Terms of UseHow to Evolve Poliwag Explore this Article methods 1 Evolving to Poliwhirl 2 Evolving Poliwhirl to Poliwrath 3 Evolving Poliwhirl to Politoed Other Sections Related Articles References Article Summary Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA
Last Updated: November 22, 2025
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene has been writing and editing tech content at wikiHow since 2019. She previously worked for AppleCare, served as a writing tutor, volunteered in IT at an animal rescue, and taught as an adjunct professor for EN101 and EN102. Darlene has completed Coursera courses on technology, writing, and language. She holds both a BA (2011) and an MA (2012) from Rowan University in Writing, with a focus on workplace communication. With her extensive experience, academic background, and ongoing learning, Darlene has become the go-to grammar expert for her friends and family, as well as a skilled wordsmith for anyone in need. This article has been viewed 5,674 times.
Poliwag is a water-type Pokémon that looks like a tadpole with a bullseye on its stomach. It was introduced in Gen I of the series and has three stages of evolution, starting at Poliwag, then evolving to Poliwhirl, and finally evolving into Poliwrath or Politoed.[1]XResearch source Poliwag first evolves into Poliwhirl at level 25, then to Poliwrath with a Water Stone or Politoed when traded holding a King’s Rock. This wikiHow gives you tips and advice on how to evolve Poliwag in Gen 1-II games.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Evolving to Poliwhirl
1 Capture Poliwag around Route 6 in Kanto using a good rod. You’ll find Poliwag by fishing with a good rod.
In many games, you can find Poliwag by fishing around Route 6, but Brooklet Hill and Cerulean Cave are other options.
2 Battle with your Poliwag to level it up.
Seek out what is weak against your Poliwag. Poliwag is a water-type Pokémon and is strongest against fire, ground, and rock-types, like Charmander, Sandshrew, and Geodude. Fighting these Pokémon means your Poliwag has a higher success rate, meaning you will gain experience faster.
Avoid fighting Pokémon that are strong against your Poliwag. Poliwag has a weakness against grass and electric Pokémon, like Bulbasaur and Pikachu. These Pokémon have a higher chance of beating your Poliwag, which will cost you time and life-points.
Keep lots of potions. Since you need to level Poliwag to evolve him, you will be participating in battles either in the wild or in gyms, which means your Poliwag will take damage, get lasting conditions, and lose health points. Keeping lots of potions with you will save the time it takes to get to a Pokémon Center to heal your Pokémon or rid him of lingering skills, like Poison Sting.
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3 Use rare candies. Rare candies level your Pokémon by one level. You can find rare candies out in the world.[2]XResearch source
4 Watch as your Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl when it hits level 25. Once Poliwag reaches level 25, it will automatically evolve. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Evolving Poliwhirl to Poliwrath
1 Get a Water Stone. You can buy Water Stones from the Celadon Department Store in the Red and Green versions. In Gold, Silver, and Crystal, you can get a Water Stone from Bill’s grandfather in the Sea Cottage in Kanto on Route 25 when you show him a Staryu.[3]XResearch source
2 Give the Water Stone to Poliwhirl. Once your Poliwhirl is exposed to the Water Stone, it will automatically evolve. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Evolving Poliwhirl to Politoed
1 Get a King’s Rock. In the Gold, Silver, and Crystal games, you can repeatedly catch wild Slowpoke or wild Poliwhirls that are already holding the item. It can take some time for this to happen.
You can also go to Slowpoke Well and get one as long as you have the required Surf and Strength skills.[4]XResearch source
2 Give the King’s Rock to Poliwhirl.
3 Trade Poliwhirl. Make sure you trade a Poliwhirl holding a King’s Rock. Once you trade a Poliwhirl holding a King’s Rock, it automatically to Politoed. Advertisement
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Written by: Darlene Antonelli, MA wikiHow Technology Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene has been writing and editing tech content at wikiHow since 2019. She previously worked for AppleCare, served as a writing tutor, volunteered in IT at an animal rescue, and taught as an adjunct professor for EN101 and EN102. Darlene has completed Coursera courses on technology, writing, and language. She holds both a BA (2011) and an MA (2012) from Rowan University in Writing, with a focus on workplace communication. With her extensive experience, academic background, and ongoing learning, Darlene has become the go-to grammar expert for her friends and family, as well as a skilled wordsmith for anyone in need. This article has been viewed 5,674 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 4Updated: November 22, 2025 Views: 5,674Article SummaryX
1. Capture a Poliwag with a good rod around Route 6. 2. Battle with your Poliwag to level it up. 3. Use rare candies. 4. Watch your Poliwag evolve. Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Written by: Darlene Antonelli, MA wikiHow Technology Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene has been writing and editing tech content at wikiHow since 2019. She previously worked for AppleCare, served as a writing tutor, volunteered in IT at an animal rescue, and taught as an adjunct professor for EN101 and EN102. Darlene has completed Coursera courses on technology, writing, and language. She holds both a BA (2011) and an MA (2012) from Rowan University in Writing, with a focus on workplace communication. With her extensive experience, academic background, and ongoing learning, Darlene has become the go-to grammar expert for her friends and family, as well as a skilled wordsmith for anyone in need. This article has been viewed 5,674 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 4 Updated: November 22, 2025 Views: 5,674 Article SummaryX
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 
381 
1 Capture Poliwag around Route 6 in Kanto using a good rod. You’ll find Poliwag by fishing with a good rod. 
2 Battle with your Poliwag to level it up. 
3 Use rare candies. Rare candies level your Pokémon by one level. You can find rare candies out in the world.[2] 
4 Watch as your Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl when it hits level 25. Once Poliwag reaches level 25, it will automatically evolve. Advertisement 
1 Get a Water Stone. You can buy Water Stones from the Celadon Department Store in the Red and Green versions. In Gold, Silver, and Crystal, you can get a Water Stone from Bill’s grandfather in the Sea Cottage in Kanto on Route 25 when you show him a Staryu.[3] 
2 Give the Water Stone to Poliwhirl. Once your Poliwhirl is exposed to the Water Stone, it will automatically evolve. Advertisement 
1 Get a King’s Rock. In the Gold, Silver, and Crystal games, you can repeatedly catch wild Slowpoke or wild Poliwhirls that are already holding the item. It can take some time for this to happen. 
2 Give the King’s Rock to Poliwhirl. 
3 Trade Poliwhirl. Make sure you trade a Poliwhirl holding a King’s Rock. Once you trade a Poliwhirl holding a King’s Rock, it automatically to Politoed. Advertisement 
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