Magcargo's all-in on Defense at the expense of Speed. The special lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 2 Defense EVs and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Its body temperature is roughly 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Flames burst from gaps in its shell made of hardened magma.
Its body temperature is roughly 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Flames burst from gaps in its shell made of hardened magma.
Magcargo's Fire/Rock typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Ground, Fighting, and Rock. Water and Ground hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. 7 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Magcargo's physical bulk (base 120 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Water, Ground |
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fire |
Annihilape's Drain Punch hits Magcargo for 64-76%. Glimmora's Power Gem also KOs at 100-117%.
 Dondozo Water | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Dondozo builds →
| ||
 Annihilape FightingGhost | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDefiant ItemSitrus Berry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Annihilape builds →Drain Punch 2x64-76% | ||
 Glimmora RockPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemRed Card NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Glimmora builds →Power Gem 2x100-117%KO | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 4x201-237%KO Knock Off33-38% Close Combat 2x80-94% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Corviknight builds →U Turn7-9% | ||
Magcargo is the evolved form of Slugma. Breeding produces Slugma eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Slugma gave Magcargo the biggest boost in Defense (+80), bringing the total to 430 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Magcargo to get Slugma eggs easily using 63 partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
Flame Body helps Magcargo stick around while dealing real damage. Heavy-Duty Boots for hazard immunity on every switch-in, max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs for the right balance, and Earthpower as the main threat. Not the fastest, but it doesn't need to be.
Best Build
Magcargo best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Support Moveset
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Shell Smash
- Recover
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Power Gem
- Shell Smash
- Earth Power
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Attacker Moveset
- Protect
- Acid Armor
- Amnesia
- Lava Plume
Recommended Teammates
Screens Setter Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Gyro Ball
- Light Screen
- Reflect
Recommended Teammates
Bulky Support Moveset
- Memento
- Harden
- Iron Defense
- Stockpile
Recommended Teammates
Winds & Waves has not been released yet. Build info will be available after launch.
Check back after the game launches for competitive build content.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Earth Power
- Shell Smash
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
Special Tank Moveset
- Lava Plume
- Will O Wisp
- Earth Power
- Ancient Power
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Self Destruct
- Flamethrower
- Mud Slap
- Amnesia
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Without TMs, Magcargo's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Ground and Poison coverage and more on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Winds & Waves hasn't been released yet. Magcargo's full moveset for this game will be added after launch.
You'll want to breed for Acid Armor and Curse on Magcargo. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Overheat and Fire Blast, they expand what Magcargo can actually threaten in practice.
You'll want to breed for Acid Armor and Curse on Magcargo. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Overheat and Fire Blast, they expand what Magcargo can actually threaten in practice.
Magcargo can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer Slugma from Gold, Crystal, or Brilliant Diamond and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Winds & Waves hasn't launched yet, so encounter data for Magcargo isn't confirmed. In other games, it's available in Gold, Crystal, or Brilliant Diamond.
A solid number of locations for Magcargo with high spawn rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Magcargo in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Magcargo, start by catching Slugma through walking encounters at Lv. 25-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch SlugmaStark Mountain - EntranceBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.25-27 Volcano5%MidStark Mountain - EntranceShining PearlGrass Lv.25-27 Volcano5%MidStark Mountain - InteriorShining PearlGrass Lv.27-29 Volcano5%MidStark Mountain - InteriorBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.27-29 Volcano5%MidSandsear CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 DesertPostPost-gameSandsear CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 DesertPostPost-gameTyphlo CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameTyphlo CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameVolcanic CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 VolcanoPostPost-gameVolcanic CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 VolcanoPostPost-game
Step 2Magcargo ✓Stark Mountain - EntranceBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.55-56 Volcano30%PostStark Mountain - EntranceShining PearlGrass Lv.55-56 Volcano30%PostStark Mountain - InteriorShining PearlGrass Lv.57-58 Volcano30%PostStark Mountain - InteriorBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.57-58 Volcano30%PostSandsear CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 DesertPostPost-gameSandsear CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 DesertPostPost-gameTyphlo CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameTyphlo CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameVolcanic CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 VolcanoPostPost-gameVolcanic CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 VolcanoPostPost-gameor evolve from Slugma (Step 1)
Magcargo is a fixed encounter, not a random spawn. Walk up to it, interact, and the battle starts immediately. Head to Ultra Space Wilds when your team is ready for the fight.
How to Obtain Magcargo in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Step 1Obtain Slugma
Step 2Magcargo ✓Ultra Space Wilds - CaveUltra SunInteract with Pokemon Lv.60 DistortionPostUltra Space Wilds - CaveUltra MoonInteract with Pokemon Lv.60 DistortionPostor evolve from Slugma (Step 1)
Watch for Starmie (Water), Rhydon (Ground), and Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Magcargo. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Starmie is the most dangerous since Water moves deal 4x damage. Rock-type attackers are also a problem. At base 30 Speed, Magcargo won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Slugma evolves into Magcargo at level 38. Magcargo is the fully evolved form. It sits at 430 BST in its evolved form.
It depends on your team. Magcargo at 430 BST isn't a powerhouse, but the Fire/Rock coverage might be exactly what you're missing.
Magcargo has a 430 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a situational pick that fills a niche. It works best as a trick room. Base 120 Defense is where it shines.
Magma Armor prevents freezing. That's the one you want on Magcargo. Weak Armor is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Flame Body works too if your team needs something different.
Magcargo first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 17 games across 9 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves