What does Magikarp evolve into?

Get Magikarp to Gyarados at level 20. At 200 BST, Magikarp is just the starting point.

At what level does Magikarp evolve?

Level 20 gets you Gyarados . Quick enough that Magikarp barely slows you down.

Should I use Magikarp?

In Platinum, Magikarp does the job early-game if you need a Water type on your team. Evolve it into Gyarados before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Where can you catch Magikarp?

You can find Magikarp in Platinum. The Locations section has the full breakdown of routes and encounter details. It also appears in 21 other games across the series.

Magikarp - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Utility

Balanced

DTier

80Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

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

Below

HP20

Attack10

Defense55

Sp. Atk15

Sp. Def20

Speed80

Total200

Details

Catch Rate

Guaranteed255 / 255

Growth Rate

Slow1.25M XP

Height0.9 m

Weight10.0 kg

Base XP40

Abilities

Swift Swim

Doubles Speed during rain.

RattledHANot in game

Raises Speed one stage upon being hit by a dark, ghost, or bug move.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1

Speed training source

Pokedex Entries

A MAGIKARP living for many years can leap a mountain using Splash. The move remains useless, though.

Platinum

Magikarp Weakness

Electric and Grass 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.

Magikarp Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)	Fire, Water, Ice, Steel

Type ChartGood

2Weak

4Resist

0Immune

Score0

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (3)

Fire Ground Rock

How to Beat Magikarp in Platinum (Best Counters)

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 36 Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Damage vs Magikarp Wood Hammer 2x 215-253%KO Solar Beam 2x 399-471%KO Giga Drain 2x 252-297%KO Razor Leaf 2x 101-120%KO View Abomasnow builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Petal DanceLv. 40 Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Damage vs Magikarp Petal Dance 2x 429-505%KO Solar Beam 2x 429-505%KO Giga Drain 2x 271-319%KO Magical Leaf 2x 217-256%KO View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallLv. 50 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 289-341%KO Energy Ball 2x 220-259%KO Giga Drain 2x 182-215%KO Bullet Seed 2x 26-32% View Lileep builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 286-338%KO Giga Drain 2x 182-215%KO Bullet Seed 2x 32-38% Absorb 2x 51-60% View Lombre builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 286-338%KO Giga Drain 2x 182-215%KO Razor Leaf 2x 83-98% Bullet Seed 2x 40-47% View Nuzleaf builds →

Platinum Evolution

Magikarp evolves into Gyarados. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A decent partner pool for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are hatches fast. The evolved forms gain up to 340 total stats over Magikarp. 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 Magikarp easily with 30 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)

Platinum Magikarp Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

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

Lv 15

Tackle

—3510035Normal

Lv 30

Flail

——10015Normal

TM Moves

Magikarp can't learn any TM moves

Egg Moves

Magikarp doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Bounce

D85855Flying

Platinum Magikarp Locations

Magikarp is available from early-game fishing spots onward at high spawn rates. 106 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.

Best Locations to Catch Magikarp in Platinum

Magikarp shows up in 106 fishing and trade spots from Lv. 1-100. Plenty of options, and the list is sorted so the highest-rate locations at each progression stage come first.

Canalave City

Old Rod Lv.3-15 City

100%Early

Celestic Town

Old Rod Lv.3-15 City

100%Early

Eterna City

Old Rod Lv.3-15 City

100%Early

Pastoria City

Old Rod Lv.3-15 City

100%Early

Ravaged Path

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

100%Early

Resort Area

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Facility

100%Early

Route 209

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

100%Early

Route 218

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

100%Early

Route 219

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

100%Early

Route 220

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

100%Early

Route 221

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

100%Early

Route 222

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

100%Early

Route 223

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

100%Early

Route 225

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

100%Early

Route 226

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

100%Early

Route 229

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

100%Early

Route 230

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

100%Early

Sunyshore City

Old Rod Lv.3-15 City

100%Early

Twinleaf Town

Old Rod Lv.3-15 City

100%Early

Route 229

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

100%Early

Route 209

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

65%Early

Canalave City

Good Rod Lv.10-25 City

55%Early

Celestic Town

Good Rod Lv.10-25 City

55%Early

Eterna City

Good Rod Lv.10-25 City

55%Early

Pastoria City

Good Rod Lv.10-25 City

55%Early

Ravaged Path

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

55%Early

Resort Area

Good Rod Lv.10-35 Facility

55%Early

Route 218

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

55%Early

Route 219

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

55%Early

Route 220

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

55%Early

Route 221

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

55%Early

Route 222

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

55%Early

Route 223

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

55%Early

Route 225

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

55%Early

Route 226

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

55%Early

Route 230

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

55%Early

Sunyshore City

Good Rod Lv.10-25 City

55%Early

Twinleaf Town

Good Rod Lv.10-25 City

55%Early

Resort Area

Super Rod Lv.1-100 Facility

40%Early

Fuego Ironworks

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Power-plant

CommonEarly

Great Marsh - Area 1

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Facility

CommonEarly

Great Marsh - Area 2

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Facility

CommonEarly

Great Marsh - Area 3

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Facility

CommonEarly

Great Marsh - Area 4

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Facility

CommonEarly

Great Marsh - Area 6

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Facility

CommonEarly

Iron Island - Outside

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Water

CommonEarly

Lake Acuity

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Water

CommonEarly

Lake Valor

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Water

CommonEarly

Lake Verity

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Water

CommonEarly

Mt. Coronet - 4F

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Cave

CommonEarly

Mt. Coronet - B1F

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Cave

CommonEarly

Mt. Coronet - Route 207 Entrance

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Cave

CommonEarly

Oreburgh Gate - B1F

Old Rod Lv.3-15

CommonEarly

Pokémon League

Old Rod Lv.3-15

CommonEarly

Route 202

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 203

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 204 - South

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 205 - North

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 205 - South

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 208

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 210 - North

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 212 - North

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 212 - South

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 213

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 214

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 224

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 227

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Route 228

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Route

CommonEarly

Sendoff Spring

Old Rod Lv.3-15

CommonEarly

Valley Windworks

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Power-plant

CommonEarly

Victory Road - B1F

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Cave

CommonEarly

Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1F

Old Rod Lv.3-15 Cave

CommonEarly

Fuego Ironworks

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Power-plant

CommonEarly

Great Marsh - Area 1

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Facility

CommonEarly

Great Marsh - Area 2

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Facility

CommonEarly

Great Marsh - Area 3

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Facility

CommonEarly

Great Marsh - Area 4

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Facility

CommonEarly

Great Marsh - Area 6

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Facility

CommonEarly

Iron Island - Outside

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Water

CommonEarly

Lake Acuity

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Water

CommonEarly

Lake Valor

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Water

CommonEarly

Lake Verity

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Water

CommonEarly

Mt. Coronet - 4F

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Cave

CommonEarly

Mt. Coronet - B1F

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Cave

CommonEarly

Mt. Coronet - Route 207 Entrance

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Cave

CommonEarly

Oreburgh Gate - B1F

Good Rod Lv.10-25

CommonEarly

Pokémon League

Good Rod Lv.10-25

CommonEarly

Route 202

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 203

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 204 - South

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 205 - North

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 205 - South

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 208

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 210 - North

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 212 - North

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 212 - South

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 213

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 214

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 224

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 227

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 228

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Route

CommonEarly

Sendoff Spring

Good Rod Lv.10-25

CommonEarly

Valley Windworks

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Power-plant

CommonEarly

Victory Road - B1F

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Cave

CommonEarly

Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1F

Good Rod Lv.10-25 Cave

CommonEarly

Route 226

In-game trade Route

Limited

Trade for (give Finneon)

Magikarp Guide

Get Magikarp to Gyarados at level 20. At 200 BST, Magikarp is just the starting point.
Level 20 gets you Gyarados. Quick enough that Magikarp barely slows you down.
In Platinum, Magikarp does the job early-game if you need a Water type on your team. Evolve it into Gyarados before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
You can find Magikarp in Platinum. The Locations section has the full breakdown of routes and encounter details. It also appears in 21 other games across the series.

Game Availability

Magikarp has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 22 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 9 Damage vs Magikarp Razor Leaf 2x 76-91% Absorb 2x 45-55% View Turtwig builds →
Lotad WaterGrass	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Magikarp Absorb 2x 45-55% View Lotad builds →
Shinx Electric	D
Available Move Moves SparkLv. 13 Damage vs Magikarp Spark 2x 91-109%KO View Shinx builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Upcoming Move Moves Energy BallLv. 50 Learns Energy Ball at Level 50 View Lileep builds →
Seedot Grass	D
Upcoming Move Moves View Seedot builds →

Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift TM Move Moves Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Bullet Seed 2x 34-41% View Lileep builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 9 Damage vs Magikarp Razor Leaf 2x 80-95% Bullet Seed 2x 39-48% Absorb 2x 45-55% View Turtwig builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 13 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Magikarp Mega Drain 2x 86-102%KO Bullet Seed 2x 27-34% Absorb 2x 45-55% View Budew builds →
Cherubi Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Magical LeafLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Magical Leaf 2x 139-164%KO Bullet Seed 2x 27-34% View Cherubi builds →
Lotad WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Magikarp Mega Drain 2x 75-89% Bullet Seed 2x 27-34% Absorb 2x 39-48% View Lotad builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Giga Drain 2x 226-267%KO Razor Leaf 2x 98-117%KO Bullet Seed 2x 46-56% View Abomasnow builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Giga Drain 2x 244-289%KO Magical Leaf 2x 198-233%KO Mega Drain 2x 135-161%KO Bullet Seed 2x 37-44% View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Giga Drain 2x 169-200%KO Bullet Seed 2x 28-33% View Lileep builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 13 Mega DrainLv. 25 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Giga Drain 2x 141-167%KO Razor Leaf 2x 80-94% Mega Drain 2x 80-94% Bullet Seed 2x 41-50% View Turtwig builds →
Cherubi Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Giga Drain 2x 174-206%KO Magical Leaf 2x 141-167%KO Bullet Seed 2x 28-33% View Cherubi builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 380-448%KO Giga Drain 2x 238-280%KO Razor Leaf 2x 100-118%KO Bullet Seed 2x 49-59% View Abomasnow builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 405-477%KO Giga Drain 2x 254-300%KO Magical Leaf 2x 203-241%KO Mega Drain 2x 138-162%KO View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 275-325%KO Giga Drain 2x 175-207%KO Bullet Seed 2x 28-34% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 275-325%KO Giga Drain 2x 175-207%KO Razor Leaf 2x 84-98% Bullet Seed 2x 41-49% View Nuzleaf builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 13 Mega DrainLv. 25 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 225-266%KO Giga Drain 2x 146-172%KO Razor Leaf 2x 84-98% Mega Drain 2x 79-93% View Turtwig builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 380-448%KO Giga Drain 2x 238-280%KO Razor Leaf 2x 100-118%KO Bullet Seed 2x 49-59% View Abomasnow builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 405-477%KO Giga Drain 2x 254-300%KO Magical Leaf 2x 203-241%KO Mega Drain 2x 138-162%KO View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 275-325%KO Giga Drain 2x 175-207%KO Bullet Seed 2x 28-34% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 275-325%KO Giga Drain 2x 175-207%KO Razor Leaf 2x 84-98% Bullet Seed 2x 41-49% View Nuzleaf builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 13 Mega DrainLv. 25 Damage vs Magikarp Solar Beam 2x 225-266%KO Giga Drain 2x 146-172%KO Razor Leaf 2x 84-98% Mega Drain 2x 79-93% View Turtwig builds →

Breloom GrassFighting	A
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureAdamant Moves SporeUtility Seed Bomb Focus Punch SubstituteUtility View Breloom builds →
Magnezone ElectricSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves ThunderboltSTAB Hidden Power Fire Thunder Wave Explosion Damage vs Magikarp Thunderbolt 2x 506-595%KO Explosion 107-127%KO View Magnezone builds →
Roserade GrassPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves Toxic Spikes Hidden Power Fire SpikesHazard Sleep Powder View Roserade builds →
Raikou Electric	B
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureRash Moves ThunderboltSTAB Hidden Power Ice Aura Sphere Calm Mind Damage vs Magikarp Thunderbolt 2x 508-598%KO Aura Sphere 150-177%KO View Raikou builds →