Stats & Training
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.
It never sleeps. It has to keep moving because if it stopped, its magma body would cool and harden.
A common sight in volcanic areas, it slowly slithers around in a constant search for warm places.
Slugma Weakness
Type-wise, Slugma takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. The Fire typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Not too many gaps in the chart, 3 weaknesses to account for.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Lapras builds →Water Pulse 2x105-126%KO Water Gun 2x70-84% | ||
 Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Whiscash builds →Mud Bomb 2x105-126%KO Rock Tomb 2x63-74% Water Gun 2x65-77% Mud-Slap 2x35-42% | ||
 Qwilfish WaterPoison | C | |
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x70-84% Rock Throw 2x58-70% | ||
 Slowpoke WaterPsychic | D | |
Obtain MethodSlowpoke Well Surfing | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Lapras builds →Water Pulse 2x108-127%KO Water Gun 2x73-87% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Whiscash builds →Mud Bomb 2x102-121%KO Rock Tomb 2x65-77% Water Gun 2x67-81% Mud-Slap 2x38-46% | ||
Qwilfish WaterPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Qwilfish builds →Water Gun 2x54-63% Rollout 2x38-46% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x67-81% Rock Throw 2x58-69% | ||
Slowpoke WaterPsychic | D | |
Obtain MethodSlowpoke Well Surfing | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Lapras builds →Surf 2x160-189%KO Water Pulse 2x106-126%KO Water Gun 2x73-87% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Whiscash builds →Surf 2x144-169%KO Mud Bomb 2x106-126%KO Water Pulse 2x98-116%KO Rock Tomb 2x65-77% | ||
Qwilfish WaterPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Qwilfish builds →Surf 2x118-140%KO Water Gun 2x56-68% Rollout 2x40-48% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Onix builds →Dig 2x94-111%KO Rock Tomb 2x69-82% Rock Throw 2x61-73% | ||
 Buizel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Buizel builds →Surf 2x123-145%KO Dig 2x79-94% Rock Tomb 2x60-71% Water Gun 2x56-68% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Lapras builds →Surf 2x152-180%KO Water Pulse 2x101-120%KO Water Gun 2x71-84% Whirlpool 2x60-72% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Whiscash builds →Surf 2x139-164%KO Mud Bomb 2x101-120%KO Water Pulse 2x95-112%KO Rock Tomb 2x63-75% | ||
Qwilfish WaterPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Qwilfish builds →Surf 2x112-132%KO Water Gun 2x51-60% Whirlpool 2x47-56% Rollout 2x37-45% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Graveler builds →Dig 2x145-172%KO Rock Tomb 2x112-132%KO Rock Throw 2x95-112%KO Rollout 2x57-68% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Onix builds →Dig 2x88-104%KO Rock Tomb 2x68-80% Rock Throw 2x57-68% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Lapras builds →Surf 2x159-188%KO Water Pulse 2x107-127%KO Water Gun 2x73-87% Whirlpool 2x64-76% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Whiscash builds →Surf 2x147-173%KO Mud Bomb 2x107-127%KO Water Pulse 2x98-116%KO Rock Tomb 2x67-80% | ||
Qwilfish WaterPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Qwilfish builds →Surf 2x116-137%KO Brine 2x86-101%KO Water Gun 2x54-65% Whirlpool 2x48-58% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x193-228%KO Dig 2x153-181%KO Rock Tomb 2x116-137%KO Rock Throw 2x98-116%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Onix builds →Dig 2x88-105%KO Rock Tomb 2x67-80% Rock Throw 2x58-69% | ||
 Gyarados Water | A | |
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Gyarados builds →Surf 2x119-141%KO Whirlpool 2x49-59% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Lapras builds →Surf 2x151-178%KO Water Pulse 2x104-122%KO Water Gun 2x69-81% Whirlpool 2x63-74% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Whiscash builds →Surf 2x141-167%KO Mud Bomb 2x104-122%KO Water Pulse 2x94-111%KO Rock Tomb 2x64-77% | ||
Qwilfish WaterPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Qwilfish builds →Surf 2x110-130%KO Brine 2x81-96% Water Gun 2x49-59% Whirlpool 2x47-56% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x185-219%KO Dig 2x147-174%KO Rock Tomb 2x112-133%KO Rock Throw 2x94-111%KO | ||
Gyarados Water | A | |
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Gyarados builds →Aqua Tail 2x214-252%KO Surf 2x119-140%KO Waterfall 2x189-223%KO Whirlpool 2x48-57% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Lapras builds →Surf 2x156-185%KO Waterfall 2x138-163%KO Brine 2x114-134%KO Water Pulse 2x105-124%KO | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Whiscash builds →Aqua Tail 2x146-172%KO Surf 2x144-169%KO Waterfall 2x130-153%KO Mud Bomb 2x105-124%KO | ||
Qwilfish WaterPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Qwilfish builds →Surf 2x114-134%KO Waterfall 2x151-179%KO Brine 2x84-99% Water Gun 2x51-61% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x189-223%KO Dig 2x151-179%KO Rock Tomb 2x114-134%KO Rock Throw 2x97-115%KO | ||
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Empoleon can KO Slugma with Hydro Pump (326-384%). Gliscor threatens a KO with Earthquake (191-225%). Aerodactyl's Stone Edge also KOs at 259-305%.
 Empoleon WaterSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemFocus Sash NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Empoleon builds →Ice Beam44-52% Hydro Pump 2x326-384%KO Aqua Jet 2x64-76% | ||
 Gliscor Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityHypercutter ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Gliscor builds →Earthquake 2x191-225%KO Ice Fang20-24% | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Slugma View Aerodactyl builds →Earthquake 2x173-204%KO Stone Edge 2x259-305%KO | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution
Slugma is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Magcargo. Check the evolution method below. A decent partner pool 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 31 breeding partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Pass egg moves like Acid Armor, Curse, Heat Wave and 5 more to offspring.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Slugma Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
The egg pool carries weight here. Acid Armor and Curse aren't available any other way for Slugma, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Overheat and Fire Blast for solid options.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
HeartGold & SoulSilver Slugma Locations
Slugma tops out at moderate rates across 6 locations in mid-game routes. The encounters below are sorted by rate so you can see exactly what you're working with.
Best Locations to Catch Slugma in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Which version you're playing matters for Slugma. 6 walking spots at Lv. 27-29 spread across HeartGold and SoulSilver, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
Slugma Guide
Slugma evolves into Magcargo at level 38. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 250 BST.
Slugma evolves into Magcargo at level 38. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.
Slugma is catchable in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 16 other games across the series.
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 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves