Mixed
Wallbreaker
81Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

Attack and Sp. Def carry most of Gyarados's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 2 Attack stat exp. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats
High
HP95
B
Attack125
A
Defense79
C
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def100
B
Speed81
C
Total540
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height6.5 m
Weight235.0 kg
Base XP189
Abilities
Abilities were introduced in Generation III. Shown below for reference.
Intimidate
Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle.
MoxieHA
Raises Attack one stage upon KOing a Pokémon.
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entries

It appears whenever there is world conflict, burning down any place it travels through.

Crystal

Gyarados Weakness

Type-wise, Gyarados takes extra damage from Electric and Rock. Watch out for Electric attacks, those deal 4x damage. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. With 95 HP and balanced defenses, Gyarados can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

Gyarados Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Electric
2x (Weak)Rock
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Fighting, Bug, Steel
0x (Immune)Ground
Type ChartExcellent
2Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score+2
Gen II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
4xCritical
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
How to Beat Gyarados in Crystal (Best Counters)
Shuckle
Shuckle
BugRock
C
TM Move
Moves
  • RolloutTM04
Damage vs Gyarados
Rollout 2x
9-11%
View Shuckle builds →

Crystal Evolution

Evolved from Magikarp. Gyarados is the final form in this two-stage line. A small partner pool for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are hatches fast. Attack grew the most through evolution (+115 over Magikarp), and Gyarados peaks at 540 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
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
200D-Tier
540A-Tier+340
ROLE
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Utility
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Gyarados to get Magikarp eggs easily using 13 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)
charizardkingdraoctilleryarbokseadracharmeleonmagikarpcharmanderremoraidekanshorseadragonite

Crystal Gyarados Best Moveset

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Not in Gen 2
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Not in Gen 2

Utility Moveset

  • SurfSTAB
  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • Body Slam
  • Hidden Power FlyingSTAB

Moves

TMs carry this one. Gyarados learns Hydro Pump and Surf naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Dark and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Thrash
12010020Normal
Lv 20
Bite
C6010025Dark
Lv 25
Dragon Rage
10010Dragon
Lv 30
Leer
10030Normal
Lv 35
Twister
4010020Dragon
Lv 40
Hydro Pump
A120805Water
Lv 45
Rain Dance
C5Water
Lv 50
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
D10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D120705Ice
TM03
Curse
B10Ghost
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM24
Dragon Breath
D6010020Dragon
TM20
Endure+4
D10Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
D120855Fire
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM02
Headbutt
C7010015Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM16
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6
C20Normal
TM08
Rock Smash
2010015Fighting
TM37
Sandstorm
D10Rock
TM35
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM13
Snore
4010015Normal
HM04
Strength
C8010015Normal
HM03
Surf
A9510015Water
TM34
Swagger
C8515Normal
TM25
Thunder
B1207010Electric
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison
HM07
Waterfall
8010015Water
HM06
Whirlpool
D358515Water
TM07
Zap Cannon
D100505Electric

Egg Moves

Gyarados doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Flamethrower
D9510015Fire
Tutor
Ice Beam
D9510010Ice
Tutor
Thunderbolt
D9510015Electric

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Flail
D10015Normal
Rem
Splash
40Normal
Rem
Tackle
D3510035Normal

How to Get Gyarados in Crystal

high spawn rates in early-game fishing spots across 6 locations. Gyarados's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.

Where To Catch Gyarados in Crystal

The path to Gyarados starts with Magikarp at Lv. 5-40 via fishing, surfing, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Magikarp
    Step 1Catch Magikarp
    Blackthorn City
    Surfing on water Lv.5-19 City
    100%Early
    Dark Cave - East
    Surfing on water Lv.5-19 Cave
    100%Early
    Dark Cave - West
    Surfing on water Lv.5-19 Cave
    100%Early
    Dragon's Den
    Old Rod Lv.10
    100%Early
    Lake of Rage
    Old Rod Lv.10 Water
    100%Early
    Route 45
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    100%Early
    Fuchsia City
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    100%Early
    Fuchsia City
    Surfing on water Lv.10-24 City
    100%Early
    Route 43
    Surfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
    100%Early
    Route 45
    Surfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
    100%Early
    Dragon's Den
    Surfing on water Lv.10-19
    90%Early
    Lake of Rage
    Surfing on water Lv.10-19 Water
    90%Early
    Blackthorn City
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Cherrygrove City
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Cianwood City
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Dark Cave - East
    Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
    85%Early
    Dark Cave - West
    Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
    85%Early
    Ecruteak City
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Ilex Forest
    Old Rod Lv.10 Forest
    85%Early
    Mt. Mortar - 1F South
    Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
    85%Early
    Mt. Mortar - 2F
    Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
    85%Early
    Mt. Mortar - B1F
    Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
    85%Early
    Mt. Silver - 2F
    Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
    85%Early
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
    85%Early
    New Bark Town
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Olivine City
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Olivine City - Harbor
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Route 30
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 31
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 32
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 34
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 35
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 40
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 41
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 42
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 44
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    Old Rod Lv.10 Ruins
    85%Early
    Slowpoke Well - 1F
    Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
    85%Early
    Slowpoke Well - B1F
    Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
    85%Early
    Union Cave - 1F
    Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
    85%Early
    Union Cave - B1F
    Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
    85%Early
    Union Cave - B2F
    Old Rod Lv.10 Cave
    85%Early
    Violet City
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Whirl Islands - 1F
    Old Rod Lv.10 Water
    85%Early
    Whirl Islands - B2F
    Old Rod Lv.10 Water
    85%Early
    Whirl Islands - B2F Inner Cave
    Old Rod Lv.10 Water
    85%Early
    Cerulean City
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    Old Rod Lv.10 Water
    85%Early
    Pallet Town
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Route 10
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 12
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 13
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 19
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 20
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 21
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 22
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 24
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 25
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 26
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 27
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 28
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 6
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Route 9
    Old Rod Lv.10 Route
    85%Early
    Vermilion City - City
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Vermilion City - Harbor
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Viridian City
    Old Rod Lv.10 City
    85%Early
    Dragon's Den
    Good Rod Lv.20
    90%Mid
    Lake of Rage
    Good Rod Lv.20 Water
    90%Mid
    Route 45
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    90%Mid
    Fuchsia City
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    90%Mid
    Blackthorn City
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Cherrygrove City
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Cianwood City
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Dark Cave - East
    Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Dark Cave - West
    Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Ecruteak City
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Ilex Forest
    Good Rod Lv.20 Forest
    35%Mid
    Mt. Mortar - 1F South
    Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Mt. Mortar - 2F
    Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Mt. Mortar - B1F
    Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Mt. Silver - 2F
    Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    New Bark Town
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Olivine City
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Olivine City - Harbor
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Route 30
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 31
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 32
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 34
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 35
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 40
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 41
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 42
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 44
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    Good Rod Lv.20 Ruins
    35%Mid
    Slowpoke Well - 1F
    Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Slowpoke Well - B1F
    Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Union Cave - 1F
    Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Union Cave - B1F
    Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Union Cave - B2F
    Good Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Violet City
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Whirl Islands - 1F
    Good Rod Lv.20 Water
    35%Mid
    Whirl Islands - B2F
    Good Rod Lv.20 Water
    35%Mid
    Whirl Islands - B2F Inner Cave
    Good Rod Lv.20 Water
    35%Mid
    Cerulean City
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    Good Rod Lv.20 Water
    35%Mid
    Pallet Town
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Route 10
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 12
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 13
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 19
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 20
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 21
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 22
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 24
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 25
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 26
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 27
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 28
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 6
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 9
    Good Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Vermilion City - City
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Vermilion City - Harbor
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Viridian City
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Lake of Rage
    Super Rod Lv.40 Water
    70%Late
    Fuchsia City
    Super Rod Lv.40 City
    70%Late
    Dragon's Den
    Super Rod Lv.40
    60%Late
    Route 45
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    60%Late
    Blackthorn City
    Super Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    Dark Cave - East
    Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Dark Cave - West
    Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Ecruteak City
    Super Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    Ilex Forest
    Super Rod Lv.40 Forest
    20%Late
    Mt. Mortar - 1F South
    Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Mt. Mortar - 2F
    Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Mt. Mortar - B1F
    Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Mt. Silver - 2F
    Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Mt. Silver - Outside
    Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Route 30
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 31
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 32
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 35
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 42
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 44
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Ruins of Alph - Outside
    Super Rod Lv.40 Ruins
    20%Late
    Slowpoke Well - 1F
    Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Slowpoke Well - B1F
    Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Union Cave - 1F
    Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Union Cave - B1F
    Super Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Violet City
    Super Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    Route 10
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 12
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 13
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 22
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 24
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 25
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 28
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 6
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 9
    Super Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Viridian City
    Super Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
  2. Gyarados
    Step 2Gyarados
    Lake of Rage
    Surfing on water Lv.15-19 Water
    10%Early
    Lake of Rage
    Good Rod Lv.20 Water
    10%Mid
    Fuchsia City
    Good Rod Lv.20 City
    10%Mid
    Lake of Rage
    Interact with Pokemon Lv.30 Water
    LimitedMid
    Lake of Rage
    Super Rod Lv.40 Water
    30%Late
    Fuchsia City
    Super Rod Lv.40 City
    30%Late
    or evolve from Magikarp (Step 1)

Gyarados Guide

  • For Crystal, we rate Gyarados C-Tier: a niche pick in Crystal's meta. At 540 BST, it fits the wallbreaker role. Surf with Leftovers is the standard set.

  • Mega Evolution isn't available in Crystal, but Gyarados does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Gyarados hits 640 BST.

  • In Crystal, Gyarados's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric) and Golem (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Jolteon is the most dangerous since Electric moves deal 4x damage. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Base 81 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Gyarados is a mixed attacker with base 125 Attack and 60 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.

  • In Crystal, the best way to handle Gyarados: Status moves (Toxic, Will-O-Wisp) wear it down. Setup sweepers can use it as a boost opportunity. Special attackers bypass its physical bulk.

Game Availability

Since debuting in Red & Blue, Gyarados has appeared in 22 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.

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