Its strongest point is Speed — higher than 74% of species. On the other hand, Sp. Def — lower than 79% of species. This is not the final form yet — it evolves once more, and the line branches into 2 mutually exclusive forms, so the numbers above describe this stage, not what it will end up as. In defense it has 2 weaknesses and 4 resistances at its disposal.
Base stats
Last column: what percentage of 1084 species and regional forms have a lower value. Weak point: Sp. Def.
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 (65) is 15 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 | #061 | Red/Green (Japan) , Blue (Japan) , Red / Blue , Yellow , FireRed / LeafGreen , Let's Go Pikachu / Eevee |
|---|---|---|
| Johto | #073 | Gold / Silver , Crystal , HeartGold / SoulSilver |
| Kalos | #034 | X / Y |
| Alola | #150 | Sun / Moon |
| Alola | #183 | Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon |
| Isle of Armor | #143 | Sword / Shield , Sword/Shield: The Isle of Armor |
| Kitakami | #040 | 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
Capable of living in or out of water. When out of water, it sweats to keep its body slimy.
Resistances and weaknesses
Type chart →How much damage Poliwhirl takes when it is hit by a move of each type.
How it was drawn
1996–2019The sprites come straight from the games in which Poliwhirl appeared — one from each release.
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.
TCG cards (11)
All Poliwhirl cards →Poliwhirl has 11 cards in 11 sets. The oldest of them are shown below.
Breeding
All Egg Groups →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 (53)
All locations →The first 40 of 53 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
Sinnoh
Unova
Moves (91)
Full move list →Below are the moves learned by leveling up. The rest (81 via TM/TR, 5 via Egg, 24 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 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95% | 15 |
| 1 | Pound | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100% | 35 |
| 1 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100% | 25 |
| 1 | Water Sport | Water | Status | — | — | 15 |
| 16 | Double Slap | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85% | 10 |
| 18 | Bubble Beam | Water | Special | 65 | 100% | 20 |
| 24 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 30 | Low Kick | Fighting | Physical | — | 100% | 20 |
| 32 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100% | 15 |
| 40 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100% | 10 |
| 41 | Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 43 | Wake Up Slap | Fighting | Physical | 70 | 100% | 10 |
| 48 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 110 | 80% | 5 |
| 53 | Mud Bomb | Ground | Special | 65 | 85% | 10 |
| 56 | Belly Drum | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 66 | Double Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100% | 15 |