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Poliwag ニョロモ Nyoromo
Artwork from FR/LG
National Dex	#060
Johto Dex	#072
Hoenn Dex	#247
Sinnoh Dex	#—
Fiore Browser	R-052
Almia Browser	R—
Type	Water
Species	Tadpole Pokémon
Height	2′00″ (0.6m)
Weight	27.3 lbs. (12.4kg)
Abilities	Water Absorb
	Damp
Egg group	Water 1
Time to hatch	5,120 steps
Effort yield	1 Spd
Exp. yield	77 base exp.
Lv100 at	1,059,860 exp.
Gender	50% ♀ / 50% ♂
Pokédex color	Blue
Catch rate	255
On Legendary Pokémon Pokédex: Generation III Generation IV On Pokémon Palace Network Pokédex (Gen. I-III) On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV On Eevee's Pokédex (Gen. I-IV) On Psypoke Pokédex On Pokecharms Pokédex (Gen. III-IV) On Marriland Pokédex (Gen. IV) On Serebii's Pokédex: Generation I/II Generation III Generation IV On Azure Heights Pokédex (Gen. I) On Pokémon Dungeon Pokédex (Gen. I-II) On Ultimate Pokémon Center Pokédex (Gen. I-IV) Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Poliwag (Japanese: ニョロモ Nyoromo) is a Water-type Pokémon.

Contents 1 Biology 1.1 Physiology 1.1.1 Gender differences 1.1.2 Special abilities 1.2 Behavior 1.3 Habitat 1.4 Diet 2 In the anime 3 In the manga 3.1 In the Pokémon Special manga 4 In the TCG 5 Game data 5.1 Pokédex entries 5.2 Game locations 5.2.1 In side games 5.3 Base stats 5.4 Type effectiveness 5.5 Learnset 5.5.1 By leveling up 5.5.2 By TM/HM 5.5.3 By breeding 5.5.4 TCG-only Moves 5.6 Side game data 5.7 Evolution 5.8 Sprites 6 Trivia 6.1 Origin 6.1.1 Name origin 7 In other languages 8 Related articles 9 External links

Biology

Physiology

Poliwag resembles a tadpole. The swirl on Poliwag's abdomen is actually its intestines showing through its semitransparent skin.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Behavior

Habitat

Poliwag can be found in small freshwater ponds and lakes that have an abundance of lily pads, as well as along the banks of tropical rivers.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime, Poliwag feed on salveyo weed, which can only be found on clear lake bottoms.

In the anime

Misty had a Poliwag that eventually evolved into a Poliwhirl and then a Politoed.

One of the Pokémon used at the Pokémon Trainer's School in Gonna Rule The School was a Poliwag. Max used it in a battle but lost to a Magby. However, it did help defeat Team Rocket.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Special manga

Poliwag makes a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory and in Danger: High Voltorb in a Red's flashback remembering his journey with his Poliwhirl.

Gold has a Poliwag as of Volume 8. It was lost when Team Rocket stole Gold's backpack and its Poké Ball fell into the water. Gold eventually retrieved Poliwag at the Famous Fishing Zone. It evolved into Poliwhirl in Volume 9.

In the TCG

Main article: Poliwag (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

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

Game locations

Gen	Game	Rarity	Location
I	Pokémon Red and Blue	Many	Viridian City and Route 22 (Fish)
	Pokémon Yellow	Many	Routes 16, 17, 22, and 23, and Viridian City, Fuchsia City (Fish)
II	Pokémon Gold and Silver	Many	Routes 16, 22, 28, 30, 31, 35, 43, and 44, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Ecruteak City, Violet City, Mt. Silver, Viridian City, and Blackthorn City (Fish)
	Pokémon Crystal	Many	Routes 16, 22, 28, 30, 31, 35, 43, and 44, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Ecruteak City, Violet City, Mt. Silver, Viridian City, and Blackthorn City (Fish)
III	Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire	None	Trade
	Pokémon Emerald	None	Trade
	Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen	Common	Routes 6, 22, 23, 25, Four Island, Fuchsia City, Viridian City, Berry Forest, Cape Brink, Cerulean City, Cerulean Cave, Icefall Cave, Ruin Valley, and Safari Zone (Fish)
	Pokémon Colosseum	None	Trade
	Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness	None	Trade
IV	Pokémon Diamond and Pearl	Uncommon	Routes 225, 226, and 228 (Fish w/ Good Rod)
	Pokémon Platinum		Unknown
	Pal Park		Pond

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	River
Pokémon Channel	Secret Cove
Pokémon Trozei	Phobos Submarine Endless Level 22 Pair Trozei Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon	Silent Chasm (5F-9F) Northwind Field (1F-4F) Waterfall Pond (1F-5F)
Pokémon Ranger	Krokka Tunnel

Base stats

HP:	40
Attack:	50
Defense:	40
Special:	40
SpAtk:	40
SpDef:	40
Speed:	90

The Special stat was used only in Generation I; it was later split into Special Attack and Special Defense.

Type effectiveness

Weakness	Resistance
Grass: 2× Electric: 2×	Steel: ½× Fire: ½× Water: ½× Ice: ½×	Normal: 1× Fighting: 1× Flying: 1× Poison: 1× Ground: 1× Rock: 1× Bug: 1× Ghost: 1× Psychic: 1× Dragon: 1× Dark: 1×

Note: if Poliwag has Water Absorb, the effectiveness of Water attacks will be 0×.

Learnset

Poliwag is capable of learning the following moves.
Moves in bold are damage moves to which STAB apply. Moves in Italics aren't STAB for Poliwag, but are for some/all evolutions.

