Poli was Red's first Pokémon. It is unknown when Red received or caught Poli. Flashbacks show Red as a young child with the Pokémon, before the first chapter of Pokémon Adventures. As a child, Red would have drowned, if it wasn't for Poli evolving from a Poliwag to a Poliwhirl, who brought him up to the surface.
Along with Pika and Saur, it is one of Red's most frequently used Pokémon. It was also principal in Red's battle for the Boulder Badge.
In Buzz Off, Electabuzz!, Poli evolves into Poliwrath to save Red from drowning again after he falls off the S.S. Anne. At first, it was believed that Poli somehow evolved without a Water Stone. However, in the Yellow arc, it is explained that he touched one of the four evolutionary stones speculated to be at the bottom of Vermilion Harbor.
At the Pokémon League, Poli and Pika helped Saur defeat Blue's Charizard.
During the Gold arc, Red does not carry Poli on his team with him, enabling him to use both Green's Blastoise and Blue's Charizard. This is a reference to Red's team in Pokémon Gold and Silver.
Poli's Damp ability combined with Deoxys's use of Skill Swap enabled Red to counter Carr's exploding Forretress in the FRLG arc.
Moves used