Special
Balanced
20Speed · Very Slow

Is Slugma Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Fire with AbilityMagma Armor preventing freeze or AbilityFlame Body burning on contact. Magcargo at 38 adds Rock. Available in Mt. Ember postgame. Fire/Rock with 4x Water weakness is fragile against half of Kanto's trainers.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEBEGEETTETGEEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7SlugmaCatchableMagcargoEvolveGiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Even

Slugma trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Risky
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Bad

Misty's Pokemon outpace and outclass Slugma here.

Avoid
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Avoid
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

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

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
You Win
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Good

Slugma has the type edge here and should clean up Erika's team.

You Win
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
You Win
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Slugma trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Slugma trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Tough

Blaine's typing presses Slugma's defenses.

Risky
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Risky
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Risky
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Risky
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Tough

Giovanni's team hits Magcargo's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Even
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
Risky
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Risky
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Risky
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Magcargo trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

Even
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
Even
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
Risky
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
You Win
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
Even
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Tough

Bruno's team hits Magcargo's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Risky
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Risky
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Risky
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
Risky
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
You Win
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
You Win
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
You Win
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Even
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Magcargo trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
Even
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
Even
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Even
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Magcargo trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

You Win
Pidgeot
Lv 59
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Aerial AceFeather DanceSand AttackWhirlwind
Even
Alakazam
Lv 57
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicFuture SightRecoverReflect
Risky
Rhydon
Lv 59
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownEarthquakeRock TombScary Face
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 59
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedFlamethrowerRoarBite
Easy KO
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Giga DrainEgg BombSleep PowderLight Screen
Avoid
Blastoise
Lv 63
Water
Torrent
Hydro PumpRain DanceSkull BashBite
Catchable
Available after Badge 7
Type
Fire
Tier
F

Catch Slugma on Mt. Ember (walking, Lv 22-32, common).

View Slugma locations

Recommended Moves
  • 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
Evolve Slugma to Magcargo
Level 38
Type
FireRock
Tier
E

Your Slugma should hit Level 38 before you reach Giovanni, at typical leveling pace.

View Magcargo locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 38)
    • LV 38FireFlamethrower135100%15
  • After Erika
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • TM06PoisonToxic90%10
  • After Blaine
    • TM38FireFire Blast16585%5
    • LV 48RockRock Slide11390%10
  • After Giovanni
    • TM50FireOverheat19590%5
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
  • Post-Game
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Slugma in FireRed & LeafGreen

Slugma has the widest spread in this Johto wave: twelve encounter rows using both rock-smash and walking methods, common rarity across the board. One of the easier Gen 2 additions to catch in both versions.

1 location to catch Slugma

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 7

Where To Catch Slugma in FRLG

To get Slugma, start by catching Slugma through walking and rock smash encounters at Lv. 15-45. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Magcargo
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Magcargo
    or evolve from Slugma (Step 1)

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.

Slugma Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Ground, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Slugma Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
5Resist
0Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Slugma Strong Against

4Strong
4Resisted
0Immune
Score0
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Slugma

Slugma Evolutions

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

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Slugma
Fire
Magcargo
FireRock
HP
40
60+20
ATK
40
50+10
DEF
40
120+80
SP.ATK
70
90+20
SP.DEF
40
80+40
SPE
20
30+10
BST
250C-Tier
430C-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Trick Room
TYPE
Special
Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Slugma easily with 22 breeding partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Pass egg moves like Acid Armor, Heat Wave to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
2moves
Breed With (best first)
gardevoirkirliacastformraltsmukgengarweezingswalotmagcargohaunterwobbuffetkoffing

FRLG Slugma Best Moveset

Fire with AbilityFlame Body burning on contact. Stats too low across the board. Magcargo adds Rock typing and 120 Defense but introduces 4x Water and Ground weaknesses.

Best Build

Experimental
Wall
Ability
Magma Armor
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Slugma
Calm+SPD

Slugma best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Wall Moveset

  • FlamethrowerSTAB
  • Light Screen
  • Acid Armor
  • RestRecovery

Moves List

Most of Slugma's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Overheat and Fire Blast, but Poison and Rock and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Smog
207020Poison
Lv 1
Yawn
C10Normal
Lv 8
Ember
6010025Fire
Lv 15
Rock Throw
509015Rock
Lv 22
Harden
C30Normal
Lv 29
Amnesia
D20Psychic
Lv 36
Flamethrower
B14210015Fire
Lv 43
Rock Slide
D759010Rock
Lv 50
Body Slam
D8510015Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
C180855Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
B14210015Fire
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM16
Light Screen
B30Psychic
TM50
Overheat
A210905Fire
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM33
Reflect
A20Psychic
TM44
Rest
A10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D2010015Fighting
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Acid Armor
A40Poison
Egg
Heat Wave
A1509010Fire

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
D12010015Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Rock Slide
D759010Rock
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP40
D
Attack40
D
Defense40
D
Sp. Atk70
C
Sp. Def40
D
Speed20
F
Total250
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.7 m
Weight35.0 kg
Base XP50
Abilities
Magma Armor
Prevents freezing.
Flame Body
Has a 30% chance of burning attacking Pokémon on contact.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpDSpe
Special Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

A common sight in volcanic areas, it slowly slithers around in a constant search for warm places.

It never sleeps. It has to keep moving because if it stopped, its magma body would cool and harden.

Slugma FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Yes. Slugma is not available during the main story. It can only be obtained after entering the Hall of Fame. Slugma 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

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.

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