[Overview]
<p>Mudkip is generally an average Pokemon, it has good Attack, decent defenses, and usable Special Attack stats, though its mediocre Speed is a setback. Mudkip has a small movepool, nevertheless it still threatens several Pokemon. It has access to uncommon moves such as Mirror Coat, Counter, and Curse, all of which have their own uses and surprise factor. Due to Mudkip's mixed stats it can function as a bulky Pokemon, or even a fully offensive sweeper. The flexibility in its role makes Mudkip a useful Pokemon.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Double-Edge / Return
move 4: Superpower / Ice Beam
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Jolly
evs: 116 HP / 196 Atk / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Waterfall is the main STAB move as it has 80 Base Power and a 20% flinch rate, which is handy because Mudkip will outspeed many opponents. Waterfall hits several threats such as Gligar, usually doing anywhere between 70% to 100%. This may be risky though because most Gligar also carry Choice Scarf and so still outspeed Mudkip. Double-Edge is a strong move and gets neutral coverage on most Pokemon, while. Return can serve the same purpose without the recoil damage and a bit less power. Superpower provides good coverage and it is useful in revenge killing several Pokemon. Ice Beam is useful as it hits more physically defensive Pokemon such as Gligar harder than Waterfall, and will usually KO them with Stealth Rock support. Rock Slide hits Ice- and Flying-type Pokemon for super effective damage, which is helpful in a metagame where Pokemon like Snover run free.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Aqua Tail lacks accuracy, but as a trade-off has more power. Bite is also an option to hit Pokemon like Gastly and can be used as a last resort to check Ghost-type Pokemon. Torrent is useful in boosting Mudkip's STAB even further in several situations where Mudkip's HP is below one-third. A Jolly nature is required to hit 21 Speed, a benchmark to Choice Scarf users to outspeed most other Pokemon. The specified EVs help maximize its Speed and Attack stats and add some beef to its HP stats.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>A CounterCoat set can be viable with Mudkip, and so can a Toxic and Rest moveset. Yawn is a useful move to have in its arsenal as it causes switches and racks up damage from entry hazards. A specially based Choice Scarf set is viable, using moves such as Surf, Ice Beam, AncientPower, and Hidden Power Fire. Mudkip's lower Special Attack stat means this may not be extremely effective, but in terms of the coverage, this moveset does well.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Water Absorb Pokemon will be good counters since they can take Waterfall and receive a health boost. Chinchou resists STAB Waterfall and can retaliate with its own STAB Thunderbolt. Similarly, Snover resists STAB Waterfall and can set up permanent hail and KO Mudkip with Seed Bomb or Wood Hammer. Bronzor and Slowpoke do a lot of damage to the Choice Scarf set, and they also have great defensive stats and resist a lot of Mudkip's moves.</p>
