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.
In the distant past, they were fairly strong, but they have become gradually weaker over time.
Thanks to their strong hold on life, dirty water doesn’t bother them at all. They live in waters all over the world!
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Magnezone builds →Zap Cannon 2x537-632%KO Thunderbolt 2x402-474%KO Discharge 2x359-423%KO Spark 2x96-114%KO | ||
 Decidueye GrassGhost | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Rowlet (Route 1 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Decidueye builds →Leaf Storm 2x464-546%KO Leaf Blade 2x184-218%KO Razor Leaf 2x113-133%KO Leafage 2x83-98% | ||
 Vikavolt BugElectric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Vikavolt builds →Zap Cannon 2x587-692%KO Thunderbolt 2x442-521%KO Spark 2x96-114%KO | ||
 Pikachu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Pikachu builds →Thunder 2x231-272%KO Thunderbolt 2x191-224%KO Wild Charge 2x109-129%KO Discharge 2x168-199%KO | ||
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Tapu Koko threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (203-239%). Breloom deals 39-46% with Bullet Seed.
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureSassy Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
 Tapu Koko ElectricFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Tapu Koko builds →Thunderbolt 2x203-239%KO Volt Switch 2x158-186%KO Dazzling Gleam90-106%KO | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Breloom builds →Mach Punch31-36% Bullet Seed 2x39-46% | ||
 Raikou Electric | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Raikou builds →Thunderbolt 2x155-183%KO | ||
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Evolution
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Magikarp easily with 57 breeding partners from the Dragon and Water2 egg groups.
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Magikarp Best Moveset
The special wall spread is where Magikarp earns its spot. Eviolite for a bulk boost that only works before full evolution, Careful nature for the right lean, and the moveset handles sustain. Swiftswim does the rest without needing a move slot.
Best Build
Magikarp best EVs are Defense and Sp. Def
Bulky Support Moveset
- Splash
- Celebrate
- Happy Hour
- Unknown
Recommended Teammates
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
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Magikarp Locations
high spawn rates in early-game fishing spots across 88 locations. Magikarp's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations to Catch Magikarp in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Catching Magikarp here means fishing. All 88 encounters require Super Rod at Lv. 10-66, and there aren't any overworld spawns in this game.
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 Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, 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 Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. 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
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves