Physical
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 AbsorbTop Pick
Absorbs water moves, healing for 1/4 max HP.
DampNiche
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
HPAtkDef+3SpASpDSpe
Strong Defense training target
Pokedex Entries

This strong and skilled swimmer is even capable of crossing the Pacific Ocean just by kicking.

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 IV 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Dragonite can KO Poliwrath with Outrage (93-109%). Azelf's Explosion hits Poliwrath for 70-83%. Zapdos deals 81-95% with Thunderbolt.

Dragonite
Dragonite
DragonFlying
A
Recommended Build
AbilityInnerfocus
ItemLife Orb
NatureAdamant
Moves
  • Extreme Speed
  • OutrageSTAB
  • Dragon Dance
  • Fire Punch
Damage vs Poliwrath
Extreme Speed
41-49%
Outrage
93-109%KO
View Dragonite builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver 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 69 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Bubble Beam, Encore, Endeavor and 8 more.

Egg Groups
Water1
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
11moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolodewgongcrawdaunt

HeartGold & SoulSilver Poliwrath Best Moveset

Leftovers buys the setup turn. Poliwrath clicks Bulk Up, then starts cleaning with Waterfall and utility options. Jolly nature with max Attack and Speed EVs makes sure nothing tanks a boosted hit comfortably.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Water Absorb
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Poliwrath
Jolly+SPE

Poliwrath best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • WaterfallSTAB
  • SubstituteUtility
  • Ice Punch
  • Bulk UpSTAB

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
D7020Psychic
Lv 1
Submission
808025Fighting
Lv 43
Dynamic Punch
C100505Fighting
Lv 53
Mind Reader
5Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
B7510015Fighting
TM08
Bulk Up
A20Fighting
TM78
Captivate
10020Normal
TM28
Dig
C8010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
C10010010Ground
TM58
Endure+4
10Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM56
Fling
10010Dark
TM52
Focus Blast
C120705Fighting
TM01
Focus Punch-3
B15010020Fighting
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
C150905Normal
TM07
Hail
D10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
C9510010Ice
TM83
Natural Gift
D10015Normal
TM66
Payback
D5010010Dark
TM84
Poison Jab
C8010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM29
Psychic
C9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
B10020Normal
HM08
Rock Climb
908520Normal
TM80
Rock Slide
D759010Rock
HM06
Rock Smash
D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
D609510Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
HM04
Strength
C8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
A10Normal
HM03
Surf
C9510015Water
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM46
Thief
6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
C6010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
S8010015Water
HM05
Whirlpool
D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Encore
C1005Normal
Egg
Endeavor
D1005Normal
Egg
Haze
D30Ice
Egg
Ice Ball
309020Ice
Egg
Mind Reader
5Normal
Egg
Mist
30Ice
Egg
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Egg
Refresh
D20Normal
Egg
Splash
40Normal
Egg
Water Sport
15Water

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Dive
C8010010Water
Tutor
Headbutt
D7010015Normal
Tutor
Helping Hand+5
20Normal
Tutor
Ice Punch
A7510015Ice
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal
Tutor
Vacuum Wave+1
4010030Fighting

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
559515Ground
Rem
Rain Dance
C5Water
Rem
Wake-Up Slap
6010010Fighting
Rem
Water Gun
4010025Water
Rem
Water Sport
15Water

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 3
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
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
D10020Fighting

How to Get Poliwrath in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Can't catch Poliwrath directly. Start with Poliwag at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve through a special method. The 3-stage chain from Poliwag to Poliwrath is where the leveling time goes.

