Muk (Pokémon)

Grimer #088: Grimer
Pokémon
#090: Shellder Shellder
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Muk (disambiguation).
Muk
ベトベトン Betbeton
#089
089Muk.png
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type
Poison Unknown
Category
Sludge Pokémon
Abilities
Stench or Sticky Hold Poison Touch
Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers
Kanto
#089
Johto
#118
Hoenn
#107
Unova
#065
Regional Browser numbers
Fiore
R-088
Almia
R-152
Height
3'11"
Imperial
1.2 m
Metric
Weight
66.1 lbs.
Imperial
30.0 kg
Metric
Dex color
Purple
Catch rate
75 (9.8%)
Body style
Body04.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F089.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
50% male, 50% female
Breeding
Amorphous group 21 cycles
(5355 minimum steps)
EV yield
HP
1
Atk
1
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
Base Exp.: 157 Battle Exp.: 1571*

Muk (Japanese: ベトベトン Betbeton) is a Poison-type Pokémon.

It evolves from Grimer starting at level 38.

Biology

Physiology

Muk look very similar to its previous form, Grimer. The main differences are that Muk is larger than Grimer, and has a wider mouth and smaller eyes. It is also usually shown with its left arm being much larger than the right one, along with a strand connecting its upper and lower lip when its mouth is open. The sludge it is made of is apparently less dense than water as it has been shown to float on it in the anime.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

The toxicity of Muk's form has reached the point where a single drop of it can make an entire lake stagnant and rancid. Its footprints are toxic enough for a person to contract influenza if they are touched. Their infamous stench increases in the summertime, due to the toxic substances in its body intensifying. Their ability to exist in the environment without it becoming completely hazardous to other lifeforms may be attributed to their ability to actively control their toxins, as they would likely never want to deliberately pollute a river or spread any harmful diseases.

As a fully evolved Pokémon, Muk is capable of using the moves Hyper Beam and Giga Impact.

Behavior

In the wild, Muk usually take charge of their family of Grimer and are very protective.

Habitat

This Pokémon likes warm and moist places. Groups of them accumulate in dirty places, such as garbage dumps or sewers. They sometimes also reside in dirty back alleys of towns. Despite their penchant for thriving in dirty, contaminated places, they do seem to have a limit as to how much pollution they can tolerate, as no Muk lived in the Lake Lucid of fifty years ago until some work was made on purifying it. Wild Muk are normally found only in Kanto.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Muk will eat anything that is already contaminated.

In the anime

 
Muk in the anime

Major appearances

Ash's Muk

Ash captured a Muk in Sparks Fly for Magnemite. It was transferred to Professor Oak's lab. Ash's Muk is always trying to smother Prof. Oak. The first time Ash used his Muk in battle was in The Fourth Round Rumble, as a trump card against a Bellsprout that had already defeated his Bulbasaur and Pikachu.

Minor appearances

Four Muk were among the Pokémon competing in the Fire and Rescue Grand Prix in The Fire-ing Squad!.

A Muk appears in a flashback in The Joy of Water Pokémon as a former inhabitant of Lake Lucid before becoming the clean lake it is now.

Muk also appeared under the ownership of Attila during The Legend of Thunder!.

A Muk appeared in the opening of Destiny Deoxys.

Six Muk appeared in The Psyduck Stops Here!.

A Muk made a brief appearance under the ownership of a Trainer in the Lily of the Valley Conference in An Old Family Blend!.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry
EP030 Muk Ash's Pokédex Muk, Grimer's evolved form. Use extreme caution as its slimy form contains poison.
Episode Pokémon Source Entry
DP087 Muk Dawn's Pokédex Muk, the Sludge Pokémon. A horribly toxic liquid seeps out of its body.

In the manga

 
Koga's Muk, as seen in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Muk is one of the Pokémon owned by Koga in Pokémon Adventures, used in his attack on Articuno.

Muk is seen again during the Elite Four saga, used by Koga to shield himself from the debris of the collapsing Cerise Island.

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Main article: Ash's Muk

Ash has a Muk that he caught it off-screen. It was used in the Indigo League where it fought and defeated Jeannette Fisher's Bellsprout.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Giovanni sent out Muk to prevent anyone from winning the contest he hosted on TV in Seize the Dream of One Million Yen!!.

In the TCG

Main article: Muk (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I
Red Thickly covered with a filthy, vile sludge. It is so toxic, even its footprints contain poison.
Blue
Yellow Smells so awful, it can cause fainting. Through degeneration, it lost its sense of smell.
Stadium Becomes indistinguishable if it hides in dirt. Touching its sludge-covered body causes horrible poisonings.
Generation II
Gold They love to gather in smelly areas where sludge accumulates, making the stench around them worse.
Silver Its body is made of a powerful poison. Touching it accidentally will cause a fever that requires bed rest.
Crystal As it moves, a very strong poison leaks from it, making the ground there barren for three years.
Stadium 2 They love to gather in smelly areas where sludge accumulates, making the stench around them worse.
Generation III
Ruby From Muk's body seeps a foul fluid that gives off a nose-bendingly horrible stench. Just one drop of this Pokémon's body fluid can turn a pool stagnant and rancid.
Sapphire This Pokémon's favorite food is anything that is repugnantly filthy. In dirty towns where people think nothing of throwing away litter on the streets, Muk are certain to gather.
Emerald It prefers warm and humid habitats. In the summertime, the toxic substances in its body intensify, making Muk reek like putrid kitchen garbage.
FireRed It is usually undetectable because it blends in with the ground. Touching it can cause terrible poisoning.
LeafGreen Thickly covered with a filthy, vile sludge. It is so toxic, even its footprints contain poison.
Generation IV
Diamond A toxic fluid seeps from its body. The fluid instantly kills plants and trees on contact.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold They love to gather in smelly areas where sludge accumulates, making the stench around them worse.
SoulSilver Its body is made of a powerful poison. Touching it accidentally will cause a fever that requires bed rest.
Generation V
Black A toxic fluid seeps from its body. The fluid instantly kills plants and trees on contact.
White
Black 2 It's so stinky! Muk's body contains toxic elements, and any plant will wilt when it passes by.
White 2
Generation VI
X Unknown
Y Unknown


Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I
Red Blue
RareR
UncommonB
Pokémon Mansion
Blue (Japan)
Unknown Pokémon Mansion
Yellow
Uncommon Pokémon Mansion, Power Plant, trade a Kangaskhan on Cinnabar Island
Generation II
Gold Silver
Rare Celadon City, Routes 16, 17, and 18
Crystal
Rare Celadon City, Routes 16, 17, and 18
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
None Evolve Grimer
Emerald
None Evolve Grimer
FireRed LeafGreen
NoneFR
RareLG
Evolve GrimerFR
Pokémon MansionLG
Colosseum
None Trade
XD
None Evolve Grimer
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
None Evolve Grimer
Platinum
None Evolve Grimer
HeartGold SoulSilver
Uncommon Celadon City, Routes 16, 17, and 18
Pal Park
Field
Pokéwalker
None
Generation V
Black White
None Trade
Black 2 White 2
Unknown
Unknown
Route 9
Castelia Sewers (Surfing and fishing; spring and summer only)
Route 9 (Hidden Grotto)*
Dream World
None
Generation VI
X Y
None Trade



In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Snap Cave
Pokémon Pinball Evolve Grimer
Pokémon Pinball:
Ruby & Sapphire
Evolve Grimer
Pokémon Trozei! Secret Storage 16
Trozei Battle
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red/Blue Rescue Team
Evolve Grimer
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time/Darkness
Sky Stairway (1F-49F)
Pokémon Ranger Waterworks
Pokémon Ranger:
Shadows of Almia
Volcano Cave
Pokémon Rumble Eternal Tower
Pokémon Rumble Blast Cave: Everspring Valley (post ending)

Held items

Game Held Item(s)
Red* Blue* Gold Leaf (100%)
Yellow*
Gold Silver   Nugget (8%)
Crystal
HeartGold SoulSilver   Nugget (5%)
Black 2 White 2   Nugget (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
105
165 - 212 320 - 414
105
99 - 172 193 - 339
75
72 - 139 139 - 273
65
63 - 128 121 - 251
100
94 - 167 184 - 328
50
49 - 112 94 - 218
Total:
500
Other Pokémon with this total
  • Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
  • Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
  • This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 65.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed
1/5 ☆☆☆☆
Power
4/4 ★★★★
Skill
1/5 ☆☆☆☆
Stamina
5/5 ★★★★★
Jump
2/5 ★★☆☆☆
Total
13/24 ★★☆☆


Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground
Rock
Bug ½×
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground
Rock
Bug ½×
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground
Rock
Bug ½×
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground
Rock
Bug ½×
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Notes:

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V
Other generations:
I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
BW B2W2 Move Type Cat. Power Accuracy PP
000Start 000Start Poison Gas Poison Status 0000 080}}80% 40
000Start 000Start Pound Normal Physical 04040 100}}100% 35
000Start 000Start Harden Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 30
000Start 000Start Mud-Slap Ground Special 02020 100}}100% 10
0044 0044 Harden Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 30
0077 0077 Mud-Slap Ground Special 02020 100}}100% 10
01212 01212 Disable Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 20
02020 01515 Sludge Poison Special 06565 100}}100% 20
01717 01818 Minimize Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 20
02323 02121 Mud Bomb Ground Special 06565 085}}85% 10
03636 02626 Sludge Bomb Poison Special 09090 100}}100% 10
02828 02929 Fling Dark Physical 0000 100}}100% 10
03333 03232 Screech Normal Status 0000 085}}85% 40
05050 03737 Sludge Wave Poison Special 09595 100}}100% 10
04242 04343 Acid Armor Poison Status 0000 —}}—% 40
05858 04949 Gunk Shot Poison Physical 120120 070}}70% 5
06464 05757 Memento Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 10
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Muk
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Muk
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V
Other generations:
I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
  TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000 090}}90% 10
  TM09 Venoshock Poison Special 06565 100}}100% 10
  TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 0000 100}}100% 15
  TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000 —}}—% 5
  TM12 Taunt Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 20
  TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5
  TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM18 Rain Dance Water Status 0000 —}}—% 5
  TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
  TM24 Thunderbolt Electric Special 09595 100}}100% 15
  TM25 Thunder Electric Special 120120 070}}70% 10
  TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
  TM28 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10
  TM30 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15
  TM31 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15
  TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 15
  TM34 Sludge Wave Poison Special 09595 100}}100% 10
  TM35 Flamethrower Fire Special 09595 100}}100% 15
  TM36 Sludge Bomb Poison Special 09090 100}}100% 10
  TM38 Fire Blast Fire Special 120120 085}}85% 5
  TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 05050 080}}80% 10
  TM41 Torment Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 15
  TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
  TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM45 Attract Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 15
  TM46 Thief Dark Physical 04040 100}}100% 10
  TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
  TM52 Focus Blast Fighting Special 120120 070}}70% 5
  TM56 Fling Dark Physical 0000 100}}100% 10
  TM59 Incinerate Fire Special 03030 100}}100% 15
  TM64 Explosion Normal Physical 250250 100}}100% 5
  TM66 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100}}100% 10
  TM68 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5
  TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10
  TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20
  TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000 090}}90% 15
  TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM94 Rock Smash Fighting Physical 04040 100}}100% 15
  HM04 Strength Normal Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Muk
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Muk
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Father   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
Acid Spray Poison Special 40 100% 20
Curse Ghost Status —% 10
Haze Ice Status —% 30
Imprison Psychic Status —% 10
Lick Ghost Physical 20 100% 30
Mean Look Normal Status —% 5
Scary Face Normal Status 100% 10
Shadow Punch Ghost Physical 60 —% 20
Shadow Sneak Ghost Physical 40 100% 30
Stockpile Normal Status —% 20
Spit Up Normal Special 100% 10
Swallow Normal Status —% 10
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Muk in Generation V
  • Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
  • Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Muk in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Muk
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Muk
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
B W B2 W2 Block Normal Status —% 5
B W B2 W2 Dark Pulse Dark Special 80 100% 15
B W B2 W2 Fire Punch Fire Physical 75 100% 15
B W B2 W2 Giga Drain Grass Special 75 100% 10
B W B2 W2 Gunk Shot Poison Physical 120 70% 5
B W B2 W2 Ice Punch Ice Physical 75 100% 15
B W B2 W2 Pain Split Normal Status —% 20
B W B2 W2 Sleep Talk Normal Status —% 10
B W B2 W2 Snore Normal Special 40 100% 15
B W B2 W2 ThunderPunch Electric Physical 75 100% 15
  • A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Muk can be tutored the move in that game
  • A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Muk cannot be tutored the move in that game
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Muk
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Muk
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By a prior evolution

Generation V
Other generations:
I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Stage   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
This Pokémon has no moves exclusive to prior evolutions.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Muk
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Muk
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
   
Acquisition: Evolve
Pokémon Pinball RS
   
Acquisition: Evolve
Pokémon Trozei!
   
Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
File:MDP RT 089.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: Evolve
Friend Area: Poison Swamp
Phrases
51%-100% HP Touch me at the risk of your health!
26%-50% HP My HP's gone down to half...
1%-25% HP I'm done for... I wish I lived a better life...
Level up I leveled up! It fills me with glee!
Partner phrases
51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%.
26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%.
1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%.
Level up I leveled up! It fills me with glee!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness
,
and Explorers of Sky
  Body size: 1
Recruit rate: -4.5%
IQ group: G
Pokémon Ranger
Group:  Poison  Poké Assist:  
( Poison )
Field move: None
Loops: 10 Min. exp.: 58 Max. exp.: 78
Browser entry  
Muk heads right for the Capture Disc. It hurls big globs of sludge.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group:  Poison  Poké Assist:  
( Poison )
Field move:  
(Crush ×3)
Browser entry  
It attacks by spitting poison and letting loose poisonous fog.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group: Poké Assist: Field move:
 Normal  None Past
 
( Normal )
None Past
 
(Electrify ×1)
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Attack ●●●
Defense ●●●
Speed ●●●
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack ●●●
Defense ●●●
Speed ●●●
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
  PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
  Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}}
PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
  HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}}
Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}}
Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}}
Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}}
Does not evolve.
Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

 
Unevolved
Grimer
 Poison 
 
Level 38


 
First evolution
Muk
 Poison 


Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
       
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
       
       
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
       
       
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
       
       
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
     
     
  For other sprites and images, please see Muk images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Other sprites

  File:Spr b 3f 089s.png
FireRed/LeafGreen back sprite(s)

Trivia

  • Although Muk's body is very poisonous, it doesn't seem to harm Ash and the others when Muk is 'hugging' them. This is probably because it is able to control whether it gives off poison or not similar to how Ponyta can choose whether or not to burn the person that touches it. Croagunk is another Pokémon which is able to control the amount of poison it uses via its fingertips when using Poison Jab, or Sharpedo activating its ability, Rough Skin.
  • Muk is tied with Mew for the shortest English name out of all Pokémon.
  • Muk's height is given as 3'11" but it is seen to have altering heights as it can expand and become taller or spread out and become shorter.
  • Haunter and Muk are the only two Pokémon whose weight does not change as a result of evolution.
  • Even though Muk's Red, Blue, and LeafGreen Pokédex entries state that its footprints are poisonous, Muk does not have a footprint in the Pokédex, or even feet.
    • However, in Pokémon Ranger Muk leaves a trail of poison which can damage the Capture Styler.
  • In Pokémon Platinum, Muk is one of the few Pokémon not in the Sinnoh Pokédex, and not introduced in Generation IV, to have a new sprite. Meowth, Oddish, Hitmonlee, Ninetales, Primeape, Krabby, and Registeel are the others.
  • All of Muk's backsprites depict its left arm in the air.
  • Muk's backsprite is different in FireRed and LeafGreen than from Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Muk is shown to have part of its face seen along with its hand.
  • Muk's evolutionary family, along with Gulpin's, Koffing's, and Trubbish's families are the only Pokémon to learn Sludge by leveling up.
    • Coincidentally, they are all pure Poison-type Pokémon introduced in odd numbered generations.
  • Muk shares similar traits to Weezing and Garbodor. All three Pokémon are pure Poison types with a single pre-evolution, roughly the same base stat totals and evolution levels, and appear to be based of a certain pollution; Muk being water pollution.

Origin

It appears to be a pile of living sludge. Muk may also be based on the imagined fear that heavy pollution, caused by the leakage and/or improper disposal of toxic/radioactive waste, may result in the creation of new and undesirable life.

Name origin

Muk is a corruption of muck (generally something filthy).

Betbeton may be derived from べとべと betobeto (sticky).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
  Japanese ベトベトン Betbeton From べとべと betobeto
  French Grotadmorv From gros and Tadmorv
  Spanish Muk Same as English name
  German Sleimok From Schleim and muck
  Italian Muk Same as English name
  Korean 질뻐기 Jilppeogi From 질퍽하다 Jilpeoghada
  Mandarin Chinese 臭臭泥 Chòuchòuní Means "Very foul sludge"
  Cantonese Chinese 爛泥怪 Laahnnàihgwaai Means "Ooze freak"


Related articles

External links

Notes


  #088: Grimer
Pokémon
#090: Shellder  


  This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.