Competitive Information for Poliwag [Ruby/Sapphire]
Water
Abilities:
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Poliwag? These builds have been optimized for Pokemon competing in Ruby/Sapphire 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 Ruby/Sapphire generation metagame.
Poliwag is a stupendous Water-typed Pokemon. Poliwag is not a Pokemon anyone usually expects sees on the battlefield. Poliwag's only type-related weaknesses are Electric and Grass.
Item: Silk Scarf
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Frustration
- Dig
- Defense Curl
- Toxic
Physical Sweeper Poliwag (Water Absorb)
Poliwag is a notable Physical Sweeper. It's purpose is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Remember before Generation IV, a move's damage category was determined by its type. With Water Absorb, Poliwag heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity.
♦ Frustration is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at minimum happiness).
♦ Dig is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (digs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2).
♦ Defense Curl is a status move (raises your Poliwag's defense by 1 stage).
♦ Toxic is a status move (badly poisons the target).
Item: Mystic Water
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Surf / Waterfall
- Ice Beam / Icy Wind
- Psychic
- Thief
Special Sweeper Poliwag (Water Absorb)
Poliwag is a spectacular Special Sweeper. It's goal is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. In the dark days prior to Generation IV, a move's damage category was determined by its type. With Water Absorb, Poliwag heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity.
♦ Waterfall is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move that deals a nice amount of damage.
♦ 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).
♦ Thief is a special 40-base power Dark-type move (if your Poliwag has no item, it steals the target's).
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Poliwag? These builds have been optimized for Ruby/Sapphire 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 Ruby/Sapphire generation metagame.
Item: Silk Scarf
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Frustration
- Dig
- Defense Curl
- Toxic
Doubles Physical Sweeper Poliwag (Water Absorb)
Poliwag is a phenomenal Physical Sweeper. This moveset is designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Prior to Generation IV, a move's damage category was determined by its type. With Water Absorb, Poliwag heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity.
♦ Frustration is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at minimum happiness).
♦ Dig is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (digs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2).
♦ Defense Curl is a status move (raises your Poliwag's defense by 1 stage).
♦ Toxic is a status move (badly poisons the target).
Item: Mystic Water
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Surf / Waterfall
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Psychic
- Thief
Doubles Special Sweeper Poliwag (Water Absorb)
Poliwag is a wonderful Special Sweeper. This moveset attempts to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Don't forget before Generation IV, a move's damage category was determined by its type. With Water Absorb, Poliwag heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity.
♦ Waterfall is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move that deals a decent amount of damage.
♦ 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).
♦ Thief is a special 40-base power Dark-type move (if your Poliwag has no item, it steals the target's).
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Poliwag 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.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Poliwag can perform in Ruby/Sapphire. 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 RS Move and Ability Combos for Poliwag
- Moves: Belly drum + Rest
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect
- Moves that Break Screens: Haze
Optimize Poliwag's EVs for Ruby/Sapphire
Related Videos
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