier on our tier list. Waterfall with Leftovers is the standard set.

  • In Black 2 & White 2, Poliwrath's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Exeggutor (Grass), and Dodrio (Flying), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Psychic-type attackers are also a problem.

  • Poliwrath gets Swift Swim, Water Absorb, and Damp. But Swift Swim is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.

  • Poliwrath is a mixed attacker with base 85 Attack and 70 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.

  • In Black 2 & White 2, Swift Swim is the hidden ability. It doubles Speed during rain. Worth hunting for if you want Poliwrath to compete at a higher level.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Poliwrath appears in 20 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Poliwrath have the longest track record of availability in the series.

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