1:30 
Sprite
TL;DR. Poliwag is a pure water-type Pokémon from Generation I. Base Stat Total: 300. Its newly grown legs prevent it from running. It appears to prefer swimming than trying to stand.
Water
Its newly grown legs prevent it from running. It appears to prefer swimming than trying to stand.
Height0.6 m
Weight12.4 kg
AbilitiesWater Absorb, Damp
HiddenSwift Swim
Base stats
Stat spread.
Total of 300. Higher peaks mean specialized roles, flat spreads favor versatility.
HP 40
Attack 50
Defense 40
Sp. Attack 40
Sp. Defense 40
Speed 90
Total300
300 base stat total, the 856th-highest of all 1025 Pokémon species and 136th among Water-types.
90 base Speed, Poliwag's strongest stat, ranking 23rd of 154 Water-types.
Rankings computed across all 1025 base-species Pokémon (Mega and Gigantamax forms excluded). Source: National Pokédex base stats.
Daily Pokémon · Video
Poliwag on Daily Pokémon
Poliwag was featured once as the Pokémon of the day. Tap a cover to play the short.
1:30 Pokémon GO
Poliwag in Pokémon GO.
Pokémon GO uses its own hand-tuned base stats, distinct from the main-series spread above. At a perfect 15/15/15, Poliwag reaches 829 CP at level 40 and 948 CP as a best buddy.
GO Attack101
GO Defense82
GO Stamina120
Max CP (L40)829
Max CP (L50)937
Best buddy (L51)948
Raid catch CP 433–473 (L20). Weather boosted 541–592 (L25).
Run the numbers: CP & HP calculator · PvP IV optimizer · Catch CP calculator
Shiny release
Shiny Poliwag first appeared on August 6, 2019, during Pokémon GO Fest 2019 Yokohama.
- Poliwag
- Shadow
- Poliwhirl and Poliwrath by encounter
Recent raid runs
Last in raids: Feb 4 to Feb 16, 2026, 1-star.
| Dates | Raid | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 4 to Feb 16, 2026 | 1-star | Regular rotation |
| Aug 6 to Aug 13, 2019 | 1-star | GO Fest 2019, Yokohama |
Quick answers
Common questions about Poliwag.
Direct, sourced answers to the most-asked questions about Poliwag, each computed straight from its Pokédex data.
What type is Poliwag?
Poliwag is a pure Water-type Pokémon. It has a single typing, which means a simpler matchup chart but also fewer resistances.
What is Poliwag weak to?
Poliwag takes 2× damage from Grass, Electric. It has no 4× weaknesses.
What is Poliwag resistant to?
Poliwag resists Fire, Water, Ice, Steel. It has no full immunities.
How does Poliwag evolve?
Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl (Level 25).
What generation is Poliwag from?
Poliwag was introduced in Generation I (the Kanto region). Its Pokédex number is #0060.
What are Poliwag's base stats?
Poliwag has HP 40, Attack 50, Defense 40, Special Attack 40, Special Defense 40, and Speed 90. Total base stat total: 300.
What are Poliwag's abilities?
Poliwag can have the abilities Water Absorb, Damp, plus the Hidden Ability Swift Swim.
Is Poliwag legendary or mythical?
No. Poliwag is a regular Pokémon, not classified as Legendary or Mythical.
What is Poliwag's best stat?
Poliwag's highest base stat is Speed at 90, which ranks 23rd of 154 Water-type Pokémon.
Is Poliwag good?
Poliwag has a base stat total of 300, the 856th-highest of all 1025 Pokémon species and 136th among Water-types. That is a modest total, typical of an unevolved or utility Pokémon.
Does Poliwag's ability change its weaknesses?
Yes. With Water Absorb, Water moves heal it instead of doing damage. Damp does not change its matchups. Swift Swim does not change its matchups.
Sprites · Sound
Through the generations.
