Draft Mudsdale

[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 6 onwards

**Price Range**: 5-7 points

**Overview**: Mudsdale serves as a decent physical wall and low-budget Ground-type for teams on a tighter budget. With solid bulk, its Ground typing, and a great defensive ability in Stamina, it can withstand multiple physical attacks and either set Stealth Rock or fire back with attacks coming off of its great Attack stat. However, a lack of reliable recovery and utility options means Mudsdale can become stale in longer matches, and its mostly-good typing still invites in common specially offensive Water- and Grass-types. Common high- to mid-tier Ground-types like Great Tusk, Iron Treads, and Ting-Lu also heavily outclass Mudsdale for their ability to bring far better offense and utility to a team while maintaining the capability to tank attacks.

Common Roles
========
**Physical Wall**: Utilizing its bulk in conjunction with Stamina, Mudsdale can become a ramping wall that can stave off physical attackers. It can wield Rocky Helmet to punish contact moves or Leftovers to keep itself healthy. Earthquake and Stealth Rock let Mudsdale actually make progress, while Body Press synergizes well with Stamina. Additional utility like Protect, Rest, and Roar help it perform other functions.

**Special Tank**: Donning an Assault Vest, Mudsdale can boost its already-decent special bulk to good levels that allow it to become a special sponge while still being able to rely on Stamina for physical attackers. Earthquake is practically mandatory to hit foes back, while the rest of the moveset can be filled out with coverage like Stone Edge, Close Combat, and Heavy Slam. With Assault Vest supplementing most of its needed Special Defense, sets using it can also afford to invest more into Attack—and in some cases, use an Adamant nature—to maintain an offensive presence.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Earthquake, High Horsepower

**Setup Moves**: Iron Defense, Curse

**Utility Moves**: Stealth Rock, Roar, Protect, Rest, Sleep Talk

**Coverage**: Body Press, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Close Combat, Heavy Slam, Lash Out

Niche Moves
========
**Smack Down**: Smack Down can enable Mudsdale to hit the Ground-immune foes that aren't afraid of its coverage with Earthquake.

**Endure**: In conjunction with Custap Berry, Endure can allow Mudsdale to get off an attack or set Stealth Rock before being KOed.

**Endeavor**: Mudsdale's bulk can often let it survive to low health and heavily weaken opposing Pokemon with Endeavor as a last resort.

Common Items
========
**Leftovers**: Usually the most reliable source of healing for Mudsdale, Leftovers can allow it to stay longer in the game and shrug off the smaller damage it takes throughout the game.

**Rocky Helmet**: Rocky Helmet pairs well with Stamina, as they both punish continuous attempts to break through Mudsdale or play around it with contact-making chip damage.

**Assault Vest**: With Assault Vest, Mudsdale's special bulk can be bolstered to great levels, allowing it to take on special attackers.

**Chesto Berry**: Chesto Berry can be used to let Mudsdale instantly heal up with Rest once so that Sleep Talk does not have to take up a valuable moveslot.

Niche Items
========
**Sitrus Berry**: Sitrus Berry trades the long-term longevity of Leftovers for an immediate burst of healing that Mudsdale might appreciate more in certain matchups.

**Custap Berry**: Custap Berry can either be used on its own or with Endure to potentially give Mudsdale an additional chance to attack at low health.

**Resistance Berries**: Berries like Passho and Rindo Berry can give Mudsdale a one-time opportunity to tank a super effective hit so that it can fire back hard and stack Stamina boosts more easily.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Heavy-Duty Boots alleviates some of the chip damage Mudsdale might otherwise take from both types of Spikes; however, Stealth Rock damage can be healed off instantly with Leftovers.

**Choice Band**: Mudsdale can leverage its great Attack stat with a Choice Band to surprise walls or attackers that expect it to be a usual wall.

Tera
========
Mudsdale shouldn't be drafted with the intention of being made a Tera Captain, since it doesn't benefit as much compared to other more valuable Captains, especially due to its already-good typing. If it is still made a Tera Captain, Mudsdale can use Tera Fighting to further boost Body Press, Tera Ghost to spinblock for entry hazards set by itself or its team, or purely defensive types like Tera Water and Fairy to take on threats that it couldn't before. Tera Ground can also make Earthquake more potent on Choice Band sets, though this is more niche compared to other useful types.

Draft Strategy
========
Mudsdale's role mostly comes down to being a wall that other Pokemon can fall back on. Since it is usually only drafted as a decent substitute for higher-priced Ground types that were too expensive or already drafted, it should consequently not be built around, since it does not offer much else outside of its ability to tank attacks and set Stealth Rock. That said, other roles for the team can still help cover areas that Mudsdale struggles in.

**Specially Defensive Walls**: While Mudsdale is not exceptionally weak to special moves, it most often wants to be invested in its Defense to take physically offensive hits better and make Body Press stronger. Defensive pivots such as Uxie and Rotom-H can sponge special attacks and maintain momentum with their pivoting moves, letting Mudsdale come in to cover physical attacks at less cost.

**Fast Pivots**: Pokemon like Cinderace and Tornadus-T frequently pivot throughout games to avoid damage from incoming moves, so they appreciate Mudsdale as a wall to absorb the hits they draw in.

**Entry Hazard Control**: Mudsdale appreciates both entry hazard setting and removal, as Spikes setters like Hisuian Samurott and Ogerpon complement its ability to set Stealth Rock and force out physical attackers. Hazard removal from the likes of Tentacruel and Corviknight can clear the field of both types of Spikes that Mudsdale otherwise needs Heavy-Duty Boots for. Various Ghost-types like Gholdengo and Pecharunt can also spinblock to maintain hazards that are already set.

Checks and Counters
========
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Rillaboom and Serperior can easily come in on Mudsdale's Earthquake while not fearing any of its potential coverage, and they can then hit it hard or use it as fodder for utility or setup moves.

**Water- and Ice-types**: Water- and Ice-types like Milotic and Kyurem threaten Mudsdale offensively with STAB super effective moves that it struggles to survive both initially and over time due to its lack of immediate healing. However, these Pokemon must be more wary of switching directly into its relatively-strong Earthquake and in the case of Ice-types, its multiple options for super effective coverage.

**Physical Walls**: Opposing walls like Landorus-T, Corviknight, and Slowbro that are not weak to Mudsdale's limited coverage can easily switch in on it and wear it down with repeated attacks.

**Status**: Mudsdale absolutely despises both poison and burn, as both reduce its already-unreliable longevity, and burn additionally makes it incredibly passive with its Attack halved.

**Chip Damage**: Mudsdale's lack of reliable recovery can become detrimental in games where it has to frequently switch in on and subsequently tank multiple attacks.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/furyy.529077/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/addison0727.514695/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
Grammar checked by:
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Last edited:
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[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 6 onwards

**Price Range**: 5-7 Points

**Overview**: Mudsdale serves as a decent physical wall and low-budget Ground type for teams on a tighter budget in need of a cheaper option. With all-around solid bulk and typing, along with a great defensive ability in Stamina, it can withstand multiple physical attacks and either set Stealth Rock or fire back with attacks coming off its naturally great attack stat. A lack of reliable recovery and utility options however means Mudsdale can become stale in longer matches, while its mostly good typing still invites in common special-attacking types like Water and Grass.

Common Roles
========
**Physical Wall**: Utilizing its bulk in conjunction with Stamina, Mudsdale can become a ramping wall that can stave off physical attackers. It can also wield Rocky Helmet to punish contact-making moves or Leftovers to keep itself healthy. Earthquake and Stealth Rock let Mudsdale actually make progress, while Body Press synergizes well with Stamina or even Iron Defense. Additional utility like Protect, Rest, and Roar help Mudsdale perform other functions respectively.

**Special Tank**: Donning an Assault Vest, Mudsdale can boost its already decent special bulk to good levels that allow it to become a special sponge, while still being able to rely on Stamina for physical attackers. Earthquake is practically mandatory to hit back, while the rest of the moveset can be filled out with coverage like Stone Edge, Close Combat, and Heavy Slam. I would mention in some way that AV also could free up some EVs for Mudsdale to run more attack and an adamant nature, so sets like this can maintain offensive pressure.

**Bulky Sweeper**: With Curse or Iron Defense, Mudsdale can potentially become a defensive sweeper in games where the opponent lacks strong special attacks, while using either setup move combined with Stamina to become impervious to physical attacks. Earthquake and Body Press are usually the moves to take advantage of the boosts, while Rest is often needed to ensure Mudsdale stays alive during the entire process.
I love the idea but I dont think ive ever witnessed a Mudsdale sweep in my life and I think its misleading to suggest this over other much better winconditions.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Earthquake, High Horsepower

**Setup Moves**: Iron Defense, Curse

**Utility Moves**: Stealth Rock, Roar, Protect, Rest, Sleep Talk

**Coverage**: Body Press, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Close Combat, Heavy Slam, Lash Out

Niche Moves
========
**Smack Down**: Smack Down can enable Mudsdale to hit the Flying types and Levitate users that aren’t afraid of its coverage with Earthquake.

**Rest & Sleep Talk**: While Rest + Chesto Berry is usually preferable, Both of these moves combined Sleep Talk can give Mudsdale the instant recovery it usually lacks while still being able to use moves, but can also heavily strain its moveset and limit other options it would want. I dont think this is niche.

**Endure**: In conjunction with Custap Berry, this can allow Mudsdale to get off an attack or set Stealth Rock before being KO’d.

**Endeavor**: helps deal great damage when mudsdale is at low-hp.

Common Items
========
**Leftovers**: Usually the most reliable source of healing for Mudsdale, this can allow it to stay longer in the game and shrug off the smaller damage it takes throughout the game.

**Rocky Helmet**: Rocky Helmet pairs well with Stamina as they both punish continuous attempts to break through Mudsdale or play around it with contact-making chip damage.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Heavy-Duty Boots alleviates some of the chip damage Mudsdale might otherwise take from mainly both types of Spikes, since Stealth Rock damage can be healed off instantly with Leftovers. move to niche

**Assault Vest**: With Assault Vest, Mudsdale’s special bulk can be bolstered to great levels and allow it to take on special attackers.

Niche Items
========
**Health-restoring Berries**: Both Sitrus and the pinch berries trade the long-term longevity of Leftovers for an immediate burst of healing that Mudsdale might appreciate more in certain matchups.

**Chesto Berry**: This can be used for an immediate one-time wake-up from Rest, so that Sleep Talk does not have to take up a valuable moveslot. move to common

**Custap Berry**: Custap Berry either be used on its own or with Endure to potentially give Mudsdale an additional move to make on low health.

**Type-resistant Berries**: These can give Mudsdale a one-time opportunity to tank a super-effective hit and fire back hard or have an easier time stacking Stamina boosts. I would say Passcho and Rindo specifically are most common.

**Choice Band**: Mudsdale can leverage its great Attack stat with Choice Band to surprise walls or attackers that expect it to be a usual wall.

Tera
========
Mudsdale shouldn’t be drafted with the intention of being made a Tera Captain, since its typing serves it well enough and thus doesn’t benefit as much from Tera compared to other more valuable picks. If still made a Tera Captain, Mudsdale can use defensive types like Tera Water and Fairy to take on threats it couldn’t before, while offensive types like Tera Ground and Rock can give it more potent breaking power Earthquakes on Banded sets. mention fighting for body press sets or ghost to spinblock, probably before water/fairy.

Draft Strategy
========
Mudsdale’s role mostly comes down to being a wall that other Pokemon can fall back on. While the team should not be built around it, other roles for the team can help cover areas that Mudsdale struggles in.

**Specially Defensive Walls**: While Mudsdale is not exceptionally weak to special moves, it most often wants to be invested in its higher physical defense for both hit-taking and boosted Body Press damage. Walls like Blissey and Florges Defensive Pivots such as (xyz) can cover special attacks while appreciating Mudsdale in turn covering for them on the physical side. Mudsdale + Walls are too passive for this meta, consider more spdef pivots like uxie/rotom-wash that can sponge a hit and apply pressure by pivoting out.

**Fast Pivots**: Pokemon like Greninja and Dragapult will frequently pivot throughout games to avoid damage from incoming moves, and thus appreciate Mudsdale as a wall to absorb the hits they draw in. Needs better example pokemon, Pult is banned and Gren is mostly a battle bond sweeper. Otherwise scrap.

**Entry Hazard Control**: Mudsdale appreciates both Entry Hazard Setting and Removal, as Spikes setters like Samurott-Hisui and Ogerpon complement both Mudsdale’s ability to set Stealth Rock and force out physical attackers, while removal from the likes of Quaquaval and Corviknight can clear the field of both forms of Spikes that Mudsdale would otherwise need Heavy-Duty Boots for. Mention Spin blockers too like dusknoir or drifblim in the low tiers or pecharunt in the high.

**Wish-Passers**: Though more of a luxury, Mudsdale heavily appreciates Wish passes from the likes of Alomomola and Sylveon for immediately restoring its health and keeping it relevant throughout longer games.

Checks and Counters
========
**Grass Types Super-Effective Coverage**: Grass Types like Rillaboom and Serperior resist Mudsdale’s Ground STAB without any fear of its coverage, and in turn can hit it hard or use it as fodder for utility/setup moves.mention water and ice types too.

**Physical Walls**: Opposing walls like Landorus-Therian Corviknight and Slowbro that are not weak to Mudsdale’s limited coverage can easily switch in on it and wear it down with repeated attacks.

**Status**: Mudsdale absolutely despises both Poison and Burn, as both reduce its already unreliable longevity and, in the case of Burn, makes it incredibly passive with its Attack halved.

**Chip Damage**: Mudsdale’s lack of immediate, reliable recovery can become detrimental in games where it has to frequently switch in on and subsequently tank multiple attacks.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/furyy.529077/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.200000
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000
 
qc 2/2
Add Remove Comments

[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 6 onwards

**Price Range**: 5-7 Points

**Overview**: Mudsdale serves as a decent physical wall and low-budget Ground type for teams on a tighter budget. With all-around solid bulk and typing, along with a great defensive ability in Stamina, it can withstand multiple physical attacks and either set Stealth Rock or fire back with attacks coming off its naturally great attack stat. A lack of reliable recovery and utility options however means Mudsdale can become stale in longer matches, while its mostly good typing still invites in common special-attacking types like Water and Grass. mention that it's heavily outclassed by other ground-types that can provide more utility/offense

Common Roles
========
**Physical Wall**: Utilizing its bulk in conjunction with Stamina, Mudsdale can become a ramping wall that can stave off physical attackers. It can also wield Rocky Helmet to punish contact-making moves or Leftovers to keep itself healthy. Earthquake and Stealth Rock let Mudsdale actually make progress, while Body Press synergizes well with Stamina. Additional utility like Protect, Rest, and Roar help Mudsdale perform other functions respectively.

**Special Tank**: Donning an Assault Vest, Mudsdale can boost its already decent special bulk to good levels that allow it to become a special sponge, while still being able to rely on Stamina for physical attackers. Earthquake is practically mandatory to hit back, while the rest of the moveset can be filled out with coverage like Stone Edge, Close Combat, and Heavy Slam. With Assault Vest supplementing most of its needed special defense, sets using it can also afford to invest more into Attack and even an Adamant nature to maintain an offensive presence.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Earthquake, High Horsepower

**Setup Moves**: Iron Defense, Curse

**Utility Moves**: Stealth Rock, Roar, Protect, Rest, Sleep Talk

**Coverage**: Body Press, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Close Combat, Heavy Slam, Lash Out

Niche Moves
========
**Smack Down**: Smack Down can enable Mudsdale to hit the Flying types and Levitate users that aren’t afraid of its coverage with Earthquake.

**Endure**: In conjunction with Custap Berry, this can allow Mudsdale to get off an attack or set Stealth Rock before being KO’d.

**Endeavor**: Mudsdale's bulk can often let it survive to low health and heavily weaken opposing Pokemon with Endeavor as a last resort.

Common Items
========
**Leftovers**: Usually the most reliable source of healing for Mudsdale, this can allow it to stay longer in the game and shrug off the smaller damage it takes throughout the game.

**Rocky Helmet**: Rocky Helmet pairs well with Stamina as they both punish continuous attempts to break through Mudsdale or play around it with contact-making chip damage.

**Assault Vest**: With Assault Vest, Mudsdale’s special bulk can be bolstered to great levels and allow it to take on special attackers.

**Chesto Berry**: This can be used for an immediate one-time wake-up from Rest, so that Sleep Talk does not have to take up a valuable moveslot.

Niche Items
========
**Health-restoring Berries Sitrus Berry**: Both Sitrus and the pinch berries trade the long-term longevity of Leftovers for an immediate burst of healing that Mudsdale might appreciate more in certain matchups. pinch berries arent used

**Custap Berry**: Custap Berry either be used on its own or with Endure to potentially give Mudsdale an additional move to make on low health.

**Type-Resistant Berries**: Berries like Passho and Rindo can give Mudsdale a one-time opportunity to tank a super-effective hit and fire back hard or have an easier time stacking Stamina boosts.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Heavy-Duty Boots alleviates some of the chip damage Mudsdale might otherwise take from mainly both types of Spikes, since Stealth Rock damage can be healed off instantly with Leftovers.

**Choice Band**: Mudsdale can leverage its great Attack stat with Choice Band to surprise walls or attackers that expect it to be a usual wall.

Tera
========
Mudsdale shouldn’t be drafted with the intention of being made a Tera Captain, since its typing serves it well enough and thus doesn’t benefit as much from Tera compared to other more valuable picks. If still made a Tera Captain, Mudsdale can use Tera Fighting to further boost its Body Presses, Tera Ghost to spinblock for hazards set by itself or its team, or purely-defensive types like Tera Water and Fairy to take on threats that it couldn’t before. Tera Ground can give it more potent Earthquakes on Banded sets, though this is more niche compared to other useful types.

Draft Strategy
========
Mudsdale’s role mostly comes down to being a wall that other Pokemon can fall back on. It is a decent Ground-type at an affordable cost if higher-tier ones are unaffordable or already drafted. can reword but this is worth mentioning While the team should not be built around it, other roles for the team can help cover areas that Mudsdale struggles in.

**Specially Defensive Walls**: While Mudsdale is not exceptionally weak to special moves, it most often wants to be invested in its higher physical defense for both hit-taking and higher Body Press damage. Defensive pivots such as Uxie and Rotom-Heat can sponge special attacks and maintain momentum with their pivoting moves, letting Mudsdale come in to cover physical attacks at less cost.

**Fast Pivots**: Pokemon like Cinderace and Tornadus-Therian will frequently pivot throughout games to avoid damage from incoming moves, and thus appreciate Mudsdale as a wall to absorb the hits they draw in.

**Entry Hazard Control**: Mudsdale appreciates both Entry Hazard Setting and Removal, as Spikes setters like Samurott-Hisui and Ogerpon complement both Mudsdale’s ability to set Stealth Rock and force out physical attackers, while removal from the likes of Quaquaval and Corviknight can clear the field of both forms of Spikes that Mudsdale would otherwise need Heavy-Duty Boots for. Various Ghost-types like Dusknoir Gholdengo and Pecharunt can also spinblock to maintain hazards that are already set.

**Wish-Passers**: Though more of a luxury, Mudsdale heavily appreciates Wish passes from the likes of Alomomola and Sylveon for immediately restoring its health and keeping it relevant throughout longer games.
too niche


Checks and Counters
========
**Super-Effective Coverage**: Grass Types like Rillaboom and Serperior resist Mudsdale’s Ground STAB without any fear of its coverage, and in turn can hit it hard or use it as fodder for utility/setup moves. Water and Ice types similarly threaten Mudsdale offensively, though they must be more wary of its somewhat strong Earthquake. Separate grass-types from water/ice types, grass is a much more reliable check so it should be mentioned separately

**Physical Walls**: Opposing walls like Landorus-Therian, Corviknight, and Slowbro that are not weak to Mudsdale’s limited coverage can easily switch in on it and wear it down with repeated attacks.

**Status**: Mudsdale absolutely despises both Poison and Burn, as both reduce its already unreliable longevity and, in the case of Burn, makes it incredibly passive with its Attack halved.

**Chip Damage**: Mudsdale’s lack of immediate, reliable recovery can become detrimental in games where it has to frequently switch in on and subsequently tank multiple attacks.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/furyy.529077/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/addison0727.514695/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000
 
Many thanks for the QC's, second one is in but since I did quite a bit of rewording I'll wait for any potential comments on changes before going to GP.
 
1/1 GP Team done
add remove comment
[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 6 onwards

**Price Range**: 5-7 points

**Overview**: Mudsdale serves as a decent physical wall and low-budget Ground type Ground-type for teams on a tighter budget. With all-around solid bulk, (AC) its Ground and typing, along with and a great defensive ability in Stamina, it can withstand multiple physical attacks and either set Stealth Rock or fire back with attacks coming off of its naturally great Attack stat. A However, a lack of reliable recovery and utility options however means Mudsdale can become stale in longer matches, while and its mostly good mostly-good typing still invites in common special-attacking types like specially offensive Water- and Grass Grass-types. Common high- to mid-tier Ground Types Ground-types like Great Tusk, Iron Treads, and Ting-Lu also heavily outclass Mudsdale for their ability to bring far better offense and utility to a team (RC) while still mostly maintaining its the capability to tank attacks.

Common Roles
========
**Physical Wall**: Utilizing its bulk in conjunction with Stamina, Mudsdale can become a ramping wall that can stave off physical attackers. It can also wield Rocky Helmet to punish contact-making contact moves or Leftovers to keep itself healthy. Earthquake and Stealth Rock let Mudsdale actually make progress, while Body Press synergizes well with Stamina. Additional utility like Protect, Rest, and Roar help Mudsdale it perform other functions respectively.

**Special Tank**: Donning an Assault Vest, Mudsdale can boost its already decent already-decent special bulk to good levels that allow it to become a special sponge (RC) while still being able to rely on Stamina for physical attackers. Earthquake is practically mandatory to hit foes back, while the rest of the moveset can be filled out with coverage like Stone Edge, Close Combat, and Heavy Slam. With Assault Vest supplementing most of its needed Special Defense, sets using it can also afford to invest more into Attackand even in some cases, use an Adamant natureto maintain an offensive presence.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Earthquake, High Horsepower

**Setup Moves**: Iron Defense, Curse

**Utility Moves**: Stealth Rock, Roar, Protect, Rest, Sleep Talk

**Coverage**: Body Press, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Close Combat, Heavy Slam, Lash Out

Niche Moves
========
**Smack Down**: Smack Down can enable Mudsdale to hit the Flying types and Levitate users Ground-immune foes that aren’t aren't afraid of its coverage with Earthquake.

**Endure**: In conjunction with Custap Berry, this Endure can allow Mudsdale to get off an attack or set Stealth Rock before being KO’d KOed.

**Endeavor**: Mudsdale's bulk can often let it survive to low health and heavily weaken opposing Pokemon with Endeavor as a last resort.

Common Items
========
**Leftovers**: Usually the most reliable source of healing for Mudsdale, this Leftovers can allow it to stay longer in the game and shrug off the smaller damage it takes throughout the game.

**Rocky Helmet**: Rocky Helmet pairs well with Stamina, (AC) as they both punish continuous attempts to break through Mudsdale or play around it with contact-making chip damage.

**Assault Vest**: With Assault Vest, Mudsdale’s Mudsdale's special bulk can be bolstered to great levels, (AC) allowing and allow it to take on special attackers.

**Chesto Berry**: This Chesto Berry can be used for an immediate one-time wake-up from to let Mudsdale instantly heal up with Rest (RC) once so that Sleep Talk does not have to take up a valuable moveslot.

Niche Items
========
**Sitrus Berry**: Sitrus Berry trades the long-term longevity of Leftovers for an immediate burst of healing that Mudsdale might appreciate more in certain matchups.

**Custap Berry**: Custap Berry can either be used on its own or with Endure to potentially give Mudsdale an additional move chance to make on attack at low health.

