How to Evolve Magikarp

Last Updated: May 17, 2021

Magikarp is one of the most iconic Pokémon, if only because of how weak and useless it is. If you're feeling up to a challenge, you can try raising your Magikarp to Level 100, but most players will want to evolve it as soon as possible into its much more terrifying form, Gyarados. If you're playing Pokémon X, Y, Alpha Sapphire, Omega Ruby, Sun, or Moon you can even take your Gyarados to the next level using a Mega Stone.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Evolving Magikarp

1
Decide if you want to evolve. While there isn't really any benefit to leveling up Magikarp longer than you have to in order to get it to evolve, there are some cases when keeping a Magikarp may be more desirable.
- A Shiny Magikarp is a very good trophy, and the Pokémon that it evolves into (Shiny Gyarados) is one of the most common Shiny Pokémon in the game.
- You can try to raise a Magikarp to Level 100 for a challenge. A Level 100 Magikarp will also make for pretty good trading stock, as it's really tough to get.
- At Level 30, Magikarp learns Flail. This is a very powerful move if your Pokémon is injured, which can make it a risky choice. If Flail suits your playstyle, it can be one of Gyarados's most powerful moves, and may be worth holding the evolution off until your Magikarp has learned it.
2
Raise Magikarp to at least Level 20 to evolve it. Magikarp will start trying to evolve once it reaches Level 20. You can keep it from evolving by holding "B" during the evolution, or you can let it evolve into Gyarados.
- See the next section for some ways to get Magikarp to Level 20 easily.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Ways to Easily Train Magikarp

1
Send Magikarp into a battle and then immediately switch it out. You'll need to do this for most battles, as Magikarp doesn't have any attacks in its lower levels. As long as the Magikarp is in for one round, it will get a share of the experience.
2
Equip Magikarp with an Exp Share. This is an item that allows the Pokémon holding it to receive a portion of the experience gained from a battle, even if it didn't participate. It will still need to be in the active party, but you don't have to worry about switching it in and out of battles.
3
Send Magikarp to the Day Care Center. You can drop Magikarp off at the Day Care Center in the game to have it automatically gain experience. This will take a while, since the experience gain in the Day Care is slow, but you don't have to fight any battles or keep it in your active party.
- Your Magikarp won't evolve in the Day Care Center, even if it surpasses Level 20. It will immediately try to evolve after its first battle when you retrieve it if it meets the level requirements.
4
Feed your Magikarp Rare Candies. If you have a stack of Rare Candies, you can quickly get your Magikarp up to the level that you want. When you feed it a candy that turns it from Level 19 to Level 20, it will start to evolve.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Evolving Gyarados into Mega Gyarados

1
Obtain and upgrade your Mega Ring (X and Y). In order to evolve Gyarados into Mega Gyarados, you will first need to get your Key Stone, which is embedded in a Mega Ring. To obtain the Mega Ring, you'll need to defeat your rival and then earn the Rumble Badge at Shalour Gym. Take the badge to the top of the Tower of Mastery to receive the Mega Ring.^{[1]
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- After obtaining the Mega Ring, you'll need to upgrade it by defeating your rival again in Kiloude City. Professor Sycamore will upgrade your ring after the battle.
- Click here for more details on the Mega Evolution process in X and Y.
2
Defeat Groudon or Kyogre (Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby). In order to gain access to the Mega Stones in Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby, you'll need to defeat the Legendary Pokémon first. This is Kyogre in Alpha Sapphire and Groudon in Omega Ruby.^{[2]
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3
Find the Gyaradosite. This is the Mega Stone required to evolve Gyarados into its Mega form during a battle. The location of the Gyaradosite will depend on the version of the game you are playing. the ground will sparkle where the Gyaradosite is located.
- X and Y - You can find the Gyaradosite in Couriway Town near the three waterfalls on the east side.
- Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby - Find Chomper the Poochyena on Route 123. You can find him at the 123 Go Fish shop. Give Chomper a scratch to receive the Gyaradosite.
4
Give your Gyarados the Gyaradosite to hold. This is required in order for it to Mega Evolve during battle.
5
Select "Mega Evolve" during battle to turn into Mega Gyarados. You can only have one Mega Evolution active per battle. It will keep its Mega form if you switch it out during battle with another Pokémon. The Mega Evolution will last until the battle is over or the Gyarados faints.

Community Q&A

Question

I couldn't find the Gyradosite near the waterfalls. Do I have to try at a certain time?

Community Answer

Yes, you have to go to the waterfalls at night time to obtain Gyradosite.
Question

Will a level 100 Magikarp evolve into Gyarados using poke blocks in the poke oras?

Lugia2453

Top Answerer

A level 100 Magikarp will be unable to evolve in the first place, due to it evolving by level. You're also thinking of Feebas, who evolves by that method, not Magikarp.
Question

Can Magikarp learn any moves other than splash?

Bun bun

Top Answerer

Yes. It learns moves such as Flail, Tackle and Celebrate.