Poliwag (Pokémon)

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#059: Arcanine
Pokémon
#061: Poliwhirl
Poliwag
ニョロモ Nyoromo

Artwork from FR/LG
Type Species
 Water  Tadpole Pokémon
Abilities Exp. at 100
Water Absorb or Damp 1,059,860
Pokédex
Kanto
#060
Johto
#072
Hoenn
#247*
Sinnoh
#—
Browser
Fiore
R-052
Almia
R—
Height Weight
2'00" 27.3 lbs.
Pokédex color Body style Footprint Catch rate
Blue Image:Body07.png Image:F060.png 255
Gender ratio
 
50% male
 
50% female
Egg groups Egg cycles
Water 1 21 (5355 steps*)
EV yield
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
1
Exp.
77

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

It evolves into Poliwhirl starting at level 25, who evolves into Poliwrath via Water Stone, or into Politoed via trade with King's Rock.

Contents

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

Misty with her Poliwag

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.

A Poliwag appeared in Up Close and Personable!.

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 Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well. It appears to prefer swimming over walking.
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.
Platinum Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.

Game locations

Gen Game Rarity Area
I Red Blue Many Viridian City and Route 22 (Fish)
Yellow Many Routes 16, 17, 22, and 23, and Viridian City, Fuchsia City (Fish)
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)
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 Ruby Sapphire None Trade
Emerald None Trade
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)
Colosseum None Trade
XD None Trade
IV Diamond Pearl Uncommon Routes 225, 226, and 228 (Fish w/ Good Rod)
Platinum Common Routes 227 and 228 (Surf)
 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
Red/Blue Rescue Team
Silent Chasm (5F-9F)
Northwind Field (1F-4F)
Waterfall Pond (1F-5F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time/Darkness
Waterfall Cave (B1-B8)
Serenity River (B1-B7)
Pokémon Ranger Krokka Tunnel

Held items

Game Items
Gold, Silver, and Crystal Berry (trade from Generation I)

Base stats

Stat Base At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
Min. Max. Min. Max.
HP: 40
 
100 147 190 284
Attack: 50
 
49 112 94 218
Defense: 40
 
40 101 76 196
Special Attack: 40
 
40 101 76 196
Special Defense: 40
 
40 101 76 196
Speed: 90
 
85 156 166 306
Total: 300 Other Pokémon with this total
  • 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.


Type effectiveness

Weak to Resistant to Immune to Normal effectiveness

Notes:

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.

By leveling up

Generation IV
Other generation learnsets: I - II - III
Level Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal
Start Water Sport Water Status —% 15 Cute 2 ♥♥
5 Bubble Water Special 20 100% 30 Cute 2 ♥♥
8 Hypnosis Psychic Status 60% 20 Smart 2 ♥♥
11 Water Gun Water Special 40 100% 25 Cute 3 ♥♥♥
15 DoubleSlap Normal Physical 15 85% 10 Tough 2 ♥♥
18 Rain Dance Water Status —% 5 Tough 2 ♥♥
21 Body Slam Normal Physical 85 100% 15 Tough 3 ♥♥♥
25 BubbleBeam Water Special 65 100% 20 Beauty 2 ♥♥
28 Mud Shot Ground Special 55 95% 15 Tough 2 ♥♥
31 Belly Drum Normal Status —% 10 Cute 2 ♥♥
35 Wake-Up Slap Fighting Physical 60 100% 10 Smart 2 ♥♥
38 Hydro Pump Water Special 120 80% 5 Beauty 2 ♥♥
43 Mud Bomb Ground Special 65 85% 10 Smart 2 ♥♥
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon

By TM/HM

Generation IV
Other generation learnsets: I - II - III
TM Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal
TM03 Water Pulse Water Special 60 100% 20 Beauty 2 ♥♥
TM06 Toxic Poison Status 85% 10 Smart 2 ♥♥
TM07 Hail Ice Status —% 10 Beauty 2 ♥♥
TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 100% 15 Smart 1
TM13 Ice Beam Ice Special 95 100% 10 Beauty 2 ♥♥
TM14 Blizzard Ice Special 120 70% 5 Beauty 2 ♥♥
TM17 Protect Normal Status —% 10 Cute 0
TM18 Rain Dance Water Status —% 5 Tough 2 ♥♥
TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 100% 20 Cute 2 ♥♥
TM27 Return Normal Physical 100% 20 Cute 2 ♥♥
TM28 Dig Ground Physical 80 100% 10 Smart 1
TM29 Psychic Psychic Special 90 100% 10 Smart 2 ♥♥
TM32 Double Team Normal Status —% 15 Cool 2 ♥♥
TM42 Facade Normal Physical 70 100% 20 Cute 2 ♥♥
TM43 Secret Power Normal Physical 70 100% 20 Smart 2 ♥♥
TM44 Rest Psychic Status —% 10 Cute 0
TM45 Attract Normal Status 100% 15 Cute 2 ♥♥
TM46 Thief Dark Physical 40 100% 10 Tough 0
TM58 Endure Normal Status —% 10 Tough 2 ♥♥
TM78 Captivate Normal Status 100% 20 Beauty 2 ♥♥
TM82 Sleep Talk Normal Status —% 10 Cute 3 ♥♥♥
TM83 Natural Gift Normal Physical 100% 15 Cool 2 ♥♥
TM87 Swagger Normal Status 90% 15 Cute 2 ♥♥
TM90 Substitute Normal Status —% 10 Smart 1
HM03 Surf Water Special 95 100% 15 Beauty 2 ♥♥
HM07 Waterfall Water Physical 80 100% 15 Tough 3 ♥♥♥
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon

By breeding

Generation IV
Other generation learnsets: II - III
Father Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal
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 ♥♥
Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert
Corphish, Crawdaunt
Endeavor Normal Physical 100% 5 Tough 2 ♥♥
Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
Dratini, Dragonair, Dragonite
Wooper, Quagsire
Remoraid, Octillery
Mantine
Wingull, Pelipper
Surskit, Masquerain
Feebas, Milotic
Haze Ice Status —% 30 Beauty 2 ♥♥
Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert
Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein
Ice Ball Ice Physical 30 90% 20 Beauty 2 ♥♥
Poliwrath Mind Reader Normal Status —% 5 Smart 1
Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
Lapras
Wooper, Quagsire
Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo
Wingull, Pelipper
Piplup, Prinplup, Empoleon
Mist Ice Status —% 30 Beauty 2 ♥♥
Poliwag, Poliwhirl
Wooper, Quagsire
Marshtomp, Swampert
Mud Shot Ground Special 55 95% 15 Tough 2 ♥♥
Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
Psyduck, Golduck
Corsola
Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert
Milotic
Refresh Normal Status —% 20 Cute 0
Horsea, Seadra, Kingdra
Magikarp, Gyarados
Marill, Azumarill
Mantine
Feebas, Milotic
Splash Normal Status —% 40 Cute 0
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 ♥♥
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

By tutoring

Generations III and IV
Other generation learnsets: II - III
Game Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal
FR LG E XD D P Pt Body Slam Normal Physical 85 100% 15 Tough 3 ♥♥♥
FR LG E XD D P Pt Defense Curl Normal Status —% 40 Cute 2 ♥♥
FR LG E XD D P Pt Dive Water Physical 80 100% 10 Beauty 1
FR LG E XD D P Pt Double-Edge Normal Physical 120 100% 15 Tough 0
FR LG E XD D P Pt Endure Normal Status —% 10 Tough 2 ♥♥
FR LG E XD D P Pt Icy Wind Ice Special 55 95% 15 Beauty 2 ♥♥
FR LG E XD D P Pt Mimic Normal Status —% 10 Cute 0
FR LG E XD D P Pt Sleep Talk Normal Status —% 10 Cute 3 ♥♥♥
FR LG E XD D P Pt Snore Normal Special 40 100% 15 Cute 3 ♥♥♥
FR LG E XD D P Pt Substitute Normal Status —% 10 Smart 1
FR LG E XD D P Pt Swagger Normal Status 90% 15 Cute 2 ♥♥
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available.

TCG-only Moves

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
Image:Pin060.png Acquisition: Catch Image:Pin060.gif


Pokémon Trozei!
Image:Trozeiani060.gif Rarity: Common Image:Trozeiani060.gif
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
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:  Water  Loops: 4 Minimum Experience: 20
Poké Assist: Image:Waterpa.PNG ( Water ) Field Move: Image:Soakfm.PNG (Soak ×1) Maximum Experience: 30
"If Poliwag spots a Ranger, it becomes startled and dives underwater."
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness
Image:MDP060.png Body size: 1 Recruit Rate: 6.4% IQ Group: F

Evolution

Unevolved
Level 25
First evolution
Image:060.png
Poliwag
 Water 
Image:061.png
Poliwhirl
 Water 

Water Stone
Second evolution
Image:062.png
Poliwrath
 Water  Fighting 

Trade
holding King's Rock
Second evolution
Image:186.png
Politoed
 Water 

Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
Image:Spr_1b_060.png Image:Spr_1y_060.png Image:Spr_1g_060.png Image:Spr_b_g1_060.png
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
Image:Spr_2g_060.png Image:Spr_2s_060.png Image:Spr_2c_060.gif Image:Spr_b_g2_060.png
Image:Spr_2g_060_s.png Image:Spr_2s_060_s.png 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_3e_060.gif Image:Spr_3f_060.png Image:Spr_b_g3_060.png
Image:Spr_3r_060_s.png File:Spr 3e 060 s.gif Image:Spr_3f_060_s.png Image:Spr_b_g3_060_s.png
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
Image:Spr_4d_060.png Image:Spr_4p_060.png NO SPRITES
AVAILABLE
Image:Spr_b_g4_060.png
Image:Spr_4d_060_s.png Image:Spr_4p_060_s.png Image:Spr_b_g4_060_s.png
Poliwag For other sprites and images, please see Poliwag images on Bulbagarden Archives.

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.
  • Poliwag's eyes, nose and the swirl on its stomach are visible in Generation I and IV's backsprites, but the tail is not. The opposite is true for the Generation II and III backsprites.
  • 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.

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


#059: Arcanine
Pokémon
#061: Poliwhirl
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.
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