Ubers Alolan Muk

UPL semi-finalists' Glory


[OVERVIEW]

* Alolan Muk is an exclusive Dark-type that can function as a reliable and capable answer to Ghost-types in the tier, save for Marshadow and the rare Swords Dance Arceus-Ghost. Prominent Ghost-types like Mega Gengar and Lunala have the option to circumvent their checks with high Speed, high damage output, and coverage moves, and Alolan Muk differentiates itself from more common Dark-types like Yveltal and Arceus-Dark with its neutrality to Fighting and access to Pursuit.
* While this may seem like an eclipsed role when considering Tyranitar's existence in the tier, its extreme weakness to Fighting makes it a shakier answer to Ghost-types. Alolan Muk can almost always pivot in and weaken or KO special Ghost-types and Mega Mewtwo Y with Pursuit under reasonable conditions. The ability to trap and remove Mega Gengar and Deoxys-A is also helpful to balanced and defensive teams alike.
* Alolan Muk can also support its team with its ability to remove Toxic Spikes on the switch and justify Knock Off to hinder its switch-ins.Additionally, unlike other bulky Pokemon on balanced and defensive teams, Alolan Muk is less reliant on prediction to punish a switch-in with status due to Poison Touch, which makes its attacks potentially hazardous to its offensive checks.
* With Assault Vest, Alolan Muk is a more secure answer to the aforementioned special attackers. However, Alolan Muk's lackluster physical bulk and low Speed make it prone to more threats than the ones it covers. Though Alolan Muk's common teammates can cover these flaws to an extent, Alolan Muk can often burden its teammates, as it tends to proactively switch into threats it checks and may allow the opponent to take advantage of predictable reactions in a few ways, such as by double switching into a common Pokemon like Primal Groudon, with relatively low risk.

[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Clear Smog / Poison Jab
item: Assault Vest
ability: Poison Touch
nature: Brave / Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 80 Atk / 28 Def / 148 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Alolan Muk naturally avoids a 2HKO from Mega Gengar, Lunala, and Mega Mewtwo Y when healthy enough, and it can even take multiple attacks when equipped with an Assault Vest. This makes Alolan Muk an effective Pursuit trapper that can guarantee said threats' removal.
* Though many Pokemon in Ubers hold irremovable items, Knock Off can punish a large number of switch-ins like Ferrothorn and Magearna that dislike losing their item. Knock Off is generally the most spammable move when Alolan Muk isn't attempting to Pursuit trap something, as foes with irremovable items that want to switch into it risk getting poisoned due to Poison Touch.
* Shadow Sneak gives Alolan Muk some usefulness against offensive teams by letting it pick off weakened Marshadow and Ultra Necrozma. More importantly, this move significantly improves Alolan Muk's matchup against Deoxys-A, as the latter is forced to predict between attacking Alolan Muk first on a predicted Pursuit or switching out on Alolan Muk's Shadow Sneak, which OHKOes it before it can move.
* Clear Smog is quite weak due to Alolan Muk's low Special Attack and lack of investment, but it is a crucial tool for Alolan Muk to weaken boosted Geomancy Xerneas and Calm Mind Arceus formes in a pinch. When Alolan Muk is no longer needed, this move also comes in handy against Primal Groudon and Arceus-Ground by preventing them from setting up.
* Poison Jab enables Alolan Muk to defeat Life Orb Yveltal in a one-on-one situation, 2HKO Xerneas, and OHKO the rarer Tapu Lele. Combined with Poison Touch, Poison Jab also has a good chance to poison the foe.

Set Details
========

* Maximum HP investment increases Alolan Muk's mixed bulk, and combined with 28 Defense EVs, Alolan Muk can avoid a 2HKO from Life Orb Deoxys-A from full HP.
* 80 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature give Alolan Muk enough power to OHKO Mega Gengar on its switch with Pursuit. The rest of the EVs are invested into Special Defense to make Alolan Muk more challenging for Lunala and other special attackers to take down.
* Maximum Attack EVs can be considered to 2HKO Lunala with Shadow Shield intact with Pursuit. A stronger Pursuit also has better odds to 2HKO Mega Mewtwo Y.
* Poison Touch gives Alolan Muk's contact moves a 30% chance to poison the target, which makes it hazardous for Alolan Muk's checks like Primal Groudon to directly switch in.

Usage Tips
========

* Alolan Muk boasts high special bulk with the given investment and Assault Vest. Pokemon like Arceus-Dark, Mega Gengar, and Lunala will struggle to take down healthy Alolan Muk with a few hits, and the latter two can be easily weakened or removed once Alolan Muk has switched in safely.
* Complete lack of recovery means Alolan Muk will inevitably be worn down as it continues to pivot into attacks. Unless the team has Wish support, Alolan Muk's health management will be important, so avoid switching into neutral attacks from Pokemon like Arceus-Water and taking damage from entry hazards. Especially if Alolan Muk has other important tasks to fulfill, such as trapping Deoxys-A, combating and weakening Yveltal for teammates, and remaining as an emergency stop to Geomancy Xerneas, it won't be able to keep itself healthy for multiple foes. This means even switching into Toxic users can be a risky move unless it is pivoting into an extremely passive foe like Blissey.
* However, opponents will often try to bait in Alolan Muk, and most teams will have at least two Pokemon that can take advantage of its tendency to reactively switch in. Alolan Muk especially suffers from the wide range of Pokemon that can threaten it in a one-on-one situation, and it is punished even more harshly if itruns into a check or counter after taking entry hazard damage.
* Be mindful about the significance of Alolan Muk and Pokemon it has to check. Teams that will be reliant on Mega Gengar or Lunala to gain an upper hand against slower teams that Alolan Muk commonly fits on will try to preserve them until it is weakened throughout the game or they have benefited a lot from baiting in Alolan Muk, double switching, and reversing momentum.
* Alolan Muk can exercise less caution against slower teams and defensive teams where there will be fewer offensive checks and more Pokemon like Blissey that also tend to reactively switch into their checks. These teams also tend to lack a Pokemon that Alolan Muk has to remain healthy to handle, so fully take advantage of Knock Off's item removal and Poison Touch in this matchup.
* Do not overlook Shadow Sneak's usefulness. In an emergency, Shadow Sneak can do minor damage and poison a foe at the same time, so Alolan Muk will have two chances to poison a foe setting up on it before going down. Shadow Sneak can also pick off weakened Psychic- and Ghost-types, preventing the likes of Ultra Necrozma and Marshadow from damaging a revenge killer before going down.
* While Alolan Muk's matchup against Mega Gengar is generally advantageous, some Mega Gengar variants with Will-O-Wisp can circumvent this. Substitute variants can also escape from Alolan Muk, as Substitute will take damage for Mega Gengar as it switches out. This means being overly reliant on Alolan Muk to compensate for the team's vulnerability to Mega Gengar isn't advised. Alolan Muk also struggles to effectively trap Gothitelle, as it is slower than Gothitelle, so it will be neutralized by Charm before it can KO back.

Team Options
========

* Balanced and defensive teams can employ Alolan Muk to provide themselves with security against Ghost-types. Teammates like Arceus-Fairy, Lugia, and Mega Slowbro, which are vulnerable to Mega Gengar, benefit from Mega Gengar's absence and Alolan Muk making Lunala hesitate before taking advantage of them. These Pokemon may also struggle to properly deal with Toxapex, and Alolan Muk can absorb Toxic Spikes on the switch when given a chance. In return, Lugia and Mega Slowbro are capable of checking Primal Groudon, which may set up as Alolan Muk is forced out. Arceus-Fairy can check threats like Yveltal and Marshadow and prevent Calm Mind Arceus-Dark from fully setting up on Alolan Muk lacking Clear Smog.
* Entry hazard support will come in handy, as Facade Mega Salamence will struggle to take advantage of status induced by Alolan Muk and keep itself healthy at the same time with Stealth Rock on the field. Defensive Ho-Oh can be also a nuisance to this set, and Stealth Rock can be helpful for this reason as well. Primal Groudon and Arceus-Fairy can be appropriate choices for Stealth Rock setters. Primal Groudon can take advantage of Steel-types that try to wall Alolan Muk, and with Alolan Muk potentially poisoning support Arceus formes, it can 2HKO them even when lacking offensive investment. Arceus-Fairy's ability to threaten Giratina-O and Mega Sableye while setting Stealth Rock will come in handy to pressure certain balance and defensive teams. In return, Alolan Muk can remove Leftovers from Magearna to make it easier for Arceus-Fairy to wear down.
* Defensive teams can use Chansey or Blissey to better check support Arceus formes and Xerneas. Chansey especially appreciates Alolan Muk's ability to remove Leftovers from Steel-types and Pursuit trap Mega Gengar, and it can keep Alolan Muk healthy with Wish support.
* Entry hazard removers are needed to prevent Alolan Muk from getting worn down by entry hazards. As a single switch when Stealth Rock is on the field can lower the chance that Alolan Muk checks Deoxys-A and Geomancy Xerneas in a pinch, entry hazard removers like Ho-Oh, Giratina-O, and support Arceus formes are important partners. These Pokemon are also effective pivots to Primal Groudon. Choice Scarf Xerneas is also a considerable option, as it must be wary of Mega Gengar and can take down Ultra Necrozma, which Alolan Muk needs too much prior damage to reliably take down with Shadow Sneak.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* A set utilizing Lum Berry or Rest can provide the team with more security against Mega Gengar by healing Alolan Muk of a burn. This set can also justify moves like Taunt to improve the matchup against Gothitelle thanks to the lack of Assault Vest, but this allows Mega Gengar and Lunala to 2HKO Alolan Muk after a little damage from entry hazards.
* A Choice Band set can catch some foes off guard. Alolan Muk with Choice Band and maximum Attack investment can OHKO retreating Mega Gengar with Pursuit after getting burned, do serious damage to Necrozma-DM, and threaten to OHKO Blissey with Knock Off. This set suffers from reduced defensive presence, however.
* Fire Blast can surprise Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Magearna, and Celesteela, but they are already hindered by losing their Leftovers to Knock Off. Fire Blast also does minuscule damage to Necrozma-DM and only proves to be effective at punishing Mega Lucario and Skarmory, both of which need prior damage to be 2HKOed. Fire Punch can be used to hit Necrozma-DM and Magearna harder, but it has similar problems as Fire Blast.
* Ice Punch can break Zygarde-C's Substitute and prevent Facade Mega Salamence from liberally switching into Alolan Muk, but Mega Salamence can only be 2HKOed on the switch.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Ground-types**: While Primal Groudon, Zygarde, and Arceus-Ground are all threatening to Alolan Muk as offensive checks that can OHKO it, Zygarde and Arceus-Ground can cause further problems, as they can set up on Alolan Muk behind Substitute. Note that Alolan Muk can still make a last-ditch effort to poison them with Shadow Sneak in some instances, and Primal Groudon typically has to manage its health for more important foes, such as Defog users, if running offensive Stealth Rock sets.

**Mega Salamence**: Mega Salamence takes little damage from Alolan Muk with its high physical bulk and Intimidate prior to Mega Evolution, heals damage with Roost, and easily overpowers Alolan Muk with its attacks. Mega Salamence can also switch into Alolan Muk and use boosted Facade if Poison Touch activates.

**Physical Attackers**: Alolan Muk's low physical bulk leaves it susceptible to strong physical attackers like physical variants of Primal Kyogre, Marshadow, and Extreme Killer Arceus.

**Steel-types**: Most defensive Steel-types dislike losing Leftovers to Knock Off, but Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Klefki can set up layers of Spikes on Alolan Muk, which wear it down very rapidly. Necrozma-DM can pose similar issues if it has defensive investment, Solganium Z, and Morning Sun.

**Residual Damage**: Alolan Muk's effectiveness as a counter to Ghost-types and a blanket check to Yveltal and Arceus-Dark largely depends on its health. This means entry hazards like Stealth Rock and Spikes are detrimental to its role. Burn also causes residual damage that Alolan Muk dislikes, but more importantly, it prevents Alolan Muk from effectively trapping Ghost-types.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DMDW, 434601]]
- Quality checked by: [[Nayrz, 212134], [Cynara, 224455], [Serial EKiller, 426631]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Fireflame479, 231476], [Rabia, 336073]]
 
Last edited:
May get a little past deadline because some lil fuckers in my school blocked 8 VPN's and I couldn't work on this while waiting for the bus. Shouldn't be a long extension, I promise - I know the drill.
 
