No. 0060 · Generation I · Tadpole Pokémon
ニョロモNyoromo · Possibly from nyoronyoro, the Japanese sound-word for wriggling, and kodomo ('child') – a wriggly little one.
The Tadpole Pokémon · Water type · first seen in Pokémon Red & Green (1996)
01Overview
Meet Poliwag
Everything you need to know about the Tadpole Pokémon — the creature behind the number.
Meet the tadpole with a hypnotic tummy. Poliwag is a round, blue bundle of a Pokémon with big eyes, pouting pink lips and a long, flicking tail – and right in the middle of its belly sits that famous black-and-white swirl. It isn't a pattern at all. Poliwag's skin is so thin that you are looking straight through it at its coiled-up insides.
That see-through skin is tougher than it looks: thin, slick and so flexible that even sharp fangs bounce right off. The swirl doubles as a health check, too. It shows up more clearly after Poliwag has eaten, and a white tinge means it is feeling poorly. Stranger still, the spiral turns a different way depending on where Poliwag lives – the equator is thought to have something to do with it – and true Poliwag enthusiasts can tell one from another at a glance.
“Its slick black skin is thin and damp. A part of its internal organs can be seen through the skin as a spiral pattern.”
Pokédex · Pokémon Red (Japan), Green (Japan), FireRed & X · 1996
On land, Poliwag is still finding its feet – literally. It has no arms, its legs have only just grown, and it waddles rather than walks, so Trainers are advised to give it walking practice every day. It keeps clambering out of the water anyway, then scurries straight back the moment an enemy spots it. In the water it is a different creature: its finned tail makes it a strong swimmer, and in fast-flowing rivers it clamps onto rocks with its thick lips, which work like suction cups. Its favourite haunts are small freshwater ponds and lakes.
Poliwag is also the start of a family with a fork in the road. At level 25 it grows into Poliwhirl, which can take a Water Stone to become the muscly Water/Fighting-type Poliwrath – or, ever since Gold and Silver, be traded while holding a King's Rock to become the frog Politoed. Two very different futures, both from one little tadpole.
It has friends in high places. Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon, has named Poliwag as his favourite, explaining that its swirl stands for the insides you can see when you scoop up a real tadpole and look closely. Fans remember it fondly too, from Misty's Poliwag, which grew all the way into Politoed in the anime, to Red's partner Poli, raised from a Poliwag in the Pokémon Adventures manga.
How big is Poliwag?
At 0.6 m (2′00″) Poliwag would just about peek over the rim of a bathtub, and at 12.4 kg (27.3 lb) it weighs roughly the same as 12 litres of water – a hefty bucketful, which feels about right for a tadpole.
02In the Pokédex's words
Poliwag's Pokédex entries
19 different entries across 43 games, from 1996 to 2023. Here is how the Pokédex has described Poliwag over the years, in the order the games came out.
Generation I
Its slick black skin is thin and damp. A part of its internal organs can be seen through the skin as a spiral pattern.
Kanto Pokédex
Its newly grown legs prevent it from running. It appears to prefer swimming than trying to stand.
Kanto Pokédex
The direction of the spiral on the belly differs by area. It is more adept at swimming than walking.
Kanto Pokédex
The spiral on its belly is its internal organs seen through its thin skin. It is better at swimming than walking.
Kanto Pokédex
Generation II
Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
Johto Pokédex
The direction of its belly spiral differs by area. The equator is thought to have an effect on this.
Johto Pokédex
The swirl on its belly is its insides showing through the skin. It looks clearer after it eats.
Johto Pokédex
Generation III
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.
Hoenn Pokédex
Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well. It appears to prefer swimming over walking.
FireRed & LeafGreen Pokédex
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.
Hoenn Pokédex
Generation IV
Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
Sinnoh Pokédex
Generation VII
The swirl on its belly is its internal organs showing through. If the swirl is tinged white, that means it's affected by some disease.
Rotom Pokédex
It's still not very good at walking. Its Trainers should train this Pokémon to walk every day.
Rotom Pokédex
Despite the danger, it wants to come up on land. So it does its best to waddle along, but when an enemy finds it, it rushes back to the water.
Rotom Pokédex
The direction of the swirl on their stomachs differs depending on where they live. Poliwag aficionados can tell them apart at a glance.
Rotom Pokédex
Generation VIII
For Poliwag, swimming is easier than walking. The swirl pattern on its belly is actually part of the Pokémon's innards showing through the skin.
Rotom Phone (Sword & Shield)
In rivers with fast-flowing water, this Pokémon will cling to a rock by using its thick lips, which act like a suction cup.
Rotom Phone (Sword & Shield)
Generation IX
The swirl on its belly is its insides showing through the skin. It appears more clearly after Poliwag eats.
Rotom Phone (Scarlet & Violet)
Its legs are newly grown, and it can't walk very well. It seems to prefer swimming through the water instead.
Rotom Phone (Scarlet & Violet)
03Stats, moves & where to find it
Poliwag in the video games
Base stat total 300 · 24 core-series games · 23 spin-offs · every move it learns, generation by generation.
Base stats
In Red, Green, Blue and Yellow, Poliwag had a single Special stat of 40; when Gold and Silver split Special in two, it simply became 40 Sp. Atk and 40 Sp. Def. Its other base stats have never changed – 40 HP, 50 Attack, 40 Defense, 40 Sp. Atk, 40 Sp. Def and 90 Speed, a total of 300 – so this little tadpole is all about Speed, which is also the 1 EV it gives when defeated. Its base experience yield was 77 until Generation V lowered it to 60, and its base friendship was 70 in Generations II–VII and has been 50 since Generation VIII. It reaches level 100 at 1,059,860 Exp. Points (Medium Slow).
Abilities
- Water Absorbsince Gen III
When Poliwag is hit by a Water-type move, it soaks it up and restores HP instead of taking damage. - Dampsince Gen III
Keeps the battlefield too damp for anyone to use self-destructing moves such as Self-Destruct and Explosion. - Swift SwimHidden abilitysince Gen V
Doubles Poliwag's Speed while it is raining.
Type matchups
How hard each attacking type hits a Water Pokémon.
From Generation III, a Poliwag with the Water Absorb Ability takes no damage from Water-type moves at all – it heals instead. The Steel resistance applies from Generation II onwards, when the Steel type was introduced; otherwise Poliwag's matchups have been the same in every generation.
