Shadow Poliwhirl Pokemon GO — Max CP 1,604, Base Stats & Moveset

Q: Is Shadow Poliwhirl good in Pokemon GO?

Shadow Poliwhirl has no raid or PvP ranking in Pokemon GO right now, so it is a collector pick rather than a battler. Its max CP is 1,604 at level 50. Keep a high-IV one for future move updates or limited-format cups and spend your Stardust elsewhere.

Q: What is the best moveset for Shadow Poliwhirl in Pokemon GO?

Shadow Poliwhirl has multiple viable movesets depending on the battle format. Check the moves section for a breakdown of DPS, energy generation, and recommended combinations for both raids and PvP.

Q: What are Shadow Poliwhirl's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?

Shadow Poliwhirl is a Water-type Pokemon weak to Electric, Grass-type moves in Pokemon GO. When battling against Shadow Poliwhirl, use attackers with these move types for super effective damage. On the other hand, Shadow Poliwhirl resists Fire, Ice, Steel, Water-type moves.

Q: What is Shadow Poliwhirl's max CP in Pokemon GO?

Shadow Poliwhirl's maximum CP is 1,604 at level 50 (requires XL Candy), or 1,419 at level 40. Its base stats are 130 Attack, 123 Defense, and 163 Stamina, giving it a total stat product of 416. Power up costs from level 20 to 50 total approximately 135,000 Stardust.

Q: What CP is a 100% IV Shadow Poliwhirl?

A perfect 15/15/15 IV Shadow Poliwhirl has 811 CP at level 20 (from raids or eggs), 1013 CP at level 25 (weather boosted catch), and 1,604 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a Shadow Poliwhirl showing 811 CP from a raid, it has perfect IVs — definitely keep it and invest.

Q: How do you get Shadow Poliwhirl in Pokemon GO?

Shadow Poliwhirl can be obtained in Pokemon GO through several methods: wild encounters, rescuing Shadow Shadow Poliwhirl from Team GO Rocket, and trading with other trainers. Walking Shadow Poliwhirl as your buddy earns 1 candy every 3.0 km.

Q: Can Shadow Poliwhirl be shiny in Pokemon GO?

Shiny Shadow Poliwhirl availability in Pokemon GO depends on whether Niantic has released its shiny form. Check the current events page for any boosted shiny rates during special events.

Best moveset

Highest damage: Bubble Mud Bomb

Same-type attack bonus on Bubble. Mud Bomb costs 33 energy for 60 power.

Type effectiveness

Damage Shadow Poliwhirl takes from each attacking type

Weak to

Electric1.6× Grass1.6×

Resists

Fire0.625× Ice0.625× Steel0.625× Water0.625×

Base stats

Attack 130

Defense 123

Stamina 163

Stat total: 416
Buddy distance: 3.0 km per candy
Second charged move: 50,000 Dust + 50 Candy
100% IV at Lv 20: 811 CP

Editor's notes

Shadow Poliwhirl is not a GO Battle League staple, but it still has a place for collectors and raiders.

As a Water-type Pokémon with 130/123/163 base stats, it fills a supporting role.

Toni Ramón

Founder & lead editor

PvP at a glance

Shadow Poliwhirl is not ranked in any GO Battle League.

Shadow Poliwhirl moves

2 fast · 4 charged

Fast moves

Move	Type	PWR	EN	DUR	DPS	EPS
Bubble Best STAB	Water	10	12	1.0s	10	12
Mud Shot	Ground	4	6	0.5s	8	12

Charged moves

Move	Type	PWR	EN	DUR	DPS	DPE
Bubble Beam STAB	Water	45	33	2.0s	22.5	1.36
Mud Bomb Best	Ground	60	33	2.5s	24	1.82
Water Pulse STAB	Water	65	50	3.0s	21.7	1.30
Scald STAB Elite	Water	75	50	3.5s	21.4	1.50

Fast moves

Move	Type	PWR	EN	Turns	DPT	EPT
Bubble	Water	8	11	2	4.00	5.50
Mud Shot	Ground	3	9	1	3.00	9.00

Charged moves

Move	Type	PWR	EN	DPE	Effect
Bubble Beam	Water	25	40	0.63	Buff / debuff
Mud Bomb	Ground	65	45	1.44	—
Water Pulse	Water	80	50	1.60	—
Scald	Water	85	50	1.70	Buff / debuff

Moveset analysis

The highest-damage fast move is Bubble (10 DPS); Bubble builds energy fastest (12 EPS). Scald is an Elite TM move and cannot be taught with a regular Charged TM.

Evolution

Poliwag 25 Candy

Poliwhirl

100 Candy

Poliwrath 100 Candy King's Rock

Politoed

Family

Poliwag

Poliwhirl

Poliwrath

Politoed

Shadow forms Shadow Poliwag Shadow Poliwhirl Shadow Poliwrath Shadow Politoed

How to get Shadow Poliwhirl

Wild: Spawns in the wild — rarity depends on biome and active events
Team GO Rocket: Shadow Shadow Poliwhirl knows Frustration — swap it with a Charged TM
Purification: 3,000 Dust + 3 Candy → Return

Catch CP

Source	Level	Min CP	Max CP (100% IV)
Wild Catch	Lv 1–30	33	1,226
Wild (Weather Boost)	Lv 1–35	33	1,328
Raid Catch	Lv 20	776	831
Raid (Weather Boost)	Lv 25	966	1,034
Egg Hatch	Lv 20	776	831
Research Encounter	Lv 15	587	628
GO Battle League	Lv 20	776	831

Is Shadow Poliwhirl good in Pokemon GO?

Collector's pick

Power up	Stardust	Candy	XL Candy
Lv 20 → 40	135,000	15	—

Shadow Poliwhirl has no raid or PvP ranking right now. Keep a high-IV one for the Pokedex and for future move updates or limited-format cups, and spend your Stardust elsewhere.

Bulk-leaning spread (123 Defense / 163 Stamina) — it stays on the field longer, which suits shielded PvP formats.
A second charged move costs 50,000 Dust and 50 Candy, and with 4 charged moves to pick from it is the single biggest PvP upgrade you can buy.
Its moves get a damage boost in Rainy weather — worth timing raids around.

CP by level

Maximum CP with perfect 15/15/15 IVs at every level

Level	Max CP
Lv 1	20
Lv 2	62
Lv 3	105
Lv 4	148
Lv 5	191
Lv 6	234
Lv 7	277
Lv 8	319
Lv 9	362
Lv 10	405
Lv 11	446
Lv 12	486
Lv 13	527

Level	Max CP
Lv 14	567
Lv 15	608
Lv 16	648
Lv 17	689
Lv 18	729
Lv 19	770
Lv 20	811
Lv 21	851
Lv 22	892
Lv 23	932
Lv 24	973
Lv 25	1,013
Lv 26	1,054

Level	Max CP
Lv 27	1,095
Lv 28	1,135
Lv 29	1,176
Lv 30	1,216
Lv 31	1,236
Lv 32	1,257
Lv 33	1,277
Lv 34	1,297
Lv 35	1,318
Lv 36	1,338
Lv 37	1,358
Lv 38	1,378
Lv 39	1,399

Level	Max CP
Lv 40	1,419
Lv 41	1,437
Lv 42	1,455
Lv 43	1,473
Lv 44	1,492
Lv 45	1,510
Lv 46	1,529
Lv 47	1,547
Lv 48	1,566
Lv 49	1,585
Lv 50	1,604

Pokedex info

Pokedex number: #0061
Form: Shadow
Height: 1.00 m
Weight: 20.00 kg
Buddy size: Big
Candy to evolve: 100
Family forms: 8 released forms
Game ID: V0061_POKEMON_POLIWHIRL_SHADOW

FAQ

What is the best moveset for Shadow Poliwhirl in Pokemon GO?

Shadow Poliwhirl's best moveset is Bubble (fast) with Mud Bomb (charged). Use a Fast TM or Charged TM to reroll onto it.

What are Shadow Poliwhirl's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?

Shadow Poliwhirl takes super effective damage from Electric, Grass-type moves. It resists Fire, Ice, Steel, Water, so avoid those types against it.

What is Shadow Poliwhirl's max CP in Pokemon GO?

Shadow Poliwhirl reaches 1,604 CP at level 50 with XL Candy, or 1,419 CP at level 40. Level 50 needs XL Candy, which only unlocks at Trainer Level 31 and comes from catching, hatching, transferring and walking.

What CP is a 100% IV Shadow Poliwhirl?

A perfect 15/15/15 Shadow Poliwhirl shows 811 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches) and 1,013 CP at level 25 (weather boosted). Seeing that exact number on the catch screen means it is a hundo — favourite it before you transfer anything.

How do you get Shadow Poliwhirl in Pokemon GO?

Shadow Poliwhirl spawns in the wild, though how often depends on your biome and the active event.

Can Shadow Poliwhirl be shiny in Pokemon GO?

Shiny Shadow Poliwhirl depends on whether Niantic has released the form. Check the events page for Community Days and event weekends, which is when shiny rates are boosted.

Explore more

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