[OVERVIEW]
Mudbray is the one of the only viable Stealth Rock setters that isn't weak to Fighting, and its combination of bulk and power makes it an effective one. Its ability, Stamina, is great against U-turn users such as Vullaby and Fake Out users such as Mienfoo. Because of Mudbray's bulk, it walls many of the tier's premier attackers such as Timburr, physical Vullaby, and Pawniard while soft checking many other threats. It also has one of the best Attack stats in the tier and good coverage moves such as Heavy Slam, Close Combat, and Rock Slide. However, even with its good bulk and Attack, it lacks Speed and resistances. Mudbray's lacking defensive role compression means there are better Stealth Rock setters, such as Onix and Pawniard, and it is often taken advantage of by common Water- and Grass-types such as Staryu and Foongus.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Heavy Slam / Rock Slide
move 4: Close Combat / Rock Slide
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
ability: Stamina
nature: Adamant
evs: 116 HP / 196 Atk / 36 Def / 156 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake deals good damage, especially to Pokemon such as Pawniard and Mareanie. Heavy Slam hits at 120 BP against most Pokemon, provides good coverage alongside Earthquake, and hits Spritzee very hard. Furthermore, Heavy Slam is also a good midground to hit Vullaby hard. On the other hand, Rock Slide can be used over Heavy Slam to hit Vullaby harder and OHKO Wingull, but this would require more prediction. Close Combat is for Ferroseed and Porygon and can 2HKO both. Finally, Counter is a surprise option against Timburr, Mienfoo, and Vullaby that try to deal chip damage and works well with Berry Juice, as Mudbray will be taking hits.
Set Details
========
An Adamant nature and 196 Attack EVs let Mudbray hit as hard as possible. 116 HP EVs and 36 Defense EVs with Eviolite give Mudbray the bulk it needs to survive as long as possible and rack up as many Stamina Defense boosts as possible, while the Speed investment is so it can outspeed uninvested Mareanie and Timburr. Stamina is the ability of choice because it turns Mudbray into an ever-bulkier physically defensive wall. Finally, Berry Juice can be used instead of Eviolite as a way to recover HP, but the extra bulk that comes with Eviolite is almost impossible to give up.
Usage Tips
========
Mudbray can be used to offensively pressure teams off of switches thanks to its power and coverage. You can also switch Mudbray in against all kinds of resisted attacks, including from Onix, and U-turn to get a Defense boost from Stamina. This means that Mudbray is a great soft check to many common physical Pokemon such as Timburr, Vullaby, and Scraggy. Against these Pokemon and on free turns, Mudbray should use Stealth Rock to rack up as much damage as possible. Also, play around Mudbray's offensive checks such as Corphish and Staryu disliking switching into an attack. To ensure Mudbray's survivability, avoid getting hit by special attackers such as Porygon, which can easily take Mudbray's attacks.
Team Options
========
This Mudbray set works really well on bulky offense teams that need a broad check to threats and a Stealth Rock setter. However, it has trouble against Grass- and Water-types, so Pokemon that check foes such as Ferroseed are appreciated. Teammates such as Vullaby that appreciate an Onix check appreciate Mudbray. Also, U-turn users such as Mienfoo and Vullaby can pivot into Mudbray to apply pressure.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Heavy Slam
move 4: Rock Slide
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Stamina
nature: Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake hits hard, especially against popular Pokemon such as Pawniard and Mareanie. Close Combat can 2HKO checks such as Ferroseed, which is able to tank Mudbray's other attacks. It can also hit Porygon hard and hit Vullaby decently as well. Heavy Slam hits harder than Rock Slide against neutral targets and does a good amount of damage to Flying-types that switch in. However, if you're confident in your predictions, Rock Slide hits Flying-types like Vullaby hard and OHKOes Wingull. High Horsepower can be used as a STAB attack for when Grassy Terrain is active.
Set Details
========
The Choice Scarf and Speed EVs allow Mudbray to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame. An Adamant nature and 196 Attack EVs guarantee 2HKOs on Trapinch and Vullaby and allow Mudbray to deal as much damage as possible. Stamina lets Mudbray take priority moves such as Mach Punch from Timburr in a pinch.
Usage Tips
========
Mudbray should be used in high-leverage situations where Heavy Slam and Close Combat can be used to pressure Vullaby or other Pokemon immune to Earthquake switching in. Then, Mudbray can sweep a weakened team with Earthquake late-game. This particular set is less bulky than the others, so Mudbray needs to be wary of what it switches into, but it is unusually bulky for a Choice Scarf user, so it can risk taking some weak physical hits such as U-turn from Vullaby. Mudbray isn't typically a Choice Scarf user, so this set can surprise many players by, for example, outspeeding and KOing a Staryu at 60%.
Team Options
========
Mudbray has trouble dealing with a number of Pokemon, such as Koffing and Foongus, so it appreciates teammates such as Ponyta that counter these Pokemon. Mudbray also appreciate Pokemon that can set entry hazards, such as Onix and Pawniard, to do chip damage and break Focus Sash and Sturdy so Mudbray can sweep easily. Entry hazards also pressure Flying-types that are immune to Earthquake such as Vullaby. On the same page, Mudbray appreciates Knock Off users such as Mienfoo and Pawniard, as they soften up foes and remove their Eviolites; Mienfoo could also play the role of a general pivot, while Pawniard can be a great Stealth Rock user. Finally, since Mudbray will be switching in and out so much, it'll appreciate teammates that can soak up damage, specifically from Grass- and Water-types such as Ferroseed and Pokemon such as Koffing, Porygon, Pawniard, Ponyta, Vullaby, and Spritzee.
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Heavy Slam
item: Eviolite
ability: Stamina
nature: Careful
evs: 116 HP / 116 Atk / 36 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rest works very well with Stamina and Sleep Talk, as Mudbray can capitalize on all the Defense boosts it gets by recovering health and avoid staying idle during sleep turns. On the offensive side, Earthquake is Mudbray's consistent attack that deals especially good damage to Pokemon such as Pawniard and Mareanie. Heavy Slam is a great coverage move, as it has 120BP against most relevant targets and specifically hits Spritzee hard. Finally, Rock Slide can be used to hit Vullaby hard and OHKO Wingull.
Set Details
========
Stamina turns Mudbray into an ever-bulkier physically defensive wall. A Careful nature, Eviolite, 236 Special Defense EVs, and 116 HP EVs prevent neutral special attackers like Abra from 2HKOing Mudbray. On the offensive side, the 116 Attack EVs ensure a 2HKO on Mareanie and even possibly an OHKO.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Mudbray in against resisted physical attacks so it can boost its Defense with Stamina, but be careful as to not receive too much chip damage to force it to use Rest, as Sleep Talk is inconsistent. If the opponent is only left with physical attackers, Mudbray may be able to wall all of them and win you the game. This possibility may force your opponent to play more carefully with their special attackers—use this to your advantage. That being said, try to ensure Mudbray doesn't take special hits, as they do a good amount of damage.
Team Options
========
Mudbray fits well on bulky offensive teams, as it's able to deal good damage due to its high base Attack stat while also being a great wall. Other Pokemon that fit this archetype include Spritzee, Pawniard, and Timburr. However, Mudbray is very weak to Water- and Grass-types such as Staryu and Foongus, which are able to 2HKO it, so Pokemon such as Ferroseed and Ponyta that can deal with them are appreciated. Galarian Ponyta and Abra are also great teammates, as they appreciate Mudbray checking threats such as physical Vullaby and Pawniard, and they can deal a lot of damage to Mudbray's checks such as Foongus.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Offensively, Mudbray can use High Horsepower to do more damage during Grassy Terrain, but it loses out on power when not in it. Defensively, Mudbray is a great tank and can use Toxic to wear down common checks or switch-ins. It can also use Substitute to soak up incoming damage, especially against physical attackers when it has racked up enough Stamina boosts. Substitute can also soak up status from moves such as Will-O-Wisp from the likes of Koffing. Finally, Roar allows Mudbray to check setup attackers such as Dragon Dance Onix.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Foongus and Ferroseed are able to 2HKO Mudbray with Giga Drain, while Mudbray is only able to 3HKO them after Giga Drain recovery. Foongus can also use Spore and put Mudbray to sleep; however, both Foongus and Ferroseed need to be wary of switching in on Earthquake. Grookey is an offensive Pokemon that Mudbray needs to be careful of, especially in Grassy Terrain if Mudbray lacks High Horsepower.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Frillish, Shellos, Wingull, and Staryu are all able to deal massive damage to Mudbray with their super effective attacks, but most of them aren't able to switch in against Earthquake, except for Wingull. That being said, Mudbray is able to OHKO Wingull with Rock Slide, but is only able to 2HKO the others at best.
**Koffing**: Koffing gets 3HKOed by Mudbray but can reduce it to a passive wall with Will-O-Wisp.
**Vullaby**: Vullaby is immune to Earthquake, but it has to be wary of Mudbray's coverage moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ForgottenOnes, 205691]]
- Quality checked by: [[Nineage, 195129], [Fiend, 208173], [KSG, 32350]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Estronic, 240732]]
Mudbray is the one of the only viable Stealth Rock setters that isn't weak to Fighting, and its combination of bulk and power makes it an effective one. Its ability, Stamina, is great against U-turn users such as Vullaby and Fake Out users such as Mienfoo. Because of Mudbray's bulk, it walls many of the tier's premier attackers such as Timburr, physical Vullaby, and Pawniard while soft checking many other threats. It also has one of the best Attack stats in the tier and good coverage moves such as Heavy Slam, Close Combat, and Rock Slide. However, even with its good bulk and Attack, it lacks Speed and resistances. Mudbray's lacking defensive role compression means there are better Stealth Rock setters, such as Onix and Pawniard, and it is often taken advantage of by common Water- and Grass-types such as Staryu and Foongus.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Heavy Slam / Rock Slide
move 4: Close Combat / Rock Slide
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
ability: Stamina
nature: Adamant
evs: 116 HP / 196 Atk / 36 Def / 156 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake deals good damage, especially to Pokemon such as Pawniard and Mareanie. Heavy Slam hits at 120 BP against most Pokemon, provides good coverage alongside Earthquake, and hits Spritzee very hard. Furthermore, Heavy Slam is also a good midground to hit Vullaby hard. On the other hand, Rock Slide can be used over Heavy Slam to hit Vullaby harder and OHKO Wingull, but this would require more prediction. Close Combat is for Ferroseed and Porygon and can 2HKO both. Finally, Counter is a surprise option against Timburr, Mienfoo, and Vullaby that try to deal chip damage and works well with Berry Juice, as Mudbray will be taking hits.
Set Details
========
An Adamant nature and 196 Attack EVs let Mudbray hit as hard as possible. 116 HP EVs and 36 Defense EVs with Eviolite give Mudbray the bulk it needs to survive as long as possible and rack up as many Stamina Defense boosts as possible, while the Speed investment is so it can outspeed uninvested Mareanie and Timburr. Stamina is the ability of choice because it turns Mudbray into an ever-bulkier physically defensive wall. Finally, Berry Juice can be used instead of Eviolite as a way to recover HP, but the extra bulk that comes with Eviolite is almost impossible to give up.
Usage Tips
========
Mudbray can be used to offensively pressure teams off of switches thanks to its power and coverage. You can also switch Mudbray in against all kinds of resisted attacks, including from Onix, and U-turn to get a Defense boost from Stamina. This means that Mudbray is a great soft check to many common physical Pokemon such as Timburr, Vullaby, and Scraggy. Against these Pokemon and on free turns, Mudbray should use Stealth Rock to rack up as much damage as possible. Also, play around Mudbray's offensive checks such as Corphish and Staryu disliking switching into an attack. To ensure Mudbray's survivability, avoid getting hit by special attackers such as Porygon, which can easily take Mudbray's attacks.
Team Options
========
This Mudbray set works really well on bulky offense teams that need a broad check to threats and a Stealth Rock setter. However, it has trouble against Grass- and Water-types, so Pokemon that check foes such as Ferroseed are appreciated. Teammates such as Vullaby that appreciate an Onix check appreciate Mudbray. Also, U-turn users such as Mienfoo and Vullaby can pivot into Mudbray to apply pressure.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Heavy Slam
move 4: Rock Slide
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Stamina
nature: Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake hits hard, especially against popular Pokemon such as Pawniard and Mareanie. Close Combat can 2HKO checks such as Ferroseed, which is able to tank Mudbray's other attacks. It can also hit Porygon hard and hit Vullaby decently as well. Heavy Slam hits harder than Rock Slide against neutral targets and does a good amount of damage to Flying-types that switch in. However, if you're confident in your predictions, Rock Slide hits Flying-types like Vullaby hard and OHKOes Wingull. High Horsepower can be used as a STAB attack for when Grassy Terrain is active.
Set Details
========
The Choice Scarf and Speed EVs allow Mudbray to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame. An Adamant nature and 196 Attack EVs guarantee 2HKOs on Trapinch and Vullaby and allow Mudbray to deal as much damage as possible. Stamina lets Mudbray take priority moves such as Mach Punch from Timburr in a pinch.
Usage Tips
========
Mudbray should be used in high-leverage situations where Heavy Slam and Close Combat can be used to pressure Vullaby or other Pokemon immune to Earthquake switching in. Then, Mudbray can sweep a weakened team with Earthquake late-game. This particular set is less bulky than the others, so Mudbray needs to be wary of what it switches into, but it is unusually bulky for a Choice Scarf user, so it can risk taking some weak physical hits such as U-turn from Vullaby. Mudbray isn't typically a Choice Scarf user, so this set can surprise many players by, for example, outspeeding and KOing a Staryu at 60%.
Team Options
========
Mudbray has trouble dealing with a number of Pokemon, such as Koffing and Foongus, so it appreciates teammates such as Ponyta that counter these Pokemon. Mudbray also appreciate Pokemon that can set entry hazards, such as Onix and Pawniard, to do chip damage and break Focus Sash and Sturdy so Mudbray can sweep easily. Entry hazards also pressure Flying-types that are immune to Earthquake such as Vullaby. On the same page, Mudbray appreciates Knock Off users such as Mienfoo and Pawniard, as they soften up foes and remove their Eviolites; Mienfoo could also play the role of a general pivot, while Pawniard can be a great Stealth Rock user. Finally, since Mudbray will be switching in and out so much, it'll appreciate teammates that can soak up damage, specifically from Grass- and Water-types such as Ferroseed and Pokemon such as Koffing, Porygon, Pawniard, Ponyta, Vullaby, and Spritzee.
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Heavy Slam
item: Eviolite
ability: Stamina
nature: Careful
evs: 116 HP / 116 Atk / 36 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rest works very well with Stamina and Sleep Talk, as Mudbray can capitalize on all the Defense boosts it gets by recovering health and avoid staying idle during sleep turns. On the offensive side, Earthquake is Mudbray's consistent attack that deals especially good damage to Pokemon such as Pawniard and Mareanie. Heavy Slam is a great coverage move, as it has 120BP against most relevant targets and specifically hits Spritzee hard. Finally, Rock Slide can be used to hit Vullaby hard and OHKO Wingull.
Set Details
========
Stamina turns Mudbray into an ever-bulkier physically defensive wall. A Careful nature, Eviolite, 236 Special Defense EVs, and 116 HP EVs prevent neutral special attackers like Abra from 2HKOing Mudbray. On the offensive side, the 116 Attack EVs ensure a 2HKO on Mareanie and even possibly an OHKO.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Mudbray in against resisted physical attacks so it can boost its Defense with Stamina, but be careful as to not receive too much chip damage to force it to use Rest, as Sleep Talk is inconsistent. If the opponent is only left with physical attackers, Mudbray may be able to wall all of them and win you the game. This possibility may force your opponent to play more carefully with their special attackers—use this to your advantage. That being said, try to ensure Mudbray doesn't take special hits, as they do a good amount of damage.
Team Options
========
Mudbray fits well on bulky offensive teams, as it's able to deal good damage due to its high base Attack stat while also being a great wall. Other Pokemon that fit this archetype include Spritzee, Pawniard, and Timburr. However, Mudbray is very weak to Water- and Grass-types such as Staryu and Foongus, which are able to 2HKO it, so Pokemon such as Ferroseed and Ponyta that can deal with them are appreciated. Galarian Ponyta and Abra are also great teammates, as they appreciate Mudbray checking threats such as physical Vullaby and Pawniard, and they can deal a lot of damage to Mudbray's checks such as Foongus.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Offensively, Mudbray can use High Horsepower to do more damage during Grassy Terrain, but it loses out on power when not in it. Defensively, Mudbray is a great tank and can use Toxic to wear down common checks or switch-ins. It can also use Substitute to soak up incoming damage, especially against physical attackers when it has racked up enough Stamina boosts. Substitute can also soak up status from moves such as Will-O-Wisp from the likes of Koffing. Finally, Roar allows Mudbray to check setup attackers such as Dragon Dance Onix.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Foongus and Ferroseed are able to 2HKO Mudbray with Giga Drain, while Mudbray is only able to 3HKO them after Giga Drain recovery. Foongus can also use Spore and put Mudbray to sleep; however, both Foongus and Ferroseed need to be wary of switching in on Earthquake. Grookey is an offensive Pokemon that Mudbray needs to be careful of, especially in Grassy Terrain if Mudbray lacks High Horsepower.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Frillish, Shellos, Wingull, and Staryu are all able to deal massive damage to Mudbray with their super effective attacks, but most of them aren't able to switch in against Earthquake, except for Wingull. That being said, Mudbray is able to OHKO Wingull with Rock Slide, but is only able to 2HKO the others at best.
**Koffing**: Koffing gets 3HKOed by Mudbray but can reduce it to a passive wall with Will-O-Wisp.
**Vullaby**: Vullaby is immune to Earthquake, but it has to be wary of Mudbray's coverage moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ForgottenOnes, 205691]]
- Quality checked by: [[Nineage, 195129], [Fiend, 208173], [KSG, 32350]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Estronic, 240732]]
Last edited by a moderator:
