---
title: "Magcargo (#0219): Stats, Weaknesses, Moves & Lore | pokee.si"
url: "https://pokee.si/pokemon/magcargo"
description: "Magcargo (#0219): Fire/Rock-type Lava Pokémon from Johto. Base stat total 430. Stats, matchups, evolutions, moves, every Pokédex entry and lore on pokee.si."
last_updated: "2026-10-21"
publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)"
last_checked: "2026-10-20"
---

#0219 · Johto · Generation 2

# Magcargo

Lava Pokémon · Fire/Rock-type

![Magcargo official artwork](https://pokee.si/img/art/219.webp)

Magcargo is a [Fire](https://pokee.si/types/fire)/[Rock](https://pokee.si/types/rock)-type Pokémon, the Lava Pokémon, number 219 (#0219) in the National Pokédex. It was introduced in Generation 2 and comes from the [Johto](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/johto) region. It is 0.8 m tall and weighs 55 kg.

Magcargo is a Fire and Rock snail whose body temperature, the Pokédex says, is about 10,000°C (18,000°F), enough to turn rain into steam and wrap its surroundings in thick fog. Its shell is not really a shell: it is its own skin, cooled and hardened into brittle rock.

## How to pronounce Magcargo

Magcargo is pronounced **mag-KAR-goh**. The capital letters show the stressed syllable.

Listen to Magcargo said out loud:

[Listen](https://pokee.si/audio/names/219.mp3)

In Japanese it is マグカルゴ (Magcargot).

Hear every other name on the [Pokémon pronunciation guide](https://pokee.si/pronounce).

## Lore

### Biology

Magcargo is a bright red, limbless snail of magma with large yellow eyes and a grey, lumpy shell of hardened magma on its back. Fire leaks out of the shell's side. It is 0.8 m (2 ft 7 in) tall and weighs 55 kg (121.3 lb). The Pokédex says the shell crumbles at a touch, but Magcargo restores itself by dipping into magma.

### Behaviour

Magcargo lives near volcano craters and stores fire energy in its shell. The Emerald Pokédex says tens of thousands of years in volcanic craters have turned its body to magma. According to folklore in the Violet entry, a sudden rise in wild Magcargo numbers heralds an eruption.

### Habitat

The Pokédex puts it near volcano craters, and it is listed as a Mountain Pokémon. In Scarlet and Violet it appears only in Kitakami, in The Teal Mask expansion, by evolving Slugma or in 4-star Tera Raid Battles, and it is not available in Legends: Z-A.

### Powers

Magma Armor prevents freezing and Flame Body can burn attackers on contact, with Weak Armor hidden. In Scarlet and Violet it also learns Lava Plume, Flamethrower, Earth Power and Recover. Its 120 base Defense is the highest of any Fire type introduced in Generation II, making it a slow wall.

### Name origin

Magcargo may combine 'magma', 'escargot' (French for 'snail') and 'cargo'. The Japanese name is Magcargot (マグカルゴ), which Bulbapedia reads the same way.

### Design inspiration

Magcargo looks like a snail whose body is lava and whose shell is rock. Bulbapedia names two real snails as likely models, Victaphanta atramentaria and Platymma tweediei. This is a fan reading.

### Evolution notes

Magcargo is the final form of Slugma, evolving at level 38.

### In the games

Evolving Slugma is the only way to get a Magcargo in Gold and Silver, where it debuted.

### In the anime

Magcargo debuted in 'Some Like it Hot', where Egan kept failing to catch one until he copied Misty's strategies and landed an unusually large specimen. Flannery's Slugma Mag evolved into a Magcargo in 'Poetry Commotion!' and was the first Pokémon she used against Ash in their Gym battle.

### Fun facts

- In Scarlet and Violet it learns Shell Smash the moment it evolves, a move Slugma cannot learn by levelling up.
- Bulbapedia says it is the only Rock-type Pokémon in the Amorphous Egg Group.
- Bulbapedia says it is the only Pokémon that can be obtained in each of the main Generation III games, Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD.

Sources: [Bulbapedia: Magcargo (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Magcargo_(Pok%C3%A9mon)) · [Serebii: Magcargo (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/magcargo/)

## Base stats

- HP: **60**
- Attack: **50**
- Defense: **120**
- Sp. Atk: **90**
- Sp. Def: **80**
- Speed: **30**

Magcargo’s base stat total is **430**. Its highest stat is Defense.

## Type matchups

### What is Magcargo weak to?

Magcargo takes extra damage from [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) (4×), [Ground](https://pokee.si/types/ground) (4×), [Fighting](https://pokee.si/types/fighting) (2×), [Rock](https://pokee.si/types/rock) (2×) moves.

It resists [Fire](https://pokee.si/types/fire) (¼×), [Normal](https://pokee.si/types/normal) (½×), [Ice](https://pokee.si/types/ice) (½×), [Poison](https://pokee.si/types/poison) (½×), [Flying](https://pokee.si/types/flying) (½×), [Bug](https://pokee.si/types/bug) (½×), [Fairy](https://pokee.si/types/fairy) (½×).

## Evolution

### What does Magcargo evolve from?

Magcargo evolves from [Slugma](https://pokee.si/pokemon/slugma) at level 38.

Magcargo is the final stage of its evolution family.

The whole family: [Slugma](https://pokee.si/pokemon/slugma), **Magcargo**.

## Abilities

- [Magma Armor](https://pokee.si/abilities/magma-armor): Prevents freezing.
- [Flame Body](https://pokee.si/abilities/flame-body): Has a 30% chance of burning attacking Pokémon on contact.
- [Weak Armor](https://pokee.si/abilities/weak-armor) (hidden ability): Raises Speed and lowers Defense by one stage each upon being hit by a physical move.

## Moves

### Moves Magcargo learns by level up in Scarlet / Violet

| Level | Move | Type | Category | Power |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Evo | [Shell Smash](https://pokee.si/moves/shell-smash) | Normal | Status | — |
| 1 | [Ember](https://pokee.si/moves/ember) | Fire | Special | 40 |
| 1 | [Rock Throw](https://pokee.si/moves/rock-throw) | Rock | Physical | 50 |
| 1 | [Smog](https://pokee.si/moves/smog) | Poison | Special | 30 |
| 1 | [Yawn](https://pokee.si/moves/yawn) | Normal | Status | — |
| 1 | [Earth Power](https://pokee.si/moves/earth-power) | Ground | Special | 90 |
| 13 | [Harden](https://pokee.si/moves/harden) | Normal | Status | — |
| 20 | [Clear Smog](https://pokee.si/moves/clear-smog) | Poison | Special | 50 |
| 22 | [Ancient Power](https://pokee.si/moves/ancient-power) | Rock | Special | 60 |
| 27 | [Incinerate](https://pokee.si/moves/incinerate) | Fire | Special | 60 |
| 29 | [Rock Slide](https://pokee.si/moves/rock-slide) | Rock | Physical | 75 |
| 34 | [Lava Plume](https://pokee.si/moves/lava-plume) | Fire | Special | 80 |
| 36 | [Amnesia](https://pokee.si/moves/amnesia) | Psychic | Status | — |
| 43 | [Body Slam](https://pokee.si/moves/body-slam) | Normal | Physical | 85 |
| 47 | [Recover](https://pokee.si/moves/recover) | Normal | Status | — |
| 54 | [Flamethrower](https://pokee.si/moves/flamethrower) | Fire | Special | 90 |

“Evo” means Magcargo learns the move the moment it evolves: [Shell Smash](https://pokee.si/moves/shell-smash).

### TM moves (47)

Magcargo can learn 47 moves from TMs in Scarlet / Violet: [Take Down](https://pokee.si/moves/take-down), [Mud-Slap](https://pokee.si/moves/mud-slap), [Protect](https://pokee.si/moves/protect), [Fire Spin](https://pokee.si/moves/fire-spin), [Facade](https://pokee.si/moves/facade), [Bulldoze](https://pokee.si/moves/bulldoze), [Mud Shot](https://pokee.si/moves/mud-shot), [Rock Tomb](https://pokee.si/moves/rock-tomb), [Flame Charge](https://pokee.si/moves/flame-charge), [Endure](https://pokee.si/moves/endure), [Sunny Day](https://pokee.si/moves/sunny-day), [Sandstorm](https://pokee.si/moves/sandstorm), [Body Slam](https://pokee.si/moves/body-slam), [Sleep Talk](https://pokee.si/moves/sleep-talk), [Reflect](https://pokee.si/moves/reflect), [Light Screen](https://pokee.si/moves/light-screen), [Rock Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/rock-blast), [Stomping Tantrum](https://pokee.si/moves/stomping-tantrum), [Rest](https://pokee.si/moves/rest), [Rock Slide](https://pokee.si/moves/rock-slide), [Power Gem](https://pokee.si/moves/power-gem), [Substitute](https://pokee.si/moves/substitute), [Iron Defense](https://pokee.si/moves/iron-defense), [Will-O-Wisp](https://pokee.si/moves/will-o-wisp), [Stealth Rock](https://pokee.si/moves/stealth-rock), [Heat Wave](https://pokee.si/moves/heat-wave), [Flamethrower](https://pokee.si/moves/flamethrower), [Amnesia](https://pokee.si/moves/amnesia), [Earth Power](https://pokee.si/moves/earth-power), [Fire Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/fire-blast), [Earthquake](https://pokee.si/moves/earthquake), [Stone Edge](https://pokee.si/moves/stone-edge), [Giga Impact](https://pokee.si/moves/giga-impact), [Overheat](https://pokee.si/moves/overheat), [Hyper Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/hyper-beam), [Flare Blitz](https://pokee.si/moves/flare-blitz), [Solar Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/solar-beam), [Tera Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/tera-blast), [Sand Tomb](https://pokee.si/moves/sand-tomb), [Smack Down](https://pokee.si/moves/smack-down), [Gyro Ball](https://pokee.si/moves/gyro-ball), [Heat Crash](https://pokee.si/moves/heat-crash), [Burning Jealousy](https://pokee.si/moves/burning-jealousy), [Pain Split](https://pokee.si/moves/pain-split), [Temper Flare](https://pokee.si/moves/temper-flare), [Scorching Sands](https://pokee.si/moves/scorching-sands), [Curse](https://pokee.si/moves/curse).

Egg moves (8):[Acid Armor](https://pokee.si/moves/acid-armor), [Curse](https://pokee.si/moves/curse), [Guard Swap](https://pokee.si/moves/guard-swap), [Inferno](https://pokee.si/moves/inferno), [Memento](https://pokee.si/moves/memento), [Rollout](https://pokee.si/moves/rollout), [Smokescreen](https://pokee.si/moves/smokescreen), [Stockpile](https://pokee.si/moves/stockpile).

## Breeding & training

- Gender: 50% male, 50% female.
- Egg groups: Amorphous.
- Egg cycles: 20 (steps to hatch, Scarlet/Violet: 2,560).
- Catch rate: 75 out of 255.
- Base friendship (Gen 8 onward): 50.
- Growth rate: Medium (1,000,000 experience points to reach level 100).
- Defeating it gives 2 Defense effort values.
- Base experience yield: 151.

## Pokédex entries

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. *(Alpha Sapphire)*

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. *(Ruby, Omega Ruby)*

Its body is as hot as lava and is always billowing. Flames will occasionally burst from its shell. *(Crystal, Y)*

Its brittle shell occasionally spouts intense flames that circulate throughout its body. *(Silver, FireRed, SoulSilver, X)*

Its body temperature is roughly 18,000 degrees F. Flames spout from gaps in its hardened shell. *(Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Black, White, Black 2, White 2)*

The shell on its back is just skin that has cooled and hardened. It breaks easily with a slight touch. *(Gold, LeafGreen, HeartGold)*

## Names around the world

- **Japanese**: マグカルゴ
- **Romaji**: Magcargot
- **French**: Volcaropod
- **German**: Magcargo
- **Spanish**: Magcargo
- **Italian**: Magcargo
- **Korean**: 마그카르고
- **Chinese (Simplified)**: 熔岩蜗牛
- **Chinese (Traditional)**: 熔岩蝸牛

## Trivia

- Highest Defense among Fire types in Gen 2: 120.
- Taller than 39% of all Pokémon (0.8 m).
- Heavier than 68% of all Pokémon (55 kg).
- Base stat total 430, ranked #544 of 1,025.
- Its best stat is Defense, ranked #63 of 1,025.
- One of 3 Pokémon that are both Fire and Rock.
- One of 97 red Pokémon.
- Number 68 of 100 Pokémon introduced in Generation 2 (Johto).
- Part of an evolution family of 2 Pokémon.
- Can learn 65 different moves in Scarlet / Violet.
- Catch rate 75: about 9.8% per Poké Ball at full health.
- Appears in 8 distinct Pokédex entries.

## Sources and fact-checking

- Stats, types, abilities, moves, evolutions, forms and Pokédex entries: [PokéAPI](https://pokeapi.co) open game data.
- Lore: written by pokee.si in our own words, researched from [Bulbapedia: Magcargo (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Magcargo_(Pok%C3%A9mon)), [Serebii: Magcargo (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/magcargo/).
- Pronunciation (mag-KAR-goh): it follows how the English anime, games or official videos say it.

**Last checked:** 20 October 2026. Every sentence of the lore was checked against Bulbapedia, Serebii and the game data.

## Explore

[Fire-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/fire) · [Rock-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/rock) · [Fire/Rock weaknesses and matchups](https://pokee.si/types/fire-rock) · [Johto region guide](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/johto) · [Magma Armor ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/magma-armor) · [Flame Body ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/flame-body) · [Weak Armor ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/weak-armor) · [Compare Magcargo](https://pokee.si/compare?ids=219) · [Full Pokédex](https://pokee.si/pokedex) · [Type chart](https://pokee.si/types) · [All moves](https://pokee.si/moves)

## Browse similar Pokémon

[Gen 2 Fire-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/fire/gen-2) · [Gen 2 Rock-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/rock/gen-2) · [Gen 2 Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/pokedex/gen-2) · [Red Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/colours/red) · [Amorphous egg group](https://pokee.si/egg-groups/amorphous) · [Pokémon that start with M](https://pokee.si/pokemon-names/m) · [Snail and Slug Pokémon](https://pokee.si/animals/snail)

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---

Source: https://pokee.si/pokemon/magcargo (HTML page). pokee.si is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company. Pokémon and all related names and images are © their respective owners.