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[OVERVIEW]
With an Attack stat of 125, Mudsdale finds itself as one of the strongest physical attackers in the tier. This, along with great bulk, means that Mudsdale will very rarely go down in one hit and can fire back with a strong attack most of the time. Being a Ground-type means that Mudsdale gets a strong and spammable STAB Earthquake and allows it to be a stop to Volt Switch and other Electric-type moves. Mudsdale also has the exclusive ability Stamina, which raises its Defense after being hit by a physical move, making it a decent check to many physical attackers. However, Mudsdale suffers from a low Speed of 35, meaning that it will likely take damage before it can use an attack. Its excellent Ground typing also comes with weaknesses to common types such as Water, Grass, and Ice. Mudsdale also has no recovery outside of Rest, meaning that despite its good bulk and ability, it is prone to getting worn down by repeated attacks, status, and entry hazards. Finally, with an overall shallow movepool, Mudsdale is also fairly predictable and is considered a mediocre wallbreaker despite its high Attack, as all of its moves can easily be played around.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Heavy Slam
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Close Combat / Toxic
item: Choice Band
ability: Stamina
nature: Adamant
evs: 132 HP / 252 Atk / 124 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Mudsdale's high Attack and Ground typing mean that it has one of the most powerful Earthquakes in the PU metagame that will do heavy damage to anything that isn't immune to or doesn't resist it. Heavy Slam is able to do a huge amount of damage to Pokemon that may feel safe switching into an Earthquake such as Togetic and Mesprit. Rock Slide is used to hit other Flying-types such as Archeops and the Oricorio formes. Close Combat offers a better way to hit Levitate users that resist Heavy Slam, namely Eelektross and Bronzor, as well as doing more to defensive Miltank. Toxic can be used to punish foes that could normally safely switch into Mudsdale like Torterra and Gourgeist-XL and wear them down for later, though being locked into Toxic can leave Mudsdale exploited by setup sweepers like Alolan Raichu and Oricorio-G if they also carry Substitute.
Set Details
========
Choice Band increases Mudsdale's Attack to allow it to become one of the most powerful physical attackers in the tier and serve as a decent wallbreaker. The EV spread along with an Adamant nature maximizes Mudsdale's Attack stat and allows it to outspeed the unboosted base 50 Speed tier with Pokemon like Audino, Eelektross, and Regirock. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP to provide some extra bulk for weaker physical hits. Stamina is Mudsdale's preferred ability, allowing it to check weaker physical attackers by raising its Defense after being hit.
Usage Tips
========
Mudsdale is best used as an early-game wallbreaker to do heavy damage to bulkier Pokemon so that the rest of its team can clean late-game. It functions as a stop to Volt Switch with its Ground typing but has to be cautious of super effective coverage that many Electric-types carry. Its Stamina ability can also be used to help it take on physical attackers like Kangaskhan and Archeops fairly well. If Mudsdale is used in the later portion of a game, it will want to come in on something fairly weak and just try to get off as much damage as possible. It should be wary of locking itself into a move if a Pokemon with a resistance or an immunity to that move is still on the opposing team.
Team Options
========
Like most offensive Pokemon, Mudsdale appreciates entry hazard support from the likes of Mesprit, Ferroseed, and Weezing to help wear down its checks. Dedicated Water- and Grass-type checks are also good partners to help take on those attacks aimed at Mudsdale. Powerful Fire-types like Magmortar and Choice Specs Pyroar function well with Mudsdale, as they can help break Grass-types with Fire Blast and check Water-types with Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Grass. Meanwhile, Mudsdale checks Rock- and Ground-type attacks aimed at them. The best kind of partners for Mudsdale in general are faster Pokemon that appreciate having specially defensive walls broken through. Floatzel, Alolan Raichu, and Pyroar are all options for this. Setup sweepers like Swords Dance Silvally formes and Turtonator also appreciate Mudsdale's ability to break through their checks like Regirock and Lanturn, respectively. Having hazard control can help Mudsdale survive longer. Swanna is an option for this, as it also handles Weezing, and Skuntank can be used to take care of Mesprit.
