Magnemite is a seemingly robotic life form that has a gray, circular 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 is 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, it has been seen in carvings depicting Magnemite have been discovered at the Ruins of Alph, indicating it has existed for at least 1,500 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.
In the anime
Magnemite in the anime
Major appearances
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.
Magnemite makes multiple cameos aboard the S.S. Anne in Danger: High Voltorb as many of the Pokémon ready to attack Red; however, it's not clear if they belong to Lt. Surge or to his Sailor. It debuts in the next round, Buzz Off, Electabuzz! searching in the ship for Red.
Later, in Magnificent Magnemite, Lt. Surge uses 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.
Wattson's two Magnemite were first seen with his Electrike battling Pokémon belonging to certain children.
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, 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, and the only ones to do so until Generation V when Rotom's formes were given additional 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, and so they are still affected by Earthquake or other Ground-type moves. However, as of Generation IV, Magnemite can learn Magnet Rise, which simulates Levitate for five turns.
Magnemite and its evolutionary line have eleven resistances and one immunity, making them the most resistant Pokémon to date. With the addition of Magnet Rise, which makes them immune to Ground-type attacks for five turns, their only double weakness is negated.
Due to their inclusion in Platinum's extended Sinnoh Pokédex and the Unova Pokédex in Black 2 and White 2, Magnemite and Magneton have appeared in every regional Pokédex.
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.
Magnemite and its evolutions are the only dual-type Electric Pokémon that are part of a three-stage evolutionary line.
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 Bulbagarden Archives.
