[OVERVIEW]
Alolan Muk is one of the most effective Pursuit trappers the tier has to offer, comfortably beating Latias and Mega Sceptile, among other Pokemon. This is primarily because of its typing, which leaves Alolan Muk with only a weakness to Ground, and great natural bulk that augments its utility. Poison Touch is incredibly useful , making it hard for anything vulnerable to poison to switch into Alolan Muk. Despite this, it lacks reliable recovery and as a result is extremely prone to being worn down, especially since Alolan Muk is often burdened with taking on some of the strongest special attackers UU has to offer. It is a pretty one-dimensional Pokemon all things considered, but it does have an acceptable amount of coverage in Fire Punch, Fire Blast, and Ice Punch. Alolan Muk is rather slow, so it is vulnerable to certain common, faster Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl and Scizor.
[SET]
name: Trapper
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Gunk Shot / Poison Jab
move 4: Fire Punch / Fire Blast
item: Assault Vest
ability: Poison Touch
nature: Adamant / Brave
evs: 204 Atk / 180 SpD / 124 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pursuit is one of the main selling points of Alolan Muk, as it's capable of easily weakening or removing Pokemon like Latias, Celebi, some Serperior variants, and Mega Sceptile from play. Knock Off allows Alolan Muk to support its teammates and itself by removing items from the opposing team. In general, it is just a reliable STAB move that is easy to spam during the game. Gunk Shot is a strong Poison-type STAB move that provides Alolan Muk with the ability to hit Fairy-types. Poison Jab is a more reliable alternative due to its perfect accuracy, but it is much weaker; for example, Gunk Shot is able to achieve OHKOs on Pokemon like Mega Altaria whereas Poison Jab cannot. Fire Punch allows Alolan Muk to hit Pokemon like Cobalion and Scizor, which it wouldn't be able to do much damage to otherwise while still allowing it to maintain an Adamant nature. Fire Blast is an alternative to Fire Punch that guarantees the 2HKO on Cobalion but requires Alolan Muk to run a Brave Nature.
Set Details
========
The given EVs allow Alolan Muk to avoid the 2HKO from Timid Choice Specs Primarina's Hydro Pump, outspeed uninvested base 65s such as Scizor, and maximize offensive potential. Assault Vest is essential for Alolan Muk to be able to switch into strong special attackers like Serperior and Latias. An Adamant nature is run in order to maximize damage output. However, if Fire Blast is being used, then a Brave nature and changing the spread to 252 Atk / 76 SpA / 180 SpD is recommended in order to 2HKO Cobalion. Poison Touch allows Alolan Muk to poison anything that tries to switch in on it with its contact moves.
Usage Tips
========
Alolan Muk is most effective early- or mid-game, as it should be supporting its teammates by removing threats like Latias and Celebi, which provides Pokemon such as Suicune with the opportunity to sweep. While Alolan Muk does have fantastic bulk, one must be cautious to ensure that it doesn't get worn down switching into multiple threats and as a result get overburdened. Some Pokemon that Alolan Muk is supposed to switch into can beat it with different sets. Substitute + Leech Seed Serperior as well as Groundium Z Celebi and Latias are examples of this. Switching into entry hazards should be avoided as much as possible, as Alolan Muk risks being put into range of the attacks from one of the threats that it is supposed to beat. Alolan Muk can switch into Latias and Mega Sceptile, but that doesn't always mean it should, especially if it needs to be preserved for another Pokemon as well. It should be brought in as safely as possible via U-turn, Volt Switch, or double switching. Early-game, spamming Knock Off is generally the way to go, as it cripples the foe while also fishing for Poison Touch to activate.
Team Options
========
Pivots that bait in Pursuit-weak Pokemon, such as Infernape and Rotom-W, make for excellent partners, as Alolan Muk is brought in safely and can remove the likes of Latias and Celebi. Setup sweepers like Suicune, Serperior, and Nasty Plot Infernape appreciate the support that Alolan Muk provides and in return they can take care of the Steel- and Ground-types that give it trouble. Healing methods like Wish from Sylveon and Healing Wish from Latias are great ways of keeping Alolan Muk healthy. Entry hazard removers like Empoleon and Mantine are great partners, as they ensure that Alolan Muk will not get worn down by entry hazards. Water-types like Mantine and Jellicent are great partners for Alolan Muk, as they are able to beat the Ground- and Steel-types that give it trouble. Alolan Muk doesn't comfortably beat Fighting-types, so checks to them like Latias and Gliscor make for good partners. Pokemon that can beat Ground-types like Celebi, Serperior, and Hydreigon make for excellent partners as well. Alolan Muk supports them by getting rid of Pokemon like Latias.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shadow Sneak provides Alolan Muk with a priority move, but it is generally less useful than its other moves and therefore incredibly hard to justify. Ice Punch can be run to hit Gliscor. It can run a Gluttony + Iapapa Berry, Figy Berry, or Mago Berry set with Recycle; however, this comes with a loss of coverage and crucial special bulk that Assault Vest provides. Alolan Muk can run a Curse set, but for the most part, it is outclassed by Snorlax due to the fact that it has greater overall bulk and better coverage than Alolan Muk.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Gliscor, and Gastrodon do not fear much from Alolan Muk and can retaliate with a STAB Earthquake. However, they must undertake the risk of being poisoned. Gliscor, in particular, has a very easy time against Alolan Muk, as it commonly runs Poison Heal.
**Steel-types**: Cobalion, Mega Aggron, and Mega Steelix are excellent responses to Alolan Muk's STAB moves and can force it out easily, but they have to be wary of Fire-type coverage.
**Faster Physical Attackers**: Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Azumarill, and Crawdaunt, while unable to switch in, are capable of scaring Alolan Muk out.
Alolan Muk is one of the most effective Pursuit trappers the tier has to offer, comfortably beating Latias and Mega Sceptile, among other Pokemon. This is primarily because of its typing, which leaves Alolan Muk with only a weakness to Ground, and great natural bulk that augments its utility. Poison Touch is incredibly useful , making it hard for anything vulnerable to poison to switch into Alolan Muk. Despite this, it lacks reliable recovery and as a result is extremely prone to being worn down, especially since Alolan Muk is often burdened with taking on some of the strongest special attackers UU has to offer. It is a pretty one-dimensional Pokemon all things considered, but it does have an acceptable amount of coverage in Fire Punch, Fire Blast, and Ice Punch. Alolan Muk is rather slow, so it is vulnerable to certain common, faster Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl and Scizor.
[SET]
name: Trapper
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Gunk Shot / Poison Jab
move 4: Fire Punch / Fire Blast
item: Assault Vest
ability: Poison Touch
nature: Adamant / Brave
evs: 204 Atk / 180 SpD / 124 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pursuit is one of the main selling points of Alolan Muk, as it's capable of easily weakening or removing Pokemon like Latias, Celebi, some Serperior variants, and Mega Sceptile from play. Knock Off allows Alolan Muk to support its teammates and itself by removing items from the opposing team. In general, it is just a reliable STAB move that is easy to spam during the game. Gunk Shot is a strong Poison-type STAB move that provides Alolan Muk with the ability to hit Fairy-types. Poison Jab is a more reliable alternative due to its perfect accuracy, but it is much weaker; for example, Gunk Shot is able to achieve OHKOs on Pokemon like Mega Altaria whereas Poison Jab cannot. Fire Punch allows Alolan Muk to hit Pokemon like Cobalion and Scizor, which it wouldn't be able to do much damage to otherwise while still allowing it to maintain an Adamant nature. Fire Blast is an alternative to Fire Punch that guarantees the 2HKO on Cobalion but requires Alolan Muk to run a Brave Nature.
Set Details
========
The given EVs allow Alolan Muk to avoid the 2HKO from Timid Choice Specs Primarina's Hydro Pump, outspeed uninvested base 65s such as Scizor, and maximize offensive potential. Assault Vest is essential for Alolan Muk to be able to switch into strong special attackers like Serperior and Latias. An Adamant nature is run in order to maximize damage output. However, if Fire Blast is being used, then a Brave nature and changing the spread to 252 Atk / 76 SpA / 180 SpD is recommended in order to 2HKO Cobalion. Poison Touch allows Alolan Muk to poison anything that tries to switch in on it with its contact moves.
Usage Tips
========
Alolan Muk is most effective early- or mid-game, as it should be supporting its teammates by removing threats like Latias and Celebi, which provides Pokemon such as Suicune with the opportunity to sweep. While Alolan Muk does have fantastic bulk, one must be cautious to ensure that it doesn't get worn down switching into multiple threats and as a result get overburdened. Some Pokemon that Alolan Muk is supposed to switch into can beat it with different sets. Substitute + Leech Seed Serperior as well as Groundium Z Celebi and Latias are examples of this. Switching into entry hazards should be avoided as much as possible, as Alolan Muk risks being put into range of the attacks from one of the threats that it is supposed to beat. Alolan Muk can switch into Latias and Mega Sceptile, but that doesn't always mean it should, especially if it needs to be preserved for another Pokemon as well. It should be brought in as safely as possible via U-turn, Volt Switch, or double switching. Early-game, spamming Knock Off is generally the way to go, as it cripples the foe while also fishing for Poison Touch to activate.
Team Options
========
Pivots that bait in Pursuit-weak Pokemon, such as Infernape and Rotom-W, make for excellent partners, as Alolan Muk is brought in safely and can remove the likes of Latias and Celebi. Setup sweepers like Suicune, Serperior, and Nasty Plot Infernape appreciate the support that Alolan Muk provides and in return they can take care of the Steel- and Ground-types that give it trouble. Healing methods like Wish from Sylveon and Healing Wish from Latias are great ways of keeping Alolan Muk healthy. Entry hazard removers like Empoleon and Mantine are great partners, as they ensure that Alolan Muk will not get worn down by entry hazards. Water-types like Mantine and Jellicent are great partners for Alolan Muk, as they are able to beat the Ground- and Steel-types that give it trouble. Alolan Muk doesn't comfortably beat Fighting-types, so checks to them like Latias and Gliscor make for good partners. Pokemon that can beat Ground-types like Celebi, Serperior, and Hydreigon make for excellent partners as well. Alolan Muk supports them by getting rid of Pokemon like Latias.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shadow Sneak provides Alolan Muk with a priority move, but it is generally less useful than its other moves and therefore incredibly hard to justify. Ice Punch can be run to hit Gliscor. It can run a Gluttony + Iapapa Berry, Figy Berry, or Mago Berry set with Recycle; however, this comes with a loss of coverage and crucial special bulk that Assault Vest provides. Alolan Muk can run a Curse set, but for the most part, it is outclassed by Snorlax due to the fact that it has greater overall bulk and better coverage than Alolan Muk.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Gliscor, and Gastrodon do not fear much from Alolan Muk and can retaliate with a STAB Earthquake. However, they must undertake the risk of being poisoned. Gliscor, in particular, has a very easy time against Alolan Muk, as it commonly runs Poison Heal.
**Steel-types**: Cobalion, Mega Aggron, and Mega Steelix are excellent responses to Alolan Muk's STAB moves and can force it out easily, but they have to be wary of Fire-type coverage.
**Faster Physical Attackers**: Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Azumarill, and Crawdaunt, while unable to switch in, are capable of scaring Alolan Muk out.
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