Gyarados: Leveling Up and Mastering Water Moves

Gyarados, the Atrocious Pokémon, is a dual-type Water and Flying Pokémon known for its aggressive nature and immense power. This serpentine, dragon-like creature evolves from the seemingly weak Magikarp, embodying the classic mythological trope of a carp transforming into a dragon upon leaping over the Dragon Gate. This transformation is not just physical; it involves a complete restructuring of Gyarados's brain cells, leading to its notoriously violent temperament.

This article delves into how Gyarados learns Water-type moves as it levels up across various Pokémon games. It also explores its stats, best movesets, and its role in both player-versus-environment (PvE) and player-versus-player (PvP) battles.

Gyarados: Overview and Stats

Gyarados is a Generation 1 Pokémon with a distinctive blue body, a three-pointed dark blue crest, and four white dorsal fins. Its enormous size and sharp teeth further accentuate its intimidating presence. Typically, Gyarados weighs around 518.1 lbs (235 kg) and its height can reach an average of 6.5 m.

In Pokémon GO, Gyarados boasts a maximum Combat Power (CP) of 3834. Its key stats include:

Attack: 237
Defense: 186
Stamina: 216

Gyarados is particularly vulnerable to Electric-type moves due to its dual Water and Flying typing, and also has a weakness to Rock-type moves.

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Level-Up Moves: A Generational Overview

Gyarados learns a variety of moves through leveling up, with the specific moves and levels varying slightly between different Pokémon game generations. These moves include a mix of Water, Dragon, Normal, and Dark-type attacks, reflecting its diverse combat capabilities.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Gyarados learns moves through level-up, evolution, and move reminders. The exact list of moves and levels are specified in the game.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Similarly, in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Gyarados acquires moves through level-up and upon evolution. However, it does not learn any moves through breeding in these versions.

Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Colosseum, and XD

In these earlier generation games, Gyarados learns moves such as:

Thrash: A Normal-type move learned at level 1, involving a 2-3 turn rampage that confuses the user.
Bite: A Dark-type move learned at level 20, with a chance to cause flinching.
Dragon Rage: A Dragon-type move learned at level 25, always inflicting 40 HP damage.
Leer: A Normal-type move learned at level 30, lowering the opponent's defense.
Twister: A Dragon-type move learned at level 35, with a chance to cause flinching.
Hydro Pump: A Water-type move learned at level 40, delivering a high-power water blast.
Rain Dance: A Water-type move learned at level 45, boosting Water-type moves for 5 turns.
Dragon Dance: A Dragon-type move learned at level 50, increasing Attack and Speed.
Hyper Beam: A Normal-type move learned at level 55, a powerful attack that leaves the user immobile the next turn.

Fire Red and Leaf Green

The level-up moves for Gyarados in Fire Red and Leaf Green are identical to those in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, ensuring consistency in its move progression across these games.

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Technical Machines (TMs) and Technical Records (TRs)

In addition to level-up moves, Gyarados can learn a broad array of attacks via TMs and TRs, allowing for customization of its moveset to suit different battle strategies.

TM Moves

Gyarados can learn a variety of moves using TMs, including:

Water Pulse: A Water-type move that may confuse the foe.
Roar: A Normal-type move that forces the foe to flee.
Toxic: A Poison-type move that badly poisons the foe.
Hail: An Ice-type move that summons a hailstorm.
Hidden Power: A Normal-type move with varying effectiveness.
Taunt: A Dark-type move that forces the foe to only use attack moves.
Ice Beam: An Ice-type move that may freeze the foe.
Blizzard: An Ice-type move with a chance to freeze the foe.
Hyper Beam: A Normal-type move that requires a recharge turn.
Protect: A Normal-type move that protects the user from attacks.
Rain Dance: A Water-type move that boosts Water-type moves.
Frustration: A Normal-type move that is stronger when the user dislikes the trainer.
Thunderbolt: An Electric-type move that may paralyze the foe.
Thunder: An Electric-type move with a high chance of paralysis.
Earthquake: A Ground-type move that is ineffective on Flying-types.
Return: A Normal-type move that is stronger with high friendship.
Double Team: A Normal-type move that raises evasiveness.
Flamethrower: A Fire-type move that may burn the foe.
Sandstorm: A Rock-type move that creates a sandstorm.
Fire Blast: A Fire-type move with a high burn chance.

TR Moves

Specific TR moves can also be taught to Gyarados, further expanding its potential move pool.

Move Tutors

Move Tutors provide another avenue for Gyarados to learn moves, particularly in games with expansion passes like the Isle of Armor in Sword and Shield. These tutors require Armorite Ore to teach the moves.

Best Movesets for Gyarados

Selecting the best moves for Gyarados depends on the battle context, whether it's for Raids, Gym defense, or PvP combat.

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Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, the best moves for Gyarados are typically:

Fast Attack: Waterfall (Water-type) or Dragon Tail (Dragon-type)
Charged Attack: Hydro Pump (Water-type), Aqua Tail (Water-type), or Outrage (Dragon-type)

The optimal moveset balances damage output and energy efficiency. Waterfall and Hydro Pump provide substantial Water-type damage, while Dragon Tail and Outrage allow Gyarados to function as a pseudo-Dragon type.

PvE Analysis

Gyarados is a reliable Water-type attacker, especially effective against Ground Pokémon. While it may not outclass top-tier Water Pokémon or its own Mega Evolution in terms of DPS, its typing gives it an edge in certain situations. Being a Water and Flying-type, Gyarados is only weak to Electric and Rock-type damage, though its double weakness to Electric attacks can be a significant vulnerability.

PvP Analysis

In PvP battles, Gyarados can be a versatile pick, particularly in Ultra League and Master League.

Great League: Gyarados's stats are not optimized for Great League, making it less effective in this format.
Ultra League: Gyarados shines with its Dragon coverage, versatile moveset, and resistance to Ground moves, allowing it to counter threats like Dragonite, Swampert, and Giratina.
Master League: While not a top-tier choice, Gyarados can still threaten Dragon, Fairy, Psychic, and Steel-type Pokémon.

Moves like Dragon Breath, Aqua Tail, and Crunch can make Gyarados a formidable opponent against Dragons, especially when shields are in play. Waterfall is effective against Steel and Fairy Pokémon, providing a different strategic advantage.

Gyarados in Pokémon GO: Special CP Values

Gyarados's maximum CP at Level 50 is 3834. When caught from Raids, it typically ranges from 1855 CP to 1937 CP, or 2319 CP to 2422 CP when weather-boosted (Rainy or Windy weather). In Field and Special Research, it can be found in the 1391 CP to 1453 CP range.

Evolution Chart

Gyarados evolves from Magikarp, requiring 400 Magikarp Candy in Pokémon GO. This significant investment is often seen as worthwhile due to Gyarados's powerful capabilities.

Mega Evolution Boosts

Mega Pokémon can boost Gyarados's Water and Flying-type moves, providing additional advantages in Raids. These Mega Evolutions increase the attack power of all Pokémon in the Raid and grant extra Candy and Candy XL when catching Pokémon of the same type.

Catch Rates and Power-Up Costs

Gyarados has a base catch rate of 20% in Pokémon GO. Powering up Gyarados from Level 1 to Level 50 requires 520,000 Stardust, 304 Candy, and 296 Candy XL.

Gyarados in the Pokémon World

Gyarados is more than just a powerful Pokémon; it's a symbol of transformation and raw power. Its Pokédex entries often describe its destructive rampages and the structural changes in its brain upon evolving from Magikarp. Tales are told of Gyarados destroying entire towns in fits of rage, emphasizing its uncontrollable nature.

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