Implemented Serial EKiller's feedback for QC 3/3 as instructed in Discord; sending this to GP.
1547479475475.png
 

Cantius

I COULD BE BANNED!
[OVERVIEW]

* Alolan Muk is an exclusive Dark-type that can function as a reliable and capable answer to Ghost-types in the tier, save the rare Swords Dance Arceus-Ghost that runs Swords Dance and Marshadow. Prominent Ghost-types like Mega Gengar and Lunala have an option to circumvent their checks with high Speed, high damage output, andcoverage and coverage moves, and Alolan Muk differentiates itself from more common Dark-types like Yveltal and Arceus-Dark with its neutrality to Fighting and an access to Pursuit.
* While this may seem like an eclipsed role when accounting on Tyranitar's existence in the tier, Tyranitar's extreme weakness to Fighting makes it a shakier answer to Ghost-types, though Dark-types are typically expected to handle Ghost-types offensively or defensively. Alolan Muk can almost always pivot in and weaken or KO special Ghost-types and Mega Mewtwo Y with Pursuit under reasonable conditions. An ability to trap and remove Mega Gengar and Deoxys-A is also helpful to balanced and defensive teams alike.
* Alolan Muk can also support its team with its ability to remove Toxic Spikes on switch and justify Knock Off to hinder its switch-in. Unlike other bulky Pokemon in balanced and defensive teams, Alolan Muk is less reliant on prediction to punish a switch-in with status due to Poison Touch that can make most of its attacks hazardous to its offensive checks.
* With Assault Vest, Alolan Muk can be a more secure answers answer to the aforementioned special attackers. However, Alolan Muk's lackluster physical bulk and low Speed makes make it prone to more threats than the ones it covers. Though common Alolan Muk's common teammates can cover this weakness to an extent, Alolan Muk can often burden its teammates as it will proactively switch into threats it checks and will open a room for an opponent to take advantage of predictable reactions in a few ways, such as by double switching into a common Pokemon like Primal Groudon with relatively low risk. (will? Not always, rather may.)

[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Clear Smog / Poison Jab
item: Assault Vest
ability: Poison Touch
nature: Brave / Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 80 Atk / 28 Def / 148 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Alolan Muk naturally avoids 2HKO from Mega Gengar, Lunala, and Mega Mewtwo Y when healthy enough, and it can even take multiple attacks when equipped with an Assault Vest. This makes Alolan Muk an effective Pursuit trapper that can guarantee said threats' removal.
* Though many Pokemon in Ubers hold irremovable items, Knock Off can punish a large number of switch-in's switch-ins like Ferrothorn and Magearna that dislike losing their item. Knock Off is generally the most spammable move when Alolan Muk isn't attempting to Pursuit trap something, as foes with irremovable items that want to switch into Alolan Muk risk getting poisoned due to Poison Touch.
* Shadow Sneak gives Alolan Muk some usefulness against offensive teams by letting Alolan Muk pick off weakened Marshadow and Ultra Necrozma. More importantly, this move significantly improves Alolan Muk's matchup against Deoxys-A, as the latter is forced to predict between attacking Alolan Muk first on predicted Pursuit or switching out on Alolan Muk's Shadow Sneak that outspeeds and OHKOs it.
* Clear Smog is quite weak due to Alolan Muk's low Special Attack stat and lack of investment, but it is a crucial tool for Alolan Muk to weaken boosted Geomancy Xerneas and Calm Mind Arceus formes in a pinch. When Alolan Muks Alolan Muk is no longer needed, this move also comes in handy against Primal Groudon and Arceus-Ground by preventing them from setting up.
* Poison Jab does enables Alolan Muk to defeat Life Orb Yveltal in a one on one one-on-one situation, 2HKO Xerneas, and OHKO the rarer Tapu Lele. Combined with Poison Touch, Poison Jab also has a good chance to poison a foe.

Set Details
========

* Maximum HP increases Alolan Muk's mixed bulk, and combined with 28 Defense EVs, Alolan Muk can avoid a 2HKO from Life Orb Deoxys-A from full HP.
* 80 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature gives give Alolan Muk enough power to OHKO Mega Gengar on switch with Pursuit. The rest of the EVs are invested into Special Defense to make Alolan Muk more challenging for Lunala and other special attackers to take down.
* Maximum Attack EVs can be considered to 2HKO Lunala with Shadow Shield intact with Pursuit. Stronger Pursuit also has better odds to 2HKO Mega Mewtwo Y.
* Poison Touch gives Alolan Muk's contact moves a 30% chance to poison the target, which makes it hazardous for Alolan Muk's checks like Primal Groudon to directly switch in.

Usage Tips
========

* Alolan Muk will boast high special bulk with the given investment and Assault Vest. Pokemon like Arceus-Dark, Mega Gengar, and Lunala will struggle to take down healthy Alolan Muk with a few hits, and the latter two can be easily weakened or removed once Alolan Muk has switched in safely.
* Complete lack of recovery means Alolan Muk will inevitably be worn down as it continues to pivot into attacks. Unless the team has Wish support, Alolan Muk's health management will be important, so avoid switching into neutral attacks like Arceus-Water and taking damage from entry hazards. Especially if Alolan Muk has other important tasks to fulfill, such as trapping more dangerous Deoxys-A, combating and weakening Yveltal for teammates, or remaining as an emergency stop to Geomancy Xerneas, it won't be able to manage to keep itself healthy for multiple foes. This means even switching into Toxic users can be a risky move unless it is pivoting into an extremely passive foe like Blissey.
* However, this widely known merit from Alolan Muk often entices an opponent to bait in Alolan Muk, and most teams will have at least more than one Pokemon that can take advantage of Alolan Muk's tendency to reactively switch in. Alolan Muk especially suffers from the wide availability of Pokemon that can threaten it in a one on one one-on-one situation, and it is punished even harsher more harshly if it ran into a check or a counter after taking entry hazard damage.
* Be mindful about the significance of Alolan Muk and Pokemon it has to check. Teams that will be reliant on Mega Gengar or Lunala to gain an upper hand against slower teams that Alolan Muk commonly fits on will try to preserve them until Alolan Muk is weakened throughout the game or they have benefited a lot from baiting in Alolan Muk, double switching, and reversing momentum.
* Alolan Muk can exercise less caution against slower teams and defensive teams where there will fewer offensive checks and more Pokemon like Blissey that also tends tends to reactively switch into its their checks. These teams also tend to lack a Pokemon that Alolan Muk should remain healthy to handle, so fully take advantage of Knock Off's item removal and Poison Touch in this matchup.
* Do not overlook Shadow Sneak's usefulness. In an emergency, Shadow Sneak can do a minor damage and poison a foe at the same time, so Alolan Muk will have two chances to poison a foe setting up on itself before going down. Shadow Sneak can also pick off weakened Psychic-, Dark-, and Ghost-types, preventing the likes of Ultra Necrozma and Marshadow from damaging a revenge killer before going down.
* While Alolan Muk's matchup against Mega Gengar is generally advantageous, some Mega Gengar variants with Will-O-Wisp can circumvent this. Substitute variants can also escape from Alolan Muk, as Substitute will take damage for Mega Gengar as it switches out. This means being overly reliant on Alolan Muk to compensate for the team's vulnerability against Mega Gengar isn't advised. Alolan Muk also struggles to effectively trap Gothitelle, as it is also slower than Gothitelle, so it will be neutralized by Charm before it can KO back.

Team Options
========

* Balanced and defensive teams and defensive can employ Alolan Muk to provide themselves a security against Ghost-types. Teammates like Arceus-Fairy, Lugia, and Mega Slowbro, which are vulnerable to Mega Gengar, can benefit from Mega Gengar's absence and making Lunala hesitate before taking advantage of them. Lugia and Mega Slowbro are capable of checking Primal Groudon that (AC) which may set up as Alolan Muk is forced out. Arceus-Fairy can check threats like Yveltal and Marshadow and prevent Calm Mind Arceus-Dark from fully setting up on Alolan Muk lacking Clear Smog. These Pokemon may struggle to properly deal with Toxapex, and Alolan Muk can absorb Toxic Spikes on switch when given a chance.
* Entry hazard supports support will come in handy, as Facade Mega Salamence will struggle to abuse status induced by Alolan Muk and keep itself healthy at the same time with Stealth Rock on the field. Defensive Ho-Oh can be also a nuisance to this set, and Stealth Rock can be helpful for this reason as well. Primal Groudon and Arceus-Fairy can be appropriate choices. Primal Groudon can take advantage of Steel-types that try to wall Alolan Muk, and with Alolan Muk potentially poisoning the Arceus formes, it can 2HKO support Arceus formes even when lacking offensive investment. Arceus-Fairy's ability to threaten Giratina-O and Mega Sableye while setting Stealth Rock will come in handy to pressure certain balance and defensive teams. Alolan Muk can remove Leftovers from Magearna to make it easier to wear down by Arceus-Fairy.
* Defensive teams can use Chansey or Blissey to better check support Arceus formes and Xerneas. Chansey especially appreciates Alolan Muk's ability to remove Leftovers from Steel-types and Pursuit trap Mega Gengar, and it can keep Alolan Muk healthy with Wish support.
* Entry hazard removers are needed to prevent Alolan Muk from getting worn down by entry hazards. As a single damage from Stealth Rock can lower the chance that Alolan Muk checks Deoxys-A and Geomancy Xerneas in a pinch, entry hazard removers like Ho-Oh, Giratina-O and support Arceus formes are important partners. These Pokemon are also effective pivots to Primal Groudon. Choice Scarf Xerneas is also a considerable option, as it must be wary of Mega Gengar and can take down Ultra Necrozma, which Alolan Muk needs too much prior damage to take down with Shadow Sneak.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* A set utilizing Lum Berry can provide the team with more security against Mega Gengar by healing itself of a burn with the said item or by using Rest. This set can also justify moves like Taunt to improve matchup against Gothitelle thanks to lack of Assault Vest, but this opens a room for Mega Gengar and Lunala to 2HKO Alolan Muk after a few little damage from entry hazards.
* A Choice Band set can catch some foes offguard off-guard. Alolan Muk with Choice Band and maximum Attack investment can OHKO retreating Mega Gengar with Pursuit after getting burnt, do serious damage to Necrozma-DM, and threaten to OHKO Blissey with Knock Off. This set also suffers from reduced defensive presence, however.
* Fire Blast can surprise Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Magearna, and Celeteela, but they are already hindered by losing their Leftovers to Knock Off. Fire Blast also does miniscule damage to Necrozma-DM and only proves to be effective at punishing Mega Lucario and Skarmory, both of which need prior damage to be 2HKOed. Fire Punch can be used to hit Necrozma-DM and Magearna harder, but it has similar problems with to Fire Blast.
* Ice Punch can break Zygarde's Substitutes and prevent Facade Mega Salamence from liberally switching into Alolan Muk, but Mega Salamence can only be 2HKOed on switch.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Ground-types**: While Primal Groudon, Zygarde, and Arceus-Ground are all threatening to Alolan Muk as offensive checks that can OHKO it, Zygarde and Arceus-Ground can cause further problems, as they can set up on Alolan Muk behind Substitute. Note that Alolan Muk can still make a last ditch last-ditch effort to poison them with Shadow Sneak in some instances, and Primal Groudon has to typically manage its health for more important foes, (RC) or Defog users if running offensive Stealth Rock sets.

**Mega Salamence**: Mega Salamence takes little damage from Alolan Muk with its high physical bulk and Intimidate prior to Mega Evolution, heals damage off with Roost, and easily overpowers Alolan Muk with its attacks. Mega Salamence can also switch into Alolan Muk and use boosted Facade if Poison Touch activates.

**Physical Attackers**: Alolan Muk's low physical bulk leaves it susceptible to strong physical attackers like physical variants of Primal Kyogre, Marshadow, and Extreme Killer Arceus.

**Steel-types**: Most defensive Steel-types dislike losing Leftovers to Knock Off, but Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Klefki can set up Spikes on Alolan Muk, which wears wear it down very rapidly. Necrozma-DM can pose similar issues if it has defensive investment, Solganium Z, and Morning Sun.

**Residual Damage**: Alolan Muk's effectiveness as a counter to Ghost-types and a blanket check to Yveltal and Arceus-Dark largely depends on its health. This means entry hazards like Stealth Rock and Spikes are detrimental to its role. Burn also causes residual damage that Alolan Muk dislikes, but more importantly, it prevents Alolan Muk from effectively trapping Ghost-types.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DMDW, 434601]]
- Quality checked by: [[Nayrz, 212134], [Cynara, 224455], [Serial EKiller, 426631]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
 
Implemented ^

I agree with the suggestion for the last point of the Overview, 'may' should a better choice
 
Is there a specific advantage in running Brave over Adamant? While it's not too significant, you lose the speed-tie vs Chansey, and even with an Adamant nature, you still under-speed Trick Room Necrozma-DM/DW.
 
Is there a specific advantage in running Brave over Adamant? While it's not too significant, you lose the speed-tie vs Chansey, and even with an Adamant nature, you still under-speed Trick Room Necrozma-DM/DW.
Chansey isn't staying in vs Alomuk anyway (unless you are facing Wishkiller teams where Chansey runs Seismic Toss). It would be better off not reducing Clear Smog's damage for no particular reason.
 

Fireflame

Silksong when
is a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
I love my new stamps

Remove Add Comments (AC)= add comma (RC)= remove comma (AH)= add hyphen (RH)= remove hyphen
[OVERVIEW]

* Alolan Muk is an exclusive Dark-type that can function as a reliable and capable answer to Ghost-types in the tier, save Marshadow and the rare Swords Dance Arceus-Ghost. Prominent Ghost-types like Mega Gengar and Lunala have an option to circumvent their checks with high Speed, high damage output, and coverage moves, and Alolan Muk differentiates itself from more common Dark-types like Yveltal and Arceus-Dark with its neutrality to Fighting and access to Pursuit (sounds like "resistance to Pursuit").
* While this may seem like an eclipsed role when accounting on considering Tyranitar's existence in the tier, Tyranitar's extreme weakness to Fighting makes it a shakier answer to Ghost-types,(RC) though Dark-types are typically expected to handle Ghost-types offensively or defensively (this is pretty much a given. Its removal also makes this flow better). Alolan Muk can almost always pivot in and weaken or KO special Ghost-types and Mega Mewtwo Y with Pursuit under reasonable conditions. An The ability to trap and remove Mega Gengar and Deoxys-A is also helpful to balanced and defensive teams alike.
* Alolan Muk can also support its team with its ability to remove Toxic Spikes on the switch and justify Knock Off to hinder its switch-ins. Unlike other bulky Pokemon in balanced and defensive teams, Alolan Muk is less reliant on prediction to punish a switch-in with status due to Poison Touch,(AC) which that can makes most of its attacks potentially hazardous to its offensive checks.
* With Assault Vest, Alolan Muk can be a more secure answer to the aforementioned special attackers. However, Alolan Muk's lackluster physical bulk and low Speed make it prone to more threats than the ones it covers. Though Alolan Muk's common teammates can cover this weakness to an extent, Alolan Muk can often burden its teammates,(AC) as it tends to proactively switch into threats it checks and may open a room for an allow the opponent to take advantage of predictable reactions in a few ways, such as by double switching into a common Pokemon like Primal Groudon,(AC) with relatively low risk.

[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Clear Smog / Poison Jab
item: Assault Vest
ability: Poison Touch
nature: Brave / Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 80 Atk / 28 Def / 148 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Alolan Muk naturally avoids a 2HKO from Mega Gengar, Lunala, and Mega Mewtwo Y when healthy enough, and it can even take multiple attacks when equipped with an Assault Vest. This makes Alolan Muk an effective Pursuit trapper that can guarantee said threats' removal.
* Though many Pokemon in Ubers hold irremovable items, Knock Off can punish a large number of switch-ins like Ferrothorn and Magearna that dislike losing their item. Knock Off is generally the most spammable move when Alolan Muk isn't attempting to Pursuit trap something, as foes with irremovable items that want to switch into Alolan Muk risk getting poisoned due to Poison Touch.
* Shadow Sneak gives Alolan Muk some usefulness against offensive teams by letting Alolan Muk pick off weakened Marshadow and Ultra Necrozma. More importantly, this move significantly improves Alolan Muk's matchup against Deoxys-A, as the latter is forced to predict between attacking Alolan Muk first on a predicted Pursuit or switching out on Alolan Muk's Shadow Sneak,(AC) which that outspeeds and OHKOes it before it can move.
* Clear Smog is quite weak due to Alolan Muk's low Special Attack and lack of investment, but it is a crucial tool for Alolan Muk to weaken boosted Geomancy Xerneas and Calm Mind Arceus formes in a pinch. When Alolan Muk is no longer needed, this move also comes in handy against Primal Groudon and Arceus-Ground by preventing them from setting up.
* Poison Jab enables Alolan Muk to defeat Life Orb Yveltal in a one-on-one situation, 2HKO Xerneas, and OHKO the rarer Tapu Lele. Combined with Poison Touch, Poison Jab also has a good chance to poison a the foe.

Set Details
========

* Maximum HP investment increases Alolan Muk's mixed bulk, and combined with 28 Defense EVs, Alolan Muk can avoid a 2HKO from Life Orb Deoxys-A from full HP.
* 80 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature give Alolan Muk enough power to OHKO Mega Gengar on its (I assume Gengar is switching out as Pursuit is being used rather than it coming into Pursuit) switch with Pursuit. The rest of the EVs are invested into Special Defense to make Alolan Muk more challenging for Lunala and other special attackers to take down.
* Maximum Attack EVs can be considered to 2HKO Lunala with Shadow Shield intact with Pursuit. A stronger Pursuit also has better odds to 2HKO Mega Mewtwo Y.
* Poison Touch gives Alolan Muk's contact moves a 30% chance to poison the target, which makes it hazardous for Alolan Muk's checks like Primal Groudon to directly switch in.

Usage Tips
========

* Alolan Muk will boast high special bulk with the given investment and Assault Vest. Pokemon like Arceus-Dark, Mega Gengar, and Lunala will struggle to take down healthy Alolan Muk with a few hits, and the latter two can be easily weakened or removed once Alolan Muk has switched in safely.
* Complete lack of recovery means Alolan Muk will inevitably be worn down as it continues to pivot into attacks. Unless the team has Wish support, Alolan Muk's health management will be important, so avoid switching into neutral attacks from Pokemon like like Arceus-Water and taking damage from entry hazards. Especially if Alolan Muk has other important tasks to fulfill, such as trapping more dangerous Deoxys-A, combating and weakening Yveltal for teammates, or and remaining as an emergency stop to Geomancy Xerneas, it won't be able to manage to keep itself healthy for multiple foes. This means even switching into Toxic users can be a risky move unless it is pivoting into an extremely passive foe like Blissey.
* However, this widely known merit from Alolan Muk often entices an (the above was not talking about any merit) opponents often try to bait in Alolan Muk, and most teams will have at least more than one Pokemon that can take advantage of Alolan Muk's tendency to reactively switch in. Alolan Muk especially suffers from the wide availability range of Pokemon that can threaten it in a one-on-one situation, and it is punished even more harshly if it ran into a check or a counter after taking entry hazard damage.
* Be mindful about the significance of Alolan Muk and Pokemon it has to check. Teams that will be reliant on Mega Gengar or Lunala to gain an upper hand against slower teams that Alolan Muk commonly fits on will try to preserve them until Alolan Muk is weakened throughout the game or they have benefited a lot from baiting in Alolan Muk, double switching, and reversing momentum.
* Alolan Muk can exercise less caution against slower teams and defensive teams where there will be fewer offensive checks and more Pokemon like Blissey that also tends tend to reactively switch into their checks. These teams also tend to lack a Pokemon that Alolan Muk should has to remain healthy to handle, so fully take advantage of Knock Off's item removal and Poison Touch in this matchup.
* Do not overlook Shadow Sneak's usefulness. In an emergency, Shadow Sneak can do minor damage and poison a foe at the same time, so Alolan Muk will have two chances to poison a foe setting up on itself it before going down. Shadow Sneak can also pick off weakened Psychic-, Dark-, and Ghost-types, preventing the likes of Ultra Necrozma and Marshadow from damaging a revenge killer before going down.
* While Alolan Muk's matchup against Mega Gengar is generally advantageous, some Mega Gengar variants with Will-O-Wisp can circumvent this. Substitute variants can also escape from Alolan Muk, as Substitute will take damage for Mega Gengar as it switches out. This means being overly reliant on Alolan Muk to compensate for the team's vulnerability against to Mega Gengar isn't advised. Alolan Muk also struggles to effectively trap Gothitelle, as it is also slower than Gothitelle, so it will be neutralized by Charm before it can KO back.

Team Options
========

* Balanced and defensive teams can employ Alolan Muk to provide themselves a with security against Ghost-types. Teammates like Arceus-Fairy, Lugia, and Mega Slowbro, which are vulnerable to Mega Gengar, can benefit from Mega Gengar's absence and making Lunala hesitate before taking advantage of them. These Pokemon may also struggle to properly deal with Toxapex, and Alolan Muk can absorb Toxic Spikes on the switch when given a chance. In return,(AC) Lugia and Mega Slowbro are capable of checking Primal Groudon,(AC) which may set up as Alolan Muk is forced out. Arceus-Fairy can check threats like Yveltal and Marshadow and prevent Calm Mind Arceus-Dark from fully setting up on Alolan Muk lacking Clear Smog. These Pokemon may struggle to properly deal with Toxapex, and Alolan Muk can absorb Toxic Spikes on switch when given a chance. (better flow)
* Entry hazard support will come in handy, as Facade Mega Salamence will struggle to abuse take advantage of status induced by Alolan Muk and keep itself healthy at the same time with Stealth Rock on the field. Defensive Ho-Oh can be also a nuisance to this set, and Stealth Rock can be helpful for this reason as well. Primal Groudon and Arceus-Fairy can be appropriate choices for Stealth Rock setters. Primal Groudon can take advantage of Steel-types that try to wall Alolan Muk, and with Alolan Muk potentially poisoning the support Arceus formes, it can 2HKO support Arceus formes them even when lacking offensive investment. Arceus-Fairy's ability to threaten Giratina-O and Mega Sableye while setting Stealth Rock will come in handy to pressure certain balance and defensive teams. In return,(AC) Alolan Muk can remove Leftovers from Magearna to make it easier for Arceus-Fairy to wear down by Arceus-Fairy.
* Defensive teams can use Chansey or Blissey to better check support Arceus formes and Xerneas. Chansey especially appreciates Alolan Muk's ability to remove Leftovers from Steel-types and Pursuit trap Mega Gengar, and it can keep Alolan Muk healthy with Wish support.
* Entry hazard removers are needed to prevent Alolan Muk from getting worn down by entry hazards. As a single damage from switch when Stealth Rock is on the field can lower the chance that Alolan Muk checks Deoxys-A and Geomancy Xerneas in a pinch, entry hazard removers like Ho-Oh, Giratina-O,(AC) and support Arceus formes are important partners. These Pokemon are also effective pivots to Primal Groudon. Choice Scarf Xerneas is also a considerable option, as it must be wary of Mega Gengar and can take down Ultra Necrozma, which Alolan Muk needs too much prior damage to take down with Shadow Sneak.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* A set utilizing Lum Berry can provide the team with more security against Mega Gengar by healing itself Alolan Muk of a burn with the said item or by using Rest. This set can also justify moves like Taunt to improve the matchup against Gothitelle thanks to the lack of Assault Vest, but this opens a room for allows Mega Gengar and Lunala to 2HKO Alolan Muk after a little damage from entry hazards.
* A Choice Band set can catch some foes off-guard off guard. Alolan Muk with Choice Band and maximum Attack investment can OHKO retreating Mega Gengar with Pursuit after getting burnt burned, do serious damage to Necrozma-DM, and threaten to OHKO Blissey with Knock Off. This set also suffers from reduced defensive presence, however.
* Fire Blast can surprise Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Magearna, and Celeteela, but they are already hindered by losing their Leftovers to Knock Off. Fire Blast also does miniscule minuscule damage to Necrozma-DM and only proves to be effective at punishing Mega Lucario and Skarmory, both of which need prior damage to be 2HKOed. Fire Punch can be used to hit Necrozma-DM and Magearna harder, but it has similar problems with to as Fire Blast.
* Ice Punch can break Zygarde's Substitutes Substitute (specify if this is Zygarde-C or untransformed Zygarde) and prevent Facade Mega Salamence from liberally switching into Alolan Muk, but Mega Salamence can only be 2HKOed on the switch.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Ground-types**: While Primal Groudon, Zygarde, and Arceus-Ground are all threatening to Alolan Muk as offensive checks that can OHKO it, Zygarde and Arceus-Ground can cause further problems, as they can set up on Alolan Muk behind Substitute. Note that Alolan Muk can still make a last-ditch effort to poison them with Shadow Sneak in some instances, and Primal Groudon has to typically manage its health for more important foes, such as Defog users,(AC) if running offensive Stealth Rock sets.

**Mega Salamence**: Mega Salamence takes little damage from Alolan Muk with its high physical bulk and Intimidate prior to Mega Evolution, heals damage off with Roost, and easily overpowers Alolan Muk with its attacks. Mega Salamence can also switch into Alolan Muk and use boosted Facade if Poison Touch activates.

**Physical Attackers**: Alolan Muk's low physical bulk leaves it susceptible to strong physical attackers like physical variants of Primal Kyogre, Marshadow, and Extreme Killer Arceus.

**Steel-types**: Most defensive Steel-types dislike losing Leftovers to Knock Off, but Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Klefki can set up Spikes on Alolan Muk, which wear it down very rapidly. Necrozma-DM can pose similar issues if it has defensive investment, Solganium Z, and Morning Sun.

