As a Poison-type, Muk fills a straightforward role. Only weak to Ground and Psychic. Known as the Sludge Pokémon. Known as the Sludge Pokemon. The stat spread favors raw physical power.
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.
Muk Weakness
GoodGround and Psychic-type 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.
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.
How to Evolve
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
Best Muk Moveset
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Shadow Sneak
- Drain Punch
Recommended Teammates
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 GrimerEFFORTLESSEast Province (Area Two) - Near TownScarletOverworldLv.19-4248%MidRouteEFFORTLESSEast Province (Area Two) - Near TownVioletOverworldLv.19-4248%MidRouteEFFORTLESSWest Province (Area Two) - Near TownScarletOverworldLv.19-4248%MidRouteEFFORTLESSWest Province (Area Two) - Near TownVioletOverworldLv.19-4248%MidRoute
Step 2Muk ✓CHALLENGINGEast Province (Area Two) - Near TownScarletOverworldLv.38-572%LateRouteCHALLENGINGEast Province (Area Two) - Near TownVioletOverworldLv.38-572%LateRouteCHALLENGINGWest Province (Area Two) - Near TownScarletOverworldLv.38-572%LateRouteCHALLENGINGWest Province (Area Two) - Near TownVioletOverworldLv.38-572%LateRouteor 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 GrimerCHALLENGINGRoute 212 - SouthShining PearlUsing PokeRadarLv.18-2022%MidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 212 - SouthBrilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadarLv.18-2022%MidRouteBogsunk CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostSwampPost-gameBogsunk CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostSwampPost-gameDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameDazzling CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStargleam CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSwampy CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostSwampPost-gameSwampy CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostSwampPost-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 GrimerEFFORTLESSPokémon Mansion - 1FGrassLv.39-4440%LateBuildingEFFORTLESSPokémon Mansion - 2FGrassLv.39-4430%LateBuildingEASYPower PlantGrassLv.37-4225%LatePower-plantCinnabar IslandIn-game tradeLv.44LateWaterTrade for (give Grimer)
Step 2Muk ✓MODERATEPokémon Mansion - 2FGrassLv.39-4410%LateBuildingCHALLENGINGPower PlantGrassLv.37-425%LatePower-plantCHALLENGINGPokémon Mansion - 1FGrassLv.39-445%LateBuildingor 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 GrimerMODERATERoute 1 - Trainers' SchoolUltra SunGrassLv.5-810%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - Trainers' SchoolUltra MoonGrassLv.5-810%EarlyRouteMODERATEHau'oli City - Shopping DistrictUltra MoonGrassLv.6-910%EarlyCityMODERATEHau'oli City - Shopping DistrictUltra SunGrassLv.6-910%EarlyCityEFFORTLESSMalie City - Outer CapeUltra MoonGrassLv.25-2830%MidCityEFFORTLESSMalie City - Outer CapeUltra SunGrassLv.25-2830%MidCity
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. But the speed tells the real story — base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the tank role.
Muk appears in 19 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Available since Red & Blue, Muk appears in 19 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained an Alolan form in Generation 7.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A