Base Stats
Abilities
Type Matchups
View full type chart →Damage multipliers vs. water / fighting typing. Ability-based immunities (e.g. Levitate) are not included.
Evolution Line
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Battle & Lore Hub
Battle Strategy
Poliwrath functions primarily as a physical wallbreaker or late-game sweeper, utilizing its rare Water/Fighting typing to pressure bulky Steel and Dark types. In weather-based compositions, it leverages Swift Swim to double its Speed, becoming a potent offensive threat that can also disrupt opponents with Circle Throw or Hypnosis.
Best Used In
Poliwrath excels in lower Smogon tiers like NU or RU as a Rain sweeper, and has niche viability in VGC Regulation H as a Swift Swim attacker that can punish Incineroar.
Strengths
- ›Diverse ability pool including Swift Swim, Water Absorb, and Unseen Fist (in Gen 9)
- ›Strong defensive utility against common types like Water, Fire, Dark, and Rock
- ›Access to high-momentum and utility moves like Belly Drum, Circle Throw, and Haze
Weaknesses
- ›Vulnerable to common Psychic, Flying, Grass, and Fairy-type attacks
- ›Average Speed stat makes it reliant on Swift Swim or Choice Scarf to outpace threats
- ›Lacks reliable recovery outside of Drain Punch or Leftovers
Competitive Tips
- ›Run a Belly Drum set with a Sitrus Berry and Swift Swim for explosive sweeping potential in rain.
- ›Utilize the combination of Water Absorb and Defensive investment to hard-counter Dracovish or Urshifu-Rapid-Strike in specific formats.
- ›Equip a Choice Band to maximize the damage of Wave Crash and Close Combat, making it a difficult switch-in for balanced teams.
- ›Consider Tera Steel or Tera Poison to flip its weaknesses to Fairy and Grass, allowing for an extra turn of setup.
Recommended Teammates
Pelipper
Provides essential Drizzle support to activate Swift Swim and boosts the power of Water-type moves.
Archaludon
Benefits from the rain Poliwrath thrives in and checks the Flying and Fairy types that threaten it.
Zapdos
Deals with problematic Grass and Flying types while appreciating Poliwrath's ability to switch into Rock and Ice moves.
Amoonguss
Provides Rage Powder redirection for Belly Drum variants and offers a sturdy check to Electric types.
Scizor
Forms a strong core by checking Fairy and Psychic types, while Poliwrath resists the Fire moves aimed at Scizor.
Game History
Introduced in Generation I as a final evolution of Poliwag, Poliwrath was famously used by Red in the Pokémon Adventures manga and by Gym Leader Chuck in Johto. Throughout the series, it has transitioned from a jack-of-all-trades physical attacker to a specialized rain sweeper and niche defensive pivot.
Trivia
- ◆Despite its muscular appearance, its body is primarily composed of muscle with very little body fat, allowing it to swim across the Pacific Ocean.
- ◆The spiral on its belly is actually its internal organs showing through its translucent skin, a trait shared with real-life tadpoles.
- ◆Poliwrath was one of the first Pokémon to ever be shown in the anime, appearing in the very first episode on a TV screen.
- ◆It is the only Pokémon with the specific Water/Fighting type combination besides the Mythical Pokémon Keldeo and the Paradox Pokémon Iron Valiant (in specific Tera types) or Urshifu-RS.
- ◆Its Pokédex entries frequently boast about its world-class swimming skills, claiming it can outpaddle Olympic swimmers easily.
Moves · 116 total
Level-Up
5 movesTM / HM
104 movesEgg Moves
5 movesMove Tutor
2 movesWhere to find· 33 games
Red
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Blue
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Yellow
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Gold
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Silver
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Crystal
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Ruby
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Sapphire
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Emerald
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
FireRed
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
LeafGreen
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
XD: Gale of Darkness
1 spot- •Citadark Isle Dome Exterior
Diamond
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Pearl
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Platinum
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
HeartGold
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
SoulSilver
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Black
6 spots- •Challengers Cave B2f
- •Giant Chasm
- •Giant Chasm Forest Cave
- •Unova Victory Road 1f Unknown Room
- •Unova Victory Road Unknown Area 53
- •Wellspring Cave
White
6 spots- •Challengers Cave B2f
- •Giant Chasm
- •Giant Chasm Forest Cave
- •Unova Victory Road 1f Unknown Room
- •Unova Victory Road Unknown Area 53
- •Wellspring Cave
Black 2
8 spots- •Clay Tunnel
- •Giant Chasm
- •Relic Passage Relic Castle Entrance
- •Unova Route 23
- •Unova Victory Road 2 Unknown Area 71
- •Unova Victory Road 2 Unknown Area 75
- •Unova Victory Road 2 Unknown Area 78
- •Wellspring Cave
White 2
8 spots- •Clay Tunnel
- •Giant Chasm
- •Relic Passage Relic Castle Entrance
- •Unova Route 23
- •Unova Victory Road 2 Unknown Area 71
- •Unova Victory Road 2 Unknown Area 75
- •Unova Victory Road 2 Unknown Area 78
- •Wellspring Cave
X
1 spot- •Kalos Victory Road Unknown Area 328
Y
1 spot- •Kalos Victory Road Unknown Area 328
Omega Ruby
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Alpha Sapphire
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Sun
1 spot- •Malie Garden
Moon
1 spot- •Malie Garden
Ultra Sun
1 spot- •Malie Garden
Ultra Moon
1 spot- •Malie Garden
Let's Go, Pikachu!
2 spots- •Cerulean Cave 1f
- •Cerulean Cave B1f
Let's Go, Eevee!
2 spots- •Cerulean Cave 1f
- •Cerulean Cave B1f
Sword
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Shield
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.