Should you go Poliwraith or Politoed in Pokémon Go?

There are Pokémon that have multiple evolutions that you have to pick from when you want them to evolve. These evolutions may have small variations, such as having a different typing, or a unique appearance. The same occurs in Pokémon Go. If you’re having trouble deciding if you want your Poliwag to become Poliwraith or Politoed, we’re going to break these two down, share their stats, and detail their best movesets to argue why one is better over the other.

Poliwrath stats and best moveset

Poliwrath is a Water and FIghting-type Pokémon. It’s weak to Electric, Fairy, Flying, Grass, and Psychic-type attacks, but it’s resistant to Bug, Dark, Fire, Ice, Rock, Steel, and Water-type moves. It has a maximum CP of 2,586, an attack of 155, a defense of 157, and stamina of 175. Because of it’s lower CP, you’ll likely be using it in the Great or Ultra League. The best moveset you can give Poliwrath is bubble for its fast move, and then dynamic punch and ice punch for its charge moves.

Poliwrath might have a lower CP, but its move diversity is pretty nice. It’s super effective against 10 different types of Pokémon, making it a superb option in the Ultra League, but its lower defenses make it an easy target.

Politoed stats and best moveset

Politoed is purely a Water-type Pokémon. It’s only weak to Electric and Grass-type attacks, but it’s resistant to Fire, Ice, Steel, and Water-type moves. It has a maximum CP of 2,449, an attack of 149, a defense of 153, and stamina of 175. Much like Poliwrath, you primarily want to use it in the Ultra League, but it doesn’t have a second typing as Poliwrath does. The best moveset Politoed can use is mudshot for its fast move, and then weather ball (Water-type) and earthquake for its charge moves.

Politoed can learn the Water-type weather ball charge move following the second half of Pokémon Go Battle League’s season 6. Being able to use the move gives it a distinct bump up from its previous moveset and placement.

Should you choose Poliwrath or Politoed?

Both Pokémon are solid options for you to use in the Ultra League. Poliwrath has a bit more diversity because of its Fighting-type, but it makes it weaker to several other things, whereas Politoed is only weak to Electric and Grass-type attacks. Previously, Politoed was the better option over Poliwrath, especially if you had a shadow version of Politoed. Now, with Politoed being able to use a Water-type weather ball, it’s even better, so if you’re able to get a shadow Politoed and have it learn that move, you’ll be doing even better.

Overall, Politoed is a much better option. With XL candy, Politoed has become a better Pokémon when it comes to the Great and Ultra Leagues. Politwrath is decent, but Politoed is a step above it. Politoed’s shadow version is also very good, too.