Is Magikarp Good in Diamond & Pearl Playthrough?
Available via fishing across Sinnoh. Same investment as every other game: Magikarp is useless until Gyarados at 20. The difference in Sinnoh is what the physical/special split does for Gyarados. That evolution payoff has never been better than it is in Gen 4.
Roark's Pokemon outpace and outclass Magikarp here.
Gardenia's team hits Magikarp's weaknesses hard.
Maylene's typing presses Magikarp's defenses.
Crasher Wake's typing presses Magikarp's defenses.
Fantina's Pokemon outpace and outclass Magikarp here.
Byron's typing presses Magikarp's defenses.
Candice's team hits Magikarp's weaknesses hard.
Volkner's Pokemon outpace and outclass Magikarp here.
Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.
Gyarados has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.
Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.
Gyarados trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Magikarp can be received through an in-game trade on Route 226. Trade Finneon. NPC trade on Route 226. Trade a Finneon to the fisherman on the island
- LV 15NormalTackle40100%35
Your Magikarp should hit Level 20 before you reach Aaron, at typical leveling pace.
- STARTING (Lv 20)
- LV 20NormalThrash120100%10
- After Crasher Wake
- HM03WaterSurf135100%15
- TM68NormalGiga Impact15090%5
- LV 35WaterAqua Tail13590%10
- LV 41WaterHydro Pump16580%5
- LV 44DragonDragon Dance—100%20
- LV 47NormalHyper Beam15090%5
- After Volkner
- HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
How to Get Magikarp in Diamond & Pearl
Magikarp is available from early-game fishing spots onward at high spawn rates. 210 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Where To Catch Magikarp in DP
To get Magikarp, start by catching Magikarp through fishing and trade encounters at Lv. 3-55. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Magikarp ✓Canalave CityLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Celestic TownLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Eterna CityLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Fuego IronworksLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Great Marsh - Area 1Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Great Marsh - Area 2Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Great Marsh - Area 3Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Great Marsh - Area 4Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Great Marsh - Area 6Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Iron Island - OutsideLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Lake AcuityLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Lake ValorLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Lake VerityLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Mt. Coronet - 4FLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Mt. Coronet - B1FLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Mt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Oreburgh Gate - B1FLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Pastoria CityLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Pokémon LeagueLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Ravaged PathLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Resort AreaLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 203Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 204 - NorthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 204 - SouthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 205 - NorthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 205 - SouthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 208Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 209Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 210 - NorthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 212 - NorthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 212 - SouthLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 213Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 214Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 218Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 219Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 220Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 221Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 222Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 223Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 224Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 225Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 226Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 227Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 228Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 229Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 230Lv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Sendoff SpringLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Sunyshore CityLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Twinleaf TownLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Valley WindworksLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Victory Road - B1FLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FLv.3-10Old RodRate 100%Route 229Lv.10-25Good RodRate 100%Victory Road - B1FLv.10-25Good RodRate 100%Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FLv.10-25Good RodRate 100%Route 209Lv.10-25Good RodRate 65%Canalave CityLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Celestic TownLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Eterna CityLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Fuego IronworksLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Great Marsh - Area 1Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Great Marsh - Area 2Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Great Marsh - Area 3Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Great Marsh - Area 4Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Great Marsh - Area 6Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Iron Island - OutsideLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Lake AcuityLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Lake ValorLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Lake VerityLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Mt. Coronet - 4FLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Mt. Coronet - B1FLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Mt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Oreburgh Gate - B1FLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Pastoria CityLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Pokémon LeagueLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Ravaged PathLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Resort AreaLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 203Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 204 - NorthLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 204 - SouthLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 205 - NorthLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 205 - SouthLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 208Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 210 - NorthLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 212 - NorthLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 212 - SouthLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 213Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 214Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 218Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 219Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 220Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 221Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 222Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 223Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 224Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 225Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 226Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 227Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 228Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 230Lv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Sendoff SpringLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Sunyshore CityLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Twinleaf TownLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Valley WindworksLv.10-25Good RodRate 55%Route 226In-game tradeRate 100%Trade for (give Finneon)
Step 2Catch or Evolve into GyaradosGreat Marsh - Area 1Lv.15-30Good RodRate 5%Great Marsh - Area 2Lv.15-30Good RodRate 5%Great Marsh - Area 3Lv.15-30Good RodRate 5%Great Marsh - Area 4Lv.15-30Good RodRate 5%Great Marsh - Area 6Lv.15-30Good RodRate 5%Route 229Lv.20-55Super RodRate 100%Victory Road - B1FLv.20-55Super RodRate 100%Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FLv.20-55Super RodRate 100%Route 209Lv.30-55Super RodRate 65%Eterna CityLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Lake AcuityLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Lake ValorLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Lake VerityLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Mt. Coronet - 4FLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Mt. Coronet - B1FLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Mt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Oreburgh Gate - B1FLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Pastoria CityLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Ravaged PathLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Resort AreaLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 203Lv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 204 - NorthLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 204 - SouthLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 205 - NorthLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 208Lv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 210 - NorthLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 212 - NorthLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 212 - SouthLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 214Lv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 218Lv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 225Lv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 227Lv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Route 228Lv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Sendoff SpringLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Twinleaf TownLv.30-55Super RodRate 55%Canalave CityLv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Celestic TownLv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Fuego IronworksLv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Iron Island - OutsideLv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Pokémon LeagueLv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Route 205 - SouthLv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Route 213Lv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Route 219Lv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Route 220Lv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Route 221Lv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Route 222Lv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Route 223Lv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Route 224Lv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Route 226Lv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Route 230Lv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Sunyshore CityLv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Valley WindworksLv.30-40Super RodRate 40%Great Marsh - Area 1Lv.40-55Super RodRate 15%Great Marsh - Area 2Lv.40-55Super RodRate 15%Great Marsh - Area 3Lv.40-55Super RodRate 15%Great Marsh - Area 4Lv.40-55Super RodRate 15%Great Marsh - Area 6Lv.40-55Super RodRate 15%or evolve from Magikarp (Step 1)
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
What is Magikarp Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Magikarp
In Diamond & Pearl, Raikou threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (501-590%).
 Breloom GrassFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureAdamant Moves View Breloom builds →
| ||
 Raikou Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureRash Moves
Damage vs Magikarp View Raikou builds →Thunderbolt 2x501-590%KO Aura Sphere149-175%KO | ||
Magikarp Evolutions
Magikarp evolves into Gyarados. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A decent partner pool 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
DP Magikarp Best Moveset
No competitive moves, no stats, no ability worth mentioning. The moveset is Splash, Tackle, and regret. Evolve to Gyarados immediately.
Best Build
Magikarp best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Flail
- Splash
- Tackle
- Bounce
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
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.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
It is said to be the world’s weakest Pokémon. No one knows why it has managed to survive.
It is unable to swim against even slow-moving currents. It always splashes about for some reason.
Magikarp Diamond & Pearl Guide
NPC trade on Route 226. Trade a Finneon to the fisherman on the island. This is an NPC trade, so the Magikarp you receive is yours immediately, no transfer cable needed.
In Diamond & Pearl, 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.
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 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves