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.
It is an extremely vicious and violent POKéMON. When humans begin to fight, it will appear and burn everything to the ground with intensely hot flames.
Gyarados Weakness
ExcellentType-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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Gyarados to get Magikarp eggs easily using 27 partners from the Dragon and Water2 egg groups.
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
Best Gyarados Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Hidden Power Flying
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
TMs carry this one. Gyarados learns Hydro Pump and Surf naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Dark and beyond give it real matchup play.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
decent spawn rates for Gyarados across 1 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 Emerald
The path to Gyarados starts with Magikarp at Lv. 5-45 via fishing and surfing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MagikarpEASYAbandoned Ship - B1FOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyEASYAbandoned Ship - B2FOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyEASYDewford TownOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCityEASYEver Grande CityOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCityEASYLilycove CityOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCityEASYMeteor Falls - 1F Room 1Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyWaterEASYMeteor Falls - 1F Room 2Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyWaterEASYMeteor Falls - B1F Room 1Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyWaterEASYMeteor Falls - B1F Room 2Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyWaterEASYMossdeep CityOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCityEASYPacifidlog TownOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCityEASYPetalburg CityOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCityEASYRoute 102Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 103Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 104Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 105 - OutsideOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 106Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 107Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 108Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 109Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 110Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 111 - SouthOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 114Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 115Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 117Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 118Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 119Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 120Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 121Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 122Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 123Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 124Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 125Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 126Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 127Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 128Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 129Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 130Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 131Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 132Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 133Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 134Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYSafari Zone - NorthwestOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSafari Zone - South ExtensionOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSafari Zone - SouthwestOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSeafloor Cavern - EntranceOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCaveEASYSeafloor Cavern - Room 6Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCaveEASYSeafloor Cavern - Room 7Old RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCaveEASYShoal Cave - 1F Room 1, High TideOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCaveEASYShoal Cave - 1F Room 2, High TideOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCaveEASYSlateport CityOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCityEASYSootopolis CityOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCityEASYSootopolis CitySurfing on waterLv.5-35CommonEarlyCityEASYVictory Road - B2FOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCaveEASYAbandoned Ship - B1FGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyEASYAbandoned Ship - B2FGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyEASYDewford TownGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCityEASYEver Grande CityGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCityEASYLilycove CityGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCityEASYMeteor Falls - 1F Room 1Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyWaterEASYMeteor Falls - 1F Room 2Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyWaterEASYMeteor Falls - B1F Room 1Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyWaterEASYMeteor Falls - B1F Room 2Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyWaterEASYMossdeep CityGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCityEASYPacifidlog TownGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCityEASYPetalburg CityGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCityEASYRoute 102Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 103Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 104Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 105 - OutsideGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 106Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 107Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 108Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 109Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 110Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 111 - SouthGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 114Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 115Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 117Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 118Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 119Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 120Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 121Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 122Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 123Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 124Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 125Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 126Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 127Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 128Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 129Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 130Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 131Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 132Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 133Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 134Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYSafari Zone - NorthwestGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSafari Zone - South ExtensionGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSafari Zone - SouthwestGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSeafloor Cavern - EntranceGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCaveEASYSeafloor Cavern - Room 6Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCaveEASYSeafloor Cavern - Room 7Good RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCaveEASYShoal Cave - 1F Room 1, High TideGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCaveEASYShoal Cave - 1F Room 2, High TideGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCaveEASYSlateport CityGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCityEASYSootopolis CityGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCityEASYVictory Road - B2FGood RodLv.10-30CommonEarlyCaveEASYRoute 104Super RodLv.20-45CommonMidRouteEASYSootopolis CitySuper RodLv.30-35CommonMidCity- Step 2Gyarados ✓MODERATESootopolis CitySuper RodLv.5-45UncommonEarlyCityor evolve from Magikarp (Step 1)
Intimidate changes the entire equation for Gyarados. The 540 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a wallbreaker.
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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A