Poliwrath (Pokémon)

← #061: Poliwhirl	Pokémon	#063: Abra →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Poliwrath (disambiguation).

Poliwrath ニョロボン Nyorobon #062
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Types  Water  Fighting   Water   Water   Water   Water   Water	Species Tadpole Pokémon
Abilities Water Absorb or Damp Damp Swift Swim Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,059,860
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #062 Johto #074 Hoenn #249* Sinnoh #— Unova #— Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R-054 Almia R— Oblivia R— Oblivia (past) N— Not in any regional Browser
Height 4'03" Imperial 1.3m Metric 4'03"/1.3m 0.0m	Weight 119.0lbs Imperial 54.0kg Metric 119.0lbs/54.0kg 0.0kg
Dex color Blue	Footprint
Body style	Catch rate 45 5.9%
Gender ratio Genderless Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Water 1 group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 3 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 185 Battle Exp.: 1851*
External links On Legendary Pokémon Pokédex: Generation III Generation IV On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V On Eevee's Pokédex On Psypoke Pokédex On Pokecharms Pokédex (Gen. III-IV) On Marriland Pokédex Generation IV Generation V Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Poliwrath (Japanese: ニョロボン Nyorobon) is a dual-type Water/Fighting Pokémon.

It evolves from Poliwhirl when exposed to a Water Stone. It is one of Poliwag's final forms, the other being Politoed.

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 2.1 Major appearances 2.2 Minor appearances 2.3 Pokédex entries 3 In the manga 3.1 Pokémon Adventures 4 In the TCG 5 Game data 5.1 Pokédex entries 5.2 Game locations 5.2.1 In side games 5.3 Held items 5.4 Stats 5.4.1 Base stats 5.4.2 Pokéathlon stats 5.5 Type effectiveness 5.6 Learnset 5.6.1 By leveling up 5.6.2 By TM/HM 5.6.3 By breeding 5.6.4 By tutoring 5.6.5 By a prior evolution 5.6.6 Special moves 5.7 Side game data 5.8 Evolution 5.9 Sprites 6 Trivia 6.1 Origin 6.1.1 Name origin 7 In other languages 8 External links 9 Notes

Biology

Physiology

Poliwrath looks superficially similar to Poliwhirl. However, it has gained more muscle, especially around its arms, which are now quite thick. Its eyes have changed from having wide pupils to small ones and it appears to sport a permanent scowl. Its belly also now resembles a gaping mouth rather than being completely circular, but retains the white coloration and spiral it had as a Poliwhirl.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

In addition to the Water-type abilities it had as Poliwag and Poliwhirl, Poliwrath has now gained the powers of a Fighting-type. It can swim for vast distances without tiring, swimming far and fast with minimal breathing, and is adept at such swimming styles as the front crawl and butterfly. With its increased arm and leg strength, it also has the ability to run on the surface of water for a short amount of time. Like Machop, Poliwrath's muscles never grow fatigued, however much it exercises.

Behavior

With its newly-gained fighting abilities, Poliwrath is more aggressive than its pre-evolutions, and is more willing to pick fights with others.

Habitat

Poliwrath, despite being excellent swimmers, usually live on dry land near the water's edge. They can be found within the range that Poliwag and Poliwhirl can be found.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Major appearances

Poliwrath's first non-cameo appearance was in Charizard Chills. An expert trainer named Tad had one and it defeated Ash's Charizard easily when Ash challenged him. Charizard managed to defeat the Poliwrath in a rematch.

In Outrageous Fortunes, Misty challenged another trainer named Delaney whose main Pokémon was Poliwrath. After seeing it in action, Team Rocket tricked Delaney into giving his Poliwrath to them.

Chuck used a Poliwrath against Ash in his Gym Battle in Machoke, Machoke Man.

Minor appearances

A Poliwrath appeared in The Battling Eevee Brothers!

In Hook, Line and Stinker, Andreas in a Seaking Catching contest owned a Poliwrath.

A Poliwrath is used by a student of Pokémon Summer Academy in the second leg of the Pokémon Triathlon in One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP105 Poliwrath Ash's Pokédex Poliwrath, the Tadpole Pokémon. Poliwrath is an excellent swimmer and its powerful muscles make its attacks extremely effective. This concludes the entries from the original series.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Poliwrath debuts in Buzz Off, Electabuzz! when Red's Poli evolves into one to save its trainer from drowning. It's a muscular Pokémon who sends its enemies flying with Seismic Toss. Gold also sees the same Poliwrath in a "Book of Champions", and then tells his Poliwag that it'll also become a Poliwrath. Later, Chuck is seen having a Poliwrath train with him and his Primeape.

In the TCG

Main article: Poliwrath (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I. Generation I Red Blue A swimmer adept at both the front crawl and breaststroke. Easily overtakes the best human swimmers. Yellow Swims powerfully using all the muscles in its body. It can even overtake champion swimmers. Stadium A strong swimmer, it is faster than a human champ in an individual medley. It can go far and fast with minimal breathing. Generation II Gold This strong and skilled swimmer is even capable of crossing the Pacific Ocean just by kicking. Silver Although an energetic, skilled swimmer that uses all of its muscles, it lives on dry land. Crystal It can use its well-developed arms and legs to run on the surface of the water for a split second. Generation III Ruby Sapphire Emerald {{{rsedex}}} Ruby Sapphire Poliwrath's highly developed, brawny muscles never grow fatigued, however much it exercises. It is so tirelessly strong, this Pokémon can swim back and forth across the Pacific Ocean without effort. Ruby {{{rubydex}}} Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald Its highly developed muscles never grow fatigued, however much it exercises. This Pokémon can swim back and forth across the Pacific Ocean without effort. FireRed LeafGreen {{{frlgdex}}} FireRed An adept swimmer, it knows the front crawl, butterfly, and more. It is faster than the best human swimmers. LeafGreen A swimmer adept at both the front crawl and breaststroke. Easily overtakes the best human swimmers. Generation IV Diamond Pearl {{{dpdex}}} Diamond Pearl Platinum With its extremely tough muscles, it can keep swimming in the Pacific Ocean without resting. Diamond {{{diamonddex}}} Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold SoulSilver {{{hgssdex}}} HeartGold This strong and skilled swimmer is even capable of crossing the Pacific Ocean just by kicking. SoulSilver Although an energetic, skilled swimmer that uses all of its muscles, it lives on dry land. Generation V Black White With its extremely tough muscles, it can keep swimming in the Pacific Ocean without resting. Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}}  ??? No Pokédex data is available.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I. Generation I Red Blue None Evolve Poliwhirl Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Evolve Poliwhirl Generation II Gold Silver None Evolve Poliwhirl Crystal None Evolve Poliwhirl Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen None Evolve Poliwhirl Colosseum None Trade XD One Citadark Isle (Shadow) Generation IV Diamond Pearl None Evolve Poliwhirl Platinum None Evolve Poliwhirl HeartGold SoulSilver None Evolve Poliwhirl Pal Park Pond Generation V Black White Rare Wellspring Cave, Challenger's Cave, Victory Road, Giant Chasm (Super Rod)

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Pinball	Evolve Poliwhirl
Pokémon Trozei!	Endless Level 9 Forever Level 58 Pair Trozei Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Evolve Poliwhirl
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Lake Afar (B1-B24)
Pokémon Ranger	Jungle Relic Panula Cave
Pokémon Rumble	Bright Beach
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Lake: Everspring Valley

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Black	White	King's Rock (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat	Range
	At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 90	150 - 197	290 - 384
Attack: 85	81 - 150	157 - 295
Defense: 95	90 - 161	175 - 317
Sp.Atk: 70	67 - 134	130 - 262
Sp.Def: 90	85 - 156	166 - 306
Speed: 70	67 - 134	130 - 262
Total: 500   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 70.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 1/2 ★☆	Power 5/5 ★★★★★
Skill 3/4 ★★★☆	Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆
Jump 2/2 ★★	Total 15/18 ★★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:
Weak to Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 2× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark ½× None	Resistant against Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 2× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark ½× None	Unaffected by Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 2× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark ½× None	Damaged normally by Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 2× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark ½× None
Notes: If this Pokémon has Water Absorb, the effectiveness of  Water-type  moves is 0×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV
Level	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
Start	BubbleBeam	Water	Special	65	100%	20
Start	Hypnosis	Psychic	Status	—	60%	20
Start	DoubleSlap	Normal	Physical	15	85%	10
Start	Submission	Fighting	Physical	80	80%	25
32	DynamicPunch	Fighting	Physical	100	50%	5
43	Mind Reader	Normal	Status	—	—%	5
53	Circle Throw	Fighting	Physical	60	90%	10
A level of "Start" indicates a move that will be known by a Poliwrath obtained at level 1 in Generation V Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwrath Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwrath Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	—	90%	10
	TM07	Hail	Ice	Status	—	—%	10
	TM08	Bulk Up	Fighting	Status	—	—%	20
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	—	100%	15
	TM13	Ice Beam	Ice	Special	95	100%	10
	TM14	Blizzard	Ice	Special	120	70%	5
	TM15	Hyper Beam	Normal	Special	150	90%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	—	—%	5
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	—	100%	20
	TM26	Earthquake	Ground	Physical	100	100%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	—	100%	20
	TM28	Dig	Ground	Physical	80	100%	10
	TM29	Psychic	Psychic	Special	90	100%	10
	TM31	Brick Break	Fighting	Physical	75	100%	15
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	—	—%	15
	TM39	Rock Tomb	Rock	Physical	50	80%	10
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	70	100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	—	—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	—	100%	15
	TM46	Thief	Dark	Physical	40	100%	10
	TM47	Low Sweep	Fighting	Physical	60	100%	20
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	60	100%	15
	TM52	Focus Blast	Fighting	Special	120	70%	5
	TM55	Scald	Water	Special	80	100%	15
	TM56	Fling	Dark	Physical	—	100%	10
	TM66	Payback	Dark	Physical	50	100%	10
	TM68	Giga Impact	Normal	Physical	150	90%	5
	TM78	Bulldoze	Ground	Physical	60	100%	20
	TM80	Rock Slide	Rock	Physical	75	90%	10
	TM83	Work Up	Normal	Status	—	—%	30
	TM84	Poison Jab	Poison	Physical	80	100%	20
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	—	90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
	TM94	Rock Smash	Fighting	Physical	40	100%	15
	HM03	Surf	Water	Special	95	100%	15
	HM04	Strength	Normal	Physical	80	100%	15
	HM05	Waterfall	Water	Physical	80	100%	15
	HM06	Dive	Water	Physical	80	100%	10
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwrath Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwrath Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	BubbleBeam	Water	Special	65	100%	20
	Encore	Normal	Status	—	100%	5
	Endeavor	Normal	Physical	—	100%	5
	Endure	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
	Haze	Ice	Status	—	—%	30
	Ice Ball	Ice	Physical	30	90%	20
	Mind Reader	Normal	Status	—	—%	5
	Mist	Ice	Status	—	—%	30
	Mud Shot	Ground	Special	55	95%	15
	Refresh	Normal	Status	—	—%	20
	Splash	Normal	Status	—	—%	40
	Water Pulse	Water	Special	60	100%	20
	Water Sport	Water	Status	—	—%	15
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Poliwrath in Generation V Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Poliwrath in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwrath Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwrath Click on the generation numbers at the top to see egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV
Game		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Poliwrath can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Poliwrath cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwrath Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwrath Click on the generation numbers at the top to see move tutor moves from other generations

By a prior evolution

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV
Stage	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	Bubble	Water	Special	20	100%	30
	Water Gun	Water	Special	40	100%	25
	Body Slam	Normal	Physical	85	100%	15
	Belly Drum	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
	Wake-Up Slap	Fighting	Physical	60	100%	10
	Hydro Pump	Water	Special	120	80%	5
	Mud Bomb	Ground	Special	65	85%	10
‡	Sleep Talk	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwrath Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwrath Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

Special moves

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
Shadow moves		Level 42+	Purified moves
Shadow Rush	Shadow		Helping Hand	Normal
Shadow Sky	Shadow		Hydro Pump	Water
Shadow Storm	Shadow		Rain Dance	Water
--			Brick Break	Fighting

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball    Acquisition: Evolve	Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available	Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: Evolve Friend Area: Tadpole Pond Phrases 51%-100% HP My swimming is world class! 26%-50% HP Half my HP's gone. This feels unpleasant. 1%-25% HP Do something... I don't have the energy left to swim... Level up I leveled up! What a glorious feeling it is! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up! What a glorious feeling it is!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: -4.5% IQ group: F
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Water  Poké Assist: ( Water ) Field move: (Soak ×3) Loops: 11 Min. exp.: 60 Max. exp.: 90 Browser entry   Poliwrath blasts surging jets of water with tremendous force.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.

Evolution

Unevolved Poliwag  Water

Level 25 →

First evolution Poliwhirl  Water

Water Stone →

Second evolution Poliwrath  Water  Fighting

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow	Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal			Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald	FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum	HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White				Back

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

Trivia

• Despite being classified as a tadpole Pokémon, its form resembles a froglet's and it is presumably full grown.
• Poliwrath, alongside Smeargle and Articuno, is one of the few Pokémon that can learn an accuracy-focusing move and a OHKO move, learning Fissure by TM27 in Generation I and Mind Reader at level 51 in Generation II. It no longer has the ability to learn both moves, however.
• Poliwrath, along with Lucario, are the only Fighting-type Pokémon that are not part Psychic-type able to learn Psychic.
• In Generation II and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver a man in Celadon City has a Poliwrath and says he hopes it will evolve into a frog Pokémon one day. Although the Pokémon he was thinking of is most likely Politoed, it is too late, as it is Poliwhirl that evolves into Politoed when holding a King's Rock, not Poliwrath.
• Poliwrath is the first Pokémon in the National Pokédex order that is evolved from a Water Stone.

Origin

Poliwrath is based on a tadpole. The spiral pattern on its belly is supposed to represent how the organs of tadpoles can sometimes be seen through their transparent skin. It may also be based on amphibian neoteny, as it stays in tadpole form and does not metamorphose into a frog.

Name origin

Poliwrath's name appears to be a combination of polliwog and wrath, meaning anger. Its Japanese name may come in part from ニョロニョロ nyoronyoro, the sound of slithering, and an alternate reading of the Japanese word for deluge or flood, 洪 kō, is hon (in this case, bon).

In other languages

Language Name Name Origin German Quappo From Kaulquappe. French Tartard From tartarin and têtard. Korean 강챙이 Gangchaengi Chinese (Mandarin) 快泳蛙 Kuàiyǒngwā Literally "Fast swimming frog". Chinese (Cantonese) 大力蛙 Daaihlihkwā Means "Great strength frog" or "Energetic frog".

External links

Notes

← #061: Poliwhirl

Pokémon

#063: Abra →

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