Gyarados, the Atrocious Pokémon, is a dual-type Water/Flying Pokémon known for its immense power and destructive capabilities. Many trainers wonder if this formidable Pokémon can learn Ice Beam, a powerful Ice-type move. At LEARNS.EDU.VN, we’re dedicated to providing you with the most accurate and comprehensive information about Pokémon movesets, strategies, and training tips. Explore whether Gyarados can learn Ice Beam, how it learns it, and why it might be a valuable addition to its move pool.
1. Can Gyarados Learn Ice Beam?
Yes, Gyarados can indeed learn Ice Beam in many Pokémon games, primarily through the use of Technical Machines (TMs) or Move Tutors, depending on the specific game version. While it does not naturally learn Ice Beam through leveling up in most games, the compatibility with TMs makes it accessible. This ability enhances Gyarados’s versatility in battle, allowing it to counter its weaknesses effectively.
2. How Can Gyarados Learn Ice Beam?
Gyarados learns Ice Beam primarily through TMs or Move Tutors. Here’s a breakdown of how it works across different generations:
2.1. Technical Machines (TMs)
- Availability: In many Pokémon games, Ice Beam is available as a TM. TMs are items that, once obtained, can be used to teach specific moves to compatible Pokémon.
- Usage: To teach Gyarados Ice Beam, you need to obtain the TM for Ice Beam. Once you have it, select the TM from your bag and use it on Gyarados. The move will be added to its moveset, potentially replacing one of its existing moves.
2.2. Move Tutors
- Availability: Some Pokémon games feature Move Tutors who can teach certain moves to Pokémon in exchange for in-game currency or items.
- Process: If Ice Beam is available through a Move Tutor in your game, you can visit the tutor and have them teach Ice Beam to your Gyarados.
2.3. Specific Game Examples
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: In these games, Gyarados can learn Ice Beam through TM135.
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus: Gyarados can learn Ice Beam from a Move Tutor.
3. Why Teach Gyarados Ice Beam?
Teaching Gyarados Ice Beam can significantly enhance its competitive viability. Here’s why:
3.1. Type Coverage
- Addressing Weaknesses: Gyarados is a Water/Flying type, which makes it 4x weak to Electric-type moves and vulnerable to Rock-type moves. Ice Beam provides coverage against these weaknesses, particularly against Electric types.
- Versatility: Ice Beam allows Gyarados to hit Pokémon that resist its Water-type moves, offering a more versatile moveset.
3.2. Strategic Advantages
- Dealing with Grass Types: While Gyarados’s Flying type already gives it an advantage against Grass types, Ice Beam provides a more reliable and powerful option to take them down.
- Hitting Dragon Types: Ice Beam is super effective against Dragon-type Pokémon, which can be a significant threat in battles.
3.3. Competitive Battling
- Predictability: Many opponents might not expect Gyarados to have Ice Beam, making it a surprise move that can turn the tide of battle.
- Team Composition: A Gyarados with Ice Beam can fit well into various team compositions, providing valuable coverage and strategic options.
4. Alternative Ice-Type Moves for Gyarados
While Ice Beam is a popular choice, Gyarados can also learn other Ice-type moves that might be useful in specific situations:
| Move | Type | Category | Power | Accuracy | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Fang | Ice | Physical | 65 | 95 | Has a chance to freeze the target or cause flinching. Useful for physical-based sets. |
| Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | Lowers the target’s Speed stat. Can be useful for controlling the pace of battle. |
| Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | A more powerful Ice-type move, but with lower accuracy. Best used in hail teams where accuracy is improved. |
| Avalanche | Ice | Physical | 60 | 100 | Power doubles if the user is hit by the opponent before using the move. |
5. Gyarados’s Strengths and Weaknesses
To understand how Ice Beam fits into Gyarados’s overall strategy, it’s important to consider its strengths and weaknesses:
5.1. Strengths
- High Attack Stat: Gyarados boasts a high Attack stat, making it a formidable physical attacker.
- Intimidate Ability: Its Intimidate ability lowers the opponent’s Attack stat upon entering the battle, providing an immediate advantage.
- Mega Evolution: Mega Gyarados has even higher stats and the Mold Breaker ability, which ignores the opponent’s abilities, making it even more powerful.
- Versatile Movepool: Gyarados can learn a variety of moves, allowing it to adapt to different battle situations.
5.2. Weaknesses
- 4x Weakness to Electric: The Water/Flying typing makes Gyarados extremely vulnerable to Electric-type moves.
- Vulnerability to Rock: Rock-type moves are also a significant threat.
- Special Defense: Its Special Defense stat is relatively low, making it susceptible to special attacks.
- Status Conditions: Gyarados can be crippled by status conditions such as paralysis or burn.
6. Optimizing Gyarados’s Moveset
A well-rounded moveset can make Gyarados a formidable opponent. Here’s a sample moveset incorporating Ice Beam:
| Move | Type | Category | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfall | Water | Physical | Primary Water-type STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) move. |
| Ice Beam | Ice | Special | Coverage against Electric, Grass, and Dragon types. |
| Earthquake | Ground | Physical | Coverage against Electric types. |
| Dragon Dance | Dragon | Status | Boosts Attack and Speed, making Gyarados a powerful sweeper. |
6.1. Explanation of the Moveset
- Waterfall: A strong physical Water-type move that benefits from STAB, dealing significant damage.
- Ice Beam: Provides crucial coverage against types that resist Water-type moves, especially Electric and Grass.
- Earthquake: While Gyarados is weak to Electric-type moves, Earthquake offers complete coverage, hitting Steel-types that resist both Water and Ice, and provides more damage to Electric types.
- Dragon Dance: A setup move that boosts Gyarados’s Attack and Speed, turning it into a powerful sweeper.
6.2. Alternate Moves
Depending on your team composition and strategy, you might consider these alternative moves:
- Crunch: A Dark-type move that provides coverage against Ghost and Psychic types.
- Stone Edge: A Rock-type move that can deal with Flying types.
- Hyper Beam: A powerful Normal-type move for maximum damage output, but requires a recharge turn.
7. Training Gyarados Effectively
To maximize Gyarados’s potential, consider the following training tips:
7.1. EV (Effort Value) Training
- Attack: Maximize Gyarados’s Attack stat by training against Pokémon that yield Attack EVs.
- Speed: Invest in Speed EVs to ensure Gyarados can outspeed opponents after a Dragon Dance boost.
- HP: Consider allocating some EVs to HP to increase its overall bulk.
7.2. Nature
- Adamant: Increases Attack and decreases Special Attack. Ideal for a physical attacker like Gyarados.
- Jolly: Increases Speed and decreases Special Attack. Suitable for a fast sweeper.
7.3. Held Items
- Life Orb: Boosts the power of moves at the cost of some HP.
- Choice Band: Increases Attack but locks Gyarados into using the same move repeatedly.
- Leftovers: Provides passive HP recovery each turn.
8. Gyarados in Different Pokémon Games
Gyarados has been a staple in the Pokémon series since its introduction in Generation 1. Here’s a look at how it has evolved across different games:
| Game | Notable Features |
|---|---|
| Red/Blue/Yellow | Introduced as a powerful Water/Flying type. Its rarity made it a prized Pokémon. |
| Gold/Silver/Crystal | Retained its power and popularity. Shiny Gyarados was a guaranteed encounter in the Lake of Rage. |
| Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald | Access to new moves and abilities further enhanced its viability. |
| Diamond/Pearl/Platinum | Remained a strong contender in competitive battles. Introduction of new TMs expanded its movepool. |
| Black/White/Black 2/White 2 | Continued to be a relevant threat with access to powerful moves and abilities. |
| X/Y | Introduction of Mega Evolution significantly boosted its stats and changed its typing to Water/Dark. |
| Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire | Mega Evolution made it even more formidable in competitive play. |
| Sun/Moon/Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon | Retained its Mega Evolution and continued to be a strong choice for battles. |
| Sword/Shield | Access to new moves and Dynamax/Gigantamax forms added new dimensions to its gameplay. |
| Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl | Faithful remakes allowed trainers to relive classic Gyarados strategies. |
| Legends: Arceus | Unique gameplay mechanics allowed for new strategies and training methods. |
| Scarlet/Violet | Tera types and new moves offer exciting possibilities for Gyarados. |
9. How Gyarados’s Movepool Has Evolved
Gyarados has always been known for its versatility, but its movepool has changed over the generations.
| Move | Type | Category | Gen 1 | Gen 2 | Gen 3 | Gen 4 | Gen 5 | Gen 6 | Gen 7 | Gen 8 | Gen 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydro Pump | Water | Special | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ice Beam | Ice | Special | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flamethrower | Fire | Special | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt | Electric | Special | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Earthquake | Ground | Physical | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crunch | Dark | Physical | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waterfall | Water | Physical | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hurricane | Flying | Special | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Outrage | Dragon | Physical | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
10.1. Can Gyarados learn Ice Beam in Pokémon GO?
No, Gyarados cannot learn Ice Beam in Pokémon GO. Its Ice-type moves are limited to Ice Fang and Icy Wind.
10.2. What is the best nature for Gyarados?
Adamant (increases Attack, decreases Special Attack) or Jolly (increases Speed, decreases Special Attack) are generally considered the best natures for Gyarados.
10.3. How do I counter a Gyarados effectively?
Use strong Electric-type moves or Rock-type moves, taking advantage of its 4x weakness. Pokémon with high Special Defense can also withstand its attacks.
10.4. Is Mega Gyarados better than regular Gyarados?
Mega Gyarados has higher stats and the Mold Breaker ability, making it generally more powerful than regular Gyarados. However, it changes typing to Water/Dark, which changes its resistances and weaknesses.
10.5. What are some good teammates for Gyarados?
Pokémon that can cover its Electric and Rock weaknesses, such as Grass or Ground types, make good teammates. Pokémon that can set up entry hazards like Stealth Rock are also beneficial.
10.6. Can Gyarados learn Ice Punch?
No, Gyarados cannot learn Ice Punch.
10.7. Is Gyarados a good Pokémon for competitive battling?
Yes, Gyarados can be a strong choice for competitive battling, especially with a well-planned moveset, EV training, and a supportive team.
10.8. What is Gyarados’s hidden ability?
Gyarados’s hidden ability is Moxie, which boosts its Attack stat after knocking out another Pokémon.
10.9. How does Gyarados evolve from Magikarp?
Magikarp evolves into Gyarados at level 20.
10.10. Where can I find Gyarados in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
Gyarados can be found in various locations in Paldea, including Casseroya Lake and the seas surrounding the Paldean provinces.
Gyarados artwork by Ken Sugimori
Conclusion
Yes, Gyarados can learn Ice Beam in several Pokémon games, and it’s often a valuable addition to its moveset. By understanding how to teach Gyarados this move, its strengths and weaknesses, and how to optimize its training, you can make it a formidable member of your team. At LEARNS.EDU.VN, we strive to provide you with the best information and strategies to help you succeed in your Pokémon journey. Whether you’re a seasoned trainer or just starting, remember that continuous learning and adaptation are key to becoming a Pokémon master.
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