Analysis
Mudsdale is known for one thing in every meta it's in, and September 2024 is no exception. Mudsdale is a bulky and hard to KO physical tank and is the glue that is keeping Krookodile in check this month. This mon isn’t just defensive either, with its ability, stamina, access to body press, and a strong stab earthquake, it can dish out considerable damage to meta staples like Krookodile and Slowking-Galar. Mudsdale can even clean end games after all special attackers have been eliminated with Iron Defense and Body Press.
Roles
Physical Tank
Mudsdale’s main role is to be a team’s physical tank and Krookodile check. It can switch into all of Krookodile’s moves and threaten either a KO or heavy damage with a stamina-boosted body press. It also can help in both rain and snow matchups since it can wall Armaldo and after an iron defense, it can even check Beartic and Sandslash-Alola. Other than iron press and earthquake, it often runs either stone edge to hit Rotom-Fan or rest for recovery. It likes to be paired with teammates that don’t mind having their item knocked off, like Rotom-Fan, since it wants to keep its leftovers, especially if it isn’t running rest. It also benefits from teammates that can take special attacks like Slowking-Galar and Florges. Lastly, it can struggle with Rotom-Fan and will get into PP stall/crit fish matches against opposing Mudsdale so mons like Starmie, Komola, and Basculin-White Stripe can help KO both
Calcs:
252 Atk Krookodile Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mudsdale: 109-130 (26.9 - 32.1%) -- 51.8% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Krookodile Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mudsdale: 109-130 (26.9 - 32.1%) -- 51.8% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252+ Def Mudsdale Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Krookodile: 288-340 (87 - 102.7%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Mudsdale Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowking-Galar: 218-258 (55.3 - 65.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Niche Roles
Bulky Band
Mudsdale can run a Choice Band with surprising success. With a band and attack investment, it can KO max defense Slowking-Galar and Starmie from full health. Also, since band boosts body press as well, stamina-boosted body press becomes a guaranteed OHKO on Krookodile. While this set can help break through certain mons, losing iron defense and recovery makes it easy to wear down as a slow attacker, so this set is usually only used on offensive teams and occasionally trick room teams.
Calcs:
128+ Atk Choice Band Mudsdale Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowking-Galar: 396-468 (100.5 - 118.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
128+ Atk Choice Band Mudsdale Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Starmie: 273-322 (104.5 - 123.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 128 Def Choice Band Mudsdale Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Krookodile: 352-416 (106.3 - 125.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Checks and Counters
Mudsdale’s biggest weaknesses are its average special bulk, lack of recovery outside of rest and low speed. Strong Special attackers like Starmie, rain-boosted Politoed and leaf storm Simisage threaten it with OHKOs while physical wall breakers like Basculin-White Stripe and Komola can threaten it with an OHKO and 2HKO respectively. Against sets that lack rest, knock off or trick can be used to remove its leftovers and make it easy to wear down. In a pinch, phasing moves and haze can reset its defense boosts but this isn’t as effective long term.
Calcs:
252 SpA Life Orb Starmie Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mudsdale: 445-525 (110.1 - 129.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Politoed Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mudsdale in Rain: 372-440 (92 - 108.9%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Simisage Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mudsdale: 438-516 (108.4 - 127.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Adaptability Basculin-White-Striped Wave Crash vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mudsdale: 448-528 (110.8 - 130.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Komala Last Resort vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mudsdale: 247-292 (61.1 - 72.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Conclusion
Mudsdale is an amazing addition to a meta with plenty of physical attackers. With Krookodile on over half of all teams and other physical attackers like spidops, Armaldo, etc. it almost feels required on balance or defensive teams. Mudsdale is also an amazing late game tank and can help win games that would be otherwise lost.
Sets:
https://pokepast.es/4ffff70f2eb6fa50
Written by Zetious