Is Magcargo Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?
Fire/Rock with AbilityMagma Armor or AbilityFlame Body. Double 4x weaknesses to Water and Ground. Handles Erika and Lorelei's Ice-types through Fire, but the type matchup chart is brutal. Postgame only.
Slugma trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.
Misty's Pokemon outpace and outclass Slugma here.
Slugma trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.
Slugma has the type edge here and should clean up Erika's team.
Slugma trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.
Slugma trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.
Blaine's typing presses Slugma's defenses.
Giovanni's team hits Magcargo's weaknesses hard.
Magcargo trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.
Bruno's team hits Magcargo's weaknesses hard.
Magcargo has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.
Magcargo trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.
Magcargo trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.
Catch Magcargo on Mt. Ember (Rock Smash, Lv 25-45, uncommon).
- After Erika
- TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
- TM06PoisonToxic—90%10
- LV 36FireFlamethrower135100%15
- After Blaine
- TM38FireFire Blast16585%5
- LV 48RockRock Slide11390%10
- After Giovanni
- TM50FireOverheat19590%5
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
- Post-Game
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Catch Slugma on Mt. Ember (walking, Lv 22-32, common).
- After Erika
- TM43NormalSecret Power70100%20
- LV 36FireFlamethrower135100%15
- LV 43RockRock Slide7590%10
- After Blaine
- TM38FireFire Blast16585%5
- LV 50NormalBody Slam85100%15
- After Giovanni
- TM50FireOverheat19590%5
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- Post-Game
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
How to Get Magcargo in FireRed & LeafGreen
Magcargo appears in the wild via rock smash, not just by evolving a Slugma. Two uncommon encounter rows across both versions catch the already-evolved form directly from boulders.
1 location to catch Magcargo1 location to catch Slugma
Encountered via tall grass encounters
Badge 7Catch Slugma at any of the 1 location below, then level it up to 38 — it evolves into Magcargo.
Badge 7Where To Catch Magcargo in FRLG
Slugma is your first catch on the way to Magcargo. You'll find walking and rock smash encounters from Lv. 15-45 across 10 total spots in the chain.
Step 2Magcargo ✓or evolve from Slugma (Step 1)
Magcargo Weakness
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. 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Water, Ground |
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fire |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
What is Magcargo Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Magcargo
 Squirtle Water | C | |
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift | ||
 Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 4x176-209%KO Water Pulse 4x87-104%KO Rock Tomb 2x33-39% Double Kick 2x22-26% | ||
 Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 4x165-196%KO Water Pulse 4x80-96% Rock Tomb 2x28-35% Double Kick 2x17-22% | ||
 Wartortle Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Squirtle (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Wartortle builds →Waterfall 4x133-157%KO Dig 4x59-70% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Geodude builds →Earthquake 4x143-170%KO Rock Tomb 2x37-46% | ||
 Mankey Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Mankey builds →Earthquake 4x96-113%KO Karate Chop 2x37-46% Rock Tomb 2x24-30% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 4x176-209%KO Water Pulse 4x87-104%KO Brick Break 2x43-52% Rock Tomb 2x33-39% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 4x165-196%KO Water Pulse 4x80-96% Brick Break 2x39-48% Rock Tomb 2x28-35% | ||
Wartortle Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Squirtle (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Wartortle builds →Waterfall 4x133-157%KO Dig 4x59-70% Brick Break 2x33-39% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Geodude builds →Earthquake 4x143-170%KO Brick Break 2x37-43% Rock Tomb 2x37-46% | ||
Mankey Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Mankey builds →Earthquake 4x96-113%KO Brick Break 2x54-65% Rock Tomb 2x24-30% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Marowak builds →Earthquake 4x134-158%KO Brick Break 2x36-42% Rock Tomb 2x24-29% | ||
 Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Vaporeon builds →Waterfall 4x187-221%KO Dig 4x49-58% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 4x161-189%KO Water Pulse 4x80-95% Brick Break 2x42-50% Rock Tomb 2x29-34% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 4x147-174%KO Water Pulse 4x71-84% Brick Break 2x37-45% Rock Tomb 2x26-32% | ||
