Magnemite is a seemingly robotic life form that has a gray, spherical metal body with horseshoe magnets on each side and a single, large eye. It has three Phillips head screws on its body: two near the bottom of its body, and the other on top of its head and looks similar to an antenna. The two bottom screws serve no noticeable purpose, although they may be its feet as the Pokédex identifies a footprint similar to that of the screw's head. Even though Magnemite and its evolved forms are mechanical creatures, the anime has shown that it has emotions and a way of reproducing. It has even exhibited the need to eat, although its main form of nutrients is electrical currents. It is commonly found in locations such as power plants or caves with a strong magnetic field. Despite its modern, artificial appearance, Magnemite has been depicted in carvings discovered at the Ruins of Alph, and has been present in AZ's retelling of the Kalos war, indicating it has existed for at least 3,000 years.
The magnetic units on Magnemite's body create electromagnetic waves that allow it to defy gravity and can potentially disrupt electrical equipment. Magnemite is not known to be unnecessarily aggressive, but may approach Trainers with little notice. It can be attracted to anything emitting electricity or a magnetic field, including gadgets such as a Pokétch. It has even been shown to be attracted to electric Pokémon producing such fields. In the care of a Trainer, it can be a devoted fighter. However, it has been demonstrated that it may be deterred unless a strong bond is formed with its Trainer. If a wild Magnemite is approached, it may simply flee on rare occasions, as Magnemite do not care for interaction. However, if attacked, it will start retaliation with non-damaging moves.
Magnemite first appeared in Sparks Fly for Magnemite. Ash and his friends were in Gringey City while the power went out. When they were looking around for the cause of the power outage, a lone Magnemite showed up and was feeling attracted to Ash's Pikachu, who had a cold. When a group of Grimer and its Muk leader were chasing Ash and his friends, a group of Magnemite and Magneton helped to fight them off.
In Get Along, Little Pokémon, Ash, Misty and Tracey met a man named Ethan who used Magnemite to harness electrical energy from bolts of lightning during thunderstorms and then the electrical energy would be given to towns that were without power. Magnemite #6 evolved into a Magneton to save Ash and Pikachu from Team Rocket.
A Magnemite belonging to the Olivine City Gym Leader, Jasmine, makes its debut in Fight for the Light! riding on Jasmine's shoulder through the whole episode. It is later used in her Gym Battle with Ash in Nerves of Steelix!, sending it out against Ash's Pikachu.
Ash has battled another Gym Leader with Magnemite: Wattson in Watt's with Wattson?. Many wild Magnemite also appeared later on in the episode.
A Magnemite appeared in PK13, in which it attacked Meowth and Wobbuffet with Thunder Wave, but it was quickly defeated by Wobbuffet's Counter.
An army of Magnemite and Magneton, led by a Magnezone, appeared in Giratina and the Sky Warrior under the ownership of the main villain, Zero. They were used by Zero as a swarm to trap or capture, as well as being able to contain people and Pokémon by linking together around them, preventing them from moving.
Brock temporarily trained a Magnemite belonging to the Pokémon Summer Academy in Camping It Up!. Unlike the rest of the group, Brock had no problems bonding with and educating his Pokémon.
Three Magnemite belonging to a group of Phony Pokémon interpreters appeared in The Poké Spokesman where they were convinced by Simon to cease their attacks.
A group of Magnemite and a Magneton appeared as security guards in Current Events as they first attacked Team Rocket who sneaked into a power station guarded entirely by Pokémon. Ash saw the door had been opened by someone, and upon investigation, was also attacked by the Magnemite.
A Magnemite under the ownership of a Team Rocket Grunt appeared in Holy Moltres where it was used to battle Blaine's Arcanine and Rapidash.
Lt. Surge used two Magnemite to act as chains to trap Red so he could attack him in Go for the Golbat.
In Lapras Lazily, a wild Magnemite appeared in the abandoned Power Plant in Blue's flashback of how he met Agatha. Later, in Electro Magneton, three wild Magnemite and a Magneton attacked Blue and Evan. After Blue's Machamp defeated the Magneton, the wild Magnemite escaped.
Later, in Magnificent Magnemite, Lt. Surge used a Magnemite to fight Morty's Misdreavus, using electromagnetism to shield attacks as well as to fire Zap Cannon. The fight, however, ended in a draw due to Misdreavus using Destiny Bond.
Magnemite appears in the background of the Prism Tower stage in the 3DS version of the game.
Trophy information
Instantly recognizable by the horseshoe magnets on either side of its body, this Magnet Pokémon uses electromagnetic waves to nullify gravity and float in midair. The sense of nostalgia it inspires has only been strengthened by the many years that have passed since its debut in the very first Pokémon games.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: A group of Magnemite are the clients of the game's second mission, sending the player to save their friend who is trapped in Thunderwave Cave. One of the Magnemite decides to join the rescue team a couple of days later.
Magnemite attaches itself to power lines to feed on electricity. If your house has a power outage, check your circuit breakers. You may find a large number of this Pokémon clinging to the breaker box.
Magnemite floats in the air by emitting electromagnetic waves from the units at its sides. These waves block gravity. This Pokémon becomes incapable of flight if its internal electrical supply is depleted.
Magnemite attaches itself to power lines to feed on electricity. If your house has a power outage, check your circuit breakers. You may find a large number of this Pokémon clinging to the breaker box.
Magnemite floats in the air by emitting electromagnetic waves from the units at its sides. These waves block gravity. This Pokémon becomes incapable of flight if its internal electrical supply is depleted.
Magnemite, along with its evolution Magneton, were pure Electric-type Pokémon in Generation I, but became dual-type Electric/Steel in Generation II. This makes them the first Pokémon to ever change typing.
Magnemite is the first Steel-type Pokémon in National Pokédex order.
Despite most of Magnemite's Pokédex entries saying they are able to float through the air by employing powerful electromagnetic waves or even anti-gravity, Magnemite does not have the Ability Levitate, so it is still affected by Ground-type moves. However, starting in Generation IV, Magnemite can learn Magnet Rise, which simulates Levitate for five turns.
Magnemite, along with Magneton, has appeared in every regional Pokédex. This is due to the Sinnoh Pokédex's expansion in Platinum and the Unova Pokédex's expansion in Black 2 and White 2.
Magnemite and its evolution Magneton are two of the few Pokémon that had their cry changed slightly in Generation III. This was due to Generation III utilizing a better sound effects game engine and newer game system.
Pokémon Snap is the only form of a Pokémon canon that shows two Magnemite bonding, similar to a Magneton. However, when a picture is taken, they are still called Magnemite.
In Generation V, Magnemite was the most traded Pokémon on the GTS. This is probably due to what is known as the Magnemite chain/coil: a scheme by which players could increase the number of visitors to their Join Avenue in Black 2 and White 2 by trading Magnemite on the GTS. The scheme originated with Japanese players and became popular worldwide.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
Metal Coat (8%)
For other sprites and images, please see Magnemite images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
