The Gen 1 amphibian wonder joins the roster as Fighter #11!
Being amphibious isn't just flavour; Poliwrath is well adapted for all the ebbs and flows of combat having offensive and defensive tools at every range.
Although its damage output and movement seem below average at first, like its pollywog cousins, it quickly develops into a fighter of frightening speed and power. Power-Up Punch strengthens all of its punching attacks every time it connects, and setting up a Whirlpool allows Poliwrath to Dive underwater and cross the stage at speeds that would make G.Zapdos dizzy!
If you're a more cautious type of player, you can choose to blow Bubbles and watch your opponent dash themselves against the rocks of your defense.
There's something for everyone here so we hope you give Poliwrath a spin!
Playstyle
Poliwrath is a tricky zoner that can use his strong space-control tools to set up advantageous positions for himself.
Pick if you like
Avoid if you dislike
Bubble Trouble: Poliwrath's 5B/4B are top-notch projectiles, lingering on screen for a long time and enabling approaches/conversions.
Thoroughly Painful Throw: Poliwrath's Forward Throw can be C-Cancelled, enabling a very strong combo afterward.
Rough Rapids: Hitting low multiple times and pulling the opponent towards him, Poliwrath's Whirlpool is a nightmare to deal with as a defender.
Anti-Air Issues: Poliwrath's grounded anti-airs are slow and do not yield high reward on hit. Poliwrath can alleviate this issue by going for air-to-airs, but that requires him to be preemptive.
Cooking Time: Poliwrath's Power-Up mechanic leads to huge damage, but he starts each round with 0 stacks.
Normals
5A
Damage
Endurance Damage
Guard
Cancel
Invul
Property
1
0
Mid
5AA, Special
-
-
Startup
Active
Recovery
Advantage
Cost
7
2
13
+1 [+3]
-
Total: 21
Poliwrath slaps quickly
Poliwrath's main combo-starter and quickest button to challenge
Toggle Hitboxes
Toggle Hitboxes
5AA
Damage
Endurance Damage
Guard
Cancel
Invul
Property
1
0
Mid
Special
-
-
Startup
Active
Recovery
Advantage
Cost
4
3
19
+1 [-4]
-
Total: 25
Poliwrath slaps again, letting you hit confirm into specials.
Toggle Hitboxes
Toggle Hitboxes
4A
Damage
Endurance Damage
Guard
Cancel
Invul
Property
6 (Air Hit) / 3, 3
0, 2
Mid
C-Cancel (First Hit)
-
Knockdown (Air Hit)
Startup
Active
Recovery
Advantage
Cost
16
24
17
+10 [+5]
-
Total: 56
Poliwrath chops the space in front of him, knocking the opponent out of the sky.
Extremely advantageous, allowing Poliwrath to continue pressure afterwards
Tons of active frames, hitting late into the animation will allow Poliwrath's frame data to skyrocket
Allows for a link into 2a in the corner
Toggle Hitboxes
Toggle Hitboxes
6A
Duff City
Damage
Endurance Damage
Guard
Cancel
Invul
Property
2-6
1
Mid
C-Cancel, Special
-
-
Startup
Active
Recovery
Advantage
Cost
11
8
27
+3 [-2]
-
Total: 42
A powerful punch, Poliwrath's safest poke.
Damage increases with each stock of Power-Up
High damage combo ender when cancelled into Power-Up Punch
Toggle Hitboxes
Toggle Hitboxes
2A
Damage
Endurance Damage
Guard
Cancel
Invul
Property
1
0
Low
Special, 2AA
-
-
Startup
Active
Recovery
Advantage
Cost
8
5
12
+3 [+1]
-
Total: 24
A kick at the opponent's feet.
Essential pressure button, useful in strike-throw & preventing the opponent from holding up-back
Toggle Hitboxes
Toggle Hitboxes
2AA
Damage
Endurance Damage
Guard
Cancel
Invul
Property
1
1
Low
-
-
Knockdown
Startup
Active
Recovery
Advantage
Cost
16
12
33
+43 [-27]
-
Total: 60
Sweep follow-up to 2A.
Builds a bar on hit, but very unsafe on block
Toggle Hitboxes
Toggle Hitboxes
3A
Damage
Endurance Damage
Guard
Cancel
Invul
Property
2
1
Low
-
-
Knockdown
Startup
Active
Recovery
Advantage
Cost
17
39
17
+32 [-38]
-
Total: 77
Poliwrath slips and slides on his belly nearly fullscreen.
Slides under many projectiles
Builds a bar on hit, but very unsafe on block
Can be made safe on block by hitting with the tip of its range, or by placing a hazard behind the opponent
Toggle Hitboxes
Toggle Hitboxes
j5A
Omni-Man Fortnite
Damage
Endurance Damage
Guard
Cancel
Invul
Property
4
0
High
-
-
-
Startup
Active
Recovery
Advantage
Cost
15
17
6
+20 [+11]
-
Total: 37
Standard jump-in, Poliwrath kicks forward midair.
Frame data assumes hitting at lowest possible height
Juggles very well from air-to-air jB
Can cross-up
Toggle Hitboxes
Toggle Hitboxes
j2A
Damage
Endurance Damage
Guard
Cancel
Invul
Property
3
0
High
-
-
Knockdown (Air Hit)
Startup
Active
Recovery
Advantage
Cost
8
∞
16
+10 [+1]
-
Total: 60
Poliwrath cuts his air momentum and bellyflops towards the ground.
Frame data assumes hitting at lowest possible height
Can cross up, easier than with j5A
Usually minus on block/unable to combo on hit, despite the frame data
Toggle Hitboxes
Toggle Hitboxes
44
ivan might go to hell for this one
Damage
Endurance Damage
Guard
Cancel
Invul
Property
1
1
Mid
-
Throw
Backdash
Startup
Active
Recovery
Advantage
Cost
9
10
22
-9 [-7]
-
Total: 40
Poliwrath shoots water jets from his hands, propelling him backward.
Antiairs surprisingly well, great way to protect yourself while running away midscreen
Punishable on hit and block when Poliwrath is cornered
Toggle Hitboxes
Toggle Hitboxes
Specials
Bubble Gun 5B or 4B OR
Damage
Endurance Damage
Guard
Cancel
Invul
Property
2
1
Mid
426B, C-Cancel
-
Projectile
Startup
Active
Recovery
Advantage
Cost
16
60;4 (5B), 142;4 (4B)
63
-4 [-30]
-
Total: 143
Poliwrath makes a finger gun and shoots a bubble.
Advantage assumes done point blank
5B travels fast, while 4B travels slowly and lasts longer