In X & Y, Intimidate changes the entire equation for Gyarados. The 540 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a wallbreaker. Waterfall with Sitrus Berry is the standard set.

Does Gyarados mega evolve?

In X & Y, Gyarados can Mega Evolve into Mega Gyarados. That's 640 BST, up from 540. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.

What is Gyarados weak to?

In X & Y, Gyarados's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric) and Golem (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Jolteon is the most dangerous since Electric moves deal 4x damage. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

What is the best ability for Gyarados?

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.

What role does Gyarados play in battle?

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 - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Wallbreaker

BTier

81Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

High

HP95

Attack125

Defense79

Sp. Atk60

Sp. Def100

Speed81

Total540

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging45 / 255

Growth Rate

Slow1.25M XP

Height6.5 m

Weight235.0 kg

Base XP189

Abilities

IntimidateTop Pick

Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle.

MoxieHARare

Raises Attack one stage upon KOing a Pokémon.

EV Yield

HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe

Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

In ancient literature, there is a record of a Gyarados that razed a village when violence flared.

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.

Gyarados Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
4x (Critical)	Electric
2x (Weak)	Rock
0.5x (Resist)	Fire, Water, Fighting, Bug, Steel
0x (Immune)	Ground

Type ChartExcellent

2Weak

5Resist

1Immune

Score+2

4xCritical

Electric

2xWeak

Rock

½xResist

Fire Water Fighting Bug Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Ground

STAB (6)

Fire Ground Rock Grass Fighting Bug

How to Beat Gyarados in X & Y (Best Counters)

Dedenne ElectricFairy	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchLv. 26 Parabolic ChargeLv. 17 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 104-123%KO Volt Switch 4x 81-96% Parabolic Charge 4x 77-91% Charge Beam 4x 59-70% View Dedenne builds →
Emolga ElectricFlying	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 13 Shock WaveLv. 22 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 100-118%KO Spark 4x 86-102%KO Shock Wave 4x 68-80% Charge Beam 4x 59-70% View Emolga builds →
Plusle Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 15 Charge BeamTM57 NuzzleLv. 1 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 109-129%KO Spark 4x 63-75% Charge Beam 4x 63-75% Nuzzle 4x 22-27% View Plusle builds →
Minun Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 15 Charge BeamTM57 NuzzleLv. 1 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 100-118%KO Spark 4x 59-70% Charge Beam 4x 59-70% Nuzzle 4x 22-27% View Minun builds →
Pachirisu Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 13 Charge BeamTM57 NuzzleLv. 19 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 68-80% Spark 4x 63-75% Charge Beam 4x 40-48% Nuzzle 4x 22-27% View Pachirisu builds →

X & Y Evolution

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

2 Forms

#129Magikarp

Level 20

#130Gyarados

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Magikarp

Water

Gyarados

WaterFlying

95+75

ATK

125+115

DEF

79+24

SP.ATK

60+45

SP.DEF

100+80

SPE

81+1

BST

200D-Tier

540A-Tier+340

ROLE

Balanced

Wallbreaker

TYPE

Utility

Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Gyarados to get Magikarp eggs easily using 50 partners from the Dragon and Water2 egg groups.

Egg Groups

DragonWater2

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

5 cycles·1,285 steps

Fast~1 min with Flame Body

Breed With (best first)

X & Y Gyarados Best Moveset

Nothing fancy here. Gyarados builds around Sitrus Berry for a one-time health recovery at low HP, Careful nature for the right stat lean, and HP-heavy investment EVs. Intimidate does its job quietly.

Best Build

Experimental

Ability

Intimidate

Item

Sitrus BerryRECOVERY

Best Nature for Gyarados

Careful+SPD

Gyarados best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Atk

SpD

Spe

Doubles Support Moveset

WaterfallSTAB
ProtectFAST +4
TauntUtility
Thunder Wave

Recommended Teammates

HeatranGood

ZapdosGood

Moves

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 Dark and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Thrash

—12010010Normal

Lv 20

Bite

C6010025Dark

Lv 23

Dragon Rage

——10010Dragon

Lv 26

Leer

——10030Normal

Lv 29

Twister

—4010020Dragon

Lv 32

Ice Fang

A659515Ice

Lv 35

Aqua Tail

B909010Water

Lv 38

Rain Dance

C——5Water

Lv 41

Hydro Pump

C110805Water

Lv 44

Dragon Dance

S——20Dragon

Lv 47

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

D—10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D110705Ice

TM78

Bulldoze

C6010020Ground

TM100

Confide

———20Normal

TM97

Dark Pulse

D8010015Dark

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM82

Dragon Tail-6

C609010Dragon

TM26

Earthquake

A10010010Ground

TM42

Facade

C7010020Normal

TM38

Fire Blast

D110855Fire

TM35

Flamethrower

D9010015Fire

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM68

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM07

Hail

D——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9010010Ice

TM59

Incinerate

—6010015Fire

TM66

Payback

—5010010Dark

TM17

Protect+4

S——10Normal

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM05

Roar-6

C——20Normal

TM94

Rock Smash

—4010015Fighting

TM48

Round

D6010015Normal

TM37

Sandstorm

D——10Rock

TM55

Scald

C8010015Water

TM88

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM71

Stone Edge

C100805Rock

HM04

Strength

—8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

A——10Normal

HM03

Surf

C9010015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM12

Taunt

A—10020Dark

TM25

Thunder

D1107010Electric

TM73

Thunder Wave

A—10020Electric

TM24

Thunderbolt

D9010015Electric

TM41

Torment

——10015Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—9010Poison

HM05

Waterfall

S8010015Water

Egg Moves

Gyarados doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Gyarados can't learn any Tutor moves

