Magikarp Pokemon Guide: Stats, Best Moves, Abilities and More

Pokemon Guide

Magikarp Pokemon Guide

Magikarp is a Water-type Pokemon known for being famously weak before evolving into the powerful Gyarados.

Normal Form

Magikarp

Shiny Form

Shiny Magikarp

Magikarp Description

Magikarp is a Water-type Pokemon that evolves into Gyarados at Level 20. It is weak in battle but famous for its dramatic evolution.

Magikarp Quick Facts

Here are the key facts to know about Magikarp, including its type, abilities, height, weight and species information.

Name

Magikarp

National Dex

#0129

Type

Water

Species

Fish Pokemon

Height

2’11” / 0.9 m

Weight

22.0 lbs / 10.0 kg

Abilities

Swift Swim, Rattled

Magikarp Stats

Magikarp has extremely low stats, especially Attack and Special Attack. Its main job is to survive until Level 20.

Magikarp Best Moves Across Pokemon Games

Magikarp move list is famously limited, but later games and events give it a few odd options.

Splash

A useless classic, because every legend starts somewhere embarrassing.

Tackle

Basic physical damage after Magikarp learns to do literally anything.

Flail

Deals more damage when Magikarp is low on HP.

Bounce

Flying-type coverage in games where Magikarp can learn it.

Hydro Pump

A rare stronger Water-type option for special cases and events.

Celebrate

Event move availability in select distributions.

Happy Hour

Event move availability in select distributions.

Evolution

The real best move is surviving until Level 20 and becoming Gyarados.

Magikarp All Moves

Magikarp can learn a different move pool depending on the Pokemon game. Use the section below to view Magikarp move list by learn method.

Move data shown from: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Level-Up Moves

Level	Move	Type	Category	Power	Accuracy
1	Splash	Normal	Status	–	–
15	Tackle	Normal	Physical	40	100
25	Flail	Normal	Physical	–	100

Magikarp Typing, Weaknesses and Resistances

Magikarp is a Water-type Pokemon. This gives it resistances to Steel, Fire, Water and Ice-type moves, but leaves it weak to Electric and Grass-type attacks.

Type

Water

Weaknesses

Electric, Grass

Resistances

Steel, Fire, Water, Ice

Immunity

None

Magikarp Abilities

Magikarp abilities technically do things, which is already more than Splash can say for itself.

Magikarp Evolution

Magikarp evolves into Gyarados at Level 20. Gyarados can Mega Evolve into Mega Gyarados in supported games.

Stage 1

Magikarp

Starting form

Stage 2

Gyarados

Evolves from Magikarp at Level 20

Mega Evolution

Mega Gyarados

Mega Evolution in supported games

Where to Find Magikarp in Pokemon Games

Magikarp availability changes by game, but it is one of the most common fishing encounters in the series.

Generation 1: Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow

Game	Where to Find Magikarp
Pokemon Red	Buy from the Magikarp salesman near Mt. Moon, or catch by fishing in many water areas.
Pokemon Blue	Buy from the Magikarp salesman near Mt. Moon, or catch by fishing in many water areas.
Pokemon Yellow	Buy from the Magikarp salesman near Mt. Moon, or catch by fishing in many water areas.

Generation 2: Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal

Game	Where to Find Magikarp
Pokemon Gold	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Silver	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Crystal	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.

Generation 3: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed and LeafGreen

Game	Where to Find Magikarp
Pokemon Ruby	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Sapphire	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Emerald	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon FireRed	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon LeafGreen	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.

Generation 4: Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver

Game	Where to Find Magikarp
Pokemon Diamond	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Pearl	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Platinum	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon HeartGold	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon SoulSilver	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.

Generation 5: Black, White, Black 2 and White 2

Game	Where to Find Magikarp
Pokemon Black	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon White	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Black 2	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon White 2	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.

Generation 6: X, Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Game	Where to Find Magikarp
Pokemon X	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Y	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Omega Ruby	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.

Generation 7: Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon and Let’s Go

Game	Where to Find Magikarp
Pokemon Sun	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Moon	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Ultra Sun	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Ultra Moon	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.

Generation 8: Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl and Legends: Arceus

Game	Where to Find Magikarp
Pokemon Sword	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Shield	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Shining Pearl	Catch by fishing or surfing in many water areas across Pokemon games.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus	Obsidian Falls, Lake Verity and Fabled Spring.

Generation 9: Scarlet, Violet and Legends Z-A

Game	Where to Find Magikarp
Pokemon Scarlet	Many ponds, rivers, lakes and coastal waters across Paldea.
Pokemon Violet	Many ponds, rivers, lakes and coastal waters across Paldea.
Pokemon Legends Z-A	Location data not yet available.

Generation 10: Pokemon Winds and Waves

Game	Where to Find Magikarp
Pokemon Winds and Waves	Coming soon once official location, encounter or transfer information is confirmed.

Related Magikarp and Pokemon Guides

Magikarp is part of The Game Haus Pokemon coverage, including Pokemon guides, Pokemon Champions coverage and future Pokemon game updates.

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