Slugma Best Moveset
Fire at 70 Sp. Atk and 20 Speed. AbilityFlame Body burns on contact, but 40 HP and 40 Defense mean most contact moves end the game before the burn matters. The moveset can't compete. Evolve to Magcargo for 120 Defense and the Fire/Rock TermStab that at least tanks physical hits.
Slugma was a niche pick at best in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal), rarely seen in standard play. This was Slugma's competitive peak.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Fire Blast
- Fire Blast
- Curse
- Frustration
Slugma was a niche pick at best in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald), rarely seen in standard play. Slugma maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Magmaarmor with Leftovers, favoring a Calm nature.
Wall Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Light Screen
- Acid Armor
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Slugma was a niche pick at best in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum), rarely seen in standard play. Slugma maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flame Body with Choice Specs, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Wallbreaker Moveset
- Acid Armor
- Hidden Power Grass
- Flamethrower
- Overheat
Recommended Teammates
Slugma was a niche pick at best in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2), rarely seen in standard play. Slugma maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flame Body with Lightclay, favoring a Bold nature.
Screens Setter Moveset
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Lava Plume
- Memento
Recommended Teammates
Slugma was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. Slugma maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran magma armor with Eviolite, favoring a Timid nature.
Utility Moveset
- Overheat
- Overheat
- Fire Blast
- Will O Wisp
Slugma was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. Slugma maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flame Body with Eviolite, favoring a Modest nature.
Wall Moveset
- Recover
- Earth Power
- Flamethrower
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Slugma was a niche pick at best in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A), rarely seen in standard play. Slugma maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flame Body with Focus Sash, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Clear Smog
- Stealth Rock
- Lava Plume
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Slugma Weakness
Type-wise, Slugma takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
What is Slugma Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Slugma
Greninja can KO Slugma with Surf (299-351%). Terrakion's Stone Edge also KOs at 299-351%.
 Greninja WaterDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse133-156%KO Ice Beam50-59% Surf 2x299-351%KO | ||
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves View Landorus builds →
| ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Terrakion builds →Close Combat179-211%KO Stone Edge 2x299-351%KO Earthquake 2x199-234%KO | ||
Evolution
Slugma is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Magcargo. Check the evolution method below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 180 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Slugma easily with 63 breeding partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
How to Get Slugma
8 encounter spots for Slugma at moderate rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Slugma in SV
To get Slugma, start by catching Slugma through walking encounters at Lv. 7-60. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Slugma ✓Crystal PoolLv.7-60OverworldInfernal PassLv.7-60OverworldKitakami RoadLv.7-60OverworldOni MountainLv.7-60Overworld
Step 2Evolve into MagcargoBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Magcargo egg.
Location info for Slugma in Winds & Waves isn't available yet. It can be found in Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl in other games.
How to Obtain Slugma in WW
- Step 1Slugma ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 17. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Route 17. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Fiery Path. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Route 113. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Mt. Ember. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Stark Mountain. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Magcargo
Slugma appears at moderate rates across 10 spots in mid-game routes. 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 Slugma in BDSP
Slugma is your first catch on the way to Slugma. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 25-63 across 20 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Slugma ✓Stark Mountain - EntranceLv.25-27CaveRate 5%Stark Mountain - InteriorLv.27-29CaveRate 5%Sandsear CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameTyphlo CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameVolcanic CaveLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve into MagcargoStark Mountain - EntranceLv.55-56CaveRate 30%Stark Mountain - InteriorLv.57-58CaveRate 30%Sandsear CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameTyphlo CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameVolcanic CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameor evolve from Slugma (Step 1)
You're catching Slugma first, not Slugma. Slugma appears in the wild in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Slugma in USUM
- Step 1Slugma ✓
- Step 2Catch or Evolve into MagcargoUltra Space Wilds - CaveLv.60Interact with Pokemonor evolve from Slugma (Step 1)
Base Stats
Nothing fancy in Slugma's spread. It leans special with Sp. Atk out front. And you'll get 1 Sp. Atk EV per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Its body is made of magma. If it doesn’t keep moving, its body will cool and harden.
Slugma Guide
For a casual playthrough, Slugma works as a placeholder. Fire coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Magcargo. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Debuting in Gold & Silver, Slugma appears in 17 games across 9 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.
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