Competitive Information for Poliwag [Sun/Moon]
Water
Abilities:
Prevents Explosion/Mind Blown/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 Sun/Moon Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sun/Moon metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Poliwag is here! This fabulous Pokémon is Water-typed and ready to shine! Poliwag is not a Pokémon anyone usually expects to see on the battlefield. It can be quite a contender in the LC tier (Little Cup). Its only type-related weaknesses are Electric and Grass. Explore the movesets of Poliwag below to understand its battle capabilities.
Item: Waterium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Waterfall / Dive
- Double-Edge / Return
- Wake-Up Slap
- Thief
Poliwag thrives as an incredible Physical Sweeper perfect for single battles. This moveset is formulated to crush rivals using powerful physical attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Poliwag from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Water Absorb, Poliwag heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity. With a Waterium Z equipped to it, if Poliwag has a water move, this item allows it to use a water z-move.
◆ Dive is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (dives underwater turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ 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).
◆ Wake-Up Slap is a physical 70-base power Fighting-type move (power doubles if target is asleep, and wakes it).
◆ Thief is a physical 60-base power Dark-type move (if your Poliwag has no item, it steals the target's).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kaa3c
Item: Waterium Z / Focus Sash
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 / Psywave
- Hidden Power / Round
In single battles, Poliwag is known as an exceptional Special Sweeper. It's purpose is to take down the opponent's team with lethal special moves. Focus Sash helps protect Poliwag from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Water Absorb, Poliwag heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity. With a Waterium Z equipped to it, if Poliwag has a water move, this item allows it to use a water z-move.
◆ Scald is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (30% chance to burn the target. Thaws target).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-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).
◆ Psywave is a special 0-base power Psychic-type move (random damage equal to 0.5x-1.5x Poliwag's level).
◆ Hidden Power is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (varies in type based on your Poliwag's ivs).
◆ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kba3c
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Poliwag? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sun/Moon 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 Sun/Moon metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Waterium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Waterfall / Dive
- Double-Edge / Return
- Wake-Up Slap
- Thief
Poliwag is an exquisite Physical Sweeper to use for double battles. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with forceful physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Poliwag from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Water Absorb, Poliwag heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity. With a Waterium Z equipped to it, if Poliwag has a water move, this item allows it to use a water z-move.
◆ Dive is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (dives underwater turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ 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).
◆ Wake-Up Slap is a physical 70-base power Fighting-type move (power doubles if target is asleep, and wakes it).
◆ Thief is a physical 60-base power Dark-type move (if your Poliwag has no item, it steals the target's).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/laa3c
Item: Waterium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Bubble
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Psychic / Psywave
- Hidden Power / Round
Taking on double battles? Poliwag is a noteworthy Special Sweeper. It is primarily designed to overwhelm foes with formidable special power. Focus Sash helps protect Poliwag from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Water Absorb, Poliwag heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity. With a Waterium Z equipped to it, if Poliwag has a water move, this item allows it to use a water z-move.
◆ Bubble is a special STAB-boosted 40-base power Water-type move (10% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
◆ 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 90-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).
◆ Psywave is a special 0-base power Psychic-type move (random damage equal to 0.5x-1.5x Poliwag's level).
◆ Hidden Power is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (varies in type based on your Poliwag's ivs).
◆ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/lba3c
Movepool
Want to know what moves Poliwag can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sun/Moon 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 Sun/Moon. 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 SM 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: Bide, Endure, Helping Hand, Protect
- Moves that inflict status: Scald, Hypnosis, Toxic
Moves that boost Poliwag's stats
- Amnesia
- Belly Drum
- Curse
- Defense Curl
- Rage
- Skull Bash
Most notable and possible best moves for Poliwag
- Hidden Power
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Rest
- Scald
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Poliwag in Sun and Moon
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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