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.

What is Magikarp weak to?

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.

How do you evolve Magikarp?

Magikarp evolves into Gyarados at level 20. Magikarp is the base form of this evolutionary line.

What is the best ability for Magikarp?

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.

What role does Magikarp play in battle?

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.

What games is Magikarp in?

Magikarp appears in 22 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

Magikarp Location, Evolution & Stats

Utility

Balanced

200Low

80Moderate

DTier

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

Attack10

Defense55

Sp. Atk15

Sp. Def20

Speed80

Total200

Low <60

Avg 60-89

High 90-149

Top 150+

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1

Details

Catch255Guaranteed•Slow1.25M XP•0.9m / 2'11"•10kg / 22 lbs•40Base XP

Pokedex Entries

MAGIKARP is a pathetic excuse for a POKéMON that is only capable of flopping and splashing. This behavior prompted scientists to undertake research into it.

Ruby

MAGIKARP is virtually useless in battle as it can only splash around. As a result, it is considered to be weak. However, it is actually a very hardy POKéMON that can survive in any body of water no matter how polluted it is.

Sapphire

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.

Gen III Type Chart

Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

4xCriticali

None

2xWeaki

Electric Grass

½xResisti

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResisti

None

0xImmunei

None

STAB (3)i

Fire Ground Rock

2Weak

4Resist

0Immune

Scorei0

SpikesGrounded — up to 25%

Toxic SpikesVulnerable

Abilities

Swift SwimDoubles Speed during rain.

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. 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.

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 27 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)

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 3.

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

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

409535Normal

Lv 30

Flail

—10015Normal

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

Easy grab on Magikarp with high spawn rates across 214 locations in early-game fishing spots. Two different catch methods are in play here. 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. 214 fishing and surfing spots at Lv. 5-45 spread across Ruby and Sapphire, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.

Abandoned Ship - B1F

RubyOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarly

EASY

Abandoned Ship - B1F

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarly

EASY

Abandoned Ship - B2F

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarly

EASY

Abandoned Ship - B2F

RubyOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarly

EASY

Dewford Town

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity

EASY

Dewford Town

RubyOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity

EASY

Ever Grande City

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity

EASY

Ever Grande City

RubyOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity

EASY

Lilycove City

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity

EASY

Lilycove City

RubyOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity

EASY

Meteor Falls - 1F Room 1

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyWater

EASY

Meteor Falls - 1F Room 1

RubyOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyWater

EASY

Meteor Falls - 1F Room 2

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyWater

EASY

Meteor Falls - 1F Room 2

RubyOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyWater

EASY

Meteor Falls - B1F Room 1

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyWater

EASY

Meteor Falls - B1F Room 1

RubyOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyWater

EASY

Meteor Falls - B1F Room 2

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyWater

EASY

Meteor Falls - B1F Room 2

RubyOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyWater

EASY

Mossdeep City

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity

EASY

Mossdeep City

RubyOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity

EASY

Pacifidlog Town

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity

EASY

Pacifidlog Town

RubyOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity

EASY

Petalburg City

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity

EASY

Petalburg City

RubyOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyCity

EASY

Route 102

SapphireOld RodLv.5-10CommonEarlyRoute

EASY

Route 102