Whirlpool (move)

Whirlpool
うずしお Whirl Tide
Whirlpool IX.png
[[File:|300px|center]]
Type  Water
Category  Special
PP  15 (max. 24)
Power  35
Accuracy  85%
Priority  {{{priority}}}
Target
Foe Foe Foe
Self Ally Ally
May affect anyone adjacent to the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation II
Condition  Beauty
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
Jam  0  
Temporarily stops the crowd from growing excited.
Condition  Beauty
Appeal  0  
Earn a higher score the later the Pokémon performs.
Condition  Beautiful
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
Jamming  0  
Temporarily stops the crowd from growing excited.

Whirlpool (Japanese: うずしお Whirl Tide) is a damage-dealing Water-type move introduced in Generation II. It is:

Effect

In battle

Whirlpool inflicts damage and then traps the target for a number of turns, inflicting damage at the end of each turn as well, as seen in the table below.

If the user is holding a Binding Band, the trapping damage increases. If the user is holding a Grip Claw, the number of turns is affected.

The trapped Pokémon is also prevented from being switched or escaping the battle.

Gen II–IV Gen V Gen VI–IX
Power 15 35
Accuracy 70% 85%
Turns 2–5
(5 with Grip Claw in Generation IV)
4–5
(7 with Grip Claw)
Trapping damage 1/16 of max. HP
(1/8 with Binding Band)
1/8 of max. HP
(1/6 with Binding Band)

Whirlpool can hit Pokémon during the semi-invulnerable turn of Dive, dealing twice the damage in all generations except in Generation IV, where the move's power is doubled instead (resulting in virtually the same effect). This increase in damage or power only applies to the move when used, not to the trapping damage.

A trapped Pokémon holding a Shed Shell can be switched out.

A trapped Pokémon with Run Away or holding a Smoke Ball (except in Generation II) can escape from a battle against a wild Pokémon, but cannot be switched out.

A trapped Pokémon will be freed if it uses Rapid Spin or if the Whirlpool user switches out.

Generation II

When this move traps the target, this text appears: "<Pokémon> was trapped!"

Whirlpool is not affected by King's Rock.

Ghost-type Pokémon can be trapped by Whirlpool.

Generations III to V

When this move traps the target, this text now appears: "<Pokémon> was trapped in the vortex!"

Whirlpool is now affected by King's Rock.

Whirlpool can be used as the second move of a Pokémon Contest combination, with the user gaining 3 bonus appeal points if Rain Dance was used in the previous turn.

Generation VI onwards

Ghost-type Pokémon cannot be trapped by Whirlpool.

Outside of battle

Main article: Whirlpool (obstacle)

This move is usable either from the party or simply by pressing A when facing a whirlpool.

In Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, the Glacier Badge is required to use Whirlpool outside of battle.

Generation II

Whirlpool clears whirlpools in the field while surfing.

Generation IV

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Whirlpool allows the user to cross whirlpools on the field, instead of clearing them away as it did in Generation II.

Description

Games Description
Stad2 Lasts two to five turns. Foe becomes trapped in a vortex, making it impossible to switch.
GSC Traps the foe for 2-5 turns.
RSE Traps and hurts the foe in a whirlpool for 2 to 5 turns.
Colo.XD Traps and hurts target in a whirlpool for 2 to 5 turns.
FRLG The foe is trapped in a fast, vicious whirlpool for two to five turns.
DPPtPBR The user traps the foe inside a fast, vicious whirlpool that lasts for two to five turns.
HGSS Traps the foe inside a whirlpool that lasts for two to five turns. The user can pass through whirlpools.*
Traps foes in a violent swirling whirlpool. It can also be used to traverse whirlpools.*
BWB2W2 Traps foes in a violent swirling whirlpool for four to five turns.
XYORAS
SMUSUM
SwShBDSPLA
The user traps the target in a violent swirling whirlpool for four to five turns.
SV The user traps the target inside a violent, swirling whirlpool that inflicts damage for four to five turns.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
0090     Water 3 Water 3 37 40 40 40 16 16 16
0091    
 
Water 3 Water 3 1 1 1
0130    
 
Water 2 Dragon 4 4 4
0230    
 
Water 1 Dragon 1 1 1
0258     Monster Water 1 33 33 33 33 33
0320     Field Water 2 19 14 14 14XY
13ORAS
13 27 27
0321     Field Water 2 19 14 14 14XY
13ORAS
13 27 27
0366     Water 1 Water 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0367     Water 1 Water 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0368     Water 1 Water 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0393     Water 1 Field 32 32 32 32 32 32
0394     Water 1 Field 37 37 37 37 37 37
0395    
 
Water 1 Field 39 39 39 39 39 39
0418     Water 1 Field 36 36BW
31B2W2
31 31 31 31
0419     Water 1 Field 39 39BW
35B2W2
35 35 35 35
0456     Water 2 Water 2 38 38 38 38 38 38
0457     Water 2 Water 2 42 42 42 42 42 42
0489     Water 1 Fairy 39 39 39 39 39 39
0490     Water 1 Fairy 39 39 39 39 39 39
0592  
Frillish
All forms
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 36
0593  
Jellicent
All forms
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 36
0594     Water 1 Water 2 49 49
0781    
 
Mineral Mineral 27 32
0788    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 14
0991    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 14
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By HM/TM

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Compatibility
0007     Monster Water 1
0008     Monster Water 1
0009     Monster Water 1
0031    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0034    
 
Monster Field
0054     Water 1 Field
0055     Water 1 Field
0060     Water 1 Water 1
0061     Water 1 Water 1
0062    
 
Water 1 Water 1
0072    
 
Water 3 Water 3
0073    
 
Water 3 Water 3
0079    
 
Monster Water 1
0079  
Slowpoke
Galarian Form
  Monster Water 1
0080    
 
Monster Water 1
0080  
Slowbro
Galarian Form
 
 
Monster Water 1
0086     Water 1 Field
0087    
 
Water 1 Field
0090     Water 3 Water 3
0091    
 
Water 3 Water 3
0098     Water 3 Water 3
0099     Water 3 Water 3
0108     Monster Monster
0112    
 
Monster Field
0115     Monster Monster
0116     Water 1 Dragon
0117     Water 1 Dragon
0118     Water 2 Water 2
0119     Water 2 Water 2
0120     Water 3 Water 3
0121    
 
Water 3 Water 3
0128     Field Field
0128  
Tauros
Paldean Form
(Aqua Breed)
 
 
Field Field
0130    
 
Water 2 Dragon
0131    
 
Monster Water 1
0134     Field Field
0138    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0139    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0140    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0141    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0143     Monster Monster
0147     Water 1 Dragon
0148     Water 1 Dragon
0149    
 
Water 1 Dragon
0151     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0158     Monster Water 1
0159     Monster Water 1
0160     Monster Water 1
0161     Field Field
0162     Field Field
0170    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0171    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0183    
 
Water 1 Fairy
0184    
 
Water 1 Fairy
0186     Water 1 Water 1
0194    
 
Water 1 Field
0195    
 
Water 1 Field
0199    
 
Monster Water 1
0199  
Slowking
Galarian Form
 
 
Monster Water 1
0211    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0215    
 
Field Field
0222    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0222  
Corsola
Galarian Form
  Water 1 Water 3
0223     Water 1 Water 2
0224     Water 1 Water 2
0226    
 
Water 1 Water 1
0230    
 
Water 1 Dragon
0241     Field Field
0245     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0248    
 
Monster Monster
0249    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0258     Monster Water 1
0259    
 
