Poliwag (Japanese: ニョロモ Nyoromo) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves into Poliwhirl starting at level 25, which evolves into Poliwrath when exposed to a Water Stone or into Politoed when traded holding a King's Rock.
Biology
Poliwag is a Pokémon resembling a blue, spherical tadpole. It has large eyes and pink lips. Its skin is very thin, but flexible and difficult to puncture. There is a black and white swirl on its abdomen, which is actually its internal organs showing through its semitransparent skin. The swirl is clearer following a meal and will have a white tinge if the Pokémon is affected by disease. The direction of the belly spiral differs by area; the equator is thought to have an effect on it. It has newly developed legs that are poor at walking and no arms. It has a long, thin tail surrounded by a light blue, semitransparent fin. Its tail makes it a powerful swimmer. Because of its ineptitude on land, Poliwag is more likely to be found swimming in small freshwater ponds and lakes. In the anime, Poliwag feeds on salveyo weed, which can only be found on clear lake bottoms.
In the anime
In the main series
Major appearances
Misty caught a Poliwag in The Stun Spore Detour, which eventually evolved in The Totodile Duel into a Poliwhirl and then into a Politoed during Outrageous Fortunes.
Other
A Poliwag appeared in Gonna Rule The School, under the ownership of the Pokémon Trainers' School. Max used it in a battle against Tommy, who was training with Magby. It helped defeat Team Rocket later on.
A Poliwag appeared in Like It Or Lup It!. It was part of a group also consisting of a Wooper and a Quagsire, and led by a Golduck.
Minor appearances
Poliwag debuted in Primeape Goes Bananas.
A Poliwag appeared in a fantasy in the banned episode EP035.
A Poliwag appeared in A Chansey Operation.
A Poliwag appeared in The Ultimate Test.
A Poliwag appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.
Multiple Poliwag appeared in Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, where they were among the Pokémon living at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
A Poliwag appeared in Pikachu's Vacation as one of the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Theme Park.
A Poliwag appeared in Pallet Party Panic as one of the Pokémon at a party in Pallet Town.
A Poliwag appeared in Pikachu Re-Volts, where it was among the Pokémon controlled by Cassidy and Butch at Mandarin Island North.
A Poliwag appeared in Marina's fantasy in Bye Bye Psyduck.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in The Joy of Pokémon, where it was treated by the Nurse Joy of an unnamed island.
Multiple Poliwag appeared in The Power of One and Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias.
Multiple wild Poliwag appeared in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.
Seven Poliwag appeared in The Fire-ing Squad!, where they were among the Pokémon competing in the Fire and Rescue Grand Prix.
A Poliwag appeared in a fantasy in The Totodile Duel.
A Poliwag appeared in Carrying On! as one of the sick Pokémon in Way Away Island's Pokémon Center.
A Poliwag appeared in Got Miltank? as an inhabitant of a Pokémon-exclusive oasis.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Octillery The Outcast and Dueling Heroes as one of the Pokémon participating in the Whirl Cup.
A Poliwag appeared in The Legend of Thunder! as one of the Pokémon seen at a Pokémon Center.
Lola has a Poliwag, as seen in A Family That Battles Together Stays Together!. In that episode, Flint revealed that the reason he had fallen in love with Lola was the precision of her Poliwag's Hydro Pump against his Graveler, now a Golem. It reappeared in a fantasy in Grating Spaces!.
A Poliwag appeared in The Scheme Team.
A Coordinator's Poliwag appeared in The Saffron Con.
A Poliwag appeared in On Olden Pond as a resident of an old lake.
A Coordinator's Poliwag appeared in Harley Rides Again.
A Poliwag appeared in Curbing the Crimson Tide!, under the ownership of Hiroshi. It battled a disguised Scizor known as "Red Lightning", but was defeated and had markings scribbled on its face afterwards.
Multiple Poliwag appeared in Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, under the ownership of Lizabeth and her family. They were among the Water-type Pokémon used for their Marina Underwater Pokémon Show.
A Coordinator's Poliwag appeared in Once More With Reeling!, where it was seen participating in the Terracotta Contest.
A Poliwag appeared in Not on MY Watch Ya Don't!. It was among the many Pokémon that were hypnotised and kidnapped by Team Rocket.
A Poliwag appeared in Up Close and Personable!. It was among the many Pokémon that were found at the lake by the Pokémon Summer Academy.
A Poliwag appeared in One Big Happiny Family! in Jessie's fantasy.
A Poliwag appeared in Bagged Then Tagged!.
Multiple Poliwag made a brief appearance in Coming Full-Festival Circle!. They were among the Pokémon listening to Nando as he played his music.
A Poliwag briefly appeared in League Unleashed!, under the ownership of a girl.
A Poliwag appeared in The Dream Continues!.
A Poliwag appeared in a flashback in Giving Chase at the Rhyhorn Race!, where it startled a young Serena, which resulted in her injuring her knee.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Adventures in Running Errands!.
A Poliwag appeared in The Legend of the Ninja Hero! as a resident of the Ninja Village.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in A League of His Own!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Rocking Kalos Defenses!.
Two Poliwag appeared in Alola to New Adventure!, with one under the ownership of a Trainer and the other being wild.
A Poliwag appeared in The Guardian's Challenge!.
A Poliwag appeared in Yo, Ho, Ho! Go, Popplio!, where it was seen walking along an island where Ash, his classmates, and Professor Kukui were taking a break from fishing.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in I Choose You!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!.
Two Poliwag appeared in Alola, Kanto!. One was under the ownership of a Trainer, while the other appeared in a lake.
Two Poliwag appeared in Dewpider Ascending!, with one appearing at the Pokémon School.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Tough Guy Trials!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in A Young Royal Flame Ignites!.
Multiple Trainers' Poliwag appeared in The Power of Us.
A Poliwag appeared in I Choose Paradise!, where it was among the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Paradise Resort.
Two Poliwag appeared in Securing the Future!, where they joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its normal form.
A Poliwag appeared in SM110.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP110
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Poliwag
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Ash's Pokédex
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Poliwag, the Tadpole Pokémon. It has no arms, but its tail makes it a strong swimmer.
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In Pokémon Origins
Two Poliwag appeared in File 3: Giovanni.
In the manga
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
- Main article: Poli
- Main article: Polibo
Poliwag makes a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory.
In Danger: High Voltorb, a flashback shows Red's Poliwhirl, Poli, as a Poliwag. He has since evolved into Poliwrath.
Gold has a Poliwag in Murkrow Row, which was one of the many Pokémon raised in the house he lived in. He was lost when Team Rocket stole Gold's backpack and his Poké Ball was lost when it fell into the water. Gold eventually retrieved Poliwag at the Famous Fishing Zone from a wild Granbull that was stealing to draw attention so that it could get its jaw healed. He evolved into Poliwhirl in Ampharos Amore and then evolved straight into Politoed utilizing a trade with his held King's Rock.
A Poliwag appeared in Slugging It Out With Slugma as one of the Pokémon at Earl's Pokémon Academy in Violet City.
Multiple Poliwag appeared in Scizor Defends as residents of the Pokémon Village. One of them reappeared in Charizard Transforms.
A Poliwag appeared in Malamar Traps.
A Poliwag appeared in Chesnaught Protects.
A Poliwag appeared in a flashback in Yveltal Steals.
A Poliwag appeared in True Identity and the Totem Pokémon of Brooklet Hill.
In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga
Shu has a Poliwag in Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All.
In the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga
- Main article: Misty's Poliwag
Misty is shown with a Poliwag in Clefairy Tale. It later evolved into a Poliwhirl.
In the Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire manga
Ruby has a Poliwag at his house as seen in Something Happened!! Let's Go After Pikachu!!.
In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga
A Poliwag is one of Totodile's friends.
In the TCG
- Main article: Poliwag (TCG)
In the TFG
One Poliwag figure has been released.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokédex entries
Generation I
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Kanto #060
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Red(ENG)
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Its newly grown legs prevent it from running. It appears to prefer swimming than trying to stand.
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Blue
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Yellow
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The direction of the spiral on the belly differs by area. It is more adept at swimming than walking.
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Stadium
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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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Generation II
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Johto #072
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Gold
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Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
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Silver
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The direction of its belly spiral differs by area. The equator is thought to have an effect on this.
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Crystal
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The swirl on its belly is its insides showing through the skin. It looks clearer after it eats.
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Stadium 2
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Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
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Generation III
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Hoenn #—
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Kanto #060
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Ruby
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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
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Emerald
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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
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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
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Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well. It appears to prefer swimming over walking.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #—
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Johto #072
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Diamond
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Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
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Pearl
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Platinum
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HeartGold
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Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
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SoulSilver
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The direction of its belly spiral differs by area. The equator is thought to have an effect on this.
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Generation V
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Unova #—
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Black
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Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
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White
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Black 2
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Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos Mountain #033
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Hoenn #—
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X
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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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Y
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The direction of the spiral on the belly differs by area. It is more adept at swimming than walking.
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Omega Ruby
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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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Alpha Sapphire
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Generation VII
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Alola SM: #149
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Alola USUM: #182
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Kanto #060
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Sun
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The swirl on its belly is its internal organs showing through. If the swirl is tinged white, that means it's affected by some disease.
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Moon
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It's still not very good at walking. Its Trainers should train this Pokémon to walk every day.
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Ultra Sun
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Despite the danger, it wants to come up on land. So it does its best to waddle along, but when an enemy finds it, it rushes back to the water.
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Ultra Moon
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The direction of the swirl on their stomachs differs depending on where they live. Poliwag aficionados can tell them apart at a glance.
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Let's Go Pikachu
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The direction of the spiral on the belly differs by area. It is more adept at swimming than walking.
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Let's Go Eevee
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Game locations
Generation I
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Red
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Blue
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Routes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 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) Pallet Town, Viridian City, Route 22 (Super Rod)
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Blue (Japan)
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Routes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 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) Route 22, Pallet Town, Viridian City (Super Rod) Trade for Rattata on Route 5
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Yellow
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Routes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 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) Routes 22 and 23, Viridian City (Super Rod)
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Generation II
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Gold
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Silver
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Routes 22, 28, 30, 31, and 44, Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City, Mt. Silver exterior (Surfing and fishing) Routes 6, 35, and 43, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Blackthorn City (fishing)
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Crystal
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Routes 22, 28, 30, 31, and 44, Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City, Mt. Silver exterior (Surfing and fishing) Routes 6, 35, and 43, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Blackthorn City (fishing) Routes 22, 30, 31, and 44Night
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Generation III
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Ruby
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Sapphire
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Emerald
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FireRed
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LeafGreen
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Fuchsia City, Berry Forest, Safari Zone (Good Rod) Routes 6, 22, 23, and 25, Four Island, Viridian City, Cape Brink, Cerulean Cave, Icefall Cave, Ruin Valley (Good Rod and Super Rod)
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Colosseum
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XD
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Generation IV
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Diamond
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Pearl
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Platinum
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HeartGold
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SoulSilver
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Routes 22, 28, 30, 31, and 44, Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City, Mt. Silver exterior (Surfing and fishing) Routes 6, 35, 43, and 45, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Blackthorn City (fishing) Cliff Edge Gate (Good Rod and Super Rod) Cerulean Cave (Old Rod and Good Rod) Safari Zone, Mt. Moon Square (Surfing and fishing)
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Pal Park
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Pokéwalker
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Generation V
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Black
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White
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Black 2
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White 2
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Routes 6, 19, 20, and 23, Floccesy Ranch, Relic Passage, Lostlorn Forest, Giant Chasm, Victory Road, Clay Tunnel, Wellspring Cave (Super Rod)
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Dream World
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In side games
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Generation II
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This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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40
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100 - 147
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190 - 284
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50
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49 - 112
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94 - 218
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40
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40 - 101
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76 - 196
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40
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40 - 101
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76 - 196
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40
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40 - 101
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76 - 196
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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Total: 300
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
- This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 40.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwag
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwag
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwag
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwag
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwag
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwag
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwag
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwag
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Poliwag in Generation VII
- 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 Poliwag in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwag
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwag
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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- A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Poliwag can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Poliwag cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwag
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwag
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
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Pokémon Ranger
Group:
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Poké Assist:
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Field move:
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(Soak ×1)
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Loops: 4
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Min. exp.: 20
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Max. exp.: 30
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Browser entry R-052
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If Poliwag spots a Ranger, it becomes startled and dives underwater.
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Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
- Poliwag is the favorite Pokémon of Satoshi Tajiri.
- 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 the common bilberry: the berry itself is black but covered in a wax-like coating that makes it look blue.
- In The Official Pokémon Handbook, published by Scholastic, 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.
- Generation V changed Poliwag's base Experience yield from 77 to 60, making it the only Pokémon whose base Experience yield is the same as its National Dex number.
- Poliwag shares its species name with Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, and Tympole. They are all known as the Tadpole Pokémon.
- Prior to Generation VI, Poliwag and Ditto had the same cry.
- A prototype design of Poliwag was shown on Game Freak's official Japanese website in 1997.
Origin
Poliwag is based on a tadpole. The spiral pattern on its belly is supposed to represent how the intestines of tadpoles are sometimes seen through their transparent skin.[1]
Name origin
Poliwag is a corruption of polliwog (outdated term for tadpole). Wag may refer to its long tail, although it is worth noting that polliwog literally means "head-wiggle."
Nyoromo may be a combination of ニョロニョロ nyoronyoro (the sound of slithering) and 子供 kodomo (child).
In other languages
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This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: needs Icelandic meaning
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Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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ニョロモ Nyoromo
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From ニョロニョロ nyoronyoro and 子供 kodomo
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French
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Ptitard
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From petit and têtard
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Spanish
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Poliwag
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Same as English name
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German
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Quapsel
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From Kaulquappe
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Italian
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Poliwag
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Same as English name
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Korean
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발챙이 Balchengi
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From 발 bal and 올챙이 olchaeng'i
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Mandarin Chinese
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蚊香蝌蚪 Wénxiāngkēdǒu
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From 蚊香 and 蝌蚪
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Cantonese Chinese
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蚊香蝌蚪 Mānhēungfōdáu
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From 蚊香 and 蝌蚪
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More languages
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Hindi
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पॉलीवॅग Poliwag
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Transcription of English name
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Icelandic
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Fjölli*
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Lithuanian
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Polivagas
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From English name
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Russian
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Поливаг Polivag
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Transcription of English name
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Related articles
External links
Notes
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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
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