A powerhouse held back by Gen 1's type-based split, Gyarados sits at A-Tier in Yellow but its 125 Attack is partly wasted since Water moves run off Special.
580HP95Attack125Defense79Speed81Sp.Def100Sp.Atk100
Magikarp
Gyarados
Weak to
Mixed
Wallbreaker
81Speed · Above Avg

Is Gyarados Good in Yellow Playthrough?

The reward for dragging Magikarp through 19 levels of nothing. Gyarados is one of the strongest things you can put on a Yellow team. Hits hard, takes hits, and stays relevant from mid-game through the Champion fight.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadBTTEGEGGEGEEEBrockGym 1MagikarpPurchaseMistyGym 2GyaradosEvolveSurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Bad

Brock's Pokemon outpace and outclass Magikarp here.

Avoid
Geodude
Lv 10
RockGround
Rock Head
Tackle
Avoid
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreechBindBide
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's typing presses Magikarp's defenses.

Risky
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleWater Gun
Avoid
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunHardenBubble Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Tough

Lt. Surge's team hits Gyarados's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Raichu
Lv 28
Electric
Static
ThunderboltMega PunchMega KickGrowl
Erika
Gym 4
Even

Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

Even
Tangela
Lv 30
Grass
Chlorophyll
ConstrictBindMega DrainVine Whip
Even
Weepinbell
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafSleep PowderStun SporeAcid
Even
Gloom
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DanceStun SporeSleep PowderAcid
Koga
Gym 5
Good

Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Venonat
Lv 44
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicTackleSleep PowderPsychic
You Win
Venonat
Lv 46
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicPsybeamSupersonicPsychic
You Win
Venonat
Lv 48
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicDouble EdgeSleep PowderPsychic
Even
Venomoth
Lv 50
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Leech LifeDouble TeamPsychicToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Abra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
Flash
Even
Kadabra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
KinesisRecoverPsychicPsywave
Even
Alakazam
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
PsywaveRecoverPsychicReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

Easy KO
Ninetales
Lv 48
Fire
Flash Fire
FlamethrowerTail WhipQuick AttackConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
StompGrowlFire SpinTake Down
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 54
Fire
Intimidate
FlamethrowerFire BlastReflectTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

Easy KO
Dugtrio
Lv 50
Ground
Sand Veil
DigSand AttackFissureEarthquake
Even
Persian
Lv 53
Normal
Limber
ScreechDouble TeamFury SwipesSlash
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 53
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeTail WhipThunderDouble Kick
You Win
Nidoking
Lv 55
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeLeerThunderDouble Kick
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Rock SlideFury AttackHorn DrillEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

Even
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Bubble BeamAurora BeamRestTake Down
Even
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampIce BeamSpike Cannon
Even
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
PsychicSurfWithdrawAmnesia
You Win
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchLovely KissThrash
Even
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamDig
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchFire PunchDouble Team
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Double KickMega KickHigh Jump KickDouble Team
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamEarthquake
You Win
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopStrengthSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Even

Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RaySubstituteLickMega Drain
You Win
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicToxicWing AttackLeech Life
Even
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayLickHypnosisDream Eater
You Win
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
WrapGlareScreechAcid
Risky
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayPsychicHypnosisDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
Even
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSlamThunderboltHyper Beam
Even
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Bubble BeamWrapIce BeamHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackSwiftFlyHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
BlizzardFire BlastThunderHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Even

Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Easy KO
Sandslash
Lv 61
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashPoison StingEarthquakeFury Swipes
Even
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsychicKinesis
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
BarrageHypnosisStompLeech Seed
Even
Cloyster
Lv 61
WaterIce
Shell Armor
Ice BeamClampAurora BeamSpike Cannon
You Win
Ninetales
Lv 63
Fire
Flash Fire
Confuse RayTail WhipQuick AttackFire Spin
Risky
Jolteon
Lv 65
Electric
Volt Absorb
Pin MissileThunder WaveQuick AttackThunder

Buy Magikarp

Available after Badge 1
Type
Water
Tier
F

Magikarp can be purchased on Route 4 at Lv 5. Buy for 500. A shady salesman in the Pokemon Center on Route 4 near the Mt. Moon entrance offers to sell you a Magikarp for 500 Pokedollars.

View Magikarp locations

Evolve Magikarp to Gyarados

Level 20
Type
WaterFlying
Tier
A

Magikarp evolves into Gyarados at Level 20. Your Magikarp should hit Level 20 before you reach Lt. Surge, at typical leveling pace.

View Gyarados locations

Recommended Moves

How to Get Gyarados in Yellow

That patient Magikarp pays off at level 20, flipping into Gyarados. If you'd rather skip the grind, the Super Rod pulls a rare wild one at a single coastal city.

1 location to catch Gyarados

Encountered via fishing with a Rod

Badge 4

Where To Catch Gyarados in Y

Magikarp gets you Gyarados sooner: buy it on Route 4 (before Badge 2) and evolve it at Lv 20. Wild Gyarados needs the Super Rod (after Badge 5).

  1. Gyarados
    Step 2Gyarados ✓
    or evolve from Magikarp (Step 1)

Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in Yellow for Gyarados.

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. 4 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
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Electric
2x (Weak)Rock
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Fighting, Bug
0x (Immune)Ground
Gen I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

What is Gyarados Weak Against

Good
2Weak
4Resist
1Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Gyarados Strong Against

6Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+6
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Gyarados

Jolteon
Jolteon
Electric
A
Magneton
Magneton
Electric
C
Raichu
Raichu
Electric
C
Graveler
Graveler
RockGround
C
Rhyhorn
Rhyhorn
GroundRock
C

Gyarados Evolutions

Magikarp's chain leads to Gyarados (at level 20). A Water/Flying type at 580 stats, sitting in the Undiscovered group. Attack grew the most through evolution (+115 over Magikarp), and Gyarados peaks at 580 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Gyarados
WaterFlying
HP
20
95+75
ATK
10
125+115
DEF
55
79+24
SP.ATK
15
60+45
SP.DEF
20
100+80
SPE
80
81+1
BST
200F-Tier
540A-Tier+340
ROLE
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Utility
Physical
Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

Y Gyarados Best Moveset

Water moves run off 100 Special instead of the 125 Attack, the format's most punishing stat mismatch alongside Flareon. MoveHyper Beam and MoveBody Slam use the Attack honestly, and Normal damage from 125 Attack is no joke. The move slots work around the type split rather than through it.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Gyarados
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Hyper Beam
  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • BlizzardCoverage
  • Body Slam

Moves List

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

Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 20
Bite
C6010025Normal
Lv 25
Dragon Rage
D—10010Dragon
Lv 32
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 41
Hydro Pump
B180805Water
Lv 52
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal

TM Moves

All 23 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM34D——10Normal
TM14
BlizzardPokémon Mansionbadge 6
B110905Ice
TM08
Body SlamS.S. Annebadge 2
B8510015Normal
TM11C9710020Water
TM32
Double TeamSafari Zonebadge 3
———15Normal
TM10
Double-EdgeRocket Hideoutbadge 3
B12010015Normal
TM23
Dragon RageRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10010Dragon
TM38A120855Fire
TM15
Hyper BeamRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
B150905Normal
TM13C9510010Ice
TM31
MimicSaffron Citybadge 5
D——10Normal
TM20
RageRoute 15badge 3
D2010020Normal
TM33
ReflectKanto Power Plantbadge 3
C——20Psychic
TM44
RestS.S. Annebadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM40
Skull BashSafari Zonebadge 4
B10010010Normal
HM04
StrengthFuchsia Citybadge 4
—8010015Normal
TM50
SubstituteRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
HM03
SurfSafari Zonebadge 4
B14210015Water
TM09
Take DownSilph Co.badge 3
C908520Normal
TM25
ThunderKanto Power Plantbadge 5
C1107010Electric
TM24B9510015Electric
TM06C—9010Poison
TM12
Water GunMt. Moonbadge 1
C6010025Water

Tutor Moves

Gyarados can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Pseudo
HP95
B
Attack125
A
Defense79
C
Sp. Atk100
B
Sp. Def100
B
Speed81
C
Total580
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height6.5 m
Weight235.0 kg
Base XP189
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

Brutally vicious and enormously destructive. Known for totally destroying cities in ancient times.

Pokemon Yellow

Gyarados Yellow Guide

  • Mega Evolution isn't available in Yellow, but Gyarados does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Gyarados hits 680 BST.

  • In Yellow, Gyarados plays as a wallbreaker. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully.

Game Availability

Since debuting in Red & Blue, Gyarados has appeared in 22 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 6, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.

Explore

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