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Official artwork of Magmortar

#0467

Magmortar

Gen IV

Blast Pokémon

Fire

Pokédex entry · Diamond

It blasts fireballs of over 3,600 degrees F from the ends of its arms. It lives in volcanic craters.

Height
1.6 m
Weight
68 kg
Base EXP
243
Growth
Medium
Catch rate

30/255Hard

Friendship

70/255

Base stats

HP75Attack95Defense67Speed83Sp. Def95Sp. Atk125
HP
75
Attack
95
Defense
67
Speed
83
Sp. Def
95
Sp. Atk★
125

Total 540

Very high

EV yield +3 Sp. Atk

Real ranges (IV 0–31 · EV 0–252 · nature included)

MinMax
HP135182
Attack90161
Defense64130
Speed79148
Sp. Def90161
Sp. Atk117194
Total575976

About Magmortar

Magmortar’s yellow arms can fold in on themselves to form cannons capable of firing fireballs hotter than 2000 °C. Its large, red body resembles a humanoid creature with bird, salamander and reptilian traits; the flames on its head, shoulders and tail reinforce its volcanic appearance. It lives in craters and, according to Pokédex entries, a pair usually inhabits each volcano. It also avoids using its shots against prey while hunting, because the blasts can partially melt its own arms.

The species is even used by metallurgical companies, where its flames serve to work metal. In battle and outside it, its cannon arms are the feature that best defines its anatomy. Magmortar is the final stage of a three-stage evolutionary line: it starts with Magby, evolves into Magmar and reaches this form through trading with a specific item.

Combat analysis

×2

Weakness

WaterGroundRock
×½

Resistance

FireGrassIceBugSteelFairy

Magmortar in depth

A cannon born from a mythical creature

Magmortar’s design starts from the same base as Magmar’s, but takes it towards a sturdier, more heavily armed figure. It shares traits with the karura, a creature associated with Japanese mythology, and adds elements of a bird, salamander and reptile. Its limbs are not simple arms: the claws can retract and the skin forms a pressurised cannon. The result is a silhouette that combines a humanoid body, a beaked animal and a piece of artillery.

The English and Spanish names combine magma with “mortar”, an English word associated with an artillery mortar. The Japanese name Booburn combines “booby”, a seabird, with “burn”. That mixture explains both its avian appearance and the species’ insistence on firing fire from its arms.

The finishing touch to a line that took time to complete

Magmar appeared in Generation I and Magby in Generation II; Magmortar arrived in Generation IV as the final evolution. The most direct comparison is Electivire, another Generation IV evolution built on an older species. Both share the Human-Like Egg Group, the gender ratio of 75% male and 25% female, a total of 540 and an evolution through trading with an item whose English name ends in “-izer”.

In its early years, obtaining it was more awkward than getting many evolutions from earlier generations: Magby and the Magmarizer were tied to connecting with Generation III games until Pokémon Platinum arrived. After that, the species appeared in more games and its availability became less dependent on that method.

What it brings when it hits the field

Magmortar does not come in to take physical hits. It comes in to attack. With 125 Special Attack, it can punish switches with Fire Blast, and its movepool lets it cover common answers to Fire. Thunderbolt threatens Water-type Pokémon; Ground-types come under pressure from Solar Beam under Sunny Day; and Focus Blast hits targets that rely on resisting its main attacks. Overheat lets it concentrate all its power into one turn, although it reduces its offensive capacity afterwards.

Vital Spirit has a practical use against teams that rely on sleep moves. Flame Body, on the other hand, punishes an opponent who tries to bring it down with physical contact if the burn is activated. Neither Ability fixes its main problem: 83 Speed is not enough against many offensive attackers, and 67 Defense leaves little room to switch in on neutral physical hits.

How to keep its cannons from going out

It is best brought in through a slow switch, a pivot move or after an opponent has been weakened. It should not take unnecessary damage on entry: entry hazards reduce its opportunities, and its weaknesses to Water, Ground and Rock limit direct switches. Against slower teams, it can open holes with special attacks, but it needs its allies to keep faster opponents under control.

The physical version exists on paper thanks to 95 Attack and moves such as Flare Blitz, Thunder Punch and Earthquake. Even so, it is weaker than its 125 Special Attack and does not solve its low Defense. In a story playthrough, it can make good use of its coverage without as much Speed pressure; in demanding battles, its role is reduced to switching in carefully and firing before the opponent has a chance to respond.

TCG cards

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