Current Events > Is Magikarp -> Gyarados still the most extreme Pokemon evolution?

(+) Yeah! (+)

asking because I've been outta the loop pretty much since Gen 1

Dragonair to Dragonite is extreme

Extremely dumb

Pretty sure it's the most extreme evolution in the entire series.
You have a joke pokemon that does nothing for like 20 consecutive levels... Then when it evolves it turns into a tank

Cosmog -> Cosmoem -> Solgaleo/Lunala

Two extremely weak Pokemon that learns three moves total between them, one of which is in fact Splash, and can't even learn a single attacking move (Magikarp at least gets Tackle, Flail, Bounce, and--in some games--Hydro Pump), evolving into one of two full-on Legendary Pokemon.

The concept of Magikarp evolving into Gyarados is based on the Asian mythology of the fish leaping over the dragon gate or something.

You can observe the mouth shape and whiskers on Magikarp. There is absolutely no logic in Remoraid evolving into Octillery. They were based on two totally different species of animals.

Milotic was mentioned and immediately came to mind (more beauty than extreme). I'm partial to Gyarados as it's my favorite Pokemon and I'd definitely say it's prolly the most extreme just based on PokeDex entries at least.

Feebas -> Milotic is similar, as they are both consciously modeled off of Magikarp and Gyarados respectively. Feebas is an ugly fish, Milotic is a thin, mermaid-esque serpent with an iridescent tail fin: stat-wise, essentially a specially-based Gyarados.

Two others come to mind: Karrablast ->Escavalier and Shelmet ->Accelgor, since their stat spreads go in wildly different directions (this is because, to evolve, sneaky, somewhat quick Karrablast steals Shelmet's armor, becoming the slow yet tanky Escavalier, whilst tanky Shelmet, sans armor, becomes the frail yet blindingly fast Accelgor.)

Trapinch -> Vibrava -> Flygon is pretty weird. Like I guess there's a reason behind it, but the same is true of Magikarp and Gyarados, so whatever. If you're just looking at the three stages out of the blue, it looks like a Digimon evolution line.

Hambo posted...

Trapinch -> Vibrava -> Flygon is pretty weird. Like I guess there's a reason behind it, but the same is true of Magikarp and Gyarados, so whatever. If you're just looking at the three stages out of the blue, it looks like a Digimon evolution line.

The first two stages make plenty of sense: Trapinch is an antlion, the larval stage of the antlion lacewing (Vibrava), which have a much shorter lifespan than the larva. Flygon; however, is something entirely different.

I think there should be an honorary mention of Larvesta.

It's not a trash Pokemon, it has decent base stats when compared to most first stage Pokemon and its moveset is good. But it doesn't evolve until 59, lol. You can beat the main campaign and unless you dedicated to training it specifically it probably wouldn't have evolved yet.

But when it does evolve it's a fucking beast, and gets Quiver Dance immediately.

It'd be like being given a Charmander and being forced to use it for 60 levels but then it becomes Charizard and gets Nasty Plot or something >_>

Bonus points if you went into BW blind like me and upon hatching this weird bug you keep training it to see what it turns into, not knowing how much of an investment you've set yourself up for. <_<

ElatedVenusaur posted...

The first two stages make plenty of sense: Trapinch is an antlion, the larval stage of the antlion lacewing (Vibrava), which have a much shorter lifespan than the larva. Flygon; however, is something entirely different.

Magikarp -> Gyarados makes plenty of sense in the context of the myth it's based on, too. Both evolutions are quite the wtf if you aren't familiar with the source material though. I'd sure never heard of an antlion before the pokeymans came out. Also Karp and Gyarados at least share facial features. Trapinch and Vibrava, on the surface, don't look related at all.

Wimpod to Golisopod

Solar_Crimson posted...

Cosmog -> Cosmoem -> Solgaleo/Lunala

Two extremely weak Pokemon that learns three moves total between them, one of which is in fact Splash, and can't even learn a single attacking move (Magikarp at least gets Tackle, Flail, Bounce, and--in some games--Hydro Pump), evolving into one of two full-on Legendary Pokemon.

Was cosmos not legendary?

Is gyarados even strong? One thunderbolt would take him right out.

Adding flying completely hinders him and doesn't seem to have any benefits

Noumas posted...

Is gyarados even strong? One thunderbolt would take him right out.

Adding flying completely hinders him and doesn't seem to have any benefits

If It's looks weak on paper, why was landorus great again?

Noumas posted...

Is gyarados even strong? One thunderbolt would take him right out.

Adding flying completely hinders him and doesn't seem to have any benefits

Immunity to ground is a great benefit.

And yeah, the 4x weakness is a big flaw, but it's still a good pokemon since it does get access to Dragon Dance, has a high attack stat, solid bulk, and Intimidate to help it switch in on physical attackers. If you can switch in on a physical attacker that doesn't have an electric or rock move, you can do some serious damage to the opponent if they don't have a good counter against it.

Hambo posted...

Trapinch -> Vibrava -> Flygon is pretty weird. Like I guess there's a reason behind it, but the same is true of Magikarp and Gyarados, so whatever. If you're just looking at the three stages out of the blue, it looks like a Digimon evolution line.

Trapinch has base 100 attack. Every Pokmon in the line does iirc.

But Wimpod to Gollisopod is what the tc is talking about. Base Pokmon is useless with splash and all as one of the only moves it learns while Golisopod is a glass canon, hits hard and has one of the single best offensive moves in the game but its frail as hell and has a shit ability.

Bagon > Shellgon > Flygon

Noumas posted...

Is gyarados even strong? One thunderbolt would take him right out.

Yes, Pokemon with quad weaknesses are obviously all bad and have been universally shunned from competitive play because of how much they suck. Having a single quad weakness is enough to determine a Pokemon is bad, yes sir!

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/8/0/7/AAfTzuAADpmH.jpg

Magikarp to Gyarados is not extreme at all of you know asian mythology.

Poorly posted...

Was cosmos not legendary?

Technically, it is, but it's still extremely weak.

Water/Dragon would mean Gyarados has no weakness in gen 1. True no physical water, but 100 Special isn't bad either.

Tote_All_ posted...

Yes, Pokemon with quad weaknesses are obviously all bad and have been universally shunned from competitive play because of how much they suck. Having a single quad weakness is enough to determine a Pokemon is bad, yes sir!

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/8/0/7/AAfTzuAADpmH.jpg

Lol rekt

Plus the flygon line makes perfect sense, they're insects where's the confusion. It would be like questioning the caterpie to butterfree line

To be fair, isn't electric type much more common than ice type in competitive play?

Srk700 posted...

Immunity to ground is a great benefit.

And yeah, the 4x weakness is a big flaw, but it's still a good pokemon since it does get access to Dragon Dance, has a high attack stat, solid bulk, and Intimidate to help it switch in on physical attackers. If you can switch in on a physical attacker that doesn't have an electric or rock move, you can do some serious damage to the opponent if they don't have a good counter against it.

I dont know if it's still possible in modern pokemon but he actually could learn thunderbolt for some reason so I instantly taught mine that for some delicious irony. Along with hyper beam, is that still the beast it once was?

Edit: I could be wrong it may have been flamethrower. Or earthquake? I can't remember anymore

pegusus123456 posted...

To be fair, isn't electric type much more common than ice type in competitive play?

Isn't Ice Beam on like 90% of water types though?

Umbreon posted...

Isn't Ice Beam on like 90% of water types though?

Maybe, I don't know much about competitive Pokemon. I just hear about how trash ice types are.

Noumas posted...

Along with hyper beam, is that still the beast it once was?

I do know Hyper Beam is pretty bad though. It was good in Gen 1 because you didn't get the one-turn cooldown if it killed someone. Without that, it's 150 power split into two turns, so it's essentially a 75 power move with 90% accuracy. For contrast, Gyarados can also learn Body Slam which is 85 power, 100% accuracy, and has a 30% chance of paralyzing the target.

Noumas posted...

I dont know if it's still possible in modern pokemon but he actually could learn thunderbolt for some reason so I instantly taught mine that for some delicious irony. Along with hyper beam, is that still the beast it once was?

Edit: I could be wrong it may have been flamethrower. Or earthquake? I can't remember anymore

Hyperbeam was only good gen 1 because you didnt need to recharge if you killed with it. Now you do if the move lands. I wish theyd make it stronger honestly, like 200 base power but only 60 percent accurate and you have to recharge whether you hit or not.

Hyper Beam is/was a fun meme on Porygon Z.

Makeveli_lives posted...

Trapinch has base 100 attack. Every Pokmon in the line does iirc.

Vibrava's Base Attack is 70.

mattfrank posted...

The concept of Magikarp evolving into Gyarados is based on the Asian mythology of the fish leaping over the dragon gate or something.

You can observe the mouth shape and whiskers on Magikarp. There is absolutely no logic in Remoraid evolving into Octillery. They were based on two totally different species of animals.

They are based on weaponry though. A gun to a tank.