• ℹ️ CARD INFORMATION
• ✨ ABILITIES
• ⚔️ ATTACKS
• 💰 LATEST PRICES

CARD INFORMATION

• SUBTYPES:
  • Stage 1
• HP: 90
• TYPES:
  • Water
• EVOLVES FROM: Poliwag
• EVOLVES TO:
  • Poliwrath
  • Politoed
• WEAKNESSES:
  • TYPE: Lightning
  • VALUE: ×2
• RETREATCOST:
  • Colorless
  • Colorless
• RETREAT COST: 2
• RARITY: Uncommon
• FLAVOR TEXT: Staring at the swirl on its belly causes drowsiness. This trait of Poliwhirl's has been used in place of lullabies to get children to go to sleep.
• REGULATIONMARK: F

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

• NAME: Light Punch
• COST:
  • Colorless
  • Colorless
• ENERGY COST: 2
• DAMAGE: 30
• DETAILS:

• NAME: Double Smash
• COST:
  • Water
  • Colorless
  • Colorless
• ENERGY COST: 3
• DAMAGE: 50×
• DETAILS: Flip 2 coins. This attack does 50 damage for each heads.

MARKET PRICES FOR POLIWHIRL 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11

HIGH	12.47	USD
MID	0.10	USD	TREND
LOW	0.03	USD

Check the latest prices on:

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Poliwhirl splashes into the Lost Origin set with a classic design that brings nostalgia but faces tough competition in today's meta.

This Stage 1 Water-type offers branched evolution paths to both Poliwrath and Politoed, potentially giving it flexibility in deck construction.

But does this spinning hypnotist have what it takes to make waves in competitive play, or will it simply cause drowsiness in your strategy?

Offensive rating: 3/10

Poliwhirl's offensive capabilities are decidedly underwhelming.

Light Punch delivers a mere 30 damage for 2 colorless energy, which is inefficient by any competitive standard.

Double Smash requires 3 energy (including a Water energy) and relies on coin flips to potentially deal 100 damage - but could just as easily deliver a disappointing 0 or 50.

The inconsistency of coin flip mechanics makes tournament play frustrating, and the damage ceiling isn't high enough to justify the energy investment.

Even when hitting for full value, the damage-to-energy ratio is mediocre at best, failing to threaten most evolved Pokémon in the current meta.

Survival rating: 4/10

With just 90 HP, Poliwhirl sits in a vulnerable position - too fragile to survive hits from dedicated attackers, yet requiring investment as a Stage 1 Pokémon.

Its Lightning weakness is particularly problematic in metas where Electric-type attackers are common.

The 2-energy retreat cost is manageable but not ideal, potentially locking Poliwhirl in the active spot when you'd rather pivot to a better attacker or setup Pokémon.

Poliwhirl lacks any built-in defensive abilities or effects that might improve its survivability, meaning it's likely to fall to a single attack from most competitive decks.

Its only survival advantage is being a Stage 1, making it slightly less vulnerable to some anti-Basic strategies.

Versatility rating: 5/10

Poliwhirl's greatest strength lies in its evolutionary versatility.

As a middle stage that can evolve into either Poliwrath or Politoed, it offers deck-building options that might accommodate different strategies.

However, this theoretical advantage is undermined by several factors.

Neither Light Punch nor Double Smash provides utility effects beyond damage, limiting Poliwhirl's role to that of a basic attacker.

It cannot effectively serve as a tech card against specific archetypes, nor does it offer support capabilities for teammates.

Its Water typing gives it potential in Water-focused decks, but superior Water attackers are readily available in the format.

The card struggles to find a meaningful role beyond serving as an evolution stepping stone.

Speed/Setup rating: 4/10

As a Stage 1 Pokémon, Poliwhirl requires finding and playing Poliwag first, then waiting a turn or using evolution acceleration effects.

This already puts it behind Basic Pokémon attackers.

Its attacks require either 2 or 3 energy attachments, meaning it takes at least two turns of manual energy attachment before it can use its stronger attack - and that's assuming you have the right energy mix available.

Double Smash requires a specific Water energy, limiting flexibility.

The coin flip dependency creates further setup challenges, as you can't reliably plan your game strategy around inconsistent damage output.

With no built-in draw, search, or acceleration effects, Poliwhirl offers nothing to speed up its own deployment or enhance its consistency.

To maximize Poliwhirl's potential, focus on accelerating its evolution path rather than using it as an attacker.

Cards that allow rapid evolution or energy acceleration are essential companions.

Water-type support cards can boost its otherwise mediocre attacks, while tools that mitigate its coin flip dependency could improve its reliability.

The most strategic approach is viewing Poliwhirl as a transition piece toward its more powerful evolutions.

Perfect Partners examples:

Poliwhirl from Lost Origin struggles to carve out a competitive niche in the modern Pokémon TCG landscape.

Its mediocre damage output, reliance on coin flips, moderate HP, and multi-turn setup requirements all combine to create a card that falls short of tournament viability as an attacker.

The card's main strength - its ability to evolve into either Poliwrath or Politoed - gives it some flexibility, but not enough to overcome its fundamental weaknesses.

In competitive play, Poliwhirl functions best as a transitional piece toward its evolutions rather than a standalone threat.

Players attracted to the Poliwhirl line should focus on acceleration strategies to minimize time spent with Poliwhirl in play.

For casual play, it can be enjoyable in Water-themed decks, but serious tournament players will find more consistent and powerful options elsewhere in the format.

POWER INDEX

33