Name origin

polliwog
a tadpole; baby frog/toad
wag
tail movement


Poliwag artwork by Ken Sugimori

Pokedex data

National № 060
Type Water
Species Tadpole Pokémon
Height 2′0″ (0.61m)
Weight 27.3 lbs (12.4 kg)
Abilities Damp
Water Absorb
Swift Swim (Dream World)
Local № 060 (R/B/Y, FireRed, LeafGreen)
072 (Gold, Silver, Crystal)
072 (HeartGold, SoulSilver)
Japanese Nyoromo

Breeding

Egg Groups Water 1
Gender 50% male, 50% female
Egg cycles 21 (minimum 5,355 steps)

Training

EV yield 1 Speed
Catch rate 255 (33.3% with PokéBall, full HP)
Base Happiness 70 (normal)
Base EXP 77
Growth Rate Medium Slow

Type defenses

Poliwag stats

The base stats for Poliwag are shown below left, with the possible range shown on the right for a level 100 Pokemon. Minimum/maximum values are based on hindering/beneficial nature, 0/252 EVs, 0/31 IVs.

HP 40
190 - 284
Attack 50
94 - 218
Defense 40
76 - 196
Sp. Atk 40
76 - 196
Sp. Def 40
76 - 196
Speed 90
166 - 306
Total 300

Pokedex descriptions

Red
Blue
Its newly grown legs prevent it from running. It appears to prefer swimming than trying to stand.
Yellow The direction of the spiral on the belly differs by area. It is more adept at swimming than walking.
Gold
HeartGold
Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
Silver
SoulSilver
The direction of its belly spiral differs by area. The equator is thought to have an effect on this.
Crystal The swirl on its belly is its insides showing through the skin. It looks clearer after it eats.
Ruby
Sapphire
POLIWAG has a very thin skin. It is possible to see the POKéMON’s spiral innards right through the skin. Despite its thinness, however, the skin is also very flexible. Even sharp fangs bounce right off it.
Emerald It is possible to see this POKéMON’s spiral innards right through its thin skin. However, the skin is also very flexible. Even sharp fangs bounce right off it.
FireRed Its slick black skin is thin and damp. A part of its internal organs can be seen through the skin as a spiral pattern.
LeafGreen Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well. It appears to prefer swimming over walking.
Diamond
Pearl
Platinum
Black
White
Black 2
White 2
Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.

Evolution chart


Moves learnt by level up

Poliwag learns the following moves at the levels specified:

Lv.
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
1 Water SportWaterStatus--
5 BubbleWaterSpecial20100
8 HypnosisPsychicStatus-60
11 Water GunWaterSpecial40100
15 DoubleSlapNormalPhysical1585
18 Rain DanceWaterStatus--
21 Body SlamNormalPhysical85100
25 BubbleBeamWaterSpecial65100
28 Mud ShotGroundSpecial5595
31 Belly DrumNormalStatus--
35 Wake-Up SlapFightingPhysical60100
38 Hydro PumpWaterSpecial12080
41 Mud BombGroundSpecial6585

Egg moves

Poliwag learns the following moves via breeding.
See the Poliwag egg moves page for details and compatible parents.

Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
MistIceStatus--
BubbleBeamWaterSpecial65100
HazeIceStatus--
SplashNormalStatus--
Mind ReaderNormalStatus--
EndureNormalStatus--
EncoreNormalStatus-100
EndeavorNormalPhysical-100
RefreshNormalStatus--
Ice BallIcePhysical3090
Mud ShotGroundSpecial5595
Water SportWaterStatus--
Water PulseWaterSpecial60100

Poliwag learns the following moves via breeding.
See the Poliwag egg moves page for details and compatible parents.

Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
MistIceStatus--
BubbleBeamWaterSpecial65100
HazeIceStatus--
SplashNormalStatus--
Mind ReaderNormalStatus--
EncoreNormalStatus-100
EndeavorNormalPhysical-100
RefreshNormalStatus--
Ice BallIcePhysical3090
Mud ShotGroundSpecial5595
Water SportWaterStatus--

Move Tutor moves

Poliwag can be taught these attacks from move tutors (details):

Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
SnoreNormalSpecial40100
Icy WindIceSpecial5595
Sleep TalkNormalStatus--
Helping HandNormalStatus--
EndeavorNormalPhysical-100

Poliwag can be taught these attacks from move tutors (details):

Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
HeadbuttNormalPhysical70100
SnoreNormalSpecial40100
Icy WindIceSpecial5595
DiveWaterPhysical80100

Moves learnt by HM

Poliwag is compatible with these Hidden Machines:

HM
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
3 SurfWaterSpecial95100
5 WaterfallWaterPhysical80100
6 DiveWaterPhysical80100

Poliwag is compatible with these Hidden Machines:

HM
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
3 SurfWaterSpecial95100
5 WhirlpoolWaterSpecial3585
7 WaterfallWaterPhysical80100

Moves learnt by TM

Poliwag is compatible with these Technical Machines:

TM
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
6 ToxicPoisonStatus-90
7 HailIceStatus--
10 Hidden PowerNormalSpecial-100
13 Ice BeamIceSpecial95100
14 BlizzardIceSpecial12070
17 ProtectNormalStatus--
18 Rain DanceWaterStatus--
21 FrustrationNormalPhysical-100
27 ReturnNormalPhysical-100
28 DigGroundPhysical80100
29 PsychicPsychicSpecial90100
32 Double TeamNormalStatus--
42 FacadeNormalPhysical70100
44 RestPsychicStatus--
45 AttractNormalStatus-100
46 ThiefDarkPhysical40100
48 RoundNormalSpecial60100
55 ScaldWaterSpecial80100
87 SwaggerNormalStatus-90
90 SubstituteNormalStatus--

Poliwag is compatible with these Technical Machines:

TM
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
3 Water PulseWaterSpecial60100
6 ToxicPoisonStatus-90
7 HailIceStatus--
10 Hidden PowerNormalSpecial-100
13 Ice BeamIceSpecial95100
14 BlizzardIceSpecial12070
17 ProtectNormalStatus--
18 Rain DanceWaterStatus--
21 FrustrationNormalPhysical-100
27 ReturnNormalPhysical-100
28 DigGroundPhysical80100
29 PsychicPsychicSpecial90100
32 Double TeamNormalStatus--
42 FacadeNormalPhysical70100
43 Secret PowerNormalPhysical70100
44 RestPsychicStatus--
45 AttractNormalStatus-100
46 ThiefDarkPhysical40100
58 EndureNormalStatus--
78 CaptivateNormalStatus-100
82 Sleep TalkNormalStatus--
83 Natural GiftNormalPhysical-100
87 SwaggerNormalStatus-90
90 SubstituteNormalStatus--

Poliwag sprites

NORMAL
Black/White
Poliwag normal sprite
SHINY
Black/White
Poliwag shiny sprite
NORMAL
HG/SS
Poliwag normal sprite
SHINY
HG/SS
Poliwag shiny sprite

See all Poliwag sprites


Where to find Poliwag

Red
Blue
Route 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, Pallet Town
Yellow Route 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, Pallet Town
Gold
Silver
Route 6, 22, 28, 30, 31, 35, 44, Blackthorn City, Ecruteak City, Ilex Forest, Mt. Silver, Ruins of Alph, Violet City, Viridian City
Crystal Route 6, 22, 28, 30, 31, 35, 44, Ilex Forest
FireRed
LeafGreen
Route 6, 22, 23, 25, Berry Forest, Cape Brink, Cerulean Cave, Four Island, Fuchsia City, Icefall Cave, Ruin Valley, Viridian City
Pearl
Diamond
Route 225, 227, 228
Platinum Route 227, 228
HeartGold
SoulSilver
Route 6, 22, 28, 30, 31, 35, 43, 44, 45, Blackthorn City, Cerulean Cave, Cliff Edge Gate, Ecruteak City, Ilex Forest, Mt. Moon, more Mt. Silver, Ruins of Alph, Violet City, Viridian City
White
Black
Route 6, Giant Chasm, Wellspring Cave, Challenger's Cave, Victory Road
Black 2
White 2
Route 6, Giant Chasm, Lostlorn Forest, Wellspring Cave, Victory Road, Floccesy Ranch, Clay Tunnel, Relic Passage, 19, 20, 23

Pokeathlon stats

Speed ★ ★
Power
Skill
Stamina ★ ★ ★ ★
Jump ★ ★ ★ ★

Minimum      Base stat      Maximum


Answers to Poliwag questions