Are you struggling to get your Magneton to evolve into the powerful Magnezone? You’re not alone. Unlike most Pokémon that evolve through simple level-ups, getting Magneton to evolve requires specific conditions that have changed dramatically across different game generations. This comprehensive guide reveals every evolution method, from magnetic field locations to Thunder Stone usage, ensuring you can successfully get Magneton to evolve regardless of which Pokémon game you’re playing.
Key Takeaways
• How to get Magneton to evolve varies by generation – older games require specific magnetic field locations, while newer games use Thunder Stones • No level requirement exists – Magneton can evolve at any level below 100 when proper conditions are met • Generation VIII onwards simplified the process – Pokémon Sword/Shield introduced Thunder Stone evolution • HeartGold/SoulSilver require trading – these games lack magnetic field areas, necessitating a trade-based workaround • Wild Magnezone can be caught directly in recent games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
How to Get Magneton to Evolve: Understanding the Changes
The evolution requirements for Magneton have undergone significant changes throughout the Pokémon franchise. Originally introduced in Generation IV alongside Magnezone itself, the evolution mechanism has shifted from location-based requirements to item-based convenience, reflecting broader changes in game design philosophy.

Critical Content Gaps This Guide Addresses
After analyzing the top-ranking content, three major gaps emerged:
- Lack of comprehensive generation-by-generation breakdown – existing guides focus on single games rather than providing universal coverage
- Missing explanation of design philosophy changes – no current content explains why evolution methods changed over time
- Incomplete coverage of alternative acquisition methods – limited discussion of catching wild Magnezone versus evolution
Core Evolution Methods Explained
Method I: The Magnetic Field Environment (Generations IV-VII)
The original and most complex evolution method requires leveling up Magneton in specific locations with strong magnetic fields. These areas simulate the electromagnetic conditions necessary for Magneton’s transformation into Magnezone.
How it works:
- Take Magneton to a designated magnetic field location
- Level up Magneton by any means (battle, Rare Candy, etc.)
- Evolution triggers automatically upon gaining a level
Method II: The Thunder Stone (Generations VIII-IX)
Starting with Pokémon Sword and Shield, Game Freak simplified the process by introducing Thunder Stone evolution. This change aligned with the series’ move toward more accessible, less location-dependent mechanics.
How it works:
- Obtain a Thunder Stone through various in-game methods
- Use the Thunder Stone on Magneton at any level
- Evolution occurs immediately upon item usage
Generation-by-Generation Evolution Guide
The Definitive Magneton Evolution Table
Generation | Games | Evolution Method | Location/Item Required |
---|---|---|---|
I-III | All | Not Available | Magnezone doesn’t exist |
IV | Diamond/Pearl/Platinum | Magnetic Field | Mt. Coronet |
V | Black/White/B2/W2 | Magnetic Field | Chargestone Cave |
VI | X/Y | Magnetic Field | Route 13 |
VI | OR/AS | Magnetic Field | New Mauville |
VII | Sun/Moon/US/UM | Magnetic Field | Vast Poni Canyon, Blush Mountain |
VIII | Sword/Shield | Thunder Stone | Purchase or find Thunder Stone |
VIII | Legends Arceus | Thunder Stone | Craft or find Thunder Stone |
IX | Scarlet/Violet | Thunder Stone | Purchase Thunder Stone |
Generations I-III: The Absence of Magnezone
Magnezone simply didn’t exist during the first three generations of Pokémon games. If you’re playing classic titles like Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald, your Magneton cannot evolve further. This is important context for players revisiting older games or using emulators.
Generation IV: The Origin of the Evolution
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum introduced Magnezone alongside the magnetic field evolution mechanic. In these Sinnoh-region games, players must bring Magneton to Mt. Coronet and level it up anywhere within this massive mountain complex.
Step-by-step for Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
- Ensure Magneton is in your party
- Enter Mt. Coronet through any entrance
- Engage in a wild Pokémon battle or use a Rare Candy
- Magneton evolves immediately upon leveling up
For players familiar with Pokémon type effectiveness, it’s worth noting that Magnezone gains significant defensive capabilities over Magneton while maintaining the Electric/Steel typing.
Generation V: Chargestone Cave
Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 feature Chargestone Cave as the magnetic evolution location. This crystalline cavern in Unova serves the same function as Mt. Coronet, requiring only that Magneton levels up anywhere within the cave system.
Generation VI: Kalos and Hoenn Locations
The Kalos region (X/Y) designates Route 13 as its magnetic field area, while the Hoenn remakes (Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire) use New Mauville. Both locations function identically to previous games, triggering evolution upon level-up within the designated zone.
Generation VII: Alola’s Multiple Options
Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon provide three magnetic field locations:
- Vast Poni Canyon (most accessible)
- Blush Mountain
- Geothermal Power Plant
This generation offered players more flexibility in choosing their evolution location, though the mechanic remained unchanged.
Generation VIII: The Revolutionary Thunder Stone Method
Pokémon Sword and Shield marked a turning point by introducing Thunder Stone evolution for Magneton. This change eliminated the need for specific locations, allowing players to evolve Magneton anywhere in the game world.
Thunder Stone acquisition methods in Sword/Shield:
- Purchase from the Watts Trader in Wild Area
- Find in various locations throughout Galar
- Receive as rewards from Max Raid Battles
Pokémon Legends Arceus continued this trend, allowing players to craft Thunder Stones using materials found throughout Hisui. This approach aligned with the game’s crafting-focused mechanics while maintaining evolution accessibility.
Generation IX: The Modern Approach
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have fully embraced the Thunder Stone method, making it the standard evolution requirement. Players can purchase Thunder Stones from any Delibird Presents store for 3,000 Pokédollars, making Magnezone evolution more accessible than ever.
Interestingly, these games also allow players to catch wild Magnezone directly in the Great Crater of Paldea, providing an alternative to evolution for those who prefer immediate access to the final form.
Special Cases and Workarounds
The HeartGold and SoulSilver Dilemma
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver present a unique challenge: they lack any magnetic field locations entirely. Since these Johto remakes were released during Generation IV, they include Magnezone in the data but provide no native evolution method.
The Trading Workaround:
- Trade Magneton to Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum
- Evolve it at Mt. Coronet in the receiving game
- Trade the resulting Magnezone back to HeartGold/SoulSilver
This process requires access to another Generation IV game and can be cumbersome, but it remains the only method for obtaining Magnezone in these titles. Modern players can utilize online trading platforms or local wireless connections to facilitate this process.
Fan-Made Games and ROM Hacks
Many fan-created Pokémon games implement their own evolution methods for Magneton. Some maintain the magnetic field requirement, others adopt the Thunder Stone method, and a few create entirely unique mechanics. Always consult the specific game’s documentation or community resources for accurate evolution requirements in fan-made titles.
Comprehensive Pokémon Data and Lore
Magnezone’s Canonical Abilities and Stats
Understanding why Magneton evolves into Magnezone provides context for the evolution requirements. According to official Pokédex entries, Magnezone forms when Magneton is exposed to powerful electromagnetic radiation, explaining the magnetic field requirement in earlier games.
Key Magnezone Statistics:
- Type: Electric/Steel
- Base HP: 70
- Base Attack: 70
- Base Defense: 115
- Base Special Attack: 130
- Base Special Defense: 90
- Base Speed: 60
Magnezone’s 130 Special Attack represents a significant upgrade from Magneton’s 120, while its defensive capabilities improve substantially. The Sturdy and Magnet Pull abilities carry over from Magneton, with Analytic available as a hidden ability in some games.
Pokédex Entries and Evolutionary Lore
Magnezone’s Pokédex entries consistently reference its formation through electromagnetic exposure:
- “It evolved from exposure to a special magnetic field”
- “Sometimes the magnetism emitted by Magnezone is too strong, making them attract each other so they cannot turn around”
- “A group tried to use scientific means to make Magnezone evolve, but their efforts ended in failure”
These entries reinforce the scientific basis for the magnetic field evolution requirement, grounding the game mechanic in the Pokémon world’s internal logic.
For players interested in building optimal teams, our Flutter Mane weakness guide provides similar strategic depth for other powerful Pokémon.
Alternative Acquisition Methods
Catching Wild Magnezone
Recent Pokémon games have introduced opportunities to catch Magnezone directly in the wild, bypassing the evolution process entirely:
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet:
- Location: Great Crater of Paldea (Area Zero)
- Level range: 55-65
- Encounter rate: Uncommon
Pokémon Legends Arceus:
- Location: Space-Time Distortions in Coronet Highlands
- Level range: 58-70
- Encounter rate: Rare
Catching wild Magnezone can be advantageous for players seeking higher-level specimens or specific nature/ability combinations. However, evolved Pokémon often have different movesets compared to those evolved from lower forms, so consider your team’s strategic needs when choosing between evolution and wild capture.
Trading for Magnezone
Online trading communities and platforms like the Global Trade System (GTS) provide opportunities to acquire Magnezone without evolution. This method is particularly useful for players of HeartGold/SoulSilver or those lacking the necessary evolution items.
Trading considerations:
- Check the Magnezone’s origin game for moveset differences
- Verify legitimacy if competitive play is intended
- Consider offering equivalent value Pokémon for fair trades
Troubleshooting Common Evolution Problems
“Why Won’t My Magneton Evolve?”
Several factors can prevent Magneton evolution:
- Wrong location (pre-Generation VIII games): Ensure you’re in the correct magnetic field area
- Level 100 Magneton: Pokémon at maximum level cannot evolve through level-up methods
- Incorrect evolution method: Verify your game’s generation and use the appropriate method
- Holding Everstone: Remove any Everstones that prevent evolution
Level 100 Magneton Solutions
If your Magneton has reached level 100 in a pre-Generation VIII game, evolution becomes impossible through traditional means. Consider these alternatives:
- Trade to a newer game that uses Thunder Stone evolution
- Use rare items like Rare Candy substitutes in some fan games
- Accept that evolution is no longer possible and focus on maximizing Magneton’s potential
For players dealing with hardware limitations or emulation issues, our how to dump Switch games guide might provide relevant technical solutions.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
What level does Magneton need to be to evolve?
Magneton can evolve at any level as long as it’s below level 100. There is no minimum level requirement for the evolution.
Can you evolve Magneton without trading?
Yes, in most games Magneton can be evolved without trading. Only HeartGold and SoulSilver require trading to another game for evolution.
Where do I evolve Magneton in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
Use a Thunder Stone on Magneton anywhere in the game. Thunder Stones can be purchased from Delibird Presents stores for 3,000 Pokédollars.
How do you get Magnezone in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl?
Take Magneton to Mt. Coronet and level it up through battle or items. The evolution will trigger automatically.
Is it possible to evolve Magneton in HeartGold or SoulSilver?
Not directly. You must trade Magneton to Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum, evolve it there, then trade back.
What is a “magnetic field” in Pokémon games?
Magnetic fields are special areas in certain games where electromagnetic-sensitive Pokémon like Magneton can evolve. These locations simulate the conditions necessary for evolution.
Can you catch Magnezone in the wild?
Yes, in Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (Great Crater of Paldea) and Legends Arceus (Space-Time Distortions), wild Magnezone can be encountered.
How do I get a Thunder Stone in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
Purchase from Watts Traders in the Wild Area, find them in various locations, or receive them as Max Raid Battle rewards.
Does Magnezone learn different moves than evolved Magneton?
Magnezone’s moveset is largely similar to Magneton’s, but some games feature exclusive moves for the evolved form. Check your specific game’s move list for details.
Why did Game Freak change the evolution method?
The shift from location-based to item-based evolution reflects Game Freak’s design philosophy of making gameplay more accessible and less dependent on specific geographic requirements.
For additional Pokémon strategy content, check out our Go Battle League timed research guide and Dreepy evolution guide.
Conclusion: Mastering Magneton’s Evolution
Evolving Magneton into Magnezone has transformed from a location-dependent puzzle to a straightforward item-based process, reflecting the Pokémon series’ evolution toward accessibility. Whether you’re playing classic Generation IV titles requiring magnetic field exposure or modern games using Thunder Stones, this guide provides the complete roadmap for success.
The key to successful Magneton evolution lies in understanding your specific game’s requirements and preparing accordingly. For newer players, the Thunder Stone method offers immediate accessibility, while veterans of older games can appreciate the lore-rich magnetic field locations that established Magnezone’s canonical evolution story.
Ready to evolve your Magneton? Start by identifying your game’s generation, gather the necessary items or locate the required areas, and prepare to welcome one of the most powerful Electric/Steel-type Pokémon to your team. With Magnezone’s impressive 130 Special Attack and robust defensive capabilities, this evolution represents a significant upgrade that’s worth the effort across any generation.

With a background in mechanical engineering and over a decade in competitive sim racing, Kenji serves as our lead Sim Racing Physics & Hardware Analyst. He deconstructs complex topics like force feedback and suspension geometry, helping readers understand the crucial engineering behind a perfect lap time. Kenji’s passion is to translate real-world motorsport principles into actionable knowledge for the sim racing community.