Gyarados Best Moveset
AbilityIntimidate drops the opponent's Attack on entry, and 125 base Attack behind Water/Flying TermStab hits hard on the physical side. Held ItemLeftovers with NatureAdamant gives sustain. MoveDragon Dance boosts Attack and Speed simultaneously, and one boost often ends the game. Tera Flying or Tera Ground depending on what coverage the team needs.
Water/Flying with 125 Attack but no physical Water STAB in Gen I (Red & Blue). Surf ran off 60 Special. Gyarados hit hard physically but only with Normal moves and Earthquake.
Utility Moveset
- Hyper Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Blizzard
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Same physical STAB problem in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Dragon Dance didn't exist yet. A strong physical attacker still stuck without matching moves.
Utility Moveset
- Surf
- Hydro Pump
- Body Slam
- Hidden Power Flying
Recommended Teammates
Dragon Dance arrived in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire) and Gyarados became terrifying. One boost raised Attack and Speed. Intimidate dropped the opponent's Attack on switch-in. The formula clicked.
Best Moves
Best Build
Gyarados best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Stallbreaker Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Hidden Power Flying
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
The physical/special split gave Gyarados physical Waterfall in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Dragon Dance plus Waterfall plus Earthquake was the sweep set that defined the generation.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
Recommended Teammates
Three gens at the top. Moxie snowballed KOs into more Attack boosts in Gen V (Black & White). Dragon Dance once, start sweeping, and Moxie did the rest.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
Recommended Teammates
Mega Gyarados gained Dark-typing and Mold Breaker in Gen VI (X & Y). Base Gyarados dropped slightly but Dragon Dance sets remained effective in lower tiers.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Substitute
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Z-Moves gave Gyarados a nuke option after Dragon Dance in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Z-Bounce was devastating after one Speed and Attack boost.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Bounce
Recommended Teammates
Dynamax plus Moxie was a scary combo in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Max Airstream boosted Speed on top of Dragon Dance. One of Dynamax's biggest winners.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
No Dynamax in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet), and Terastallization didn't synergize as well. Dragon Dance sets still worked but the format's power level was higher.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
Recommended Teammates
Gyarados Weakness
Type-wise, Gyarados takes extra damage from Electric, Grass, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Gyarados's overall bulk (95/109/130) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass, Fighting, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Ghost, Dark, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
What is Gyarados Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Gyarados
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityVesselofruin ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Ting-Lu builds →Earthquake22-26% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Moltres builds →Flamethrower9-11% U Turn 2x26-31% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureTimid Moves View Ninetales builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves View Rotom-Heat builds →
| ||
Evolution
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 (+145 over Magikarp), and Gyarados peaks at 640 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Gyarados
moderate rates for Gyarados across 44 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 SV
The path to Gyarados starts with Magikarp at Lv. 2-100 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MagikarpCasseroya Lake - LakeLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%Casseroya Lake - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%East Paldean Sea - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area One) - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area Three) - LakeLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area Three) - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area Two) - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%Glaseado MountainLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%North Paldean Sea - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%North Province (Area One) - LakeLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%North Province (Area One) - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%North Province (Area Three) - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%North Province (Area Two) - LakeLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%South Paldean Sea - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Five) - LakeLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Five) - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Four) - LakeLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Four) - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area One) - LakeLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area One) - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Six) - LakeLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Six) - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%Tagtree Thicket - LakeLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%West Paldean Sea - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area One) - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area Three) - LakeLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area Two) - OceanLv.2-39OverworldRate 36%Asado Desert - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%Casseroya Lake - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%East Province (Area One) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%East Province (Area Three) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%East Province (Area Two) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%Glaseado MountainLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%North Province (Area One) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%North Province (Area Three) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%South Paldean Sea - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%South Province (Area Five) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%South Province (Area Four) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%South Province (Area One) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%South Province (Area Six) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%South Province (Area Two) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%Tagtree Thicket - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%West Province (Area One) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%West Province (Area Three) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%West Province (Area Two) - RiverLv.2-39OverworldRate 12%Chilling WaterheadLv.3-100OverworldFellhorn GorgeLv.3-100OverworldInfernal PassLv.3-100OverworldKitakami WildsLv.3-100OverworldMossfell ConfluenceLv.3-100OverworldOni MountainLv.3-100OverworldOnis MawLv.3-100OverworldRevelers RoadLv.3-100Overworld
Step 2Gyarados ✓Chilling WaterheadLv.20-60OverworldFellhorn GorgeLv.20-60OverworldKitakami WildsLv.20-60OverworldOni MountainLv.20-60OverworldCasseroya Lake - LakeLv.20-59OverworldRate 8%Casseroya Lake - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%East Paldean Sea - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area One) - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area Three) - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area Two) - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%Glaseado MountainLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%North Paldean Sea - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area One) - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area Three) - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%South Paldean Sea - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Five) - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Four) - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area One) - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Six) - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%West Paldean Sea - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%West Province (Area One) - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%West Province (Area Two) - OceanLv.20-59OverworldRate 1%or evolve from Magikarp (Step 1)
2 encounter spots for Gyarados at moderate rates starting from late-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Gyarados in LZA
To get Gyarados, start by catching Magikarp through walking encounters at Lv. 5-65. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
- Step 1Catch MagikarpWild Zone 2Lv.5-7OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 6Lv.17-20OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 2Lv.30-32OverworldLegends: Z-A
- Step 2Gyarados ✓Wild Zone 11Lv.31-32OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 20Lv.64-65OverworldLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Magikarp (Step 1)
4 encounter spots for Gyarados at decent spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Gyarados in PLA
To get Gyarados, start by catching Magikarp through walking encounters at Lv. 16-56. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch MagikarpLake VerityLv.16-19GrassRate 15%Obsidian FallsLv.16-19GrassRate 15%Fabled SpringLv.43-46GrassRate 15%
Step 2Gyarados ✓Obsidian FallsLv.16-19GrassRate 15%Sand's ReachLv.28-36GrassRate 15%Lake VerityLv.53-56GrassRate 15%Primeval GrottoLv.53-56CaveRate 15%or evolve from Magikarp (Step 1)
Gyarados's scattered across 114 spots in early-game fishing spots with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Gyarados in BDSP
