What to put on my Gyarados?

Question

Should I just let my Gyarados learn ice fang or should I put ice beam on it? (Playing Platinum)

If I should keep ice fang, should I then let my Floatzel learn ice beam? - Who is in general best to use Floatzel vs. Gyarados?

Any other tips for movesets for Gyarados will be appreciated! Thank you

Comments

Normally Ice Fang is better, Gyarados is a physical attacker by a huge margin. I'd give Floatzel Ice Beam if I had to since it has better special attack

Answer 1

Give Floatzel Ice Beam, Give Gyarados Ice Fang.

I would also suggest giving Gyarados Dragon Dance. Yes

Answer 2

Gyarados and Floazel both have higher physical attack stats, but ice beam has higher base power than ice punch and ice fang. According to the damage calculator, Floatzel's 2 attack stats are close enough for ice beam to do more damage than its physical ice moves when the opponent has equal defenses.
source
These are probably their best final movesets, assuming you're okay with using TMs.

Gyarados
- waterfall
- ice fang
- earthquake/stone edge
- dragon dance

Floatzel
- surf
- ice beam
- focus blast
- rain dance

If you already have one of them and already started giving it experience, then you should just keep that one. If you don't, then it depends on which opponents you care about more. Gyarados has intimidate and is better against Volkner and Aaron. Floatzel is better against the rival, Fantina, Candice, and Lucian. If you decide to use Gyarados, then you should use a good rod to get a Magikarp at least level 19, so it evolves faster.