Sludge (move)

Sludge ヘドロこうげき Sludge Attack

Battles Type  Poison Category  Special PP  20 (max. 32) Power  65 Accuracy  100% Priority  0 Does not make contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Not affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  1 ♥ Jam  4 ♥♥♥♥ Badly startles the Pokémon in front.

Super Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  2 ♥♥ Earn +2 if the Pokémon performs last in the turn.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Tough Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jamming  3 ♥♥♥ Startles the last Pokémon to act before the user.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Sludge (Japanese: ヘドロこうげき Sludge Attack) is a damage-dealing Poison-type move introduced in Generation I.

Effect

Generation I

Sludge does damage and has a 40% chance of poisoning the target.

Generation II onwards

Sludge now has a 30% chance to poison the target.

Sludge can be used as the first move of a Pokémon Contest combination, causing Sludge Bomb to score double the normal appeal if used in the next turn. It can also be used to finish a combination, with the user gaining 1 bonus appeal point if Sludge Bomb was used in the previous turn.

Description

Games Description Stad A Poison-type attack. Has a fifty-fifty chance of poisoning the target. Stad2 A Poison-type attack. Has a one-in-three chance of poisoning the target. GSC An attack that may poison the foe. RSEColoXD Sludge is hurled to inflict damage. May also poison. FRLG Toxic sludge is hurled at the foe. It may poison the target. DPPtHGSSPBR Unsanitary sludge is hurled at the foe. It may also poison the target. BWB2W2 Unsanitary sludge is hurled at the target. It may also poison the target. XYORAS SMUSUMPE SwShBDSPLA Unsanitary sludge is hurled at the target. This may also poison the target. SV The user hurls unsanitary sludge at the target to inflict damage. This may also poison the target.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII		VIII		IX
												SMUSUM	PE	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0088		Grimer		Amorphous		Amorphous	37	16	13	20	20BW 15B2W2	15	15	24		15	15
0089		Muk		Amorphous		Amorphous	37	45	13	20	20BW 15B2W2	15	15	24		15	15
0109		Koffing		Amorphous		Amorphous	32	21	21	24	28BW 18B2W2	18	18	18	20	20	20
0110		Weezing		Amorphous		Amorphous	1, 32	21	21	24	28BW 18B2W2	18	18	18	20	20	20
0110		Weezing Galarian Form		Amorphous		Amorphous									20		20
0316		Gulpin		Amorphous		Amorphous			14	14	14	14XY 10ORAS	10			10	10
0317		Swalot		Amorphous		Amorphous			1, 14	1, 14	1, 14	1, 14XY 1, 10ORAS	1, 10			1, 10	1
0568		Trubbish		Mineral		Mineral					18	18	18		18
0569		Garbodor		Mineral		Mineral					18	18	18		18
0965		Varoom		Mineral		Mineral											13
0966		Revavroom		Mineral		Mineral											13
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Egg Move
						IV	V	VI	VII	VIII		IX
						HGSS			SMUSUM	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0001		Bulbasaur		Monster	Grass	✔	✔	✔	✔	−	✔	−
0258		Mudkip		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0422		Shellos All forms		Water 1	Amorphous	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Sludge deals damage and may leave the target poisoned.

Game Base Power Max Power Base PP Max PP Base Accuracy Max Accuracy Range Target Cuts corners MDRB 12 - 22 - 88% - Front Enemy Yes MDTDS 12 - 15 - 88% - Front Enemy Yes BSL 12 - 15 - 88% - Front Enemy Yes MDGtI 10 99 17 50 90% 98% Front Enemy Yes SMD 10 99 17 40 90% 98% Front Enemy Yes With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games: MD Rescue Team = Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. MD Time and Darkness = Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. MD Sky = Pokémon Platinum. MD Adventure Squad = ??. MD Gates to Infinity = Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. Super Mystery Dungeon = Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. MD Rescue Team DX = Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Pokémon GO

Updates

Gyms & Raids

• July 30, 2016
  • Power: 25 → 30
• February 16, 2017
  • Power: 30 → 50
  • Energy cost: 25 → 33
  • Duration: 2.6 → 2.1 seconds
  • Damage window: 1.85 - 2.35 → 1.2 - 1.55 seconds

Sludge
Charged Attack
Gyms & Raids Power 50 Energy cost 33 Duration 2.1 seconds Damage window 1.2 - 1.55 seconds
Trainer Battles Power 50 Energy cost 40 Secondary effect ? Effect chance ?%
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility By Elite Charged TM By GO Snapshot As Shadow Pokémon As Purified Pokémon Formerly eligible None

