Why Did My Magikarp Not Evolve at Level 20?
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The short answer is: There are several potential reasons why your Magikarp didn’t evolve at level 20. The most common culprits are: it’s holding an Everstone, you accidentally interrupted the evolution process, or, in some games, the evolution needs to be manually triggered. Let’s dive into each possibility and other related issues you might be experiencing.
Understanding Magikarp’s Evolution
Magikarp, the notoriously weak Fish Pokémon, is known for its dramatic transformation into the powerful Gyarados. This evolution typically occurs at level 20, making it a key milestone for any Pokémon trainer. However, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Let’s investigate common reasons preventing this evolution.
1. The Everstone Effect
The Everstone is an item that prevents a Pokémon from evolving while it’s being held. If your Magikarp is holding an Everstone, it will not evolve, regardless of its level.
- How to Check: Go into your inventory, select your Magikarp, and check if it’s holding an item. If it is, and that item is an Everstone, remove it.
- What to Do: Remove the Everstone and level up Magikarp again. It should evolve immediately upon leveling up.
2. Interrupted Evolution
During the evolution sequence, most Pokémon games allow you to press a button (often ‘B’) to stop the evolution. If you pressed this button accidentally, the evolution will be canceled.
- The Scenario: You leveled up Magikarp to level 20, the evolution sequence started, and you inadvertently pressed ‘B’ or a similar button.
- The Solution: Level up Magikarp again. Even if it’s already above level 20, leveling it up one more time will re-trigger the evolution.
3. Manual Evolution Trigger (Specific Games)
Some Pokémon games, particularly mobile games like Pokémon GO, require you to manually trigger the evolution from the menu.
- How to Check: Go to your Pokémon storage, select Magikarp, and look for an “Evolve” button.
- The Process: If the “Evolve” button is present, tap it. Keep in mind that Pokémon GO also requires a specific amount of Candies for evolution (400 for Magikarp).
4. Insufficient Candies (Pokémon GO)
In Pokémon GO, the evolution process requires Candies, a resource specific to each Pokémon species. Magikarp requires a hefty 400 Magikarp Candies to evolve.
- How to Check: Look at Magikarp’s profile in Pokémon GO. You’ll see the Candy requirement displayed.
- Gathering Candies: Earn Candies by catching Magikarp, transferring them to Professor Willow, walking with Magikarp as your buddy, or using Rare Candies.
5. Level Cap (Unlikely)
While less common, there might be a level cap in some fan-made Pokémon games or ROM hacks. If your Magikarp reached a maximum level before evolving, it won’t evolve until the level cap is lifted.
- The Issue: Magikarp reaches the level cap before evolving, thus preventing it from evolving.
- The Solution: If you’re playing ROM hacks, there may not be a simple solution.
6. Glitches and Bugs
While rare, glitches can sometimes prevent Pokémon from evolving.
- The Possibility: A rare glitch or bug is interfering with the evolution process.
- Troubleshooting: Try restarting the game, updating the game, or contacting the game’s developers.
7. Game Specific Mechanics
Different games have their own specific mechanics. Always read the game instructions for details.
- Game Mechanics: Some Pokémon games have conditions for evolution which may not be as straight forward as leveling up.
- The Solution: Consult the game’s documentation or an online guide for specific requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Magikarp Evolution
Here are some frequently asked questions about Magikarp and its evolution into Gyarados:
1. What happens if my Magikarp is already level 25 and hasn’t evolved?
If your Magikarp is above level 20 and hasn’t evolved, the issue is likely one of the following: It’s holding an Everstone, you interrupted the evolution, the game requires manual evolution, or there are game specific evolution mechanics. Check these issues first.
2. Can a level 21 Magikarp still evolve?
Yes! As long as you address the reasons preventing the evolution (such as an Everstone), leveling up Magikarp again will trigger the evolution. Just level it up one more time.
3. Should I scold my Magikarp to make it evolve?
The concept of scolding a Magikarp to influence its evolution is specific to certain events, such as the “Slacker Magikarp” event in mobile games. In standard Pokémon games, scolding has no effect on evolution.
4. Is it worth training a Magikarp?
Absolutely! While Magikarp is weak, the payoff is significant. Gyarados is a powerful Water/Flying-type Pokémon with high attack stats. Training a Magikarp is a testament to your dedication as a trainer.
5. What level should you let Magikarp evolve?
Magikarp evolves at level 20. There’s no advantage to delaying the evolution. In fact, evolving it sooner lets you start training Gyarados earlier.
6. Why does it take 400 candies to evolve Magikarp in Pokémon GO?
The 400 Candy requirement reflects the dramatic increase in power that Magikarp experiences upon evolving into Gyarados. This change goes from about 150 CP to 1600 CP, so the Candies are worth it!
7. What is the 100% IV for Magikarp in Pokémon GO?
In Pokémon GO, a perfect Magikarp (15/15/15 IVs) has a CP of 235 at Level 30 and 255 at Level 35 (weather boosted). These numbers are essential for those looking for a perfect Gyarados.
8. What are Magikarp XL candies for?
XL Candies are used to level up Pokémon past Level 40 in Pokémon GO. They are much rarer than regular Candies, making the process of maximizing your Pokémon’s potential more challenging.
9. Why does Magikarp evolve into Gyarados?
Magikarp’s evolution into Gyarados is a reflection of its hidden potential and resilience. The weak, seemingly useless Magikarp harbors immense power that is unleashed upon evolution.
10. Should I hold off evolving Magikarp?
No. In most Pokémon games, the earlier you evolve Magikarp, the earlier you can train the stronger Gyarados. Don’t wait unless there are specific event-related reasons (e.g., certain moves learned only by Magikarp).
11. What will a 200 CP Magikarp turn into?
A 200 CP Magikarp can evolve into a 2,200 CP Gyarados, showing the dramatic power boost that Magikarp gets.
12. Can a water stone evolve Magikarp?
No, a Water Stone does not evolve Magikarp. Magikarp evolves through leveling up to Level 20 or higher while not holding an Everstone.
13. Why does Magikarp take so long to evolve?
In Pokémon GO, it’s more about the Candies than time. Magikarp doesn’t require walking to evolve (although walking can earn Candies), but you must earn 400 candies. It’s the Candy collection that takes time.
14. How many XL candies to level 50 Pokémon GO?
It costs 296 Candy XL to power up a regular Pokémon from Level 40 to Level 50. Shadow Pokémon require 360, and purified Pokémon require 272.
15. Why aren’t my Pokemon Go candies turning into XL candies?
In Pokemon GO, Players will need to trade x100 Candies to receive x1 Candy XL. That means players will either need to search for the wild version of the Pokemon they want to level.
The Joy of Evolution
Evolving Magikarp into Gyarados is one of the most rewarding experiences in the Pokémon world. It symbolizes perseverance and the potential hidden within even the weakest creatures. Understanding the mechanics of evolution and troubleshooting common issues ensures that you can fully enjoy this satisfying transformation.
Remember to engage with the Pokémon community, share your experiences, and explore resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/) to deepen your understanding of the games we all love. Enjoy your Pokémon journey!