By leveling up

Generation I Level Move Type Start Bubble 16 Hypnosis 19 Water Gun 25 DoubleSlap 31 Body Slam 38 Amnesia 45 Hydro Pump

Generation II Level Move Type Start Bubble 7 Hypnosis 13 Water Gun 19 DoubleSlap 25 Rain Dance 31 Body Slam 38 Belly Drum 43 Hydro Pump

Generation III Level Move Type Start Bubble 7 Hypnosis 13 Water Gun 19 DoubleSlap 25 Rain Dance 31 Body Slam 37 Belly Drum 43 Hydro Pump

Generation IV Level Move Type Cat. Start Water Sport 5 Bubble 8 Hypnosis 11 Water Gun 15 DoubleSlap 18 Rain Dance 21 Body Slam 25 BubbleBeam 28 Mud Shot 31 Belly Drum 35 Wake-Up Slap 38 Hydro Pump 43 Mud Bomb

By TM/HM

Generation I # Move Type TM06 Toxic TM08 Body Slam TM09 Take Down TM10 Double-Edge TM11 BubbleBeam TM12 Water Gun TM13 Ice Beam TM14 Blizzard TM20 Rage TM29 Psychic TM31 Mimic TM32 Double Team TM34 Bide TM40 Skull Bash TM44 Rest TM46 Psywave TM50 Substitute HM03 Surf

Generation II # Move Type TM02 Headbutt TM03 Curse TM06 Toxic TM10 Hidden Power TM13 Snore TM14 Blizzard TM16 Icy Wind TM17 Protect TM18 Rain Dance TM20 Endure TM21 Frustration TM27 Return TM29 Psychic TM32 Double Team TM34 Swagger TM35 Sleep Talk TM40 Defense Curl TM44 Rest TM45 Attract TM46 Thief HM03 Surf HM06 Whirlpool HM07 Waterfall

Generation III # Move Type TM02 Water Pulse TM06 Toxic TM07 Hail TM10 Hidden Power TM13 Ice Beam TM14 Blizzard TM17 Protect TM18 Rain Dance TM21 Frustration TM27 Return TM28 Dig TM29 Psychic TM32 Double Team TM42 Facade TM43 Secret Power TM44 Rest TM45 Attract TM46 Thief HM03 Surf HM07 Waterfall HM08 Dive

Generation IV # Move Type Cat. TM02 Water Pulse TM06 Toxic TM07 Hail TM10 Hidden Power TM13 Ice Beam TM14 Blizzard TM17 Protect TM18 Rain Dance TM21 Frustration TM27 Return TM28 Dig TM29 Psychic TM32 Double Team TM42 Facade TM43 Secret Power TM44 Rest TM45 Attract TM46 Thief TM58 Endure TM78 Captivate TM82 Sleep Talk TM83 Natural Gift TM87 Swagger TM90 Substitute HM03 Surf HM07 Waterfall

By breeding

• BubbleBeam
• Haze
• Ice Ball
• Mind Reader
• Mist
• Splash
• Water Sport

In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl only:

• Endeavor
• Mud Shot
• Refresh

TCG-only Moves

• Rollout

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
	Acquisition: Catch
Pokémon Trozei!
	Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Body size: 1	Recruit Rate: 8.1%	Friend Area: Tadpole Pond
Phrases
51%-100% HP	It's easier for me in the water!
26%-50% HP	I only have half my HP left...
1%-25% HP	No more, please... I'm nearly fainting... Help...
Level Up	Yippee! I leveled up! I'm so happy!
Pokémon Ranger
Group:	Loops: 4	Minimum Experience: 20
Poké Assist:	Field Move: Soak	Maximum Experience: 30
If Poliwag spots a Ranger, it becomes startled and dives underwater.

Evolution

Basic Poliwag
	Level 25 Poliwhirl	Water Stone Poliwrath
		Trade with King's Rock Politoed

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow	Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal			Back
			Image:Spr 2c 060.gif
			Image:Spr 2c 060 s.gif			Image:Spr b g2 060 s.png
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald	FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
	Image:Spr 3r 060.png			Image:Spr 3f 060.png
	Image:Spr 3r 060 s.png		Image:Spr 3e 060 s.gif	Image:Spr 3f 060 s.png		Image:Spr b g3 060 s.png
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum			Back
	Image:Spr 4d 060.png		Image:Spr 4p 060.png
			Image:Spr 4p 060 s.png			Image:Spr b g4 060 s.png

For other sprites and images, please see Poliwag images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Poliwag has the same in-game cry as Ditto.
• Curiously, the swirl on Poliwag's stomach is in the opposite direction to Poliwhirl's and Poliwrath's.
• The swirl on Poliwag's stomach changes direction after Generation I.
• Poliwag is creator Satoshi Tajiri's favorite Pokémon.

Origin

Poliwag has the appearance of a tadpole. The spiral pattern on its belly is supposed to represent how the intestines of tadpoles are sometimes seen through their transparent skin.

Name origin

Poliwag appears to be a misspelling of polliwog, outdated English for tadpole. The wag may refer to its tail, although it is worth noting that polliwog literally means head-wiggle. Its Japanese name may come in part from ニョロニョロ nyoronyoro, the sound of slithering, and 子供 kodomo, child.

In other languages

• German: Quapsel
• French: Ptitard - P'tit is a contraction of petit meaning small, têtard means tadpole.
• Korean: 발챙이 Balchaengi
• Chinese (Tawain and Hong Kong): 蚊香蝌蚪

Related articles

• Misty's Poliwag

External links

• Article on Wikipedia

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.