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 Fahrenheit. Flames burst from gaps in its shell made of hardened magma.
Its body temperature is roughly 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Flames burst from gaps in its shell made of hardened magma.
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. 7 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, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fire |
 Gastrodon WaterGround | B | |
Obtain MethodPoni Wilds Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 4x128-151%KO Stone Edge 2x42-50% Muddy Water 4x173-204%KO Surf 4x173-204%KO | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Flygon builds →Earthquake 4x147-173%KO Stone Edge 2x49-58% Earth Power 4x155-182%KO Rock Slide 2x38-44% | ||
 Poliwrath WaterFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Poliwrath builds →Focus Blast 2x92-109%KO Dynamic Punch 2x71-84% Earthquake 4x96-113%KO Surf 4x139-164%KO | ||
 Gabite DragonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gabite builds →Earthquake 4x136-160%KO Stone Edge 2x45-53% Dig 4x109-129%KO Rock Slide 2x33-40% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Graveler builds →Earthquake 4x143-169%KO Stone Edge 2x71-84% Rock Slide 2x54-64% Brick Break 2x36-43% | ||
In Sun & Moon, Cobalion's Close Combat hits Magcargo for 81-95%. Mamoswine's Earthquake also KOs at 248-291%.
 Cobalion SteelFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFightiniumz NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Cobalion builds →Close Combat 2x81-95% Stone Edge 2x45-53% | ||
 Volcanion FireWater | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Volcanion builds →Sludge Bomb27-32% Fire Blast25-29% | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Mamoswine builds →Earthquake 4x248-291%KO Ice Shard12-15% Knock Off27-31% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 4x175-206%KO Stone Edge 2x58-69% | ||
Sun & Moon 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 430 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Magcargo to get Slugma eggs easily using 52 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Acid Armor, Curse, Earth Power and 9 more.
Sun & Moon Magcargo Best Moveset
Flame Body helps Magcargo stick around while dealing real damage. Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, max HP and Sp. Atk EVs for the right balance, and Lavaplume as the main threat. Not the fastest, but it doesn't need to be.
Best Build
Magcargo best EVs are HP and Sp. Atk
Special Tank Moveset
- Lava Plume
- Will O Wisp
- Earth Power
- Ancient Power
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Self Destruct
- Flamethrower
- Mud Slap
- Amnesia
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 Sun & Moon
Magcargo can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Slugma from Gold, Crystal, or Brilliant Diamond and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Magcargo Guide
In Sun & Moon, 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 Sun & Moon, Slugma evolves into Magcargo at level 38. Magcargo is the fully evolved form. It sits at 430 BST in its evolved form.
For Sun & Moon, it depends on your team. Magcargo at 430 BST isn't a powerhouse, but the Fire/Rock coverage might be exactly what you're missing.
In Sun & Moon, Magcargo has a 430 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Sun & Moon's meta. It works best as a trick room. Lavaplume 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