Training & breeding
- Catch rate
- 255
- Base friendship
- 50
- Base experience
- 60
- Growth rate
- Medium Slow
- EV yield
- 1 Speed
- Egg groups
- Water 1
- Egg cycles
- 20
- Colour
- Blue
- Gender ratio
- 50% male
- Body shape
- head and legs
Where to find Poliwag
| Game | Year | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Red & Green | 1996 | Good Rod: Routes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City and Cerulean Gym, Cerulean Cave, Vermilion City, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, the Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island and Indigo Plateau. Super Rod: Pallet Town, Viridian City and Route 22Yes, you can fish one out of the pool inside Cerulean Gym. |
| Blue (Japan) | 1996 | Good Rod: Routes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City and Cerulean Gym, Cerulean Cave, Vermilion City, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, the Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island and Indigo Plateau. Super Rod: Route 22, Pallet Town and Viridian CityAn in-game trade on Route 5 also swaps a Rattata for a Poliwag. |
| Red & Blue | 1998 | Good Rod: Routes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City and Cerulean Gym, Cerulean Cave, Vermilion City, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, the Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island and Indigo Plateau. Super Rod: Pallet Town, Viridian City and Route 22 |
| Yellow | 1998 | Good Rod: Routes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City and Cerulean Gym, Cerulean Cave, Vermilion City, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, the Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island and Indigo Plateau. Super Rod: Routes 22 and 23 and Viridian City |
| Gold & Silver | 1999 | Surfing and fishing on Routes 22, 28, 30, 31 and 44, in Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City and on Mt. Silver; fishing on Routes 6, 35 and 43, in the Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest and Blackthorn CityIn the United States, Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! distributions handed out level 5 Poliwag knowing Growth (8–21 June 2002) and Lovely Kiss or Sweet Kiss (7–13 February 2003). |
| Crystal | 2000 | As Gold & Silver, and also in the grass at night on Routes 22, 30, 31 and 44 |
| Ruby & Sapphire | 2002 | Not found in the wild – trade only |
| FireRed & LeafGreen | 2004 | Good Rod: Fuchsia City, Berry Forest and the Safari Zone. Good Rod and Super Rod: Routes 6, 22, 23 and 25, Four Island, Viridian City, Cape Brink, Cerulean Cave, Icefall Cave and Ruin ValleyJapan's Egg Pokémon Present event (21 March–4 April 2004) offered a level 5 Poliwag. Poliwhirl can't become Politoed until you have the National Pokédex. |
| Emerald | 2004 | Not found in the wild – trade only |
| Diamond & Pearl | 2006 | Good Rod on Route 225; surfing on Routes 227 and 228Poliwag can also be migrated from a Game Boy Advance game through Pal Park's Pond area. |
| Platinum | 2008 | Surfing on Routes 227 and 228 |
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | 2009 | Surfing and fishing on Routes 22, 28, 30, 31 and 44, in Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City, on Mt. Silver and in Mt. Moon Square; fishing on Routes 6, 35, 43 and 45, in the Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest and Blackthorn City; Good and Super Rod at Cliff Edge Gate; Old and Good Rod in Cerulean Cave; and in the Safari Zone's Meadow, Marshland, Rocky Beach and Wetland areasPokéwalker owners can also find it on the Beautiful Beach and Blue Lake courses. |
| Black & White | 2010 | Super Rod on Route 6 and in Wellspring Cave, Challenger's Cave, Victory Road and Giant ChasmIt could also be befriended in the Pokémon Dream World's Pleasant Forest. |
| Black 2 & White 2 | 2012 | Super Rod on Routes 6, 19, 20 and 23, at Floccesy Ranch, Relic Passage, Lostlorn Forest, Giant Chasm, Victory Road, Clay Tunnel and Wellspring Cave |
| X & Y | 2013 | Old Rod on Routes 14, 15, 16, 19 and 21, in Laverre City, Frost Cavern, Couriway Town, Pokémon Village and Victory Road; also in hordes in Pokémon Village |
| Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire | 2014 | Not found in the wild – trade only |
| Sun & Moon | 2016 | Brooklet Hill, both on land and on the water, and Malie Garden; it can also turn up at Poké Pelago |
| Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon | 2017 | Brooklet Hill, both on land and on the water |
| Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee! | 2018 | On the water on Routes 22, 23 and 25 and in Cerulean CaveIts evolution Politoed is not in these games, so Poliwhirl can only become Poliwrath. |
| Sword & Shield | 2019 | Not in the base game (trade only from version 1.2.0); with The Isle of Armor, wild in Brawlers' Cave on land and on the water, and in Max Raid Battles in the Fields of Honor, Soothing Wetlands and Courageous Cavern |
| Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl | 2021 | Good Rod on Route 225; surfing on Routes 227 and 228; and, once you have the National Pokédex, in the Grand Underground's Grassland Cave, Sunlit Cavern, Fountainspring Cave, Riverbank Cave and Still-Water Cavern |
| Legends: Arceus | 2022 | Unobtainable |
| Scarlet & Violet | 2022 | Trade only in the base game (from version 2.0.1); with The Teal Mask, wild on Kitakami Road and Reveler's Road, at Mossfell Confluence and in Fellhorn Gorge, and in Kitakami's 1★ Tera Raid Battles |
| Legends: Z-A | 2025 | Unobtainable |
Sprites through the ages
Spin-offs & cameos
Super Smash Bros.
Poliwag itself hasn't turned up in Super Smash Bros., but its evolution keeps the family's flag flying. Poliwhirl is one of the collectable trophies in Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001), won in the Lottery or as a random drop in Classic, Adventure and All-Star modes. Its description explains that Poliwhirl sweats on dry land to keep its skin nice and slimy, and that when danger looms it spins the whirlpool on its stomach to send enemies into a deep sleep before running away – and it reminds players that Poliwhirl can evolve into either Poliwrath or Politoed.
Pokémon GO
Poliwag has been splashing about in Pokémon GO since the game launched in 2016. It costs 25 Candy to evolve into Poliwhirl and earns Candy every 3 km as a buddy, and in battle it relies on Bubble or Mud Shot, backed up by Bubble Beam, Mud Bomb or Body Slam. Poliwhirl then faces the same fork in the road as in the main series: 100 Candy for Poliwrath, or 100 Candy and a King's Rock for Politoed. Shiny Poliwag made its debut at Pokémon GO Fest 2019 in Yokohama on 6 August 2019, and Poliwag can also be rescued as a Shadow Pokémon – Shiny Shadow Poliwag followed on 24 January 2022. The family's big day came on 30 July 2023: Poliwag Community Day, when Poliwhirl evolved during the event (or in the five hours after) gave a Poliwrath that knew Counter or a Politoed that knew Ice Beam, alongside a Special Research story called 'Slippery Swirls'. Since 3 March 2026, Shiny Poliwhirl and Poliwrath can be met in the wild as well.
Poliwag's Base Set card, Water Gun and all, can be pulled from the game's Laboratory booster packs.
Keep your camera ready on the River course – Poliwag is one of the Pokémon you can photograph there.
Catch it in Viridian City on the Blue Field, where a Poliwag is also part of the table itself and scores you points when the ball hits it.
Battle-ready in 3D, with its own Pokédex entry reminding everyone that it's better at swimming than walking.
Back in 3D for the Gold and Silver era – and its Pokédex entry changes depending on which Game Boy cartridge is plugged in.
The Base Set Poliwag card returns in the Japan-only sequel, this time in the Island of Fossil packs.
A Common piece, found on the Phobos Submarine, in Endless Level 22, in Pair Trozei and in Mr. Who's Den.
Recruit one in Silent Chasm, Northwind Field or Waterfall Pond and it settles into the Tadpole Pond friend area – happily admitting, 'It's easier for me in the water!'
Found in Krokka Tunnel – where, if it spots a Ranger, it gets startled and dives underwater. Once captured it gives a Water-type Poké Assist and can use the Soak field move.
Paddles through the floors of Waterfall Cave and Serenity River.
Still waiting to be recruited in Waterfall Cave and Serenity River.
A Water-type piece in Stage 1 of the Safari Jungle – but only on Saturdays.
Waits on Stage 425 in Blau Salon; its Cheer skill raises the chance that the skill in your next match will trigger.
Lives in Gold Plateau's Purifying Pond and Plasma Tundra's Misty Moor.
Connect with it through the Pokémon Nexus once you're ready to raise your Expedition Rank to Gold – 'I want to swim a lot and keep my skin moist! Poli!' – and a Poliwag teams up with three Poliwrath as the boss of Poliwrath River.
Back in Silent Chasm, Northwind Field and Waterfall Pond, and also wandering Murky Cave and Purity Forest.
Poliwag has an entry in the Pokédex of the Nintendo Switch 2 life-sim in which you play as a Ditto, reusing its Sword text.
Moves
In Red and Green, Poliwag kept things simple: seven level-up moves, opening with Bubble and building through Hypnosis, Water Gun, DoubleSlap, Body Slam and Amnesia to a level-45 Hydro Pump. Gold and Silver swapped Amnesia for Rain Dance and Belly Drum and brought in its first egg moves, then Diamond and Pearl stretched the list to 13 moves with Water Sport, BubbleBeam, Mud Shot, Mud Bomb and Wake-Up Slap, the perfect partner for a hypnotic belly.
Sword and Shield gave the tadpole a full makeover. Bubble, Double Slap, Wake-Up Slap, Mud Bomb and Water Sport all vanished, Hypnosis and Water Gun now arrive at level 1, Pound and Earth Power joined the list, and a level-54 Double-Edge took over from Hydro Pump as the grand finale. Scarlet and Violet kept that list exactly and grew Poliwag's TM collection to 38 moves, up from 18 TMs and HMs in Red and Blue, with Chilling Water, Liquidation and Tera Blast among the newcomers.
Signature moves
That spiral belly was made for it. Hypnosis is in Poliwag's level-up list in every core game, sliding from level 16 in Red and Blue to level 7 in Gold and Silver, and all the way down to level 1 from Sword and Shield onwards.
Poliwag's very first move in Red and Green, worth just 20 power until X and Y doubled it. Sword and Shield dropped Bubble altogether, so modern Poliwag open with Water Gun instead.
Poliwag drums on that famous belly to max out its Attack, at the cost of half its HP. It joined at level 37 in Gold and Silver, came earlier (level 31) from Diamond and Pearl, and now waits until level 48.
The perfect follow-up to Hypnosis: it hits a sleeping target twice as hard (and wakes it up). Poliwag learned it at level 35 from Diamond and Pearl to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a Fighting-type taste of Poliwrath to come.
The big finale at level 45 in Red and Blue. It lost 10 power in X and Y (120 down to 110) and now arrives at level 42 in Sword, Shield, Scarlet and Violet.
Sword and Shield's surprise gift: a 90-power Ground-type special attack at level 36, giving the tadpole serious muddy firepower alongside Mud Shot.
Best known as Jynx's move, but in February 2003 the Pokémon Center New York handed out Gold, Silver and Crystal Poliwag that already knew it.
Complete learnsets
Generation I · Red, Green, Blue & Yellow7 level-up · 18 TM/HM
Poliwag is easy to find in the original Kanto games: fish with the Good Rod or Super Rod, or surf, in Kanto's routes, towns and waterways and one soon turns up. One level-up list covers all four games. In Generations I to III a move's category came from its type, so Water, Ice and Psychic attacks were special while Normal and Poison moves were physical. Moves keep their original spellings (DoubleSlap, BubbleBeam). The transfer list shows moves a Poliwag can pick up in Gold, Silver or Crystal and still bring back to Generation I through the Time Capsule.
By level-up
| RGBY | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bubble | Water | Special | 20 | 100 | 30 |
| 16 | Hypnosis | Psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| 19 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| 25 | DoubleSlap | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 10 |
| 31 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| 38 | Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 45 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 120 | 80 | 5 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM08 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| TM09 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| TM10 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | BubbleBeam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| TM12 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 120 | 90 | 5 |
| TM20 | Rage | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| TM29 | Psychic | Psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM31 | Mimic | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM34 | Bide | Normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| TM40 | Skull Bash | Normal | Physical | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM46 | Psywave | Psychic | Special | — | 80 | 15 |
| TM50 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| HM03 | Surf | Water | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Defense Curl | Gen II (TM) |
| Growth | Gen II (event) |
| Haze | Gen II (breeding) |
| Headbutt | Gen II (TM) |
| Lovely Kiss | Gen II (event) |
| Mist | Gen II (breeding) |
| Splash | Gen II (breeding) |
| Waterfall | Gen II (HM) |
Generation II · Gold, Silver & Crystal8 level-up · 23 TM/HM · 5 egg · 1 tutor · 3 event
Surf or fish for Poliwag across Johto and Kanto in Gold, Silver and Crystal. Categories still follow type (Hidden Power's depends on the type it rolls) and Curse is the mysterious ???-type. Amnesia leaves the level-up list, so it now has to be brought over from Generation I. The only tutor move is Ice Beam, taught in Crystal, and Splash can only reach Poliwag by chain breeding through Horsea's family. In the United States, the Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! at the Pokémon Center New York handed out Poliwag knowing Growth in June 2002, then Lovely Kiss or Sweet Kiss in February 2003.
By level-up
| GSC | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bubble | Water | Special | 20 | 100 | 30 |
| 7 | Hypnosis | Psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| 13 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| 19 | DoubleSlap | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 10 |
| 25 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 31 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| 37 | Belly Drum | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 43 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 120 | 80 | 5 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM02 | Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM03 | Curse | ??? | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Varies | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM13 | Snore | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM16 | Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM20 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM29 | Psychic | Psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM34 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 |
| TM35 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM40 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Special | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| HM03 | Surf | Water | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| HM06 | Whirlpool | Water | Special | 15 | 70 | 15 |
| HM07 | Waterfall | Water | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BubbleBeam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 | Marill, Azumarill, Corsola, Remoraid, Octillery, Mantine |
| Haze | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Wooper, Quagsire |
| Mind Reader | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 | Poliwrath |
| Mist | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Lapras, Wooper, Quagsire |
| Splash | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | Horsea, Seadra, Kingdra (chain breeding: the father must itself have learned it as an egg move) |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 | Crystal |
Event moves
| Move | Event |
|---|---|
| Growth | Gotta Catch 'Em All Station!, Pokémon Center New York (8–21 June 2002) |
| Lovely Kiss | Gotta Catch 'Em All Station!, Pokémon Center New York (7–13 February 2003) |
| Sweet Kiss | Gotta Catch 'Em All Station!, Pokémon Center New York (7–13 February 2003) |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Amnesia | Gen I (level-up) |
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen I (TM) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM) |
| Psywave | Gen I (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Skull Bash | Gen I (TM) |
| Substitute | Gen I (TM) |
| Take Down | Gen I (TM) |
Generation III · Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed & LeafGreen (tutor moves also cover XD)8 level-up · 21 TM/HM · 7 egg · 10 tutor · 1 event
Poliwag can't be caught in Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Colosseum or XD, so it has to be traded in from FireRed or LeafGreen, where it is fished up around Fuchsia City, the Safari Zone, Berry Forest and many Kanto routes. Categories still follow type, which makes Waterfall, Dive and even Ice Ball special moves here. Tutor moves come from FireRed/LeafGreen, Emerald and XD. A 2004 Japanese distribution, the Egg Pokémon Present, gave out Poliwag that knew Sweet Kiss. Moves from Generations I and II cannot be carried into these games.
By level-up
| RSE/FRLG | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bubble | Water | Special | 20 | 100 | 30 |
| 7 | Hypnosis | Psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| 13 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| 19 | DoubleSlap | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 10 |
| 25 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 31 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| 37 | Belly Drum | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 43 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 120 | 80 | 5 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM03 | Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM07 | Hail | Ice | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Varies | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| TM29 | Psychic | Psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM43 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Special | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| HM03 | Surf | Water | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| HM07 | Waterfall | Water | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| HM08 | Dive | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 10 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BubbleBeam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 | Marill, Azumarill, Corsola, Remoraid, Octillery, Mantine, Surskit, Corphish, Crawdaunt |
| Haze | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Wooper, Quagsire, Surskit |
| Ice Ball | Ice | Special | 30 | 90 | 20 | Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein |
| Mind Reader | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 | Poliwrath |
| Mist | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Lapras, Wooper, Quagsire, Lotad, Wingull, Pelipper, Surskit |
| Splash | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | Feebas, Milotic |
| Water Sport | Water | Status | — | — | 15 | Psyduck, Golduck, Lombre, Surskit, Masquerain, Milotic |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | Emerald |
| Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Emerald |
| Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Emerald, XD |
| Mimic | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Emerald |
| Snore | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | Emerald |
| Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | Emerald, XD |
Event moves
| Move | Event |
|---|---|
| Sweet Kiss | Egg Pokémon Present Poliwag (Japan, 2004) |
Generation IV · Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver13 level-up · 27 TM/HM · 11 egg · 5 tutor
The physical/special split arrives, so every move now has its own category. Diamond and Pearl hide Poliwag on Route 225 (Good Rod) and Routes 227 and 228 (surfing), and Platinum keeps the last two. HeartGold and SoulSilver put it back all over Johto and Kanto, and the Pokéwalker's Beautiful Beach and Blue Lake courses offer it too. Hypnosis is 70% accurate in Diamond (and Pokémon Battle Revolution) but 60% elsewhere. Encore (egg move) and Whirlpool (HM05) are HeartGold/SoulSilver only. Wake-Up Slap is a Fighting move, so it only gets the same-type boost once Poliwag evolves into Water/Fighting Poliwrath.
By level-up
| DPPt/HGSS | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water Sport | Water | Status | — | — | 15 |
| 5 | Bubble | Water | Special | 20 | 100 | 30 |
| 8 | Hypnosis | Psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| 11 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| 15 | DoubleSlap | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 10 |
| 18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 21 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| 25 | BubbleBeam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| 28 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| 31 | Belly Drum | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 35 | Wake-Up Slap | Fighting | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| 38 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 120 | 80 | 5 |
| 41 | Mud Bomb | Ground | Special | 65 | 85 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM03 | Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 | |
| TM07 | Hail | Ice | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 | |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 | |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM29 | Psychic | Psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM43 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM58 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM78 | Captivate | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM82 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM83 | Natural Gift | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| HM03 | Surf | Water | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 | |
| HM05 | Whirlpool | Water | Special | 15 | 70 | 15 | HGSS |
| HM07 | Waterfall | Water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BubbleBeam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 | Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Politoed, Horsea, Seadra, Kingdra, Marill and 12 more |
| Encore | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 | Seel, Dewgong, Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein |
| Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert, Corphish, Crawdaunt |
| Haze | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Dratini, Dragonair, Dragonite, Wooper, Quagsire and 9 more |
| Ice Ball | Ice | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 | Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert, Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein |
| Mind Reader | Normal | Status | — | — | 5 | Poliwrath |
| Mist | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Lapras, Wooper, Quagsire, Lotad, Lombre and 6 more |
| Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Wooper, Quagsire, Marshtomp, Swampert |
| Refresh | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Psyduck, Golduck, Corsola, Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert, Milotic |
| Splash | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | Horsea, Seadra, Kingdra, Magikarp, Gyarados, Marill, Azumarill, Mantine, Feebas, Milotic |
| Water Sport | Water | Status | — | — | 15 | Psyduck, Golduck, Seel, Dewgong, Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr, Mantine and 17 more |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dive | Water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | Pt, HGSS |
| Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | HGSS |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Pt, HGSS |
| Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Pt, HGSS |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | Pt, HGSS |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Defense Curl | Gen III (tutor) |
| Double-Edge | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Sweet Kiss | Gen III (event) |
Generation V · Black, White, Black 2 & White 213 level-up · 23 TM/HM · 13 egg · 5 tutor · 2 event
Black and White: fish with the Super Rod on Route 6 and in Wellspring Cave, Challenger's Cave, Victory Road and the Giant Chasm. Black 2 and White 2 have it on several Unova routes too, and in Wellspring Cave. Every tutor move is Black 2/White 2 only. The Pokémon Dream World's Pleasant Forest offered Poliwag with Mist or Sleep Talk. Toxic's accuracy rises to 90% from this generation.