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Toxic / Rock Slide
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Stamina
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 104 Def / 152 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is Mudsdale's strongest and most powerful STAB option, and due to Mudsdale's high Attack, it can still pack a punch if uninvested. Toxic is able to wear down checks that switch into Mudsdale like Mesprit and Flying-types. Rock Slide can be used to hit Flying-types that try to switch into Earthquake such as Archeops and Swanna and completes EdgeQuake coverage. Rest and Sleep Talk are this set's main moves, increasing Mudsdale's ability to stay around and tank hits in combination with Stamina along with avoiding status and entry hazard damage.
Set Details
========
The given HP and Defense EVs allow Mudsdale to switch into Choice Band Aggron's Head Smash twice and still be able to use Rest on a third. The rest is put into Special Defense to help against foes like Alolan Raichu, non-Choice Specs Lanturn, and Gastrodon. Leftovers helps Mudsdale gain some passive recovery, though Rocky Helmet is also an option to further punish physical attackers hitting Mudsdale. Stamina is the ability of choice, as it allows Mudsdale to switch into weaker physical attacks and raise its Defense.
Usage Tips
========
RestTalk Mudsdale should be used as a switch-in to physical threats such as Aggron and Kangaskhan, as its Stamina ability makes it very difficult to take down while Rocky Helmet can chip away at them. It also acts as a decent VoltTurn check with its immunity to Electric moves. This set struggles against Taunt users, especially those immune to Earthquake like Weezing and Oricorio-G, unless it has Rock Slide over Toxic. Having Rest means that Mudsdale can switch into other status moves like Will-O-Wisp and Toxic for its teammates and have little to worry about, as it can just use Rest to heal later.
Team Options
========
Flying-types partner well with Mudsdale, as they can help it handle Grass-types, while Mudsdale checks Rock- and Electric-types. Oricorio-E and Eelektross are notable partners, as they can handle both Grass- and Water-types. Freeze-Dry Aurorus helps with both Water- and Grass-types, as well as having the ability to switch into Ice-type attacks. A grounded Poison-type or entry hazard remover like Skuntank or Lurantis is also appreciated to keep Toxic Spikes off the field and keep Mudsdale from getting worn down by poison; even though it does have Rest, coming in on anything when less than full HP can make its job of checking things much harder. As a check to physical Pokemon, Mudsdale also appreciates a partner that can take special hits well. Cradily and Assault Vest Magmortar are solid options. RestTalk sets generally prefer to be on bulkier teams like balance and stall as a check to physical attackers. Heal Bell users also work well with Mudsdale to get rid of its sleep condition early if needed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An Assault Vest set can be run with a similar spread to the Choice Band set as a bulkier option; however, the power difference is noticeable. Mudsdale's low speed warrants a mention for its use on a dedicated Trick Room team, though it requires support to break through certain walls and is outclassed by Marowak. Roar can be used to phaze targets, and Stealth Rock can be used over Toxic on either of the sets if entry hazards are needed. Facade can be used on the Choice Band set to do more damage in the event that Mudsdale is burned by Weezing.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water- and Grass-types**: Pokemon like offensive Lanturn, Lilligant, Abomasnow, and Ludicolo all can do massive damage to Mudsdale before it can attack, though none like switching into moves from the Choice Band set. Defensively, Gourgeist-XL and Torterra wall the Choice Band set and can either cripple Mudsdale with Will-O-Wisp or do heavy damage with Wood Hammer, respectively.
**Weezing**: The best move Mudsdale has to hit Weezing with is Heavy Slam, and that doesn't even 2HKO it. Weezing can also easily outspeed Mudsdale and burn it with Will-O-Wisp.
**Ice-types**: Strong Ice-types like Jynx, Rotom-F, and Abomasnow are able to threaten Mudsdale with their STAB moves, but only Rotom-F is able to switch into the Choice Band set if Mudsdale locks itself into Earthquake or Heavy Slam.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Because Stamina only affects Defense, special attackers in general can easily wear Mudsdale down.
[OVERVIEW]
With an Attack stat of 125, Mudsdale finds itself as one of the strongest physical attackers in the tier. This, along with great bulk, means that Mudsdale will very rarely go down in one hit and can fire back with a strong attack most of the time. Being a Ground-type means that Mudsdale gets a strong and spammable STAB Earthquake and allows it to be a stop to Volt Switch and other Electric-type moves. Mudsdale also has the exclusive ability Stamina, which raises its Defense after being hit by a physical move, making it a decent check to many physical attackers. However, Mudsdale suffers from a low Speed of 35, meaning that it will likely take damage before it can use an attack. Its excellent Ground typing also comes with weaknesses to common types such as Water, Grass, and Ice. Mudsdale also has no recovery outside of Rest, meaning that despite its good bulk and ability, it is prone to getting worn down by repeated attacks, status, and entry hazards. Finally, with an overall shallow movepool, Mudsdale is also fairly predictable and is considered a mediocre wallbreaker despite its high Attack, as all of its moves can easily be played around.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Heavy Slam
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Close Combat / Toxic
item: Choice Band
ability: Stamina
nature: Adamant
evs: 132 HP / 252 Atk / 124 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Mudsdale's high Attack and Ground typing mean that it has one of the most powerful Earthquakes in the PU metagame that will do heavy damage to anything that isn't immune to or doesn't resist it. Heavy Slam is able to do a huge amount of damage to Pokemon that may feel safe switching into an Earthquake such as Togetic and Mesprit. Rock Slide is used to hit other Flying-types such as Archeops and the Oricorio formes. Close Combat offers a better way to hit Levitate users that resist Heavy Slam, namely Eelektross and Bronzor, as well as doing more to defensive Miltank. Toxic can be used to punish foes that could normally safely switch into Mudsdale like Torterra and Gourgeist-XL and wear them down for later, though being locked into Toxic can leave Mudsdale exploited by setup sweepers like Alolan Raichu and Oricorio-G if they also carry Substitute.
Set Details
========
Choice Band increases Mudsdale's Attack to allow it to become one of the most powerful physical attackers in the tier and serve as a decent wallbreaker. The EV spread along with an Adamant nature maximizes Mudsdale's Attack stat and allows it to outspeed the unboosted base 50 Speed tier with Pokemon like Audino, Eelektross, and Regirock. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP to provide some extra bulk for weaker physical hits. Stamina is Mudsdale's preferred ability, allowing it to check weaker physical attackers by raising its Defense after being hit.
Usage Tips
========
Mudsdale is best used as an early-game wallbreaker to do heavy damage to bulkier Pokemon so that the rest of its team can clean late-game. It functions as a stop to Volt Switch with its Ground typing but has to be cautious of super effective coverage that many Electric-types carry. Its Stamina ability can also be used to help it take on physical attackers like Kangaskhan and Archeops fairly well. If Mudsdale is used in the later portion of a game, it will want to come in on something fairly weak and just try to get off as much damage as possible. It should be wary of locking itself into a move if a Pokemon with a resistance or an immunity to that move is still on the opposing team.
Team Options
========
Like most offensive Pokemon, Mudsdale appreciates entry hazard support from the likes of Mesprit, Ferroseed, and Weezing to help wear down its checks. Dedicated Water- and Grass-type checks are also good partners to help take on those attacks aimed at Mudsdale. Powerful Fire-types like Magmortar and Choice Specs Pyroar function well with Mudsdale, as they can help break Grass-types with Fire Blast and check Water-types with Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Grass. Meanwhile, Mudsdale checks Rock- and Ground-type attacks aimed at them. The best kind of partners for Mudsdale in general are faster Pokemon that appreciate having specially defensive walls broken through. Floatzel, Alolan Raichu, and Pyroar are all options for this. Setup sweepers like Swords Dance Silvally formes and Turtonator also appreciate Mudsdale's ability to break through their checks like Regirock and Lanturn, respectively. Having hazard control can help Mudsdale survive longer. Swanna is an option for this, as it also handles Weezing, and Skuntank can be used to take care of Mesprit.
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Toxic / Rock Slide
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Stamina
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 104 Def / 152 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is Mudsdale's strongest and most powerful STAB option, and due to Mudsdale's high Attack, it can still pack a punch if uninvested. Toxic is able to wear down checks that switch into Mudsdale like Mesprit and Flying-types. Rock Slide can be used to hit Flying-types that try to switch into Earthquake such as Archeops and Swanna and completes EdgeQuake coverage. Rest and Sleep Talk are this set's main moves, increasing Mudsdale's ability to stay around and tank hits in combination with Stamina along with avoiding status and entry hazard damage.
Set Details
========
The given HP and Defense EVs allow Mudsdale to switch into Choice Band Aggron's Head Smash twice and still be able to use Rest on a third. The rest is put into Special Defense to help against foes like Alolan Raichu, non-Choice Specs Lanturn, and Gastrodon. Leftovers helps Mudsdale gain some passive recovery, though Rocky Helmet is also an option to further punish physical attackers hitting Mudsdale. Stamina is the ability of choice, as it allows Mudsdale to switch into weaker physical attacks and raise its Defense.
Usage Tips
========
RestTalk Mudsdale should be used as a switch-in to physical threats such as Aggron and Kangaskhan, as its Stamina ability makes it very difficult to take down while Rocky Helmet can chip away at them. It also acts as a decent VoltTurn check with its immunity to Electric moves. This set struggles against Taunt users, especially those immune to Earthquake like Weezing and Oricorio-G, unless it has Rock Slide over Toxic. Having Rest means that Mudsdale can switch into other status moves like Will-O-Wisp and Toxic for its teammates and have little to worry about, as it can just use Rest to heal later.
Team Options
========
Flying-types partner well with Mudsdale, as they can help it handle Grass-types, while Mudsdale checks Rock- and Electric-types. Oricorio-E and Eelektross are notable partners, as they can handle both Grass- and Water-types. Freeze-Dry Aurorus helps with both Water- and Grass-types, as well as having the ability to switch into Ice-type attacks. A grounded Poison-type or entry hazard remover like Skuntank or Lurantis is also appreciated to keep Toxic Spikes off the field and keep Mudsdale from getting worn down by poison; even though it does have Rest, coming in on anything when less than full HP can make its job of checking things much harder. As a check to physical Pokemon, Mudsdale also appreciates a partner that can take special hits well. Cradily and Assault Vest Magmortar are solid options. RestTalk sets generally prefer to be on bulkier teams like balance and stall as a check to physical attackers. Heal Bell users also work well with Mudsdale to get rid of its sleep condition early if needed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An Assault Vest set can be run with a similar spread to the Choice Band set as a bulkier option; however, the power difference is noticeable. Mudsdale's low speed warrants a mention for its use on a dedicated Trick Room team, though it requires support to break through certain walls and is outclassed by Marowak. Roar can be used to phaze targets, and Stealth Rock can be used over Toxic on either of the sets if entry hazards are needed. Facade can be used on the Choice Band set to do more damage in the event that Mudsdale is burned by Weezing.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water- and Grass-types**: Pokemon like offensive Lanturn, Lilligant, Abomasnow, and Ludicolo all can do massive damage to Mudsdale before it can attack, though none like switching into moves from the Choice Band set. Defensively, Gourgeist-XL and Torterra wall the Choice Band set and can either cripple Mudsdale with Will-O-Wisp or do heavy damage with Wood Hammer, respectively.
**Weezing**: The best move Mudsdale has to hit Weezing with is Heavy Slam, and that doesn't even 2HKO it. Weezing can also easily outspeed Mudsdale and burn it with Will-O-Wisp.
**Ice-types**: Strong Ice-types like Jynx, Rotom-F, and Abomasnow are able to threaten Mudsdale with their STAB moves, but only Rotom-F is able to switch into the Choice Band set if Mudsdale locks itself into Earthquake or Heavy Slam.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Because Stamina only affects Defense, special attackers in general can easily wear Mudsdale down.
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