Is Gyarados Good in Sun & Moon Playthrough?
Gyarados's AbilityIntimidate and Water/Flying power handle most of the game from the moment it evolves. Contributes against Olivia, Kiawe, and Hapu. No Mega Stone during the story, but base Gyarados doesn't need one.
Ilima's Pokemon outpace and outclass Magikarp here.
Hala's Pokemon outpace and outclass Magikarp here.
Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Lana's team.
Gyarados resists most of Kiawe's coverage and hits back hard.
Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Mallow's team.
Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Olivia's team.
Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Sophocles's team.
Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Acerola's team.
Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Nanu's team.
Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Totem Kommo-o's team.
Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Hapu's team.
Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Hala's team.
Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Olivia's team.
Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Acerola's team.
Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Kahili's team.
Catch Gyarados on Melemele Sea (Super Rod fishing, Lv 10-18). Alternate S.O.S. encounters, Shaking/Bubbling spots; UNCOMMON; Called by Magikarp.
Catch Magikarp on Melemele Sea (Super Rod fishing, Lv 10-18).
How to Get Gyarados in Sun & Moon
moderate rates for Gyarados across 44 locations in early-game fishing spots. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Gyarados in SM
The path to Gyarados starts with Magikarp at Lv. 10-59 via fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MagikarpPaniola TownLv.10-18Super RodRate 99%Seaward CaveLv.10-15Super RodRate 99%Brooklet Hill - Totem's DenLv.10-15Super RodRate 79%Kala'e BayLv.10-15Super RodRate 79%Poni Breaker CoastLv.10-43Super RodRate 79%Poni WildsLv.10-43Super RodRate 79%Route 13Lv.10-30Super RodRate 79%Route 14Lv.10-31Super RodRate 79%Route 15Lv.10-33Super RodRate 79%Route 7Lv.10-19Super RodRate 79%Route 8Lv.10-20Super RodRate 79%Seafolk VillageLv.10-43Super RodRate 79%Secluded ShoreLv.10-30Super RodRate 79%Tapu VillageLv.10-31Super RodRate 79%Melemele SeaLv.10-18Super RodRate 78%Brooklet Hill - NorthLv.10-15Super RodRate 70%Brooklet Hill - SouthLv.10-15Super RodRate 70%Malie GardenLv.10-27Super RodRate 60%Poni GauntletLv.10-59Super RodRate 59%Poni MeadowLv.10-57Super RodRate 59%Vast Poni Canyon - Northwest (Hidden Area)Lv.10-44Super RodRate 59%Route 9Lv.10-23Super RodRate 15%
Step 2Gyarados ✓Brooklet Hill - NorthLv.10-15Super RodSOS from MagikarpBrooklet Hill - SouthLv.10-15Super RodSOS from MagikarpBrooklet Hill - Totem's DenLv.10-15Super RodSOS from MagikarpKala'e BayLv.10-15Super RodSOS from MagikarpMalie GardenLv.10-27Super RodSOS from MagikarpMelemele SeaLv.10-18Super RodSOS from MagikarpPaniola TownLv.10-18Super RodSOS from MagikarpPoni Breaker CoastLv.10-43Super RodSOS from MagikarpPoni GauntletLv.10-59Super RodSOS from MagikarpPoni MeadowLv.10-57Super RodSOS from MagikarpPoni WildsLv.10-43Super RodSOS from MagikarpRoute 13Lv.10-30Super RodSOS from MagikarpRoute 14Lv.10-31Super RodSOS from MagikarpRoute 15Lv.10-33Super RodSOS from MagikarpRoute 7Lv.10-19Super RodSOS from MagikarpRoute 8Lv.10-25Super RodSOS from MagikarpRoute 9Lv.10-23Super RodSOS from MagikarpSeafolk VillageLv.10-43Super RodSOS from MagikarpSeaward CaveLv.10-15Super RodSOS from MagikarpSecluded ShoreLv.10-30Super RodSOS from MagikarpTapu VillageLv.10-31Super RodSOS from MagikarpVast Poni Canyon - Northwest (Hidden Area)Lv.10-44Super RodSOS from Magikarpor evolve from Magikarp (Step 1)
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
 Machop Fighting | C | |
 Crabrawler Fighting | C | |
 Mankey Fighting | C | |
 Cottonee GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Cottonee builds →Mega Drain 2x29-36% Fairy Wind 2x17-21% | ||
 Petilil Grass | C | |
 Leafeon Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Paniola Ranch Gift) | ||
Crabrawler Fighting | C | |
Machop Fighting | C | |
Mankey Fighting | C | |
 Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
Leafeon Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Paniola Ranch Gift) | ||
Mankey Fighting | C | |
Crabrawler Fighting | C | |
Machop Fighting | C | |
Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
 Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Passimian builds →Brick Break 2x59-69% Energy Ball 2x20-23% | ||
 Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Vikavolt builds →Thunderbolt 2x67-79% Energy Ball 2x45-53% Bug Bite 2x32-38% | ||
Leafeon Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Paniola Ranch Gift) | ||
 Dartrix Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Rowlet (Iki Town Gift) | ||
 Bayleef Grass | C | |
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Passimian builds →Brick Break 2x55-66% Energy Ball 2x18-21% | ||
Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Vikavolt builds →Thunderbolt 2x66-78% Energy Ball 2x44-52% Bug Bite 2x31-38% | ||
 Shiinotic GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Shiinotic builds →Energy Ball 2x45-53% Charge Beam 2x18-21% | ||
Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Azumarill builds →Play Rough 2x36-44% Brick Break 2x21-25% | ||
 Victreebel GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Victreebel builds →Energy Ball 2x50-59% Infestation 2x8-10% | ||
 Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Wimpod (Poni Breaker Coast Interact Encounter) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Golisopod builds →First Impression 2x70-84% Brick Break 2x39-46% | ||
Victreebel GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Victreebel builds →Leaf Storm 2x73-86% Infestation 2x9-11% | ||
 Poliwrath WaterFighting | C | |
 Meganium Grass | C | |
 Jolteon Electric | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Paniola Ranch Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x54-64% Double Kick 2x11-13% Pin Missile 2x9-11% | ||
Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Wimpod (Poni Breaker Coast Interact Encounter) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Golisopod builds →First Impression 2x67-80% Brick Break 2x38-44% | ||
 Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Primeape builds →Close Combat 2x77-91% U-turn 2x30-36% Thunderbolt 2x22-27% | ||
 Bewear NormalFighting | B | |
Victreebel GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Victreebel builds →Leaf Storm 2x70-82% Infestation 2x8-10% | ||
Poliwrath WaterFighting | C | |
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
 Exeggutor GrassPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Exeggutor builds →Solar Beam 2x129-152%KO Infestation 2x10-12% | ||
 Lilligant Grass | C | |
Victreebel GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Victreebel builds →Solar Beam 2x107-126%KO Infestation 2x8-10% | ||
Meganium Grass | C | |
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Roserade builds →Solar Beam 2x127-150%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x34-41% | ||
 Xurkitree Electric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Xurkitree builds →Solar Beam 2x113-133%KO Thunderbolt 2x77-91% Dazzling Gleam 2x45-54% Signal Beam 2x43-50% | ||
Exeggutor GrassPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Exeggutor builds →Solar Beam 2x127-150%KO Infestation 2x9-11% | ||
 Conkeldurr Fighting | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Conkeldurr builds →Focus Punch 2x123-145%KO | ||
Lilligant Grass | C | |
In Sun & Moon, Volcarona's Giga Drain hits Gyarados for 41-48%.
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Volcarona builds →Giga Drain 2x41-48% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Torkoal builds →Rapid Spin8-10% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Gliscor builds →Earthquake19-23% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Pelipper builds →U Turn 2x17-20% Hurricane18-22% Scald7-8% | ||
Gyarados Evolutions
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
SM Gyarados Best Moveset
Mega Gyarados shifts to Water/Dark with AbilityMold Breaker ignoring opponent abilities and 155 Attack. Base form AbilityIntimidate drops Attack on entry and AbilityMoxie raises Attack on each KO. MoveDragon Dance boosts Attack and Speed simultaneously. The moveset earns A-tier through Mega offensive power or Moxie snowballing that sweeps weakened teams.
Best Build
Gyarados best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Bounce
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
TMs carry this one. Gyarados learns Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Dragon and beyond give it real matchup play.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
Base Stats
Mega Evolution also affects its brain, leaving no other function except its destructive instinct to burn everything to cinders.
It jets water from the orifices on its sides, streaking above the water surface at supersonic speed.
Gyarados Sun & Moon Guide
In Sun & Moon, Mold Breaker changes the entire equation for Gyarados. The 640 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a wallbreaker. Dragon Dance with Flyiniumz is the standard set.
In Sun & Moon, 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.
In Sun & Moon, 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