Poliwrath (Pokémon)

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

Poliwrath ニョロボン Nyorobon #062 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Water Fighting Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Water Absorb or Damp Cacophony Cacophony Swift Swim Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 45 (11.9%)
Breeding Egg Group Water 1 Hatch time 21 cycles
Height 4'03" 1.3 m Poliwrath 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 119.0 lbs. 54.0 kg Poliwrath 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 185 Gen. I-IV Unknown IV 225 V+	Leveling rate Medium Slow
EV yield Total: 3 Poliwrath 0 HP 0 Atk 3 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Blue	Base friendship 70
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

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

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

Biology

Poliwrath is a blue, bipedal Pokémon with muscular arms. It has bulbous eyes that protrude from the top of its head. Its belly is covered by a white and black swirl. There appear to be white gloves on its hands, and it has rounded, digit-less feet. It has powerful muscles in its arms and legs that never tire. When it swims, it uses all the muscles in its body, and is able to swim vast distances with minimal breathing. It is even capable of briefly running on the water's surface. Poliwrath, despite being an excellent swimmer, usually lives on dry land near the water's edge.

In the anime

Major appearances

Poliwrath in the anime

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

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

Chuck used a Poliwrath against Ash in his Gym battle in Machoke, Machoke Man. It quickly defeated Ash's Pikachu but lost to his Bayleef.

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

Minor appearances

Poliwrath first appeared in The Punchy Pokémon where it competed in the P1 Grand Prix.

A Poliwrath appeared in The Battling Eevee Brothers! and The Breeding Center Secret.

A Poliwrath appeared in Lights, Camera, Quack-tion, as part of the cast for the movie "Pokémon in Love".

A Poliwrath appeared in Marina's fantasy in Bye Bye Psyduck.

Multiple Poliwrath also appeared in The Power of One.

A Poliwrath was seen in a dojo in Wired for Battle!.

Two Poliwrath were among the Pokémon competing in the Fire and Rescue Grand Prix in The Fire-ing Squad!.

A Poliwrath was one of the Pokémon competing in the Pokémon Sumo Wrestling in Ring Masters.

A Poliwrath was one of the inhabitants of an oasis just for Pokémon in Got Miltank?.

In Pop Goes The Sneasel, a fainted Poliwrath appeared with its Trainer. It was knocked up off-screen after training near the place where the Sacred Fire of Ho-Oh was kept.

A Poliwrath was used by a competitor in the Tour de Alto Mare, a water chariot race, in Pokémon Heroes.

A Poliwrath was one of the Pokémon seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory in Journey to the Starting Line.

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

A Poliwrath appeared in a flashback/fantasy in The Forest Champion!.

Pokédex entries

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

In the manga

Poliwrath in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Main article: Poli

Poliwrath debuts in Buzz Off, Electabuzz! when Red's Poli evolves into one to save its Trainer from drowning. Its evolution wasn't explained until the Yellow arc where it was revealed there were four evolutionary stones that could be used without any limit.

A Poliwrath appeared in Gold's fantasy after seeing Polibo evolved into Politoed in Ampharos Amore.

Much later, Chuck, Blue's own master, owns a Poliwrath, seen in Scrappy Skarmory training with him and his Primeape. Together with Primeape, it used DynamicPunch to reveal Suicune's presence in the ocean off the Cianwood coast, but the Gym Leader was defeated in the end, even after being joined by a friend.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Green's Poliwrath debuted in The Big Battle In The Viridian Forest!!.

One of Giovanni's Poliwhirl appeared in The Thrill of a Perfect Score, Big Rampage at the Amusement Park! where it evolved into a Poliwrath in order to get rid of Red, Clefairy, and Pikachu when they went to the Amusement Park that he built.

In the TCG

Main article: Poliwrath (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

Generation I Red(ENG) An adept swimmer at both the front crawl and breast stroke. Easily overtakes the best human swimmers. Blue Yellow Swims powerfully using all the muscles in its body. It can even overtake champion swimmers. Stadium A strong swimmer, it is faster than a human champ in an individual medley. It can go far and fast with minimal breathing.

Generation II Gold This strong and skilled swimmer is even capable of crossing the Pacific Ocean just by kicking. Silver Although an energetic, skilled swimmer that uses all of its muscles, it lives on dry land. Crystal It can use its well-developed arms and legs to run on the surface of the water for a split second. Stadium 2 This strong and skilled swimmer is even capable of crossing the Pacific Ocean just by kicking.

Generation III Ruby Poliwrath's highly developed, brawny muscles never grow fatigued, however much it exercises. It is so tirelessly strong, this Pokémon can swim back and forth across the Pacific Ocean without effort. Sapphire Emerald Its highly developed muscles never grow fatigued, however much it exercises. This Pokémon can swim back and forth across the Pacific Ocean without effort. FireRed An adept swimmer, it knows the front crawl, butterfly, and more. It is faster than the best human swimmers. LeafGreen A swimmer adept at both the front crawl and breaststroke. Easily overtakes the best human swimmers.

Generation IV Diamond With its extremely tough muscles, it can keep swimming in the Pacific Ocean without resting. Pearl Platinum HeartGold This strong and skilled swimmer is even capable of crossing the Pacific Ocean just by kicking. SoulSilver Although an energetic, skilled swimmer that uses all of its muscles, it lives on dry land.

Generation V Black With its extremely tough muscles, it can keep swimming in the Pacific Ocean without resting. White Black 2 With its extremely tough muscles, it can keep swimming in the Pacific Ocean without resting. White 2

Generation VI X With its extremely tough muscles, it can keep swimming in the Pacific Ocean without resting. Y A swimmer adept at both the front crawl and breaststroke. Easily overtakes the best human swimmers.

Game locations

Generation I Red Blue Evolve Poliwhirl Blue (Japan) Evolve Poliwhirl Yellow Evolve Poliwhirl

Generation II Gold Silver Evolve Poliwhirl Crystal Evolve Poliwhirl

Generation III Ruby Sapphire Trade Emerald Trade FireRed LeafGreen Evolve Poliwhirl Colosseum Trade XD Citadark Isle (Shadow)

Generation IV Diamond Pearl Evolve Poliwhirl Platinum Evolve Poliwhirl HeartGold SoulSilver Evolve Poliwhirl Pal Park Pond

Generation V Black White Wellspring Cave, Challenger's Cave, Victory Road, and Giant Chasm (Fishing in rippling water) Black 2 White 2 Route 23, Relic Passage, Clay Tunnel, Wellspring Cave, Giant Chasm, and Victory Road* (Fishing in rippling water)

Generation VI X Y Victory Road (Super Rod)

In side games

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

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Bitter Berry (100%)
Yellow*
Emerald*		King's Rock (5%)
Black	White	King's Rock (5%)
Black 2	White 2	King's Rock (5%)
X	Y	King's Rock (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Generation I-V

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 90		150 - 197	290 - 384
Attack: 85		81 - 150	157 - 295
Defense: 95		90 - 161	175 - 317
Sp. Atk: 70		67 - 134	130 - 262
Sp. Def: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Speed: 70		67 - 134	130 - 262
Total: 500	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (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 70.

Generation VI

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 90		150 - 197	290 - 384
Attack: 95		90 - 161	175 - 317
Defense: 95		90 - 161	175 - 317
Sp. Atk: 70		67 - 134	130 - 262
Sp. Def: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Speed: 70		67 - 134	130 - 262
Total: 510	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.

Pokéathlon stats

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

Type effectiveness

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

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

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

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

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

Notes: If this Pokémon has Water Absorb, the effectiveness of  Water-type  moves is 0×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation VI Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  00Start Circle Throw Fighting Physical 06060 09090% 10 00Start Bubble Beam Water Special 06565 100100% 20 00Start Hypnosis Psychic Status 0000— 06060% 20 00Start Double Slap Normal Physical 01515 08585% 10 00Start Submission Fighting Physical 08080 08080% 25 3232 Dynamic Punch Fighting Physical 100100 05050% 5 4343 Mind Reader Normal Status 0000— ——% 5 5353 Circle Throw Fighting Physical 06060 09090% 10

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwrath Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwrath Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation VI Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10 TM07 Hail Ice Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM08 Bulk Up Fighting Status 0000— —}}—% 20 TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM13 Ice Beam Ice Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM14 Blizzard Ice Special 110110 070}}70% 5 TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5 TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM18 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— —}}—% 5 TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM26 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10 TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM28 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 TM29 Psychic Psychic Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM31 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 15 TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 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 06060 100}}100% 25 TM47 Low Sweep Fighting Physical 06565 100}}100% 20 TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM52 Focus Blast Fighting Special 120120 070}}70% 5 TM55 Scald Water Special 08080 100}}100% 15 TM56 Fling Dark Physical 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM66 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100}}100% 10 TM68 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5 TM78 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 090}}90% 15 TM88 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM94 Rock Smash Fighting Physical 04040 100}}100% 15 TM98 Power-Up Punch Fighting Physical 04040 100}}100% 20 TM100 Confide Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 20 HM03 Surf Water Special 09090 100}}100% 15 HM04 Strength Normal Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 HM05 Waterfall Water Physical 08080 100}}100% 15

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwrath Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwrath Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation VI Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  Bubble Beam Water Special 65 100% 20 Encore Normal Status — 100% 5 Endeavor Normal Physical — 100% 5 Endure Normal Status — —% 10 Haze Ice Status — —% 30 Ice Ball Ice Physical 30 90% 20 Mind Reader Normal Status — —% 5 Mist Ice Status — —% 30 Mud Shot Ground Special 55 95% 15 Refresh Normal Status — —% 20 Splash Normal Status — —% 40 Water Pulse Water Special 60 100% 20 Water Sport Water Status — —% 15

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Poliwrath in Generation VI Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Poliwrath in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwrath Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwrath Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation VI Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.

A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Poliwrath can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Poliwrath cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwrath Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwrath Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By a prior evolution

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

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball    Acquisition: Evolve		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 062.png Body size: 1 Recruit rate: Evolve Friend Area: Tadpole Pond Phrases 51%-100% HP My swimming is world class! 26%-50% HP Half my HP's gone. This feels unpleasant. 1%-25% HP Do something... I don't have the energy left to swim... Level up I leveled up! What a glorious feeling it is! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up! What a glorious feeling it is!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: -4.5% IQ group: F
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Water  Poké Assist: ( Water ) Field move: (Soak ×3) Loops: 11 Min. exp.: 60 Max. exp.: 90 Browser entry   Poliwrath blasts surging jets of water with tremendous force.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●●● Defense ●●●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●● Defense ●●●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack 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

Sprites

Generation I Red Green Red Blue Yellow Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation II Gold Silver Crystal Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back

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

Trivia

Poliwrath's early design, Nyosuka

• In Generation II and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, a man in Celadon City has a Poliwrath in hope that it will evolve into a frog Pokémon one day. Although the Pokémon he was thinking of is most likely Politoed, it is too late, as it is Poliwhirl that evolves into Politoed when holding a King's Rock, not Poliwrath.
• An early design of Poliwrath revealed on Game Freak's official Japanese website circa 1997 depicts it wearing a crown, similar to the King's Rock which is necessary to evolve Poliwhirl into Politoed.
• Poliwrath shares its species name with Poliwag, Poliwhirl, and Tympole. They are all known as the Tadpole Pokémon.

Origin

Poliwrath 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. It may also be based on amphibian neoteny, as it stays in tadpole form and does not metamorphose into a frog.

Name origin

Poliwrath is a combination of polliwog and wrath (anger).

Nyorobon is a combination of ニョロニョロ nyoronyoro (the sound of slithering) and an alternate reading of 洪 kō (deluge or flood) is hon (relative to bon).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ニョロボン Nyorobon From ニョロニョロ nyoronyoro and 洪 kō which can also be read as hon or bon French Tartard From tartarin and têtard Spanish Poliwrath Same as English name German Quappo From Kaulquappe Italian Poliwrath Same as English name Korean 강챙이 Gangchaeng'i From 강 gang and 올챙이 olchaeng'i Mandarin Chinese 快泳蛙 Kuàiyǒngwā Literally "Fast swimming frog" Cantonese Chinese 大力蛙 Daaihlihkwā Means "Great strength frog" or "Energetic frog"

More languages

Notes

← #061: Poliwhirl

Pokémon

#063: Abra →

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