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.
It is virtually worthless in terms of both power and speed. It is the most weak and pathetic Pokémon in the world.
This weak and pathetic Pokémon gets easily pushed along rivers when there are strong currents.
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 |
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x334-395%KO Giga Drain 2x214-252%KO Mega Drain 2x116-136%KO Absorb 2x64-75% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x382-450%KO Magical Leaf 2x195-232%KO Mega Drain 2x132-157%KO Absorb 2x68-82% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 2x266-314%KO Mega Drain 2x91-109%KO Absorb 2x50-61% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 2x266-314%KO Razor Leaf 2x86-102%KO Mega Drain 2x91-109%KO Absorb 2x50-61% | ||
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Pumpkaboo builds →Solar Beam 2x214-252%KO Razor Leaf 2x80-95% Bullet Seed 2x39-48% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x324-382%KO Giga Drain 2x204-241%KO Mega Drain 2x114-135%KO Absorb 2x59-71% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x369-435%KO Magical Leaf 2x188-224%KO Mega Drain 2x129-153%KO Absorb 2x69-82% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 2x255-300%KO Mega Drain 2x88-106%KO Absorb 2x49-59% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 2x255-300%KO Razor Leaf 2x78-94% Mega Drain 2x88-106%KO Absorb 2x49-59% | ||
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Pumpkaboo builds →Solar Beam 2x204-241%KO Razor Leaf 2x78-94% Bullet Seed 2x39-47% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x327-386%KO Giga Drain 2x209-246%KO Mega Drain 2x113-134%KO Absorb 2x59-70% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x373-439%KO Magical Leaf 2x191-225%KO Mega Drain 2x127-150%KO Absorb 2x68-80% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 2x254-300%KO Mega Drain 2x91-107%KO Absorb 2x50-59% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 2x254-300%KO Razor Leaf 2x77-91% Mega Drain 2x91-107%KO Absorb 2x50-59% | ||
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Pumpkaboo builds →Solar Beam 2x209-246%KO Razor Leaf 2x77-91% Bullet Seed 2x36-43% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x427-503%KO Petal Blizzard 2x151-177%KO Giga Drain 2x269-317%KO Mega Drain 2x146-173%KO | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 2x341-401%KO Leaf Tornado 2x186-220%KO Magical Leaf 2x172-203%KO Razor Leaf 2x63-76% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x359-423%KO Giga Drain 2x225-266%KO Mega Drain 2x121-144%KO Absorb 2x63-76% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x408-482%KO Giga Drain 2x258-304%KO Magical Leaf 2x207-245%KO Mega Drain 2x139-165%KO | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 2x276-325%KO Giga Drain 2x175-207%KO Mega Drain 2x96-114%KO Absorb 2x49-59% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x443-523%KO Petal Blizzard 2x154-182%KO Giga Drain 2x278-328%KO Mega Drain 2x151-178%KO | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 2x354-418%KO Leaf Tornado 2x192-227%KO Magical Leaf 2x178-211%KO Razor Leaf 2x65-77% | ||
Shiinotic GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Shiinotic builds →Solar Beam 2x389-458%KO Giga Drain 2x245-288%KO Mega Drain 2x134-158%KO Absorb 2x69-81% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x372-438%KO Giga Drain 2x234-276%KO Mega Drain 2x127-150%KO Absorb 2x65-77% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x423-499%KO Giga Drain 2x265-312%KO Magical Leaf 2x214-251%KO Mega Drain 2x145-170%KO | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x431-507%KO Petal Blizzard 2x147-174%KO Giga Drain 2x270-319%KO Mega Drain 2x147-174%KO | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 2x346-407%KO Leaf Tornado 2x189-222%KO Magical Leaf 2x175-207%KO Razor Leaf 2x63-74% | ||
Shiinotic GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Shiinotic builds →Solar Beam 2x378-444%KO Giga Drain 2x236-278%KO Mega Drain 2x128-152%KO Absorb 2x65-78% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x362-426%KO Giga Drain 2x226-267%KO Mega Drain 2x122-144%KO Absorb 2x63-74% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x412-485%KO Giga Drain 2x260-307%KO Magical Leaf 2x207-244%KO Mega Drain 2x141-167%KO | ||
Dhelmise GhostGrass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Dhelmise builds →Solar Beam 2x362-427%KO Giga Drain 2x227-268%KO Mega Drain 2x122-145%KO Absorb 2x62-74% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x426-501%KO Petal Blizzard 2x146-173%KO Giga Drain 2x266-314%KO Mega Drain 2x144-169%KO | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 2x341-402%KO Leaf Tornado 2x188-222%KO Magical Leaf 2x173-205%KO Razor Leaf 2x62-74% | ||
Shiinotic GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Shiinotic builds →Solar Beam 2x372-438%KO Giga Drain 2x233-275%KO Mega Drain 2x126-148%KO Absorb 2x66-78% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x407-480%KO Giga Drain 2x254-300%KO Magical Leaf 2x206-244%KO Mega Drain 2x138-162%KO | ||
Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Ferrothorn builds →Power Whip 2x218-258%KO Solar Beam 2x258-303%KO | ||
Dhelmise GhostGrass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Dhelmise builds →Solar Beam 2x368-434%KO Giga Drain 2x233-274%KO Mega Drain 2x124-147%KO Absorb 2x63-75% | ||
Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Abomasnow builds →Wood Hammer 2x213-251%KO Solar Beam 2x390-460%KO Magical Leaf 2x197-232%KO Razor Leaf 2x99-117%KO | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x437-515%KO Petal Blizzard 2x152-179%KO Giga Drain 2x274-323%KO Mega Drain 2x149-176%KO | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Eldegoss builds →Leaf Storm 2x376-443%KO Solar Beam 2x349-411%KO Leaf Tornado 2x190-225%KO Magical Leaf 2x177-209%KO | ||
In Sword & Shield, Rillaboom can KO Magikarp with Wood Hammer (175-206%). Raikou's Thunderbolt also KOs at 155-183%.
Rillaboom Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Rillaboom builds →U Turn34-40% Wood Hammer 2x175-206%KO | ||
Zeraora Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemAir Balloon NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Zeraora builds →Drain Punch31-37% | ||
Raikou Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Raikou builds →Thunderbolt 2x155-183%KO Scald23-27% Volt Switch 2x120-142%KO | ||
Sword & Shield 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
Sword & Shield 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
- Unknown
- Celebrate
- Happy Hour
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Magikarp's options are limited here. You've got Hydro Pump 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
Sword & Shield Magikarp Locations
Easy grab on Magikarp with high spawn rates across 106 locations in early-game fishing spots. Multiple catch methods are available, so check which ones match your setup. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations to Catch Magikarp in Sword & Shield
Before you go hunting for Magikarp, check which of the 106 spots belong to your version. Shield and Sword each have different fishing, surfing, and more encounters at Lv. 4-65.
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 Sword & Shield, 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 Sword & Shield. 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
