VGC 2017 Pokémon Spotlight #6 Alolan Muk

Welcome back to another VGC 2017 Pokemon Spotlight. The goal is to look at a Pokemon that's doing well in the format and tell you everything you need to know about it. Today, we'll be looking at Alolan Muk, who has been doing very well in the format and I thought it would be a good time to look at why its doing well in this format and tell you everything you need to know about it. Hope you enjoy and let's begin with its base stats & typing.

Base Stats

Looking at its stats, Muk has some really solid stats that allows it to take hits and dish out very strong hits in return. 105/75/100 is very bulky as it allows it to take very strong hits. A 105 base Attack stat is very great as it can use its attacks to cause a major amount of damage. Its very slow at base 50 so it can work both in and out of Trick Room effectively. Its 65 Sp. Attack stat isn't great, but it can do a decent amount of damage at the right times.

Typing

Muk has a very strong typing in Poison/Dark. Its weak against Ground but unless its a very strong Ground type move, it won't be OHKO'd in many situations. Being able to switch in on Poison, Ghost, Grass, and Dark type moves means it can switch in on 5 types and not take to much.

Now it's time to look at some moves that Muk can use very well.

• Minimize - Increases evasiveness to allow Muk to evade many attacks that can take it out.
• Knock Off - Doubled power when the Pokemon has an item.
• Gunk Shot - Strong Poison type move. Best used when Muk holds the Poisonium Z.
• Protect - Take attacks and weaken the power of Z-Moves.
• Flamethrower - Useful to hit Kartana and Celesteela.
• Poison Jab - Safe Poison type move.
• Substitute - Potentially take a hit at the cost of its HP.
• Assurance - Doubled power if used after Muk's partner used its attack first.
• Imprison - Locks away moves from other Muk, mainly Poison Jab and Knock Off.
• Shadow Sneak - Strong priority move to break Focus Sashes and knock out opposing Pokemon at a low amount of HP.

Now I wanna go into a sample set that I think can work on Muk. This is the most idea way to play Muk.

Muk-Alola @ Figy Berry
Ability: Gluttony
EVs: 188 HP / 244 Atk / 44 Def / 20 SpD / 12 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Poison Jab
- Knock Off
- Curse
- Protect

This is the Muk used by Alex Gomez (@PokeAlex_) to get Top 16 at the London International. This is a pretty simple set that's designed to take advantage of its Gluttony ability, which means that Muk can use its berry earlier, meaning it can get the 50% healing for its Figy Berry earlier than normal. The EV Spread allows Muk to survive 252+ Choice Specs Eruption from Torkoal in the Sun, as well as 252+ Hydro Vortex from Gyarados, and 252+ Bonemerang from Marowak. The 244 Attack is useful to guarantee Poison Jab to OHKO offensive Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele, bulky Tapu Bulu, and 2HKO defensive Tapu Fini as well as Knock Off can 4HKO 252 HP / 0 Def Celesteela.  Curse is optional if you want the attack and defense boosts, but Shadow Sneak and Assurance are good alternatives.


Possible Items

• Figy Berry - Heals 50% of Muk's HP. Combos well with its Gluttony ability
• Life Orb - Increases its overall damage output
• Poisonium Z - Turns Poison Jab into Acid Downpour
• Darknium Z - Turns Knock Off into Black Hole Eclipse

Potential Partners

• Trick Room Users - Trick Room users like Porygon2 and Oranguru can turn Muk's slow speed into an advantage
• Water types - Water types like Araquanid and Gastrodon can help handle ground types that threaten Muk
• Tapu Koko - It's high damage output can help weaken Pokemon for Muk to finish off

How to beat Muk

• Ground types - Ground types like Garchomp and Mudsdale can use powerful Ground moves to make quick work of Muk
• Celesteela - Celesteela can switch in on Poison Jab and Knock Off is a 4HKO while Heavy Slam does way more damage
• Knock Off - If Muk is holding the Figy Berry, then you can use Knock Off to easily remove it 

Overall Muk is a very threatening Pokémon. With tools to handle many of the top Pokémon in the format,  it's no wonder Muk is doing well in this format. It's powerful attacks, good defenses,  and access to strong moves, Muk is gonna be doing well in the future. I hope you enjoy. Check out the older VGC 2017 content and I'll see you guys next time. Bye!