Poliwag as drawn across two decades of Pokémon games, plus the modern Pokémon HOME render. Hit the cry button to hear it.
Type matchups
In battle.
Damage multipliers when Poliwag is hit by each attacking type. 4× is two stacked weaknesses, ¼× is two stacked resistances. Some abilities change them; pick one to see its chart.
Water Absorb: Water moves heal it instead of doing damage.
Damp: does not change its type matchups.
Swift Swim: does not change its type matchups.
2× Weak to
Grass Electric
½× Resists
Fire Ice Steel
0× Immune to
Water
2× Weak to
Grass Electric
½× Resists
Fire Water Ice Steel
Comparison
Poliwag vs. the average Water-type.
Each base stat measured against the mean across all 154 Water-type Pokémon.
| Stat | Poliwag | Water avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | 40 | 70 | -30 |
| Attack | 50 | 72 | -22 |
| Defense | 40 | 72 | -32 |
| Special Attack | 40 | 71 | -31 |
| Special Defense | 40 | 69 | -29 |
| Speed | 90 | 66 | +24 |
| Total | 300 | 420 | -120 |
Game appearances
Poliwag appears in 36 games.
Every mainline release where Poliwag is obtainable, has a dex entry, or is transferable. Grouped by generation.
Gen I
- 1998 Blue
- 1998 Red
- 1999 Yellow
Gen II
- 2000 Gold
- 2000 Silver
- 2001 Crystal
Gen III
- 2003 Ruby
- 2003 Sapphire
- 2004 FireRed
- 2004 LeafGreen
- 2005 Emerald
Gen IV
- 2007 Diamond
- 2007 Pearl
- 2009 Platinum
- 2010 HeartGold
- 2010 SoulSilver
Gen V
- 2011 Black
- 2011 White
- 2012 Black 2
- 2012 White 2
Gen VI
- 2013 X
- 2013 Y
- 2014 Alpha Sapphire
- 2014 Omega Ruby
Gen VII
- 2016 Moon
- 2016 Sun
- 2017 Ultra Moon
- 2017 Ultra Sun
- 2018 Let's Go, Eevee!
- 2018 Let's Go, Pikachu!
Gen VIII
- 2019 Shield
- 2019 Sword
- 2020 Isle of Armor DLC
Gen IX
- 2023 Teal Mask DLC
- 2026 Pokémon Pokopia
Side games + live service
- 2016 Pokémon GO
How to get it
How to get Poliwag.
Every main-series game Poliwag is in, newest first: how to get it, version exclusives and Shiny locks.
Generation IXObtainableNot in the game
- Scarlet · VioletObtainable
- Trade(Version 2.0.1+)
- WildKitakami Road, Reveler's Road, Mossfell Confluence, Fellhorn Gorge (The Teal Mask)
- RaidTera Raid Battles (1★) (The Teal Mask)
- Legends: Z-ANot in the game
Generation VIIIObtainableNot in the game
- Sword · ShieldObtainable
- Trade(Version 1.2.0+)
- WildBrawlers' Cave (walking and Surfing) (The Isle of Armor)
- RaidFields of Honor, Soothing Wetlands, Courageous Cavern (Max Raid Battle) (The Isle of Armor)
- Brilliant Diamond · Shining PearlObtainable
- WildRoute 225 (Good Rod)
- WildRoutes 227 and 228 (Surfing)
- WildGrand Underground - Grassland Cave, Sunlit Cavern, Fountainspring Cave, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern (After obtaining the National Pokédex)
- Legends: ArceusNot in the game
Generation VIIObtainable
- Sun · MoonObtainable
- WildBrooklet Hill (walking and Surfing)
- WildMalie Garden, Poké Pelago (Only begin appearing after the player reaches Ula'Ula Island)
- Ultra Sun · Ultra MoonObtainable
- WildBrooklet Hill (walking and Surfing)
- Let's Go, Pikachu! · Let's Go, Eevee!Obtainable
- WildRoutes 22, 23 and 25, Cerulean Cave (Sea Skim)
Generation VIObtainableTrade
- X · YObtainable
- WildRoutes 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, Laverre City, Frost Cavern, Couriway Town, Pokémon Village, Victory Road (Old Rod)
- WildPokémon Village (Horde Encounter)
- Omega Ruby · Alpha SapphireTrade
Generation VObtainable
- Black · WhiteObtainable
- WildRoute 6, Wellspring Cave, Challenger's Cave, Black and White, Giant Chasm (Super Rod)
- Black 2 · White 2Obtainable
- WildRoutes 6, 19, 20, 23, Floccesy Ranch, Relic Passage, Lostlorn Forest, Giant Chasm, Black 2 and White 2, Clay Tunnel, Wellspring Cave (Super Rod)
Generation IVObtainable
- Diamond · PearlObtainable
- WildRoute 225 (Good Rod)
- WildRoutes 227 and 228 (Surfing)
- PlatinumObtainable
- WildRoutes 227 and 228 (Surfing)
- HeartGold · SoulSilverObtainable
- WildRoutes 22, 28, 30, 31, 44, Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City, Mt. Silver (Surfing and fishing)
- WildRoutes 6, 35, 43, 45, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Blackthorn City (fishing)
- WildCliff Edge Gate (Good Rod and Super Rod)
- WildCerulean Cave (Old Rod and Good Rod)
- WildMt. Moon Square (Surfing and fishing)
- WildSafari Zone (fishing in Meadow, default; Surfing in Marshland, default; Old Rod in Marshland - default, with 2 Waterside points, and with 3 Waterside points; Surfing in Rocky Beach, default; fishing and Surfing in Wetland, default)
Generation IIIObtainableTrade
- Ruby · Sapphire · EmeraldTrade
- FireRed · LeafGreenObtainable
- WildFuchsia City, Berry Forest, Safari Zone (Good Rod)
- WildRoutes 6, 22, 23, 25, Four Island, Viridian City, Cape Brink, Cerulean Cave, Icefall Cave, Ruin Valley (Good Rod and Super Rod)
Generation IIObtainable
- Gold · SilverObtainable
- WildRoutes 22, 28, 30, 31, 44, Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City, Mt. Silver (Surfing and fishing)
- WildRoutes 6, 35, 43, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Blackthorn City (fishing)
- CrystalObtainable
- WildRoutes 22, 28, 30, 31, 44, Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City, Mt. Silver (Surfing and fishing)
- WildRoutes 6, 35, 43, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Blackthorn City (fishing)
- WildRoutes 22, 30, 31, 44 (night)
Generation IObtainable
- Red · BlueObtainable
- WildRoutes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City, Cerulean Gym, Cerulean Cave, Vermilion City, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island, Indigo Plateau (Good Rod)
- WildPallet Town, Viridian City, Route 22 (Super Rod)
- YellowObtainable
- WildRoutes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City, Cerulean Gym, Cerulean Cave, Vermilion City, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island, Indigo Plateau (Good Rod)
- WildRoutes 22 and 23, Viridian City (Super Rod)
- Pokémon HOME
- Send it to HOME from Pokémon Bank; Let's Go, Pikachu!; Let's Go, Eevee!; Sword; Shield; Brilliant Diamond; Shining Pearl; Scarlet; Violet; FireRed; and LeafGreen. From HOME it can move into Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Scarlet and Violet.
- Pokémon Champions
- Not on the roster.
Pokémon anime
Poliwag appears in 43 episodes.
From EP025 (1997-09-16) through HZ150 (2026-09-18).
TCG Pocket appearances
Poliwag in TCG Pocket.
Every printed variant on iOS / Android. Tap any card for full art.
Find similar
Pokémon like Poliwag
Closest matches by typing, role, stats, and lore, from the same semantic search that powers the Reverse Dex.