How to get Magcargo in Pokemon Go: PvP & PvE performance, best moveset & can it be shiny?

Niladri Sarkar
magcargo pokemon go in the anime

The fiery Magcargo has caught the attention of Pokemon Go players, and they are wondering if Magcargo is good in PvP and PvE battles. Players are also curious to know if shiny Magcargo is available in Pokemon Go, so here are all the details.

Pokemon Go players are bursting into the PvP and PvE scene of the game more than ever. But as they take part in battles, players know that only the best Pokemon can give them the victories they want. One Pokemon has become a huge topic of interest in recent months, and that’s the Lava Pokemon Magcargo.

Introduced in the Gen 2 games, Magcargo is a Fire/Rock-type Pokemon known to be an excellent attacker and has a gorgeous shiny. Now, Pokemon Go players are eager to know about its PvP & PvE performance and its shiny availability in the game.

So, here’s all you need to know about Magcargo in Pokemon Go.

How to get Magcargo in Pokemon Go

Players can get Magcargo in Pokemon Go by catching a Slugma and evolving it to Magcargo with 50 Candy or by beating Magcargo in 3-Star Raid Battles.

Slugma is a common wild spawn in Pokemon Go and can be found more frequently when there is sunny weather in the game. We recommend using Pinap Berry to get bonus Candy each time you catch Slugma.

magcargo pokemon go during battle
Magcargo’s body temperature is said to be as high as that of the Sun.

Is shiny Magcargo available in Pokemon Go?

Yes, shiny Magcargo is available in Pokemon Go.

Lucky players can obtain a shiny Magcargo by catching a shiny Slugma and evolving it. Players would be glad to know that Shiny Slugma is not as rare as most shiny Pokemon. The odds of encountering a shiny Slugma in Pokemon Go are 1 in 250, or 0.4% chance.

Is Magcargo good in Pokemon Go PvP?

Yes, Magcargo is good in Pokemon Go PvP, particularly the Great League.

Magcargo does well when there are no more shields left in a Great League battle. In such a situation, it can take advantage of its high Defense stat and apply offensive pressure on the opponent.

Best Magcargo Pokemon Go PvP moveset

The best Magcargo Pokemon Go PvP moveset is Incinerate as a Fast Move paired with Overheat and Stone Edge as Charged Moves.

Incinerate is one of the most damaging Fast Moves in PvP. Magcargo can dish out a lot of STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) damage with Incinerate and Overheat. But players should be careful in using Overheat because it causes a self-debuff of Attack stat by two stages.

Stone Edge is a very good coverage move, giving Magcargo the ability to deal with Flying Pokemon and other Fire Pokemon in battle.

Is Magcargo good in Pokemon Go PvE?

No, Magcargo is not too good in Pokemon Go PvE. There are far better options to use in Raid Battles, but it can find some use in Gyms.

Its Attack stat is too low to match other Fire-type Pokemon during Raids, but Magcargo can chip in some decent damage against Pokemon that are weak to its attacks in Gyms.

Best Magcargo Pokemon Go PvE moveset

The best Magcargo Pokemon Go PvE moveset is Incinerate as a Fast Move combined with Overheat as a Charged Move.

Magcargo has a low Attack stat of 139, but both Incinerate and Overheat are strong Fire-type moves that can help Magcargo deal some damage in PvE battles. We recommend using Magcargo to attack Gyms and take advantage of its solid offensive coverage.

All Magcargo Pokemon Go moves

magcargo pokemon go using a fire-type move
Magcargo can spew flames from its shell.

Here’s the complete Magcargo Pokemon Go moveset:

Fast Moves

  • Incinerate
  • Ember
  • Rock Throw

Charged Moves

  • Overheat
  • Heat Wave
  • Stone Edge
  • Rock Tomb

That’s all you need to know about Magcargo in Pokemon Go. For more Pokemon Go content, be sure to check out our other guides:

How to connect Pokemon Go to Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to heal Pokemon in Pokemon Go | How many Pokemon are there? | Best Pokemon for PvP battles in Pokemon Go | How to get revives in Pokemon Go | How to get the Master Ball in Pokemon Go | How to get different Vivillion patterns in Pokemon Go & Scarlet and Violet

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About The Author

Niladri is a Writer who specializes in Pokemon Go, Scarlet and Violet, and competitive VGC battles. With more than seven years of experience in copywriting and SEO content writing, Niladri has previously written for Pokémon GO Hub and Smogon. He has been covering Pokemon for CharlieIntel since June 2023. Niladri can be contacted at [email protected].