Poliwhirl (Pokémon)
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Poliwhirl (Japanese:ニョロゾNyorozo) is aWater-typePokémon introduced inGeneration I.
Itevolves fromPoliwag starting atlevel 25 and evolves into eitherPoliwrath when exposed to aWater Stone orPolitoed whentraded while holding aKing's Rock.
(Specifics may differ in past games. Refer toGame data→Evolution data for these details.)
Biology

Poliwhirl is a blue, bipedalamphibianPokémon with a spherical body. It has bulbous eyes that protrude from the top of its head. A black and white swirl covers its belly, which is actually its organs showing through its thin skin. It appears to have white gloves on its hands and rounded, digit-less feet. When out of water, it sweats to keep its skin moist and healthy. This keeps it covered in an oily fluid that allows it to slip away from enemies. All of its skin feels this way except where its swirl is, which is instead very smooth. The swirl on its belly undulates slowly and staring at it induces drowsiness.
Even though Poliwhirl is capable of moving on land, it prefers to stay infreshwater ponds and lakes where it has fewer natural enemies. It feeds on both bug and fish Pokémon. While it will leave the water to capture bug Pokémon, it will return and consume them underwater in safety. Its swirl is used to make children fall asleep. Poliwhirl's sweat is filled with slimy mucus. When captured by an enemy, it either slithers to escape or use its swirl to put the enemy to sleep.
Evolution
Poliwhirl evolves fromPoliwag and evolves into eitherPoliwrath orPolitoed.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer toGame data→Evolution data.)
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Game data
Pokédex entries
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| Poliwhirl in theAlola Pokédex | Poliwhirl in theKitakami Pokédex |
Game locations
In side games
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In events
Wild Area News
| Games | Event | Gigantamax | Location | Level | Distribution period |
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| SwSh | Wild Area News | No | hide | 30 | June 4 to 6, 2021 |
Held items
Pokémon caught inGeneration I must be traded to aGeneration II game in order for a held item to appear.
| Games | Held items | |
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| Red | Blue | Berry (100%) |
| Yellow | ||
| Gold | Silver | |
| Crystal | ||
| Diamond | Pearl | |
| Platinum | ||
| HeartGold | SoulSilver | |
| Black | White | |
| Black 2 | White 2 | |
| X | Y | |
| Sun | Moon | |
| Ultra Sun | Ultra Moon | |
| Sword | Shield | |
| Brilliant Diamond | Shining Pearl | |
Stats
Base stats
| Stat | Range | ||
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| At Lv. 50 | At Lv. 100 | ||
HP: 65 | 125 - 172 | 240 - 334 | |
65 | 63 - 128 | 121 - 251 | |
65 | 63 - 128 | 121 - 251 | |
50 | 49 - 112 | 94 - 218 | |
50 | 49 - 112 | 94 - 218 | |
90 | 85 - 156 | 166 - 306 | |
Total: 385 | Other Pokémon with this total | ||
Pokéathlon stats
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Learnset
Poliwhirl is available inScarlet and Violet Version 2.0.1+.
Byleveling up
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Special moves
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TCG-only moves
| Move | Card |
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| Double Kick | Poliwhirl (Skyridge 88) |
| Energy Ball | Poliwhirl (EX Unseen Forces 68) |
Animated series-only moves
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| Tackle | Normal | Wings 'N' Things |
Side game data
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Evolution data
Poliwhirlevolves fromPoliwag starting atlevel 25 and evolves intoPoliwrath when exposed to aWater Stone orPolitoed whentraded while holding aKing's Rock. Poliwhirl cannot evolve into Politoed inPokémon FireRed and LeafGreen before the player obtains theNational Pokédex, as its Evolution will be interupted. Poliwhirl also cannot evolve into Politoed inPokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, as Politoed is not present in those games.
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Sprites
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In animation

Main series
Major appearances
Misty's Poliwhirl
Misty had a Poliwhirl inThe Totodile Duel that shecaught as a Poliwag. It eventually evolved into a Politoed duringOutrageous Fortunes.
Other
InTie One On!,Vincent used a Poliwhirl in abattle againstMacy. It was defeated by herQuilava despite having the type advantage.
Minor appearances

Poliwhirl debuted inPrimeape Goes Bananas.
InThe Battling Eevee Brothers, a Poliwhirl evolved into a Poliwrath during the Evolution party inStone Town.
A Poliwhirl appeared inA Chansey Operation.
A Poliwhirl appeared as an image in the Japanese version ofThe Ultimate Test.
InRiddle Me This, a Poliwhirl at thePokémon Lab was targeted byTeam Rocket.
InShowdown at the Po-ké Corral, multiple Poliwhirl were living atProfessor Oak's Laboratory.
ATrainer's Poliwhirl appeared inMewtwo Strikes Back.
InPikachu's Vacation, a Poliwhirl was at thePokémon Theme Park.
InFriends to the End, a Trainer's Poliwhirl attended the closing ceremonies of theIndigo League.
A Poliwhirl appeared inPoké Ball Peril.
InIn the Pink, Team Rocket's fantasy featured apink Poliwhirl.
InThe Power of One, multiple Poliwhirl sensed the disturbance caused byLawrence III.
Awild Poliwhirl appeared inPikachu's Rescue Adventure.
InPokémon Double Trouble, a Poliwhirl was working out at theKumquat Gym.
InFlower Power, two Poliwhirl were parts ofFlorando's annualPokémon Exhibition.
InThe Fire-ing Squad!, five Poliwhirl competed in theFire and Rescue Grand Prix.
InBeauty and the Breeder, aPokémon Breeder's Poliwhirl participated in thePokémon Beauty Contest.
InAround the Whirlpool, a Poliwhirl was stolen from thePokémon Center ofBlue Point Isle.
InOctillery The Outcast andDueling Heroes, a Trainer's Poliwhirl competed in theWhirl Cup.
InBulbasaur... the Ambassador!, multiple Poliwhirl were among the feuding Pokémon at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
A Poliwhirl appeared inTeam Rocket's fantasy inNice Pryce Baby.
A Trainer's Poliwhirl appeared inPop Goes The Sneasel.
InJourney to the Starting Line!, a Poliwhirl was atProfessor Oak's Laboratory.
InGonna Rule The School!, thePokémon Trainers' School lent a Poliwhirl to the school's underage students for use in lessons.
InHokey Poké Balls!, a Poliwhirl was at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
A Poliwhirl appeared inPK13.
A Poliwhirl appeared inPokéblock, Stock, and Berry.
ACoordinator's Poliwhirl appeared inDeceit and Assist.
InPokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea,Meredith was shown to own a Poliwhirl, which participated inthe Marina Group's water shows.
A Poliwhirl appeared inNot on MY Watch Ya Don't!.
InA Faux Oak Finish!,Professor Oak spotted a Poliwhirl shortly before he was captured by a wildQuagsire.
A Poliwhirl appeared inBagged Then Tagged!.
A Poliwhirl appeared inKalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!.
A Poliwhirl appeared inA Battle of Aerial Mobility!.
ATrainer's Poliwhirl appeared in a fantasy inBattling Into the Hall of Fame!.
InThe Legend of the Ninja Hero!, a Poliwhirl lived at theNinja Village.
A Poliwhirl appeared inAlola to New Adventure!.
InRacing to a Big Event!, a Trainer's Poliwhirl competed in thePokémon Pancake Race.
A Trainer's Poliwhirl appeared inBalloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!.
Two Poliwhirl appeared inAlola, Kanto!, with one belonging to a Trainer and the other appearing in a lake.
InSmashing with Sketch!, a Trainer's Poliwhirl competed in thePokémon Ping-Pong tournament.
InI Choose Paradise!, two Trainers' Poliwhirl were at thePokémon Paradise Resort.
InSecuring the Future!, a Poliwhirl joined the rest ofAlola in showeringNecrozma with light so it could return to itsnormal form.
A Trainer's Poliwhirl appeared inTurning the Other Mask!.
A Poliwhirl appeared inPikachu's Exciting Adventure!.
Two Poliwhirl appeared in a flashback inEnter Pikachu!.
InCaring for a Mystery!, four Poliwhirl battled a wildRiolu after it attacked them.
InThe Cuteness Quotient!, a Trainer's Poliwhirl competing in theFriendship Festival was targeted byTeam Rocket.
A Trainer's Poliwhirl appeared inSecrets of the Jungle.
A Poliwhirl appeared inInfinite Possibilities!. During the episode, a Poliwag evolved into another Poliwhirl.
InHeroes Unite!, a Poliwhirl appeared during a flashback.
A Poliwhirl appeared inThis Could be the Start of Something Big!.
A Poliwhirl appeared inThe Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!.
A Poliwhirl appeared inThe Pendant That Starts It All (Part One), under the ownership of a Gardner.
A Student's Poliwhirl appeared inWhere the Adventure Leads.
Pokédex entries
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Pokémon Evolutions
A Poliwhirl appeared inThe Discovery, briefly disruptingGreen and herBlastoise inCerulean Cave.
In the manga

