- Every Frog Pokemon Guide - June 12, 2022
- Shiny Gastly Guide: Must-Have Pokemon Knowledge - January 9, 2022
- Pokemon Academy Life Game Guide: A Pokemon/Visual Novel Combo - October 14, 2021
Pokémon is a unique franchise where there’s something for everyone to love, whether you are a retro fan, or someone that has played every title going. Whether you like collecting cute critters, enjoy turn-based RPGs or want to climb the ranks in competitive matchmaking, Pokémon has something that will catch your attention.
For you frog lovers out there, we are going to deep-dive into all of the cute, and occasionally over-powered, frog Pokémon within the . If you are looking for the perfect little fella to complete your frog team, or just love looking at little froggies, this every frog Pokémon guide should tell you everything you need to know about the totally awesome Pokémon toads. Here is our . Enjoy!
My Favorite, Straight Up
All throughout this article, we will be looking at fantastic frogs that each have something truly special about them. However, with no offense to your favorite toad or to the rest of these fellas on this list, my absolute favorite is hands down, Greninja.
Greninja has a predominant place in the anime as Ash’s partner, and that version of Greninja was even added in the Pokémon Sun & Moon games. This was sadly the last time Greninja was available in the mainline Pokémon games, as we missed out in and Shield, but hopefully, this rad frog is included again in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.
Bulbasaur #001 | Generation 1
Pokédex Entry:
“There is a plant seed on its back right from the day this Pokémon is born. The seed slowly grows larger.”
First up in the Pokédex, and my heart, is the original adorable frog starter Pokemon, Bulbasaur! It’s a lovely little frog-cabbage hybrid from the first generation of Pokémon. Bulbasaur may be adorable in its first stage evolution, but in later levels, this pocket monster becomes a tank and a force to be reckoned with.
This frog-mon first appeared in the 1996 Game Boy game, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue, where it could be chosen as your starter Pokémon. Though it’s chosen as a starter in the original Game Boy games, in later titles, you will have to trade it in through Pokémon Home or a previous compatible title in the same generation.
Ivysaur #002 | Generation 1
Pokédex Entry:
“Exposure to sunlight adds to its strength. Sunlight also makes the bud on its back grow larger.”
Once the adorable baby Bulbasaur reaches level 16 in any of the mainline titles, it will evolve into a slightly larger frog-cabbage, Ivysaur! This wicked toad has a large flower bud on its back and is just waiting to bloom. It can be found in any of the same games as its littler-form, Bulbasaur, but some titles are easier than others to find this grass and poison type Pokémon.
The fifth generation of Pokémon games, Black & White, were the first titles to completely throw out the previous Pokémon from the games. Although this froggie cannot be found naturally in the fifth generation of games, Ivysaur and its counterparts can still be traded in various but complicated means.
Venusaur #003 | Generation 1
Pokédex Entry:
“A bewitching aroma wafts from its flower. The fragrance becalms those engaged in a battle.”
At the ripe level of 32, the starter frog can be evolved into the all-powerful toad, Venusaur! Venusaur is still in the competitive meta due to its high defense, good speed, and overall decent offense. They are specifically desirable for what’s known as “sun teams,” where the goal is to cover the battlefield in bright sun and get Venusaur’s speed doubled!
As a bonus to this sunny day tactic, the move Solar Beam will be instantly available to use instead of having to charge up for one turn. If you just wanted Venusaur for its frog-like qualities, it can’t hurt to know how much of a tank this rad toad can be as well.
Poliwag #060 | Generation 1
Pokédex Entry:
“For Poliwag, swimming is easier than walking. The swirl pattern on its belly is part of the Pokémon’s innards showing through the skin.”
This little fella is nothing to wag your finger at. Of the first-generation Pokémon, it’s undeniable that Poliwag is the most frog-like of the bunch. Based on , Poliwag may be a little weak to begin with, but before you know it, will witness this guppy evolve into a must-have member for your , with strong physical and a decent set of fighting to pick from
Poliwag’s frog aspects can be seen in its translucent body as, as the Pokédex entry says, the spiral seen on its tummy is the tadpole’s intestines. A little bit spooky if you ask me.
Poliwhirl #061 | Generation
Pokédex Entry:
“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.”
Though Bulbasaur is my favorite frog of the first 151 of ‘mons, Poliwhirl is undoubtedly the froggiest of this generation. Poliwhirl has extreme frog features like its squat stature and bulging yet adorable eyes centered on top of its unibody frame.
I also love that the 3D model of Poliwhirl is just it doing a cutesy little sway back and forth, which is even more adorable considering what this toad turns into next.
Poliwrath #062 | Generation 1
Pokédex Entry:
“Its body is solid muscle. When swimming through cold seas, Poliwrath uses its impressive arms to smash through drift ice and plow forward.“
Folks, this might be the best frog evolution line Pokémon has brought to the table, not just in this generation but within the entire . This beefed frog is the pinnacle of what a water-fighting type Pokémon should be.
The Pokédex entry stating Poliwrath’s tendencies to practically punch ice in front of it should tell you all you need to know to be convinced of its cool-guy toughness. If it weren’t for one other Pokémon that we will talk about later at the end of this list, I would go so far as to say Poliwrath is the coolest of the frogs.
Politoed #186 | Generation 2
Pokédex Entry:
“At nightfall, these Pokémon appear on the shores of lakes. They announce their territorial claims by letting out cries that sound like shouting.”
Politoed is a single evolution Pokémon, and it is undeniably a toad. It is impossible to look at Politoed and not immediately think of a cute little happy frog.
What’s even cuter is Politoed in the second series of the Pokémon anime. Bean is its name, and wearing a cute red headband is its game. After the poor thing was yelled at by its owner, it ran away from its trainer, and then Bean was confused with Misty’s Politoed, and that’s pretty much it.. but Bean was all I needed.
Lotad #270 | Generation 3
Pokédex Entry:
“It searches about for clean water. If it does not drink water for too long, the leaf on its head wilts.”
This one is highly debated among myself and the one or two other people on the internet that care whether Lotad is a frog or not. I would argue that Lotad is just a frog that a lily pad sits upon instead of the other way around.
Although its later evolutions, Lombre and Ludicolo, lean more towards the ape-family (I think?) of Pokémon, so you won’t be seeing them in the list as we move forward. Lotad is the only Pokémon remotely frog-like in the third generation, which is admittedly disappointing.
Croagunk #453 | Generation 4
Pokédex Entry:
“It makes frightening noises with its poison-filled cheek sacs. When opponents flinch, Croagunk hits them with a poison jab.”
Stephen Hilger from the podcast Into The Aether adores the toxic toad Croagunk, and for good reason. This Pokémon is just a cute little fella with an air of mischief. Croagunk also seems to be one of the most accessible of the Pokémon right now, with the games it calls home, Diamond and Pearl, having been remastered and the new Legends: Arceus featuring the little toad plenty.
Toxicroak #454 | Generation 4
Pokédex Entry:
“It bounces toward opponents and gouges them with poisonous claws. No more than a scratch is needed to knock out its adversaries.”
Gone are the days of cute naivety when Croagunk reaches its evolved form, Toxicroak. I think the only thing that bothers me about Toxicroak and Croagunk is the teeth.
I know Bulbasaur’s evolution line also has some teeth in those frog gums, but they are cute teeth that just give Ivysaur and Venusaur a little edge. Besides Bulb, froggies should not have teeth, and I stand by that statement throughout my life. What do they even need the teeth for? They eat Dazzling Honey and Plump Beans for Arceus’s sake.
Tympole #535 | Generation 5
Pokédex Entry:
“Graceful ripples running across the water’s surface are a sure sign that Tympole is singing in high-pitched voices below.”
This happy little tadpole could give Poliwag a run for its money. I can never look at Tympole without seeing it with giant, over-the-ear headphones. If this were a ranked frog list, those chunky headphones would shoot Tympole very high up the list.
Perhaps headphones are not that far off in terms of their design when reading the Pokédex entry, and Game Freak does really enjoy cute musical little creatures; just look at Jigglypuff. Despite its weaker beginnings, Tympole becomes a beastly bullfrog in later levels.
Palpitoad #536 | Generation 5
Pokédex Entry:
“It weakens its prey with sound waves intense enough to cause headaches, then entangles them with its sticky tongue.”
If you were to stretch Tympole out and throw some feet on, you’d have its second evolution Palpitoad. I wish Game Freak would have changed up its name, though, because I have constantly gotten Politoed and Palpitoad mixed up in some capacity.
Perhaps they could have done something with the ‘froglet’ wording since that’s the scientific term for the frog stage Palpitoad is emulating. What about Wavelet to incorporate Palpitoad’s sound waves? Or I’d just be happy with Froglet, honestly. Appease me, Game Freak!
Seismitoad #537 | Generation 5
Pokédex Entry:
“The vibrating of the bumps all over its body causes earthquake-like tremors. Seismitoad and Croagunk are similar species.”
When Gen 5 threw out all other Pokémon in favor of a completely fresh Pokédex, they followed the tried and true method of creating new ‘mons that Game Freak designed in the first generation.
Nowhere else is this more apparent and obvious than when comparing Seismitoad’s and Poliwrath’s evolution line. They both follow the same three evolution pattern, but technically Poliwag is a froglet, whereas Tympole is a tadpole.
Froakie #656 | Generation 6
Pokédex Entry:
“It secretes flexible bubbles from its chest and back. The bubbles reduce the damage it would otherwise take when attacked.”
Froakie is the beginning of the end to all the frogs we have, so far, in the wonderful world of Pokémon. What I love about Froakie is how adorably accessible he is to non-fans of the series.
Due to Froakie being possibly the cutest Pokémon ever, absolutely anyone you show this cute little frog to falls in love with it. With its big, trusting but cautious eyes and its little cottony mini-scarf wrapping around its neck, how could you not adore Froakie?
Frogadier #657 | Generation 6
Pokédex Entry:
“It can throw bubble-covered pebbles with precise control, hitting empty cans up to a hundred feet away.”
Because of Froakie’s heavy anime appearance, Froakie and its evolved form Frogadier are the primary frog Pokémon that come to mind with thinking about amphibious Pocket Monsters.
That’s certainly not a bad thing, considering the evolution line reaches both ends of the spectrum. Even with Frogadier being in its awkward teenage stage, it still manages to keep the cute aspects of Froakie while preparing for its cool-factor ultimate form, Greninja.
Greninja #658 | Generation 6
Pokédex Entry:
“It creates throwing stars out of compressed water. When it spins them and throws them at high speed, these stars can split metal in two.”
This is the last frog ‘mon that we have to talk about today, and it’s possibly one of the most overpowered. Greninja is the coolest concept for a frogged-up Pokémon.
It is just a scarf-veiled ninja frog that completely kicks butt. Remember when I said there was only one Pokémon that could outcool the mighty Poliwrath? Well, that frog is Greninja. I honestly can’t think of a better version of a toad Pokémon that I would want to see.
There you have it, that’s every frog-based Pokémon that can be found in all of the 8 Generations of ‘mons. I may have a biased towards Greninja, whom I only just realized my acute affinity for, but that’s not to discount any other of these lovely toads.
All of the frogs so far have unique value, each completely melding with its generation of fellow Pokémon. With Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet having been announced to come later this calendar year, we may not be waiting too much longer for the more radically awesome frog.
Every Frog Pokemon: FAQs
Question: Could there be another frog starter in the future?
Answer: At first, I would say the likely hood of another frog starter is very low because despite copying Poliwrath’s evolution line for Seismitoad, Game Freak typically doesn’t copy that exactly from previous generations.
I suppose you could argue about Pidgey and its array of clones throughout the generations, but even those are not as close to what we see with Seismitoad. However, with another kitten being announced for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Sprigatito, I guess anything is possible! Wait a minute…. how many electric mice are there…?
Question: What frogs can you have in Pokémon Sword & Shield?
Answer: I would love a world where every Pokémon could be in every game, but unfortunately, there are certain Pokémon that cannot be transferred into Pokémon Sword or Shield. The good news for you frog lovers out there is that most of the frogs on this list can be put on your team in Sword & Shield. The bad news is the only three Pokémon that are not allowed in Sw/Sh are possibly the best ones: Froakie, Frogadier, and Greninja.
Question: How do you get all of the frogs?
Answer: The answer to this question is also the answer to the question of “How do you get every Pokémon?” which is to get the Pokémon Home app on your mobile device and Nintendo Switch.
Home is a subscription service, but it’s only $3 per month, and the utility you receive is a no-brainer if you play every Pokémon game. The mobile app is a terrific app to spend a few minutes if you need to while you wonder trade 10 Pokémon at a time from your boxes or put Pokémon up on the Global Trading Service (GTS) to get exactly the Pokémon you need.
