Poliwrath is a dual Water and Fighting-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I, and it sits at the end of one branch of Poliwag’s evolution line. It is the Tadpole Pokémon, standing 4’03” (1.3 m) and weighing in at 119.0 lbs (54.0 kg). Its body is almost pure muscle, which is why so many of its Pokédex entries describe it as an unstoppable long-distance swimmer that still prefers to live on dry land.
Quick answer: Evolve a Poliwhirl by using a Water Stone on it. The other branch, Politoed, requires trading Poliwhirl while it holds a King’s Rock, so the stone is what locks in Poliwrath specifically.
How to get Poliwrath (Water Stone evolution)
Poliwrath is rarely found in the wild because it only appears through an Evolution stone. To get one, you raise the line and apply a Water Stone at the right stage.
Note: Poliwhirl can also evolve into Politoed if it is traded while holding a King’s Rock. If you want Poliwrath, do not trade it with that item attached. The Water Stone path is the only way to reach Poliwrath.
| Stage | Pokémon | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Poliwag | Starting form |
| First | Poliwhirl | At level 25 |
| Final (this branch) | Poliwrath | Use a Water Stone |
| Final (other branch) | Politoed | Trade holding King’s Rock |
Poliwrath base stats
Poliwrath has a base stat total of 510, with its strengths spread across bulk and physical power rather than speed. Its HP, Defense, and Special Defense make it durable, while its middling Speed is its clearest weak point.
| Stat | Base value |
|---|---|
| HP | 90 |
| Attack | 95 |
| Defense | 95 |
| Sp. Atk | 70 |
| Sp. Def | 90 |
| Speed | 70 |
| Total | 510 |
Poliwrath gives an EV yield of 3 Defense when defeated. Its catch rate is 45, its growth rate is Medium Slow, and it belongs to the Water 1 Egg Group with a 50/50 gender ratio. Eggs hatch in 20 cycles.
Abilities
| Ability | Effect |
|---|---|
| Water Absorb | Water-type moves deal no damage and instead heal Poliwrath by 25% of its max HP. |
| Damp | Prevents Self-Destruct, Explosion, and Aftermath from working while Poliwrath is on the field. |
| Swift Swim (Hidden) | Doubles Poliwrath’s Speed during rain. |
Poliwrath type matchups and weaknesses
The Water/Fighting combination gives Poliwrath several useful resistances but also some sharp weaknesses. It takes double damage from five types and reduces damage from seven.
| Damage multiplier | Types |
|---|---|
| 2× (weak) | Electric, Grass, Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
| ½× (resistant) | Fire, Water, Ice, Bug, Rock, Dark, Steel |
Notable moves in the main games
Poliwrath learns Submission and Dynamic Punch on evolution, and its movepool blends Fighting-type punches with Water and Ice coverage. In Scarlet and Violet it picks up Dynamic Punch when it evolves and can relearn options like Hydro Pump and Earth Power through the move reminder. Strong TM and tutor options include Close Combat, Liquidation, Ice Punch, Drain Punch, and Bulk Up.
| Move | Type | Power | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Punch | Fighting | 100 | Learned on evolution; high power, low accuracy |
| Close Combat | Fighting | 120 | Strong STAB physical attack |
| Liquidation | Water | 85 | Reliable physical Water STAB |
| Ice Punch | Ice | 75 | Coverage against Grass and Flying threats |
| Bulk Up | Fighting | — | Raises Attack and Defense to set up |
Poliwrath in Pokémon GO: best moveset, CP, and counters
In Pokémon GO, Poliwrath keeps its Water and Fighting typing, which means it is weak to Electric, Fairy, Flying, Grass, and Psychic moves. Its maximum Combat Power is 2,923 CP at level 50, and its base stats sit at 182 Attack, 184 Defense, and 207 HP. Encounters are boosted during Rain and Cloudy weather, and a Shiny form is available.
Its recommended moveset is Counter paired with Dynamic Punch, which is also its best Fighting-type setup at roughly 10.91 DPS. Counter is a legacy fast move, so you may need an Elite Fast TM to access it outside special events. For a Water-focused build, Bubble plus Hydro Pump works well.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Max CP (Lvl 50) | 2,923 |
| Max CP (Lvl 40) | 2,586 |
| Base stats | 182 ATK / 184 DEF / 207 HP |
| Best fast move | Counter (legacy) |
| Best charged move | Dynamic Punch |
| Weather boost | Rain, Cloudy |
| Shiny | Available |
Poliwrath is most useful in the Great League, where it ranks in A Tier, and it holds a B Tier ranking as a Gym Defender. It is not a top raid attacker, so treat it as a budget Fighting or Water option rather than a meta pick.
Whether you are filling out the Kanto Pokédex or building a defensive Water/Fighting attacker, the path to Poliwrath comes down to one item. Raise a Poliwag to Poliwhirl, save your Water Stone for the moment you want this branch instead of Politoed, and you will have a bulky swimmer with strong punching power on either platform.
