Competitive Information for Poliwag [Black/White]
Water
Abilities:
Prevents Explosion/Self-Destruct/Aftermath while this Pokemon is active.
If Rain Dance is active, this Pokemon's Speed is doubled.
This Pokemon heals 1/4 of its max HP when hit by Water moves; Water immunity.
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Note: Pokemon with the Water Absorb ability are immune to Water attacks.
Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Poliwag? These builds are optimized for Black/White Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Black/White metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Prepare for battle with Poliwag, a magnificent Pokémon boasting Water attributes. Poliwag is not a Pokémon anyone usually expects to see on the battlefield. It often dominates battles in the LC tier (Little Cup). Its only type-related weaknesses are Electric and Grass. Curious about Poliwag's movesets? Check our suggestions listed below!
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Return
- Waterfall / Dive
- Wake-Up Slap
- Dig
For those intense single battles, Poliwag is a spectacular Physical Sweeper. This moveset is formulated to take down the opponent's team with brute physical moves. Focus Sash helps protect Poliwag from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Band will increase the damage of Poliwag's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Water Absorb, Poliwag heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity.
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Dive is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (dives underwater turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ Wake-Up Slap is a physical 60-base power Fighting-type move (power doubles if target is asleep, and wakes it).
◆ Dig is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (digs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/gaa3c
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Ice Beam / Icy Wind
- Psychic
- Round / Snore
Poliwag is a stunning Special Sweeper to use for single battles. The objective of this moveset is to crush rivals using potent special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Poliwag from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Poliwag's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Water Absorb, Poliwag heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity.
◆ Scald is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (30% chance to burn the target).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 95-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Icy Wind is a special 55-base power Ice-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
◆ Psychic is a special 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
◆ Snore is a special 40-base power Normal-type move (Poliwag must be asleep. 30% chance to flinch target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/gba3c
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Poliwag? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Black/White Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Black/White metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Return
- Waterfall / Dive
- Wake-Up Slap
- Dig
For double battles, Poliwag is a stunning Physical Sweeper. This moveset was created to overwhelm foes with overwhelming physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Poliwag from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Band will increase the damage of Poliwag's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Water Absorb, Poliwag heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity.
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Dive is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (dives underwater turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ Wake-Up Slap is a physical 60-base power Fighting-type move (power doubles if target is asleep, and wakes it).
◆ Dig is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (digs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/haa3c
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Psychic
- Round / Snore
In double battles, Poliwag is known as a remarkable Special Sweeper. This moveset design focuses to crush rivals using destructive special power. Focus Sash helps protect Poliwag from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Poliwag's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Water Absorb, Poliwag heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity.
◆ Scald is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (30% chance to burn the target).
◆ Icy Wind is a special 55-base power Ice-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 95-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Psychic is a special 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
◆ Snore is a special 40-base power Normal-type move (Poliwag must be asleep. 30% chance to flinch target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/hba3c
Movepool
Want to know what moves Poliwag can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Black/White generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Poliwag.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Poliwag can perform in Black/White. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive BW Move and Ability Combos for Poliwag
- Moves: Defense curl + Ice ball
- Moves: Belly drum + Rest
- Moves: Endure + Endeavor
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Move: Endeavor + Item: Focus Sash
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Helping Hand, Protect
- Moves that inflict status: Scald, Hypnosis, Toxic
Moves that boost Poliwag's stats
- Belly Drum
- Defense Curl
Most notable and possible best moves for Poliwag
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Rest
- Scald
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Poliwag in Black and White
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.
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Here are the best movesets for Poliwag. Top rated Poliwag Black/White movesets. You can find Poliwag builds Black/White. Poliwag movesets Black/White are listed here. VGC Poliwag Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Poliwag in Black/White along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for Poliwhirl evolution