Competitive Information for Poliwhirl [Black/White]
Base Stats for Poliwhirl
Water
Abilities:
DampDamp: Prevents Explosion/Self-Destruct/Aftermath while this Pokemon is active.
, Swift SwimSwift Swim: If Rain Dance is active, this Pokemon's Speed is doubled.
, Water AbsorbWater Absorb: This Pokemon heals 1/4 of its max HP when hit by Water moves; Water immunity.
Bug
Dark
Dragon
Electric
Fighting
Fire
Flying
Ghost
Grass
2x
0.5x
2x
Ground
Ice
Normal
Poison
Psychic
Rock
Steel
Water
0.5x
0.5x
0.5x
¼x
½x
2x
4x
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Poliwhirl? These builds have been optimized for Pokemon competing in Black/White Single Battles. The movesets and EVs have been specifically calibrated to deal the most amount of damage to the largest group of potentially common opponents and typing threats for the Black/White generation metagame.
Poliwhirl is a stupendous Water-typed Pokemon. Poliwhirl is not a Pokemon anyone usually expects sees on the battlefield. Poliwhirl's only type-related weaknesses are Electric and Grass.
Species: Poliwhirl
Item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Return
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
Item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Return
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
Physical Sweeper Poliwhirl (Swift Swim)
Poliwhirl is a spectacular Physical Sweeper. It tries to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Poliwhirl from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Life Orb boosts the power of Poliwhirl's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Swift Swim, if rain dance is active Poliwhirl's speed is doubled.
♦ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
♦ 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 flinch the target).
♦ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon; Note: Earthquake does double damage on Pokemon using dig).
♦ Ice Punch is a physical 75-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
♦ 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 flinch the target).
♦ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon; Note: Earthquake does double damage on Pokemon using dig).
♦ Ice Punch is a physical 75-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
Species: Poliwhirl
Item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Ice Beam
- Psychic
- Round
Item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Ice Beam
- Psychic
- Round
Special Sweeper Poliwhirl (Swift Swim)
Poliwhirl is a pretty decent Special Sweeper. This moveset is designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Poliwhirl from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Life Orb boosts the power of Poliwhirl's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Swift Swim, if rain dance is active Poliwhirl's speed is doubled.
♦ Surf is a special STAB-boosted 95-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. double damage on dive).
♦ 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).
♦ 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).
♦ 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).
♦ 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).
Species: Poliwhirl
Item: Sitrus Berry
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Careful (+SpD, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 104 Def / 152 SpD
Moveset:
- Brick Break
- Belly Drum
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
Item: Sitrus Berry
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Careful (+SpD, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 104 Def / 152 SpD
Moveset:
- Brick Break
- Belly Drum
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
Poliwhirl Double Wall (This Is A Brain)
Poliwhirl is pretty popular Double Wall. It's purpose is to have enough defenses and bulk to take both physical and special hits. With Water Absorb, Poliwhirl heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity.
♦ Brick Break is a physical 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
♦ Belly Drum is a status move (Poliwhirl loses 50% max hp; This also maximizes Poliwhirl's attack stat).
♦ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon; Note: Earthquake does double damage on Pokemon using dig).
♦ Belly Drum is a status move (Poliwhirl loses 50% max hp; This also maximizes Poliwhirl's attack stat).
♦ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon; Note: Earthquake does double damage on Pokemon using dig).
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Poliwhirl? These builds have been optimized for Black/White Double Battles. They have movesets and EVs specifically calibrated to generally work best versus multiple Pokemon at once as well as helping to support other team members and allys in the Black/White generation metagame.
Species: Poliwhirl
Item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Earthquake / Bulldoze
- Double-Edge / Return
- Waterfall
- Brick Break
Item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Earthquake / Bulldoze
- Double-Edge / Return
- Waterfall
- Brick Break
Doubles Physical Sweeper Poliwhirl (Swift Swim)
Poliwhirl is an interesting Physical Sweeper. It's goal is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Poliwhirl from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Life Orb boosts the power of Poliwhirl's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Swift Swim, if rain dance is active Poliwhirl's speed is doubled.
♦ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon; Note: Earthquake does double damage on Pokemon using dig).
♦ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent pkmn speed by 1 stage).
♦ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
♦ 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 flinch the target).
♦ Brick Break is a physical 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
♦ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent pkmn speed by 1 stage).
♦ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
♦ 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 flinch the target).
♦ Brick Break is a physical 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
Species: Poliwhirl
Item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Psychic
- Round
Item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Psychic
- Round
Doubles Special Sweeper Poliwhirl (Swift Swim)
Poliwhirl is a decent Special Sweeper. It is meant to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Poliwhirl from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Life Orb boosts the power of Poliwhirl's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Swift Swim, if rain dance is active Poliwhirl's speed is doubled.
♦ Surf is a special STAB-boosted 95-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. double damage on dive).
♦ 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).
♦ 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).
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Poliwhirl learn? Here is the list of moves this Pokemon can learn in this selected generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by move type, category, accuracy, and power. Bolded moves will gain the same-type attack bonus (STAB) if this Pokemon uses them.
Cat
Type
Movename
Damage
Accuracy
PP
Effect
Blizzard
120
70%
5
10% chance to freeze foe(s). Can't miss in hail.
Bubble
20
100%
30
10% chance to lower the foe(s) Speed by 1.
Bubble Beam
65
100%
20
10% chance to lower the target's Speed by 1.
Hydro Pump
120
80%
5
No additional effect.
Ice Beam
95
100%
10
10% chance to freeze the target.
Icy Wind
55
95%
15
100% chance to lower the foe(s) Speed by 1.
Mud Bomb
65
85%
10
30% chance to lower the target's accuracy by 1.
Mud Shot
55
95%
15
100% chance to lower the target's Speed by 1.
Mud-Slap
20
100%
10
100% chance to lower the target's accuracy by 1.
Psychic
90
100%
10
10% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.
Round
60
100%
15
Power doubles if others used Round this turn.
Scald
80
100%
15
30% chance to burn the target.
Snore
40
100%
15
User must be asleep. 30% chance to flinch target.
Surf
95
100%
15
Hits adjacent Pokemon. Double damage on Dive.
Water Gun
40
100%
25
No additional effect.
Water Pulse
60
100%
20
20% chance to confuse the target.
Whirlpool
35
85%
15
Traps and damages the target for 4-5 turns.
Body Slam
85
100%
15
30% chance to paralyze the target.
Brick Break
75
100%
15
Destroys screens, unless the target is immune.
Bulldoze
60
100%
20
100% chance lower adjacent Pkmn Speed by 1.
Counter
--
100%
20
If hit by physical attack, returns double damage.
Dig
80
100%
10
Digs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2.
Dive
80
100%
10
Dives underwater turn 1, strikes turn 2.
Double Slap
15
85%
10
Hits 2-5 times in one turn.
Double-Edge
120
100%
15
Has 33% recoil.
Earthquake
100
100%
10
Hits adjacent Pokemon. Double damage on Dig.
Endeavor
--
100%
5
Lowers the target's HP to the user's HP.
Facade
70
100%
20
Power doubles if user is burn/poison/paralyzed.
Fling
--
100%
10
Flings the user's item at the target. Power varies.
Focus Punch
150
100%
20
Fails if the user takes damage before it hits.
Frustration
--
100%
20
Max 102 power at minimum Happiness.
Headbutt
70
100%
15
30% chance to flinch the target.
Ice Ball
30
90%
20
Power doubles with each hit. Repeats for 5 turns.
Ice Punch
75
100%
15
10% chance to freeze the target.
Mega Kick
120
75%
5
No additional effect.
Mega Punch
80
85%
20
No additional effect.
Natural Gift
--
100%
15
Power and type depends on the user's Berry.
Return
--
100%
20
Max 102 power at maximum Happiness.
Rock Smash
40
100%
15
50% chance to lower the target's Defense by 1.
Secret Power
70
100%
20
Effect varies with terrain. (30% chance acc -1)
Seismic Toss
--
100%
20
Does damage equal to the user's level.
Strength
80
100%
15
No additional effect.
Thief
40
100%
10
If the user has no item, it steals the target's.
Wake-Up Slap
60
100%
10
Power doubles if target is asleep, and wakes it.
Waterfall
80
100%
15
20% chance to flinch the target.
Attract
--
100%
15
A target of the opposite gender gets infatuated.
Belly Drum
--
--
10
User loses 50% max HP. Maximizes Attack.
Captivate
--
100%
20
Lowers the foe(s) Sp. Atk by 2 if opposite gender.
Defense Curl
--
--
40
Raises the user's Defense by 1.
Double Team
--
--
15
Raises the user's evasiveness by 1.
Encore
--
100%
5
Target repeats its last move for its next 3 turns.
Endure
--
--
10
User survives attacks this turn with at least 1 HP.
Hail
--
--
10
For 5 turns, hail crashes down.
Haze
--
--
30
Eliminates all stat changes.
Helping Hand
--
--
20
One adjacent ally's move power is 1.5x this turn.
Hypnosis
--
60%
20
Causes the target to fall asleep.
Metronome
--
--
10
Picks a random move.
Mimic
--
--
10
The last move the target used replaces this one.
Mind Reader
--
--
5
User's next move will not miss the target.
Mist
--
--
30
For 5 turns, protects user's party from stat drops.
Protect
--
--
10
Prevents moves from affecting the user this turn.
Rain Dance
--
--
5
For 5 turns, heavy rain powers Water moves.
Refresh
--
--
20
User cures its burn, poison, or paralysis.
Rest
--
--
10
User sleeps 2 turns and restores HP and status.
Sleep Talk
--
--
10
User must be asleep. Uses another known move.
Splash
--
--
40
No competitive use.
Substitute
--
--
10
User takes 1/4 its max HP to put in a substitute.
Swagger
--
90%
15
Raises the target's Attack by 2 and confuses it.
Sweet Kiss
--
75%
10
Causes the target to become confused.
Toxic
--
90%
10
Badly poisons the target.
Water Sport
--
--
15
Weakens Fire-type attacks to 1/3 their power.
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Poliwhirl 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 Poliwhirl
- Moves: Belly drum + Rest
- Moves: Endure + Endeavor
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Move: Endeavor + Item: Focus Sash
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect, Helping Hand
- Moves that Break Screens: Haze, Brick Break
Create a build
Have an idea in mind for Poliwhirl that you'd like to test? Customize the IVs, EVs and their Black/White moveset. This area allows you to examine the typing coverages of selected moves and stat variances.
This feature is currently in the final stages of development.