Slugma arrives in Platinum via Pal Park. Magma Armor prevents freezing, and Magcargo at C-Tier adds Rock typing but gains 4x Water and Ground weaknesses.
Ability 1Magma ArmorAbility 1Prevents freezing.Ability 2Flame BodyAbility 2Has a 30% chance of burning attacking Pokémon on contact.
250HP40Attack40Defense40Speed20Sp.Def40Sp.Atk70
Slugma
Magcargo
Weak to
Mixed
Balanced
20Speed · Very Slow

Is Slugma Good in Platinum Playthrough?

Stark Mountain at level 52, deep postgame. Fire/Rock with AbilityFlame Body burning on contact. Magcargo at level 38 evolves quickly, but a Fire-type arriving after the story ends misses the window where Fire matters most.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTGEEBGGEEEEESGGERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2FantinaGym 3MayleneGym 4Crasher WakeGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4JupiterBossMarsBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*SlugmaCatchableMagcargoEvolve
Roark
Gym 1
Tough

Roark's team hits Slugma's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Risky
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Risky
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Good

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

Easy KO
Turtwig
Lv 20
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafSunny DayReflect
You Win
Cherrim
Lv 20
Grass
Flower Gift
Grass KnotLeech SeedMagical LeafSafeguard
You Win
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Fantina
Gym 3
Even

Slugma trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

You Win
Duskull
Lv 24
Ghost
Levitate
Will O WispPursuitShadow SneakFuture Sight
Even
Haunter
Lv 24
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawSucker PunchHypnosisConfuse Ray
Risky
Mismagius
Lv 26
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Maylene
Gym 4
Even

Slugma trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.

Even
Meditite
Lv 28
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionRock TombFake Out
Even
Machoke
Lv 29
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopRock TombStrengthFocus Energy
You Win
Lucario
Lv 32
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 5
Bad

Crasher Wake's Pokemon outpace and outclass Slugma here.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 33
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallBrineBiteTwister
Avoid
Quagsire
Lv 34
WaterGround
Damp
Mud ShotRock TombWater PulseYawn
Avoid
Floatzel
Lv 37
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangCrunchAqua Jet
Byron
Gym 6
Good

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

You Win
Magneton
Lv 37
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackMetal Sound
You Win
Steelix
Lv 38
SteelGround
Rock Head
Flash CannonIce FangEarthquakeSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 41
RockSteel
Sturdy
Metal BurstStone EdgeIron DefenseTaunt
Candice
Gym 7
Good

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

You Win
Sneasel
Lv 40
DarkIce
Inner Focus
SlashAerial AceFeint AttackIce Shard
You Win
Piloswine
Lv 40
IceGround
Oblivious
AvalancheStone EdgeEarthquakeHail
You Win
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerWater PulseFocus Blast
You Win
Froslass
Lv 44
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardDouble TeamShadow BallPsychic
Volkner
Gym 8
Even

Slugma trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

Even
Jolteon
Lv 46
Electric
Volt Absorb
Thunder WaveCharge BeamIron TailQuick Attack
Even
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamFocus BlastSignal BeamQuick Attack
Even
Luxray
Lv 48
Electric
Rivalry
Ice FangThunder FangCrunchFire Fang
Risky
Electivire
Lv 50
Electric
Motor Drive
Thunder PunchFire PunchQuick AttackGiga Impact
Aaron
Elite Four
Even

Slugma trades roughly evenly with Aaron's team.

You Win
Yanmega
Lv 49
BugFlying
Speed Boost
Air SlashBug BuzzU TurnDouble Team
You Win
Scizor
Lv 49
BugSteel
Swarm
Iron HeadX ScissorNight SlashQuick Attack
You Win
Vespiquen
Lv 50
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Even
Heracross
Lv 51
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Risky
Drapion
Lv 53
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Even

Magcargo trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.

Even
Whiscash
Lv 50
WaterGround
Oblivious
Earth PowerAqua TailZen HeadbuttSandstorm
Risky
Gliscor
Lv 53
GroundFlying
Hyper Cutter
EarthquakeIce FangFire FangThunder Fang
Even
Hippowdon
Lv 52
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchYawn
Even
Golem
Lv 52
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeFire PunchThunder PunchSandstorm
Even
Rhyperior
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
EarthquakeRock WreckerMegahornAvalanche
Flint
Elite Four
Even

Magcargo trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.

You Win
Houndoom
Lv 52
DarkFire
Early Bird
FlamethrowerSludge BombDark PulseSunny Day
Even
Flareon
Lv 55
Fire
Flash FireImmune to Fire attacks
OverheatGiga ImpactQuick AttackWill O Wisp
Even
Rapidash
Lv 53
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
Risky
Infernape
Lv 55
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Even
Magmortar
Lv 57
Fire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerThunderboltSolar BeamHyper Beam
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Magcargo trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

Even
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
Even
Espeon
Lv 55
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallQuick AttackSignal Beam
Even
Bronzong
Lv 54
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 56
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Risky
Gallade
Lv 59
PsychicFighting
Steadfast
Drain PunchPsycho CutLeaf BladeStone Edge
Jupiter
Commander
Strong

Magcargo resists most of Jupiter's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Zubat
Lv 21
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 23
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Mars
Commander
Good

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

You Win
Golbat
Lv 38
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
Easy KO
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
Even
Purugly
Lv 40
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Saturn
Commander
Good

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

You Win
Golbat
Lv 42
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBitePoison FangConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Bronzor
Lv 42
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
Even
Toxicroak
Lv 44
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorFeint Attack
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Magcargo trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

Even
Spiritomb
Lv 58
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindShadow Ball
You Win
Roserade
Lv 58
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombToxicExtrasensory
Even
Togekiss
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Hustle
Air SlashAura SphereWater PulseShock Wave
Even
Lucario
Lv 60
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereExtreme SpeedShadow BallStone Edge
Risky
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatDragon Pulse
Avoid
Garchomp
Lv 62
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeFlamethrowerGiga Impact

Catchable

Post-game only
Type
Fire
Tier
F

Catch Slugma in Stark Mountain (walking, Lv 52, rare).

View Slugma locations

Evolve Slugma to Magcargo

Level 38
Type
FireRock
Tier
C

Slugma evolves into Magcargo at Level 38. You get it at Level 52, past Level 38, so it evolves into Magcargo the next time it levels up.

View Magcargo locations

Recommended Moves

How to Get Slugma in Platinum

Slugma oozes along a volcanic stretch, two rare encounters at one spot at levels 52 to 53. That single fiery area is where the lava snail crawls into view, and nowhere else.

1 location to catch Slugma

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 8
Post-Game

Where To Catch Slugma in Pt

Slugma is the chain's first catch. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 52-55 across 4 total spots in the chain.

Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in Platinum for Slugma.

How to Get Shiny Slugma in Platinum

Slugma only oozes through Stark Mountain, out of the Radar's reach, so breed one with a foreign Ditto for a shiny. Compare Shiny Slugma odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Slugma in PlatinumNormal
Shiny Slugma in Platinum Shiny
Color ShiftRedtoGray
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Slugma Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Platinum Shiny Slugma Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Platinum

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 1,639Masuda Method
Chance By Now50.0%at 1,136 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few173----
25%one in four472----
50%coin flip1,136----
90%very likely3,773----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your Platinum shiny odds for Slugma.

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 IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

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

Palkia
Palkia
WaterDragon
S
B
Garchomp
Garchomp
DragonGround
S
Marowak
Marowak
Ground
C
Rhydon
Rhydon
GroundRock
C

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 take an average time to hatch. 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
250F-Tier
430C-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Trick Room
TYPE
Special
Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Slugma easily with 31 breeding partners from the Amorphous egg group. Pass egg moves like Acid Armor, Curse, Heat Wave and 5 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Amorphous
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
8moves
Breed With (best first)
gardevoirgalladegastrodonshelloskirliacastformraltsmukgengarweezingswalotrotom

Pt Slugma Best Moveset

Fire typing at 20 Speed with stats in the 40-70 range. MoveStealth Rock costs 25% on every switch. AbilityFlame Body burns on contact. The moveset has nothing competitive. Evolve to Magcargo.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Wallbreaker
Ability
Flame Body
Item
Choice SpecsPOWER
Best Nature for Slugma
Modest+SPA

Slugma best EVs are Sp. Atk and Sp. Def

EVs

Special Wallbreaker Moveset

  • Acid Armor
  • Hidden Power Grass
  • FlamethrowerSTAB
  • OverheatSTAB

Moves List

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

Lv 1
Smog
—207020Poison
Lv 1
Yawn
D——10Normal
Lv 8
Ember
—6010025Fire
Lv 11
Rock Throw
—509015Rock
Lv 16
Harden
D——30Normal
Lv 23
Recover
C——10Normal
Lv 26
Ancient Power
D601005Rock
Lv 31
Amnesia
D——20Psychic
Lv 38
Lava Plume
C12010015Fire
Lv 41
Rock Slide
A759010Rock
Lv 46
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Lv 53
Flamethrower
B14210015Fire
Lv 56
Earth Power
A9010010Ground

TM Moves

23 of 26 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
D7010020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLake Veritybadge 3
A180855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
B14210015Fire
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D6010015Normal
TM16
Light ScreenVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
C——30Psychic
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
D—10015Normal
TM50A210905Fire
TM17C——10Normal
TM33C——20Psychic
TM44C——10Psychic
TM27D—10020Normal
TM80
Rock SlideMt. Coronetnot until badge 7
A759010Rock
HM06D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock TombRavaged Pathbadge 1
D609510Rock
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerPokémon Mansionbadge 4
——9015Normal
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 4
C—8510Poison
TM61
Will-O-WispExchange Service Corner counter at the Battle Frontier, which you enter from the Fight Area
C—7515Fire

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Acid Armor
B——40Poison
Egg
Curse
C——10Ghost
Egg
Heat Wave
C1509010Fire
Egg
Memento
D—10010Dark
Egg
Smokescreen
——10020Normal
Egg
Spit Up
——10010Normal
Egg
Stockpile
D——20Normal
Egg
Swallow
———10Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Ancient Power
D601005Rock
Tutor
Earth Power
A9010010Ground
Tutor
Heat Wave
C1509010Fire
Tutor
Iron Defense
A——15Steel
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Rollout
—309020Rock
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal

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

Its body is made of magma. If it doesn’t keep moving, its body will cool and harden.

Pokemon Platinum

Slugma Platinum Guide

  • In Platinum, Slugma has 250 BST and evolves into Magcargo. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

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

Game Availability

Debuting in Gold & Silver, Slugma appears in 16 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.

Explore

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