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.
An underpowered, pathetic Pokémon. It may jump high on rare occasions but never more than seven feet.
In the distant past, it was somewhat stronger than the horribly weak descendants that exist today.
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 |
 Wo-Chien DarkGrass | B | |
Obtain MethodSouth Province Area One Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Wo-Chien builds →Power Whip 2x201-237%KO Giga Drain 2x257-303%KO Mega Drain 2x139-164%KO Absorb 2x72-85% | ||
 Meowscarada GrassDark | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Sprigatito (Cabo Poco Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Meowscarada builds →Leaf Storm 2x392-461%KO Energy Ball 2x271-319%KO Seed Bomb 2x168-199%KO Magical Leaf 2x182-215%KO | ||
 Leafeon Grass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Leafeon builds →Leaf Blade 2x187-221%KO Giga Drain 2x182-215%KO Magical Leaf 2x144-171%KO | ||
 Toedscruel GroundGrass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Toedscruel builds →Power Whip 2x174-205%KO Seed Bomb 2x118-139%KO Giga Drain 2x225-265%KO Mega Drain 2x123-145%KO | ||
 Arboliva GrassNormal | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Arboliva builds →Petal Dance 2x518-609%KO Energy Ball 2x388-458%KO Petal Blizzard 2x128-152%KO Seed Bomb 2x115-136%KO | ||
In Scarlet & Violet, Jolteon can KO Magikarp with Thunderbolt (498-586%). Raikou threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (343-405%). Toedscool's Giga Drain also KOs at 127-150%.
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x498-586%KO Volt Switch 2x388-456%KO Shadow Ball148-174%KO | ||
 Raikou Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Raikou builds →Scald51-60% Thunderbolt 2x343-405%KO Volt Switch 2x267-315%KO | ||
 Toedscool GroundGrass | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMyceliummight ItemEviolite NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Toedscool builds →Rapid Spin11-13% Knock Off14-16% Giga Drain 2x127-150%KO | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemToxic Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Breloom builds →Mach Punch48-57% Bullet Seed 2x60-71% | ||
Scarlet & Violet 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
Breeding
Breed Magikarp easily with 65 breeding partners from the Dragon and Water2 egg groups.
Scarlet & Violet Magikarp Best Moveset
Magikarp leads with Focus Sash insurance. Even if it can't take a hit naturally, it'll survive long enough to deal early damage. Max HP and Speed EVs go all-in on offense since bulk doesn't matter here.
Best Build
Magikarp best EVs are HP and Speed
Bulky Support Moveset
- Unknown
- Splash
- Flail
- Tackle
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Attacker Moveset
- Unknown
- Splash
- Flail
- Tackle
Recommended Teammates
Utility Moveset
- Unknown
- Splash
- Tackle
- Flail
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Unknown
- Flail
- Splash
- Tackle
Recommended Teammates
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
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Scarlet & Violet Magikarp Locations
Easy grab on Magikarp with high spawn rates across 94 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations to Catch Magikarp in Scarlet & Violet
Which version you're playing matters for Magikarp. 94 walking spots at Lv. 2-39 spread across Scarlet and Violet, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
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 Scarlet & Violet, 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 Scarlet & Violet. 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