**Type-ResistantResistance Berries**: Berries like Passho and Rindo Berry can give Mudsdale a one-time opportunity to tank a super-effective super effective hit and so that it can fire back hard or have an easier time stacking Stamina boosts and stack Stamina boosts more easily.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Heavy-Duty Boots alleviates some of the chip damage Mudsdale might otherwise take from mainly both types of Spikes; (ASC) however, since Stealth Rock damage can be healed off instantly with Leftovers.

**Choice Band**: Mudsdale can leverage its great Attack stat with a Choice Band to surprise walls or attackers that expect it to be a usual wall.

Tera
========
Mudsdale shouldn’t shouldn't be drafted with the intention of being made a Tera Captain, since its typing serves it well enough and thus doesn’t doesn't benefit as much from Tera compared to other more valuable picks Captains, especially due to its already-good typing. If it is still made a Tera Captain, Mudsdale can use Tera Fighting to further boost its Body Presses Press, Tera Ghost to spinblock for entry hazards set by itself or its team, or purely-defensive purely defensive types like Tera Water and Fairy to take on threats that it couldn’t couldn't before. Tera Ground can also give it make Earthquake more potent Earthquakes on Banded Choice Band sets, though this is more niche compared to other useful types.

Draft Strategy
========
Mudsdale’s Mudsdale's role mostly comes down to being a wall that other Pokemon can fall back on. Since it is usually only drafted as a decent substitute for higher priced higher-priced Ground types that were too expensive or already drafted to make the team, it should consequently not be built around, (AC) since it does not offer much else outside of its ability to tank attacks and set Stealth Rock. That said, other roles for the team can still help cover areas that Mudsdale struggles in.

**Specially Defensive Walls**: While Mudsdale is not exceptionally weak to special moves, it most often wants to be invested in its higher physical defense for both hit-taking Defense to take physically offensive hits better and higher make Body Press damage stronger. Defensive pivots such as Uxie and Rotom-Heat Rotom-H can sponge special attacks and maintain momentum with their pivoting moves, letting Mudsdale come in to cover physical attacks at less cost.

**Fast Pivots**: Pokemon like Cinderace and Tornadus-Therian will Tornadus-T frequently pivot throughout games to avoid damage from incoming moves, and thus so they appreciate Mudsdale as a wall to absorb the hits they draw in.

**Entry Hazard Control**: Mudsdale appreciates both entry hazard setting and removal, as Spikes setters like Samurott-Hisui Hisuian Samurott and Ogerpon complement both Mudsdale’s its ability to set Stealth Rock and force out physical attackers (RC) while. (AP) Hazard removal from the likes of Quaquaval Tentacruel nobody uses quaq for removal and Corviknight can clear the field of both forms types of Spikes that Mudsdale would otherwise need needs Heavy-Duty Boots for. Various Ghost-types like Gholdengo and Pecharunt can also spinblock to maintain hazards that are already set.

Checks and Counters
========
**Grass TypesGrass-types**: Grass Types Grass-types like Rillaboom and Serperior can easily come in on resisted Earthquakes from Mudsdale Mudsdale's Earthquake while not fearing any of its potential coverage, and in turn they can then hit it hard or use it as fodder for utility/ or setup moves.

**Water- and Ice Types Ice-types**: Water- and Ice Types Ice-types like Milotic and Kyurem similarly threaten Mudsdale offensively with STAB Super-effective super effective moves that Mudsdale it struggles to survive both initially and over time due to its lack of immediate healing. However, these Pokemon must be more wary of switching into directly into Mudsdale's relatively strong its relatively-strong Earthquake and (RC) in the case of Ice Types Ice-types, its multiple options for Super-effective super effective coverage.

**Physical Walls**: Opposing walls like Landorus-Therian Landorus-T, Corviknight, and Slowbro that are not weak to Mudsdale’s Mudsdale's limited coverage can easily switch in on it and wear it down with repeated attacks.

**Status**: Mudsdale absolutely despises both poison and burn, as both reduce its already unreliable already-unreliable longevity, (AC) and (RC) in the case of Burn (RC) burn additionally makes it incredibly passive with its Attack halved.

**Chip Damage**: Mudsdale’s Mudsdale's lack of immediate (RC) reliable recovery can become detrimental in games where it has to frequently switch in on and subsequently tank multiple attacks.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/furyy.529077/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/addison0727.514695/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
 
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