Monster Water 1
0260    
 
Monster Water 1
0263     Field Field
0263  
Zigzagoon
Galarian Form
 
 
Field Field
0264     Field Field
0264  
Linoone
Galarian Form
 
 
Field Field
0270    
 
Water 1 Grass
0271    
 
Water 1 Grass
0272    
 
Water 1 Grass
0278    
 
Water 1 Flying
0279    
 
Water 1 Flying
0295     Monster Field
0296     Human-Like Human-Like
0297     Human-Like Human-Like
0298    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0306    
 
Monster Monster
0318    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0319    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0320     Field Water 2
0321     Field Water 2
0339    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0340    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0341     Water 1 Water 3
0342    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0349     Water 1 Dragon
0350     Water 1 Dragon
0363    
 
Water 1 Field
0364    
 
Water 1 Field
0365    
 
Water 1 Field
0366     Water 1 Water 1
0367     Water 1 Water 1
0368     Water 1 Water 1
0369    
 
Water 1 Water 2
0370     Water 2 Water 2
0380    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0381    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0382     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0384    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0393     Water 1 Field
0394     Water 1 Field
0395    
 
Water 1 Field
0400    
 
Water 1 Field
0409     Monster Monster
0418     Water 1 Field
0419     Water 1 Field
0422  
Shellos
All forms
  Water 1 Amorphous
0423  
Gastrodon
All forms
 
 
Water 1 Amorphous
0445    
 
Monster Dragon
0446     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0456     Water 2 Water 2
0457     Water 2 Water 2
0458    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0461    
 
Field Field
0463     Monster Monster
0464    
 
Monster Field
0484  
Palkia
All available forms
 
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0489     Water 1 Fairy
0490     Water 1 Fairy
0493  
Arceus
All available forms
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0501     Field Field
0502     Field Field
0503     Field Field
0503  
Samurott
Hisuian Form
 
 
Field Field
0550  
Basculin
Red- and
Blue-Striped Forms
  Water 2 Water 2
0550  
Basculin
White-Striped Form
  Water 2 Water 2
0564    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0565    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0580    
 
Water 1 Flying
0581    
 
Water 1 Flying
0592  
Frillish
All forms
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous
0593  
Jellicent
All forms
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous
0594     Water 1 Water 2
0689    
 
Water 3 Water 3
0690    
 
Water 1 Dragon
0691    
 
Water 1 Dragon
0728     Water 1 Field
0729     Water 1 Field
0730    
 
Water 1 Field
0746     Water 2 Water 2
0779    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0781    
 
Mineral Mineral
0788    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0816     Water 1 Field
0817     Water 1 Field
0818     Water 1 Field
0833     Monster Water 1
0834    
 
Monster Water 1
0845    
 
Water 1 Flying
0846     Water 2 Water 2
0847     Water 2 Water 2
0853     Water 1 Human-Like
0862    
 
Field Field
0864     Water 1 Water 3
0875     Water 1 Field
0882    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0883    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0892  
Urshifu
Rapid Strike Style
 
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0902  
Basculegion
All forms
 
 
Water 2 Water 2
0912     Flying Water 1
0913     Flying Water 1
0914    
 
Flying Water 1
0960     Water 3 Water 3
0961     Water 3 Water 3
0964     Field Water 2
0978  
Tatsugiri
All forms
 
 
Water 2 Water 2
0991    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
1009    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By breeding

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Egg Move
0131    
 
Monster Water 1
0138    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0170    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0258     Monster Water 1
0339    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0550  
Basculin
Red- and
Blue-Striped Forms
  Water 2 Water 2
0564    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0746     Water 2 Water 2 USUM
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In the Rescue Team, Explorers, and Adventure Squad series, Whirlpool deals damage and may inflict the Constriction status condition on the enemy (10% chance). This renders the enemy unable to move (though it may attack) and lose 5 HP every two turns. This status lasts for 4-6 turns.

From Super Mystery Dungeon onwards, the move instead may inflict the Whirlpool status condition for 6 turns, which renders the enemy unable to move (though it may attack) and lose 3 HP every two turns.

In all series, Whirlpool can hit a Pokémon in middle of Dive for double damage.

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDRB 2 - 17 - 78% - Front Enemy No
MDTDS 2 - 17 - 78% - Front Enemy No
BSL 2 - 17 - 78% - Front Enemy No
SMD 3 99 15 30 95% 98% Front Enemy No
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

Pokémon Rumble Rush

  Whirlpool
Attack power 16.87438
Charge time 1.16 seconds
Range type Circular (ranged)
Number of hits 3
Number of projectiles 1
Critical hit rate 1.5%
Additional effect None

Pokémon Masters EX

Category Move Gauge MP Base Power Max Power Accuracy Target Effect Tag Description Playable Users
Special 2 38 45 85% An opponent Leaves the target trapped. Wallace & Milotic
Sygna Suit Ethan & Lugia (Direct link)
Scottie/Bettie & Tech Shellder/Cloyster Egg

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, Whirlpool is Azumarill's and Cramorant's first move.

Azumarill can obtain the move by evolving from Marill at level 5 and upgrading Tackle into it instead of Aqua Tail. The move causes four small whirlpools appear that swirl around the user to appear for a short time as it moves. If a whirlpool hits an opposing Pokémon, the whirlpool deals damage to it and restores the user’s HP. If a whirlpool hits a Pokémon on the opposing team, an increased amount of HP is restored to the user. At level 11, the move’s cooldown is decreased and the amount of HP it restores to the user is increased.

Cramorant starts with the move. The user creates a whirlpool at a designated location, damaging all enemies in the radius. It also slows enemies by 50% in the area at the end of its duration. The user can enter the whirlpool to catch prey for Gulp Missile (up to 2 prey). At level 6, this move is replaced by either Surf or Dive.

Description

Games Description
MDRB Inflicts damage on the target. It may also cause constriction, making the foe incapable of movement. Inflicts double damage on a diving foe.
MDTD Inflicts damage on the target. It may also afflict the targeted enemy with a Constriction status condition, making it incapable of movement. It will inflict double damage on a diving target.
MDS Inflicts damage on the target. It may also afflict the targeted enemy with a Constriction status condition, making it incapable of movement. It will inflict double damage on a Diving target.
BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる しかも いっていのかくりつで しめつけじょうたいにして いどうできなくする ダイビングじょうたいの ポケモンには 2ばいのダメージをあたえる
MDGtI  UNUSED
SMD It damages an enemy. It could also cause the Whirlpool status condition. It can hit a Pokémon in the Dive status condition.


In the anime

 
Lugia
 
Floatzel
 
Dhelmise
 
Piplup
The user traps the target inside a violent, swirling whirlpool.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
  Lugia dives in the water and its eyes glow white. Then, it spins around and rises up to the surface. As it goes above the water, the whirlpool turns into a cyclone.
Lugia (M02) The Power of One Debut
  Mantine spins around the opponent quickly while underwater, creating a whirlpool.
Molly's Mantine Spell of the Unown: Entei None
  Rhydon dives underwater, faces the opponent, and spins its horn like a drill, creating a whirlpool that sucks up the opponent.
Pietra's Rhydon Right On, Rhydon! None
  Gyarados swims around the opponent quickly and creates a whirlpool; optionally, Gyarados points its tail at the opponent and waves it around in circles, creating a whirlpool.
Misty's Gyarados Cerulean Blues None
A wild Gyarados Sandshrew's Locker! None
  Piplup's body glows a blueish-white color and it raises its arms and beak to the air. It then opens its beak and a huge whirlpool comes out of it and forms above Piplup. Piplup then throws the whirlpool at the opponent. While in the water, Piplup's body glows multicolored, and a whirlpool forms around it; or, Piplup spins its body, and glowing white water appears and forms around Piplup's body. The water's glow fades and spins with Piplup, turning into a whirlpool. Piplup then spins into the opponent. Piplup can also change the size of the whirlpool by choice. When Piplup is near the water, after it forms the whirlpool, it throws it at the water in front of the opponent, creating a large water vortex that sucks the opponent up.
Dawn's Piplup Getting the Pre-Contest Titters! None
Piplup of Team Poképals Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness None
Verity's Piplup I Choose You! None
  Floatzel raises its arms and a large whirlpool appears above its head. Floatzel then throws the whirlpool at the opponent.
Crasher Wake's Floatzel A Crasher Course in Power! None
Kenny's Floatzel Last Call - First Round! None
  While underwater, Dhelmise spins around and creates a large whirlpool around its body.
A wild Dhelmise Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence! None
  Empoleon raises its arms and a large whirlpool appears above its head. Empoleon then throws the whirlpool at the opponent.
Professor Kukui's Empoleon A Full Battle Bounty! None
  Eevee forms a large whirlpool around its body.
Chloe's Eevee A Midsummer Night's Light! Used via Copycat


In the manga

Pokémon Adventures


Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl


Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!


Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All


Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team


Pokémon Pocket Monsters


In other generations

In battle

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

Outside of battle

Trivia

  • Although it is the first of three moves to lose HM status, it is also the first former HM to regain that status.
  • If a player teaches a Pokémon Whirlpool by HM in HeartGold and SoulSilver and trades it to Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum, the Pokémon can be freely imported to Black and White via the Poké Transfer, due to Whirlpool not being needed outside of battle in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. The same can be done with Defog by transferring a Pokémon that learned it by HM in Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum to HeartGold or SoulSilver.
  • This move originated as a TCG attack.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 潮旋 Chìuhsyùhn
Mandarin 潮旋 Cháoxuán
  Czech Vodopád
  Dutch Draaikolk
  Finnish Poreallas*
  French Siphon
  German Whirlpool
  Greek Δίνη Díni
  Hindi पानी का भवर Paani Ki Bhanwar
भवंडर Bawandar
  Indonesian Pusaran Air
  Italian Mulinello
  Korean 바다회오리 Badahoe-ori
  Polish Wir Wodny*
Wir*
Portuguese   Brazil Redemoinho
  Portugal Remoinho
  Romanian Vâltoarea
  Serbian Vodeni Vrtlog
Spanish   Latin America Remolino
  Spain Torbellino
  Swedish Strömvirvel
  Vietnamese Xoáy Nước



Variations of the move Fire Spin
  ClampSand Tomb
  Fire SpinWhirlpool


Generation II TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819202122232425
26272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950
Generation II HMs
01020304050607
Generation IV TMs
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920212223
2425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
4748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869
7071727374757677787980818283848586878889909192
Generation IV HMs
01020304 • 05 (DPPtHGSS) • 060708
Generation VIII TMs
SwSh
0001020304050607080910111213141516171819
2021222324252627282930313233343536373839
4041424344454647484950515253545556575859
6061626364656667686970717273747576777879
8081828384858687888990919293949596979899
BDSP
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920
2122232425262728293031323334353637383940
4142434445464748495051525354555657585960
6162636465666768697071727374757677787980
81828384858687888990919293949596979899100
Generation VIII TRs (SwSh)
0001020304050607080910111213141516171819
2021222324252627282930313233343536373839
4041424344454647484950515253545556575859
6061626364656667686970717273747576777879
8081828384858687888990919293949596979899
Generation IX TMs
SV
001002003004005006007008009010011012013014015016017018019
020021022023024025026027028029030031032033034035036037038
039040041042043044045046047048049050051052053054055056057
058059060061062063064065066067068069070071072073074075076
077078079080081082083084085086087088089090091092093094095
096097098099100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114
115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133
134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152
153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171
Added in SV 2.0.1
172173174175176177178179180181182183184185186
187188189190191192193194195196197198199200201
Added in SV 3.0.0
202203204205206207208209210211212213214215216
217218219220221222223224225226227228229


  This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.