Gyarados

Last updated: 2026-06-03

Gyarados Overview

Gyarados is a Water/Flying-type Pokemon introduced in Generation 1 in the Kanto region. It evolves from Magikarp starting at level 20, representing one of the most dramatic transformations in Pokemon. From a weak, flopping fish to a massive, serpentine sea dragon, Gyarados is known as the Atrocious Pokemon for its violent temper.

Gyarados is a large, blue serpentine Pokemon with a white underbelly, red fins, and a fierce expression. Its Mega Evolution turns it into a Dark/Water-type with Mold Breaker ability, adding STAB on Crunch and bypassing opposing abilities like Intimidate and Levitate. Mega Gyarados gains 155 base Attack and 130 base Defense, making it a physical tank that can set up and sweep.

Battle Strategy

Gyarados's primary set is Dragon Dance. Intimidate gives it a free Defense boost on switch-in, helping it survive physical hits while setting up. After one Dragon Dance, Gyarados outspeeds most of the unboosted metagame. Waterfall provides STAB with flinch chance, and Earthquake covers Electric and Rock-types. Ice Fang hits Dragon and Grass-types, while Bounce provides additional coverage and a chance to paralyze.

Mega Gyarados trades Flying for Dark typing, gaining STAB on Crunch and a useful Ghost immunity. With Mold Breaker, it can hit Levitate users like Rotom-Wash with Earthquake. The Mega form's improved bulk lets it set up Dragon Dance more reliably, and its Attack reaches terrifying levels. A standard Mega Gyarados set runs Dragon Dance, Waterfall, Crunch, and Earthquake or Substitute.

Gyarados can also run a Choice Band set for immediate power. With 125 base Attack and STAB Waterfall, even resisted hits hurt. The combination of Intimidate and decent 95/79/100 bulk makes Gyarados an excellent pivot, able to check physical attackers and threaten the opponent offensively.

Evolution Chain

Competitive Usage

Gyarados has been a consistent OU-level threat across generations. Its ability to set up on physical attackers thanks to Intimidate makes it a reliable sweeper. In Smogon, Gyarados sits in OU where Dragon Dance sets are common. In VGC, Gyarados has seen use as a Dynamax candidate with Max Airstream boosting its team's Speed. The main checks to Gyarados are physically defensive Rotom-Wash (resists Water, neutral to Earthquake), bulky Grass-types like Tangrowth, and priority Electric moves from the likes of Tapu Koko or Regieleki. Mega Gyarados was a top-tier threat in Generation 6 and 7 UU before being banned to BL.

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