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 4x125-147%KO Waterfall 4x120-142%KO Rock Smash 2x14-18% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Marowak builds →Earthquake 4x136-160%KO Brick Break 2x35-42% Rock Tomb 2x23-28% | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Vaporeon builds →Surf 4x224-265%KO Dig 4x51-60% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 4x165-195%KO Surf 4x122-144%KO Brick Break 2x41-49% Rock Tomb 2x29-35% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 4x148-174%KO Surf 4x110-130%KO Brick Break 2x37-44% Rock Tomb 2x26-30% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 4x126-149%KO Surf 4x142-167%KO Rock Smash 2x15-19% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Marowak builds →Earthquake 4x136-160%KO Focus Punch 2x66-79% Rock Tomb 2x23-28% | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Vaporeon builds →Surf 4x224-265%KO Dig 4x51-60% | ||
 Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Hitmonlee builds →Focus Punch 2x138-164%KO Earthquake 4x126-149%KO Rock Tomb 2x33-40% | ||
 Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x124-147%KO Earthquake 4x110-130%KO Rock Tomb 2x29-35% | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSilph Co Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Lapras builds →Surf 4x184-216%KO Rock Smash 2x12-14% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Marowak builds →Earthquake 4x130-153%KO Focus Punch 2x63-75% Rock Tomb 2x23-27% | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Vaporeon builds →Surf 4x220-259%KO Dig 4x46-54% | ||
 Blastoise Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Squirtle (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Blastoise builds →Surf 4x181-214%KO Earthquake 4x89-105%KO Focus Punch 2x66-78% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Hitmonlee builds →Focus Punch 2x134-158%KO Earthquake 4x120-142%KO Rock Tomb 2x31-37% | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x119-140%KO Earthquake 4x106-125%KO Rock Tomb 2x27-32% | ||
 Omastar RockWater | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Omanyte (Cinnabar Island Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Omastar builds →Surf 4x236-278%KO Mud Shot 4x41-48% Rock Tomb 2x28-34% Rock Smash 2x9-11% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Marowak builds →Earthquake 4x134-158%KO Focus Punch 2x66-78% Rock Tomb 2x22-27% | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Vaporeon builds →Surf 4x228-269%KO Dig 4x49-58% | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 4x199-235%KO Focus Punch 2x98-115%KO Rock Tomb 2x50-60% Surf 4x78-93% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Hitmonlee builds →Focus Punch 2x138-163%KO Earthquake 4x125-147%KO Rock Tomb 2x32-38% | ||
 Suicune Water | A | |
Obtain MethodRoaming Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Suicune builds →Surf 4x191-225%KO Dig 4x51-61% Rock Smash 2x10-12% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Marowak builds →Earthquake 4x131-154%KO Focus Punch 2x65-77% Rock Tomb 2x23-27% | ||
Omastar RockWater | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Omanyte (Cinnabar Island Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Omastar builds →Hydro Pump 4x295-347%KO Mud Shot 4x40-47% Ancient Power 2x33-39% Rock Smash 2x8-9% | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Tyranitar builds →Earthquake 4x135-159%KO Focus Punch 2x100-118%KO Surf 4x133-157%KO Rock Slide 2x76-89% | ||
Rhydon GroundRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 4x196-232%KO Focus Punch 2x97-115%KO Rock Tomb 2x50-60% Surf 4x75-89% | ||
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Gengar's Thunderbolt hits Magcargo for 39-46%. Tyranitar threatens a KO with Earthquake (104-123%).
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gengar builds →Thunderbolt39-46% Explosion12-14% | ||
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Tyranitar builds →Rock Slide 2x39-46% Earthquake 4x104-123%KO | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityKeeneye ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
Magcargo Evolutions
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 420 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
FRLG Magcargo Best Moveset
120 Defense blocks physical hits, but Fire/Rock with 4x Water and Ground weaknesses creates enormous defensive holes. AbilityFlame Body burns attackers on contact. The moveset has physical bulk with MoveFlamethrower for Fire TermStab, but 30 Speed and the typing weaknesses prevent competitive relevance.
Best Build
Magcargo best EVs are Defense and HP
Wall Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Toxic
- Hidden Power Ice
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
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.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
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 FireRed & LeafGreen Guide
Yes. Magcargo is a post-game Pokemon. You need to defeat the Elite Four and enter the Hall of Fame first. Magcargo is found on the Sevii Islands. Sevii Islands 1-3 unlock after defeating Lt. Surge in Vermilion City; Sevii Islands 4-7 unlock after entering the Hall of Fame and showing 60+ species in your Pokedex (talk to Celio on One Island to get the Rainbow Pass).
Game Availability
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 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves