What is the Best Pokémon to Catch Gyarados? A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to catching the powerful and majestic Gyarados, the “best” Pokémon isn’t about one single entity, but rather a roster of strategic choices. Gyarados, a Water/Flying-type Pokémon, boasts impressive stats and a formidable presence. Therefore, trainers need to arm themselves with Electric-type Pokémon primarily, as these are super effective against both Water and Flying-types. Considering the sheer bulk and power Gyarados possesses, utilizing Shadow or Mega Evolved versions of these counters will significantly increase your chances of success.

Here’s a detailed look at the top Pokémon to use when confronting Gyarados:

• Mega Manectric: With its exceptional Attack stat and Electric-type moves, Mega Manectric stands as one of the top choices. It will quickly dispatch Gyarados, especially if your Mega Manectric has a high IV spread.

• Shadow Raikou: Raikou is known for its Electric-type power, and Shadow Raikou is a serious powerhouse. Be wary of the damage output, but the increased damage output makes it perfect for taking out Gyarados fast.

• Xurkitree: As a pure Electric-type, Xurkitree’s high attack stat can deal massive damage to Gyarados. The sheer offensive capability makes it a fantastic counter.

• Shadow Magnezone: With its dual Electric/Steel typing, Shadow Magnezone offers good damage output and decent bulk, making it a resilient option for repeated battles. This bulk will be important if you’re facing Gyarados with charge moves that aren’t super effective, but are still powerful.

• Shadow Electivire: Shadow Electivire’s raw Electric-type attack power makes it a good choice to take on Gyarados head-on. Electivire hits fast, which can be helpful when facing a powerful Pokémon.

• Shadow Zapdos: This Electric/Flying-type is a natural fit. Zapdos has strong attack moves and excellent durability, especially its Shadow variant.

While these are some of the best counters, it’s important to note that other Electric-type Pokémon such as Therian Forme Thundurus and Zekrom can also be useful. The key factor is having Pokémon with high Electric-type damage output and the resilience to withstand Gyarados’ attacks. Avoid using Water, Grass, and Bug-type Pokémon as they are ineffective or weak against Gyarados’ Water and Flying-type moves.

The catch rate of Gyarados is standard at 45/255, similar to other Pokémon like Stantler and Smeargle. This means a strategic approach is crucial. Using status moves that cause sleep or paralysis is critical in increasing your chance of capturing Gyarados. Furthermore, using Ultra Balls, Golden Razz Berries, and Excellent Throws during the encounter increases the likelihood of a successful capture.

Understanding Gyarados

Gyarados’ Type and Abilities

Gyarados is a dual-type Water/Flying Pokémon. This typing means it’s vulnerable to Electric and Rock-type attacks, while being resistant to Steel, Fire, Water, and Bug-type attacks.

Why Gyarados is a Difficult Catch

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, catching Gyarados can be difficult because it’s often found flying high above ground level. This requires the use of specialized Wing, Feather, or Jet Balls, which can travel long distances to reach Gyarados. These Poké Balls are essential for trainers attempting to catch Gyarados from a distance in this game.

Gyarados’s Unique Characteristics

Gyarados has a fierce temper, and is known for destructive tendencies, which are attributed to the dramatic structural changes to the brain during evolution. It is also capable of learning a diverse range of attacks including Water, Ice, Poison, Thunder, and even Fire-type attacks. Despite its dragon-like appearance, Gyarados is not a Dragon-type, though it can learn Dragon-type moves.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gyarados

1. Can you find a wild Gyarados in Pokémon Go?

While Gyarados is not as common as some Pokémon, it can be found in the wild in Pokémon GO. However, it’s considered a rare find outside of special events.

2. What is the Rarest Gyarados?

The most rare and valuable Gyarados item is the Gold Star Shiny Rare Holographic #102 card from the 2006 EX Holon Phantom set. However, in games, a Shiny Red Gyarados is the rarest encounter of the species.

3. How do you get a red Gyarados in Pokémon Go?

A Shiny Gyarados will always be red, in all of the Pokémon games, including Pokémon GO. Shiny Pokémon are encountered at random and can be identified when they appear as an alternate color in the battle screen. You must attempt to catch them to reveal if they are a shiny.

4. What Pokémon Evolve into Gyarados?

Magikarp evolves into Gyarados when it reaches level 20. You can also use Exp. Candies or Rare Candies to speed up the process.

5. Is Gyarados a Dragon-type Pokémon?

No, Gyarados is not a Dragon-type Pokémon. It is a Water/Flying-type Pokémon, despite its dragon-like design and ability to learn Dragon-type moves.

6. Can Gyarados fly in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

Yes, in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Gyarados can be seen flying above the player in the Obsidian Fieldlands. The game features the Pokemon flying in a circle.

7. Can Mega Gyarados fly?

While Mega Gyarados can hover, it cannot soar high into the air like a bird or learn the move “Fly”. Additionally, it does not possess the Levitate ability.

8. How Rare is a Red Gyarados?

Any Shiny Gyarados will be red. Though the easiest way to find a red Gyarados was in the Lake of Rage in earlier generations, you can find any shiny, red, Gyarados by encounter with normal shiny rates of 1/8192.

9. Who can defeat Gardevoir?

The best Pokémon GO counters for Gardevoir are Mega Gengar, Shadow Metagross, Shadow Chandelure, Mega Banette, Metagross, and Mega Beedrill.

10. What is Gyarados’ catch rate?

The catch rate for Gyarados is 45/255, which is equivalent to Pokémon like Stantler and Smeargle.

11. Is a Gyarados considered rare?

Gyarados can be considered a rare Pokémon. Its shiny form, Red Gyarados, is even rarer and highly sought after.

12. Does Gyarados have three types?

While Gyarados is primarily Water/Flying, it changes to Water/Dark when it undergoes Mega Evolution. Gyarados can learn moves from other types.

13. Is Gyarados a Legendary Pokémon?

Gyarados is not a legendary Pokémon. Its pre-evolution, Magikarp, is common, both in the wild and in games and anime, which makes it not a legendary species.

14. Is the Red Gyarados always female?

No, the Red Gyarados is not always female. It is always male in games, due to the way it is programmed into earlier generation games, but female shiny Gyarados also exist.

15. Why is Gyarados so angry?

Gyarados’ anger is due to the dramatic structural changes in its brain during evolution. This causes a constant state of frenzy until it destroys its surroundings.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Gyarados and employing strategic counters, you can effectively capture this powerful Pokémon and add it to your roster. Remember to be patient, use appropriate items, and exploit Gyarados’s vulnerabilities for a successful encounter.