Poliwag (Pokémon)
For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section. | |||||||||
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This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Poliwag (disambiguation). |
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Type
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Abilities
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Gender ratio
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Catch rate
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Breeding
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Height
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Weight
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Base experience yield
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Leveling rate
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EV yield
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Shape
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Footprint
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Pokédex color
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Base friendship
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External Links
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Poliwag (Japanese: ニョロモ Nyoromo) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves into Poliwhirl starting at level 25, which evolves into Poliwrath when exposed to a Water Stone or Politoed when traded while holding a King's Rock.
(Specifics may differ in past games. Refer to Game data→Evolution data for these details.)
Biology
Poliwag is an amphibian Pokémon resembling a blue, spherical tadpole. It has large eyes and pink lips that can also act as suction cups for rocks. Its skin is very thin, but flexible and difficult to puncture. There is a black and white swirl on its abdomen, which is actually its internal organs showing through its semitransparent skin. The swirl is clearer following a meal and will have a white tinge if the Pokémon is affected by disease. The direction of the belly spiral differs by area; the equator is thought to have an effect on it.
Poliwag has newly developed legs that are poor at walking and no arms. It has a long, thin tail surrounded by a light-blue, semitransparent fin. Its tail makes it a powerful swimmer. It loves to waddle on land despite the dangers. However, it will quickly return back into the water should it see danger. It cannot walk on land well unless trained everyday.
Because of its ineptitude on land, Poliwag is more likely to be found swimming in small freshwater ponds and lakes. In the Pokémon the Series episode The Stun Spore Detour, Poliwag is shown feeding on salveyo weed, which can only be found on clear lake bottoms.
Evolution
Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl, which evolves into either Poliwrath or Politoed.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Game data
NPC appearances
- Pokémon Pinball: A Poliwag appears on the Blue Table, and earns the player points when it is hit.
- Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon: A Poliwag, along with three Poliwrath, appear as the boss of Poliwrath River.
Pokédex entries
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Poliwag in the Alola Pokédex | Poliwag in the Kitakami Pokédex |
Game locations
In side games
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In events
Games | Event | Language | Location | Level | Distribution period |
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GSC | Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Growth Poliwag | English | United States | 5 | June 8 to 21, 2002 |
GSC | Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Lovely Kiss Poliwag | English | United States | 5 | February 7 to 13, 2003 |
GSC | Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Sweet Kiss Poliwag | English | United States | 5 | February 7 to 13, 2003 |
FRLG | Egg Pokémon Present Poliwag | Japanese | Japan | 5 | March 21 to April 4, 2004 |
Wild Area News
Games | Event | Gigantamax | Level | Distribution period |
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SwSh | Wild Area News | No | 17 | June 4 to 6, 2021 |
SwSh | Wild Area News | No | 17, 30, 40, 50, 60 | July 1 to 10, 2022 |
Held items
Pokémon caught in Generation I must be traded to a Generation II game in order for a held item to appear.
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Red | Blue | Berry (100%)
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Yellow |
Stats
Base stats
Stat | Range | ||
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At Lv. 50 | At Lv. 100 | ||
HP: 40
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100 - 147 | 190 - 284 | |
50
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49 - 112 | 94 - 218 | |
40
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40 - 101 | 76 - 196 | |
40
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40 - 101 | 76 - 196 | |
40
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40 - 101 | 76 - 196 | |
90
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85 - 156 | 166 - 306 | |
Total: 300
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Other Pokémon with this total | ||
Pokéathlon stats
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Type effectiveness
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Learnset
By leveling up
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By TM
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By breeding
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TCG-only moves
Move | Card |
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Rollout | Poliwag (Neo Discovery 62) Poliwag (Expedition 125) |
Tackle | Poliwag (Legends Awakened 114) |
Side game data
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Evolution data
Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl starting at level 25, which evolves into Poliwrath when exposed to a Water Stone or Politoed when traded while holding a King's Rock. Poliwhirl cannot evolve into Politoed in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen before the player obtains the National Pokédex, as its evolution will be interupted. Poliwhirl also cannot evolve into Politoed in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, as Politoed is not present in those games.
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Level 25 → |
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Water Stone ↗ |
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+ Trade holding King's Rock ↘ |
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Sprites
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In animation
Main series
Major appearances
Misty's Poliwag
Misty caught a Poliwag in The Stun Spore Detour, which eventually evolved in The Totodile Duel into a Poliwhirl and then into a Politoed during Outrageous Fortunes.
Other
In Gonna Rule The School, the Pokémon Trainers' School lent a Poliwag to Max. He used it in a battle against Tommy, who was training with a Magby. It helped defeat Team Rocket later on.
In Like It Or Lup It!, a Poliwag was part of a group also consisting of a Wooper and a Quagsire, and led by a Golduck.
