Muk's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Special bulk with HP doing the heavy lifting. And the medium-fast 1M XP curve means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 2 HP and Attack EVs.
It’s thickly covered with a filthy, vile sludge. It is so toxic, even its footprints contain poison.
It’s so stinky! Muk’s body contains toxic elements, and any plant will wilt when it passes by.
Ground and Psychic moves hit Muk for super-effective damage. The Poison typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Muk's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Fairy |
Excadrill can KO Muk with Earthquake (103-122%). Jolteon deals 47-56% with Thunderbolt.
 Excadrill GroundSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Muk View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x103-122%KO Rapid Spin17-21% | ||
 Mesprit Psychic | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Muk View Mesprit builds →U Turn8-9% Knock Off15-18% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Muk View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt47-56% Volt Switch37-43% Shadow Ball28-33% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemCovert Cloak NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Muk View Whimsicott builds →Moonblast10-12% | ||
 Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Muk View Vikavolt builds →Volt Switch33-39% Energy Ball14-17% | ||
Muk is what Grimer becomes. Breed it for Grimer eggs (average hatch time). Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolution from Grimer pushed Muk to 500 total stats. Sp.Def saw the largest single gain at +50. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Muk to get Grimer eggs easily using 63 partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
Stickyhold helps Muk stick around while dealing real damage. Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, max HP and Attack EVs for the right balance, and Knock Off as the main threat. Not the fastest, but it doesn't need to be.
Best Build
Muk best EVs are HP and Attack
Physical Tank Moveset
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Shadow Sneak
- Drain Punch
Recommended Teammates
Support Moveset
- Drain Punch
- Minimize
- Gunk Shot
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Ice Punch
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Shadow Sneak
- Gunk Shot
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Poison Gas
- Acid Armor
- Disable
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Bulky Support Moveset
- Poison Jab
- Shadow Sneak
- Protect
- Power Up Punch
Recommended Teammates
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Gunk Shot
- Shadow Sneak
- Ice Punch
- Poison Jab
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Wallbreaker Moveset
- Poison Gas
- Gunk Shot
- Protect
- Explosion
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Coverage runs deep. Muk can hit 12 types beyond STAB, including Ground and Normal. The offense anchors on Gunk Shot and Belch while TMs handle everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Don't skip the egg moves. Muk picks up Acid Spray and Curse only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Gunk Shot and Belch while coverage across 9 types adds range.
Coverage runs deep. Muk can hit 11 types beyond STAB, including Fairy and Normal. The offense anchors on Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab while TMs handle everything else.
Coverage runs deep. Muk can hit 11 types beyond STAB, including Ground and Normal. The offense anchors on Gunk Shot and Belch while TMs handle everything else.
Finding Muk at low spawn rates takes patience. 4 spots are available in late-game routes, but the rate difference between them matters. Lock in the top one from the sorted list below.
Where To Catch Muk in Scarlet & Violet
Grimer is your first catch on the way to Muk. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 19-57 across 8 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch GrimerEast Province (Area Two) - Near TownScarletOverworld Lv.19-42 Route48%MidEast Province (Area Two) - Near TownVioletOverworld Lv.19-42 Route48%MidWest Province (Area Two) - Near TownScarletOverworld Lv.19-42 Route48%MidWest Province (Area Two) - Near TownVioletOverworld Lv.19-42 Route48%Mid
Step 2Muk ✓East Province (Area Two) - Near TownScarletOverworld Lv.38-57 Route2%LateEast Province (Area Two) - Near TownVioletOverworld Lv.38-57 Route2%LateWest Province (Area Two) - Near TownScarletOverworld Lv.38-57 Route2%LateWest Province (Area Two) - Near TownVioletOverworld Lv.38-57 Route2%Lateor evolve from Grimer (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Muk. The 2-stage line runs through Grimer, which you can catch at decent rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 38 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Muk in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Muk, start by catching Grimer through walking and special encounters at Lv. 18-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GrimerRoute 212 - SouthShining PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.18-20 Route22%MidRoute 212 - SouthBrilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.18-20 Route22%MidBogsunk CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 SwampPostPost-gameBogsunk CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 SwampPostPost-gameDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameDazzling CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStargleam CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSwampy CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 SwampPostPost-gameSwampy CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 SwampPostPost-game
Step 2Muk ✓
3 encounter spots for Muk at moderate rates starting from late-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Muk in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
To get Muk, start by catching Grimer through walking and trade encounters at Lv. 37-44. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GrimerPokémon Mansion - 1FGrass Lv.39-44 Building40%LatePokémon Mansion - 2FGrass Lv.39-44 Building30%LatePower PlantGrass Lv.37-42 Power-plant25%LateCinnabar IslandIn-game trade Lv.44 WaterLateTrade for (give Grimer)
Step 2Muk ✓Pokémon Mansion - 2FGrass Lv.39-44 Building10%LatePower PlantGrass Lv.37-42 Power-plant5%LatePokémon Mansion - 1FGrass Lv.39-44 Building5%Lateor evolve from Grimer (Step 1)
Can't catch Muk directly. Start with Grimer at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 38. The 2-stage line from Grimer to Muk is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Muk in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Grimer is your first catch on the way to Muk. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 5-28 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch GrimerRoute 1 - Trainers' SchoolUltra SunGrass Lv.5-8 Route10%EarlyRoute 1 - Trainers' SchoolUltra MoonGrass Lv.5-8 Route10%EarlyHau'oli City - Shopping DistrictUltra MoonGrass Lv.6-9 City10%EarlyHau'oli City - Shopping DistrictUltra SunGrass Lv.6-9 City10%EarlyMalie City - Outer CapeUltra MoonGrass Lv.25-28 City30%MidMalie City - Outer CapeUltra SunGrass Lv.25-28 City30%Mid
Step 2Muk ✓
Muk works as a tank with 500 BST behind it. B-Tier on our list: a solid choice for the right team. That 105 base HP does the heavy lifting.
Stench has a 10% chance of making target Pokémon flinch with each hit. That's the one you want on Muk. Poison Touch is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Sticky Hold works too if your team needs something different.
Muk is a physical attacker with base 105 Attack. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the tank role.
Run Knock Off, Poisonjab, Shadow Sneak, and Drain Punch on Muk. Knock Off is the most common pick at 22% usage. This set covers the tank role with a mix of damage and utility.
Available since Red & Blue, Muk appears in 19 games spanning 10 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained an Alolan form in Generation 7.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves