Competitive Information for Poliwag [Sword/Shield]
Water
Abilities:
Prevents Explosion/Mind Blown/Misty Explosion/Self-Destruct/Aftermath while 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 Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sword/Shield metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Unleash the power of Poliwag, a terrific Pokémon with Water typing. Poliwag is not a Pokémon anyone usually expects to see on the battlefield. The LC tier (Little Cup) is where it shines. Its only type-related weaknesses are Electric and Grass. Explore the movesets below to see how Poliwag performs in battles.
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Waterfall / Dive
- Double-Edge / Body Slam
- Bulldoze / Dig
- Thief
In single battles, Poliwag's Physical Sweeper role is an outstanding. This moveset was created to overwhelm foes with brute physical attacks. 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.
◆ 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).
◆ Body Slam is a physical 85-base power Normal-type move (30% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent Pokemon speed by 1 stage).
◆ Dig is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (digs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ 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/maa3c
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
- Earth Power / Mud Shot
- Ice Beam / Icy Wind
- Psychic
Poliwag makes an an awesome Special Sweeper in single battles. This configuration strives to crush rivals using overwhelming special moves. 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. Thaws target).
◆ Earth Power is a special 90-base power Ground-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Mud Shot is a special 55-base power Ground-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
◆ 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).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mba3c
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Poliwag? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sword/Shield 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 Sword/Shield 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:
- Waterfall / Dive
- Double-Edge / Body Slam
- Bulldoze / Dig
- Thief
Ready for double battles? Poliwag is a prestigious Physical Sweeper. It tries to take down the opponent's team with heavy-hitting physical attacks. 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.
◆ 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).
◆ Body Slam is a physical 85-base power Normal-type move (30% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent Pokemon speed by 1 stage).
◆ Dig is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (digs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ 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/naa3c
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
- Earth Power / Mud Shot
- Psychic
In double battles, Poliwag is known as an exceptional Special Sweeper. It's meant to crush rivals using forceful 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. Thaws 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 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Earth Power is a special 90-base power Ground-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Mud Shot is a special 55-base power Ground-type move (100% chance to lower the target's 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).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/nba3c
Movepool
Want to know what moves Poliwag can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sword/Shield 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 Sword/Shield. 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 SS Move and Ability Combos for Poliwag
- 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
- Amnesia
- Belly Drum
- Curse
- Defense Curl
- Skull Bash
Most notable and possible best moves for Poliwag
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Rest
- Scald
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Poliwag in Sword and Shield
- Adamant Nature ( 0/252/0/0/0/252 )
- Modest Nature ( 0/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Jolly Nature ( 0/252/0/0/0/252 )
- Timid Nature ( 0/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Bold Nature ( 252/0/252/0/0/4 )
- Calm Nature ( 252/0/0/0/252/4 )
- Relaxed Nature ( 252/0/88/0/168/0 )
- Sassy Nature ( 252/0/4/0/252/0 )
- Optimize Poliwag's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
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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