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
In the anime, Poliwag feed on salveyo weed, which can only be found on clear lake bottoms.
In the animeIn the mangaIn the TCGIn the TFG
One Poliwag figure has been released.
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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Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
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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.
|
| 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 4*, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14*, 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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| Unknown
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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 4*, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14*, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 with Good Rod
Pallet Town, Viridian City, and Route 22 with Super Rod
Trade for Rattata on Route 5
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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 4*, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14*, 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 22, 28, 30, 31, 44, Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City, Mt. Silver* (surfing and fishing)
Routes 6, 35, 43, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Blackthorn City (fishing)
|
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| Crystal
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| Many
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Routes 22, 28, 30, 31, Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City, Mt. Silver* (surfing and fishing)
Routes 6, 35, 43, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Blackthorn City (fishing)
Routes 22, 30, 31, 44 (tall grassNight)
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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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| Generation V
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| Black
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White
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| Black 2
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White 2
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| Unknown
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Routes 6, 19, 20, 23, Floccesy Ranch, Relic Passage, Lostlorn Forest, Giant Chasm, Victory Road, Clay Tunnel, Wellspring Cave (Super Rod)
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| Dream World
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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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TCG-only moves
Side game data
Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
- Poliwag is the favorite Pokémon of Satoshi Tajiri.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 languagesRelated articlesExternal linksNotes
For other sprites and images, please see Poliwag images on Bulbagarden Archives.
