Pokédex · I (Kanto)

Poliwag#060

Its greatest asset is Speed — higher than 74% of species. Weak point: Sp. Def — lower than 91% of species. Its stat total lands at the tail end — below 86% of species. This is not the final form yet — it evolves twice more, so the numbers above describe this stage, not what it will end up as. Defensively it can rely on 2 weaknesses and 4 resistances. Very easy to catch, often with the first Poké Ball.

Shiny Poliwag
Regular version
Water
Height: 0.6 m (2′00″) Weight: 12.4 kg (27.3 lbs)

Base stats

HP
40
7%
Atk
50
17%
Def
40
8%
SpA
40
13%
SpD
40
9%
Spe
90
74%
TOTAL
300
14%

Last column: what percentage of 1084 species and regional forms have a lower value. Weak point: HP.

A nature can improve this entry further: its boost hits hardest on Speed, the stat in which this species already leads. Which nature does that — see the list of natures.

Which nature to choose

It hits physically: its Attack (50) is 10 points higher than its Sp. Atk. So the drop hits a stat the set usually does not use at all. Evolution does not change it, so pick it for the final form, not for these numbers.

  • Jolly +Spe · −SpA Its Speed is higher than 74% of species — ten percent more lifts it past some of the benchmarks that decide who moves first.
  • Adamant +Atk · −SpA If you already outspeed what you want to outspeed, those ten percent are better spent on hitting power.
  • Hidden Power and Weather Ball still deal damage based on Sp. Atk. If either of them is going into the set, lowering Sp. Atk is no longer free.
  • Swift Swim doubles Speed in rain. Calculate Speed benchmarks with the ability active — it may change the point of a +Spe or −Spe nature.

A conclusion drawn from base stats alone — a specific moveset can reverse it. All 25 natures.

Regional numbers 7

The header shows the national number. Inside the game the Pokédex counts from the beginning — below is the number you will see in your version.

Kanto #060 Red/Green (Japan) , Blue (Japan) , Red / Blue , Yellow , FireRed / LeafGreen , Let's Go Pikachu / Eevee
Johto #072 Gold / Silver , Crystal , HeartGold / SoulSilver
Kalos #033 X / Y
Alola #149 Sun / Moon
Alola #182 Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon
Isle of Armor #142 Sword / Shield , Sword/Shield: The Isle of Armor
Kitakami #039 Scarlet / Violet , Scarlet/Violet: The Teal Mask

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 Swim Doubles Speed during rain.

Pokédex entry

Its newly grown legs prevent it from running. It appears to prefer swimming than trying to stand.

Habitat: Water's Edge Egg Group: Water 1 Gender: 50% ♂ / 50% ♀ Catch difficulty: very easy (255/255) Base friendship: 70/255 Base EXP: 60

Resistances and weaknesses

Type chart →

How much damage Poliwag takes when it is hit by a move of each type.

Weak to Electric ×2 Grass ×2
Resistant to Fire ×½ Water ×½ Ice ×½ Steel ×½

How it was drawn

1996–2019

The sprites come straight from the games in which Poliwag appeared — one from each release.

Gen 1 1996
Poliwag in Red / Blue
Red / Blue
Poliwag in Yellow
Yellow
Gen 2 1999
Poliwag in Gold
Gold
Poliwag in Silver
Silver
Poliwag in Crystal
Crystal
Gen 3 2002
Poliwag in Ruby / Sapphire
Ruby / Sapphire
Poliwag in Emerald
Emerald
Poliwag in FireRed / LeafGreen
FireRed / LeafGreen
Gen 4 2006
Poliwag in Diamond / Pearl
Diamond / Pearl
Poliwag in Platinum
Platinum
Poliwag in HeartGold / SoulSilver
HeartGold / SoulSilver
Gen 5 2010
Poliwag in Black / White
Black / White
Gen 6 2013
Poliwag in X / Y
X / Y
Poliwag in Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire
Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire
Gen 7 2016
Poliwag in Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon
Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon
Gen 8 2019
Poliwag in Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl
Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl

Variant gallery

The gallery shows only the appearance variants that exist for this Pokémon. Every image shows the same character and differs in source — a Pokémon HOME render or a pixel sprite — and in coloring, regular or shiny.

Poliwag — large render in its regular coloring
Pokémon HOME
Poliwag — large render in its shiny coloring
Pokémon HOME shiny
Poliwag — small pixel sprite in its shiny coloring
Shiny pixel sprite

TCG cards (12)

All Poliwag cards →

Poliwag has 12 cards in 12 sets. The oldest of them are shown below.

Offspring can come from 111 species from the same Egg Groups (with opposite genders) or from Ditto. Below are the first 12 by Pokédex number.

The Egg hatches after 20 cycles, which is roughly 5,400 steps. The exact cycle length depends on the game — newer titles shortened it noticeably — so treat this number as an order of magnitude, not a countdown. Having the Flame Body Ability in your party halves the wait.

Where to catch it (79)

All locations →

The first 40 of 79 locations. The levels shown are the widest range across all game versions — in a specific release it may be narrower. The exact area, catch method and chance are on the page of each location.

Alola

Galar

Johto

Kalos

Kanto

Below are the moves learned by leveling up. The rest (64 via TM/TR, 14 via Egg, 16 via tutor) are on the full list.

Lv. Move Type Cat. Power Acc. PP
1 Bubble Water Special 40 100% 30
1 Hypnosis Psychic Status — 60% 20
1 Water Gun Water Special 40 100% 25
1 Water Sport Water Status — — 15
6 Pound Normal Physical 40 100% 35
12 Mud Shot Ground Special 55 95% 15
16 Double Slap Normal Physical 15 85% 10
18 Bubble Beam Water Special 65 100% 20
24 Rain Dance Water Status — — 5
26 Low Kick Fighting Physical — 100% 20
30 Body Slam Normal Physical 85 100% 15
35 Wake Up Slap Fighting Physical 70 100% 10
36 Earth Power Ground Special 90 100% 10
38 Amnesia Psychic Status — — 20
41 Mud Bomb Ground Special 65 85% 10
42 Hydro Pump Water Special 110 80% 5
48 Belly Drum Normal Status — — 10
54 Double Edge Normal Physical 120 100% 15