Physical
Wallbreaker
540High
81Moderate
ATier

Ground moves don't affect Gyarados at all — that's the advantage of Water/Flying typing. Intimidate lowers the opponent's Attack on switch-in. An original Gen 1 pick. It needs some investment to avoid getting outsped.

Attack and Sp. Def carry most of Gyarados's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 2 Attack EVs. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats
540High
HP95
B
Attack125
A
Defense79
C
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def100
B
Speed81
C
Total540
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Gyarados yields +2 Atk
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Details
Catch45Challenging•Slow1.25M XP•6.5m / 21'04"•235kg / 518.1 lbs•189Base XP
Pokedex Entries

Once it appears, it goes on a rampage. It remains enraged until it demolishes everything around it.

Scarlet

It appears whenever there is world conflict, burning down any place it travels through.

Violet

Gyarados Weakness

Excellent

Type-wise, Gyarados takes extra damage from Electric and Rock. Watch out for Electric attacks, those deal 4x damage. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. With 95 HP and balanced defenses, Gyarados can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

4xCriticali
Electric
2xWeaki
Rock
½xResisti
FireWaterFightingBugSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
Ground
STAB (6)i
FireGroundRockGrassFightingBug
2Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Scorei+2
Stealth Rock25% on switch
4x Electric — Thunderbolt, Volt Switch, Thunder
Abilities
IntimidateLowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle.
MoxieHARaises Attack one stage upon KOing a Pokémon.

Evolved from Magikarp. Gyarados is the final form in this two-stage line. Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are hatches fast. Attack grew the most through evolution (+115 over Magikarp), and Gyarados peaks at 540 total stats.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Magikarp
#129Magikarp
20
Level 20
Gyarados
#130Gyarados
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Magikarp
Water
Gyarados
WaterFlying
HP
20
95+75
ATK
10
125+115
DEF
55
79+24
SP.ATK
15
60+45
SP.DEF
20
100+80
SPE
80
81+1
BST
200D-Tier
540A-Tier+340
ROLE
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Utility
Physical
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed with Gyarados to get Magikarp eggs easily using 72 partners from the Dragon and Water2 egg groups.

Egg Groups
DragonWater2
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
5 cycles·1,285 steps
Fast~1 min with Flame Body
Breed With (best first)
gyaradoscharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticnoivernaltariascraftydragalgehelioliskoctillery
12 of 72·

Find one free turn for Dragon Dance and Gyarados can run through teams. Adamant nature leans physical, Intimidate supports the sweep, and Ground coverage stops anything from walling it cleanly.

Best Build

Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Intimidate
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Best Gyarados Moveset

  • WaterfallSTAB
  • Dragon Dance
  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Thunder Wave

Recommended Teammates

Excadrill
ExcadrillDecent
Garchomp
GarchompDecent
Clefable
ClefableDecent
All 22 games

TMs carry this one. Gyarados learns Hydro Pump and Hurricane naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Dragon and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Flail
—10015Normal
Lv 1
Leer
—10030Normal
Lv 1
Splash
——40Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
4010035Normal
Lv 1
Twister
4010020Dragon
Lv 4
Whirlpool
358515Water
Lv 8
Ice Fang
659515Ice
Lv 12
Brine
6510010Water
Lv 16
Scary Face
—10010Normal
Lv 21
Waterfall
8010015Water
Lv 24
Crunch
8010015Dark
Lv 28
Rain Dance
——5Water
Lv 32
Aqua Tail
909010Water
Lv 36
Dragon Dance
——20Dragon
Lv 40
Hydro Pump
110805Water
Lv 44
Hurricane
1107010Flying
Lv 48
Thrash
12010010Normal
Lv 52
Hyper Beam
150905Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM46
Avalanche-4
6010010Ice
TM143
Blizzard
110705Ice
TM66
Body Slam
8510015Normal
TM28
Bulldoze
6010020Ground
TM22
Chilling Water
5010020Water
TM108
Crunch
8010015Dark
TM94
Dark Pulse
8010015Dark
TM204
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
TM226
Dragon Cheer
——15Dragon
TM100
Dragon Dance
——20Dragon
TM115
Dragon Pulse
8510010Dragon
TM44
Dragon Tail-6
609010Dragon
TM149
Earthquake
10010010Ground
TM205
Endeavor
—1005Normal
TM47
Endure+4
——10Normal
TM25
Facade
7010020Normal
TM141
Fire Blast
110855Fire
TM125
Flamethrower
9010015Fire
TM152
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM130
Helping Hand+5
——20Normal
TM160
Hurricane
1107010Flying
TM142
Hydro Pump
110805Water
TM163
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM135
Ice Beam
9010010Ice
TM10
Ice Fang
659515Ice
TM34
Icy Wind
559515Ice
TM99
Iron Head
8010015Steel
TM199
Lash Out
751005Dark
TM209
Muddy Water
908510Water
TM156
Outrage
12010010Dragon
TM07
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM50
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM85
Rest
——5Psychic
TM172
Roar-6
——20Normal
TM51
Sandstorm
——10Rock
TM188
Scald
8010015Water
TM200
Scale Shot
259020Dragon
TM06
Scary Face
—10010Normal
TM70
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
TM177
Spite
—10010Ghost
TM150
Stone Edge
100805Rock
TM103
Substitute
——10Normal
TM49
Sunny Day
——5Fire
TM123
Surf
9010015Water
TM01
Take Down
908520Normal
TM87
Taunt
—10020Dark
TM207
Temper Flare
7510010Fire
TM171
Tera Blast
8010010Normal
TM166
Thunder
1107010Electric
TM82
Thunder Wave
—9020Electric
TM126
Thunderbolt
9010015Electric
TM11
Water Pulse
6010020Water
TM77
Waterfall
8010015Water
TM208
Whirlpool
358515Water

Egg Moves

Gyarados doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Gyarados can't learn any Tutor moves
All 22 games

moderate rates for Gyarados across 36 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.

