Poliwag (Pokémon)

← #059: Arcanine

Pokémon

#061: Poliwhirl →

Poliwag ニョロモ Nyoromo #060
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Water ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Tadpole Pokémon
Abilities Water Absorb or Damp Damp Blue-Striped ----- Swift Swim Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,059,860
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #060 Johto #072 Hoenn #247 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R-052 Almia R— Oblivia
Height 2'00" Imperial 0.6 m Metric 2'00"/0.6 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 27.3 lbs. Imperial 12.4 kg Metric 27.3 lbs./12.4 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Blue	Catch rate 255 (33.3%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Water 1 group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 1 Base Exp.: 77 Battle Exp.: 771*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Poliwag (Japanese: ニョロモ Nyoromo) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

It evolves into Poliwhirl starting at level 25, who evolves into Poliwrath when exposed to a Water Stone, or into Politoed when traded holding a King's Rock.

Biology

Physiology

Poliwag resembles a blue, spherical tadpole. It has large eyes, a pink mouth, and a long, mostly transparent tail. It has newly developed legs that still are not used to walking. Poliwag's most famous feature is the black and white swirl on its abdomen, which is actually its innards showing through its semitransparent skin. The swirl looks clearer after it eats, and the skin is also very elastic so that it won't break if the Pokémon is bitten. The direction of the belly spiral differs by area, with the equator being thought to have an effect on this.

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 more likely found swimming than on dry land. If they are startled, they immediately run away.

Habitat

File:Watersedge.gif

Water's-edge Pokémon

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. It is a common sight in Kanto and Johto, but can be found in Sinnoh as well.

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

Poliwag in the anime

Major appearances

Misty's Poliwag

Misty had a Poliwag that eventually evolved into a Poliwhirl and then a Politoed.

Other

One of the Pokémon used at the Pokémon Trainer's School in Gonna Rule The School was a Poliwag. Max used it in a battle, but lost to a Magby. However, it did help defeat Team Rocket.

Minor appearances

A Poliwag appeared in The Saffron Con as a Pokémon owned by a Coordinator.

A Poliwag appeared in Curbing the Crimson Tide!, and another in Up Close and Personable!.

A Poliwag also appeared in One Big Happiny Family! in Jessie's fantasy.

A Poliwag appeared in Bagged Then Tagged!.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP110 Poliwag Ash's Pokédex Poliwag, the Tadpole Pokémon. It has no arms, but its tail makes it a good swimmer.

In the manga

File:Poli as Poliwag.png

Red's Poliwrath, Poli, as a Poliwag

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. It has since evolved into Poliwrath.

Polibo, Gold's Poliwag

Gold has a Poliwag in Volume 8, one of the many Pokémon raised in the house he lived in. It was lost when Team Rocket stole Gold's backpack and its Poké Ball was lost when 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. It evolved into Poliwhirl in Volume 9 and then evolved straight into Politoed utilizing a trade with its held King's Rock.

In the TCG

Main article: Poliwag (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Pinball: A Poliwag appears on the Blue Table, and earns the player points when it is hit.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well. It appears to prefer swimming over walking. Blue 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.
Generation 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.
Generation 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 {{{sapphiredex}}} 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.
Generation IV Diamond Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet. Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water. SoulSilver The direction of its belly spiral differs by area. The equator is thought to have an effect on this.
Generation V Black ないぞうが　すけて　みえるほど　ひふが　うすい。はえたばかりの　あしは　あるくことが　にがて。 White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Common Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City, Vermilion City, Vermilion Harbor, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island, and Routes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 with Good Rod and Pallet Town, Viridian City, and Route 22 with Super Rod Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow Common Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City, Vermilion City, Vermilion Harbor, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island, and Routes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 with Good Rod and Viridian City and Routes 22 and 23 with Super Rod
Generation 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)
Generation 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
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Uncommon Routes 225, 226, and 227 (Good Rod) Platinum Common Routes 227 and 228 (Surf) HeartGold SoulSilver Common Routes 6, 22, 28, 30, 31, 35, 43, 44, 45, Violet City, Ecruteak City, Blackthorn City, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Mt. Silver, Cliff Cave, Viridian City, Cerulean Cave (While Fishing) Safari Zone Pal Park Pond Pokéwalker Beautiful Beach and Blue Lake
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	River
Pokémon Channel	Secret Cove
Pokémon Pinball	Pallet Town Viridian City
Pokémon Trozei!	Phobos Sub 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
Pokémon Rumble	Bright Beach

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Berry (100%)
Yellow*

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 40		100 - 147	190 - 284
Attack: 50		49 - 112	94 - 218
Defense: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Sp. Atk: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Sp. Def: 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 (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.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 3/4 ★★★☆	Power 1/2 ★☆
Skill 2/3 ★★☆	Stamina 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Jump 2/4 ★★☆☆	Total 11/18 ★★☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× 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 - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Water Sport Water Status 0000— ——% 15 055 Bubble Water Special 02020 100100% 30 088 Hypnosis Psychic Status 0000— 06060% 20 1111 Water Gun Water Special 04040 100100% 25 1515 DoubleSlap Normal Physical 01515 08585% 10 1818 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— ——% 5 2121 Body Slam Normal Physical 08585 100100% 15 2525 BubbleBeam Water Special 06565 100100% 20 2828 Mud Shot Ground Special 05555 09595% 15 3131 Belly Drum Normal Status 0000— ——% 10 3535 Wake-Up Slap Fighting Physical 06060 100100% 10 3838 Hydro Pump Water Special 120120 08080% 5 4141 Mud Bomb Ground Special 06565 08585% 10

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

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM07	Hail	Ice	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM13	Ice Beam	Ice	Special	09595	100}}100%	10
	TM14	Blizzard	Ice	Special	120120	070}}70%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM28	Dig	Ground	Physical	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM29	Psychic	Psychic	Special	09090	100}}100%	10
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM46	Thief	Dark	Physical	04040	100}}100%	10
	TM48	Canon	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM55	Boiling Water	Water	Special	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	HM03	Surf	Water	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	HM05	Waterfall	Water	Physical	08080	100}}100%	15
	HM06	Dive	Water	Physical	08080	100}}100%	10
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

By tutoring

|- style="background:#74ACF5" | colspan="13" | 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

• Rollout
• Tackle

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball     Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 060.png 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! 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 Yippee! I leveled up! I'm so happy!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 6.4% IQ group: F
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Water  Poké Assist: ( Water ) Field move: (Soak ×1) Loops: 4 Min. exp.: 20 Max. exp.: 30 Browser entry   If Poliwag spots a Ranger, it becomes startled and dives underwater.
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.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved Poliwag  Water	Level 25 →	First Evolution Poliwhirl  Water	Water Stone →	Second Evolution Poliwrath  Water  Fighting
			Trade holding King's Rock →	Second Evolution Politoed  Water

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	Black 2	White 2			Back

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 the common bilberry: the berry itself is black but covered in a wax-like coating that makes it look blue.
• Despite having a visible tail, it cannot learn any moves that require a tail.
  • On the flip side, despite having no visible hands, it can learn Encore, Wake-Up Slap and Belly Drum.
    • In the anime, however, Poliwag has used its tail for Belly Drum.
• 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.
• Though its HeartGold Pokédex entry states that it is inept to walking on its newly grown legs, it has been seen standing and even walking on its legs in several other games and in the anime.
• Poliwag's cry is not the same as, but is extremely similar to, Ditto's.

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 - From bal (foot) and olchaengi (tadpole).
• Chinese (Taiwan and Hong Kong): 蚊香蝌蚪 Wén Xiāng Kē Dǒu - 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

• Misty's Poliwag

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 species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.