Ash & Pikachu
- Main article:Misty's Politoed
Misty's Poliwhirl appeared inThe Grand Rhydon Plan.
A Poliwhirl appeared inDo Your Best Bulbasaur!!, where it was seen atProfessor Oak's Laboratory.
The Electric Tale of Pikachu
- Main article:Misty's Politoed
Misty's Poliwhirl made a cameo inTo Evolve or Not to Evolve, That is the Question!. Misty wished she could evolve her Poliwhirl into aPoliwrath, but she was unable to becauseEvolution stones were too expensive.
Pokémon Journeys
Two Poliwhirl appeared inCaring for a Mystery!.
Pokémon Adventures
A Poliwhirlnicknamed Poli wasRed's first Pokémon. He debuted inA Glimpse of the Glow, but wascaught before the start of the chapter as a Poliwag. He gained more importance inLt. Surge's story arc, and evolved inBuzz Off, Electabuzz! while saving Red from drowning in the sea due to the presence of an underwaterWater Stone.
InA Glimps of the Glow, a Poliwhirl was in Red's explanation of Pokémon to the children of Pallet Town.
A Poliwhirl appeared as a silhouette whenGreen talks aboutMew inThe Jynx Jinx.
Gold's Poliwag,Polibo, evolved into Poliwhirl inAmpharos Amore when Gold andSilver were trapped inside theTin Tower. With Silver's knowledge of Pokémontrading, Gold temporarily traded Poliwhirl to Silver via their Pokédexes, prompting Poliwhirl to evolve into Politoed when the effects of hisKing's Rock activated from the trade, triggering the Evolution.
A Poliwhirl appeared inThe Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight inIlex Forest.
A Poliwhirl appeared as aBattle Factory Pokémon inPinsir Me, I Must Be Dreaming.
The Battle Factory rented a Poliwhirl, which was stolen byGuile Hideout inSkirting Around Surskit I.
A Poliwhirl appeared inScizor Defends andCharizard Transforms as a resident of thePokémon Village.
A Poliwhirl appeared inChesnaught Protects.
A Poliwhirl appeared in a flashback inYveltal Steals.
A Poliwhirl appeared inXerneas Gives.
Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
A Poliwhirl appeared inLet's Aim For The Goal!.
Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!
A Poliwhirl appeared inThe Raining Crystal Ball.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Lt. Surge owns a Poliwhirl, which appeared inThe Big Activity In The Mountains And The Oceans!!.
A Poliwhirl appeared inWhich One is the Real Clefairy!?.
A Poliwhirl appeared inFierce Competition at the Pokémon Baseball Tournament!, where it was one of the Pokémon that took part in a baseball match. It was seen withGreen during the game.
A Poliwhirl appeared inCurry Showdown! Which is the Most Delicious? as one of the participants of a curry cooking competition.
A Poliwhirl appeared inSeize the Dream of One Million Yen!!.
Giovanni's first Poliwhirl appeared inThe Thrill of a Perfect Score, Big Rampage at the Amusement Park!. It evolved into a Poliwrath in order to get rid ofRed and hisClefairy andPikachu when they went to the amusement park that he built. Giovanni has another Poliwhirl that appeared inGet The Last Badge!!, where it was used in his Gym battle against Red.
A Poliwhirl appeared inThe Legendary Moltres Appears!!.
A Poliwhirl appeared inPikachu's Birthday Party.
Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire
A Poliwhirl appeared inI Won't Let You Lead!!.
A Poliwhirl appeared inLet's Go After The Pokémon Ranger!.
In the TCG
- Main article:Poliwhirl (TCG)
Other appearances
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Poliwhirl only appears as a random trophy.
Trophy information
Poliwhirl is a Tadpole Pokémon able to live on either land or in the water. When on dry land, it's constantly sweating to keep its skin nice and slimy. When in danger, it spins the whirlpool marking on its stomach to put enemies into a deep sleep, then it runs away. It evolves into either Poliwrath or Politoed.
Trivia

- The logo for the Pokémon Center in Tokyo featured Poliwhirl until it was replaced byPiplup in July 2007.
- Poliwhirl was also featured prominently on the center of the November 22, 1999, issue ofTime Magazine.
- Poliwhirl shares itscategory withPoliwag,Poliwrath, andTympole. They are all known as the Tadpole Pokémon.
Design variations
- Main article:Pokémon controversies → Four-fingered hands
In early media, Poliwhirl was occasionally depicted with separate fingers rather than its usual mitten-like gloves. This is seen in many of its earlysprites, as well as in its artwork forPokémon Red and Blue. FromPokémon FireRed and LeafGreen onwards, Poliwhirl consistently has mitten-like hands.
- Red and Green art
- Red and Blue art
- Key art
Origin
Poliwhirl may be based on atadpole and afrog. The spiral pattern on its belly is supposed to represent how the internal organs of tadpoles and of mostglass frog genera can sometimes be seen through their transparent skin. It also resembles a hypnotic spiral which is the likely reason why it learns the moveHypnosis. Its Evolution is based on a tadpole'smetamorphosis. Its arms appear to be based on gloves, and with itsFighting-typeevolved form in mind, they may be based onboxing gloves specifically.
Name origin
Poliwhirl is a combination ofpolliwog (outdated term for tadpole) andwhirl.[1]
Nyorozo may be a combination of ニョロニョロnyoronyoro (onomatopoeia for wriggling) and 小僧kozō (youngster).
In other languages
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Related articles
External links
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| This Pokémon article is part ofProject Pokédex, aBulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms. |
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