Whirlpool (move)

Move data

Type Water
Category Special  Special
Power 35
Accuracy 85
PP 15  (max. 24)
Makes contact? No
Introduced Generation 2

Machine/Record

Gold​/​Silver
Crystal
HM06
HeartGold​/​SoulSilver HM05
Sword​/​Shield TM36
Scarlet​/​Violet TM208

Effects

Whirlpool inflicts damage on the first turn then traps the opponent in the vortex, causing them to lose 18 of their maximum HP after each turn, for 4-5 turns.

If the user holds a Grip Claw, the after-effects last for 7 turns. If a Binding Band is held, the damage is 16 of the target's maximum HP.

If the opponent is hidden underwater from using Dive, Whirlpool will hit with double power.

Changes

  • In Generations 2-4, Whirlpool has 15 base power.
  • In Generations 2-4, Whirlpool has 70% accuracy.
  • In Generations 2-4, the after-effects of Whirlpool last for 2-5 turns instead of 4-5; holding Grip Claw they last for 5 turns.
  • In Generations 2-5, the target loses only 116 of their maximum HP after each turn, or 18 if a Binding Band is held.

Z-Move effects

When a Pokémon is holding Waterium Z and uses its Z-Power, Whirlpool turns into Hydro Vortex and has base power 100.

Outside of battle

Whirlpool allows you to cross swirling maelstroms in your path. Only Generation 2 and Generation 4 have whirlpools that can be passed.

Move target

Foe
Foe
Foe
User
Ally
Ally

Targets a single adjacent Pokémon.

Other languages

English Whirlpool
Japanese うずしお (Uzushio)
German Whirlpool
French Siphon
Italian Mulinello
Spanish Torbellino
Korean 바다회오리
Chinese (Simplified) 潮旋
Chinese (Traditional) 潮旋

Game descriptions

Gold​/​Silver
Crystal
Traps the foe for 2-5 turns.
Ruby​/​Sapphire
Emerald
Traps and hurts the foe in a whirlpool for 2 to 5 turns.
FireRed​/​LeafGreen The foe is trapped in a fast, vicious whirlpool for two to five turns.
Diamond​/​Pearl
Platinum
The user traps the foe inside a fast, vicious whirlpool that lasts for two to five turns.
HeartGold​/​SoulSilver Traps the foe inside a whirlpool that lasts for two to five turns. The user can pass through whirlpools.
Black​/​White
Black 2​/​White 2
Traps foes in a violent swirling whirlpool for four to five turns.
X​/​Y
O.Ruby​/​A.Sapphire
The user traps the target in a violent swirling whirlpool for four to five turns.
Sun​/​Moon
Ultra Sun​/​Ultra Moon
The user traps the target in a violent swirling whirlpool for four to five turns.
Sword​/​Shield
B.Diamond​/​S.Pearl
The user traps the target in a violent swirling whirlpool for four to five turns.
Scarlet​/​Violet The user traps the target inside a violent, swirling whirlpool that inflicts damage for four to five turns.

Learnt by level up

These Pokémon learn Whirlpool at the level specified. The numbers given are for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet and may vary in other games; check the respective Pokédex pages for details.

Shellder Shellder
#0090 / Water
Level 16
Cloyster Cloyster
#0091 / Water · Ice
Level 1
Gyarados Gyarados
#0130 / Water · Flying
Level 4
Kingdra Kingdra
#0230 / Water · Dragon
Level 1
Piplup Piplup
#0393 / Water
Level 32
Prinplup Prinplup
#0394 / Water
Level 37
Empoleon Empoleon
#0395 / Water · Steel
Level 39
Buizel Buizel
#0418 / Water
Level 31
Floatzel Floatzel
#0419 / Water
Level 35
Finneon Finneon
#0456 / Water
Level 38
Lumineon Lumineon
#0457 / Water
Level 42
Phione Phione
#0489 / Water
Level 39
Manaphy Manaphy
#0490 / Water
Level 39
Alomomola Alomomola
#0594 / Water
Level 49
Iron Bundle Iron Bundle
#0991 / Ice · Water
Level 14

Learnt by TM

Squirtle Squirtle
#0007 / Water
Wartortle Wartortle
#0008 / Water
Blastoise Blastoise
#0009 / Water
Tentacool Tentacool
#0072 / Water · Poison
Tentacruel Tentacruel
#0073 / Water · Poison
Seel Seel
#0086 / Water
Dewgong Dewgong
#0087 / Water · Ice
Horsea Horsea
#0116 / Water
Seadra Seadra
#0117 / Water
Lapras Lapras
#0131 / Water · Ice
Totodile Totodile
#0158 / Water
Croconaw Croconaw
#0159 / Water
Feraligatr Feraligatr
#0160 / Water
Chinchou Chinchou
#0170 / Water · Electric
Lanturn Lanturn
#0171 / Water · Electric
Kingdra Kingdra
#0230 / Water · Dragon
Suicune Suicune
#0245 / Water
Lugia Lugia
#0249 / Psychic · Flying
Mudkip Mudkip
#0258 / Water
Marshtomp Marshtomp
#0259 / Water · Ground
Swampert Swampert
#0260 / Water · Ground
Latias Latias
#0380 / Dragon · Psychic
Popplio Popplio
#0728 / Water
Brionne Brionne
#0729 / Water
Primarina Primarina
#0730 / Water · Fairy