By level-up
| BW/B2W2 | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water Sport | Water | Status | — | — | 15 |
| 5 | Bubble | Water | Special | 20 | 100 | 30 |
| 8 | Hypnosis | Psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| 11 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| 15 | DoubleSlap | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 10 |
| 18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 21 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| 25 | BubbleBeam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| 28 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| 31 | Belly Drum | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 35 | Wake-Up Slap | Fighting | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| 38 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 120 | 80 | 5 |
| 41 | Mud Bomb | Ground | Special | 65 | 85 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM07 | Hail | Ice | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM29 | Psychic | Psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM55 | Scald | Water | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| HM03 | Surf | Water | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| HM05 | Waterfall | Water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| HM06 | Dive | Water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BubbleBeam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 | Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Politoed, Horsea, Seadra, Kingdra, Marill and 18 more |
| Encore | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 | Seel, Dewgong, Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein |
| Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Kabuto, Kabutops, Corsola, Stunfisk |
| Haze | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Wooper, Quagsire, Surskit |
| Ice Ball | Ice | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 | Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein |
| Mind Reader | Normal | Status | — | — | 5 | Poliwrath |
| Mist | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Lapras, Wooper, Quagsire, Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Wingull, Pelipper and 5 more |
| Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops, Wooper, Quagsire and 6 more |
| Refresh | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Corsola, Milotic |
| Splash | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | Feebas |
| Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking and 13 more |
| Water Sport | Water | Status | — | — | 15 | Psyduck, Golduck, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Seel, Lombre, Surskit, Masquerain and 8 more |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | B2W2 |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | B2W2 |
| Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | B2W2 |
| Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | B2W2 |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | B2W2 |
Event moves
| Move | Event |
|---|---|
| Mist | Pokémon Dream World: Pleasant Forest |
| Sleep Talk | Pokémon Dream World: Pleasant Forest |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Defense Curl | Gen III (tutor) |
| Double-Edge | Gen III (tutor) |
| Headbutt | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Secret Power | Gen III–IV (TM) |
| Sweet Kiss | Gen III (event) |
| Whirlpool | Gen IV (HM) |
Generation VI · X, Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire13 level-up · 26 TM/HM · 13 egg · 5 tutor
X and Y: fished up with the Old Rod around Kalos, plus hordes in Pokémon Village. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire: trade only. Bubble doubles to 40 power and swaps places with Water Gun in the level-up order, while Hydro Pump drops to 110 power. Secret Power (TM94) and Dive (HM07) are Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire only, and so are all the tutor moves.
By level-up
| XY/ORAS | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water Sport | Water | Status | — | — | 15 |
| 5 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| 8 | Hypnosis | Psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| 11 | Bubble | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| 15 | Double Slap | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 10 |
| 18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 21 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| 25 | Bubble Beam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| 28 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| 31 | Belly Drum | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 35 | Wake-Up Slap | Fighting | Physical | 70 | 100 | 10 |
| 38 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 110 | 80 | 5 |
| 41 | Mud Bomb | Ground | Special | 65 | 85 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 | |
| TM07 | Hail | Ice | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 | |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 | |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM29 | Psychic | Psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM55 | Scald | Water | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | |
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM94 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | ORAS |
| TM100 | Confide | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| HM03 | Surf | Water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 | |
| HM05 | Waterfall | Water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | |
| HM07 | Dive | Water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | ORAS |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bubble Beam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 | Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Politoed, Horsea, Seadra, Kingdra, Marill and 20 more |
| Encore | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 | Seel, Dewgong, Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein |
| Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Kabuto, Kabutops, Corsola, Stunfisk |
| Haze | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Wooper, Quagsire, Surskit, Greninja |
| Ice Ball | Ice | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 | Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein |
| Mind Reader | Normal | Status | — | — | 5 | Poliwrath |
| Mist | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Lapras, Wooper, Quagsire, Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Wingull, Pelipper and 5 more |
| Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops, Wooper, Quagsire and 6 more |
| Refresh | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Corsola, Milotic |
| Splash | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | Feebas, Clauncher, Clawitzer |
| Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking and 20 more |
| Water Sport | Water | Status | — | — | 15 | Psyduck, Golduck, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Seel, Marill, Azumarill, Lombre and 13 more |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | ORAS |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | ORAS |
| Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | ORAS |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | ORAS |
| Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | ORAS |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Defense Curl | Gen III (tutor) |
| Double-Edge | Gen III (tutor) |
| Headbutt | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Sweet Kiss | Gen III (event) |
| Whirlpool | Gen IV (HM) |
Generation VII · Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon13 level-up · 23 TM/HM · 13 egg · 5 tutor
Sun and Moon: Brooklet Hill (walking or surfing), plus Malie Garden and Poké Pelago once you reach Ula'Ula Island. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon: Brooklet Hill. One level-up list covers all four games. HMs are gone, so Surf (TM94) and Waterfall (TM98) are ordinary TMs, and Dig now has to come from an older game. Tutor moves are Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon only.
By level-up
| SM/USUM | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water Sport | Water | Status | — | — | 15 |
| 5 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| 8 | Hypnosis | Psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| 11 | Bubble | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| 15 | Double Slap | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 10 |
| 18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 21 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| 25 | Bubble Beam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| 28 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| 31 | Belly Drum | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 35 | Wake-Up Slap | Fighting | Physical | 70 | 100 | 10 |
| 38 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 110 | 80 | 5 |
| 41 | Mud Bomb | Ground | Special | 65 | 85 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM07 | Hail | Ice | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM29 | Psychic | Psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM55 | Scald | Water | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM94 | Surf | Water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| TM98 | Waterfall | Water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM100 | Confide | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bubble Beam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 | Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Politoed, Horsea, Seadra, Kingdra, Marill and 25 more |
| Encore | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 | Seel, Dewgong, Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein, Popplio, Brionne, Primarina |
| Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Kabuto, Kabutops, Corsola, Stunfisk |
| Haze | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Wooper, Quagsire, Surskit, Greninja |
| Ice Ball | Ice | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 | Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein |
| Mind Reader | Normal | Status | — | — | 5 | Poliwrath |
| Mist | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Lapras, Wooper, Quagsire, Lotad, Wingull, Pelipper, Surskit, Piplup, Prinplup, Empoleon |
| Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops, Wooper, Quagsire and 6 more |
| Refresh | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Corsola, Milotic |
| Splash | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | Feebas, Clauncher, Clawitzer |
| Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking and 20 more |
| Water Sport | Water | Status | — | — | 15 | Psyduck, Golduck, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Seel, Marill, Azumarill, Lombre and 16 more |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | USUM |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | USUM |
| Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | USUM |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | USUM |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Amnesia | Gen I (level-up) |
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Curse | Gen II (TM) |
| Defense Curl | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Dig | Gen III–VI (TM) |
| Dive | Gen III (HM), Gen IV (tutor), Gen V–VI (HM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Headbutt | Gen II (TM), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Psywave | Gen I (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Secret Power | Gen III–IV (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Skull Bash | Gen I (TM) |
| Sweet Kiss | Gen III (event) |
| Take Down | Gen I (TM) |
| Whirlpool | Gen II (HM), Gen IV (HM) |
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!9 level-up · 14 TM/HM
Let's Go has its own, shorter learnset. Poliwag lives on Routes 22, 23 and 25 and in Cerulean Cave, out on the water. There is no breeding and there are no move tutors. Pound and Low Kick make their debut in Poliwag's level-up list here, and Low Kick gets its same-type boost only once Poliwag becomes Poliwrath.
By level-up
| LGPE | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bubble | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| 4 | Pound | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 8 | Hypnosis | Psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| 12 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| 16 | Double Slap | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 10 |
| 21 | Bubble Beam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| 26 | Low Kick | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| 31 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| 36 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 110 | 80 | 5 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM03 | Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM05 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM07 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM08 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM10 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM12 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM25 | Waterfall | Water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM27 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM29 | Scald | Water | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM40 | Psychic | Psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM47 | Surf | Water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| TM51 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| TM55 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
Generation VIII · Sword & Shield (Version 1.2.0+ and the Expansion Pass), Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl11 level-up · 51 TM/HM · 14 egg
Poliwag isn't in the Galar Pokédex. In Sword and Shield it arrives by trade from Version 1.2.0, and the Isle of Armor has it in Brawlers' Cave, with Max Raid Battles on the Isle of Armor and in the Crown Tundra too. In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl it's back on Route 225 (Good Rod), Routes 227 and 228 (surfing) and in Grand Underground caves after you get the National Pokédex. One level-up list covers both pairs of games; TM and egg moves say which games they belong to (TRs are Sword and Shield only). Poliwag has no move tutor moves in these games. Transfer moves flagged as unusable can be brought along from an older game but can't be used in Sword and Shield. Poliwag can't be found in Legends: Arceus, so it has no Legends: Arceus learnset.
By level-up
| SwSh/BDSP | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| 1 | Hypnosis | Psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| 6 | Pound | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 12 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| 18 | Bubble Beam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| 24 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 30 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| 36 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| 42 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 110 | 80 | 5 |
| 48 | Belly Drum | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 54 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM15 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM21 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM23 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | SwSh |
| TM24 | Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM25 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM27 | Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM31 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM33 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 | SwSh |
| TM35 | Hail | Ice | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM36 | Whirlpool | Water | Special | 35 | 85 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM39 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TM41 | Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TM45 | Dive | Water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM53 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM76 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM81 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TR01 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR03 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 110 | 80 | 5 | SwSh |
| TR04 | Surf | Water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR05 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR06 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 | SwSh |
| TR11 | Psychic | Psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR16 | Waterfall | Water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR20 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TR26 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TR27 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TR30 | Encore | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 | SwSh |
| TR45 | Muddy Water | Water | Special | 90 | 85 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR67 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR84 | Scald | Water | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM03 | Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM07 | Hail | Ice | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 | BDSP |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 | BDSP |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM29 | Psychic | Psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 | BDSP |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | BDSP |
| TM49 | Scald | Water | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM58 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM82 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM83 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM95 | Surf | Water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM99 | Waterfall | Water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | SwSh | Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert, Corphish, Crawdaunt |
| Haze | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | SwSh | Wooper, Quagsire |
| Mind Reader | Normal | Status | — | — | 5 | SwSh | Poliwrath |
| Mist | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | SwSh | Lapras, Wooper, Quagsire, Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Wingull, Pelipper, Eiscue |
| Splash | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | SwSh | Feebas, Milotic, Clauncher, Clawitzer |
| Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | SwSh | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowpoke (Galar), Slowbro and 22 more |
| Bubble Beam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 | BDSP | Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Politoed, Horsea, Seadra, Kingdra, Marill and 15 more |
| Encore | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 | BDSP | Seel, Dewgong, Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein |
| Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | BDSP | Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert, Corphish, Crawdaunt |
| Haze | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | BDSP | Wooper, Quagsire, Surskit, Masquerain |
| Mind Reader | Normal | Status | — | — | 5 | BDSP | Poliwrath |
| Mist | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | BDSP | Lapras, Wooper, Quagsire, Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Wingull, Pelipper and 5 more |
| Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | BDSP | Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Politoed, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops and 4 more |
| Splash | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | BDSP | Marill, Azumarill, Feebas, Milotic |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Amnesia | Gen I (level-up) |
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Bubble | Gen I–VII (level-up) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Confide | Gen VI–VII (TM) |
| Curse | Gen II (TM) |
| Defense Curl | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Double Slap | Gen I–VII (level-up) |
| Double Team | Gen I–VII (TM) |
| Frustration | Gen II–VII (TM) |
| Headbutt | Gen II (TM), Gen IV (tutor), Let's Go (TM) |
| Hidden Power | Gen II–VII (TM) |
| Ice Ball | Gen III–VII (breeding) |
| Low Kick | Let's Go (level-up) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud Bomb | Gen IV–VII (level-up) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Psywave | Gen I (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Refresh | Gen IV–VII (breeding) |
| Return | Gen II–VII (TM) |
| Secret Power | Gen III–IV (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Skull Bash | Gen I (TM) |
| Swagger | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV–VII (TM) |
| Sweet Kiss | Gen III (event) |
| Take Down | Gen I (TM) |
| Toxic | Gen I–VII (TM) |
| Wake-Up Slap | Gen IV–VII (level-up) |
| Water Sport | Gen III (breeding), Gen IV–VII (level-up, breeding) |
Generation IX · Scarlet & Violet (Version 2.0.1+ and The Teal Mask)11 level-up · 38 TM/HM · 5 egg
Scarlet and Violet: trade from Version 2.0.1, or catch it in Kitakami in The Teal Mask (Kitakami Road, Reveler's Road, Mossfell Confluence and Fellhorn Gorge) and in 1★ Tera Raid Battles. The level-up list is identical to Sword and Shield's, while the TM list grows to 38 moves, including Chilling Water, Liquidation, Tera Blast and Focus Punch. Rest has just 5 PP in these games. Poliwag doesn't appear in Legends: Z-A, so there is no Z-A learnset.
By level-up
| SV | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| 1 | Hypnosis | Psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| 6 | Pound | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 12 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| 18 | Bubble Beam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| 24 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 30 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| 36 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| 42 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 110 | 80 | 5 |
| 48 | Belly Drum | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 54 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM001 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| TM005 | Mud-Slap | Ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| TM007 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM011 | Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| TM012 | Low Kick | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM018 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| TM022 | Chilling Water | Water | Special | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| TM025 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM028 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| TM032 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| TM034 | Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| TM035 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| TM047 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM050 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM055 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM066 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| TM070 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM077 | Waterfall | Water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM085 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM103 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM110 | Liquidation | Water | Physical | 85 | 100 | 10 |
| TM120 | Psychic | Psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM122 | Encore | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 |
| TM123 | Surf | Water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| TM128 | Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM130 | Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM133 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM135 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM142 | Hydro Pump | Water | Special | 110 | 80 | 5 |
| TM143 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| TM171 | Tera Blast | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM174 | Haze | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM192 | Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| TM193 | Weather Ball | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| TM204 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| TM205 | Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| TM208 | Whirlpool | Water | Special | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| TM209 | Muddy Water | Water | Special | 90 | 85 | 10 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert, Corphish, Crawdaunt |
| Mist | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 | Lapras, Wooper, Quagsire, Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Wingull, Pelipper and 5 more |
| Muddy Water | Water | Special | 90 | 85 | 10 | Wooper, Quagsire, Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert, Shellos, Gastrodon, Clauncher, Clawitzer |
| Splash | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | Feebas, Milotic, Clauncher, Clawitzer |
| Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowpoke (Galar), Slowbro and 30 more |
04On screen
Poliwag in the anime
Debut EP025Primeape Goes Bananas · First major role EP110The Stun Spore Detour · Its appearances on screen, and 2 other trainers who raised one.
Poliwag has bobbed around the edges of the anime since the early Kanto days – a few were already seen outside Professor Oak's Laboratory in Primeape Goes Bananas (EP025) – but its big break came in the Orange Islands. A friendly Poliwag with Salveyo weed stuck to its tail helped Misty find a cure for her paralysed friends and then simply refused to be left behind, becoming her reliable Water Gun from the pirate battle in Viva Las Lapras (EP113) to a run of Team Rocket scraps across Johto. It evolved mid-battle against Ash's Bulbasaur in The Totodile Duel (EP151), and later became Politoed.
Since then the Tadpole Pokémon has mostly played the friendly neighbour. Max borrowed a frightened Poliwag for a battle at Roxanne's Trainer's School (AG015), Goh caught one during Pokémon Orienteering (JN020), and in Heroes Unite! (JN135) a Poliwag's wayward Pecha Berry set a whole flock of Spearow on Ash, Goh and Chloe. A flashback even gives it a part in Ash's own backstory: the wild Poliwag he was looking for at Professor Oak's Summer Camp is the reason he met a young Serena (XY007).
Other trainers’ Poliwag
First seen: EP110The Stun Spore Detour
Evolved: EP151The Totodile Duel
Now: Now a Politoed, still with Misty – it beat Ash's Corphish when they battled again in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys (JN138)
Misty's Poliwag joined her on an unnamed island between Kumquat Island and Pummelo Island, late in the Orange Islands journey (EP110). A Vileplume's Stun Spore had left Ash and Tracey paralysed, and the cure was Salveyo weed, which grows on clear lake beds where Vileplume live – and, as Ash's Pokédex pointed out, where Poliwag tend to be found too. While Misty searched the lakes, James and Meowth spotted a Poliwag with a strand of the weed stuck to its tail and decided to catch it.
