Ash's Muk: Difference between revisions

enva1=[[Michael Haigney]] <small>([[EP030]]-[[AG133]])</small><br>[[Tom Wayland]] <small>([[DP182]]-[[BW123]])</small><br>[[Carter Cathcart‎‎]] <small>([[SM042]]-Present)</small>|

In ''[[EP030|Sparks Fly for Magnemite]]'', Ash and {{ashfr}} were traveling through [[Gringey City]], which was in the midst of a power failure. The local power plant was being overrun by the mysterious {{type|Poison}} {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} {{p|Grimer}}. After the swarm was located, the Grimer's leader, a Muk, came and challenged the group, immediately ordering the Grimer to attack the kids. However, the vast numbers of {{p|Magnemite}} and {{p|Magneton}} in the city combined attacks to clear out the Grimer, leaving only Muk. With the aid of {{AP|Pikachu}} and a {{p|Magnemite}} that was following it due to an electrical build up, Ash defeated and captured the Muk. It was then immediately sent to [[Professor Oak's Laboratory]] because its stench was so rancid that it could seep through the {{i|Poké Ball}}. However, Muk's horrid smell seemed to have disappeared by its later appearances as neither Ash, nor anyone around him, was affected by it.

Muk reappeared in ''[[EP065|Showdown at the Po-ké Corral]]'' when Ash, {{an|Misty}}, {{an|Brock}}, and {{Gary}} visited Professor Oak's Laboratory. It was revealed that Muk's personality had become more like Oak's after spending so much time with him, and it lovingly tackled him to the ground to give him a hug.

Muk's first {{pkmn|battle}} was in ''[[EP077|The Fourth Round Rumble]]'', where it was selected for use in the [[Indigo Plateau Conference]]. After [[Jeanette Fisher]]'s high-level {{p|Bellsprout}} had trounced {{AP|Bulbasaur}} and {{AP|Pikachu}}, Muk made a surprise appearance as Ash's third Pokémon. Muk easily absorbed Bellsprout's physical moves and {{m|Razor Leaf}} and then simply smothered it with {{m|Body Slam}}, winning the match for Ash.

In ''[[EP102|The Mystery Menace]]'', Ash used Muk to help him and {{Tracey}} find Misty, {{TP|Misty|Togepi}}, and {{AP|Bulbasaur}}, who were kidnapped by a giant {{p|Bulbasaur}} in the sewers of [[Trovitopolis]]. Muk and {{AP|Kingler}} also offered to fight for Ash in the Orange Island Championship battle against {{OBP|Drake|Orange League}} in ''[[EP111|Hello, Pummelo!]]'', but Ash chose {{AP|Tauros}} instead.

Muk was reunited with Ash when he returned home in ''[[EP115|A Tent Situation]]''. Muk insisted on fighting {{TRT}}, and Ash ordered it into battle instead of choosing Bulbasaur. Muk managed to resist {{m|Razor Leaf}} attacks from [[James's Victreebel]] and {{TP|Jessie|Lickitung}}'s {{m|Lick}} was even less effective, wiping Muk's face ineffectively to the point of causing pleasure instead of damage. It was then put to sleep by {{m|Sleep Powder}}, but awoke after Gary intervened and drove Team Rocket away.

Muk's only other major battle was when Ash called it up from Oak's Lab in ''[[EP270|Can't Beat the Heat!]]'', along with Tauros, Snorlax, and {{AP|Heracross}} in order to fight {{Gary}} in the [[Silver Conference]]. It was sent out originally to fight {{TP|Gary|Blastoise}}, and the two fought to a stalemate, with Muk's {{m|Sludge Bomb}} deflected by {{m|Rapid Spin}} and Blastoise's physical attacks absorbed into Muk's body. Ash pulled Muk for his {{AP|Bayleef}} quickly after. It was sent out to fight {{p|Scizor}} later, who dodged a Sludge Bomb easily. Muk absorbed both {{m|Quick Attack}} and {{m|Metal Claw}}, but Scizor was able to throw Muk using the latter attack, ultimately defeating it with {{m|Swift}}.

However, after its capture, Muk's personality seemed to shift. It became an extremely happy and affectionate Pokémon. It is particularly affectionate towards {{an|Professor Oak}} and as a recurring gag first seen in ''[[EP050|Who Gets To Keep Togepi?]]'', it would always smother the Professor whenever Ash would make a call to the [[Professor Oak's Laboratory|lab]].

Muk's affection also extends to its {{pkmn|Trainer}}, second in enthusiasm only to {{AP|Bayleef}}, despite only having fought for him on three occasions. Muk obligingly crushes Ash in excitement whenever Ash returns to the lab or summons it to his party. Its affection also extends to complete strangers, as was seen when it completely ignored [[Jessie's Lickitung]] in order to hug [[Jessie]], also smothering [[James's Victreebel]] in excitement. It also smothered [[Professor Birch]] upon meeting him in ''[[AG133|The Right Place and the Right Mime]]''. Professor Oak suggests that Muk's overwhelming display of affection is simply because it loves humans.

Muk differs from most of Ash's other Pokémon in that it is a defensive Pokémon, with low attack power and a small array of moves. It has never been shown to be damaged by a physical attack, with its opponents' [[move]]s always absorbed by its sludge body. Despite being quite powerful and good in battle, it has only ever defeated one opponent: [[Jeanette Fisher]]'s {{p|Bellsprout}}.