Is Poliwag Good in Crystal Playthrough?
Available early by fishing in Crystal. The fork at Poliwhirl creates options: Water Stone for Poliwrath or trade with King's Rock for Politoed. Poliwrath is the practical choice since it doesn't require trading.
Poliwag has the type edge here and should clean up Falkner's team.
Poliwag has the type edge here and should clean up Bugsy's team.
Poliwag trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.
Poliwag trades roughly evenly with Morty's team.
Poliwhirl trades roughly evenly with Chuck's team.
Poliwrath resists most of Jasmine's coverage and hits back hard.
Poliwhirl has the type edge here and should clean up Jasmine's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Jasmine:
Poliwhirl trades roughly evenly with Pryce's team.
Poliwhirl trades roughly evenly with Pryce's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Pryce:
Poliwrath trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.
Clair's team hits Poliwhirl's weaknesses hard.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Clair:
Poliwrath has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.
Poliwhirl trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Lt. Surge:
Sabrina's team hits Poliwrath's weaknesses hard.
Poliwhirl trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Sabrina:
Poliwrath trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.
Poliwhirl trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Erika:
Poliwrath trades roughly evenly with Janine's team.
Poliwhirl trades roughly evenly with Janine's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Janine:
Poliwrath trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.
Poliwhirl trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Misty:
Poliwrath resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.
Poliwhirl resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Brock:
Poliwrath resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.
Poliwhirl has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Blaine:
Poliwrath trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.
Politoed trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Blue:
Will's team hits Poliwrath's weaknesses hard.
Poliwhirl trades roughly evenly with Will's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Will:
Poliwrath trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.
Poliwhirl trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Koga:
Poliwrath has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Poliwhirl has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Bruno:
Poliwrath has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.
Poliwhirl has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Karen:
Catch Poliwag on Route 30 (walking, Lv 4, uncommon).
- STARTING (Lv 4)
- LV 4WaterBubble60100%30
- After Falkner
- TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
- After Bugsy
- TM14IceBlizzard11070%5
- After Morty
- HM03WaterSurf135100%15
- LV 31NormalBody Slam85100%15
- After Pryce
- HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
- After Jasmine
- TM10NormalHidden Power60100%15
- LV 43WaterHydro Pump16580%5
Your Poliwag should hit Level 25 before you reach Chuck, at typical leveling pace.
- After Falkner
- TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
- After Bugsy
- TM14IceBlizzard11070%5
- TM33IceIce Punch75100%15
- After Whitney
- HM04NormalStrength80100%15
- After Morty
- HM03WaterSurf135100%15
- After Pryce
- HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
- LV 35NormalBody Slam85100%15
- LV 51WaterHydro Pump16580%5
You can receive the Water Stone from an NPC in Route 42.
- STARTING (Lv 30)
- LV 30FightingSubmission12080%20
- After Falkner
- TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
- After Bugsy
- TM14IceBlizzard11070%5
- TM33IceIce Punch75100%15
- After Whitney
- HM04NormalStrength80100%15
- After Morty
- HM03WaterSurf135100%15
- After Chuck
- TM01FightingDynamic Punch15050%5
- After Pryce
- HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
Most players are ready to trade before reaching Jasmine.
- After Falkner
- TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
- After Bugsy
- TM14IceBlizzard11070%5
- TM33IceIce Punch75100%15
- After Whitney
- HM04NormalStrength80100%15
- After Morty
- HM03WaterSurf135100%15
- After Pryce
- HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
- After Jasmine
- TM10NormalHidden Power60100%15
- TM46DarkThief60100%25
How to Get Poliwag in Crystal
Poliwag's scattered across 55 spots in early-game fishing spots with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Poliwhirl in C
The path to Poliwhirl starts with Poliwag at Lv. 3-44 via fishing, surfing, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 2Poliwhirl ✓Route 22Lv.5-14Surfing on waterRate 90%Viridian CityLv.5-14Surfing on waterRate 90%Ecruteak CityLv.15-24Surfing on waterRate 90%Route 30Lv.15-24Surfing on waterRate 90%Route 31Lv.15-24Surfing on waterRate 90%Route 44Lv.15-24Surfing on waterRate 90%Violet CityLv.15-24Surfing on waterRate 90%Route 22Lv.3-4GrassRate 40%NightRoute 31Lv.4GrassRate 30%NightRoute 30Lv.4GrassRate 20%NightBlackthorn CityLv.10Old RodRate 15%Ecruteak CityLv.10Old RodRate 15%Ilex ForestLv.10Old RodRate 15%Mt. Silver - OutsideLv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 30Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 31Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 35Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 44Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Ruins of Alph - OutsideLv.10Old RodRate 15%Violet CityLv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 22Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 28Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Route 6Lv.10Old RodRate 15%Viridian CityLv.10Old RodRate 15%Blackthorn CityLv.20Good RodRate 65%Ecruteak CityLv.20Good RodRate 65%Ilex ForestLv.20Good RodRate 65%Mt. Silver - OutsideLv.20Good RodRate 65%Route 30Lv.20Good RodRate 65%Route 31Lv.20Good RodRate 65%Route 35Lv.20Good RodRate 65%Route 44Lv.20Good RodRate 65%Ruins of Alph - OutsideLv.20Good RodRate 65%Violet CityLv.20Good RodRate 65%Route 22Lv.20Good RodRate 65%Route 28Lv.20Good RodRate 65%Route 6Lv.20Good RodRate 65%Viridian CityLv.20Good RodRate 65%Route 44Lv.22GrassRate 30%NightRoute 28Lv.35-44Surfing on waterRate 90%Blackthorn CityLv.40Super RodRate 80%Ecruteak CityLv.40Super RodRate 80%Ilex ForestLv.40Super RodRate 80%Mt. Silver - OutsideLv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 30Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 31Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 35Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 44Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Ruins of Alph - OutsideLv.40Super RodRate 80%Violet CityLv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 22Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 28Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Route 6Lv.40Super RodRate 80%Viridian CityLv.40Super RodRate 80%Mt. Silver - OutsideLv.35-39Surfing on waterRate 10%or evolve from Poliwag (Step 1)Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
Poliwag Weakness
Poliwag is weak to Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
What is Poliwag Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Poliwag
 Bellsprout GrassPoison | D | |
 Chikorita Grass | D | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift | ||
 Hoppip Grass | D | |
 Elekid Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift Available Move Moves
Damage vs Poliwag View Elekid builds →Thunder Punch 2x105-126%KO | ||
 Paras BugGrass | C | |
Bellsprout GrassPoison | D | |
Chikorita Grass | D | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift | ||
 Pichu Electric | D | |
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift | ||
Elekid Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift | ||
Paras BugGrass | C | |
 Bayleef Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chikorita (New Bark Town Gift) | ||
Pichu Electric | D | |
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift | ||
Bellsprout GrassPoison | D | |
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Goldenrod City Gift) | ||
 Magnemite ElectricSteel | C | |
 Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Elekid Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift | ||
 Victreebel GrassPoison | C | |
 Magneton ElectricSteel | C | |
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Goldenrod City Gift) | ||
 Electabuzz Electric | C | |
Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
 Parasect BugGrass | C | |
Magneton ElectricSteel | C | |
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Goldenrod City Gift) | ||
Electabuzz Electric | C | |
Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Parasect BugGrass | C | |
Magneton ElectricSteel | C | |
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Goldenrod City Gift) | ||
Electabuzz Electric | C | |
Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Parasect BugGrass | C | |
Magneton ElectricSteel | C | |
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Goldenrod City Gift) | ||
Electabuzz Electric | C | |
Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Parasect BugGrass | C | |
Parasect BugGrass | C | |
Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
 Celebi PsychicGrass | C | |
Obtain MethodIlex Forest Interact Encounter | ||
Victreebel GrassPoison | C | |
 Tangela Grass | C | |
In Crystal, Jolteon can KO Poliwag with Thunderbolt (194-228%). Venusaur threatens a KO with Giga Drain (150-176%).
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Poliwag View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x194-228%KO | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Poliwag View Venusaur builds →Giga Drain 2x150-176%KO | ||
Poliwag Evolutions
Poliwag's evolution chain splits 2 ways into Poliwrath and Politoed. The method you choose determines which form you get. Evolving adds up to 210 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
C Poliwag Best Moveset
Water pre-evolution where MoveHypnosis at 60%% accuracy is the only tool, and the odds don't justify a slot. Low Sp. Atk can't power MoveSurf. The evolution line holds better options further down.
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Surf
- Hydro Pump
- Waterfall
- Bubble Beam
Moves List
Egg moves make a real difference. Poliwag gets Bubble Beam and Haze exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Normal and Ice coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Hydro Pump and Surf.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
The swirl on its belly is its insides showing through the skin. It looks clearer after it eats.
Poliwag Crystal Guide
In Crystal, Poliwag does the job early-game if you need a Water type on your team. Evolve it into Poliwhirl before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Poliwag has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves