Introduction to Magikarp: The Underdog of Pokémon
Magikarp is one of the most iconic and misunderstood Pokémon in the franchise. Known for its seemingly useless nature and the infamous move “Splash,” Magikarp has long been considered a joke among players. But seasoned trainers know there’s more than meets the eye. This humble fish Pokémon has one of the most dramatic transformations in the game, evolving into the powerful and fearsome Gyarados.
Despite its weak start, Magikarp’s evolution is not only rewarding but essential for any player looking to add a powerful Water/Flying-type Pokémon to their team. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll answer the pressing question: What level does Magikarp evolve? We’ll also explore how to evolve it efficiently, what changes after evolution, and why it’s worth the effort.
Table of Contents
What Level Does Magikarp Evolve? A Quick Answer
Let’s get straight to the point. Magikarp evolves into Gyarados starting at level 20. No fancy evolution items, no special conditions—just pure experience points. Once Magikarp hits level 20, it will automatically prompt evolution the next time it levels up or after a battle.
This simplicity makes it one of the most straightforward evolutions in the game, but getting there can be a challenge due to Magikarp’s limited battle capabilities. The key to success is understanding how to train it efficiently.
The Evolution: Magikarp to Gyarados Explained
When Magikarp reaches level 20, it evolves into Gyarados, a dual Water/Flying-type Pokémon known for its intimidating appearance and powerful stats. The transformation is not just cosmetic; it marks a significant jump in power and utility.
Stat Changes:
- Magikarp: High Speed, very low Attack and virtually no other strengths.
- Gyarados: High Attack, solid Speed, and good HP. Gyarados also learns powerful moves like Bite, Hydro Pump, and Dragon Dance, making it a formidable opponent.
Type Change: While Magikarp is a pure Water-type, Gyarados becomes a Water/Flying-type, giving it new strengths and vulnerabilities. Notably, it’s now 4x weak to Electric-type moves.
Ability Upgrade: Most Gyarados retain the “Intimidate” ability, which lowers the opponent’s Attack stat upon entering battle. This adds a layer of tactical depth to your battles.
Why Level 20 Matters for Magikarp Evolution
Level 20 is the magic number for Magikarp’s evolution, and it has remained consistent across all mainline Pokémon games. This uniformity means players can plan around it without needing to reference different guides for each game.
At level 20:
- Magikarp gains access to meaningful evolution without needing items.
- You can start preparing for Gyarados’ move pool and stat gains.
- The training difficulty curve drops significantly as Gyarados can now hold its own in battle.
Level 20 is not arbitrary; it was designed as a reward point for players who invested time and effort into training what is otherwise a weak Pokémon.
How to Level Up Magikarp Faster
Training Magikarp can be frustrating due to its limited move set. In most games, its only move until level 15 is Splash, which does nothing. Later, it learns Tackle and eventually Flail, but neither is strong enough to win battles consistently.
Here are efficient ways to level up Magikarp:
1. Experience Share: Equip Magikarp with an EXP Share item. This allows it to gain experience without needing to fight.
2. Switch Training: Start a battle with Magikarp, then switch to a stronger Pokémon. Magikarp will still gain a portion of the experience.
3. EXP Candies (Pokémon Sword and Shield): Use EXP or Rare Candies to quickly boost Magikarp’s level. These are found in raids or bought with Battle Points.
4. Poké Jobs & Daycare (Modern Games): Send Magikarp on Poké Jobs or leave it at a Daycare to gain passive experience.
5. Battles with Weak Opponents: Target wild Pokémon that are easy to defeat if Magikarp knows Tackle or Flail.
Training Tips for Evolving Magikarp Efficiently
Efficiency is key when it comes to evolving Magikarp. Follow these strategies to save time and frustration:
– Train in High-Yield Areas: Places with strong but beatable wild Pokémon will yield more experience.
– Avoid Letting Magikarp Faint: It needs to survive to gain experience. Using potions and status healers is essential.
– Use Lucky Egg: This item boosts the amount of experience your Pokémon earns.
– Team Synergy: Pair Magikarp with Pokémon that can quickly end battles so you can grind faster.
– Stack Buffs: In some games, abilities or auras can increase EXP gain. Take advantage of them.
With a focused approach, you can evolve Magikarp in under an hour of gameplay, depending on your game version.
What Level Does Magikarp Evolve in Different Games?
Interestingly, Magikarp evolves at level 20 in all mainline Pokémon games, but how you get there varies slightly depending on the mechanics of each title.
Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow: You’ll mostly rely on Switch Training. The EXP Share item doesn’t exist yet.
Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal: EXP Share becomes available, making training easier.
Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald: Daycare and EXP Share are useful for passive and active training.
Pokémon Sword and Shield: Use EXP Candies and Poké Jobs to level up Magikarp quickly.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus & Scarlet/Violet: Open-world training allows more freedom to choose where and how to train.
Is It Worth Evolving Magikarp Early?
Yes, evolving Magikarp as soon as possible is highly recommended. While some players might want to delay evolution to learn certain moves earlier or for Pokédex completion, the benefits of having Gyarados far outweigh any minor advantages of holding off.
Pros of Early Evolution:
- Gyarados is significantly more useful in battle.
- Easier to train further due to better moves and stats.
- Unlocks compatibility with TMs and HMs not available to Magikarp.
Cons of Early Evolution:
- Missing out on Magikarp-specific moves (though limited).
- Some players may want to keep Magikarp for challenge runs.
How Magikarp’s Evolution Has Changed Across Generations
Although the level requirement hasn’t changed, how players experience the evolution has. Earlier games offered fewer tools, requiring more effort. Later generations introduced quality-of-life improvements:
- Gen 1-3: Basic training, no EXP Share for team-wide gains.
- Gen 4-6: Introduction of better items and smoother leveling systems.
- Gen 7-9: EXP Share is automatically applied to all team members. Combined with EXP Candies and Poké Jobs, this makes Magikarp evolution faster than ever.
The essence of evolving Magikarp remains the same, but the journey has become significantly less tedious over time.
What Level Does Magikarp Evolve in Pokémon GO?
Unlike the mainline games, Magikarp evolves in Pokémon GO using Candy instead of levels. Specifically, you need 400 Magikarp Candy to evolve it into Gyarados.
This hefty requirement makes it one of the most challenging evolutions in the mobile game. Here’s how to collect Candy faster:
- Walk with Magikarp as your Buddy.
- Catch Magikarp frequently.
- Use Pinap Berries to double Candy rewards.
- Transfer extra Magikarp to Professor Willow.
- Participate in Water-type events.
Despite the grind, Gyarados is a top-tier Water-type attacker in Pokémon GO, making the effort worthwhile.
Best Moves to Teach Gyarados After Evolution
Once you evolve your Magikarp, it’s time to optimize Gyarados for battle. Here are some top moves you should consider:
Physical Attack Set:
- Waterfall
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
Special Attack Set:
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt (via TM)
- Rain Dance
Competitive Set:
- Dragon Dance
- Bounce (Flying-type STAB)
- Substitute
- Waterfall
In Pokémon GO:
- Fast Move: Waterfall or Dragon Tail
- Charged Move: Hydro Pump, Crunch, or Outrage
Gyarados can also Mega Evolve in certain games, increasing its Attack and changing its typing to Water/Dark.
Should You Use Rare Candies on Magikarp?
Rare Candies can be a great way to bypass the grind, but should you use them on Magikarp?
Use Rare Candies if:
- You’re in a hurry and want a quick Gyarados.
- Magikarp is under-leveled and can’t battle effectively.
- You have a surplus of Rare Candies and no better use.
Avoid using Rare Candies if:
- You enjoy the traditional grind and progression.
- You’re saving them for hard-to-train Legendary Pokémon.
Ultimately, it depends on your playstyle. There’s no wrong answer, but for efficiency, Rare Candies are a great shortcut.
Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Your Magikarp
Magikarp may start as one of the weakest Pokémon in the series, but its evolution into Gyarados is among the most satisfying transformations. Knowing what level does Magikarp evolve (level 20) is just the beginning. With the right training strategy, tools, and timing, you can unlock one of the most powerful and iconic Pokémon in your game.
Whether you’re a new trainer or a seasoned veteran, raising a Magikarp offers a classic Pokémon experience rooted in patience and reward. So next time you catch that flopping fish, know that greatness lies just 20 levels away.
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