Slugma doesn't have much going for it on its own — the stats just aren't there. The payoff is Magcargo, and getting there is worth the grind. Only weak to Water, Ground, and Rock. Known as the Lava Pokemon.
Nothing fancy in Slugma's spread. It leans special with Sp. Atk out front. And you'll get 1 Sp. Atk EV per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Its body is made of magma. If it doesn’t keep moving, its body will cool and harden.
Slugma Weakness
AvgType-wise, Slugma takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely.
Slugma is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Magcargo. Check the evolution method below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 180 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Slugma easily with 63 breeding partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
The Sash lets Slugma ignore defensive shortcomings for one turn. Use that turn to get Stealth Rock up, and Weakarmor squeezes extra value from the position. A spread EV build EVs push damage output.
Best Build
Best Slugma Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Most of Slugma's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Overheat and Fire Blast, but Poison and Rock and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The egg pool carries weight here. Acid Armor and Curse aren't available any other way for Slugma, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Overheat and Fire Blast for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Acid Armor and Curse aren't available any other way for Slugma, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Overheat and Fire Blast for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Acid Armor and Curse aren't available any other way for Slugma, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Overheat and Fire Blast for solid options.
Slugma doesn't appear in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer it from Gold, Crystal, or Brilliant Diamond to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Slugma appears at moderate rates across 10 spots in mid-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Best Locations
Slugma's encounter pool splits between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. You've got 10 walking spots at Lv. 25-63 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
No wild encounters for Slugma in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. It's available in Gold, Crystal, or Brilliant Diamond and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
At 250 BST, Slugma is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Magcargo before bringing it to any serious fight.
Slugma's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Rhydon (Ground), and Aerodactyl (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. At base 20 Speed, Slugma won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Slugma evolves into Magcargo at level 38. Slugma is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Magma Armor is the go-to ability for Slugma. It prevents freezing. Its hidden ability Weak Armor can work in specific setups. Flame Body is the other option — pick based on what your team needs.
Slugma is a special attacker with base 70 Sp. Atk. Fragile — can't afford to take many hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 20 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.
Slugma appears in 16 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Debuting in Gold & Silver, Slugma appears in 16 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A