Minor appearances
Poliwag debuted in Primeape Goes Bananas.
A Poliwag appeared in a fantasy in the banned episode EP035.
A Poliwag appeared in A Chansey Operation.
A Poliwag appeared as an image in The Ultimate Test.
A Poliwag appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.
In Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, multiple Poliwag were living at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Poliwag was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
In Pallet Party Panic, a Poliwag was at a party in Pallet Town.
In Pikachu Re-Volts, Cassidy and Butch controlled a Poliwag at Mandarin Island North.
A Poliwag appeared in Marina's fantasy in Bye Bye Psyduck.
In The Joy of Pokémon, a Trainer's Poliwag was treated by the Nurse Joy of an unnamed island.
In The Power of One, multiple Poliwag sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
Multiple wild Poliwag appeared in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.
In The Fire-ing Squad!, seven Poliwag competed in the Fire and Rescue Grand Prix.
A Poliwag appeared in a fantasy in The Totodile Duel.
In Carrying On!, a sick Poliwag was in Way Away Island's Pokémon Center.
In Got Miltank?, a Poliwag lived at a Pokémon-exclusive oasis.
In Octillery The Outcast and Dueling Heroes, a Trainer's Poliwag competed in the Whirl Cup.
Multiple Poliwag appeared in Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias.
In The Legend of Thunder!, a Poliwag was at a Pokémon Center.
In A Family That Battles Together Stays Together!, Flint revealed that the reason he had fallen in love with Lola was the precision of her Poliwag's Hydro Pump against his Graveler, now a Golem. It reappeared in a fantasy in Grating Spaces!.
A Poliwag appeared in The Scheme Team.
A Coordinator's Poliwag appeared in The Saffron Con.
A Poliwag appeared in On Olden Pond as a resident of an old lake.
A Coordinator's Poliwag appeared in Harley Rides Again.
In Curbing the Crimson Tide!, Hiroshi's Poliwag battled a disguised Scizor known as "Red Lightning". It was defeated and had markings scribbled on its face afterwards.
In Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, the Marina Group used two Poliwag for their water show.
In Once More With Reeling!, a Coordinator's Poliwag competed in the Terracotta Contest.
In Not on MY Watch Ya Don't!, a Poliwag was hypnotized and kidnapped by Team Rocket.
In Up Close and Personable!, a Poliwag was living at the lake near the Pokémon Summer Academy.
A Poliwag appeared in Jessie's fantasy in One Big Happiny Family!.
A Poliwag appeared in Bagged Then Tagged!.
In Coming Full-Festival Circle!, multiple Poliwag listened to Nando as he played his music.
A Poliwag briefly appeared in League Unleashed!, under the ownership of a girl.
A Poliwag appeared in The Dream Continues!.
In a flashback in Giving Chase at the Rhyhorn Race!, a Poliwag startled a young Serena, which resulted in her injuring her knee.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Adventures in Running Errands!.
In The Legend of the Ninja Hero!, a Poliwag was living in the Ninja Village.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in A League of His Own!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Rocking Kalos Defenses!.
Two Poliwag appeared in Alola to New Adventure!, with one under the ownership of a Trainer and the other being wild.
A Poliwag appeared in The Guardian's Challenge!.
In Yo, Ho, Ho! Go, Popplio!, a Poliwag was walking along an island where Ash, his classmates, and Professor Kukui were taking a break from fishing.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in I Choose You!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!.
Two Poliwag appeared in Alola, Kanto!, with one under the ownership of a Trainer, while the other was in a lake.
Two Poliwag appeared in Dewpider Ascending!, with one appearing at the Pokémon School.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Tough Guy Trials!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in A Young Royal Flame Ignites!.
Multiple Trainers' Poliwag appeared in The Power of Us.
In I Choose Paradise!, a Poliwag was at the Pokémon Paradise Resort.
In Securing the Future!, two Poliwag joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its normal form.
A Poliwag appeared in Keeping Your Eyes on the Ball!.
A Poliwag appeared in Pikachu's Exciting Adventure!.
Two Trainers' Poliwag appeared in League Offenders and Defenders!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Z-Move Showdown!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Exhibition Unmasked!.
In From Z to Shining Z!, a Trainer's Poliwag watched the battle between Ash's Pikachu and Tapu Koko. It reappeared in a flashback in Helping the Hometown Hero!.
Multiple Poliwag appeared in Enter Pikachu!.
Five Poliwag appeared in Legend? Go! Friends? Go!.
In Dreams Are Made of These!, Goh caught a Poliwag during a Pokémon Orienteering competition. It has since made further appearances in Pokémon Journeys: The Series.
In Caring for a Mystery!, five Poliwag battled a wild Riolu after it attacked them.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in A Festival Reunion!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Toughing It Out!.
Two Trainers' Poliwag appeared in Trade, Borrow, and Steal!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Getting More Than You Battled For!. Another Poliwag was swimming in a swamp at Cero Island.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Secrets of the Jungle.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Sobble Spies a Stealthy Strategy!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Memories of a Warming Kindness!.
In On Land, In the Sea, and to the Future!, a Trainer's Poliwag competed in the Kids Marine Athletic Race.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Take My Thief! Please!.
Two Poliwag appeared in Infinite Possibilities!. One of them evolved into a Poliwhirl.
A Poliwag appeared in Heroes Unite!, with another appearing in a flashback.
Five Poliwag appeared in Distant Blue Sky!.
Four Poliwag appeared in The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Tinkatink's Ideal Hammer.
Pokédex entries
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Pokémon Origins
Two Poliwag appeared in File 3: Giovanni.
POKÉTOON
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Blossom's Dream.
A Poliwag appeared in Wait for Me, Magikarp!.
In the manga
Ash & Pikachu
In Do Your Best Bulbasaur!!, a Poliwag was at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
The Electric Tale of Pikachu
- Main article: Misty's Poliwag
Misty is shown with a Poliwag in Clefairy Tale. It later evolved into a Poliwhirl.
Magical Pokémon Journey
A Poliwag appeared in How Do You Do, Pikachu?.
Pokémon Journeys
Two Poliwag appeared in Caring for a Mystery!.
Pocket Monsters HGSS
A Poliwag appeared in PMHGSS01.
Pokémon Adventures
In Bulbasaur, Come Home!, a Poliwag escaped from Professor Oak's Laboratory.
In Danger: High Voltorb, a flashback showed Red's Poliwhirl, nicknamed Poli, as a Poliwag. He has since evolved into Poliwrath.
In Murkrow Row, Gold has a Poliwag, which was one of the many Pokémon raised in the house he lived in. He was lost when Team Rocket stole Gold's backpack and his Poké Ball was lost when it fell into the water. Gold eventually retrieved Poliwag at the Famous Fishing Zone from a wild Granbull that was stealing to draw attention so that it could get its jaw healed. He evolved into a Poliwhirl in Ampharos Amore, and then into a Politoed utilizing a trade with his held King's Rock.
In Slugging It Out With Slugma, a Poliwag was at Earl's Pokémon Academy in Violet City.
In Scizor Defends, multiple Poliwag were living at the Pokémon Village. One of them reappeared in Charizard Transforms.
A Poliwag appeared in Malamar Traps.
A Poliwag appeared in Chesnaught Protects.
A Poliwag appeared in a flashback in Chesnaught Protects.
A Poliwag appeared in True Identity and the Totem Pokémon of Brooklet Hill.
Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in Let's Fight For The Future!!.
Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!
Shu caught a Poliwag in Catch the Poliwag!.
A Poliwag appeared in GDZ23.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
A Poliwag appeared in Demanding Tests at the Pokémon School!.
Ruby has a Poliwag, as seen in Something Happened!! Let's Go After Pikachu!!.
Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire
Ruby has a Poliwag at his house, as seen in Something Happened!! Let's Go After Pikachu!!.
In the TCG
- Main article: Poliwag (TCG)
In the TFG
One Poliwag figure has been released.
Trivia
- Poliwag is Satoshi Tajiri's favorite Pokémon.[1]
- 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.
- In Pokémon Adventures, Poliwag holds the record as the Pokémon who takes the least amount of time to evolve twice, taking only one chapter. It shares this with Caterpie and Togepi.
- Poliwag shares its species name with Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, and Tympole. They are all known as the Tadpole Pokémon.
- Prior to Generation VI, Poliwag and Ditto had the same cry.
- A prototype design of Poliwag was shown on Game Freak's official Japanese website in 1997.
- The Red and Blue Pokedex entries state Poliwag are born without legs. However with the addition of Pokémon Eggs in the next generation, Poliwag are shown to be born with legs.
Origin
Poliwag is based on a tadpole. The spiral pattern on its belly is supposed to represent how the intestines of tadpoles are sometimes seen through their transparent skin.[2] Poliwag's Pokémon Silver Pokédex entry saying that the direction of its belly spiral differs by area relative the equator may allude to the coriolis effect.
Name origin
Poliwag may be derived from polliwog (outdated term for tadpole), which is formed from Middle English words pol (head) and wiglen (to wiggle). It may also involve wag (to swing from side to side).
Nyoromo may be a combination of ニョロニョロ nyoronyoro (onomatopoeia for wriggling) and 子供 kodomo (child).
In other languages
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Related articles
References
- ↑ Interview with Satoshi Tajiri on Game Center CX (Japanese TV) 2004
- ↑ TIME - The Ultimate Game Freak
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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. |