How To Evolve Magmar: Your Complete Guide To Unlocking Magmortar's Power
Have you ever stared at your powerful Fire-type Pokémon, Magmar, and wondered, "how to evolve Magmar" into its more formidable form, Magmortar? You're not alone. This fiery fighter is a fan favorite from the Johto region, but its evolution method has changed across games and can be a bit tricky to master. Whether you're a veteran Pokémon Trainer returning to your collection or a newcomer in Pokémon GO or Scarlet & Violet, understanding the exact steps is crucial. This definitive guide will walk you through every method, item, and strategy to transform your Magmar into the blazing powerhouse Magmortar, ensuring you're ready for any battle or collection goal.
Understanding Your Starting Point: Who is Magmar?
Before diving into the "how," it's essential to appreciate what you're evolving. Magmar is a pure Fire-type Pokémon introduced in Generation II. Known for its duck-billed head, spiky red body, and perpetually burning head flame, it's a special attacker with a decent Speed stat. Its design is iconic, resembling a duck or a mythical karura (a fire-elemental bird from Japanese folklore). In the main series games, it's often found in volcanic areas like Mt. Silver or the Team Magma hideout. Its evolution, Magmortar, takes this concept further, appearing more like a humanoid salamander or knight with massive, cannon-like arms capable of spewing intense fire. This evolution isn't just a visual upgrade; it significantly boosts its Special Attack and HP, making it a much more viable option for competitive play and tougher in-game content.
Magmar's Key Characteristics
- Type: Pure Fire
- Abilities:Flame Body (burns attackers on contact) or Vital Spirit (prevents sleep).
- Notable Moves:Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Sunny Day, Thunder Punch, Karate Chop.
- Role: A fast, special-oriented attacker that can also function as a physical mixed attacker with the right moveset.
Understanding these basics helps you appreciate why evolving it is so beneficial. A Magmar with a great nature and IVs is a solid Pokémon, but a Magmortar with those same stats is a completely different, more durable threat.
The Primary Method: Using the Magmarizer Item (Main Series Games)
The classic and most common method to evolve Magmar in the core Pokémon games (from Generation IV onward) is through the use of a specific evolution item called the Magmarizer. This method was introduced in Diamond & Pearl and has been the standard ever since, with a few modern twists.
What is the Magmarizer?
The Magmarizer is a Held Item. It's a metallic, gear-like object with a central red core that seems to radiate heat. Its Pokédex entries describe it as a device that makes Magmar's body temperature rise, triggering its evolution. You cannot simply use it from your bag like a TM; it must be held by Magmar and then the evolution must be triggered, usually by leveling up.
Step-by-Step Evolution Process (Main Series)
- Obtain a Magmarizer: This is your first task. Locations vary by game:
- Sinnoh (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum): Given by a NPC in the Fuego Ironworks after you show him a Magmar.
- Unova (Black/White/Black 2/White 2): Found in Pinwheel Forest (hidden in a corner) or held by wild Magmar (very low chance).
- Kalos (X/Y): Given by a woman in Cyllage City if you have a Magmar in your party.
- Alola (Sun/Moon/Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon): Purchased at the Malie City shop for 2,000 Poké Dollars.
- Galar (Sword/Shield): Given by a NPC in Motostoke Riverbank after you progress the story. Also a possible reward from the Battle Tower.
- Paldea (Scarlet/Violet): Can be found in Area Zero or purchased from the Delibird Presents store in Cortondo after completing the main story.
- Legends: Arceus: Given by a NPC in Coronet Highlands after showing him a Magmar.
- Give the Magmarizer to Magmar: Have Magmar in your party. Open your bag, select the Magmarizer, and choose "Give to Pokémon." Select your Magmar. It will now hold the item. You'll see a small icon next to its name in the party screen.
- Trigger the Evolution: Now, simply level up Magmar. The most common and reliable way is to gain a single level through any method— battling, using Rare Candies, or EXP Candy. Once it levels up while holding the Magmarizer, it will evolve into Magmortar. The evolution animation will play, and the Magmarizer will be consumed.
Key Takeaway: The Magmarizer is a consumable evolution item. It is used up upon evolution. You need one for each Magmar you wish to evolve.
Alternative Evolution Methods: Trading and Special Cases
While the Magmarizer is the standard, other games and spin-offs have unique methods. It's vital to know which game you're playing.
Trading Evolution (Early Generations & Spin-offs)
In the original Generation II games (Gold, Silver, Crystal), Magmar could only evolve by trading it to another player. There was no item or level-up method. This was changed in Generation IV. If you're playing a Gen II game or a remake that retains this (like HeartGold/SoulSilver), you must trade your Magmar. It will evolve instantly upon the trade's completion. To get it back, you must trade it back. This method is obsolete in modern main series games but remains relevant for collectors of old games.
Pokémon GO: The Unique Sinnoh Stone Method
Pokémon GO handles evolution differently. To evolve Magmar into Magmortar, you need two things:
- 50 Magmar Candies: The standard candy cost.
- A Sinnoh Stone: This is a special evolution item introduced to enable Gen IV evolutions in GO. You cannot obtain it from PokéStops regularly.
- How to Get a Sinnoh Stone: It has a very small chance to drop when you complete a Field Research task that rewards a "mystery" or "special" item. It can also rarely appear as a reward for certain Special Research or Timed Research tasks. It is not available from the Shop.
- Process: Once you have both the 50 candies and a Sinnoh Stone, go to your Magmar's info screen, tap "Evolve," and the option will be available. The Sinnoh Stone is consumed.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus – A Simplified Approach
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, evolution is often tied to using specific items directly on the Pokémon in your satchel. For Magmar:
- Obtain a Magmarizer (as described above).
- Open your satchel, select the Magmarizer, and choose "Use on Pokémon."
- Select your Magmar. It will evolve immediately without needing to level up. This is a streamlined version of the main series method.
Post-Evolution: Maximizing Your New Magmortar
Evolving is just the first step. To truly harness Magmortar's potential, you need to train it correctly.
Optimal Nature and IVs
- Best Natures:Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk) or Timid (+Spe, -Atk) are ideal for a special attacker. Rash (+Sp. Atk, -Sp. Def) is a viable alternative if you can manage its slightly lower special bulk.
- IVs: Aim for 31 Special Attack and 31 Speed as your top priorities. A solid HP IV (27-31) is also very valuable. Its physical Attack IV is irrelevant for a special set.
Recommended Movesets (Competitive & In-Game)
A great Magmortar needs a powerful, accurate Fire STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) move and coverage.
For In-Game Playthroughs & Casual Battles:
- Fire Blast / Flamethrower (STAB)
- Thunderbolt / Thunder Punch (Covers Water and Flying types)
- Psychic / Psyshock (Covers Fighting and Poison types)
- Solar Beam / Sunny Day (A gimmick, but Sunny Day boosts Fire moves and powers Solar Beam for a surprise Water-type counter).
For Competitive (OU/UU Tier Considerations):
- Fire Blast (High power, 85% accuracy)
- Thunderbolt (Essential coverage)
- Focus Blast (Crucial for hitting Steel and Rock types like Heatran or Tyranitar)
- Will-O-Wisp / Substitute (Utility. Burn cripples physical attackers, Substitute protects from status and weak moves).
Item Choice:Choice Specs for a devastating nuke, Life Orb for a balanced offensive boost, or Leftovers for a more sustainable set with moves like Will-O-Wisp.
Common Questions and Advanced Considerations
Can I evolve a Shiny Magmar?
Absolutely yes. The evolution process is identical. Evolving a Shiny Magmar (blue flames) into a Shiny Magmortar (blue cannon arms and flame) is a prized achievement for collectors. The shiny rate for Magmar in the wild is approximately 1/450 in most games, making it a moderately rare find.
What if I lose the Magmarizer?
If you accidentally discard or lose the Magmarizer, you must obtain another one from its respective game's location. It is not an infinite-use item. In Pokémon GO, if you use a Sinnoh Stone on another Pokémon first, you'll need to find another Sinnoh Stone, which can be a lengthy grind.
Is Magmortar better than Magmar?
For most purposes, yes. Magmortar has significantly higher base stats overall (500 vs. Magmar's 405). Its massive Special Attack (95 vs. 100) and much better HP (85 vs. 60) and Defense (75 vs. 57) make it far bulkier and harder to OHKO (One-Hit Knock Out). Its Speed is identical. The only niche for Magmar is in very specific, low-tier formats where its lower stats might be beneficial for certain mechanics, but for collection, in-game teams, and most competitive formats, Magmortar is the superior choice.
Does the game tell me I can evolve it?
Yes! Once your Magmar is holding the Magmarizer and reaches the appropriate level (usually its natural level-up move level or just any level-up), a prompt will appear before the battle saying "What? [Magmar] is evolving!" If you don't see this, double-check it's holding the correct item and has gained a level.
Can I evolve Magmar in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
Yes. The method is identical to other modern main series games. Obtain a Magmarizer (from Area Zero or Cortondo's Delibird Presents), have Magmar hold it, and level it up once. The evolution animation is modern and looks fantastic.
Conclusion: Your Fiery Transformation Awaits
Evolving your Magmar into Magmortar is a rewarding process that transforms a quick but fragile attacker into a durable, hard-hitting special tank. The core principle is universal: secure the Magmarizer (or Sinnoh Stone for GO), have your Magmar hold it, and then trigger a level-up. By following the specific location guides for your game, you can efficiently gather this key item. Remember to consider your Magmar's nature and IVs before evolving—a well-bred Magmortar is a terrifying force on any team. Whether you're conquering the Battle Tower, taking on raids in Pokémon GO, or simply filling your Pokédex, this evolution is a milestone for any Fire-type enthusiast. Now go forth, Trainer, and unleash the cannon-like fury of your newly evolved Magmortar! The path to power has never been clearer.
