Is Gyarados Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?
AbilityIntimidate lowers Attack on every switch-in, the Water/Flying typing handles Flint and Bertha, and the physical Attack stat is massive. One of the most reliable Pokemon from the moment you evolve Magikarp through the Champion fight. Handles everything except Volkner.
Roark's typing presses Magikarp's defenses.
Gardenia's team hits Magikarp's weaknesses hard.
Maylene's typing presses Magikarp's defenses.
Crasher Wake's typing presses Magikarp's defenses.
Fantina's Pokemon outpace and outclass Magikarp here.
Byron's Pokemon outpace and outclass Magikarp here.
Candice's team hits Magikarp's weaknesses hard.
Volkner's Pokemon outpace and outclass Magikarp here.
Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.
Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.
Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.
Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Catch Gyarados on Twinleaf Town (Super Rod fishing, Lv 30-55, common).
How to Get Gyarados in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
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)
Gyarados Weakness
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Electric |
| 2x (Weak) | Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Fighting, Bug, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
What is Gyarados Weak Against
ExcellentBest Pokemon Against Gyarados
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Hippowdon builds →
| ||
 Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemStickybarb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Gyarados View Rotom builds →Hex26-31% | ||
Gyarados Evolutions
Evolved from Magikarp. Gyarados is the final form in this two-stage line. A decent partner pool 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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
BDSP Gyarados Best Moveset
Dropped from S-tier to A but hidden AbilityMoxie boosting Attack after every KO gives the moveset a snowball mechanic the original Gen 4 Gyarados never had. AbilityIntimidate from the primary slot still cuts physical damage on entry. 125 Attack with Water/Flying TermStab at 81 Speed hits hard, and the AbilityMoxie chain makes each KO more dangerous than the last.
Best Build
Gyarados best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Hard to wall, honestly. Gyarados threatens 10 types beyond its own STAB, with Dark and Normal standing out. Pair that with Hydro Pump and Hurricane and switchins need to think twice.
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
Base Stats
Once Gyarados appears, its rage never settles until the Pokémon has razed the fields and mountains around it.
In ancient literature, there is a record of a Gyarados that razed a village when violence flared.
Gyarados Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Intimidate changes the entire equation for Gyarados. The 540 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a wallbreaker. Dragon Dance with Wacanberry is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, but Gyarados does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Gyarados hits 640 BST.
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.
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