A pure Electric type with solid Special for Thunderbolt, Magneton sits at C-Tier in Red & Blue with limited coverage holding it back.
515HP50Attack60Defense95Speed70Sp.Def120Sp.Atk120
Magnemite
Magneton
Weak to
Special
Wallbreaker
70Speed · Below Avg

Is Magneton Good in Red & Blue Playthrough?

One of the strongest Electric-types available in Red and Blue. Magneton hits hard on the special side and takes physical hits better than Jolteon or Electrode. Useful against Lorelei's Water-types at the E4. Ground is the big weakness, but that's true for every Electric-type.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTSEEGEGTSEGEEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7MagnemiteCatchMagnetonCatchableGiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Misty
Gym 2
Strong

Magneton resists most of Misty's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleWater Gun
Easy KO
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunBubble Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

Magneton trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
TackleScreechSonic Boom
Even
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Thunder ShockGrowlThunder WaveQuick Attack
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Thunder ShockGrowlThunderbolt
Erika
Gym 4
Even

Magneton trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

Even
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafWrapPoison PowderSleep Powder
Even
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
ConstrictBind
Even
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DancePoison PowderMega DrainSleep Powder
Koga
Gym 5
Good

Magneton has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

Easy KO
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
TackleSmogSludgeSmokescreen
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
DisablePoison GasMinimizeSludge
Easy KO
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
TackleSmogSludgeSmokescreen
Even
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludgeToxicSelf Destruct
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Magneton trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
DisablePsybeamRecoverPsychic
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
Psychic
Soundproof
ConfusionBarrierLight ScreenDouble Slap
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Poison PowderLeech LifeStun SporePsybeam
Even
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsywaveReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

Magneton has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

You Win
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
EmberLeerTake DownAgility
You Win
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
Tail WhipStompGrowlFire Spin
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
Tail WhipStompGrowlFire Spin
Even
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
RoarEmberFire BlastTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Tough

Giovanni's team hits Magneton's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
StompTail WhipFury AttackHorn Drill
Risky
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
GrowlDigSand AttackSlash
Risky
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ScratchTail WhipBody SlamPoison Sting
Risky
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
TackleHorn AttackPoison StingThrash
Risky
Rhydon
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
StompTail WhipFissureHorn Drill
Lorelei
Elite Four
Strong

Magneton resists most of Lorelei's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
GrowlAurora BeamRestTake Down
Easy KO
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampAurora BeamSpike Cannon
Easy KO
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
GrowlWater GunWithdrawAmnesia
Even
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchBody SlamThrash
Easy KO
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Even

Magneton trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

Risky
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchMega PunchCounter
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Jump KickFocus EnergyHigh Jump KickMega Kick
Risky
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
You Win
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerFocus EnergyFissureSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

Magneton has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicConfuse RayWing AttackHaze
Even
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
You Win
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
BiteGlareScreechAcid
Even
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeToxicDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Magneton trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
SupersonicBiteTake DownHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
AgilitySlamBarrierHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Even

Magneton trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Easy KO
Pidgeot
Lv 61
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
WhirlwindWing AttackSky AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsychicReflect
Risky
Rhydon
Lv 61
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Tail WhipFury AttackHorn DrillLeer
Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 61
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
Even
Arcanine
Lv 63
Fire
Intimidate
RoarEmberLeerTake Down
Risky
Venusaur
Lv 65
GrassPoison
Overgrow
Razor LeafGrowthMega DrainSolar Beam

Catchable

Available after Badge 7
Type
Electric
Tier
C

Catch Magneton in the Power Plant (walking, Lv 32-35, uncommon).

View Magneton locations

Catch Magnemite

Available after Badge 7
Type
Electric
Tier
F

Catch Magnemite in the Power Plant (walking, Lv 21-23, common).

View Magnemite locations

Recommended Moves

  • STARTING (Lv 21)
    • LV 21NormalTacklePower 35Accuracy 95%PP 35
  • After Lt. Surge
    • LV 25ElectricThunder ShockPower 60Accuracy 100%PP 30
    • LV 41NormalSwiftPower 60Accuracy 100%PP 20
  • After Koga

How to Get Magneton in Red & Blue

Most players evolve a Magnemite at level 30 well before they stumble on a wild Magneton. The wild form is uncommon anyway, just four encounters tucked at a couple of late-game spots.

2 locations to catch Magneton

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 7
Badge 8
Post-Game

Where To Catch Magneton in RB

To get Magneton, start by catching Magnemite through walking encounters at Lv. 21-23. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Magneton
    Step 2Magneton ✓
    or evolve from Magnemite (Step 1)

To plan your throws, open the Red & Blue catch rate calculator with Magneton preloaded.

Magneton Weakness

Type-wise, Magneton takes extra damage from Ground. Few weaknesses and 2 resistances make the typing clean. Magneton's special bulk (base 120 Special) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Magneton Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ground
0.5x (Resist)Electric, Flying
Gen I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

What is Magneton Weak Against

Avg
1Weak
2Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Magneton Strong Against

2Strong
3Resisted
1Immune
Score-2
2xStrong
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Magneton

Rhydon
Rhydon
GroundRock
S
Nidoking
Nidoking
PoisonGround
C
Nidoqueen
Nidoqueen
PoisonGround
C
Graveler
Graveler
RockGround
C
Dugtrio
Dugtrio
Ground
B

Magneton Evolutions

Magnemite's chain leads to Magneton (at level 30). A Electric type at 515 stats, sitting in the Undiscovered group. Special grew the most through evolution (+65 over Magnemite), and Magneton peaks at 515 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Magnemite
Electric
Magneton
Electric
HP
25
50+25
ATK
35
60+25
DEF
70
95+25
SP.ATK
95
120+25
SP.DEF
55
70+15
SPE
45
70+25
BST
325F-Tier
465C-Tier+140
ROLE
Balanced
Cannon
TYPE
Special
Special
Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

RB Magneton Best Moveset

120 Special fires MoveThunderbolt with real power. 70 Speed is the problem, getting outsped by most threats that matter. The movepool is shallow beyond Electric TermStab and MoveThunder Wave for paralysis support. Hits hard but goes second against nearly everything.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Magneton
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • ThunderboltSTAB
  • Thunder WaveSTAB
  • SubstituteUtility
  • Double Edge

Moves List

TMs carry this one. Magneton learns Thunder and Thunderbolt naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Sonic Boom
——9020Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 1
Thunder Shock
—6010030Electric
Lv 21
Sonic Boom
——9020Normal
Lv 25
Thunder Shock
—6010030Electric
Lv 29
Supersonic
——5520Normal
Lv 38
Thunder Wave
B—10020Electric
Lv 46
Swift
C60—20Normal
Lv 54
Screech
D—8540Normal

TM Moves

All 17 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM34D——10Normal
TM32
Double TeamSafari Zonebadge 3
———15Normal
TM10
Double-EdgeRocket Hideoutbadge 3
B12010015Normal
HM05D—7020Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
B150905Normal
TM31
MimicSaffron Citybadge 5
D——10Normal
TM20
RageRoute 15badge 3
D2010020Normal
TM33
ReflectKanto Power Plantbadge 3
C——20Psychic
TM44
RestS.S. Annebadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM50
SubstituteRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
B——10Normal
TM39
SwiftRoute 12 Gate 2Fbadge 2
C60—20Normal
TM09
Take DownSilph Co.badge 3
D908520Normal
TM30
Teleport-6Route 9badge 2
———20Psychic
TM25
ThunderKanto Power Plantbadge 5
B1657010Electric
TM45
Thunder WaveRoute 24badge 1
B—10020Electric
TM24S14210015Electric
TM06C—9010Poison

Tutor Moves

Magneton can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP50
D
Attack60
C
Defense95
B
Sp. Atk120
A
Sp. Def120
A
Speed70
C
Total515
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging60 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.0 m
Weight60.0 kg
Base XP163
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+2SpDSpe
Special Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

Formed by several MAGNEMITEs linked together. They frequently appear when sunspots flare up.

Pokemon Red / Pokemon Blue

Magneton Red & Blue Guide

  • In Red & Blue, Magneton has 515 BST, so weigh it against what your team already covers.

  • In Red & Blue, Magneton plays as a wallbreaker. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully. Thunderbolt is the primary attack.

Game Availability

One of the original 151, Magneton has appeared in 21 games: nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.

Explore

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