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Poliwag (Pokémon)

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← 000 #{{{prevnum}}}: Arcanine
Pokémon
#{{{nextnum}}}: Poliwhirl 000 →
Poliwag
ニョロモ Nyoromo
#060
060Poliwag.png
Artwork from FR/LG
Type
Water '
Category
Tadpole Pokémon
Abilities
Water Absorb or Damp
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,059,860
Regional Pokédex numbers
Kanto
#060 		Johto
#072 		Hoenn
#247
Regional Browser numbers
Height
2′00″
Imperial 		0.6 m
Metric
Weight
27.3 lbs.
Imperial 		12.4 kg
Metric
Dex color
Blue
Catch rate
255 (33.3%)
Body style
BodyUnknown.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F060.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
Gender unknown
Breeding
Water 1 group 1 cycles
(255 minimum steps)
EV yield
HP
0 		Atk
0 		Def
0 		Sp.Atk
0 		Sp.Def
0 		Speed
0
Base Exp.: 77 Battle Exp.: 771*

Poliwag (Japanese: ニョロモ Nyoromo) is a Water-type Pokémon.

Biology

Physiology

Poliwag resembles a tadpole. The swirl on Poliwag's abdomen is actually its intestines showing through its semitransparent skin.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Behavior

Habitat

File:Watersedge.gif
Water's-edge Pokémon

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.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime, Poliwag feed on salveyo weed, which can only be found on clear lake bottoms.

In the anime

File:EP110.jpg
Misty with her Poliwag.

Misty had a Poliwag that eventually evolved into a Poliwhirl and then a Politoed.

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 but lost to a Magby. However, it did help defeat Team Rocket.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Special manga

Poliwag makes a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory and in Danger: High Voltorb in a Red's flashback remembering his journey with his Poliwhirl.

Gold has a Poliwag as of Template:PSV. It was lost when Team Rocket stole Gold's backpack and its Poké Ball fell into the water. Gold eventually retrieved Poliwag at the Famous Fishing Zone. It evolved into Poliwhirl in Template:PSV.

In the TCG

Main article: Poliwag (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I
Red Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well. It appears to prefer swimming over walking.
Blue
Yellow The direction of the spiral on the belly differs by area. It is more adept at swimming than walking.
Stadium The spiral on its belly is its internal organs seen through its thin skin. It is better at swimming than walking.
Generation II
Gold Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
Silver The direction of its belly spiral differs by area. The equator is thought to have an effect on this.
Crystal The swirl on its belly is its insides showing through the skin. It looks clearer after it eats.
Stadium 2 Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
Generation III
Ruby 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.
Sapphire 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.
Emerald 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.
FireRed Its slick black skin is thin and damp. A part of its internal organs can be seen through the skin as a spiral pattern.
LeafGreen Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well. It appears to prefer swimming over walking.
Generation IV
Diamond Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
Pearl Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
Platinum {{{platinumdex}}}
HeartGold {{{heartgolddex}}}
SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V
Black {{{blackdex}}}
White {{{whitedex}}}
Black 2 {{{black2dex}}}
White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI
X Unknown
Y Unknown


Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I
Red Blue
Many Viridian City and Route 22 (Fish)
Blue (Japan)
None Trade
Yellow
Many Routes 16, 17, 22, and 23, and Viridian City, Fuchsia City (Fish)
Generation II
Gold Silver
Many 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)
Crystal
Many 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)
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
None Trade
Emerald
None Trade
FireRed LeafGreen
Common 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)
Colosseum
None Trade
XD
None Trade
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
Uncommon Routes 225, 226, and 228 (Fish w/ Good Rod)
Platinum
None Trade
HeartGold SoulSilver
None Trade
Pal Park
Pond
Pokéwalker
None
Generation V
Black White
None Trade
Black 2 White 2
None Trade
Dream World
None
Generation VI
X Y
None Trade



In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Snap River
Pokémon Channel Secret Cove
Pokémon Trozei Phobos Submarine
Endless Level 22
Pair Trozei
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Silent Chasm (5F-9F)
Northwind Field (1F-4F)
Waterfall Pond (1F-5F)
Pokémon Ranger Krokka Tunnel

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
40
100 - 147 190 - 284
50
49 - 112 94 - 218
40
40 - 101 76 - 196
40
40 - 101 76 - 196
40
40 - 101 76 - 196
90
85 - 156 166 - 306
Total:
300
 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 40.

Type effectiveness

Template:DP type effectiveness

Note: if Poliwag has Water Absorb, the effectiveness of Water attacks will be 0×.

Learnset

Template:Learnset introMoves in Italics aren't STAB for Poliwag, but are for some/all evolutions.

By leveling up

Generation I
Level Move Type
Start Bubble Water
16 Hypnosis psychic
19 Water Gun Water
25 DoubleSlap normal
31 Body Slam normal
38 Amnesia psychic
45 Hydro Pump water
Generation II
Level Move Type
Start Bubble Water
7 Hypnosis psychic
13 Water Gun Water
19 DoubleSlap normal
25 Rain Dance Water
31 Body Slam normal
38 Belly Drum normal
43 Hydro Pump water
Generation III
Level Move Type
Start Bubble Water
7 Hypnosis psychic
13 Water Gun Water
19 DoubleSlap normal
25 Rain Dance Water
31 Body Slam normal
37 Belly Drum normal
43 Hydro Pump water
Generation IV
Level Move Type Cat.
Start Water Sport Water Status
5 Bubble Water Special
8 Hypnosis psychic Status
11 Water Gun Water Special
15 DoubleSlap normal Physical
18 Rain Dance Water status
21 Body Slam normal physical
25 BubbleBeam Water Special
28 Mud Shot Ground Special
31 Belly Drum normal status
35 Wake-Up Slap Fighting Physical
38 Hydro Pump water Special
43 Mud Bomb Ground special

By TM/HM

Generation I
# Move Type
TM06 Toxic Poison
TM08 Body Slam Normal
TM09 Take Down Normal
TM10 Double-Edge Normal
TM11 BubbleBeam water
TM12 Water Gun water
TM13 Ice Beam ice
TM14 Blizzard ice
TM20 Rage Normal
TM29 Psychic Psychic
TM31 Mimic Normal
TM32 Double Team Normal
TM34 Bide Normal
TM40 Skull Bash Normal
TM44 Rest psychic
TM46 Psywave psychic
TM50 Substitute Normal
HM03 Surf water
Generation II
# Move Type
TM02 Headbutt Normal
TM03 Curse unknown
TM06 Toxic Poison
TM10 Hidden Power Normal
TM13 Snore normal
TM14 Blizzard ice
TM16 Icy Wind Ice
TM17 Protect Normal
TM18 Rain Dance water
TM20 Endure Normal
TM21 Frustration Normal
TM27 Return Normal
TM29 Psychic Psychic
TM32 Double Team Normal
TM34 Swagger Normal
TM35 Sleep Talk Normal
TM40 Defense Curl Normal
TM44 Rest psychic
TM45 Attract normal
TM46 Thief dark
HM03 Surf water
HM06 Whirlpool water
HM07 Waterfall water
Generation III
# Move Type
TM02 Water Pulse water
TM06 Toxic Poison
TM07 Hail Ice
TM10 Hidden Power Normal
TM13 Ice Beam Ice
TM14 Blizzard ice
TM17 Protect Normal
TM18 Rain Dance water
TM21 Frustration Normal
TM27 Return Normal
TM28 Dig Ground
TM29 Psychic Psychic
TM32 Double Team Normal
TM42 Facade Normal
TM43 Secret Power Normal
TM44 Rest psychic
TM45 Attract normal
TM46 Thief dark
HM03 Surf water
HM07 Waterfall water
HM08 Dive water
Generation IV
# Move Type Cat.
TM02 Water Pulse water Special
TM06 Toxic Poison Status
TM07 Hail Ice Status
TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special
TM13 Ice Beam Ice Special
TM14 Blizzard ice Special
TM17 Protect Normal Status
TM18 Rain Dance water Status
TM21 Frustration Normal Physical
TM27 Return Normal Physical
TM28 Dig Ground Physical
TM29 Psychic Psychic Special
TM32 Double Team Normal Status
TM42 Facade Normal Physical
TM43 Secret Power Normal Physical
TM44 Rest psychic Status
TM45 Attract normal Status
TM46 Thief dark Physical
TM58 Endure Normal Status
TM78 Captivate Normal Status
TM82 Sleep Talk Normal Status
TM83 Natural Gift Normal Physical
TM87 Swagger Normal Status
TM90 Substitute normal Status
HM03 Surf water Special
HM07 Waterfall water Physical

By breeding

In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl only:

TCG-only Moves

Side game data

Template:Side game

Evolution

Template:EvoChart Box

Template:EvoChart Box

Template:EvoChart Box

Template:EvoChart Box

Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
Spr 1b 060.png Spr 1y 060.png Spr 1g 060.png Spr b g1 060.png
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
Spr 2g 060.png Spr 2s 060.png Spr 2c 060.png Spr b 2g 060.png
Spr 2g 060 s.png Spr 2s 060 s.png Spr 2c 060 s.png Spr b 2g 060 s.png
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
Spr 3r 060.png Spr 3e 060.png Spr 3f 060.png Spr b 3r 060.png
Spr 3r 060 s.png Spr 3e 060 s.png Spr 3f 060 s.png Spr b 3r 060 s.png
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
Spr 4d 060.png Spr 4p 060.png Spr 4h 060.png Spr b 4d 060.png
Spr 4d 060 s.png Spr 4p 060 s.png Spr 4h 060 s.png Spr b 4d 060 s.png
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
Spr 5b 060.png Spr 5b2 060.png Spr b 5b 060.png
Spr 5b 060 s.png Spr 5b2 060 s.png Spr b 5b 060 s.png
Poliwag For other sprites and images, please see Poliwag images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

  • Poliwag has the same in-game cry as Ditto.
  • Curiously, the swirl on Poliwag's stomach is in the opposite direction to Poliwhirl's and Poliwrath's.
  • The swirl on Poliwag's stomach changes direction after Generation I.
  • Poliwag is creator Satoshi Tajiri's favorite Pokémon.

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

Related articles

External links

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Pokémon
#{{{nextnum}}}: Poliwhirl 000 →
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