Moves

Alolan Muk's most spammable attack is Knock Off, which removes items from common switch-ins like Toxapex and Magearna and dissuades Heatran and Celesteela from coming in. Pursuit allows Alolan Muk to trap powerful Psychic-types like Mega Alakazam and Tapu Lele, with Poison Touch adding a valuable chance to poison the trapped Pokemon. It can even be used against Pokemon that are not heavily damaged by Pursuit but hindered by poison, such as Mega Latias and Tapu Koko. Poison Jab is a strong STAB option to hit Fairy-types such as Clefable and Tapu Bulu with its own 30% poison chance that combines with Poison Touch for a 51% chance to poison. Fire Punch allows Alolan Muk to hit Steel-types that it can't otherwise threaten such as Ferrothorn and Magearna. Rock Slide is a useful option to hit Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y hard and is preferred over Stone Edge for its better accuracy.

Set Details

28 Defense EVs ensure that Alolan Muk avoids being 2HKOed by Choice Band Hoopa-U's Hyperspace Fury. 248 HP EVs, alongside 192 Special Defense EVs and a Careful nature, allow Alolan Muk to survive two Choice Specs Blacephalon's Fire Blasts after Stealth Rock. Additionally, it allows Alolan Muk to avoid being OHKOed by a +2 Savage Spin-Out from offensive Volcarona. 4 Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Chansey. The rest of the EVs are put into Attack. Assault Vest gives Alolan Muk the special bulk needed in order to reliably check powerful special attackers like Tapu Lele.

Usage Tips

Alolan Muk is best used to switch into Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Mega Alakazam and Blacephalon to trap and possibly KO them with Pursuit. Alolan Muk can take a variety of strong neutral special hits well, but it should switch into these attacks sparingly, as it has no form of recovery. Alolan Muk is an adept punisher of Choice-locked Pokemon such as Greninja, as it is bulky enough to take a resisted hit and use Pursuit to potentially poison them as they switch out. It is important to keep multiple layers of entry hazards off of the field, as these can very quickly wear down Alolan Muk in conjunction with the attacks it takes.

Team Options

Alolan Muk generally fits on bulky offense and balance teams, as they greatly appreciate the removal of the likes of Mega Alakazam and Tapu Lele. Pairing Alolan Muk with a Ground-type check, such as Landorus-T or Mega Latias, is a great idea, as Alolan Muk tends to invite Ground-types in. Z-Move Heatran appreciates Alolan Muk's ability to remove Mega Alakazam, which can trace Flash Fire, as well as its ability to potentially poison Mega Latias with Pursuit. Tapu Bulu is a beneficial partner for Alolan Muk because it brings Grassy Terrain to the field, which not only halves the power of Earthquake but also gives Alolan Muk some much-needed recovery. Alolan Muk is a grounded Pokemon with no recovery, so entry hazard removal from the likes of Tornadus-T is quite important to prevent Alolan Muk from being chipped down. Wish support from Pokemon like Clefable is also highly beneficial.