How to Obtain Poliwrath in HeartGold & SoulSilver

The path to Poliwrath starts with Poliwag at Lv. 5-48 via fishing and surfing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Poliwag
    Step 1Catch Poliwag
    Viridian City
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.5-10 City
    90%Early
    Viridian City
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.5-10 City
    90%Early
    Ecruteak City
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City
    90%Early
    Ecruteak City
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City
    90%Early
    Route 30
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
    90%Early
    Route 30
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
    90%Early
    Route 31
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
    90%Early
    Route 31
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
    90%Early
    Route 44
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
    90%Early
    Route 44
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
    90%Early
    Violet City
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City
    90%Early
    Violet City
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City
    90%Early
    Route 22
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.5-10 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 22
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.5-10 Route
    CommonEarly
    Blackthorn City
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Blackthorn City
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Ecruteak City
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Ecruteak City
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Ilex Forest
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Forest
    15%Early
    Ilex Forest
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Forest
    15%Early
    Route 30
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 30
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 31
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 31
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 35
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 35
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 43
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 43
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 44
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 44
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 45
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 45
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Ruins
    15%Early
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Ruins
    15%Early
    Violet City
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Violet City
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Route 28
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 28
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Viridian City
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Viridian City
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Mt. Silver - Base
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Cave
    RareEarly
    Mt. Silver - Base
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Cave
    RareEarly
    Route 22
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    RareEarly
    Route 22
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    RareEarly
    Route 6
    SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    RareEarly
    Route 6
    HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    RareEarly
    Ecruteak City
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    60%Mid
    Ecruteak City
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    60%Mid
    Ilex Forest
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Forest
    60%Mid
    Ilex Forest
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Forest
    60%Mid
    Route 43
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 43
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 45
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 45
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    60%Mid
    Violet City
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    60%Mid
    Violet City
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    60%Mid
    Viridian City
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    60%Mid
    Viridian City
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    60%Mid
    Route 44
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    55%Mid
    Route 44
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    55%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    45%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    45%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    45%Mid
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    45%Mid
    Blackthorn City
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    40%Mid
    Blackthorn City
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    40%Mid
    Route 30
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 30
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 31
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 31
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 35
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 35
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Ruins
    40%Mid
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Ruins
    40%Mid
    Route 28
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Route 28
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    40%Mid
    Mt. Silver - Base
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    CommonMid
    Mt. Silver - Base
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    CommonMid
    Route 22
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 22
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 6
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    CommonMid
    Route 6
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    CommonMid
    Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    UncommonMid
    Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    UncommonMid
    Cliff Edge Gate
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20
    RareMid
    Cliff Edge Gate
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20
    RareMid
    Mt. Silver - Base
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.30-40 Cave
    RareMid
    Mt. Silver - Base
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.30-40 Cave
    RareMid
    Route 28
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.35-40 Route
    90%Late
    Route 28
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.35-40 Route
    90%Late
    Blackthorn City
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Blackthorn City
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Ecruteak City
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Ecruteak City
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Ilex Forest
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Forest
    80%Late
    Ilex Forest
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Forest
    80%Late
    Route 30
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 30
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 31
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 31
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 35
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 35
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 43
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 43
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 45
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 45
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Ruins
    80%Late
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Ruins
    80%Late
    Violet City
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Violet City
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Route 28
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Route 28
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    80%Late
    Viridian City
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Viridian City
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    80%Late
    Route 44
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    70%Late
    Route 44
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    70%Late
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    40%Late
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    40%Late
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    40%Late
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    40%Late
    Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.35 Cave
    CommonLate
    Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.35 Cave
    CommonLate
    Mt. Silver - Base
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    CommonLate
    Mt. Silver - Base
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    CommonLate
    Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    CommonLate
    Mt. Moon - Mt. Moon Square
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    CommonLate
    Route 22
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    CommonLate
    Route 22
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    CommonLate
    Route 6
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    CommonLate
    Route 6
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    CommonLate
    Cliff Edge Gate
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40
    UncommonLate
    Cliff Edge Gate
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40
    UncommonLate
  2. Poliwhirl
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Poliwhirl
    Route 22
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10 Route
    UncommonEarly
    Route 22
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10 Route
    UncommonEarly
    Viridian City
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10 City
    10%Early
    Viridian City
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10 City
    10%Early
    Ecruteak City
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-25 City
    10%Early
    Ecruteak City
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-25 City
    10%Early
    Route 30
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
    10%Early
    Route 30
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
    10%Early
    Route 31
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
    10%Early
    Route 31
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
    10%Early
    Route 44
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
    10%Early
    Route 44
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-32 Route
    10%Early
    Violet City
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-32 City
    10%Early
    Violet City
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-32 City
    10%Early
    Mt. Silver - Base
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.30-48 Cave
    CommonMid
    Mt. Silver - Base
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.30-48 Cave
    CommonMid
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    30%Late
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    30%Late
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    30%Late
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    30%Late
    Route 28
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.40 Route
    10%Late
    Route 28
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.40 Route
    10%Late
    or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)
  3. Poliwrath
    Step 3Poliwrath

Poliwrath Guide

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 physical attacker with base 85 Attack. 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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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