Under Trick Room, Magcargo's terrible Speed becomes its best asset — it 'outspeeds' nearly everything when turns are reversed. Watch the Water and Ground matchup though — quadruple damage means one hit can end it. Known as the Lava Pokemon.
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.
Magcargo Weakness
VulnerableMagcargo's Fire/Rock typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Ground, Fighting, and Rock moves. 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.
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Magcargo to get Slugma eggs easily from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Acid Armor, Curse, Earth Power and 9 more.
One guaranteed turn is all Magcargo needs. Focus Sash buys it, max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs make it count, and Weakarmor adds something extra. The goal: deal early damage and deal damage with Flamethrower. The remaining moves gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Best Magcargo Moveset
- Earth Power
- Shell Smash
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 SlugmaCHALLENGINGStark Mountain - EntranceBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.25-275%MidVolcanoCHALLENGINGStark Mountain - EntranceShining PearlGrassLv.25-275%MidVolcanoCHALLENGINGStark Mountain - InteriorShining PearlGrassLv.27-295%MidVolcanoCHALLENGINGStark Mountain - InteriorBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.27-295%MidVolcanoSandsear CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostDesertPost-gameSandsear CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostDesertPost-gameTyphlo CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameTyphlo CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameVolcanic CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostVolcanoPost-gameVolcanic CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostVolcanoPost-game
Step 2Magcargo ✓EFFORTLESSStark Mountain - EntranceBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.55-5630%PostVolcanoEFFORTLESSStark Mountain - EntranceShining PearlGrassLv.55-5630%PostVolcanoEFFORTLESSStark Mountain - InteriorShining PearlGrassLv.57-5830%PostVolcanoEFFORTLESSStark Mountain - InteriorBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.57-5830%PostVolcanoSandsear CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostDesertPost-gameSandsear CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostDesertPost-gameTyphlo CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameTyphlo CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameVolcanic CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostVolcanoPost-gameVolcanic CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostVolcanoPost-gameor evolve from Slugma (Step 1)
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.
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.
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 fills the trick room role. It's a special attacker with base 90 Sp. Atk. Base 30 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Magcargo appears in 16 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Magcargo first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 16 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
- 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