Magikarp, the iconic fish Pokémon, is notorious for its perceived weakness and limited movepool. But Can Magikarp Learn Any Moves beyond its infamous Splash? Let’s dive deep into this Pokémon’s capabilities and discover the truth.
Magikarp’s simple design belies its potential.
Magikarp’s Basic Moveset
Magikarp starts with only one move: Splash. This Normal-type move, sadly, deals no damage. It’s primarily a flavor move, reflecting Magikarp’s tendency to flop around uselessly. However, as Magikarp levels up, it does learn a couple of other moves.
Level-Up Moves: More Than Just Splash
Despite its reputation, Magikarp can learn more than just Splash. By leveling up, Magikarp eventually learns Tackle, a standard Physical attack move. It’s a small step up from Splash, at least allowing Magikarp to inflict some damage. It also learns Flail, a Normal-type move with varying power depending on the user’s remaining HP. The lower Magikarp’s HP, the stronger Flail becomes.
Magikarp may learn Splash early on, but it can learn other moves as it levels.
TMs, Egg Moves, and Move Tutors: No Luck for Magikarp
Unfortunately, Magikarp cannot learn any moves through TMs (Technical Machines) in most games. This severely limits its movepool compared to other Pokémon. Similarly, breeding Magikarp doesn’t grant it access to any Egg Moves. Move Tutors, NPCs that teach Pokémon specific moves, also don’t offer any new options for Magikarp.
Why Magikarp’s Movepool is So Limited
Magikarp’s limited moveset reflects its biological inspiration, the carp. Carp are not known for their offensive capabilities. Its evolution, Gyarados, embodies the transformation into a powerful creature, learning a wide variety of moves upon evolution. This design reinforces the narrative of Magikarp’s potential being realized through perseverance and growth.
Magikarp’s True Strength: Evolution
While Magikarp may not learn many moves, its true strength lies in its evolution. At level 20, Magikarp evolves into the formidable Gyarados, a Water/Flying-type Pokémon with a significantly expanded movepool and impressive stats. This transformation is a core aspect of Magikarp’s identity and a rewarding experience for trainers willing to invest in its growth.
Magikarp’s evolution into Gyarados unlocks a vast movepool.
Conclusion: Patience Pays Off
So, can Magikarp learn any moves besides Splash? Yes, but its options are severely limited. While Tackle and Flail offer slight improvements, its true potential is unlocked through evolution. Training a Magikarp requires patience and dedication, but the reward of a powerful Gyarados is well worth the effort. Magikarp’s journey exemplifies the importance of perseverance and the potential for hidden strength.
