Utility
Balanced
DTier
80Speed · Above Avg

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.

Base Stats
Below
HP20
F
Attack10
F
Defense55
D
Sp. Atk15
F
Sp. Def20
F
Speed80
C
Total200
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height0.9 m
2'11"Small
Weight10.0 kg
22.0 lbsFeather
Base XP40
Low Yield
Abilities
Swift SwimTop Pick
Doubles Speed during rain.
RattledHA
Raises Speed one stage upon being hit by a dark, ghost, or bug move.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entries

Although weak and helpless, this Pokémon is incredibly fertile. They exist in such multitudes, you’ll soon grow tired of seeing them.

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.

Magikarp Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Type ChartGood
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
ElectricGrass
½xResist
FireWaterIceSteel
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None
STAB (3)
FireGroundRock
How to Beat Magikarp in Sun & Moon (Best Counters)
Pikachu
Pikachu
Electric
C
Available Move
Moves
  • Thunder ShockLv. 1
Damage vs Magikarp
Thunder Shock 2x
78-94%
View Pikachu builds →

Sun & 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

2 Forms
Magikarp
#129Magikarp
20
Level 20
Gyarados
#130Gyarados
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
200D-Tier
540A-Tier+340
ROLE
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Utility
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Magikarp easily with 57 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)
gyaradoscharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticnoivernaltariascraftydragalgehelioliskoctillery
12 of 57·

Sun & 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

Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Magikarp
Careful+SPD

Magikarp best EVs are Defense and Sp. Def

EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • SplashUtility
  • CelebrateUtility
  • Happy Hour
  • Unknown

Recommended Teammates

Whimsicott
WhimsicottExcellent
Ribombee
RibombeeExcellent
Igglybuff
IgglybuffExcellent

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

Lv 1
Splash
S——40Normal
Lv 15
Tackle
—4010035Normal
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

Sun & Moon Magikarp Locations

Easy grab on Magikarp with high spawn rates across 78 locations in early-game fishing spots. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.

Best Locations to Catch Magikarp in Sun & Moon

Catching Magikarp here means fishing. All 78 encounters require Super Rod at Lv. 10-59, and there aren't any overworld spawns in this game.

Paniola Town
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-18 City
99%Early
Paniola Town
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-18 City
99%Early
Seaward Cave
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-15 Cave
99%Early
Seaward Cave
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-15 Cave
99%Early
Brooklet Hill - Totem's Den
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-15
79%Early
Brooklet Hill - Totem's Den
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-15
79%Early
Kala'e Bay
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-15 Water
79%Early
Kala'e Bay
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-15 Water
79%Early
Poni Breaker Coast
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-43 Water
79%Early
Poni Breaker Coast
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-43 Water
79%Early
Poni Wilds
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-43
79%Early
Poni Wilds
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-43
79%Early
Route 13
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-30 Route
79%Early
Route 13
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-30 Route
79%Early
Route 14
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-31 Route
79%Early
Route 14
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-31 Route
79%Early
Route 15
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-33 Route
79%Early
Route 15
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-33 Route
79%Early
Route 7
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-19 Route
79%Early
Route 7
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-19 Route
79%Early
Route 8
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-20 Route
79%Early
Route 8
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-20 Route
79%Early
Seafolk Village
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-43 City
79%Early
Seafolk Village
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-43 City
79%Early
Secluded Shore
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-30
79%Early
Secluded Shore
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-30
79%Early
Tapu Village
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-31 City
79%Early
Tapu Village
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-31 City
79%Early
Melemele Sea
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-18 Water
78%Early
Melemele Sea
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-18 Water
78%Early
Brooklet Hill - North
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-15
70%Early
Brooklet Hill - North
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-15
70%Early
Brooklet Hill - South
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-15
70%Early
Brooklet Hill - South
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-15
70%Early
Malie Garden
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-27 Forest
60%Early
Malie Garden
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-27 Forest
60%Early
Route 8
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-25 Route
60%Early
Shaking spot
Route 8
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-25 Route
60%Early
Shaking spot
Poni Gauntlet
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-59
59%Early
Poni Gauntlet
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-59
59%Early
Poni Meadow
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-57
59%Early
Poni Meadow
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-57
59%Early
Vast Poni Canyon - Northwest (Hidden Area)
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-44
59%Early
Vast Poni Canyon - Northwest (Hidden Area)
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-44
59%Early
Brooklet Hill - North
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-15
50%Early
Shaking spot
Brooklet Hill - North
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-15
50%Early
Shaking spot
Brooklet Hill - South
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-15
50%Early
Shaking spot
Brooklet Hill - South
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-15
50%Early
Shaking spot
Brooklet Hill - Totem's Den
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-15
50%Early
Shaking spot
Brooklet Hill - Totem's Den
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-15
50%Early
Shaking spot
Kala'e Bay
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-15 Water
50%Early
Shaking spot
Kala'e Bay
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-15 Water
50%Early
Shaking spot
Paniola Town
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-18 City
50%Early
Shaking spot
Paniola Town
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-18 City
50%Early
Shaking spot
Poni Breaker Coast
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-43 Water
50%Early
Shaking spot
Poni Breaker Coast
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-43 Water
50%Early
Shaking spot
Poni Gauntlet
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-59
50%Early
Shaking spot
Poni Gauntlet
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-59
50%Early
Shaking spot
Poni Meadow
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-57
50%Early
Shaking spot
Poni Meadow
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-57
50%Early
Shaking spot
Poni Wilds
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-43
50%Early
Shaking spot
Poni Wilds
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-43
50%Early
Shaking spot
Route 14
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-31 Route
50%Early
Shaking spot
Route 14
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-31 Route
50%Early
Shaking spot
Route 15
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-33 Route
50%Early
Shaking spot
Route 15
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-33 Route
50%Early
Shaking spot
Seafolk Village
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-43 City
50%Early
Shaking spot
Seafolk Village
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-43 City
50%Early
Shaking spot
Seaward Cave
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-15 Cave
50%Early
Shaking spot
Seaward Cave
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-15 Cave
50%Early
Shaking spot
Tapu Village
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-31 City
50%Early
Shaking spot
Tapu Village
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-31 City
50%Early
Shaking spot
Vast Poni Canyon - Northwest (Hidden Area)
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-44
50%Early
Shaking spot
Vast Poni Canyon - Northwest (Hidden Area)
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-44
50%Early
Shaking spot
Melemele Sea
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-18 Water
20%Early
Shaking spot
Melemele Sea
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-18 Water
20%Early
Shaking spot
Route 9
MoonSuper Rod Lv.10-23 Route
15%Early
Route 9
SunSuper Rod Lv.10-23 Route
15%Early

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 Sun & 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 Sun & 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

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