magcargo
Generation II · #0219 — Lava Pokémon
Magcargo, the Lava Pokémon, is a Fire/Rock-type introduced in Generation II that represents the final evolution of Slugma, obtained when the latter reaches level 38. As National Pokédex #219, this dual-typed mollusk stands 0.8 meters tall and weighs 55 kilograms, making it a compact but incredibly dense creature composed almost entirely of molten magma. With a base stat total of 430, Magcargo specializes in defensive capabilities, boasting a notably high Defense stat of 120 that allows it to withstand physical attacks with impressive resilience. Its Special Attack of 90 and Special Defense of 80 provide balanced magical capabilities, though its Speed stat of just 30 and Attack of 50 reveal its limitations as an offensive threat. Magcargo's defining characteristic is its extraordinary internal body temperature, which according to Pokédex entries reaches approximately 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit (10,000 degrees Celsius), a heat so intense that water vaporizes instantly upon contact.
Base Stats
Height
0.8m
Weight
55.0kg
Category
Lava Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
red
Shape
squiggle
Habitat
mountain
Abilities
Prevents freezing.
Has a 30% chance of burning attacking Pokémon on contact.
Raises Speed and lowers Defense by one stage each upon being hit by a physical move.
Magcargo Biology & Physical Characteristics
Magcargo is a limbless, gastropod mollusk Pokémon composed almost entirely of brilliant red-orange magma, bearing a striking resemblance to its pre-evolution Slugma but significantly larger and more developed. Its most distinctive feature is the gray, spherical shell that adorns its back, composed of hardened magma that has cooled over time but remains remarkably brittle despite its protective appearance. This shell, while capable of shattering with merely a slight touch, serves as a crucial storage vessel for the Pokémon's fire energy, with streaks of flame periodically leaking from its fissures and cracks. The creature possesses large, oval yellow eyes with small pupils that extend upward from its head, a bulbous snout, and a wide mouth from which two drops of magma dangle menacingly. Magcargo's lower body is entirely amorphous, bubbling with magma and lacking any defined limbs, allowing it to move fluidly across volcanic terrain. Internally, flames circulate continuously throughout its body, occasionally spouting violently through the cracks in its hardened shell, and it possesses the remarkable ability to regenerate its brittle shell by immersing itself in fresh magma, essentially resetting its physical form.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Magcargo Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Magcargo maintains a balanced 50% male to 50% female gender ratio, allowing for straightforward breeding pairs without any gender-biased complications. The species belongs to the Amorphous egg group, which includes other gelatinous and formless Pokémon, limiting its breeding compatibility to other creatures within this classification or to Ditto, the universal breeding partner. With a base happiness value of 70, Magcargo represents a moderately affectionate species that responds positively to trainer care, though it requires dedicated effort to reach maximum friendship levels for happiness-based evolution mechanics. The egg hatch counter of 20 cycles translates to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps required for an egg to hatch into a Slugma, making Magcargo's pre-evolution moderately accessible to players willing to invest breeding time. The capture rate of 75 indicates that wild Magcargo are relatively easy to catch compared to many other Pokémon, a mercy given the dangerous environments where they naturally spawn. Female Magcargo produce eggs indistinguishable from those of males, continuing the established pattern within the Fire-type breeding community, and trainers may selectively breed for favorable natures and IVs to optimize either defensive or special attacking capabilities.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm03
crystal
tm03
gold silver
tm04
gold silver
tm04
crystal
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm06
yellow
tm06
gold silver
tm06
red blue
tm06
crystal
tm06
emerald
tm06
firered leafgreen
tm06
diamond pearl
tm06
platinum
tm06
ruby sapphire
tm06
colosseum
tm06
black 2 white 2
tm06
xd
tm06
black white
tm06
heartgold soulsilver
tm06
omega ruby alpha sapphire
+692 more TMs/HMs
Magcargo Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Magcargo evolves from Slugma exclusively at level 38, making it one of the straightforward evolution lines in the Fire-type category. The evolution represents a significant transformation in both size and capability, with Slugma's limbless form becoming more distinctly defined and the addition of the characteristic hardened magma shell that gives Magcargo its distinctive appearance and enhanced defensive properties. Upon evolution, Slugma gains the Rock-type alongside its Fire-typing, fundamentally altering its type matchups and offensive coverage while gaining considerable defensive advantages. The newly evolved Magcargo immediately gains approximately 10 additional Defense points compared to its pre-evolution, establishing it as a defensive wall despite maintaining the same vulnerable Speed characteristic. This single-stage evolution line demonstrates the design principle of providing players with a viable Fire-type defensive option in the early-to-mid game of Generation II, as Slugma and Magcargo become available relatively early and can serve as dependable team members through careful strategic planning.
Where to Find
mt ember
kanto
+3 more
stark mountain
sinnoh
+8 more
ultra space wilds
alola
Magcargo Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Magcargo is a mountain-dwelling Pokémon that has adapted to life in the most extreme volcanic environments, having spent tens of thousands of years living within volcanic craters across various regions. According to local folklore, sudden population increases in wild Magcargo communities serve as harbingers of impending volcanic eruptions, though the scientific basis for this phenomenon remains unclear. The creature's extreme body temperature creates a dramatic interaction with its environment—when caught in rain, the raindrops instantly transform into steam, cloaking the surrounding area in thick fog that can obscure vision for considerable distances. Magcargo appears to be a relatively sedentary creature despite its molten nature, preferring to remain in thermally active zones where it can maintain its extraordinary heat levels without expending excessive energy. Its behavioral patterns suggest a calm, deliberate demeanor, as evidenced by its base happiness value of 70, indicating that these creatures can form meaningful bonds with trainers who show them proper respect and care. The species appears to be solitary or found in small family groups rather than large colonies, as they require significant territorial space to avoid conflicts over optimal thermal environments.
Pokedex Entries
The shell on its back is just skin that has cooled and hardened. It breaks easily with a slight touch.
Its brittle shell occasionally spouts intense flames that cir culate throughout its body.
Its body is as hot as lava and is always billowing. Flames will occasionally burst from its shell.
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.
The shell on its back is made of hardened magma. Tens of thousands of years spent living in volcanic craters have turned MAGCARGO’s bodies into magma.
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.
Its body temperature is roughly 18,000 degrees F. Flames spout from gaps in its hardened shell.
The shell on its back is just skin that has cooled and hardened. It breaks easily with a slight touch.
Its brittle shell occasionally spouts intense flames that circulate throughout its body.
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.
Its brittle shell occasionally spouts intense flames that circulate throughout its body.
Its body is as hot as lava and is always billowing. Flames will occasionally burst from its shell.
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 Fahrenheit. 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 Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Magcargo is an elegant portmanteau of 'magma' and 'cargo,' reflecting the creature's nature as a living vessel of molten rock, combined with perhaps a subtle reference to 'escargo,' the French culinary term for snails that emphasizes Magcargo's gastropod mollusk classification. The Japanese name Magcargot uses similar linguistic construction, with 'magma' combined with a romanized element suggesting cargo and movement. Visually, Magcargo's design draws inspiration from actual sea slugs and gastropods, particularly their soft, vulnerable bodies contrasted with protective shells, though the designer replaced any traditional shell composition with solidified lava, creating a unique aesthetic that bridges marine biology with volcanic geology. The creature's bulbous features, dangling magma droplets, and large upward-gazing eyes contribute to a somewhat endearing appearance despite its lethal internal temperature, making it distinctive among Fire-type designs. The irregular, lumpy texture of its gray shell mimics actual cooled and cracked lava formations found in volcanic regions, grounding the design in real-world geological inspiration while maintaining the fantastical element of a living, mobile creature.
Learnable Moves
Magcargo can learn 90 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| acid armor | poison | Status | — | — | 20 |
| after you | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| amnesia | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| ancient power | rock | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| bulldoze | ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| burning jealousy | fire | Special | 70 | 100 | 5 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| clear smog | poison | Special | 50 | — | 15 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| defense curl | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| earth power | ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| earthquake | ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| ember | fire | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| explosion | normal | Physical | 250 | 100 | 5 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fire blast | fire | Special | 110 | 85 | 5 |
| fire spin | fire | Special | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| flame burst | fire | Special | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| flame charge | fire | Physical | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| flamethrower | fire | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| flare blitz | fire | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| guard swap | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| gyro ball | steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| harden | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| heat crash | fire | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| heat wave | fire | Special | 95 | 90 | 10 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| incinerate | fire | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| inferno | fire | Special | 100 | 50 | 5 |
| infestation | bug | Special | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| lava plume | fire | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| light screen | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| memento | dark | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mud shot | ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| natural gift | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| nature power | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| overheat | fire | Special | 130 | 90 | 5 |
| pain split | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| power gem | rock | Special | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| recover | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| reflect | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| rock blast | rock | Physical | 25 | 90 | 10 |
| rock polish | rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rock throw | rock | Physical | 50 | 90 | 15 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| rollout | rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| sand tomb | ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| sandstorm | rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| scorching sands | ground | Special | 70 | 100 | 10 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| self destruct | normal | Physical | 200 | 100 | 5 |
| shell smash | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| smack down | rock | Physical | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| smog | poison | Special | 30 | 70 | 20 |
| smokescreen | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| solar beam | grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| stealth rock | rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| stockpile | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| stomping tantrum | ground | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| stone edge | rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| temper flare | fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| will o wisp | fire | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| yawn | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
Magcargo Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive play, Magcargo occupies a specialized niche as a defensive wall with notable resistances and interesting ability options, though its glacially slow Speed of 30 and mediocre offensive stats prevent it from serving as a primary threat. Its three available abilities each serve distinct purposes: Magma Armor prevents freezing, crucial for Fire-types navigating competitive formats where Ice-type coverage is prevalent; Flame Body grants a 30% chance to burn attacking Pokémon on contact, providing passive damage output and status disruption; and the hidden ability Weak Armor, while unusual, raises Speed and lowers Defense upon being struck by physical moves, theoretically allowing Magcargo to outpace threats that would normally overwhelm it. The 120 Defense stat provides substantial physical bulk, allowing Magcargo to survive multiple physical attacks from non-super-effective sources, while the 80 Special Defense and 60 HP create vulnerabilities to special attackers and Water-type moves that represent the species' primary weaknesses. Its Fire/Rock typing grants useful resistances to Normal, Flying, Fire, and Poison moves, while simultaneously creating crippling weaknesses to Water, Ground, and Rock attacks that limit its ability to switch in freely. Most competitive players utilize Magcargo as a dedicated physical wall or status spreader rather than a primary damage dealer, leveraging its defensive capabilities and Flame Body passive effect to grind down physical opponents over extended turns.
Commonly Asked Questions About Magcargo
What type is Magcargo?
Magcargo is a fire and rock type Pokemon.
What does Magcargo evolve from?
Magcargo evolved from slugma.
What are Magcargo's weaknesses?
Magcargo is weak to fighting, ground, rock and water type moves.
Where can I find Magcargo?
Magcargo can be found in mt ember (kanto), stark mountain (sinnoh) and ultra space wilds (alola).
Magcargo Cultural Impact & Franchise History
While Magcargo lacks the universal recognition of franchise icons, it has maintained a devoted following among players who appreciate underutilized Fire-types and unconventional defensive strategies. The species appears sporadically throughout the anime and manga adaptations, typically serving supporting roles that emphasize its thermal properties and volcanic nature rather than combat prowess. Online communities dedicated to competitive Pokémon discussion frequently revisit Magcargo as a potential surprise team member, examining theorycrafting possibilities around its unique defensive profile and ability combinations, though few professional players have achieved significant success with it in official tournaments. The Pokédex entry detailing Magcargo's relationship with volcanic eruptions has spawned creative fan interpretations and fictional lore exploring whether the Pokémon possesses genuine seismic prediction capabilities or merely coincidentally increases in population during geologically active periods. Its extreme body temperature of 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit makes it scientifically fascinating to many players, sparking humorous discussions about its practical limitations (such as the inability to be captured by standard Poké Balls without specialized equipment) and inspiring fan art depicting dramatic interactions between Magcargo and water-based Pokémon or environments. Despite its competitive limitations, Magcargo represents a beloved reminder that not every Pokémon needs perfect stats to deserve a place in trainers' hearts and teams.
Where to Find Magcargo in Every Pokémon Game
Magcargo's availability has evolved significantly across the generations, reflecting changing game design philosophies and regional Pokédex composition. In the original Generation II games (Gold, Silver, and Crystal), Magcargo occupied Johto Pokédex #212 and could be obtained by training a Slugma to level 38, with Slugma available in volcanic locations including Mt. Mortar and Burned Tower. Generation III substantially expanded accessibility, placing Magcargo in the Hoenn region (Pokédex #104) and making both evolutionary forms available in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald through various volcanic caves and mountains. The remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver returned Magcargo to its native Johto location (regional #217), while subsequent generations continued to include the evolutionary line in their regional Pokédexes, appearing in Mountain Kalos (#13) in X and Y, the expanded dex in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (#109), and most recently in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's Teal Mask DLC (#145). Players can obtain Magcargo directly through evolution of Slugma at level 38 in virtually every generation, or occasionally catch wild Magcargo in volcano-themed locations and caves, making the species consistently accessible for players who prioritize Fire-type diversity. Magcargo has never been featured as a breedable starter Pokémon or gift encounter, firmly establishing it as a species that players must actively seek out, though its reasonable capture rate of 75 and non-legendary status ensure that determined trainers can reliably obtain one.