Reminder Moves

Rem

Flail

——10015Normal

Rem

Splash

———40Normal

Rem

Tackle

D5010035Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 4

Avalanche-4

C6010010Ice

Gen 3

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

Gen 4

Brine

D6510010Water

Gen 4

Captivate

——10020Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

B12010015Normal

Gen 4

Endure+4

D——10Normal

Gen 4

Headbutt

C7010015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 4

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

Gen 4

Whirlpool

—358515Water

How to Get Gyarados in X & Y

A handful of locations for Gyarados with high spawn rates across late-game fishing spots. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.

Where To Catch Gyarados in X & Y

To get Gyarados, start by catching Magikarp through trade and fishing encounters at Lv. 5-35. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

Step 1Catch Magikarp
Parfum Palace
XOld Rod Lv.15 Building
CommonEarly
Parfum Palace
YOld Rod Lv.15 Building
CommonEarly
Route 22
XOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Route 22
YOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Route 3
XOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Route 3
YOld Rod Lv.15 Route
CommonEarly
Ambrette Town - Hotel
XIn-game trade Lv.5 City
LimitedEarly
Tuesday trade with Hiker
Ambrette Town - Hotel
YIn-game trade Lv.5 City
LimitedEarly
Tuesday trade with Hiker
Camphrier Town - Hotel
XIn-game trade Lv.5 City
LimitedEarly
Wednesday trade with Hiker
Camphrier Town - Hotel
YIn-game trade Lv.5 City
LimitedEarly
Wednesday trade with Hiker
Coumarine City - Hotel
YIn-game trade Lv.5 City
LimitedEarly
Friday trade with Hiker
Coumarine City - Hotel
XIn-game trade Lv.5 City
LimitedEarly
Friday trade with Hiker
Couriway Town - Hotel
XIn-game trade Lv.5 City
LimitedEarly
Thursday trade with Hiker
Couriway Town - Hotel
YIn-game trade Lv.5 City
LimitedEarly
Thursday trade with Hiker
Cyllage City - Hotel
XIn-game trade Lv.5 City
LimitedEarly
Monday trade with Hiker
Cyllage City - Hotel
YIn-game trade Lv.5 City
LimitedEarly
Monday trade with Hiker
Geosenge Town - Hotel
XIn-game trade Lv.5 City
LimitedEarly
Sunday trade with Hiker
Geosenge Town - Hotel
YIn-game trade Lv.5 City
LimitedEarly
Sunday trade with Hiker
Train until Level 20
Step 2Gyarados ✓
Parfum Palace
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Building
CommonLate
Parfum Palace
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Building
CommonLate
Route 22
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 22
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 3
YSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
Route 3
XSuper Rod Lv.35 Route
CommonLate
or evolve from Magikarp (Step 1)

Gyarados Guide

In X & Y, Intimidate changes the entire equation for Gyarados. The 540 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a wallbreaker. Waterfall with Sitrus Berry is the standard set.
In X & Y, Gyarados can Mega Evolve into Mega Gyarados. That's 640 BST, up from 540. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
In X & Y, Gyarados's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric) and Golem (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Jolteon is the most dangerous since Electric moves deal 4x damage. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
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 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Plusle Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 15 Charge BeamTM57 NuzzleLv. 1 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 116-138%KO Spark 4x 76-89% Charge Beam 4x 69-81% Nuzzle 4x 27-32% View Plusle builds →
Minun Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 15 Charge BeamTM57 NuzzleLv. 1 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 109-130%KO Spark 4x 69-81% Charge Beam 4x 69-81% Nuzzle 4x 27-32% View Minun builds →
Pikachu Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Charge BeamTM57 Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 82-97% Charge Beam 4x 54-65% Thunder Shock 4x 41-49% View Pikachu builds →
Helioptile ElectricNormal	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Rock TombTM39 Charge BeamTM57 Thunder ShockLv. 6 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 96-114%KO Rock Tomb 2x 20-24% Charge Beam 4x 54-65% Thunder Shock 4x 47-57% View Helioptile builds →
Tyrunt RockDragon	D
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift TM Move Moves Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Gyarados Rock Tomb 2x 51-61% View Tyrunt builds →

Electrode Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 12 Charge BeamTM57 RolloutLv. 15 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 105-124%KO Spark 4x 66-78% Charge Beam 4x 62-73% Rollout 2x 11-14% View Electrode builds →
Stunfisk GroundElectric	C
Obtain MethodRoute 14 Surfing Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 DischargeLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Thunder ShockLv. 9 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 105-124%KO Discharge 4x 97-115%KO Rock Tomb 2x 24-29% Thunder Shock 4x 50-60% View Stunfisk builds →
Rotom ElectricGhost	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Shock WaveLv. 22 Charge BeamTM57 Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 121-142%KO Shock Wave 4x 82-96% Charge Beam 4x 69-82% Thunder Shock 4x 58-69% View Rotom builds →
Dedenne ElectricFairy	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchLv. 26 Parabolic ChargeLv. 17 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 105-124%KO Volt Switch 4x 85-101%KO Parabolic Charge 4x 78-92% Charge Beam 4x 62-73% View Dedenne builds →
Emolga ElectricFlying	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 13 Shock WaveLv. 22 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 101-119%KO Spark 4x 89-105%KO Shock Wave 4x 69-82% Charge Beam 4x 58-69% View Emolga builds →

Electrode Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 12 Charge BeamTM57 RolloutLv. 15 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 107-126%KO Spark 4x 66-78% Charge Beam 4x 62-74% Rollout 2x 11-13% View Electrode builds →
Rotom ElectricGhost	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Shock WaveLv. 22 Charge BeamTM57 Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 122-143%KO Shock Wave 4x 81-96% Charge Beam 4x 70-83% Thunder Shock 4x 55-65% View Rotom builds →
Dedenne ElectricFairy	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchLv. 26 Parabolic ChargeLv. 17 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 107-126%KO Volt Switch 4x 85-100%KO Parabolic Charge 4x 78-91% Charge Beam 4x 62-74% View Dedenne builds →
Emolga ElectricFlying	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 13 Shock WaveLv. 22 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 99-117%KO Spark 4x 88-104%KO Shock Wave 4x 70-83% Charge Beam 4x 59-70% View Emolga builds →
Plusle Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 15 Charge BeamTM57 NuzzleLv. 1 Damage vs Gyarados Thunderbolt 4x 111-130%KO Spark 4x 66-78% Charge Beam 4x 62-74% Nuzzle 4x 25-30% View Plusle builds →

Electrode Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 12 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Gyarados Thunder 4x 126-148%KO Thunderbolt 4x 105-124%KO Spark 4x 66-78% Charge Beam 4x 60-71% View Electrode builds →
Stunfisk GroundElectric	C
Obtain MethodRoute 14 Surfing Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 Stone EdgeTM71 ThunderboltTM24 DischargeLv. 25 Damage vs Gyarados Thunder 4x 126-148%KO Stone Edge 2x 40-47% Thunderbolt 4x 105-124%KO Discharge 4x 93-109%KO View Stunfisk builds →
Rotom ElectricGhost	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 Shock WaveLv. 22 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Gyarados Thunder 4x 144-169%KO Thunderbolt 4x 116-138%KO Shock Wave 4x 81-95% Charge Beam 4x 69-81% View Rotom builds →
Dedenne ElectricFairy	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 DischargeLv. 50 Volt SwitchLv. 26 Damage vs Gyarados Thunder 4x 126-148%KO Thunderbolt 4x 105-124%KO Discharge 4x 93-109%KO Volt Switch 4x 81-95% View Dedenne builds →
Emolga ElectricFlying	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 DischargeLv. 50 Volt SwitchLv. 42 Damage vs Gyarados Thunder 4x 120-141%KO Thunderbolt 4x 99-116%KO Discharge 4x 86-102%KO Volt Switch 4x 78-92% View Emolga builds →

ExcadrillResists Flying, threatens with Rock Slide, outspeeds GroundSteel	S
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves EarthquakeSTAB Rapid Spin Iron Head Stealth Rock Damage vs Gyarados Rapid Spin 17-21% View Excadrill builds →
HeatranResists Flying, threatens with Stealth Rock FireSteel	A
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves Stealth Rock Lava Plume Earth Power TauntUtility View Heatran builds →
VolcanionImmune to Water via Water Absorb, walls physical sets FireWater	A
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves Steam Eruption FlamethrowerSTAB Sludge Bomb Hidden Power Grass Damage vs Gyarados Flamethrower 15-18% Sludge Bomb 20-24% View Volcanion builds →
GliscorRecovers with Roost, wears down with Toxic, outspeeds GroundFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureCareful Moves EarthquakeSTAB RoostRecovery Swords Dance Knock Off Damage vs Gyarados Knock Off 14-16% View Gliscor builds →
VolcaronaOutspeeds BugFire	B
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemLum Berry NatureModest Moves Quiver Dance Giga Drain Bug Buzz FlamethrowerSTAB Damage vs Gyarados Giga Drain 19-23% Flamethrower 17-20% View Volcarona builds →