Almost nobody uses Magikarp in battle. It exists to evolve into Gyarados, which is a completely different story. Get it there and you won't regret it. Known as the Fish Pokemon. Been around since Gen 1.
Magikarp's spread isn't flashy. Speed leads, Attack trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Easy to catch and worth 1 Speed EV, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
Base Stats
200Below
HP20
F
Attack10
F
Defense55
D
Sp. Atk15
F
Sp. Def20
F
Speed80
C
Total200
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Magikarp yields +1 Spe
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Details
Catch255Guaranteed•Slow1.25M XP•0.9m / 2'11"•10kg / 22 lbs•40Base XP
Pokedex Entries
An underpowered, pathetic Pokémon. It may jump high on rare occasions but never more than seven feet.
Scarlet
In the distant past, it was somewhat stronger than the horribly weak descendants that exist today.
Violet
Magikarp Weakness
Good
Electric and Grass-type moves hit Magikarp for super-effective damage. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Magikarp's physical bulk (base 55 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
RattledHARaises Speed one stage upon being hit by a dark, ghost, or bug move.
Magikarp evolves into Gyarados. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are hatches fast. The evolved forms gain up to 340 total stats over Magikarp.
Breed Magikarp easily with 72 breeding 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)
Magikarp leads with Focus Sash insurance. Even if it can't take a hit naturally, it'll survive long enough to deal early damage. Max HP and Speed EVs go all-in on offense since bulk doesn't matter here.
Magikarp's options are limited here. You've got Water STAB for STAB damage, but there isn't much beyond Water hitting power. TMs help fill gaps, though the kit stays tight.
Level-Up Moves
Lv 1
Splash
——40Normal
Lv 15
Tackle
4010035Normal
Lv 25
Flail
—10015Normal
No moves match your search
TM Moves
Magikarp can't learn any TM moves
Egg Moves
Magikarp doesn't have any Egg moves
Tutor Moves
Magikarp can't learn any Tutor moves
Magikarp's options are limited here. You've got Hydro Pump for STAB damage, but there isn't much beyond Water hitting power. TMs help fill gaps, though the kit stays tight.
Level-Up Moves
Lv 1
Splash
——40Normal
Lv 15
Tackle
4010035Normal
No moves match your search
TM Moves
Src
TM109
Facade
7010020Normal
TM96
Hydro Pump
110805Water
No moves match your search
Egg Moves
Magikarp doesn't have any Egg moves
Tutor Moves
Magikarp can't learn any Tutor moves
Magikarp's options are limited here. You've got Water STAB for STAB damage, but there isn't much beyond Water hitting power. TMs help fill gaps, though the kit stays tight.
Level-Up Moves
Lv 1
Splash
——40Normal
No moves match your search
TM Moves
Magikarp can't learn any TM moves
Egg Moves
Magikarp doesn't have any Egg moves
Tutor Moves
Magikarp can't learn any Tutor moves
Magikarp's options are limited here. You've got Water STAB for STAB damage, but there isn't much beyond Water hitting power. TMs help fill gaps, though the kit stays tight.
Easy grab on Magikarp with high spawn rates across 94 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations
Which version you're playing matters for Magikarp. 94 walking spots at Lv. 2-39 spread across Scarlet and Violet, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
All
Effortless
Moderate
All
Walking
All
Pokemon Scarlet
Pokemon Violet
Casseroya Lake - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
Casseroya Lake - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
Casseroya Lake - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
Casseroya Lake - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
East Paldean Sea - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
East Paldean Sea - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area One) - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area One) - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Three) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Three) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Three) - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Three) - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Two) - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Two) - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
North Paldean Sea - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
North Paldean Sea - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area One) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area One) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area One) - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area One) - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area Three) - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area Three) - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area Two) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area Two) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Paldean Sea - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
South Paldean Sea - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Five) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Five) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Five) - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Five) - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Four) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Four) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Four) - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Four) - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area One) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area One) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area One) - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area One) - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Six) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Six) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Six) - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Six) - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
Tagtree Thicket - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyForest
EFFORTLESS
Tagtree Thicket - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyForest
EFFORTLESS
West Paldean Sea - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
West Paldean Sea - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area One) - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area One) - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Three) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Three) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Two) - Ocean
VioletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Two) - Ocean
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3936%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
Asado Desert - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyDesert
MODERATE
Asado Desert - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyDesert
MODERATE
Casseroya Lake - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyWater
MODERATE
Casseroya Lake - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyWater
MODERATE
East Province (Area One) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
East Province (Area One) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
East Province (Area Three) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
East Province (Area Three) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
East Province (Area Two) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
East Province (Area Two) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyCave
MODERATE
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyCave
MODERATE
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyCave
MODERATE
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyCave
MODERATE
North Province (Area One) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
North Province (Area One) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
North Province (Area Three) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
North Province (Area Three) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
South Paldean Sea - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyWater
MODERATE
South Paldean Sea - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyWater
MODERATE
South Province (Area Five) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
South Province (Area Five) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
South Province (Area Four) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
South Province (Area Four) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
South Province (Area One) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
South Province (Area One) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
South Province (Area Six) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
South Province (Area Six) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
South Province (Area Two) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
South Province (Area Two) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
Tagtree Thicket - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyForest
MODERATE
Tagtree Thicket - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyForest
MODERATE
West Province (Area One) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
West Province (Area One) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
West Province (Area Three) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
West Province (Area Three) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
West Province (Area Two) - River
VioletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
West Province (Area Two) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.2-3912%EarlyRoute
MODERATE
Magikarp can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Bring it over from Red instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Magikarp is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
decent spawn rates across 3 locations for Magikarp in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Best Locations
3 walking spots from walking for Magikarp. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.
All
Easy
All
Walking
Fabled Spring
GrassUncommon
EASY
Lake Verity
GrassUncommonWater
EASY
Obsidian Falls
GrassUncommonWater
EASY
Easy grab on Magikarp with high spawn rates across 208 locations in early-game fishing spots. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations
Bring Old Rod and Good Rod for Magikarp. There are 208 fishing encounters from Lv. 3-25 with no walking alternatives. Pick the spot with the best rate and settle in.
Magikarp isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Gyarados to unlock its full potential. At 200 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Watch for Raikou (Electric) and Venusaur (Grass) when using Magikarp. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Magikarp evolves into Gyarados at level 20. Magikarp is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Run Swift Swim on Magikarp. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Magikarp also gets Rattled, but they don't compare.
Magikarp fills the balanced role. It's leaning toward the special side (base 15 Sp. Atk). Base 80 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Magikarp appears in 22 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Magikarp has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 22 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Yellow
Red & Blue
Gold & Silver
Crystal
Ruby & Sapphire
FireRed & LeafGreen
Emerald
Platinum
HeartGold & SoulSilver
Diamond & Pearl
Black & White
Black 2 & White 2
X & Y
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Sun & Moon
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Sword & Shield
Legends: Arceus
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Scarlet & Violet
Legends: Z-A