So, you’re stuck with a fish that literally does nothing. It splashes. It flops. It looks at you with those giant, vacant eyes while a Pidgey pecsk its face in. It’s arguably the most famous "useless" creature in pop culture history. But if you’re asking what does Magikarp evolve into, you’re already on the verge of the biggest glow-up in gaming history.
Magikarp evolves into Gyarados.
It’s not just a change in stats; it’s a total metamorphosis from a pathetic orange carp into a 21-foot-long engine of pure, unadulterated rage. Honestly, the first time you see that "What? Magikarp is evolving!" screen, it feels like a genuine reward for your patience. You’ve dragged this dead weight through dozens of battles, switching it out immediately just to soak up a tiny bit of experience. And then, finally, at Level 20, the magic happens.
The Brutal Reality of Leveling Up
In the classic games—we’re talking everything from Red and Blue to the modern Scarlet and Violet—the magic number is 20.
But getting there is a chore. Magikarp doesn't even learn an attacking move until Level 15, when it finally picks up Tackle. Before that? You’re stuck with Splash, which the game literally describes as having "no effect."
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If you're playing the older titles, you’re probably using the "switch-training" method. You put Magikarp at the front of your party, start the battle, and then immediately swap it out for something that can actually win. It splits the EXP. It’s tedious. It’s slow. But it works.
Modern games have made this easier with the Exp. Share being permanently active, meaning Magikarp can just sit in your pocket and soak up the glory while your starter does the heavy lifting. Still, 20 levels feels like an eternity when your Pokémon’s only defense is hoping the opponent gets bored.
Why the 400 Candy Grind in Pokemon GO?
If you’re a mobile player, the rules change completely. In Pokemon GO, Magikarp doesn't care about levels. It cares about Candy. Specifically, 400 of them.
That is a massive number. Most Pokémon need 25 or 50. Some need 100. Magikarp? It wants a literal mountain of sweets before it decides to become a sea serpent.
Here is the kicker: you need to be careful about when you pull the trigger. There’s a famous "Special Research" quest involving the Mythical Pokémon Mew. One of the steps—Step 6, to be precise—explicitly requires you to evolve a Magikarp.
If you spend your 400 candies the day before you reach that quest step, you are going to be very, very sad. You’ll have to grind another 400 from scratch. Don't do that to yourself.
- Pro tip: Make Magikarp your Buddy. It only takes 1km of walking to earn a candy. It’s one of the shortest distances in the game, making the grind feel a lot more like a brisk hike than a marathon.
The Ancient Myth Behind the Fish
Ever wonder why a tiny fish turns into a giant dragon-looking thing? It’s not just random Japanese weirdness. It’s actually based on a very old Chinese legend called The Dragon Gate.
The story goes that there was a massive waterfall on the Yellow River. Thousands of carps would try to swim upstream, fighting the current, but almost all of them failed. However, if a single carp was determined enough to leap over the very top of the waterfall, the gods would recognize its perseverance and transform it into a powerful dragon.
That’s literally Magikarp. It’s the underdog story.
This is why, in the game New Pokémon Snap, you can actually trigger a Magikarp's evolution by knocking it into a waterfall. It’s a direct nod to the folklore that started it all.
Is Gyarados Actually Any Good?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Absolutely, yes.
Gyarados is a Water/Flying type. This is a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s immune to Ground-type moves like Earthquake, which is huge. On the other hand, it has a massive, 4x weakness to Electricity. If a Pikachu even looks at a Gyarados funny, it’s probably going down.
But look at the stats. Gyarados has an incredible Attack stat and access to Intimidate, an ability that automatically lowers the opponent's Attack just by switching in. In competitive play, it’s been a staple for decades. Whether it's using Dragon Dance to sweep teams or Waterfall to flinch opponents into submission, it’s a powerhouse.
The Mega Evolution and Beyond
In certain games (like X and Y or Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire), Gyarados can go even further with Mega Evolution. When it Mega Evolves, it ditches the Flying type and becomes Water/Dark. It gets bulkier, scarier, and hits like a freight train.
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Even without the Mega form, Gyarados is often the most reliable Pokémon you can find in a "Nuzlocke" challenge. Why? Because you can catch a Magikarp with an Old Rod in almost any body of water in the Pokémon world. It’s the "guaranteed" power play for any trainer who knows what they're doing.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that Magikarp is the only Pokémon with this kind of "weak-to-godly" evolution. While it's the most famous, others have followed in its splash-steps. Feebas, for example, is just as pathetic but evolves into the beautiful Milotic.
However, Feebas usually requires high "Beauty" stats or a special "Prism Scale" to evolve. Magikarp is simpler. It just needs grit. It just needs to hit Level 20.
Another thing? Don't let the "Flying" type fool you. Gyarados can't actually learn the move Fly in most games. It’s a cruel joke from Game Freak. It has wings (kinda), it’s a Flying type, but you’ll still need a Pidgey to get you from town to town.
Actionable Strategy for Trainers
If you’ve just caught a Magikarp, here is your path forward:
- Check the stats: In Pokemon GO, don't evolve anything under 3 stars unless it’s a Shiny (the golden one).
- Hold your candy: Again, wait for the Mew research quest. This is the biggest mistake players make.
- Use the Rare Candies: If you’re playing the main series and you’re sick of the switch-training, just dump five Rare Candies on it once it hits Level 15.
- Teach it Dragon Dance: As soon as it evolves, get that move on there. It’s the key to making Gyarados a monster.
Magikarp is a lesson in patience. It’s the ultimate "started from the bottom" story. You start with a fish that can't swim against a current, and you end with a beast that can level entire cities. That’s why we love it.
Now go find a body of water and start fishing. You’ve got a Level 20 goal to hit.