Poliwag
ニョロモ Nyoromo
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Artwork from FR/LG
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| EV yield
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HP
0
| Atk
0
| Def
0
| Sp.Atk
0
| Sp.Def
0
| Speed
1
| Exp.
77
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Poliwag (Japanese: ニョロモ Nyoromo) is a Water-type Pokémon.
It evolves into Poliwhirl starting at level 25, who evolves into Poliwrath when exposed to a Water Stone, or into Politoed when traded holding a King's Rock.
Biology
Physiology
Poliwag resembles a blue, spherical tadpole. It has large eyes, a pink mouth, and a long, mostly transparent tail. It has newly developed legs that still are not used to walking. Poliwag's most famous feature is the black and white swirl on its abdomen, which is actually its innards showing through its semitransparent skin. This skin is also very elastic so that it won't break if the Pokémon is bitten.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Along with the standard Water-related abilities, it is capable of making its opponent drowsy with Hypnosis. It is also much more at home in the water, as it can be healed by water using Water Absorb. Its skin is also very damp, making it very slippery and therefore difficult to get hold of. Their Speed stat is above average, allowing them to evade shots of electricity quickly.
Behavior
They are most likely found swimming than on dry land. If they are startled, they immediately run away.
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
Major Appearances
Misty had a Poliwag that eventually evolved into a Poliwhirl and then a Politoed.
Other
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.
Minor Appearances
A Poliwag appeared in Curbing the Crimson Tide! and Up Close and Personable!.
A Poliwag also appeared in One Big Happiny Family! in Jessie's fantasy.
Pokédex entries
| Episode
| Pokémon
| Pokédex
| Entry
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| EP110
| Poliwag
| Ash's Pokédex
| Poliwag, the Tadpole Pokémon. It has no arms, but its tail makes it a good swimmer.
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| This concludes the entries from the original series.
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In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
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. It has since evolved into Poliwrath
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 and then evolved straight into Politoed.
In the TCG
- Main article: Poliwag (TCG)
Game data
Pokédex entries
| Gen
| Game
| Pokédex entry
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| I
| Red
| Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well. It appears to prefer swimming over walking.
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| Blue
| Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well. It appears to prefer swimming over walking.
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| Yellow
| The direction of the spiral on the belly differs by area. It is more adept at swimming than walking.
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| Stadium
| The spiral on its belly is its internal organs seen through its thin skin. It is better at swimming than walking.
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| II
| Gold
| Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
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| Silver
| The direction of its belly spiral differs by area. The equator is thought to have an effect on this.
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| Crystal
| The swirl on its belly is its insides showing through the skin. It looks clearer after it eats.
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| Stadium 2
| Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| LeafGreen
| Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well. It appears to prefer swimming over walking.
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| IV
| Diamond
| Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
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| Pearl
| Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
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| Platinum
| Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
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| HeartGold
| Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
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| SoulSilver
| The direction of its belly spiral differs by area. The equator is thought to have an effect on this.
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Game locations
| Gen
| Game
| Rarity
| Area
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| I
| Red
| Blue
| Many
| Viridian City and Route 22 (Fish)
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| Yellow
| Many
| Routes 16, 17, 22, and 23, and Viridian City, Fuchsia City (Fish)
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| II
| Gold
| 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)
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| 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)
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| III
| Ruby
| Sapphire
| None
| Trade
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| Emerald
| None
| Trade
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| FireRed
| 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)
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| Colosseum
| None
| Trade
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| XD
| None
| Trade
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| IV
| Diamond
| Pearl
| Uncommon
| Routes 225, 226, and 228 (Good Rod)
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| Platinum
| Common
| Routes 227 and 228 (Surf)
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| HeartGold
| SoulSilver
| None
| Trade
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| Pal Park
| Pond
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In side games
Held items
Stats
Base stats
| Stat
| Range
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| At Lv. 50
| At Lv. 100
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| 100 - 147
| 190 - 284
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| 49 - 112
| 94 - 218
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| 40 - 101
| 76 - 196
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| 40 - 101
| 76 - 196
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| 40 - 101
| 76 - 196
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| 85 - 156
| 166 - 306
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and a helpful nature.
- This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 40.
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Pokéthlon stats
Type effectiveness
| Weak to
| Resistant to
| Immune to
| Normal effectiveness
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| Notes:
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Learnset
Poliwag is capable of learning the following moves in Generation IV.
- Moves in bold are damaging moves to which STAB applies.
Moves in Italics aren't STAB for Poliwag, but are for some/all evolutions.
Generation IV
Other generation learnsets: II - III
|
| Father
| Move
| Type
| Cat.
| Pwr.
| Acc.
| PP
| Contest
| Appeal
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Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Politoed
Horsea, Seadra, Kingdra
Marill, Azumarill
Corsola
Remoraid, Octillery
Mantine
Surskit, Masquerain
Corphish, Crawdaunt
Piplup, Prinplup, Empoleon
| BubbleBeam
| Water
| Special
| 65
| 100%
| 20
| Beauty
| 2 ♥♥
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Seel, Dewgong
Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking
Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein
| EncoreHGSS
| Normal
| Status
| —
| 100%
| 5
| Cute
| 1 ♥
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Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert
Corphish, Crawdaunt
| Endeavor
| Normal
| Physical
| —
| 100%
| 5
| Tough
| 2 ♥♥
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Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
Dratini, Dragonair, Dragonite
Wooper, Quagsire
Remoraid, Octillery
Mantine
Wingull, Pelipper
Surskit, Masquerain
Feebas, Milotic
| Haze
| Ice
| Status
| —
| —%
| 30
| Beauty
| 2 ♥♥
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Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert
Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein
| Ice Ball
| Ice
| Physical
| 30
| 90%
| 20
| Beauty
| 2 ♥♥
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| Poliwrath
| Mind Reader
| Normal
| Status
| —
| —%
| 5
| Smart
| 1 ♥
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Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
Lapras
Wooper, Quagsire
Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo
Wingull, Pelipper
Piplup, Prinplup, Empoleon
| Mist
| Ice
| Status
| —
| —%
| 30
| Beauty
| 2 ♥♥
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Poliwag, Poliwhirl
Wooper, Quagsire
Marshtomp, Swampert
| Mud Shot
| Ground
| Special
| 55
| 95%
| 15
| Tough
| 2 ♥♥
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Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
Psyduck, Golduck
Corsola
Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert
Milotic
| Refresh
| Normal
| Status
| —
| —%
| 20
| Cute
| 0
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Horsea, Seadra, Kingdra
Magikarp, Gyarados
Marill, Azumarill
Mantine
Feebas, Milotic
| Splash
| Normal
| Status
| —
| —%
| 40
| Cute
| 0
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Psyduck, Golduck
Seel, Dewgong
Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr
Mantine
Lombre, Ludicolo
Wingull, Pelipper
Surskit, Masquerain
Milotic
Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein
Piplup, Prinplup, Empoleon
Bidoof, Bibarel
Buizel, Floatzel
| Water Sport
| Water
| Status
| —
| —%
| 15
| Cute
| 2 ♥♥
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Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB from an evolution of this Pokémon
*Indicates a move only available by chain breeding
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
- Curiously, the swirl on Poliwag's stomach is in the opposite direction to Poliwhirl's and Poliwrath's, but in the same direction of the light green swirl on the stomach of Politoed.
- In its FireRed Pokédex entry, it is stated Poliwag has black skin. The Ruby and Sapphire Pokédex entry for Poliwhirl states that Poliwhirl's skin is covered in oily fluid - if the same applies to Poliwag, it might be a case similar to common bilberry: the berry itself is black but covered in a wax-like coating that makes it look blue.
- Despite having a visible tail, it cannot learn any moves that require a tail.
- On the flip side, despite having no visible hands, it can learn Belly Drum and Encore.
- In The Official Pokémon Handbook, published by Scholastic Corporation, the back cover says "Did you know that the swirls on Poliwhirl's stomach changes direction when it evolves into Poliwag?" However, Poliwhirl evolves from, not into, Poliwag.
- Though its HeartGold Pokédex entry states that it is inept to walking on its newly grown legs, it has been seen standing and even walking on its legs in several other games and in the anime.
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 - From Kaulquappe (tadpole).
- French: Ptitard - From petit (small) and têtard (tadpole).
- Korean: 발챙이 Balchaengi
- Chinese (Taiwan and Hong Kong): 蚊香蝌蚪 - 蚊香 is a kind of mosquito repellent used in China that is shaped like a spiral (like Poliwag's belly). Literally "mosquito repellent tadpole".
Related articles
External links
Notes
( Water )
(Soak ×1)
Body size: 1
For other sprites and images, please see Poliwag images on Bulbagarden Archives.
