Muk (Pokémon)

← #088: Grimer	Pokémon	#090: 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
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Poison Unknown Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Sludge Pokémon
Abilities Stench or Sticky Hold Sticky Hold Blue-Striped ----- Poison Touch Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #089 Johto #118 Hoenn #107 Sinnoh — Unova #065 Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R-088 Almia R-152 Oblivia
Height 3'11" Imperial 1.2 m Metric 3'11"/1.2 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 66.1 lbs. Imperial 30.0 kg Metric 66.1 lbs./30.0 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Purple	Catch rate 75 (9.8%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 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*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

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

Urban Pokémon

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 and Unova.

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.

Other

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

Six Muk appeared in The Psyduck Stops Here!.

A Muk appeared in BW118 under the ownership of a Team Plasma Grunt.

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.

A Muk appeared in the opening of Destiny Deoxys.

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 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 {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} 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 {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 It's so stinky! Muk's body contains toxic elements, and any plant will wilt when it passes by. White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
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 for 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 Rare Uncommon 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%)	Black Sludge (?%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 105		165 - 212	320 - 414
Attack: 105		99 - 172	193 - 339
Defense: 75		72 - 139	139 - 273
Sp. Atk: 65		63 - 128	121 - 251
Sp. Def: 100		94 - 167	184 - 328
Speed: 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 1× Fighting ½× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 2× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 2× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 2× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 2× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Notes: In Generation I, the effectiveness of  Bug-type  moves is 2×.

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.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●●● Defense ●●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast 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.
Pokémon Conquest 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

FireRed/LeafGreen back sprites

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 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"

More languages

Related articles

• Ash's Muk

External links

• Article on Wikipedia

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 species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.