Poliwag Guide: Best Moveset, Counters & Pokemon GO Tips

Poliwag is a popular Water-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 829, Poliwag is a viable option for Great League PvP battles where its unique typing and moveset can shine.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Poliwag in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Poliwag Base Stats & Overview

Poliwag (#060) is a Water-type Pokemon from Generation 1.

Base Stats
Attack	101
Defense	82
Stamina	120
Total Stats	303
Max CP	829
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 101 Attack, 82 Defense, and 120 Stamina, Poliwag has a total stat product of 303. While not the highest in any single stat, Poliwag’s balanced stats make it versatile in various battle situations.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Poliwag

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Poliwag’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Poliwag for raids, gym battles, or PvP.

Best Raid & Gym Moveset

For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Water-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.

Best PvP Moveset

In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.

🎯 Poliwag Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Poliwag effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Water-type Pokemon, Poliwag has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Poliwag is weak to: Electric, Grass-type moves. When battling against Poliwag, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Electric – Deals increased damage
• Grass – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Poliwag resists: Fire, Water, Ice, Steel-type moves. This means Poliwag takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Fire – Reduced damage
• Water – Reduced damage
• Ice – Reduced damage
• Steel – Reduced damage

🏆 Poliwag PvP Analysis

Poliwag can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:

Great League (1500 CP Limit)

Poliwag can reach its full potential in Great League since its max CP (829) is at or below the 1500 CP limit. This makes it a viable option if its typing and moveset align with the current meta.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 829, Poliwag may struggle in Ultra League against bulkier opponents with higher stat products.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Poliwag is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (829). Focus on other leagues instead.

⚔️ Poliwag Raid Guide

Poliwag is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:

Using Poliwag in Raids

When using Poliwag as a raid attacker:

• Best against raid bosses weak to Water-type moves
• Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
• Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS

🎯 Best Counters for Poliwag

Whether you’re battling Poliwag in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Poliwag:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Poliwag’s weaknesses to Electric, Grass-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Zekrom	Dragon/Electric	Top Electric DPS in the game
Electivire	Electric	Thunder Shock + Wild Charge deals high damage
Raikou	Electric	Consistent Electric damage dealer
Kartana	Grass/Steel	Highest Grass DPS available
Roserade	Grass/Poison	Razor Leaf + Grass Knot hits hard
Venusaur	Grass/Poison	Vine Whip + Frenzy Plant (Community Day)

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Poliwag
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Poliwag may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Poliwag in Pokemon GO

There are several ways to obtain Poliwag in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Poliwag can spawn in the wild, especially in areas matching its type
• Eggs: May hatch from 3km eggs
• Evolution: Evolve from its pre-evolution using Candy
• Raids: Occasionally appears in raid battles
• Research Tasks: Complete field research for a chance to encounter
• Trading: Trade with friends

Shiny Poliwag

Yes, Shiny Poliwag is available in Pokemon GO! The shiny variant has a different coloration and is highly sought after by collectors. The shiny rate for wild encounters is approximately 1 in 500, though this can be boosted during special events like Community Days or Spotlight Hours.

Poliwag Evolution

Check the Pokédex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Poliwag

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Poliwag’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Poliwag with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.

For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:

• Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
• Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
• Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap

2. Power Up Priority

Before investing Stardust and Candy into Poliwag, consider:

• Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
• Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
• Are there better alternatives for the same role?
• Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?

3. Team Composition

Poliwag works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Water type weak to Electric, Grass, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Poliwag spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
• When battling: Weather that boosts Water moves increases your damage output
• When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather

📚 Poliwag in the Pokemon Franchise

Poliwag first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Poliwag’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Poliwag was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Poliwag has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.

📊 How Poliwag Compares

Let’s see how Poliwag stacks up against other Water-type Pokemon:

Stat	Poliwag	Type Average	Rating
Attack	101	~180	⭐
Defense	82	~160	⭐
Stamina	120	~170	⭐
Max CP	829	~2,500	⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Poliwag is a versatile Water-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 829 and solid base stats (101/82/120), it can shine in Great League PvP where its unique typing and moveset options provide interesting strategic possibilities.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Poliwag’s weaknesses
• Take advantage of weather boosts when possible

For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.

Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.

← Previous

Arcanine in Pokemon GO – Stats, Moves, PvP Tips & More

Next →

Poliwhirl in Pokemon GO – Stats, Moves, PvP Tips & More