One of the most powerful starter Pokemon ever released for casual play in Pokemon is likely Mudkip. This water-type starter was introduced in generation three with Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. Mudkip eventually evolves into Swampert which also received a mega evolution in the remakes, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. This mud-fish Pokemon is a favorite of those who are familiar with generation three. This guide will showcase Mudkips appearances in the anime, its capability in battle, as well as other general facts about Mudkip.
About Mudkip
As a generation three starter, Mudkip first appeared in the anime early into the Ruby and Sapphire Season. In the games, it evolves into Marshtomp which eventually evolves into Swampert. It is a powerful Pokemon once it reaches its final evolution, as only grass moves are super effective against it. The Pokedex states that the fin on its head functions as a highly sensitive radar, and it can sense movements around it in water and air. Mudkip’s design is loosely based on real-life axolotls or mudskippers.
| First appearance in anime | Pokemon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire A Mudkip Mission |
| First appearance in game | Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire |
| Region | Hoenn |
| Evolution | Evolves into Marshtop and eventually Swampert |
| 1st Evo level | 16 |
| 2nd Evo level | 36 |
| Pokedex Entry | The fin on Mudkip's head acts as highly sensitive radar. Using this fin to sense movements of water and air, this Pokémon can determine what is taking place around it without using its eyes. |
Mudkip Base Stats
| HP | 50 |
| ATTACK | 70 |
| DEFENCE | 50 |
| SP. ATTACK | 50 |
| SP. DEFENCE | 50 |
| SPEED | 40 |
| TOTAL | 310 |
Appearance of Mudkip
Mudkip is a small amphibious Pokemon at only 1 ft and 4 inches or 0.4 meters. Its body is mostly blue, with a light blue belly befitting the water type it represents. It has orange fins on the sides of its mouth that resemble stars. Mudkip is a quadrupedal Pokemon with a large clamshell-like tail. It has black eyes and a large fin protruding out of its head. As it evolves it becomes bipedal, and its fins grow darker while the fins on the sides of its mouth become spikier.
Behavior of Mudkip
As a water type, it enjoys spending time in shallow waters. A very docile Pokemon that, like the real-life mudskippers it is based on, enjoys burying itself into the mud. It is a sensitive Pokemon, as the fin on its head can detect movement and help detect predators. They are found in groups in the wild and will protect each other from hostile invaders. Mudkip seems to be difficult to catch, as, in the anime, May is doused in water with her attempts, and Brock’s attempts to make friends with one was met with contempt. The protagonists managed to raise a Mudkip by hatching an egg.
Strengths and Weaknesses
At its base evolution, Mudkip is not particularly powerful. However, once it evolves into Swampert, it is only held back by four times effective grass moves. As a water ground type, it is capable of learning many powerful and utility moves. Both Mudkip and Swampert are capable of learning Suf, Strength, Rock Smash, Waterfall, and Dive giving you access to most of Hoenn. Until you get there, you will have to raise your Mudkip through regular battle. Fortunately, you will have time to reach these heights through regular play. Since Mudkip is just a water type, you will have to look out for electric type moves as well.
Mega Mudkip
While it would be interesting, Mega Mudkip does not exist in the game. That goes to its final evolution, Mega Swampert. Mega Mudkip is not possible due to it being the base evolution of the line. If you want a Mega Mudkip, you will just have to settle for a Mega Swampert. At least Mega Swampert is a powerful Pokemon that holds its own in competitive play. To make use of Mega Swampert’s swift swim ability, you will want to use it in conjunction with rain dance to give Mega Swampert a stronger chance to sweep the enemy team.
Best Moveset
As Mudkip evolves into Swampert, we’ll focus on Swampert’s set as there really is no benefit to running Mudkip in competitive battles. In order to succeed with Swampert in battle, you will want to go with Swampert’s mega evolution, this replaces Swampert’s slot for Swampertite as a held item, but grants you a large amount of stats. You will want to use moves like Waterfall, Earthquake, Ice Punch, and Stealth Rock/Superpower as its base move set. The waterfall will give you STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) with a bonus 20% chance to flinch, Earthquake will make use of Swampert’s high physical attack stat, Ice Punch is good for covering popular dragon types, and Stealth Rock and Superpower are for covering problematic matchups.
| Waterfall | Earthquake |
| Ice Punch | Stealth Rock/Superpower |
How to Catch Mudkip in Pokemon Go
If you want to catch Mudkip in Pokemon Go, you can find them anywhere in the wild. Its spawn rates will be higher in watery areas, like parks, lakes, rivers, and beaches, or while it is raining. You can also catch Mudkips with the incense if you cannot find one nearby. Mudkip has also been a tier 1 raid boss in gyms, so keep your eyes peeled to see if you can get this Pokemon with higher IVs or a better chance at being shiny. You will need 25 candies to evolve into Marshtomp and 100 to evolve into Swampert.
Video Guide
Trivia
- A Nintendo of Europe poll revealed that Mudkip was the most popular starter Pokemon.
- Mudkip is a portmanteau of mud and skip, as Mudkip is designed after real life mudskippers this seems like an obvious conclusion.
- The popular internet meme regarding Mudkip revolves around a rather vulgar story from 4chan.
FAQs
Q. Is Mudkip based on an Axolotl?
It is easy to think that Mudkip is based on an Axolotl with their striking similarities. However, it is more likely that Mudkip is based on mudskippers in real life considering the closeness they share with their names. As Pokemon tend to be based on real-life animals, it is possible that designers drew inspiration from both mudskippers and Axolotls.
Q. What is a Mudkip in Real Life?
It is most likely a mudskipper. The similarities between their names make this conclusion easier to understand. A mudkip’s fins on the sides of its head more closely resemble Axolotls, so it is likely both mudskippers and axolotls were involved with the inspiration for Mudkip.
Q. How does Mudkip evolve?
Mudkip simply evolves at level 16 and level 36 into Marshtomp and Swampert respectively. You do not have to do anything unique to evolve Mudkip. As a starter Pokemon, it just needs to hit the level threshold and you have to allow its evolution to play out rather than cancelling it.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you now know about Mudkip’s appearances in the anime, its potential after evolving into Swampert, as well as how to capture one yourself in Pokemon Go. Mudkip is a rather popular starter Pokemon, especially for casual play, as its typing eventually becomes water/ground making only grass moves capable of stopping it effectively. This watery mudfish is capable of a lot and you will be pleasantly surprised if you use it yourself in the games.