Poliwag dodged Victreebel's Razor Leaf, hit back with Water Gun and wriggled out of the woven basket Meowth trapped it in, then hid behind Misty. She refused to hand it over, beat James and Meowth with Goldeen and Staryu, and treated Poliwag's injuries with Pokémon cream, which won its trust completely. In gratitude it helped her gather more than enough Salveyo weed for Ash and Tracey.
Team Rocket tried once more with a disguise, but Poliwag's Double Slap knocked Weezing back into James and Meowth and sent them tumbling off a cliff. Misty, kind to the last, still left some of the weed for Jessie, and when she headed back to her friends Poliwag followed. Realising it wanted to be her Pokémon, Misty happily took it on. In the Japanese version it is Tracey who suggests she catch it; the English dub puts the weight on the friendship the two had already built.
At sea in Viva Las Lapras (EP113), pirates led by Captain Crook were out to poach Lapras. Misty sent Poliwag out with Goldeen and Staryu, Ash added Squirtle, and their combined Water Guns wrecked the pirate ship's cannons and masts. When Misty took control of the ship and Crook still refused to call off his Tentacruel, Poliwag gave him a Water Gun right in the face.
Poliwag followed Misty into Johto as one of her regulars, usually pointed at Team Rocket. In Roll On, Pokémon! (EP120), after the trio stole a Donphan, it partnered Ash's Heracross against Arbok and Victreebel, slapping Victreebel with Double Slap and following up with Bubble before Pikachu's Thunderbolt blasted Team Rocket off. At Violet City's burning Sprout Tower it added its Water Gun to Squirtle's, though Brock soon noticed the water wasn't helping (EP130), and it repelled Weezing's Sludge when Team Rocket grabbed Pikachu and a crybaby Marill in For Crying Out Loud (EP132).
In Ilex Forest, when Weezing's Sludge pinned down Ash and his Pokémon, Poliwag's Water Gun washed it away and helped turn the fight against the Farfetch'd thieves (EP145) – the same episode in which Misty found Psyduck fast asleep on Poliwag's tail. Tunnel Vision (EP149) showed what it could really do: with Psyduck popping out instead, Misty tried again and sent out Poliwag, which dodged Arbok, hit it with Water Gun and Double Slap, then broke through Wobbuffet's Counter with a powerful Water Gun that threw Wobbuffet, Victreebel and Arbok back into Team Rocket.
Off duty, Poliwag joined the fun in the Pikachu's Winter Vacation shorts. In Winter Games (PK05) it chimed icicles alongside Psyduck and Geodude, skated across the ice and swept the way in front of a sliding Meowth like an Olympic curler, and in Stantler's Little Helpers (PK06) it popped out of its Poké Ball with the rest of the gang on Christmas night.
Poliwag's tadpole days ended in The Totodile Duel (EP151). Ash and Misty had thrown Lure Balls at a wild Totodile at the same moment, so Brock refereed a three-on-three battle to decide who had caught it. Togepi's Charm sent Pikachu running and Chikorita's Vine Whip tied up Staryu, leaving Poliwag and Bulbasaur to settle it. Poliwag's Water Gun broke through Razor Leaf, but a flurry of leaves had Brock ready to call the match for Ash – until Poliwag began to glow and evolved into Poliwhirl.
The new Poliwhirl battered Bulbasaur with Body Slam and kept up the pressure with Bubble while the Grass type charged Solar Beam, but the beam landed and Brock awarded Totodile to Ash. Misty took the defeat well: she was happier with a Poliwhirl that listened to her than she would have been with an excitable Totodile.
As Poliwhirl it became one of Misty's regular battlers in Johto. In Outrageous Fortunes (EP247) it picked up Ash's King's Rock – his prize for winning the Sumo Conference (EP194) – and was still holding it when it was transferred between Pokémon Centers, so it evolved again, into a cheerful Politoed.
Personality
Misty's Poliwag was a sunny, eager little tadpole that took to her straight away, and it was the one that did the choosing: after she shielded it from Team Rocket and soothed its scrapes, it repaid her by gathering Salveyo weed and then followed her until she realised it wanted to come along. In battle it was her dependable Water Gun, the Pokémon she reached for when Psyduck had once again popped out uninvited (EP149). Off duty it was a good sport, letting Psyduck snooze on its tail (EP145) and joining the winter games with the rest of the gang in Pikachu's Winter Vacation.
Moves usedWater GunDouble SlapBubble
Key battles
- EP110The Stun Spore Detour · vs Victreebel and Weezing Won
- EP120Roll On, Pokémon! · vs Arbok and Victreebel Won
- EP132For Crying Out Loud · vs Arbok and Weezing Won
- EP135Grin to Win! · vs Arbok and Weezing Won
- EP145A Farfetch'd Tale · vs Weezing Won
- EP149Tunnel Vision · vs Arbok, Victreebel and Wobbuffet Won
- EP151The Totodile Duel · vs Bulbasaur Lost
First seen: JN020Dreams Are Made of These!
Goh's dream is to catch every Pokémon, and Poliwag was one of a string of catches he made during a Pokémon Orienteering competition in Vermilion City, scooped up in the same episode as an Oddish (JN020). It is among the Pokémon at Cerise Park when food starts vanishing there in Panic in the Park! (JN023). It has used Water Gun, and in Not Too Close for Comfort! (JN062) it teams up with Goldeen to spray water over Goh's newly evolved Drizzile in a well-meant but unsuccessful attempt to cheer it up.
Ash & Poliwag
Ash has never owned a Poliwag, yet one played a part in his story before his journey even began: as a boy at Professor Oak's Summer Camp he went looking for a wild Poliwag in the forest and found a lost Serena instead, wrapping her hurt knee in his handkerchief (XY007). On the road, his Pokédex introduced the species when Misty made friends with hers (EP110), and his Bulbasaur faced that same Poliwag in the deciding round of the Totodile Duel, winning with Solar Beam just after it had evolved into Poliwhirl (EP151).
Featured episodes
- AG015Gonna Rule The School!At Roxanne's Pokémon Trainer's School, Max finds a frightened Poliwag hiding under a bench, and when the bully Tommy treads on its tail, Max takes it into battle against Tommy's Magby until an alarm cuts the match short. When Team Rocket raid the school, the shy student Kenny comes up with the plan: Max and Poliwag distract the trio with Water Gun and Protect while Tommy's Magby overheats their Wurmple robot, and by the end Kenny has overcome his fear of touching Pokémon.
- AG166Curbing the Crimson Tide!A young Trainer, Hiroshi, sends his Poliwag after the mysterious 'Red Lightning', and one Hyper Beam knocks it out straight after its opening Water Pulse. It is left with scribbled markings, and Ash then notices the same marks on every patient at the Pokémon Center – the calling card of Red Lightning, a disguised Scizor.
- XY007Giving Chase at the Rhyhorn Race!Serena's flashback reveals how she met Ash: at Professor Oak's Summer Camp she got lost in the forest and fell when a wild Poliwag startled her, hurting her knee. Ash, who was out looking for that same Poliwag, found her, wrapped her knee in his handkerchief and led her back to camp, telling her never to give up until it's over.
- JN120Infinite Possibilities!On a forest outing, Chloe's Eevee chases a wild Poliwag right into a pond and has to be fished out by the forest's caretaker, Grover, and one of the forest's Poliwag later evolves into Poliwhirl. A Rotom Phone supplies the Pokédex entry.
- JN135Heroes Unite!A Poliwag trying to knock a Pecha Berry from a tree hits a Spearow instead, and Ash, Goh and Chloe end up fleeing a whole angry flock – just as Ash did in his very first episode – until Chloe's Eevee sends them to sleep with Yawn. That evening the grateful Poliwag drops by their campsite with Pecha Berries, and it is the episode's Who's That Pokémon?
More appearances
- EP086Pikachu Re-Volts Cassidy and Butch take control of a Poliwag on Mandarin Island North.
- EP147The Fire-ing Squad! Seven Poliwag compete in the Fire and Rescue Grand Prix.
- EP215Octillery The Outcast A Trainer's Poliwag competes in the Whirl Cup, and is seen again in Dueling Heroes (EP216).
- DP007Like It or Lup It! A Poliwag belongs to a band of Water Pokémon, led by a Golduck, whose stockpile of Berries is stolen by Team Rocket.
- DP010Not on MY Watch Ya Don't! Team Rocket hypnotise and kidnap a Poliwag.
- DP176Coming Full-Festival Circle! Several Poliwag gather to listen to Nando's music.
- SM090Securing the Future! Two Poliwag join the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it can return to its normal form.
- SM144From Z to Shining Z! A Trainer's Poliwag watches Ash's Pikachu battle Tapu Koko, and is seen again in a flashback in Helping the Hometown Hero! (JN112).
- JN021Caring for a Mystery! A Riolu picks a fight at a pond full of Poliwag and Poliwhirl and comes off worse against their Poliwrath.
Anime gallery
Anime trivia
- Poliwag has been the Who's That Pokémon? twice: in the Japanese version of The Stun Spore Detour (EP110), where the English dub used Dragonair, and in Heroes Unite! (JN135).
- Ash's Pokédex ties Poliwag to Salveyo weed, the plant whose boiled leaves cure Stun Spore: it grows on clear lake beds wherever Vileplume live, and 'Poliwag are also found in the vicinity of this plant' (EP110). That is exactly how Misty found hers.
- A wild Poliwag set Ash and Serena's story in motion: it was the Pokémon young Ash was searching for at Professor Oak's Summer Camp when he found Serena (XY007).
- Watch the Fire and Rescue Grand Prix in The Fire-ing Squad! (EP147) closely: in one scene some of the competing Poliwag have dark blue tails instead of white ones.
“Poliwag, the Tadpole Pokémon. It has no arms, but its tail makes it a strong swimmer.”
Ash's Pokédex (Dexter) · EP110
05On the big screen
Poliwag in the movies
1 film, 1 Pikachu short featuring Poliwag.
On the big screen, Poliwag gets a real job in Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea: a pair from the Marina Group's travelling water show fire Water Gun so that Meditite and Medicham can shape the spray into a watery Pikachu.
Misty's Poliwag, which she caught in the Orange Islands, is one of the stars of the 1999 Pikachu short Winter Games. It plays the icicles, goes skating and sweeps the ice in front of a panicking Meowth like an Olympic curler.
Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
M09 · 2006
The Marina Group's two Poliwag (with Meredith's Poliwhirl)
Hot, dusty and lost in the grasslands, Ash and his friends stumble on the camp of the Marina Group, a family troupe that tours with a show starring Water-type Pokémon. Pikachu wanders off and finds a Meditite and a Medicham keeping company with two Poliwag and a Poliwhirl.
The tadpoles say hello in style: they squirt jets of water, and Meditite and Medicham catch the spray with Psychic and shape it into a watery Pikachu. That's how the gang work out where the camp's floating water balls come from. The two Poliwag both know Water Gun, and they're part of the troupe's water shows too.
Pikachu shorts
- PK05Winter Games (1999) · Misty's Poliwag
Misty's Poliwag gets a proper part in this frosty romp from Pikachu's Winter Vacation. When the Trainers head off, it trots out of the back room with the other Pokémon to see them go. Then it joins Psyduck and Geodude in tapping icicles, each of which rings out a different note, and it has a narrow escape when one of Chikorita's Razor Leaves only just misses it.Out on the rink it skates across the ice, only to be bowled over when Bulbasaur sends Squirtle skimming along in its shell. Then Meowth totters onto the ice and finds Poliwag sweeping the way in front of it like an Olympic curler. When Bulbasaur sets Meowth spinning with Vine Whip, Poliwag, Vulpix and Chikorita sweep away to make it go even faster. In the Christmas short released alongside it, Stantler's Little Helpers (PK06), Poliwag only pops out of its Poké Ball with the gang when Togepi wakes up.
06Trading Card Game · every card
Poliwag in the Pokémon TCG
29 cards since 1999, oldest first. Tap any card to see it full size.
Poliwag has been part of the card game from day one. It swam into Japan's very first Expansion Pack in October 1996 and reached English players in Base Set in January 1999, a Basic Water Pokémon with 40 HP and a single Water Gun. It has stayed a humble tadpole ever since: every one of its English cards in a main set is a Common, and it has never had an ex, GX or V card of its own. What it does have is a knack for hypnotism. Again and again its attacks lull, dizzy or stun the opponent, from Hypnosis and Sleep Bubble to Twiddle, Spiral Attack and the Round 'n' Round Ability, all fitting for a Pokémon with a spiral on its belly. Misty's Poliwag added two cards in the Gym sets, and the e-Reader years even hid a 'GO, Poliwrath!' mini-game in its Expedition card. Along the way its HP has crept up from 40 to 60.
Ken Sugimori set the look with four official-style pictures, and his Base Set art came back for the Evolutions tribute in 2016. After that, almost every set handed Poliwag to a new artist: Aya Kusube, Yuka Morii and Miki Tanaka in the Neo and e-Card years, Kagemaru Himeno, Atsuko Nishida and Naoyo Kimura through the EX, Diamond & Pearl and HeartGold & SoulSilver eras, then MAHOU, Asako Ito, Midori Harada and Shibuzoh. In the Scarlet & Violet years Kurata So drew it for 151 and Kedamahadaitai Yawarakai for Twilight Masquerade. Japan had its own curiosities, including a glossy vending-machine card and a prize card made from a fan's Pokémon Snap photo. Pokémon TCG Pocket has turned into a greatest-hits album, bringing back five classic illustrations alongside MAHOU's Shiny Poliwag.
Cards to know
- Base Set 59/102 — Where it all began: Ken Sugimori's round little tadpole, whose Water Gun gets stronger the more Water Energy you pile on.
- Gym Heroes 87/132 (Misty's Poliwag) — Misty's own Poliwag stares its foes into a daze, Paralysed or Asleep. Its Tail Rap attack came back in 2024 on Twilight Masquerade's Poliwag.
- Pokémon Snap Best Photo Contest promo (Japan) — A fan's Pokémon Snap photo turned into a real card for CoroCoro's 1999 contest. Each of the five winners got just 20 copies.
- Expedition Base Set 125/165 — Swipe it through an e-Reader with five other Expedition cards and you unlock a mini-game called 'GO, Poliwrath!'.
- Unbroken Bonds 36/214 — An Ability, Round 'n' Round: going second, its belly swirl can leave the opponent's Active Pokémon Confused before you even attack.
- TCG Pocket Mega Rising 295/226 — MAHOU's Shiny Poliwag shows off its Shiny colours.
Every English-language card
Promo cards
Japan-exclusive cards
Pokémon TCG Pocket
Digital card games
- Pokémon Trading Card Game (Game Boy Color): Poliwag (Base Set 59 art, Ken Sugimori), card D16, from the Laboratory booster pack.
- Pokémon Card GB2 (Japan only): Poliwag (Base Set 59 art, Ken Sugimori), card C22, Common, in the Island of Fossil pack.
- Pokémon Card GB2 (Japan only): Poliwag (Vending Expansion Sheet 1 art, Atsuko Nishida), card F12, Common, in the Sky Flying Pokémon pack.
- Pokémon TCG Online / Pokémon TCG Live: no digital-exclusive Poliwag cards. The online-code rewards of the 2014–15 Pokémon League (Milotic Sootopolis Gym, Season 8) included four copies of Furious Fists Poliwag for TCG Online.
The artists behind the cards
- Ken Sugimori — 4 artworks (Base Set, Misty's Poliwag in Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge, EX FireRed & LeafGreen), plus the Base Set art reused on Evolutions 23
- Miki Tanaka — 2 (Skyridge, Lost Origin)
- Atsuko Nishida — 2 (Vending Expansion Sheet 1, Legends Awakened)
- MAHOU — 2 (Furious Fists, TCG Pocket's Shiny Poliwag in Mega Rising); the Furious Fists art was also reused for Pocket's Promo-A 103
- One artwork each: Aya Kusube, Yuka Morii, Kagemaru Himeno, Naoyo Kimura, Asako Ito, Midori Harada, Shibuzoh., Kurata So, Kedamahadaitai Yawarakai, 0313, and a photo by Hiroyuki Sasaki (Pokémon Snap contest card); the pieces by Yuka Morii, Asako Ito, Shibuzoh. and Kurata So were reused in TCG Pocket
07On the page & beyond
Poliwag in manga, books & other media
From the earliest manga to story books and songs.
In the manga, Poliwag's stories are about growing up. Red's Poliwrath in Pokémon Adventures, Poli, began as the Poliwag he had as a little boy, and it first evolved to save him from drowning. It does it again when both of them are dropped from the S.S. Anne. In the Gold, Silver & Crystal chapters, Gold's Polibo is a wide-eyed Poliwag that grew up in his house. It gets lost, follows a Gastly into trouble and dreams of becoming a Poliwrath like Poli, until a King's Rock and a trade in the sinking Tin Tower make it a Politoed. Miho Asada's comedy has Shu lure one with a cream puff on a fishing line.
On the bookshelf, Misty's Poliwag beats a Victreebel in Go West, Young Ash and evolves in Teaming Up With Totodile. A Japanese picture book has it scrapping with Bellsprout while Chansey has a nap, and The Official Pokémon Handbook got its evolution the wrong way round on the back cover. Poliwag is also in the Monday verse of the Pokérap, though the animation mixed it up with Poliwrath, and it has its place in Japan's name-them-all song as Nyoromo.
Manga
Then history repeats itself. Poli evolves again, into Poliwrath, bursts out of the water with Red and sends Surge's Electabuzz packing with Seismic Toss.
At the Day Care, Gold shows Polibo a photo of Red's Poli, and it sets its heart on becoming a Poliwrath too. Its Water Gun sends a Donphan flying, and the Day-Care Lady gives Gold a King's Rock (PS108). That pays off in 'Ampharos Amore' (PS109). With Gold and Silver trapped in the sinking Tin Tower, Polibo evolves into Poliwhirl, and a quick trade with Silver through the Pokédex turns it into a Politoed. Then a blast of water carries everyone out.
After that Poliwag is part of the team. Its Water Gun finishes off a Diglett in 'Hammer the Diglett!!' (GDZ10). In 'The Terrible Twins, Rin & Ran' (GDZ11), Shu waves it in front of Rin, who screams at him to put it away, until she gives Pikachu back. Then her twin Ran wants Poliwag for herself and sends out Scyther, Fearow and Arbok, so Shu runs for it. When Shu works a festival stall for a month to earn a 'Moltres' (which turns out to be a Ditto), poor Poliwag is the target in a ball-throwing game (GDZ12).
Books
Other media
More from the page
08Did you know?
Poliwag trivia
Name origins, design secrets and the facts that make Poliwag such a fan favourite.
What’s in a name?
'Poliwag' comes from polliwog, an old-fashioned word for a tadpole that goes back to the Middle English pol (head) and wiglen (to wiggle) – a wiggling head, which is a fair description. The 'wag' may also nod to the way a tadpole swishes its tail from side to side. Its Japanese name, Nyoromo, may blend nyoronyoro, the sound-word for wriggling, with kodomo, 'child'. Around the world the tadpole theme carries on: the French Ptitard is petit + têtard (a little tadpole), the German Quapsel comes from Kaulquappe (tadpole), the Korean Balchaengi adds bal (foot) to olchaeng-i (tadpole) for a tadpole with feet, and in Chinese it is the 'mosquito-coil tadpole', named after the spiral on its belly.
Design origins
Poliwag is a tadpole through and through: a round body, a long finned tail and a pair of freshly sprouted legs, caught halfway to becoming a frog. Its signature swirl borrows from real amphibians – young tadpoles and many glass frogs have skin so transparent that their organs show through, which is exactly what Poliwag's spiral is meant to be. Satoshi Tajiri, who calls Poliwag his favourite Pokémon, has said the swirl is its intestines, a nod to the way you can see a tadpole's insides when you pick one up and inspect it. The spiral doubles as a hypnotic pattern, which may be why Poliwag learns Hypnosis, and the Pokédex idea that it turns a different way either side of the equator playfully echoes the Coriolis effect, which makes storms spin in opposite directions in the two hemispheres. Game Freak's official Japanese website showed an early prototype design of Poliwag in 1997, and while Red and Green were in development its working English name was 'Aqua'.
Names around the world
| Language | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ニョロモ Nyoromo | Possibly from にょろにょろ nyoronyoro (wriggling) and 子供 kodomo (child) |
| French | Ptitard | From petit (small) and têtard (tadpole) |
| Spanish | Poliwag | Same as the English name |
| German | Quapsel | From Kaulquappe (tadpole) |
| Italian | Poliwag | Same as the English name |
| Portuguese (Brazil) | Poliwag | Same as the English name |
| Korean | 발챙이 Balchaengi | From 발 bal (foot) and 올챙이 olchaeng-i (tadpole) |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 蚊香蝌蚪 Wénxiāngkēdǒu | From 蚊香 wénxiāng (mosquito coil) and 蝌蚪 kēdǒu (tadpole) |
| Chinese (Cantonese) | 蚊香蝌蚪 Mānhēungfōdáu | From 蚊香 mānhēung (mosquito coil) and 蝌蚪 fōdáu (tadpole) |
| Hindi | बैंगचिबि Bangchibi | From बैंग bang, an uncommon word for frog, and the Japanese chibi (small) |
| Russian | Поливаг Polivag | Transcription of the English name |
| Thai | เนียวโรโมะ Niaoromo | Transcription of the Japanese name |
| Lithuanian | Polivagas | From the English name |
| Icelandic | Fjölli | Similar to the English name; used in the subtitles of Pikachu's Rescue Adventure |
Did you know?
- Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon, named Poliwag as his favourite Pokémon in a 2004 interview on the Japanese TV show Game Center CX.
- Since Generation V, Poliwag's base experience yield has been 60 – exactly its National Pokédex number. Before that it was 77.
- Until Generation VI, Poliwag and Ditto shared the very same cry.
- Poliwag shares its 'Tadpole Pokémon' category with its evolutions Poliwhirl and Poliwrath – and with Unova's Tympole.
- Red and Blue's Pokédex talks about Poliwag's 'newly grown legs', as if it starts life without them – yet ever since Eggs arrived in Gold and Silver, Poliwag have hatched with legs already in place.
- FireRed's Pokédex, translating the original Japanese Red and Green entry, describes Poliwag's skin as 'slick black' – not quite the blue fans know from the artwork.
- Scholastic's Official Pokémon Handbook got the family tree back to front: a fact on its back cover claimed the swirl on Poliwhirl's stomach changes direction when it evolves into Poliwag.
- Silver's Pokédex suggests the equator affects which way Poliwag's belly spiral turns, and Ultra Moon adds that Poliwag aficionados can tell individuals apart at a glance.
- A Pokémon Snap photo of Poliwag became a prize card for the winners of a Best Photo Contest held with CoroCoro in 1999 – a camera graphic replaces the set symbol.
- Misty caught her Poliwag in The Stun Spore Detour (EP110). It evolved into Poliwhirl in The Totodile Duel (EP151) and into Politoed in Outrageous Fortunes (EP247).
- In The Stun Spore Detour, Poliwag is shown eating salveyo weed, a plant that grows only on the bottom of clear lakes.
- In the Pokémon Adventures manga, a Poliwag evolves twice within a single chapter (PS109) – a feat Caterpie and Togepi have also pulled off.
- In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Team, recruited Poliwag live in a friend area of their own: Tadpole Pond.
- In Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, the boss of Poliwrath River is a Poliwag backed up by three Poliwrath.
- Its Hindi name, Bangchibi, combines an uncommon word for frog with the Japanese word chibi, meaning 'small'.
- Poliwag's Base Set card carries a reworded version of the Red and Blue Pokédex entry in English, while the Japanese card uses the original Red and Green text about its slick black skin.
09Quizzes, archive & further reading
More Poliwag
Test yourself
Professor Oak's Kanto Quiz: BeginnerProfessor Oak has a few questions before you set foot in the tall grass. How well do you know the region where it all began?Take the quiz →
Who's That Pokémon? Kanto: BeginnerIt's the classic challenge! Can you name these original 151 Pokémon from their silhouettes alone?Take the quiz →
Indigo League Anime: IntermediateGrab your cap and set off on Ash's very first adventure. How much do you remember from the Indigo League days?Take the quiz →
Pokémon Movies: IntermediateFrom a mysterious island showdown to a city where people and Pokémon live side by side, how well do you know Pokémon on the big screen?Take the quiz →
Pokémon TCG: IntermediateShuffle up and draw! From the very first booster packs to the digital age, how well do you know the Pokémon Trading Card Game?Take the quiz →Pokémon General Knowledge: IntermediateReady to dig deeper? Test what you know about where Pokémon came from, the people behind it and its many spin-offs.Take the quiz →From the archive: Gengar’s Online Pokédex
Before this page, Pokémon Dungeon was home to Gengar’s Online Pokédex, the classic fan Pokédex for Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver & Crystal by Curtis Alumbaugh (Gengar) with Ian Alumbaugh (Haunter). Its Poliwag entry is preserved in full, with its original art, moves and locations.
Further reading
Pokémon and all related names, artwork, sprites, screenshots and card images are © Nintendo, Creatures Inc., GAME FREAK inc. and The Pokémon Company, used here for fan commentary. Images via the Bulbagarden Archives. Page updated 29 October 2026.