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.
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)
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Rock Throw 2x29-36% Rock Smash 2x14-19% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Geodude builds →Focus Punch 2x67-81% Brick Break 2x36-43% Rock Throw 2x40-50% Rock Smash 2x24-29% | ||
 Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Omanyte builds →Water Gun 4x95-114%KO Rock Smash 2x14-19% | ||
 Kabuto RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift | ||
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Psyduck builds →Focus Punch 2x52-62% Brick Break 2x26-33% Water Gun 4x71-86% Rock Smash 2x19-24% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x30-38% Rock Throw 2x27-32% Rock Smash 2x14-18% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Geodude builds →Focus Punch 2x70-82% Brick Break 2x36-43% Rock Tomb 2x45-54% Rock Throw 2x39-48% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Omanyte builds →Water Pulse 4x136-161%KO Rock Tomb 2x30-38% Water Gun 4x91-107%KO Rock Smash 2x14-18% | ||
Kabuto RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Kabuto builds →Water Pulse 4x100-118%KO Rock Tomb 2x45-54% Mud Shot 4x61-71% Rock Smash 2x20-25% | ||
 Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Earthquake 4x94-111%KO Rock Slide 2x36-43% Rock Tomb 2x29-34% Rock Throw 2x24-30% | ||
 Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gligar builds →Earthquake 4x130-154%KO Rock Slide 2x33-40% Brick Break 2x33-40% Rock Tomb 2x26-31% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Graveler builds →Focus Punch 2x74-89% Earthquake 4x153-180%KO Brick Break 2x39-46% Rock Slide 2x57-69% | ||
 Larvitar RockGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Larvitar builds →Earthquake 4x116-137%KO Rock Slide 2x47-56% Brick Break 2x31-37% Rock Tomb 2x36-43% | ||
 Gible DragonGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gible builds →Earthquake 4x123-146%KO Rock Slide 2x31-37% Rock Tomb 2x26-31% Rock Smash 2x19-23% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Earthquake 4x96-114%KO Rock Slide 2x38-46% Rock Tomb 2x32-38% Rock Throw 2x25-30% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gligar builds →Earthquake 4x135-159%KO Rock Slide 2x34-41% Brick Break 2x34-41% Rock Tomb 2x28-33% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Graveler builds →Focus Punch 2x77-91% Earthquake 4x161-190%KO Brick Break 2x41-48% Rock Slide 2x61-72% | ||
Larvitar RockGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Larvitar builds →Earthquake 4x115-137%KO Rock Slide 2x44-53% Brick Break 2x29-35% Rock Tomb 2x38-46% | ||
Gible DragonGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gible builds →Earthquake 4x129-152%KO Rock Slide 2x32-38% Rock Tomb 2x25-30% Rock Smash 2x19-23% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Earthquake 4x96-114%KO Dig 4x77-91% Rock Slide 2x38-46% Rock Tomb 2x32-38% | ||
 Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 4x148-175%KO Dig 4x115-137%KO Rock Slide 2x54-65% Rock Tomb 2x44-53% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gligar builds →Earthquake 4x135-159%KO Dig 4x109-129%KO Rock Slide 2x34-41% Brick Break 2x34-41% | ||
Larvitar RockGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Larvitar builds →Earthquake 4x115-137%KO Dig 4x96-114%KO Rock Slide 2x44-53% Brick Break 2x29-35% | ||
Gible DragonGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gible builds →Earthquake 4x129-152%KO Dig 4x103-122%KO Rock Slide 2x32-38% Rock Tomb 2x25-30% | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 4x137-162%KO Surf 4x183-216%KO Dig 4x112-132%KO Rock Slide 2x34-40% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Earthquake 4x91-108%KO Dig 4x71-84% Rock Slide 2x35-42% Rock Tomb 2x28-33% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 4x137-162%KO Dig 4x112-132%KO Rock Slide 2x53-63% Rock Tomb 2x43-51% | ||
Larvitar RockGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Larvitar builds →Earthquake 4x112-132%KO Dig 4x91-108%KO Rock Slide 2x43-51% Brick Break 2x28-34% | ||
Gible DragonGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gible builds →Earthquake 4x117-138%KO Dig 4x96-114%KO Rock Slide 2x30-36% Rock Tomb 2x25-30% | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 4x133-157%KO Muddy Water 4x180-213%KO Surf 4x180-213%KO Dig 4x109-129%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Earthquake 4x85-101%KO Dig 4x71-84% Rock Slide 2x33-39% Rock Tomb 2x28-34% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 4x137-163%KO Dig 4x109-129%KO Rock Slide 2x52-62% Rock Tomb 2x42-50% | ||
Larvitar RockGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Larvitar builds →Earthquake 4x109-129%KO Dig 4x90-107%KO Rock Slide 2x42-50% Brick Break 2x28-34% | ||
Gible DragonGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gible builds →Earthquake 4x119-140%KO Dig 4x95-112%KO Rock Slide 2x30-36% Rock Tomb 2x23-28% | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 4x138-163%KO Muddy Water 4x187-221%KO Surf 4x187-221%KO Dig 4x110-130%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Onix builds →Earthquake 4x90-106%KO Dig 4x73-86% Rock Slide 2x34-41% Rock Tomb 2x28-34% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Rhyhorn builds →Stone Edge 2x71-84% Earthquake 4x142-168%KO Dig 4x114-134%KO Rock Slide 2x53-62% | ||
Larvitar RockGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Larvitar builds →Earthquake 4x114-134%KO Stone Edge 2x57-67% Dig 4x94-110%KO Rock Slide 2x42-50% | ||
Gible DragonGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Gible builds →Earthquake 4x122-144%KO Dig 4x98-115%KO Rock Slide 2x31-37% Rock Tomb 2x24-29% | ||
In Platinum, Infernape can KO Magcargo with Close Combat (95-112%). Flygon threatens a KO with Earthquake (154-182%). Swampert's Earthquake also KOs at 132-156%.
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Infernape builds →Close Combat 2x95-112%KO U Turn9-11% Fire Blast8-9% | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Flygon builds →Earthquake 4x154-182%KO Outrage46-54% U Turn9-11% | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Swampert builds →Earthquake 4x132-156%KO Ice Beam8-9% Waterfall 4x107-126%KO | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Magcargo View Aerodactyl builds →Earthquake 4x106-125%KO Stone Edge 2x80-94% | ||
Platinum 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 31 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Acid Armor, Curse, Heat Wave and 5 more.
Platinum Magcargo Best Moveset
Stealth Rock is the priority every time Magcargo comes in. Calm nature and max HP and Sp. Def EVs keep it alive long enough to get layers down, while Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn. Flame Body rounds it out. Recover keeps it healthy between hits.
Best Build
Magcargo best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Wall Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Recover
- Lava Plume
- Yawn
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 Platinum
high spawn rates across 2 locations for Magcargo in endgame routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Magcargo in Platinum
The path to Magcargo starts with Slugma at Lv. 52-55 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SlugmaStark Mountain - EntranceGrass Lv.52 VolcanoRarePostStark Mountain - InteriorGrass Lv.53 VolcanoRarePost
Step 2Magcargo ✓Stark Mountain - InteriorGrass Lv.53-55 VolcanoCommonPostStark Mountain - EntranceGrass Lv.54 VolcanoUncommonPostor evolve from Slugma (Step 1)
Magcargo Guide
In Platinum, 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 Platinum, Slugma evolves into Magcargo at level 38. Magcargo is the fully evolved form. It sits at 420 BST in its evolved form.
For Platinum, 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 Platinum, Magcargo has a 420 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Platinum's meta. It works best as a support. Stealth Rock 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