Magmar Best Moveset
100 Sp. Atk at 93 Speed on Fire. Held ItemEviolite adds survivability since Magmortar exists as the evolution. AbilityFlame Body has a 30% chance to burn on contact. The moveset runs special Fire TermStab at decent pace, and the burn chance punishes physical attackers who try to trade.
Magmar saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This marked Magmar's competitive debut. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 85.
Utility Moveset
- Fire Blast
- Body Slam
- Confuse Ray
- Submission
Recommended Teammates
Magmar landed at C-Tier in Gen II. Magmar climbed from E-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted.
Utility Moveset
- Fire Blast
- Cross Chop
- Thunder Punch
- Confuse Ray
Recommended Teammates
Magmar sat at B-Tier in Gen III. This was Magmar's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Flame Body with Leftovers, favoring a Hasty nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Magmar best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Hidden Power Grass
- Thunder Punch
- Flamethrower
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Magmar saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). This was a decline from B-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flame Body with Nothing, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Psychic
- Confuse Ray
- Sunny Day
Recommended Teammates
Magmar saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Magmar maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flame Body with Eviolite, favoring a Calm nature.
Wall Moveset
- Hidden Power Grass
- Flamethrower
- Will O Wisp
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Magmar saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Magmar maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Vitalspirit with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Flame Charge
- Focus Blast
- Flamethrower
- Lava Plume
Recommended Teammates
Magmar saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Magmar maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flame Body with Eviolite, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Psychic
- Flamethrower
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
Magmar saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Magmar maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flame Body with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Burning Jealousy
- Clear Smog
- Protect
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Magmar saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Magmar maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flame Body with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Scorching Sands
- Flamethrower
- Will O Wisp
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Magmar Weakness
Type-wise, Magmar takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. 6 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Magmar's special bulk (base 85 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
What is Magmar Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Magmar
Rillaboom's Knock Off hits Magmar for 44-52%. Starmie's Hydro Pump also KOs at 86-101%.
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Magmar View Rillaboom builds →Knock Off44-52% U Turn24-28% Wood Hammer41-48% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Magmar View Torkoal builds →Rapid Spin11-13% | ||
 Starmie WaterPsychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityAnalytic ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Magmar View Starmie builds →Ice Beam11-14% Hydro Pump 2x86-101%KO Rapid Spin10-12% Psychic35-41% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Magmar View Amoonguss builds →Giga Drain7-8% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Magmar View Incineroar builds →Knock Off28-33% Flare Blitz25-30% | ||
Evolution
Magmar is partway through a three-stage line between Magby and Magmortar. The chain involves a trade, so it's not a straightforward grind. Sp.Atk has grown the most so far (+30), but there's still another 45 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Magmar to get Magby eggs using 70 partners from the Humanshape egg group.
How to Get Magmar
The chain to Magmar requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Magby at moderate rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Magmar in SV
To get Magmar, start by catching Magby through walking encounters at Lv. 50-80. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch MagbyCoastal BiomeLv.50-80OverworldSavanna BiomeLv.50-80Overworld
Step 2Magmar ✓Coastal BiomeLv.50-80OverworldSavanna BiomeLv.50-80Overworldor evolve from Magby (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into MagmortarBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Magmortar egg.
The chain to Magmar requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Magby at decent rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Magmar in PLA
To get Magmar, start by catching Magby through walking encounters at Lv. 26-62. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
A trade step sits in Magmar's 3-stage chain from Magby. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Magby shows up at moderate rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
How to Obtain Magmar in BDSP
The path to Magmar starts with Magby at Lv. 58-63 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
The chain to Magmar requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Magby at decent rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Magmar in SwSh
To get Magmar, start by catching Magby through walking encounters at Lv. 60-65. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch MagbyFrostpoint FieldLv.60-65CaveRate 20%Intense SunGiant's FootLv.60-65GrassRate 20%Intense SunSnowslide SlopeLv.60-65CaveRate 20%Intense SunThree-Point PassLv.60-65GrassRate 20%Intense SunBallimere LakeLv.60-65GrassRate 19%Intense SunGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 18%Intense SunOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 18%Intense SunSlippery SlopeLv.60-65GrassRate 18%Intense Sun
Step 2Magmar ✓Ballimere LakeLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Intense SunFrostpoint FieldLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Intense SunGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Intense SunGiant's FootLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Intense SunOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Intense SunSlippery SlopeLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Intense SunSnowslide SlopeLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Intense SunThree-Point PassLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Intense Sunor evolve from Magby (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into MagmortarBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Magmortar egg.
Base Stats
Magmar's built around mixed offense. Sp. Atk leads the charge, Defense pays for it. Tough to catch, worth 2 Sp. Atk EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Magmar dispatches its prey with fire. But it regrets this habit once it realizes that it has burned its intended prey to a charred crisp.
Magmar Guide
Magmar isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Magmortar to unlock its full potential. At 495 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Magmar evolves into Magmortar via trade. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Magmar to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Magmarizer must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.
Flame Body is the go-to ability for Magmar. It has a 30% chance of burning attacking Pokémon on contact. Its hidden ability Vital Spirit can work in specific setups.
Magmar fills the attacker role. It's a mixed attacker with base 95 Attack and 100 Sp. Atk. Base 93 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Game Availability
Magmar has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 21 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
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