**Residual Damage**: Alolan Muk's effectiveness as a counter to Ghost-types and a blanket check to Yveltal and Arceus-Dark largely depends on its health. This means entry hazards like Stealth Rock and Spikes are detrimental to its role. Burn also causes residual damage that Alolan Muk dislikes, but more importantly, it prevents Alolan Muk from effectively trapping Ghost-types.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DMDW, 434601]]
- Quality checked by: [[Nayrz, 212134], [Cynara, 224455], [Serial EKiller, 426631]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
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UPL semi-finalists' Glory


[OVERVIEW]

* Alolan Muk is an exclusive Dark-type that can function as a reliable and capable answer to Ghost-types in the tier, save
for Marshadow and the rare Swords Dance Arceus-Ghost. Prominent Ghost-types like Mega Gengar and Lunala have an the option to circumvent their checks with high Speed, high damage output, and coverage moves, and Alolan Muk differentiates itself from more common Dark-types like Yveltal and Arceus-Dark with its neutrality to Fighting and access to Pursuit.
* While this may seem like an eclipsed role when considering Tyranitar's existence in the tier,
Tyranitar's its extreme weakness to Fighting makes it a shakier answer to Ghost-types. Alolan Muk can almost always pivot in and weaken or KO special Ghost-types and Mega Mewtwo Y with Pursuit under reasonable conditions. The ability to trap and remove Mega Gengar and Deoxys-A is also helpful to balanced and defensive teams alike.
* Alolan Muk can also support its team with its ability to remove Toxic Spikes on the switch and justify Knock Off to hinder its switch-ins.
Unlike Additionally, unlike other bulky Pokemon in on balanced and defensive teams, Alolan Muk is less reliant on prediction to punish a switch-in with status due to Poison Touch, which makes its attacks potentially hazardous to its offensive checks.
* With Assault Vest, Alolan Muk
can be is (Alolan Muk has only has the potential to be a more secure answer? Or is it always? If the latter, implement that change. If the former, then leave the sentence as is.) a more secure answer to the aforementioned special attackers. However, Alolan Muk's lackluster physical bulk and low Speed make it prone to more threats than the ones it covers. Though Alolan Muk's common teammates can cover this weakness these flaws (you haven't really made mention of any one specific weakness) to an extent, Alolan Muk can often burden its teammates, as it tends to proactively switch into threats it checks and may allow the opponent to take advantage of predictable reactions in a few ways, such as by double switching into a common Pokemon like Primal Groudon, with relatively low risk.

[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Clear Smog / Poison Jab
item: Assault Vest
ability: Poison Touch
nature: Brave / Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 80 Atk / 28 Def / 148 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Alolan Muk naturally avoids a 2HKO from Mega Gengar, Lunala, and Mega Mewtwo Y when healthy enough, and it can even take multiple attacks when equipped with an Assault Vest. This makes Alolan Muk an effective Pursuit trapper that can guarantee said threats' removal.
* Though many Pokemon in Ubers hold irremovable items, Knock Off can punish a large number of switch-ins like Ferrothorn and Magearna that dislike losing their item. Knock Off is generally the most spammable move when Alolan Muk isn't attempting to Pursuit trap something, as foes with irremovable items that want to switch into
Alolan Muk it risk getting poisoned due to Poison Touch.
* Shadow Sneak gives Alolan Muk some usefulness against offensive teams by letting
Alolan Muk it pick off weakened Marshadow and Ultra Necrozma. More importantly, this move significantly improves Alolan Muk's matchup against Deoxys-A, as the latter is forced to predict between attacking Alolan Muk first on a predicted Pursuit or switching out on Alolan Muk's Shadow Sneak, which OHKOes it before it can move (I personally don't think explaining how priority moves work is necessary, but Ubers QC of course has the final say.).
* Clear Smog is quite weak due to Alolan Muk's low Special Attack and lack of investment, but it is a crucial tool for Alolan Muk to weaken boosted Geomancy Xerneas and Calm Mind Arceus formes in a pinch
(Isn't it less about it weakening them and more about removing their boosts?). When Alolan Muk is no longer needed, this move also comes in handy against Primal Groudon and Arceus-Ground by preventing them from setting up.
* Poison Jab enables Alolan Muk to defeat Life Orb Yveltal in a one-on-one situation, 2HKO Xerneas, and OHKO the rarer Tapu Lele. Combined with Poison Touch, Poison Jab also has a good chance to poison the foe.

Set Details
========

* Maximum HP investment increases Alolan Muk's mixed bulk, and combined with 28 Defense EVs, Alolan Muk can avoid a 2HKO from Life Orb Deoxys-A from full HP.
* 80 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature give Alolan Muk enough power to OHKO Mega Gengar on its switch with Pursuit. The rest of the EVs are invested into Special Defense to make Alolan Muk more challenging for Lunala and other special attackers to take down.
* Maximum Attack EVs can be considered to 2HKO Lunala with Shadow Shield intact with Pursuit. A stronger Pursuit also has better odds to 2HKO Mega Mewtwo Y.
* Poison Touch gives Alolan Muk's contact moves a 30% chance to poison the target, which makes it hazardous for Alolan Muk's checks like Primal Groudon to directly switch in.

Usage Tips
========

* Alolan Muk
will boast boasts high special bulk with the given investment and Assault Vest. Pokemon like Arceus-Dark, Mega Gengar, and Lunala will struggle to take down healthy Alolan Muk with a few hits, and the latter two can be easily weakened or removed once Alolan Muk has switched in safely.
* Complete lack of recovery means Alolan Muk will inevitably be worn down as it continues to pivot into attacks. Unless the team has Wish support, Alolan Muk's health management will be important, so avoid switching into neutral attacks from Pokemon
like like Arceus-Water and taking damage from entry hazards. Especially if Alolan Muk has other important tasks to fulfill, such as trapping Deoxys-A, combating and weakening Yveltal for teammates, and remaining as an emergency stop to Geomancy Xerneas, it won't be able to keep itself healthy for multiple foes. This means even switching into Toxic users can be a risky move unless it is pivoting into an extremely passive foe like Blissey.
* However, opponents will often try to bait in Alolan Muk, and most teams will have at least
more than one two (optional, just lowers character count lol) Pokemon that can take advantage of Alolan Muk's its tendency to reactively switch in. Alolan Muk especially suffers from the wide range of Pokemon that can threaten it in a one-on-one situation, and it is punished even more harshly if it ran runs into a check or counter after taking entry hazard damage.
* Be mindful about the significance of Alolan Muk and Pokemon it has to check. Teams that will be reliant on Mega Gengar or Lunala to gain an upper hand against slower teams that Alolan Muk commonly fits on will try to preserve them until
Alolan Muk it is weakened throughout the game or they have benefited a lot from baiting in Alolan Muk, double switching, and reversing momentum.
* Alolan Muk can exercise less caution against slower teams and defensive teams where there will be fewer offensive checks and more Pokemon like Blissey that also tend to reactively switch into their checks. These teams also tend to lack a Pokemon that Alolan Muk has to remain healthy to handle, so fully take advantage of Knock Off's item removal and Poison Touch in this matchup.
* Do not overlook Shadow Sneak's usefulness. In an emergency, Shadow Sneak can do minor damage and poison a foe at the same time, so Alolan Muk will have two chances to poison a foe setting up on it before going down. Shadow Sneak can also pick off weakened Psychic-, Dark-, and Ghost-types, preventing the likes of Ultra Necrozma and Marshadow from damaging a revenge killer before going down
(ngl I wouldn't mention that it can pick off Dark-types unless there's a specific one you want to mention; otherwise, you could make the point Shadow Sneak can pick off literally anything.).
* While Alolan Muk's matchup against Mega Gengar is generally advantageous, some Mega Gengar variants with Will-O-Wisp can circumvent this. Substitute variants can also escape from Alolan Muk, as Substitute will take damage for Mega Gengar as it switches out. This means being overly reliant on Alolan Muk to compensate for the team's vulnerability to Mega Gengar isn't advised. Alolan Muk also struggles to effectively trap Gothitelle, as it is slower than Gothitelle, so it will be neutralized by Charm before it can KO back.