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Sludge

★★★
Attack power	37.94108
Charge time	0.62 seconds
Range type	Projectile
Number of hits	1
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	1.5%
Additional effect	May poison the foe

Pokémon Masters EX

Name	Category	Move gauge cost	MP (uses)	Base power	Max power	Accuracy	Target	Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair(s)
Sludge	Special	2	—	42	50	100%	An opponent	—	Has a chance (30%) of leaving the target poisoned.	James & Weezing Scottie/Bettie & Grimer/MukEgg Scottie/Bettie & Koffing/WeezingEgg (Support/tech roles only)
Sync move
Name	Category	State		Base power	Max power	Target		Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair
Make It Double Sludge	Special	Default		200	240	An opponent		—	This attack's power increases when the target is poisoned or badly poisoned.	James & Weezing

Notes:

• Sludge:
  • Description prior to Version 2.10.0 (from June 28, 2021): Has a moderate chance of leaving the target poisoned.

Description

Games Description MDRB Inflicts damage on the target. It may also leave the target poisoned, damaging it for several turns. MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target. It may also afflict the targeted enemy with a Poisoned status condition, which causes periodic damage. BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる しかも いっていのかくりつで どくじょうたいにして いっていターンごとに ダメージをあたえる MDGtI It damages an enemy. It could also cause the Poisoned status condition. With the Poisoned status, the enemy keeps taking damage and can't restore its HP naturally. SMD It damages an enemy. It could also make the enemy poisoned.

In the anime

Main series

Koffing Weezing Grimer Gulpin
Unsanitary sludge is hurled at the foe.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Koffing spews dark brown sludge at the opponent from its mouth.
James's Koffing	Ash Catches a Pokémon		Debut
	Weezing spews dark brown sludge at the opponent from the mouth on its larger body or from both mouths at the same time.
James's Weezing	The Flame Pokémon-athon!		None
	Gulpin opens its mouth and spits a ball of brown or purple sludge at the opponent.
Multiple wild Gulpin	Gulpin it Down		None
Professor Jacuzzi's Gulpin	Gulpin it Down		None
Multiple wild Gulpin	Defending the Homeland!		None
	Grimer fires large balls of sludge from its mouth at the opponent, one after the other.
A Grimer Dawn used briefly	Camping it Up!		None

• In the English dub of Here Comes the Trubbish Squad!, a wild Trubbish was mentioned to use Sludge. This is a dubbing error, as in the original Japanese version, the move in question was instead called Sludge Bomb.

Pokémon Generations

Grimer
The user fire a stream of purple sludge at the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Grimer opens its mouth and fires a stream of dark purple sludge at the opponent.
A Team Rocket Grunt's Grimer	The Lake of Rage		Debut

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Weezing
The user squirts sludge at the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Weezing spits out sludge at the opponent from its bigger body's mouth.
Harry's Weezing	Ekans the Ecstasy		Debut

Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl

Koffing
The users fires sludge from its body.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Koffing fires a glob of sludge at the opponent.
A wild Koffing	PDP13		Debut

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blazing Exploration Team

Koffing
The users fires sludge from its body.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Koffing shoots sludge from the holes on its body at the opponent.
A Koffing from Team Skull	BET1		Debut

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Side series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• In Pokémon Stadium, Sludge is described as having a 50% chance of poisoning its target, but it actually has a 40% chance.
• Since Generation V, Sludge has the same description text as Sludge Bomb.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 污泥攻擊 Wūnàih Gūnggīk * 泥漿攻擊 Nàihjēung Gūnggīk * Mandarin 污泥攻擊 / 污泥攻击 Wūní Gōngjí / Wūní Gōngjī * 泥漿攻擊 Níjiāng Gōngjí * Czech Bahenní útok Danish Slam Dutch Blubber Finnish Lieju (season 1) Liejuvyöry (Johto series) Mönjä (AG series) French Détritus German Schlammbad Greek Γλίτσα Glitsa Italian Fango Korean 오물공격 Omulgonggyeok Norwegian Gjørmeangrep Polish Błoto Brazilian Portuguese Ataque de Lama (games, manga) Jato de Lama (anime) Lama (The Official Pokémon Handbook) Lodo (The Official Pokémon Handbook) Serbian Mulj Spanish Latin America Residuos (EP046–present) Lodo (EP003–EP040, DP088) Spain Residuos Swedish Gegga Thai สลัดจ์แอตแทก Vietnamese Tấn Công Bằng Bùn

Variations of the move Psybeam
Spark Psybeam • Bubble Beam • Aurora Beam • Sludge

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.