Magneton is the result of three Magnemite becoming linked together by a strong magnetic force, although a single Magnemite can evolve by itself when no other Magnemite are in the vicinity. Each individual Magnemite has a gray spherical body with a single eye, a gray and red-and-blue tipped horseshoe magnet on each side. The topmost Magnemite has three Phillips head screws on its body, while the others appear to have only two. The three Magnemite that Magneton consists of can be linked several ways. Magneton is most commonly seen as one Magnemite on top, and two Magnemite linked by the screws on the bottom, forming a triangle. In some cases, commonly seen in 3D games such as Pokémon Snap, the Magnemite will not be connected at all, remain in a triangular formation at rest, and are able to freely move within each other's vicinity to form other patterns. In this case, all three Magnemite have three screws. The magnetic forces that holds the three Magnemite together is powerful enough to dry up all moisture and raise the temperature 3.6°F (2°C) within a 3,300 foot (1,000 meter) radius. It can also be disruptive to electronic devices.
Being composed of three Magnemite, it is about three times as powerful electrically, though not three times as intelligent. Even though Magneton is a mechanical creature, it still has the need to eat. As seen in the anime, food for Magneton consists of electrical currents. It is usually found in rough terrain, often near power plants. When sunspots flare up, Magneton tends to appear more often, presumably due to the changes in the sun's magnetic field. When rain clouds form, it also gathers in high areas prone to lightning strikes. It has been shown in the manga that it possesses the ability to form its electricity into both platforms and barriers. Despite its modern, artificial appearance, carvings depicting Magneton have been discovered at the Ruins of Alph, and one was shown in a flashback to the great war of Kalos, indicating it has existed for at least 3000 years.
Clemont owns a Magneton, which he keeps at the Lumiose Gym so Clembot can use it for Gym Battles while Clemont is away. It first appeared in Clemont's Got a Secret!, where it was shown to be able to separate itself into three Magnemite in order to dodge attacks.
A Magneton appeared in Current Events, where it served as a security guard for an electric company's power station. Ash was attacked by the Magnemite assisting Magneton, but when he retaliated with Chikorita, Magneton showed up and attacked as well.
A Magneton appeared in Watt's with Wattson?, under the ownership of Wattson. It was used during his brief Gymbattle with Ash. It was easily defeated by Pikachu, who had become super-charged during an incident at the Mauville Gym. Three wild Magneton also appeared later on in the same episode.
Multiple Magneton appeared in Giratina and the Sky Warrior, under the ownership of Zero. They were used to accomplish a range of jobs from trapping people, battling, or searching for Shaymin.
A Magneton appeared in Confronting the Darkness!, under the ownership of Belmondo. It was first used by the Dark Clembot to destroy electric appliances in a storehouse using Discharge. It then battled Clemont's Heliolisk, which was being used by Clembot. After a hard-fought battle, it was recalled by Belmondo after the battle had been interrupted by Team Rocket.
Magneton, the Magnet Pokémon. The evolved form of Magnemite. Its anti-gravitational powers allow it to float, and it can emit powerful magnetic and electric fields.
A soldier's Magneton appeared in The Redemption, during a fantasy of a story from the past. It was one of the many Pokémon fighting in the great war of Kalos 3,000 years previously.
Magneton debuted aboard the S.S. Anne in Danger: High Voltorb as one of Lt. Surge's Pokémon ready to attack Red. However, later in Buzz Off, Electabuzz!, some of them tortured Red with Thunderbolt. Lt. Surge uses two on his shoulder pads in Go for the Golbat where they produced sonic booms that act as a defensive barrier. Lt. Surge has a squad of Magneton, capable of using electromagnetism to create a tetrahedral aura. This aura is able to ferry people as well as attack and trap anything within, as seen in Volumes 3, 7, 10, and 12.
A wild Magneton appeared in a flashback in Electro Magneton, where it and three Magnemite attacked Blue and Evan. Blue used his Machamp to defeat it.
Jasmine's two Magneton first appeared in Quilava Quandary. They were seen accompanying Jasmine through Ecruteak City. They, along with their Trainer, were caught in the earthquake the ravaged the entire area.
Magneton emits a powerful magnetic force that is fatal to mechanical devices. As a result, large cities sound sirens to warn citizens of large-scale outbreaks of this Pokémon.
Magneton emits a powerful magnetic force that is fatal to electronics and precision instruments. Because of this, it is said that some towns warn people to keep this Pokémon inside a Poké Ball.
It is actually three Magnemite linked by magnetism. It generates powerful radio waves that raise temperatures by 3.6 degrees F within a 3,300-foot radius.
Magneton emits a powerful magnetic force that is fatal to mechanical devices. As a result, large cities sound sirens to warn citizens of large-scale outbreaks of this Pokémon.
Magneton emits a powerful magnetic force that is fatal to electronics and precision instruments. Because of this, it is said that some towns warn people to keep this Pokémon inside a Poké Ball.
Magneton, along with its pre-evolution Magnemite, 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 type, and the only ones to do so until Generation V when Rotom's formes were given an additional type.
Although it is said that Magneton is made up of three Magnemite, there is contradictory evidence seen in various forms of media.
In the only anime episode to date showing a Magnemite evolution, Get Along, Little Pokémon, when Ethan's Magnemite #6 evolves into Magneton, it "creates" two Magnemite during evolution, instead of combining with two real Magnemite. Similarly, in the main series games, when Magnemite reaches level 30, it evolves without the aid of two additional Magnemite. This is unlike Mantyke which requires a Remoraid to evolve.
In Pokémon Snap, a Magneton is clearly shown to be created by three Magnemite. Also, when two Magnemite get stuck together halfway through evolution in the original Mystery Dungeon games, they mention how three Magnemite must come together to evolve.
After evolution, Magneton becomes exactly ten times heavier than Magnemite. Logically, it would be three times heavier if it were actually made of three Magnemite. Magnemite weighs 13.2 lbs. (6.0 kg) whereas Magneton weighs 132.3 lbs. (60.0 kg).
Magneton, along with Magnemite, 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.
Magneton and its pre-evolution Magnemite are two of 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.
Magneton has been used by more rival characters than any other Pokémon, being used by three: Blue, Silver, and Wally.
Despite most depictions of Magneton showing they are able to float through the air, Magneton does not have the Ability Levitate, so it is still affected by Ground-type moves. However, starting in Generation IV, Magneton can learn Magnet Rise, which simulates Levitate for five turns.
Origin
Magneton is a cluster of three Magnemite which in turn seems to be based on the objectification of electromagnetism, one of the four fundamental interactions of nature. They are likely linked through strong electromagnetic force.