Team Options
========

* Balanced and defensive teams can employ Alolan Muk to provide themselves with security against Ghost-types. Teammates like Arceus-Fairy, Lugia, and Mega Slowbro, which are vulnerable to Mega Gengar,
can benefit from Mega Gengar's absence and Alolan Muk making Lunala hesitate before taking advantage of them (the sentence isn't clear without the mention of Muk). These Pokemon may also struggle to properly deal with Toxapex, and Alolan Muk can absorb Toxic Spikes on the switch when given a chance. In return, Lugia and Mega Slowbro are capable of checking Primal Groudon, which may set up as Alolan Muk is forced out. Arceus-Fairy can check threats like Yveltal and Marshadow and prevent Calm Mind Arceus-Dark from fully setting up on Alolan Muk lacking Clear Smog.
* Entry hazard support will come in handy, as Facade Mega Salamence will struggle to take advantage of status induced by Alolan Muk and keep itself healthy at the same time with Stealth Rock on the field. Defensive Ho-Oh can be also a nuisance to this set, and Stealth Rock can be helpful for this reason as well. Primal Groudon and Arceus-Fairy can be appropriate choices for Stealth Rock setters. Primal Groudon can take advantage of Steel-types that try to wall Alolan Muk, and with Alolan Muk potentially poisoning support Arceus formes, it can 2HKO them even when lacking offensive investment. Arceus-Fairy's ability to threaten Giratina-O and Mega Sableye while setting Stealth Rock will come in handy to pressure certain balance and defensive teams. In return, Alolan Muk can remove Leftovers from Magearna to make it easier for Arceus-Fairy to wear down.
* Defensive teams can use Chansey or Blissey to better check support Arceus formes and Xerneas. Chansey especially appreciates Alolan Muk's ability to remove Leftovers from Steel-types and Pursuit trap Mega Gengar, and it can keep Alolan Muk healthy with Wish support.
* Entry hazard removers are needed to prevent Alolan Muk from getting worn down by entry hazards. As a single switch when Stealth Rock is on the field can lower the chance that Alolan Muk checks Deoxys-A and Geomancy Xerneas in a pinch, entry hazard removers like Ho-Oh, Giratina-O, and support Arceus formes are important partners. These Pokemon are also effective pivots to Primal Groudon. Choice Scarf Xerneas is also a considerable option, as it must be wary of Mega Gengar and can take down Ultra Necrozma, which Alolan Muk needs too much prior damage to
reliably take down with Shadow Sneak (this needs some adjective to note that while Alolan Muk CAN remove Ultra Necrozma with Shadow Sneak, it's difficult to given the amount of chip damage required. E: This is definitely a needed fix considering in the moves section, you list Ultra Necrozma as a target of Shadow Sneak.).

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* A set utilizing Lum Berry
or Rest can provide the team with more security against Mega Gengar by healing Alolan Muk of a burn with the said item or by using Rest. This set can also justify moves like Taunt to improve the matchup against Gothitelle thanks to the lack of Assault Vest, but this allows Mega Gengar and Lunala to 2HKO Alolan Muk after a little damage from entry hazards. (I think this change still keeps the idea you're going for? Not sure if you mean Lum Berry + Rest or one of either two options.)
* A Choice Band set can catch some foes off guard. Alolan Muk with Choice Band and maximum Attack investment can OHKO retreating Mega Gengar with Pursuit after getting burned, do serious damage to Necrozma-DM, and threaten to OHKO Blissey with Knock Off. This set suffers from reduced defensive presence, however.
* Fire Blast can surprise Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Magearna, and
Celeteela Celesteela, but they are already hindered by losing their Leftovers to Knock Off. Fire Blast also does minuscule damage to Necrozma-DM and only proves to be effective at punishing Mega Lucario and Skarmory, both of which need prior damage to be 2HKOed. Fire Punch can be used to hit Necrozma-DM and Magearna harder, but it has similar problems with to as Fire Blast.
* Ice Punch can break Zygarde-C's Substitute and prevent Facade Mega Salamence from liberally switching into Alolan Muk, but Mega Salamence can only be 2HKOed on the switch.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Ground-types**: While Primal Groudon, Zygarde, and Arceus-Ground are all threatening to Alolan Muk as offensive checks that can OHKO it, Zygarde and Arceus-Ground can cause further problems, as they can set up on Alolan Muk behind Substitute. Note that Alolan Muk can still make a last-ditch effort to poison them with Shadow Sneak in some instances, and Primal Groudon
typically has to typically manage its health for more important foes, such as Defog users, if running offensive Stealth Rock sets.

**Mega Salamence**: Mega Salamence takes little damage from Alolan Muk with its high physical bulk and Intimidate prior to Mega Evolution, heals damage with Roost, and easily overpowers Alolan Muk with its attacks. Mega Salamence can also switch into Alolan Muk and use boosted Facade if Poison Touch activates.

**Physical Attackers**: Alolan Muk's low physical bulk leaves it susceptible to strong physical attackers like physical variants of Primal Kyogre, Marshadow, and Extreme Killer Arceus.

**Steel-types**: Most defensive Steel-types dislike losing Leftovers to Knock Off, but Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Klefki can set up
layers of Spikes on Alolan Muk, which wear it down very rapidly. Necrozma-DM can pose similar issues if it has defensive investment, Solganium Z, and Morning Sun.

**Residual Damage**: Alolan Muk's effectiveness as a counter to Ghost-types and a blanket check to Yveltal and Arceus-Dark largely depends on its health. This means entry hazards like Stealth Rock and Spikes are detrimental to its role. Burn also causes residual damage that Alolan Muk dislikes, but more importantly, it prevents Alolan Muk from effectively trapping Ghost-types.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DMDW, 434601]]
- Quality checked by: [[Nayrz, 212134], [Cynara, 224455], [Serial EKiller, 426631]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Fireflame479, 231476], [Rabia, 336073]]

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