Stats & Training
Magcargo's all-in on Defense at the expense of Speed. The special lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 2 Defense EVs and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Its body temperature is roughly 18,000 degrees F. Flames spout from gaps in its hardened shell.
Its body temperature is roughly 18,000 degrees F. Flames spout from gaps in its hardened shell.
Magcargo Weakness
Magcargo's Fire/Rock typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Ground, Fighting, and Rock. Water and Ground hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. 6 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Magcargo's physical bulk (base 120 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Water, Ground |
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fire |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
In Black & White, Excadrill can KO Magcargo with Earthquake (241-284%). Terrakion threatens a KO with Close Combat (139-164%). Politoed's Scald also KOs at 159-187%.
 Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandforce ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 4x241-284%KO Rapid Spin10-12% Rock Slide 2x61-71% | ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Terrakion builds →Close Combat 2x139-164%KO Stone Edge 2x116-137%KO | ||
 Politoed Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Politoed builds →Scald 4x159-187%KO | ||
 Conkeldurr Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Conkeldurr builds →Drain Punch 2x101-120%KO Mach Punch 2x55-65% | ||
Black & White Evolution
Magcargo is the evolved form of Slugma. Breeding produces Slugma eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Slugma gave Magcargo the biggest boost in Defense (+80), bringing the total to 420 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Magcargo to get Slugma eggs easily using 45 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Acid Armor, Curse, Earth Power and 8 more.
Black & White Magcargo Best Moveset
White Herb and Flame Body form the backbone. Magcargo invests max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs to play its special attacker role properly, and Modest nature pushes Sp. Atk higher. Shellsmash handles the heavy lifting on offense. The remaining moves rounds it out.
Best Build
Magcargo best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Ancient Power
- Earth Power
- Lava Plume
Recommended Teammates
Moves
You'll want to breed for Acid Armor and Curse on Magcargo. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Overheat and Fire Blast, they expand what Magcargo can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Magcargo in Black & White
No wild encounters for Magcargo in Black & White. Bring Slugma over from Gold, Crystal, or Brilliant Diamond, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
Magcargo Guide
In Black & White, watch for Starmie (Water), Rhydon (Ground), and Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Magcargo. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Starmie is the most dangerous since Water moves deal 4x damage. Rock-type attackers are also a problem. At base 30 Speed, Magcargo won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
In Black & White, Slugma evolves into Magcargo at level 38. Magcargo is the fully evolved form. It sits at 420 BST in its evolved form.
For Black & White, it depends on your team. Magcargo at 420 BST isn't a powerhouse, but the Fire/Rock coverage might be exactly what you're missing.
In Black & White, Magcargo has a 420 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Black & White's meta. It works best as a trick room. Shellsmash with White Herb is the standard set.
Magma Armor prevents freezing. That's the one you want on Magcargo. Weak Armor is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Flame Body works too if your team needs something different.
Game Availability
Magcargo first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 17 games across 9 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
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