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Height
2'00"
Imperial
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0.6 m
Metric
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2'00"/0.6 m
Red-Striped
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0'0"/0.0 m
Blue-Striped
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0'0"/0.0 m
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Weight
27.3 lbs.
Imperial
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12.4 kg
Metric
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27.3 lbs./12.4 kg
Red-Striped
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0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Blue-Striped
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0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
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EV yield
HP
0
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Atk
0
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Def
0
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Sp.Atk
0
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Sp.Def
0
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Speed
1
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| Base Exp.: 60
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Battle Exp.: 601*
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Poliwag (Japanese: ニョロモ Nyoromo) is a Water-type Pokémon.
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
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 very elastic so that it will not 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. 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. Their tail can also be used for attacks like DoubleSlap, Belly Drum, and Wake-Up Slap, with the latter being fairly strong after a Hypnosis.
Behavior
They are more likely found swimming than on dry land. If they are startled, they immediately run away.
Habitat
Poliwag can be found in small freshwater ponds and lakes that have an abundance of lily pads, as well as along the banks of tropical rivers. It is a common sight in Kanto and Johto, but can be found in Sinnoh and Unova as well. In Unova, they are most notably found in bodies of water within caves.
Diet
- Main article: Pokémon food
Unknown.
In the anime
Major appearances
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. It helped defeat Team Rocket later on.
Minor appearances
Poliwag first appeared in Primeape Goes Bananas.
Poliwag also appeared in the banned episode EP035.
A Poliwag appeared in A Chansey Operation and The Breeding Center Secret.
Multiple Poliwag were among the Pokémon seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory in Showdown at the Po-ké Corral.
Poliwag also appeared in Pallet Party Panic, at a party among other Pokémon.
A Poliwag was among the Pokémon controlled by Cassidy and Butch in Pikachu Re-Volts.
A Poliwag appeared in Marina's fantasy in Bye Bye Psyduck.
A Poliwag under the ownership of an unnamed Trainer was treated by Nurse Joy in The Joy of Pokémon.
Multiple Poliwag also appeared in The Power of One and Pokémon Heroes.
A Poliwag made a brief appearance in Dueling Heroes.
A Poliwag was seen at a Pokémon Center in The Legend of Thunder!.
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.
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!.
Multiple Poliwag were owned by a family of traveling circus performers in Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea.
A Poliwag also 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!.
A Poliwag made a very brief appearance in League Unleashed!.
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 good swimmer.
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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. It has since evolved into Poliwrath.
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 {{DL|Evolution-inducing held item|King's Rock]].
In the Pokémon Get da ze! manga
Shū has a Poliwag in the Pokémon Get da ze! manga.
In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga
- Main article: Misty's Politoed
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 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.
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| Generation I
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| Red
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Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well. It appears to prefer swimming over walking.
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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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| 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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| 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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{{{sapphiredex}}}
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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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| 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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{{{pearldex}}}
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| Platinum
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{{{platinumdex}}}
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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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| 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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{{{whitedex}}}
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| Black 2
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{{{black2dex}}}
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| White 2
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{{{white2dex}}}
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Game locations
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
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| Generation I
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| Red
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Blue
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| Common
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Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City, Vermilion City, Vermilion Harbor, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island, Indigo Plateau, and Routes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 with Good Rod
Pallet Town, Viridian City, and Route 22 with Super Rod
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| Blue (Japan)
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| Yellow
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| Common
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Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City, Vermilion City, Vermilion Harbor, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island, Indigo Plateau, and Routes 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 with Good Rod
Viridian City and Routes 22 and 23 with Super Rod
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| Generation II
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| Gold
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Silver
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| Many
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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)
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| Crystal
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| Many
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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)
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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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| Common
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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)
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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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| Common
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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
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| Pal Park
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| Pokéwalker
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In side games
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 V, 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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| Game |
Move |
Type |
Cat. |
Pwr. |
Acc. |
PP
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| This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
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- A black 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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| Event |
Move |
Type |
Cat. |
Pwr. |
Acc. |
PP
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| Dream World
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Mist
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Ice
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Status
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—
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100%
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30
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| Dream World
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Sleep Talk
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Normal
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Status
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—
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—%
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10
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- A superscript level indicates that Poliwag can learn this move normally in Generation V at that level
- 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 event moves from other generations
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
- 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 at 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.
- 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 the Tadpole Pokémon.
- In the games, Poliwag and Ditto have the same cry.
- A prototype design of Poliwag was shown on Game Freak's official Japanese website.
Origin
Poliwag is based on a tadpole. The spiral pattern on its belly is supposed to represent how the organs of tadpoles are sometimes seen through their transparent skin.
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
| 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 Balchaengi
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From bal and olchaengi
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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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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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For other sprites and images, please see Poliwag images on Bulbagarden Archives.
