Ice Punch from Platinum's tutors gives Muk coverage alongside Poison Jab at C-Tier. Sticky Hold blocks Trick and Knock Off, and Curse setup slowly overwhelms opponents.
Ability 1StenchAbility 1Has a 10% chance of making target Pokémon flinch with each hit.Ability 2Sticky HoldAbility 2Prevents a held item from being removed by other Pokémon.
500HP105Attack105Defense75Speed50Sp.Def100Sp.Atk65
Grimer
Muk
Weak to
Physical
Tank
50Speed · Slow

Is Muk Good in Platinum Playthrough?

Grimer hits level 38. Muk has solid HP and decent Attack for a Poison-type. AbilityStench occasionally causes flinching in Gen 4. But Poison typing alone doesn't earn a team slot when the E4 doesn't call for it.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEETTEEGGGEGEGGEERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2FantinaGym 3MayleneGym 4Crasher WakeGym 5GrimerCatchableMukEvolveByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4JupiterBossMarsBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Even

Grimer trades roughly evenly with Roark's team.

You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Even
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Even
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Even

Grimer trades roughly evenly with Gardenia's team.

You Win
Turtwig
Lv 20
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafSunny DayReflect
You Win
Cherrim
Lv 20
Grass
Flower Gift
Grass KnotLeech SeedMagical LeafSafeguard
Risky
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Fantina
Gym 3
Tough

Fantina's team hits Grimer's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Duskull
Lv 24
Ghost
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Will O WispPursuitShadow SneakFuture Sight
Risky
Haunter
Lv 24
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow ClawSucker PunchHypnosisConfuse Ray
Risky
Mismagius
Lv 26
Ghost
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Maylene
Gym 4
Tough

Maylene's team hits Grimer's weaknesses hard.

Even
Meditite
Lv 28
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionRock TombFake Out
Risky
Machoke
Lv 29
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopRock TombStrengthFocus Energy
Risky
Lucario
Lv 32
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 5
Even

Grimer trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 33
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallBrineBiteTwister
Risky
Quagsire
Lv 34
WaterGround
Damp
Mud ShotRock TombWater PulseYawn
Even
Floatzel
Lv 37
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangCrunchAqua Jet
Byron
Gym 6
Even

Muk trades roughly evenly with Byron's team.

Even
Magneton
Lv 37
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackMetal Sound
Even
Steelix
Lv 38
SteelGround
Rock Head
Flash CannonIce FangEarthquakeSandstorm
Even
Bastiodon
Lv 41
RockSteel
Sturdy
Metal BurstStone EdgeIron DefenseTaunt
Candice
Gym 7
Good

Muk has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.

Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 40
DarkIce
Inner Focus
SlashAerial AceFeint AttackIce Shard
Even
Piloswine
Lv 40
IceGround
Oblivious
AvalancheStone EdgeEarthquakeHail
Easy KO
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerWater PulseFocus Blast
Risky
Froslass
Lv 44
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardDouble TeamShadow BallPsychic
Volkner
Gym 8
Good

Muk has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.

You Win
Jolteon
Lv 46
Electric
Volt AbsorbImmune to Electric attacks
Thunder WaveCharge BeamIron TailQuick Attack
You Win
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamFocus BlastSignal BeamQuick Attack
You Win
Luxray
Lv 48
Electric
Rivalry
Ice FangThunder FangCrunchFire Fang
Even
Electivire
Lv 50
Electric
Motor DriveImmune to Electric attacks
Thunder PunchFire PunchQuick AttackGiga Impact
Aaron
Elite Four
Good

Muk has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.

Easy KO
Yanmega
Lv 49
BugFlying
Speed Boost
Air SlashBug BuzzU TurnDouble Team
Even
Scizor
Lv 49
BugSteel
Swarm
Iron HeadX ScissorNight SlashQuick Attack
Easy KO
Vespiquen
Lv 50
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Even
Heracross
Lv 51
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Risky
Drapion
Lv 53
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Even

Muk trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.

Even
Whiscash
Lv 50
WaterGround
Oblivious
Earth PowerAqua TailZen HeadbuttSandstorm
Risky
Gliscor
Lv 53
GroundFlying
Hyper Cutter
EarthquakeIce FangFire FangThunder Fang
Risky
Hippowdon
Lv 52
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchYawn
Even
Golem
Lv 52
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeFire PunchThunder PunchSandstorm
Even
Rhyperior
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
EarthquakeRock WreckerMegahornAvalanche
Flint
Elite Four
Good

Muk has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.

You Win
Houndoom
Lv 52
DarkFire
Early Bird
FlamethrowerSludge BombDark PulseSunny Day
Even
Flareon
Lv 55
Fire
Flash FireImmune to Fire attacks
OverheatGiga ImpactQuick AttackWill O Wisp
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 53
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
Even
Infernape
Lv 55
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Even
Magmortar
Lv 57
Fire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerThunderboltSolar BeamHyper Beam
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Muk trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

Even
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
Even
Espeon
Lv 55
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallQuick AttackSignal Beam
Risky
Bronzong
Lv 54
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Even
Alakazam
Lv 56
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Risky
Gallade
Lv 59
PsychicFighting
Steadfast
Drain PunchPsycho CutLeaf BladeStone Edge
Jupiter
Commander
Good

Muk has the type edge here and should clean up Jupiter's team.

You Win
Zubat
Lv 21
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 23
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Mars
Commander
Good

Muk has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

Even
Golbat
Lv 38
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
Even
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 40
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Saturn
Commander
Even

Muk trades roughly evenly with Saturn's team.

Even
Golbat
Lv 42
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBitePoison FangConfuse Ray
Even
Bronzor
Lv 42
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
Even
Toxicroak
Lv 44
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorFeint Attack
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Muk trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

Risky
Spiritomb
Lv 58
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindShadow Ball
Even
Roserade
Lv 58
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombToxicExtrasensory
Even
Togekiss
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Hustle
Air SlashAura SphereWater PulseShock Wave
Even
Lucario
Lv 60
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereExtreme SpeedShadow BallStone Edge
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatDragon Pulse
Risky
Garchomp
Lv 62
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeFlamethrowerGiga Impact

Catch Grimer

Available after Badge 5
Type
Poison
Tier
E

Catch Grimer on Route 212 (Poké Radar, Lv 23-26, common).

View Grimer locations

Evolve Grimer to Muk

Level 38
Type
Poison
Tier
C

Grimer evolves into Muk at Level 38. Your Grimer should hit Level 38 before you reach Byron, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Muk in Platinum

Grimer evolves into Muk at level 38, with nothing wild to find. The slow part is the Poke Radar chaining that draws out Grimer, after which the level-up takes care of itself.

Wild Muk may be holding when caught:

Nugget (5% chance) A nugget of pure gold that gives off a lustrous gleam. It can be sold at a high price to shops.

Catch Grimer at any of these 1 spot to eventually evolve into Muk.

  1. 1
    Catch Grimer
  2. 2
    Evolve Mukat Lv.38
Badge 5

How to Obtain Muk in Pt

  1. Muk
    Step 2Muk ✓
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Grimer egg.

How to Get Shiny Muk in Platinum

Muk never appears wild, so chain a Grimer on Route 212 to 40 for a shiny and raise it to evolve. Compare Shiny Muk odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Muk in PlatinumNormal
Shiny Muk in Platinum Shiny
Color ShiftPurpletoGreen
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Muk Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Platinum Shiny Muk Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is PokeRadar Chain at full boosts, about 1 in 200 on each try. Tune it below.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Platinum

PokeRadar Chain: Chain shaking-grass patches without breaking the combo. The rate peaks at a chain of 40.

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Step 2 · Boost Your Oddstap to add
00

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 200PokeRadar Chain
Chance By Now50.2%at 139 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few22----
25%one in four58----
50%coin flip139----
90%very likely460----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

For time estimates and charm math, open the Platinum shiny odds calculator with Muk already selected.

Muk Weakness

Ground and Psychic moves hit Muk for super-effective damage. The Poison typing picks up 4 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 Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ground, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Muk Weak Against

Avg
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Muk Strong Against

1Strong
4Resisted
1Immune
Score-4
2xStrong
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Muk

Marowak
Marowak
Ground
C
Azelf
Azelf
Psychic
A
Gardevoir
Gardevoir
Psychic
B
Garchomp
Garchomp
DragonGround
S
Kadabra
Kadabra
Psychic
A

Muk Evolutions

Muk is what Grimer becomes. Breed it for Grimer eggs (average hatch time). A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs take an average time to hatch. 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

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Grimer
Poison
Muk
Poison
HP
80
105+25
ATK
80
105+25
DEF
50
75+25
SP.ATK
40
65+25
SP.DEF
50
100+50
SPE
25
50+25
BST
325E-Tier
500C-Tier+175
ROLE
Trick Room
Tank
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Muk to get Grimer eggs easily using 31 partners from the Amorphous egg group. Notable egg moves include Curse, Explosion, Haze and 8 more.

Egg Groups
Amorphous
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
11moves
Breed With (best first)
gardevoirgalladegastrodonshelloskirliacastformraltsgengarweezingswalotrotommagcargo

Pt Muk Best Moveset

Poison typing absorbs MoveToxic Spikes on the switch, clearing them for the entire team. 105 HP and 100 Sp. Def let the moveset soak special attacks, and 105 Attack means the physical Poison hits from MovePoison Jab actually hurt. 50 Speed is the trade-off.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Tank
Ability
Sticky Hold
Item
Black SludgeSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Muk

Muk best EVs are HP and Attack

EVs

Physical Tank Moveset

  • Poison JabSTAB
  • ExplosionCoverage
  • CurseSetup
  • Fire Punch

Recommended Teammates

Moves List

Coverage runs deep. Muk can hit 10 types beyond STAB, including Ground and Normal. The offense anchors on Gunk Shot and Sludge Bomb while TMs handle everything else.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Harden
D——30Normal
Lv 1
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Lv 1
Poison Gas
——5540Poison
Lv 1
Pound
—4010035Normal
Lv 4
Harden
D——30Normal
Lv 7
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Lv 12
Disable
D—8020Normal
Lv 17
Minimize
———20Normal
Lv 20
Sludge
C9710020Poison
Lv 23
Mud Bomb
—658510Ground
Lv 28
Fling
D—10010Dark
Lv 33
Screech
——8540Normal
Lv 36
Sludge Bomb
C13510010Poison
Lv 44
Acid Armor
D——40Poison
Lv 54
Gunk Shot
A180705Poison
Lv 65
Memento
D—10010Dark

TM Moves

43 of 44 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM31
Brick BreakOreburgh Gate (basement)badge 2
C7510015Fighting
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
TM79
Dark PulseVictory Roadnot until badge 8
D8010015Dark
TM28
DigManiac Tunnelbadge 3
C8010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
C7010020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLake Veritybadge 3
C120855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D9510015Fire
TM56
FlingRoute 222not until badge 7
D—10010Dark
TM52
Focus BlastVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
D120705Fighting
TM01
Focus Punch-3Oreburgh Gatebadge 6
B15010020Fighting
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 209badge 5
D6010010Grass
TM68
Giga ImpactVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
B150905Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D6010015Normal
TM15C150905Normal
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
D—10015Normal
TM66
PaybackRoute 215badge 3
D5010010Dark
TM84
Poison JabRoute 212badge 5
B12010020Poison
TM17C——10Normal
TM44C——10Psychic
TM27D—10020Normal
TM80
Rock SlideMt. Coronetnot until badge 7
C759010Rock
HM06D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock TombRavaged Pathbadge 1
D609510Rock
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM30
Shadow BallRoute 210badge 5
D8010015Ghost
TM34
Shock WaveRoute 215badge 3
D60—20Electric
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM36C13510010Poison
HM04
StrengthIron Islandbadge 5
C8010015Normal
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerPokémon Mansionbadge 4
——9015Normal
TM12
TauntRoute 211badge 1
C—10020Dark
TM46
ThiefEterna Citybadge 2
C6010025Dark
TM25
ThunderLake Valorbadge 3
D1207010Electric
TM24
ThunderboltVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D9510015Electric
TM41
TormentVictory Roadnot until badge 8
D—10015Dark
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Curse
B——10Ghost
Egg
Explosion
B2501005Normal
Egg
Haze
D——30Ice
Egg
Imprison
———10Psychic
Egg
Lick
—2010030Ghost
Egg
Mean Look
D——5Normal
Egg
Shadow Punch
—60—20Ghost
Egg
Shadow Sneak+1
A4010030Ghost
Egg
Spit Up
——10010Normal
Egg
Stockpile
D——20Normal
Egg
Swallow
———10Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Fire Punch
B7510015Fire
Tutor
Gunk Shot
A180705Poison
Tutor
Ice Punch
A7510015Ice
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal
Tutor
Thunder Punch
C7510015Electric

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP105
B
Attack105
B
Defense75
C
Sp. Atk65
C
Sp. Def100
B
Speed50
D
Total500
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging75 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.2 m
Weight30.0 kg
Base XP175
Abilities
Stench
Has a 10% chance of making target Pokémon flinch with each hit.
Sticky Hold
Prevents a held item from being removed by other Pokémon.
EV Yield
HP+1Atk+1DefSpASpDSpe
HP training target
Pokedex Entry

A toxic fluid seeps from its body. The fluid instantly kills plants and trees on contact.

Pokemon Platinum

Muk Platinum Guide

  • In Platinum, use Muk as a tank. Physical side carries the damage. Not the fastest, Set up with Curse when you get a free turn.

  • For Platinum, build your team around Heatran. These have the highest co-usage rates with Muk in competitive formats. They cover each other's weaknesses.

  • Muk has an Alolan form that swaps the typing and reshuffles the stats. Introduced in Gen 7. Worth checking if the original version doesn't fit your team.

  • For Platinum, run Adamant on Muk. +Attack is what matters, and the -Sp. Atk cut doesn't hurt this set. Fits the tank role.

Game Availability

Available since Red & Blue, Muk appears in 19 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained an Alolan form in Generation 7.

Explore

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