The latest GO Battle League update has been the most monumental ever, bringing nerfs to all-time favs like Counter and buffing some forgotten existences like Astonish to the moon.
Amidst these ground-breaking updates in Pokémon GO, there’s another powered-up Fast Move that, well, breaks the ground? It’s none other than Mud-Slap.
The Mud-Slap Buff
This humble Ground move was not bad, to be honest. Previously, the 3-turn move had 11 damage and 9 energy gain in PvP, making its Damage Per Turn and Energy Per Turn profile [3.66/3.00].
Now, with its damage boosted to 12 and its energy gain to 10, Mud-Slap boasts [4.00/3.33]
This higher damage output of 4 DPT makes it deadlier than ever, making the user take down its super-effective target with ease. 3.33 EPT is pretty neat as well, though cheaper Charged Moves are favored.
All in all, Mud-Slap is arguably the best Ground type Fast Move now and….
‘HOLD ON,” exclaimed Mud Shot, before adding: “How dare you forget about me?!”
Mud-Slap vs Mud Shot
Oh yes, Mud Shot buffed as well… and even nerfed lol.
The hitherto [1.5/4.5] move is now [2.00/4.00]. 2 DPT is not exciting and the EPT nerf kind of hurts it as it was the prime reason behind the success of Swampert, Groudon, Fkygon, and to a great degree, Garchomp as well.
To understand which move is better, let’s take the example of a PvP powerhouse that learns both and see how it does in the big, bad, unforgiving halls of the Open Master League – Excadrill.
Yessss… this article has a mini Excadrill Meta Analysis embedded in it 😈 Don’t tell anyone 😉
Excadrill (Master League)
Anyway, in the current meta, Mud-Slap Excadrill has an impressive 10% better win rate than the Mud Shot variant in the Open ML. I’ll also shed light on other
In the (1-1) shield scenario, the Steel type victims aren’t too different. Excadrill claims the likes of Dusk Mane Necrozma, Metagross, Dialga (Origin and base), and Melmetal, as well as Fairy types like Togekiss and Florges.
However, it also beats both Focus Blast and Shadow Ball versions of Mewtwo.
In the (0-0) scene, Exca continues its impressive showing with Mud-Slap but plummets wildly in the Mud Shot department 🙁
Finally, in the (2-2), there’s hardly any difference though Mud-Slap loses less
Ironically, the extra loss in Mud Shot Excadrill’s list is none other than Mud-Slap Excadrill.
Ultimately, Mud-Slap is a deadlier move than Mud Shot in the GO Battle League.
Excadrill has always been a dark horse in GBL and with a better and shinier Mud-Slap in tow, except bigger things from this wonderful Pokémon!
Other prominent Mud-Slap users in Pokémon GO PvP
Rhyperior (Master League)
We delved into Excadrill as it learns both Mud-Slap and Mud Shot, and we had to appreciate how much better the former is than the latter.
But, the scariest Mud-Slap wielder in PvP is the formidable Rhyperior. This beast takes full advantage of the damage and energy gains of this move, to turn into a weapon of mass destruction with Breaking Swipe and its signature Rock Wrecker,
Nothing breaks the infamous Steel | Fairy core better than Rhyperior as it slays heavyweights like Zacian, Togekiss, Florges, Metagross, Dialgas, Excadrill, and Melmetal without breaking a sweat.
In the (2-2), Rhyperior is unhinged and off the charts as it adds Dragon types like Dragonite and Garchomp to its wins.
Rhyperior is now among the most dominant forces in the Master League, and it exceeds expectations with the Mud-Slap buff.
Gastrodon (Ultra League & Great League)
The Water/Ground type Gastrodon benefits a lot from the reinforced Mud-Slap, letting it trouble its opponents with Body Slam and Earth Power.
Shadow Feraligatr, Cobalion, Swampert, Skeledirge, Lickilicky, Drapion, and Registeel all fall under Gastrodon’s dominance in the UL meta.
Gastrodon becomes more formidable without shields, adding wins like Tapu Fini, Clefable, Poliwrath, and even Giratina (Altered)!
Finally, even with both shields up, Gastrodon does very well. It beats Talonflame and Guzzlord among its usual wins, and ultimately, regardless of the shiel scenario, Gastrodon excels in the Ultra League.
But, its success doesn’t end there as it fares brilliantly in the competitive Great League as well!
It goes wild in the zero-shield environment, taking down the deadly Clodsire, Bastiodon, Lanturn, Malamar, Carbink, Sableye, Charjabug, Lickilicky, and the Shadows of Quagsire, Alolan Marowak, and Alolan Sandslash. Wow! 😯
Turn it up to (1-1), and Gastrodon gets ferocious, beating more stalwarts such as Azumarill, Tlaonflame, Guzzlord, Goodra, and Shadow Feraligatr!
For (2-2), it’s again pretty good and mimics its (0-0) performance. Overall, Gastrodon is perhaps the biggest winner of the Mud-Slap improvement, flourishing in both the Great and Ultra League like a boss!
Conclusion
Excadrill, Rhyperior, and Gastrodon are the biggest takeaways from the Mud-Slap course meal, so use your Fast TMs ASAP if you don’t already have them. Keep in mind that in the Master League, Mamoswine still prefers Powder Snow as the energy gains are important for its survival. Krookodile does better than before but is still not a commendable threat in PvP.
All the best for a thrilling GBL, trainers!
