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 F. Flames spout from gaps in its hardened shell.
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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 31 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Acid Armor, Curse, Heat Wave and 5 more.
Stealth Rock is the priority every time Magcargo comes in. Calm nature and max HP and Sp. Def EVs keep it alive long enough to get layers down, while Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn. Flame Body rounds it out. Recover keeps it healthy between hits.
Best Build
Best Magcargo Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Recover
- Lava Plume
- Yawn
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
Transfer Moves
high spawn rates across 2 locations for Magcargo in endgame routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Magcargo in Platinum
The path to Magcargo starts with Slugma at Lv. 52-55 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SlugmaCHALLENGINGStark Mountain - EntranceGrassLv.52RarePostVolcanoCHALLENGINGStark Mountain - InteriorGrassLv.53RarePostVolcano
Step 2Magcargo ✓EFFORTLESSStark Mountain - InteriorGrassLv.53-55CommonPostVolcanoEASYStark Mountain - EntranceGrassLv.54UncommonPostVolcanoor 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 leaning toward the special side (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