Magikarp (Pokémon)
From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
| Magikarp コイキング Koiking | |
 Artwork from FR/LG | |
| National Dex | #129 |
|---|---|
| Johto Dex | #076 |
| Hoenn Dex | #052 |
| Sinnoh Dex | #023 |
| Fiore Browser | R-124 |
| Almia Browser | R— |
| Type | Water |
| Species | Fish Pokémon |
| Height | 2′11″ (0.9m) |
| Weight | 22.0 lbs. (10.0kg) |
| Ability | Swift Swim |
| Egg groups | Water 2 |
| Dragon | |
| Time to hatch | 1,280 steps |
| Effort yield | 1 Spd |
| Exp. yield | 20 base exp. |
| Lv100 at | 1,250,000 exp. |
| Gender | 50% ♀ / 50% ♂ |
| Pokédex color | Red |
| Catch rate | 255 |
| |
Magikarp (Japanese: コイキング Koiking) is a Water-type Pokémon found in nearly every body of water in the Pokémon universe.
Due to its low stats and the fact that it only has the move Splash until level 15, Magikarp is often considered the weakest Pokémon in existence.
Magikarp has the ability Swift Swim, which doubles the Pokémon's Speed whenever it rains.
Magikarp evolves into Gyarados starting at Level 20.
Contents |
Biology
Physiology
Magikarp is a medium sized orange fish. Its notable characteristics include large, heavy scales. Its fins are primarily white, but it has a stiff, three-peaked fin on its back and another on its stomach which are both yellow. It also has long barbels.
Gender differences
A female has white barbels.
Special abilities
Magikarp is notable in the fact that it has no real special powers. Despite this however, people and scientists alike wonder how it can still survive in the wild. They are also capable in living in waters no matter how polluted they are.
Behavior
Although this Pokémon is capable of surviving in even the most polluted ponds, it is usually overlooked by trainers because it is pathetically weak: even in the heat of battle it will do nothing but flop around. It is not a strong swimmer, and currents in the water will sweep it downstream. They are normally seen using Splash, which is unusual, as it makes them easy targets to predators. It is believed that the ancestors of this Pokémon were much stronger than the Magikarp seen today, this belief has led scientists to research this species.
Habitat
Found in bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. However, due to its weak swimming ability it usually lives downstream of the water's flow.
Diet
Main article: Pokémon food
In the anime
Several episodes, the first one being in Battle Aboard the St. Anne, involve a particular salesman trying to sell certain Pokémon to someone. The person he is usually trying to con is James and he usually sells Magikarp, claiming that they're very valuable.
Team Rocket used a Magikarp-shaped submarine during the Orange Islands.
In The Joy of Pokémon, a Nurse Joy from the Orange Islands befriended a giant Magikarp that saved her as a child. It evolved into an equally large Gyarados, but it remained friendly.
In The Wacky Watcher, Ash, Misty and Tracey help a Pokémon Watcher named Quincy T. Quackenpoker observe the migration and evolution of a school of Magikarp.
Another, in Ya See We Want an Evolution, was nicknamed the strongest.
In the manga
In the Pokémon Special manga
Magikarp was seen at the Lake of Rage, being forcibly evolved into Gyarados.
In the TCG
- Main article: Magikarp (TCG)
Game data
Pokédex entries
| Gen | Game | Pokédex entry |
|---|---|---|
| I | Red | In the distant past, it was somewhat stronger than the horribly weak descendants that exist today. |
| Blue | ||
| Yellow | Famous for being very unreliable. It can be found swimming in seas, lakes, rivers and shallow puddles. | |
| Stadium | Whoever its opponent, and however horrible the attack it receives, all it does is Splash around. | |
| II | Gold | An underpowered, pathetic Pokémon. It may jump high on rare occasions, but never more than seven feet. |
| Silver | For no reason, it jumps and splashes about, making it easy for predators like Pidgeotto to catch it mid-jump. | |
| Crystal | This weak and pathetic Pokémon gets easily pushed along rivers when there are strong currents. | |
| Stadium 2 | An underpowered, pathetic Pokémon. It may jump high on rare occasions, but never more then seven feet. | |
| III | Ruby | Magikarp is a pathetic excuse for a Pokémon that is only capable of flopping and splashing. This behavior prompted scientists to undertake research into it. |
| Sapphire | Magikarp is virtually useless in battle as it can only splash around. As a result, it is considered to be weak. However, it is actually a very hardy Pokémon that can survive in any body of water no matter how polluted it is. | |
| Emerald | Its swimming muscles are weak, so it is easily washed away by currents. In places where water pools, you can see many Magikarp deposited there by the flow. | |
| FireRed | It is virtually worthless in terms of both power and speed. It is the most weak and pathetic Pokémon in the world. | |
| LeafGreen | In the distant past, it was somewhat stronger than the horribly weak descendants that exist today. | |
| IV | Diamond | It is said to be the world's weakest Pokémon. No one knows why it has managed to survive. |
| Pearl | It is unable to swim against even slow-moving currents. It always splashes about for some reason. |
Game locations
| Gen | Game | Rarity | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Pokémon Red and Blue | Common | Fish with Old Rod |
| Pokémon Yellow | Common | Fish with Old Rod | |
| II | Pokémon Gold and Silver | Common | Fish with Old or Good Rod |
| Pokémon Crystal | Common | Fish with Old or Good Rod | |
| III | Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire | Common | Fish with Old or Good Rod |
| Pokémon Emerald | Common | Fish with Old or Good Rod | |
| Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen | Common | Fish with Old Rod | |
| Pokémon Colosseum | None | Trade | |
| Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness | None | Trade | |
| IV | Pokémon Diamond and Pearl | Common | Fish with Old Rod |
| Pal Park | Pond |
In side games
| Game | Location |
|---|---|
| Pokémon Snap | Beach, Tunnel, Volcano, River, Cave and Valley |
| Pokémon Channel | Secret Cove |
| Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire | Ocean (Ruby Field) |
| Pokémon Trozei! | SOL Laboratory 3 Secret Storage 5 Secret Storage 19 Mr. Who's Den |
| Pokémon Mystery Dungeon | Waterfall Pond (7F-11F) |
| Pokémon Ranger | Safra Sea Sekra Mountain Range |
Magikarp will not appear in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team until a rescue mission involving it has been completed, using the following Wonder Mail code:
- X ? ? S ? ? X ? 4 6 8 ?
- ♀ + ? ? 9 7 5 6 S Y ? ?
- Objective: Rescue Magikarp on floor 12 of Stormy Sea.
Base stats
| HP: | 20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Attack: | 10 | |
| Defense: | 55 | |
| Special: | 20 | |
| SpAtk: | 15 | |
| SpDef: | 20 | |
| Speed: | 80 |
The Special stat was used only in Generation I; it was later split into Special Attack and Special Defense.
Type effectiveness
| Weakness | Resistance | |
|---|---|---|
Learnset
Magikarp is capable of learning the following moves.
Moves in bold are damage moves to which STAB apply.
By leveling up
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By TM/HM
Magikarp cannot learn any moves by TM or HM.
By breeding
Magikarp cannot learn any moves by breeding.
By tutoring
Magikarp cannot learn any moves by tutoring.
TCG-only Moves
Side game data
| Pokémon Pinball | ||
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition: Catch | 
|
| Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire | ||
| Acquisition: Catch | 
|
| Pokémon Trozei! | ||
| Rarity: Common |
|
| Pokémon Mystery Dungeon | ||
| Body size: 1 | Recruit Rate: 9.2% | Friend Area: Waterfall Lake |
| Phrases | ||
| 51%-100% HP | I'm the world's weakest Pokémon. You knew that, yes? | |
| 26%-50% HP | Huh? Look, my health is down by half already. | |
| 1%-25% HP | I'm not much good now. I have almost no HP left. | |
| Level Up | Look, my level went up! But I'm probably still weak... | |
| Pokémon Ranger | ||
Group: 
| Loops: 1 | Minimum Experience: - |
| Poké Assist:
| Field Move: None | Maximum Experience: - |
| Magikarp appears to be only capable of flopping about helplessly. | ||
Evolution
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Basic
Magikarp
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Sprites
For other sprites and images, please see Magikarp images on Bulbagarden Archives.Trivia
- The Salesman who appears in the anime is probably based in a shady guy that can be found inside of the Pokémon Center at the entrance of Mt. Moon in Generation I games and in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. The price of the Magikarp is
500. He does not give any refunds. Another nearby character complains about being conned.
- Magikarp is generally considered to be the weakest Pokémon in any of the games. Because of this, the nickname "Magikrap" is common among trainers.
- Magikarp, as well as Gyarados, has been in all four regional Pokédexes.
- A glitch in the early Japanese games, Red, Blue and Green, allowed players to transform their Magikarp into a Mew. However, this Mew was not registered in the Pokédex, did not have the same stats nor moves, and caused some major glitches to the player's items pack.
- Even though Magikarp is said to be the weakest Pokémon in existence, there are seven Pokémon weaker than it in terms of base stat average. Actually, Sunkern is the weakest, with only 180 total base stats. However, Sunkern learns many moves, while Magikarp only learns Tackle and Flail. In addition, Sunkern yields much more experience when defeated.
- Magikarp, along with Surskit and Wingull, is the only Water-type that cannot learn Surf.
- Magikarp is one of fourteen Pokémon that one could collect foreign Pokédex entries for.
Origin
Magikarp is based on a legend about how carp that leapt over the Dragon Gate would become dragons. Several waterfalls and cataracts in China are believed to be the location of the Dragon Gate. This legend is an allegory of the drive and efforts needed to overcome obstacles.
Name origin
Magikarp's name is a combination of magic and carp. It may also the combination of magi, which means "king", and carp. Its Japanese name is a combination of 鯉 koi, carp, and the English word king.
In other languages
Related articles
External links
| This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species. |
