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.
MAGCARGO’s shell is actually its skin that hardened as a result of cooling. Its shell is very brittle and fragile - just touching it causes it to crumble apart. This POKéMON returns to its original size by dipping itself in magma.
MAGCARGO’s body temperature is approximately 18,000 degrees F. Water is vaporized on contact. If this POKéMON is caught in the rain, the raindrops instantly turn into steam, cloaking the area in a thick fog.
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
In Ruby & Sapphire, 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% | ||
Ruby & Sapphire 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.
Ruby & Sapphire 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 Ruby & Sapphire
No wild encounters for Magcargo. The 2-stage line runs through Slugma, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 38 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Magcargo in Ruby & Sapphire
Step 1Catch SlugmaFiery PathSapphireGrass Lv.15 Volcano10%EarlyFiery PathRubyGrass Lv.15 Volcano10%Early
Step 2Magcargo ✓
Magcargo Guide
In Ruby & Sapphire, 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 Ruby & Sapphire, Slugma evolves into Magcargo at level 38. Magcargo is the fully evolved form. It sits at 420 BST in its evolved form.
For Ruby & Sapphire, 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 Ruby & Sapphire, Magcargo has a 420 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Ruby & Sapphire'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