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. This skin is also very elastic so that it won't break if the Pokémon is bitten.
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
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 animeIn the mangaIn the TCGGame data
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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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, and Routes Route 6, Route 10, Route 11, Route 12, Route 13, Route 17, Route 18, Route 19, Route 20, Route 21, Route 22, Route 23, Route 24, and Route 25 with Good Rod and 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, and Routes Route 6, Route 10, Route 11, Route 12, Route 13, Route 17, Route 18, Route 19, Route 20, Route 21, Route 22, Route 23, Route 24, and Route 25 with Good Rod and Viridian City and Routes Route 22 and Route 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 (Fish) Safari Zone
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Pal Park
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Pokéwalker
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In side games
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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| 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.
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
Evolution
Sprites
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.
- 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
- 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 articlesExternal linksNotes