Poliwhirl (Japanese: ニョロゾ Nyorozo) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves from Poliwag starting at level 25. It evolves into Poliwrath when exposed to a Water Stone or Politoed when traded while holding a King's Rock.
Biology
Part of its internal anatomy, as seen in its conceptual art
Poliwhirl is a blue, bipedal amphibian Pokémon with a spherical body. It has bulbous eyes that protrude from the top of its head. A black and white swirl covers its belly, which is actually its organs showing through its thin skin. It appears to have white gloves on its hands and rounded, digit-less feet. When out of water, it sweats to keep its skin moist and healthy. This keeps it covered in an oily fluid that allows it to slip away from enemies. All of its skin feels this way except where its swirl is, which is instead very smooth. The swirl on its belly undulates slowly and staring at it induces drowsiness.
Even though Poliwhirl is capable of moving on land, it prefers to stay in freshwater ponds and lakes where it has fewer natural enemies. It feeds on both bug and fish Pokémon. While it will leave the water to capture bug Pokémon, it will return and consume them underwater in safety. Its swirl is used to make children fall asleep. Poliwhirl's sweat is filled with slimy mucus. When captured by an enemy, it either slithers to escape or use its swirl to put the enemy to sleep.
In the anime
Main series
Major appearances
Misty had a Poliwhirl in The Totodile Duel that she caught as a Poliwag. It eventually evolved into a Politoed during Outrageous Fortunes.
Other
In Tie One On!, Vincent was used a Poliwhirl in a battle against Macy. It was defeated by her Quilava despite having the type advantage.
Minor appearances
Poliwhirl debuted in Primeape Goes Bananas.
In The Battling Eevee Brothers, a Poliwhirl evolved into a Poliwrath during the evolution party in Stone Town.
A Poliwhirl appeared in A Chansey Operation.
A Poliwhirl appeared as an image in the Japanese version of The Ultimate Test.
In Riddle Me This, a Poliwhirl at the Pokémon Lab was targeted by Team Rocket.
In Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, multiple Poliwhirl were living at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
In Mewtwo Strikes Back, a Trainer's Poliwhirl was defeated by Mewtwo while it was serving Giovanni.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Poliwhirl was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
In Friends to the End, a Trainer's Poliwhirl attended the closing ceremonies of the Indigo League.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Poké Ball Peril.
In In the Pink, Team Rocket's fantasy featured a pink Poliwhirl.
In The Power of One, multiple Poliwhirl sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
A wild Poliwhirl appeared in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.
In Flower Power, two Poliwhirl were parts of Florando's annual Pokémon Exhibition.
In The Fire-ing Squad!, five Poliwhirl competed in the Fire and Rescue Grand Prix.
In Beauty and the Breeder, a Pokémon Breeder's Poliwhirl participated in a Pokémon breeding competition.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Pokémon Double Trouble and Dueling Heroes.
In Around the Whirlpool, a Poliwhirl was stolen from the Pokémon Center of Blue Point Isle.
In Octillery The Outcast and Dueling Heroes, a Trainer's Poliwhirl competed in the Whirl Cup.
In Bulbasaur... the Ambassador!, multiple Poliwhirl were among the feuding Pokémon at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Team Rocket's fantasy in Nice Pryce Baby.
A Trainer's Poliwhirl appeared in Pop Goes The Sneasel.
In Journey to the Starting Line!, a Poliwhirl was at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
In Gonna Rule The School!, the Pokémon Trainers' School lent a Poliwhirl to the school's underage students for use in lessons.
In Hokey Poké Balls!, a Poliwhirl was at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
A Poliwhirl appeared in PK13.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Pokéblock, Stock, and Berry.
A Coordinator's Poliwhirl appeared in Deceit and Assist.
In Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, the Marina Group used a Poliwhirl for their Marina Underwater Pokémon Show.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Not on MY Watch Ya Don't!.
In A Faux Oak Finish!, Professor Oak spotted a Poliwhirl shortly before he was captured by a wild Quagsire.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Bagged Then Tagged!.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!.
A Poliwhirl appeared in A Battle of Aerial Mobility!.
A Trainer's Poliwhirl appeared in a fantasy in Battling Into the Hall of Fame!.
In The Legend of the Ninja Hero!, a Poliwhirl lived at the Ninja Village.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Alola to New Adventure!.
In Racing to a Big Event!, a Trainer's Poliwhirl competed in the Pokémon Pancake Race.
A Trainer's Poliwhirl appeared in Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!.
Two Poliwhirl appeared in Alola, Kanto!, with one belonging to a Trainer and the other appearing in a lake.
In Smashing with Sketch!, a Trainer's Poliwhirl competed in the Pokémon Ping-Pong tournament.
In I Choose Paradise!, two Trainers' Poliwhirl were at the Pokémon Paradise Resort.
In Securing the Future!, a Poliwhirl joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its normal form.
A Trainer's Poliwhirl appeared in Turning the Other Mask!.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Pikachu's Exciting Adventure!.
Two Poliwhirl appeared in a flashback in Enter Pikachu!.
In Caring for a Mystery!, four Poliwhirl battled a wild Riolu after it attacked them.
In The Cuteness Quotient!, a Trainer's Poliwhirl competing in the Friendship Festival was targeted by Team Rocket.
A Trainer's Poliwhirl appeared in Secrets of the Jungle.
In JN135, a Poliwhirl appeared during a flashback.
A Poliwhirl appeared in JN136.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP151
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Poliwhirl
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Ash's Pokédex
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Poliwhirl, the Tadpole Pokémon. Its highly developed muscles allow Poliwhirl to move efficiently on land, but it is even more agile in water.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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JN120
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Poliwhirl
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Chloe's Rotom Phone
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Poliwhirl, the Tadpole Pokémon. A Water type. Poliwhirl can live on land or in the water. Its skin always feels slippery. Staring at the swirl on its belly can result in drowsiness.
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Pokémon Evolutions
A Poliwhirl appeared in The Discovery, briefly disrupting Green and her Blastoise in Cerulean Cave.
In the manga
Ash & Pikachu
- Main article: Misty's Politoed
Misty's Poliwhirl appeared in The Grand Rhydon Plan.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Do Your Best Bulbasaur!!, where it was seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
The Electric Tale of Pikachu
- Main article: Misty's Politoed
Misty's Poliwhirl made a cameo in To Evolve or Not to Evolve, That is the Question!. Misty wished she could evolve her Poliwhirl into a Poliwrath, but she was unable to because Evolution stones were too expensive.
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Two Poliwhirl appeared in Caring for a Mystery!.
Pokémon Adventures
- Main article: Poli
- Main article: Polibo
A Poliwhirl nicknamed Poli was Red's first Pokémon. He debuted in A Glimpse of the Glow, but was caught before the start of the chapter as a Poliwag. He gained more importance in Lt. Surge's story arc, and evolved in Buzz Off, Electabuzz! while saving Red from drowning in the sea due to the presence of an underwater Water Stone.
In A Glimps of the Glow, a Poliwhirl was in Red's explanation of Pokémon to the children of Pallet Town.
A Poliwhirl appeared as a silhouette when Green talks about Mew in The Jynx Jinx.
Gold's Poliwag, Polibo, evolved into Poliwhirl in Ampharos Amore when Gold and Silver were trapped inside the Tin Tower. With Silver's knowledge of Pokémon trading, Gold temporarily traded Poliwhirl to Silver via their Pokédexes, prompting Poliwhirl to evolve into Politoed when the effects of his King's Rock activated from the trade, triggering the evolution.
A Poliwhirl appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.
A Poliwhirl appeared as a Battle Factory Pokémon in Pinsir Me, I Must Be Dreaming.
The Battle Factory rented a Poliwhirl, which was stolen by Guile Hideout in Skirting Around Surskit I.
A Poliwhirl appeared in PS583 and PS589 as a resident of the Pokémon Village.
A Poliwhirl appeared in PS588.
A Poliwhirl appeared in a flashback in PS590.
A Poliwhirl appeared in PS593.
Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
A Poliwhirl appeared in Let's Aim For The Goal!.
Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All
A Poliwhirl appeared in The Raining Crystal Ball.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Lt. Surge owns a Poliwhirl, which appeared in The Big Activity In The Mountains And The Oceans!!.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Which One is the Real Clefairy!?.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Fierce Competition at the Pokémon Baseball Tournament!, where it was one of the Pokémon that took part in a baseball match. It was seen with Green during the game.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Curry Showdown! Which is the Most Delicious? as one of the participants of a curry cooking competition.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Seize the Dream of One Million Yen!!.
Giovanni's first Poliwhirl appeared in The Thrill of a Perfect Score, Big Rampage at the Amusement Park!. It evolved into a Poliwrath in order to get rid of Red and his Clefairy and Pikachu when they went to the amusement park that he built. Giovanni has another Poliwhirl that appeared in Get The Last Badge!!, where it was used in his Gym battle against Red.
A Poliwhirl appeared in The Legendary Moltres Appears!!.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Pikachu's Birthday Party.
Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire
A Poliwhirl appeared in I Won't Let You Lead!!.
A Poliwhirl appeared in Let's Go After The Pokémon Ranger!.
In the TCG
- Main article: Poliwhirl (TCG)
Other appearances
Poliwhirl only appears as a random trophy.
Trophy information
Poliwhirl is a Tadpole Pokémon able to live on either land or in the water. When on dry land, it's constantly sweating to keep its skin nice and slimy. When in danger, it spins the whirlpool marking on its stomach to put enemies into a deep sleep, then it runs away. It evolves into either Poliwrath or Politoed.
Game data
Pokédex entries
Generation I
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Kanto #061
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Red
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Capable of living in or out of water. When out of water, it sweats to keep its body slimy.
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Blue
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Yellow
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Under attack, it uses its belly spiral to put the foe to sleep. It then makes its escape.
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Stadium
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Capable of living on land, but prefers to stay in water. If it is out of water, it sweats to keep its skin moist.
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Generation II
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Johto #073
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Gold
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The swirl on its belly subtly undulates. Staring at it may gradually cause drowsiness.
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Silver
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The skin on most of its body is moist. However, the skin on its belly spiral feels smooth.
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Crystal
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Though it is skilled at walking, it prefers to live underwater where there is less danger.
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Stadium 2
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The swirl on its belly subtly undulates. Staring at it may gradually cause drowsiness.
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Generation III
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Hoenn #—
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Kanto #061
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Ruby
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The surface of Poliwhirl's body is always wet and slick with an oily fluid. Because of this greasy covering, it can easily slip and slide out of the clutches of any enemy in battle.
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Sapphire
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Emerald
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Its body surface is always wet and slick with an oily fluid. Because of this greasy covering, it can easily slip and slide out of the clutches of any enemy in battle.
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FireRed
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Its two legs are well developed. Even though it can live on the ground, it prefers living in water.
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LeafGreen
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It can live in or out of water. When out of water, it constantly sweats to keep its body slimy.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #—
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Johto #073
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Diamond
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The spiral pattern on its belly subtly undulates. Staring at it gradually causes drowsiness.
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Pearl
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Platinum
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HeartGold
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The swirl on its belly subtly undulates. Staring at it may gradually cause drowsiness.
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SoulSilver
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The skin on most of its body is moist. However, the skin on its belly spiral feels smooth.
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Generation V
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Unova #—
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Black
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The spiral pattern on its belly subtly undulates. Staring at it gradually causes drowsiness.
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White
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Black 2
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The spiral pattern on its belly subtly undulates. Staring at it gradually causes drowsiness.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos Mountain #034
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Hoenn #—
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X
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It can live in or out of water. When out of water, it constantly sweats to keep its body slimy.
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Y
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Its two legs are well developed. Even though it can live on the ground, it prefers living in water.
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Omega Ruby
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The surface of Poliwhirl's body is always wet and slick with an oily fluid. Because of this greasy covering, it can easily slip and slide out of the clutches of any enemy in battle.
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Alpha Sapphire
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Generation VII
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Alola SM: #150
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Alola USUM: #183
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Kanto #061
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Sun
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Although it can live on land, it prefers to stay in the water, where it has fewer natural enemies.
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Moon
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It marches over the land in search of bug Pokémon to eat. Then it takes them underwater so it can dine on them where it's safe.
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Ultra Sun
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Although it has become capable of living on land, it spends its time in the water, where its prey, fish Pokémon, are plentiful.
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Ultra Moon
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Its health suffers when its skin dries out, so be sure to moisturize it diligently.
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Let's Go Pikachu
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Under attack, it uses its belly spiral to put the foe to sleep. It then makes its escape.
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Let's Go Eevee
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Generation VIII
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Galar Isle of Armor #143
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Sinnoh #—
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Hisui #—
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This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus.
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Sword
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Staring at the swirl on its belly causes drowsiness. This trait of Poliwhirl's has been used in place of lullabies to get children to go to sleep.
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Shield
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This Pokémon's sweat is a slimy mucus. When captured, Poliwhirl can slither from its enemies' grasp and escape.
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Brilliant Diamond
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The spiral pattern on its belly subtly undulates. Staring at it gradually causes drowsiness.
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Shining Pearl
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Game locations
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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, Ecruteak City, Mt. Silver, Violet City, Viridian City, Mt. Silver* (Surfing) Cerulean Cave (Super Rod)MorningDay Safari Zone (Old Rod in Meadow and Wetland - default, with 2 Waterside points, and with 3 Waterside points; Good Rod in Meadow, default, and with 5 Waterside points; Good Rod in Wetland and Marshland, default; Super Rod in Meadow, Marshland and Wetland, default; Surfing in Rocky Beach, default)
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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, Wellspring Cave, Clay Tunnel, Lostlorn Forest, Giant Chasm, Victory Road (Fishing) Pinwheel Forest (Hidden Grotto)*
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Generation VI
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X
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Y
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Routes 14, 15, 16, 19, and 21, Laverre City, Frost Cavern, Couriway Town, Pokémon Village, Victory Road (Good Rod or Super Rod) Pokémon Village, Frost Cavern, Victory Road (Surfing) Friend Safari (Water)
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Omega Ruby
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Alpha Sapphire
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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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Held items
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This template is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this template to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Needs BDSP support
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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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65
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125 - 172
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240 - 334
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65
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63 - 128
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121 - 251
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65
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63 - 128
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121 - 251
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50
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49 - 112
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94 - 218
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50
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49 - 112
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94 - 218
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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Total: 385
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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 50.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
Poliwhirl is available in Sword and Shield Version 1.2.0+ and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwhirl
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwhirl
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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SwSh
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwhirl
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwhirl
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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BDSP
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwhirl
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwhirl
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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SwSh
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Poliwhirl in Generation VIII
- 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 Poliwhirl in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwhirl
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwhirl
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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BDSP
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Poliwhirl in Generation VIII
- 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 Poliwhirl in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwhirl
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwhirl
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwhirl
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwhirl
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwhirl
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwhirl
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
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By transfer from another generation
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- Transferred Pokémon only retain these moves in Pokémon Sword and Shield
- A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwhirl
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Poliwhirl
- × indicates a move that cannot be used in Sword and Shield
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see transfer-only moves for 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 ×2)
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Loops: 5
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Min. exp.: 35
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Max. exp.: 55
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Browser entry R-053
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Poliwhirl attacks with jets of water. Beware--it attacks repeatedly.
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Pokémon Rumble Rush
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Walking Speed: 1.58 seconds
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Base HP: 52
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Base Attack: 73
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Base Defense: 50
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Base Speed: 60
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Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
Poliwhirl in the original Tokyo Pokémon Center logo
- The logo for the Pokémon Center in Tokyo featured Poliwhirl until it was replaced by Piplup in July 2007.
- Poliwhirl was also featured prominently on the center of the November 22, 1999, issue of Time Magazine.
- Poliwhirl's sprites and artwork are inconsistent with respect to its gloves. Sometimes, they are depicted as mittens, while other times, they have separate fingers.
- Poliwhirl shares its category with Poliwag, Poliwrath, and Tympole. They are all known as the Tadpole Pokémon.
Origin
Poliwhirl is based on a glass frog. The spiral pattern on its belly is supposed to represent how the organs of these frogs and other tadpoles can sometimes be seen through their transparent skin. Its evolution is based on a tadpole's metamorphosis.
Name origin
Poliwhirl may be a combination of polliwog (outdated term for tadpole) and whirl or whirlpool.
Nyorozo may be a combination of ニョロニョロ nyoronyoro (onomatopoeia for wriggling) and 小僧 kozō (youngster).
In other languages
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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ニョロゾ Nyorozo
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From ニョロニョロ nyoronyoro and 小僧 kozō
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French
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Têtarte
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From têtard and tarte
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Spanish
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Poliwhirl
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Same as English name
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German
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Quaputzi
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From Kaulquappe and putzig
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Italian
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Poliwhirl
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Same as English name
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Korean
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슈륙챙이 Syuryukchaengi* 수륙챙이 Suryukchaengi*
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From 수륙 (水陸) suryuk and 올챙이 olchaeng-i
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Mandarin Chinese
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蚊香君 Wénxiāngjūn* 蚊香蛙 Wénxiāngwā*
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From 蚊香 wénxiāng and 君 jūn From 蚊香 wénxiāng and 蛙 wā
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Cantonese Chinese
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蚊香君 Mānhēunggwān* 蚊香蛙 Mānhēungwā*
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From 蚊香 mānhēung and 君 gwān From 蚊香 mānhēung and 蛙 wā
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More languages
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Hindi
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पॉलीवर्ल Poliwhirl
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Transcription of English name
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Icelandic
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Fjölreiði*
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From the English name and reiði
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Lithuanian
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Polivirlas
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From the English name
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Russian
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Поливирл Polivirl
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Transcription of English name
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Thai
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เนียวโรโซ Niaoroso
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Related articles
External links