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 brittle shell occasionally spouts intense flames that circulate throughout its body.
The shell on its back is just skin that has cooled and hardened. It breaks easily with a slight touch.
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 |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
 Squirtle Water | D | |
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Geodude builds →Earthquake 4x143-170%KO Dig 4x122-143%KO Rock Tomb 2x48-59% Rock Throw 2x37-46% | ||
 Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 4x143-170%KO Dig 4x111-130%KO Rock Tomb 2x28-35% | ||
Squirtle Water | D | |
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Squirtle builds →Dig 4x59-70% Waterfall 4x122-143%KO Water Pulse 4x87-104%KO Bubble 4x65-78% | ||
 Mankey Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Mankey builds →Earthquake 4x96-113%KO Dig 4x80-96% Rock Tomb 2x33-39% Karate Chop 2x37-46% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Geodude builds →Earthquake 4x143-170%KO Dig 4x122-143%KO Brick Break 2x37-43% Rock Tomb 2x48-59% | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 4x143-170%KO Dig 4x111-130%KO Brick Break 2x37-43% Rock Tomb 2x28-35% | ||
Squirtle Water | D | |
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Squirtle builds →Dig 4x59-70% Waterfall 4x122-143%KO Brick Break 2x28-35% Water Pulse 4x87-104%KO | ||
Mankey Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Mankey builds →Earthquake 4x96-113%KO Dig 4x80-96% Brick Break 2x54-65% Rock Tomb 2x33-39% | ||
 Dugtrio Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 4x161-189%KO Dig 4x126-150%KO Rock Tomb 2x33-39% Rock Smash 2x22-26% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Earthquake 4x93-111%KO Dig 4x80-95% Rock Tomb 2x29-36% Rock Throw 2x26-32% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Geodude builds →Earthquake 4x134-158%KO Dig 4x113-134%KO Brick Break 2x36-42% Rock Tomb 2x43-51% | ||
 Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Cubone builds →Earthquake 4x100-118%KO Dig 4x80-95% Brick Break 2x24-29% Bone Club 4x67-79% | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 4x126-150%KO Dig 4x107-126%KO Brick Break 2x33-39% Rock Tomb 2x26-32% | ||
Dugtrio Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 4x159-188%KO Dig 4x130-153%KO Rock Tomb 2x33-40% Rock Smash 2x23-28% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Earthquake 4x94-112%KO Dig 4x77-91% Rock Tomb 2x29-35% Rock Throw 2x26-31% | ||
 Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 4x142-167%KO Dig 4x119-140%KO Rock Tomb 2x44-52% Rock Smash 2x21-26% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Geodude builds →Earthquake 4x136-160%KO Dig 4x112-133%KO Brick Break 2x35-42% Rock Tomb 2x44-52% | ||
Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Cubone builds →Earthquake 4x100-119%KO Dig 4x83-98% Brick Break 2x26-30% Bone Club 4x65-77% | ||
Dugtrio Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 4x159-188%KO Dig 4x130-153%KO Rock Tomb 2x33-40% Rock Smash 2x23-28% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Earthquake 4x94-112%KO Dig 4x77-91% Rock Tomb 2x29-35% Rock Throw 2x26-31% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 4x142-167%KO Dig 4x119-140%KO Rock Tomb 2x44-52% Rock Smash 2x21-26% | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSilph Co Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Lapras builds →Surf 4x178-209%KO Waterfall 4x159-188%KO Water Pulse 4x119-140%KO Water Gun 4x83-98% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Geodude builds →Focus Punch 2x66-79% Earthquake 4x136-160%KO Dig 4x112-133%KO Brick Break 2x35-42% | ||
Dugtrio Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 4x155-183%KO Dig 4x125-147%KO Rock Tomb 2x31-37% Rock Smash 2x21-25% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Earthquake 4x86-102%KO Dig 4x69-81% Rock Tomb 2x28-33% Rock Throw 2x24-28% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 4x138-163%KO Dig 4x112-132%KO Rock Tomb 2x43-51% Rock Smash 2x19-24% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSilph Co Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Lapras builds →Surf 4x168-198%KO Waterfall 4x151-178%KO Water Pulse 4x116-137%KO Water Gun 4x77-92% | ||
 Dewgong WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSeafoam Islands Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Dewgong builds →Surf 4x147-173%KO Waterfall 4x130-153%KO Water Pulse 4x99-117%KO | ||
Dugtrio Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 4x158-187%KO Dig 4x130-154%KO Rock Tomb 2x32-38% Rock Smash 2x22-27% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Earthquake 4x90-106%KO Dig 4x73-86% Rock Tomb 2x28-34% Rock Throw 2x24-29% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 4x142-168%KO Dig 4x114-134%KO Rock Tomb 2x42-50% Rock Smash 2x20-24% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSilph Co Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Lapras builds →Hydro Pump 4x212-250%KO Surf 4x175-206%KO Waterfall 4x154-182%KO Water Pulse 4x118-139%KO | ||
Dewgong WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSeafoam Islands Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Dewgong builds →Surf 4x150-178%KO Waterfall 4x134-158%KO Water Pulse 4x102-120%KO | ||
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Aerodactyl can KO Magcargo with Earthquake (119-140%). Starmie threatens a KO with Surf (197-232%). Claydol's Earthquake also KOs at 99-117%.
 Aerodactyl Rock | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRockhead ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Aerodactyl builds →Earthquake 4x119-140%KO Rock Slide 2x67-79% Double Edge17-21% | ||
 Starmie WaterPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Starmie builds →Rapid Spin3-3% Ice Beam16-19% Thunderbolt33-39% Surf 4x197-232%KO | ||
 Claydol GroundPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Claydol builds →Rapid Spin4-5% Earthquake 4x99-117%KO Explosion20-24% Psychic27-32% | ||
 Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySwarm ItemSalacberry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Heracross builds →Megahorn20-24% Rock Slide 2x34-40% | ||
FireRed & LeafGreen 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 22 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Acid Armor, Heat Wave.
FireRed & LeafGreen Magcargo Best Moveset
The physical wall spread is where Magcargo earns its spot. Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, Bold nature for the right lean, and Rest handles sustain. Flame Body does the rest without needing a move slot.
Best Build
Magcargo best EVs are Defense and HP
Wall Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Toxic
- Hidden Power Ice
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Without TMs, Magcargo's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Poison and Normal coverage and more on top of Overheat and Fire Blast for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Magcargo in FireRed & LeafGreen
Magcargo appears at decent spawn rates across 2 spots in mid-game areas. 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 Magcargo in FireRed & LeafGreen
Slugma is your first catch on the way to Magcargo. You'll find walking and rock smash encounters from Lv. 15-45 across 14 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SlugmaMt. Ember - B2F Ruby PathLeafGreenSmashing rocks Lv.15-35 VolcanoCommonEarlyMt. Ember - B2F Ruby PathFireRedSmashing rocks Lv.15-35 VolcanoCommonEarlyMt. Ember - B2F Ruby PathLeafGreenGrass Lv.18-36 VolcanoCommonMidMt. Ember - B2F Ruby PathFireRedGrass Lv.18-36 VolcanoCommonMidMt. Ember - B1F Ruby PathFireRedGrass Lv.22-32 VolcanoCommonMidMt. Ember - B1F Ruby PathLeafGreenGrass Lv.22-32 VolcanoCommonMidMt. Ember - B3F Ruby PathLeafGreenGrass Lv.22-32 VolcanoCommonMidMt. Ember - B3F Ruby PathFireRedGrass Lv.22-32 VolcanoCommonMidMt. Ember - 1F Ruby PathFireRedGrass Lv.24-30 VolcanoCommonMidMt. Ember - 1F Ruby PathLeafGreenGrass Lv.24-30 VolcanoCommonMidMt. Ember - B4F Ruby PathLeafGreenGrass Lv.24-30 VolcanoCommonMidMt. Ember - B4F Ruby PathFireRedGrass Lv.24-30 VolcanoCommonMid
Step 2Magcargo ✓Mt. Ember - B2F Ruby PathLeafGreenSmashing rocks Lv.25-45 VolcanoUncommonMidMt. Ember - B2F Ruby PathFireRedSmashing rocks Lv.25-45 VolcanoUncommonMidor evolve from Slugma (Step 1)
Magcargo Guide
In FireRed & LeafGreen, 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 FireRed & LeafGreen, Slugma evolves into Magcargo at level 38. Magcargo is the fully evolved form. It sits at 420 BST in its evolved form.
For FireRed & LeafGreen, 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 FireRed & LeafGreen, Magcargo has a 420 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in FireRed & LeafGreen's meta. It works best as a support. Flamethrower with Leftovers 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