How to Find (& Catch) Gyarados in Pokémon Sword & Shield
Pokémon Sword & Shield is the latest entry in the long-running Pokémon franchise. It is a strange series because although it is geared and marketed towards kids, many of its players are adults, and in fact grew up with the earlier Pokémon games. The most familiar Pokémon are the 151 that first appeared in Pokémon Red and Blue over twenty years ago.
As such, many are familiar with Gyarados. At this point, it’s common knowledge that the Gyarados is the evolution of Magikarp, the flopping fish Pokémon. Magikarp would likely be the most useless Pokémon in the series were it not for its evolution into Gyarados and a strangely endearing mobile game. Both Magikarp and Gyarados can be found in Pokémon Sword & Shield as well.
Gyarados is a dual water-type and flying-type Pokémon. It can be found in water areas. Specifically, it appears in the main game in East Lake Axewell, in the Wild Area. However, it also shows up in the DLC expansion, Isle of Armor. In fact, it can be found swimming around in any of the seas surrounding the island. This includes the Workout Sea, Stepping-Stone Sea, Insular Sea, and Honeycalm Sea, as well as the Loop Lagoon. While it appears in any type of weather, the chances that it will do so are very rare but keep pedaling around and one might appear. Do beware of Sharpedos though.
Using a Quick Ball is one of the easiest ways to catch the Gyarados, provided it works. Throw the Quick Ball at the Gyarados at the start of the battle, and it is possible to catch it before it can even dish out an attack. There is a chance that the Gyarados will escape, meaning a fight is likely. It might be necessary to get it to low health before capturing. As it is both a water-type and a flying-type Pokémon, Gyarados is very weak to electric-type attacks. Be careful not to overdo it, because if the Gyarados faints, the opportunity to capture it is gone. It is best to use status effects too, such as making the Gyarados fall asleep.
If finding the Gyarados is proving to be difficult, then evolving one from a Magikarp is an alternate option. Magikarp shows up in all the areas mentioned previously but has a much greater chance of appearing. All that is needed for a Magikarp to evolve into a Gyarados is for it to reach level 20. While Magikarp is not much of a fighter, it only needs to be part of the player’s party to gain experience.
Pokémon Sword & Shield is available now on Nintendo Switch.