The path to Gyarados starts with Magikarp at Lv. 3-55 via fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MagikarpCanalave CityLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Celestic TownLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Eterna CityLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Fuego IronworksLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Great Marsh - Area 1Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Great Marsh - Area 2Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Great Marsh - Area 3Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Great Marsh - Area 4Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Great Marsh - Area 6Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Iron Island - OutsideLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Lake AcuityLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Lake ValorLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Lake VerityLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Mt. Coronet - 4FLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Mt. Coronet - B1FLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Mt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Oreburgh Gate - B1FLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Pastoria CityLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Pokémon LeagueLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Ravaged PathLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Resort AreaLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 203Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 204 - NorthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 204 - SouthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 205 - NorthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 205 - SouthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 208Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 209Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 210 - NorthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 212 - NorthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 212 - SouthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 213Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 214Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 218Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 219Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 220Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 221Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 222Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 223Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 224Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 225Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 226Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 227Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 228Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 229Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 230Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Sendoff SpringLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Sunyshore CityLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Twinleaf TownLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Valley WindworksLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Victory Road - B1FLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 229Lv.10-25Good RodRate 100%Victory Road - B1FLv.10-25Good RodRate 100%Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FLv.10-25Good RodRate 100%Canalave CityLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Celestic TownLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Eterna CityLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Fuego IronworksLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Great Marsh - Area 1Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Great Marsh - Area 2Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Great Marsh - Area 3Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Great Marsh - Area 4Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Great Marsh - Area 6Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Iron Island - OutsideLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Lake AcuityLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Lake ValorLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Lake VerityLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Mt. Coronet - 4FLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Mt. Coronet - B1FLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Mt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Oreburgh Gate - B1FLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Pastoria CityLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Pokémon LeagueLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Ravaged PathLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Resort AreaLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 203Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 204 - NorthLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 204 - SouthLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 205 - NorthLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 205 - SouthLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 208Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 209Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 210 - NorthLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 212 - NorthLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 212 - SouthLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 213Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 214Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 218Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 219Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 220Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 221Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 222Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 223Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 224Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 225Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 226Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 227Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 228Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Route 230Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Sendoff SpringLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Sunyshore CityLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Twinleaf TownLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Valley WindworksLv.10-25Good RodRate 65%
Step 2Gyarados ✓Great Marsh - Area 1Lv.15-30Good RodRate 5%Great Marsh - Area 2Lv.15-30Good RodRate 5%Great Marsh - Area 3Lv.15-30Good RodRate 5%Great Marsh - Area 4Lv.15-30Good RodRate 5%Great Marsh - Area 6Lv.15-30Good RodRate 5%Route 229Lv.20-55Super RodRate 100%Victory Road - B1FLv.20-55Super RodRate 100%Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FLv.20-55Super RodRate 100%Eterna CityLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Lake AcuityLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Lake ValorLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Lake VerityLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Mt. Coronet - 4FLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Mt. Coronet - B1FLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Mt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Oreburgh Gate - B1FLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Pastoria CityLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Ravaged PathLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Resort AreaLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 203Lv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 204 - NorthLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 204 - SouthLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 205 - NorthLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 208Lv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 209Lv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 210 - NorthLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 212 - NorthLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 212 - SouthLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 214Lv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 218Lv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 225Lv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 227Lv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Route 228Lv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Sendoff SpringLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Twinleaf TownLv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Canalave CityLv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Celestic TownLv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Fuego IronworksLv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Iron Island - OutsideLv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Pokémon LeagueLv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Route 205 - SouthLv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Route 213Lv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Route 219Lv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Route 220Lv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Route 221Lv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Route 222Lv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Route 223Lv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Route 224Lv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Route 226Lv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Route 230Lv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Sunyshore CityLv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Valley WindworksLv.30-40Super RodRate 60%Great Marsh - Area 1Lv.40-55Super RodRate 5%Great Marsh - Area 2Lv.40-55Super RodRate 5%Great Marsh - Area 3Lv.40-55Super RodRate 5%Great Marsh - Area 4Lv.40-55Super RodRate 5%Great Marsh - Area 6Lv.40-55Super RodRate 5%or evolve from Magikarp (Step 1)
Base Stats
Attack leads and Sp. Atk gets almost nothing. That's Gyarados's stat line in a nutshell. 5 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Tough to catch and yields 2 Attack EVs.
In ancient literature, there is a record of a Gyarados that razed a village when violence flared.
Gyarados Guide
Mold Breaker changes the entire equation for Gyarados. The 640 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a wallbreaker.
Gyarados can Mega Evolve into Mega Gyarados. That's 740 BST, up from 640. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
Gyarados's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Exeggutor (Grass), and Machamp (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Bug and Fairy-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. Gyarados has enough bulk to absorb a hit, but don't push the matchup. Pivot to a teammate that resists.
Mold Breaker is what you want on Gyarados. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. On wall sets, Mold Breaker pairs with Gyarados's base 109 Defense to absorb physical hits on the switch.
Base 81 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Gyarados is a physical attacker with base 155 Attack. Defensively? Tanky enough to absorb a few hits. Best used as a wallbreaker.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Gyarados has appeared in 22 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 6, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves