Magikarp is one of the most ironic Pokémon because it's weak and useless. If you feel like a challenge, you can try raising a Magikarp until it reaches level 100, but most players want to evolve it quickly into a much more sinister form, namely Gyarados. If you're playing Pokémon X, Y, Alpha Sapphire, or Omega Ruby, you can make Gyarados reach the next level of evolution using Mega Stones.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making the Magikarp Evolved
Step 1. Decide if you want Magikarp to evolve
While there is no benefit whatsoever from delaying the evolution of Magikarp until it reaches a level beyond what is required to evolve, there are cases that you can consider delaying the evolution of Magikarp.
- Shiny Magikarp is an excellent decoration, and its ability to evolve into Shiny Gyarados, which is one of the most common Shiny Pokémon in the game.
- You can try to raise the Magikarp until it reaches level 100 to challenge yourself. A level 100 Magikarp is also great to offer others when swapping Pokémon, as getting them isn't easy.
- At level 30, Magikarp will learn the Flail skill. Flail is a very powerful skill when a Pokémon is injured, so it can be a risky choice. If Flail fits your style of play, Flail could be one of the strongest skills Gyarados has, and it might be worth it for you to hold off on Magikarp's evolution until it's learned.
Step 2. Keep Magikarp at least level 20 in order to evolve
Magikarp will start trying to evolve once it reaches level 20. You can prevent it from evolving by holding down the "B" button while the evolution is in progress, or you can let it evolve into Gyarados.
See the next section to learn some ways to get Magikarp to reach level 20 easily
Part 2 of 3: Easy Ways to Train Magikarp
Step 1. Send Magikarp into battle, then immediately replace Magikarp with another Pokémon
You'll need to do this in most battles as Magikarp doesn't have any attack skills in early levels. As long as Magikarp is in the fight for one round, the experience of the fight will still be shared for him.
Step 2. Install Exp Share to Magikarp
An Exp Share is an item that allows the Pokémon that is holding it to gain some of the experience gained in battle, even if the Pokémon is not participating in it. Pokémon that hold Exp Share should stay on the active team, but you shouldn't bother entering them into battles and swapping them out for other Pokémon.
Step 3. Send Magikarp to Day Care Center
You can leave Magikarp at the Day Care Center in the game so that Magikarp can get experience automatically. This process may take a bit of time as the experience gained in there is very slow, but you don't have to fight or keep Magikarp in an active team.
Magikarp will not evolve in the Day Care Center, even if its level is over 20. Magikarp will try to evolve immediately after the first battle he faces after you retrieve him if his level meets the requirements
Step 4. Give Rare Candy to Magikarp
If you have enough Rare Candy, you can easily level up Magikarp to your liking. When you give Rare Candy to increase its level from 19 to 20, Magikarp will start evolving.
Part 3 of 3: Making Gyarados Evolved into Mega Gyarados
Step 1. Get and upgrade your Mega Rings (X and Y)
To make Gyarados evolve into mega Gyarados, you need to get the Key Stone first, and this item is installed inside the Mega Ring. To get the Mega Ring, you need to defeat your rivals and get the Rumble Badge at the Shalour Gym. Bring the Badge to the top floor of the Tower of Mystery to get the Mega Ring.
After getting the Mega Ring, you need to upgrade it by beating your rivals again in Kiloude City. Professor Sycamore will upgrade the ring after the fight is over
Step 2. Defeat Groudon or Kyogren (Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby)
In order to access the Mega Stones in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby, you need to defeat the legendary Pokémon first. The legendary Pokemon in question are Kyogre in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and Groudon in Pokémon Omega Ruby.
Step 3. Find Gyaradosite
This Mega Stone is needed to make Gyarados evolve into his Mega form in the middle of a fight. Where to find Gyaradosite depends on the version of the game you are playing. The floor where Gyaradosite is located will sparkle.
- X and Y - You can find Gyaradosite in Couriway Town, near the three waterfalls on the east side.
- Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby - Find Chomper the Poochyena on Route 123. You can find it at the 123 Go Fish shop. Scratch Chomper to get Gyaradosite.
Step 4. Give Gyaradosite to Gyarados to keep
This stage is necessary so that Gyarados can perform Mega evolution in the middle of a fight.
Step 5. Select "Mega Evolve" in the middle of the battle for Gyarados to evolve into Mega Gyarados
You can only have one Mega evolution active in each battle. The Mega evolution form will be retained even if a Pokémon is swapped for another Pokémon in the middle of a battle. Mega Evolution will last until the fight is over or Gyarados dies.