Where To Catch Gyarados in Scarlet & Violet

The path to Gyarados starts with Magikarp at Lv. 2-59 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Magikarp
    Step 1Catch Magikarp
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
    EFFORTLESS
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
    EFFORTLESS
    Casseroya Lake - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
    EFFORTLESS
    Casseroya Lake - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
    EFFORTLESS
    East Paldean Sea - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
    EFFORTLESS
    East Paldean Sea - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
    EFFORTLESS
    East Province (Area One) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    East Province (Area One) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    East Province (Area Three) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    East Province (Area Three) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    East Province (Area Three) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    East Province (Area Three) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    East Province (Area Two) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    East Province (Area Two) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyCave
    EFFORTLESS
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyCave
    EFFORTLESS
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyCave
    EFFORTLESS
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyCave
    EFFORTLESS
    North Paldean Sea - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
    EFFORTLESS
    North Paldean Sea - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
    EFFORTLESS
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    North Province (Area One) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    North Province (Area One) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    North Province (Area Three) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    North Province (Area Three) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Paldean Sea - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
    EFFORTLESS
    South Paldean Sea - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area Five) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area Five) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area Five) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area Five) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area Four) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area Four) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area Four) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area Four) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area One) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area One) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area One) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area One) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area Six) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area Six) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area Six) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    South Province (Area Six) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    Tagtree Thicket - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyForest
    EFFORTLESS
    Tagtree Thicket - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyForest
    EFFORTLESS
    West Paldean Sea - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
    EFFORTLESS
    West Paldean Sea - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
    EFFORTLESS
    West Province (Area One) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    West Province (Area One) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    West Province (Area Three) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    West Province (Area Three) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    West Province (Area Two) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    West Province (Area Two) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    Asado Desert - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyDesert
    MODERATE
    Asado Desert - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyDesert
    MODERATE
    Casseroya Lake - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyWater
    MODERATE
    Casseroya Lake - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyWater
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyCave
    MODERATE
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyCave
    MODERATE
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyCave
    MODERATE
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyCave
    MODERATE
    North Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    North Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    North Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    North Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    South Paldean Sea - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyWater
    MODERATE
    South Paldean Sea - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyWater
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Five) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Five) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Four) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Four) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Six) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Six) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Tagtree Thicket - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyForest
    MODERATE
    Tagtree Thicket - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyForest
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
  2. Gyarados
    Step 2Gyarados ✓
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-598%MidWater
    MODERATE
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.20-598%MidWater
    MODERATE
    Casseroya Lake - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidWater
    HARD
    Casseroya Lake - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidWater
    HARD
    East Paldean Sea - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidWater
    HARD
    East Paldean Sea - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidWater
    HARD
    East Province (Area One) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    East Province (Area One) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    East Province (Area Three) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    East Province (Area Three) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    East Province (Area Two) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    East Province (Area Two) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidCave
    HARD
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidCave
    HARD
    North Paldean Sea - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidWater
    HARD
    North Paldean Sea - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidWater
    HARD
    North Province (Area One) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    North Province (Area One) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    North Province (Area Three) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    North Province (Area Three) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    South Paldean Sea - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidWater
    HARD
    South Paldean Sea - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidWater
    HARD
    South Province (Area Five) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    South Province (Area Five) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    South Province (Area Four) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    South Province (Area Four) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    South Province (Area One) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    South Province (Area One) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    South Province (Area Six) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    South Province (Area Six) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    West Paldean Sea - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidWater
    HARD
    West Paldean Sea - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidWater
    HARD
    West Province (Area One) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    West Province (Area One) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    West Province (Area Two) - Ocean
    ScarletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    West Province (Area Two) - Ocean
    VioletOverworldLv.20-591%MidRoute
    HARD
    or evolve from Magikarp (Step 1)

  • Intimidate changes the entire equation for Gyarados. The 540 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked A-Tier as a wallbreaker.

  • Gyarados's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric) and Golem (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Jolteon is the most dangerous since Electric moves deal 4x damage. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Magikarp evolves into Gyarados at level 20. Gyarados is the fully evolved form. At 540 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.

  • Intimidate is what you want on Gyarados. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Moxie) work on paper but Intimidate is what makes Gyarados worth using. Intimidate synergizes with Gyarados's base 100 Sp.Def, letting it soak special attacks as a pivot.

  • Base 81 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Gyarados is a physical attacker with base 125 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.

  • Gyarados appears in 22 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

Since debuting in Red & Blue, Gyarados has appeared in 22 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.