The Fish Pokemon. Buy one from the salesman or fish one up. Magikarp is dead weight until level 20, but Gyarados makes every minute of that grind worth it.
205HP20Attack10Defense55Speed80Sp.Def20Sp.Atk20
Magikarp
Gyarados
Weak to
Special
Balanced
80Speed · Above Avg

Is Magikarp Good in Yellow Playthrough?

Buy one from the salesman before Mt. Moon or fish one up anywhere. Magikarp does nothing until level 20, and then Gyarados happens. The most famous investment in Pokemon for a reason.

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

Purchase

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 Magikarp in Yellow

A salesman in the Route 4 Pokemon Center sells Magikarp for 500, but you hardly need him: the Old Rod hooks one at nearly every water spot. Either way it's a level 5 weakling until it evolves at 20.

26 locations to catch Magikarp

Encountered via fishing with a Rod

Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8
Post-Game

Where To Catch Magikarp in Y

The line opens with Magikarp at Lv. 5-15 via fishing and gift encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Gyarados
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Gyarados
    or evolve from Magikarp (Step 1)

Not landing the catch? Calculate Magikarp catch rates for Yellow by ball, status, and HP.

Magikarp Weakness

Electric and Grass moves hit Magikarp for super-effective damage. Its Water typing keeps the defensive matchups simple. Magikarp's physical bulk (base 55 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Magikarp Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice
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 Magikarp Weak Against

Avg
2Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Magikarp Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Magikarp

Pikachu
Pikachu
Electric
C

Magikarp Evolutions

You'll evolve Magikarp into Gyarados the traditional way. This Water type doesn't breed despite having a chain ahead. The evolved forms gain up to 335 total stats over Magikarp. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Magikarp
Water
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 Magikarp Best Moveset

MoveSplash does nothing. 10 Attack does nothing. Everything about this Pokemon is dead weight until level 20 produces Gyarados, and even that transformation requires surviving to get there.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Magikarp
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • TackleCoverage
  • SplashUtility
  • Dragon Rage

Moves List

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
B——40Normal
Lv 15
Tackle
S409535Normal

TM Moves

Magikarp can't learn any TM moves

Tutor Moves

Magikarp can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP20
F
Attack10
F
Defense55
D
Sp. Atk20
F
Sp. Def20
F
Speed80
C
Total205
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height0.9 m
Weight10.0 kg
Base XP40
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

Famous for being very unreliable. It can be found swimming in seas, lakes, rivers and shallow puddles.

Pokemon Yellow

Magikarp Yellow Guide

  • Where in the Yellow Safari Zone can I find Magikarp?

    See the Locations section above for where to find Magikarp in Yellow.

    Safari rules: You can only use Safari Balls. No battling. Two tactical items shift the catch/flee trade-off:

    • Throw bait to keep Magikarp from fleeing (flee rate cut to 1/4) but it becomes harder to catch (catch factor halved).
    • Throw a rock to make Magikarp easier to catch (catch factor doubled) but it flees twice as often.
    • Each effect lasts 2-6 random turns; throwing one cancels the other.
  • In Yellow, 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.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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