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.
Once it begins to rampage, a GYARADOS will burn everything down, even in a harsh storm.
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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 30 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
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
Recommended Teammates
Hard to wall, honestly. Gyarados threatens 10 types beyond its own STAB, with Normal and Dark standing out. Pair that with Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
high spawn rates for Gyarados across 51 locations in mid-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 Platinum
The path to Gyarados starts with Magikarp at Lv. 1-100 via fishing and trade encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MagikarpEASYResort AreaSuper RodLv.1-100CommonEarlyFacilityEASYCanalave CityOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyCityEASYCelestic TownOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyCityEASYEterna CityOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyCityEASYFuego IronworksOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyPower-plantEASYGreat Marsh - Area 1Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYGreat Marsh - Area 2Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYGreat Marsh - Area 3Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYGreat Marsh - Area 4Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYGreat Marsh - Area 6Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYIron Island - OutsideOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyWaterEASYLake AcuityOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyWaterEASYLake ValorOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyWaterEASYLake VerityOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyWaterEASYMt. Coronet - 4FOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyCaveEASYMt. Coronet - B1FOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyCaveEASYMt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyCaveEASYOreburgh Gate - B1FOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyEASYPastoria CityOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyCityEASYPokémon LeagueOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyEASYRavaged PathOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYResort AreaOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYRoute 202Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 203Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 204 - SouthOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 205 - NorthOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 205 - SouthOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 208Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 209Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 210 - NorthOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 212 - NorthOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 212 - SouthOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 213Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 214Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 218Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 219Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 220Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 221Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 222Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 223Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 224Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 225Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 226Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 227Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 228Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 229Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 230Old RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYSendoff SpringOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyEASYSunyshore CityOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyCityEASYTwinleaf TownOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyCityEASYValley WindworksOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyPower-plantEASYVictory Road - B1FOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyCaveEASYVictory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FOld RodLv.3-15CommonEarlyCaveEASYCanalave CityGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyCityEASYCelestic TownGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyCityEASYEterna CityGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyCityEASYFuego IronworksGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyPower-plantEASYGreat Marsh - Area 1Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyFacilityEASYGreat Marsh - Area 2Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyFacilityEASYGreat Marsh - Area 3Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyFacilityEASYGreat Marsh - Area 4Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyFacilityEASYGreat Marsh - Area 6Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyFacilityEASYIron Island - OutsideGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyWaterEASYLake AcuityGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyWaterEASYLake ValorGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyWaterEASYLake VerityGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyWaterEASYMt. Coronet - 4FGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyCaveEASYMt. Coronet - B1FGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyCaveEASYMt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyCaveEASYOreburgh Gate - B1FGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyEASYPastoria CityGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyCityEASYPokémon LeagueGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyEASYRavaged PathGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYResort AreaGood RodLv.10-35CommonEarlyFacilityEASYRoute 202Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 203Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 204 - SouthGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 205 - NorthGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 205 - SouthGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 208Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 209Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 210 - NorthGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 212 - NorthGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 212 - SouthGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 213Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 214Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 218Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 219Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 220Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 221Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 222Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 223Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 224Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 225Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 226Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 227Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 228Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 229Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 230Good RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteEASYSendoff SpringGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyEASYSunyshore CityGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyCityEASYTwinleaf TownGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyCityEASYValley WindworksGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyPower-plantEASYVictory Road - B1FGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyCaveEASYVictory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FGood RodLv.10-25CommonEarlyCaveLEGENDARYRoute 226In-game tradeLimitedRouteTrade for (give Finneon)- Step 2Gyarados ✓EASYCanalave CitySuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidCityEASYCelestic TownSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidCityEASYEterna CitySuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidCityEASYFuego IronworksSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidPower-plantEASYGreat Marsh - Area 1Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidFacilityEASYGreat Marsh - Area 2Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidFacilityEASYGreat Marsh - Area 3Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidFacilityEASYGreat Marsh - Area 4Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidFacilityEASYGreat Marsh - Area 6Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidFacilityEASYIron Island - OutsideSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidWaterEASYLake AcuitySuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidWaterEASYLake ValorSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidWaterEASYLake VeritySuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidWaterEASYMt. Coronet - 4FSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidCaveEASYMt. Coronet - B1FSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidCaveEASYMt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidCaveEASYOreburgh Gate - B1FSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidEASYPastoria CitySuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidCityEASYPokémon LeagueSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidEASYRavaged PathSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 202Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 203Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 204 - SouthSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 205 - NorthSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 205 - SouthSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 208Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 209Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 210 - NorthSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 212 - NorthSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 212 - SouthSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 213Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 214Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 218Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 219Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 220Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 221Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 222Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 223Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 224Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 225Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 226Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 227Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 228Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 229Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 230Super RodLv.30-55CommonMidRouteEASYSendoff SpringSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidEASYSunyshore CitySuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidCityEASYTwinleaf TownSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidCityEASYValley WindworksSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidPower-plantEASYVictory Road - B1FSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidCaveEASYVictory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FSuper RodLv.30-55CommonMidCaveor 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.
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