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 brittle shell occasionally spouts intense flames that circulate throughout its body.
The shell on its back is just skin that has cooled and hardened. It breaks easily with a slight touch.
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. 6 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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
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 using 22 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Acid Armor, Heat Wave.
The physical wall spread is where Magcargo earns its spot. Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, Bold nature for the right lean, and Rest handles sustain. Flame Body does the rest without needing a move slot.
Best Build
Best Magcargo Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Toxic
- Hidden Power Ice
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Magcargo's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Poison and Normal coverage and more on top of Overheat and Fire Blast for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Magcargo appears at decent spawn rates across 2 spots in mid-game areas. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Magcargo in FireRed & LeafGreen
Slugma is your first catch on the way to Magcargo. You'll find walking and rock smash encounters from Lv. 15-45 across 14 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SlugmaEASYMt. Ember - B2F Ruby PathLeafGreenSmashing rocksLv.15-35CommonEarlyVolcanoEASYMt. Ember - B2F Ruby PathFireRedSmashing rocksLv.15-35CommonEarlyVolcanoEFFORTLESSMt. Ember - B2F Ruby PathLeafGreenGrassLv.18-36CommonMidVolcanoEFFORTLESSMt. Ember - B2F Ruby PathFireRedGrassLv.18-36CommonMidVolcanoEFFORTLESSMt. Ember - B1F Ruby PathFireRedGrassLv.22-32CommonMidVolcanoEFFORTLESSMt. Ember - B1F Ruby PathLeafGreenGrassLv.22-32CommonMidVolcanoEFFORTLESSMt. Ember - B3F Ruby PathLeafGreenGrassLv.22-32CommonMidVolcanoEFFORTLESSMt. Ember - B3F Ruby PathFireRedGrassLv.22-32CommonMidVolcanoEFFORTLESSMt. Ember - 1F Ruby PathFireRedGrassLv.24-30CommonMidVolcanoEFFORTLESSMt. Ember - 1F Ruby PathLeafGreenGrassLv.24-30CommonMidVolcanoEFFORTLESSMt. Ember - B4F Ruby PathLeafGreenGrassLv.24-30CommonMidVolcanoEFFORTLESSMt. Ember - B4F Ruby PathFireRedGrassLv.24-30CommonMidVolcano- Step 2Magcargo ✓MODERATEMt. Ember - B2F Ruby PathLeafGreenSmashing rocksLv.25-45UncommonMidVolcanoMODERATEMt. Ember - B2F Ruby PathFireRedSmashing rocksLv.25-45UncommonMidVolcanoor 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 support. 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 support 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