Muddy Water

Water

Muddy Water is a Water-type special attack. It has 90 base power, 85% accuracy, 10 PP and targets both opposing Pokémon. As a spread move it can hit multiple Pokémon at once.

Technical data

Type
Water
Category
special
Power
90
Accuracy
85
PP
10
Priority
0
Target
all-foes
Contact
No
Spread
Yes
Protect blocks
Yes
Wide Guard blocks
Yes

Competitive value

Useful as a spread option in doubles, pressuring both opponents at once; watch for Wide Guard.

How to learn it

Pokémon that can learn or be taught this move, by method.

Level-up29 Pokémon

  • Swampert MegaSwampert Mega
  • Goodra HisuiGoodra Hisui
  • GoodraGoodra
  • SwampertSwampert
  • VaporeonVaporeon
  • ClawitzerClawitzer
  • StunfiskStunfisk
  • Stunfisk GalarStunfisk Galar

TM / HM126 Pokémon

  • Tyranitar MegaTyranitar Mega
  • Gyarados MegaGyarados Mega
  • Barbaracle MegaBarbaracle Mega
  • Dragalge MegaDragalge Mega
  • Swampert MegaSwampert Mega
  • Slowbro MegaSlowbro Mega
  • Goodra HisuiGoodra Hisui
  • Blastoise MegaBlastoise Mega
  • GoodraGoodra
  • Feraligatr MegaFeraligatr Mega
  • Basculegion FemaleBasculegion Female
  • Blastoise GmaxBlastoise Gmax
  • PelipperPelipper
  • SwampertSwampert
  • FeraligatrFeraligatr
  • BlastoiseBlastoise
  • TyranitarTyranitar
  • VaporeonVaporeon
  • GyaradosGyarados
  • ClawitzerClawitzer
  • BarbaracleBarbaracle
  • DragalgeDragalge
  • PolitoedPolitoed
  • Slowking GalarSlowking Galar
  • BelliboltBellibolt
  • MiloticMilotic
  • Basculegion MaleBasculegion Male
  • StunfiskStunfisk
  • HippowdonHippowdon
  • Slowbro GalarSlowbro Galar
  • SlowbroSlowbro
  • SlowkingSlowking
  • ToxapexToxapex
  • Stunfisk GalarStunfisk Galar
  • AzumarillAzumarill

Egg move (breeding)19 Pokémon

  • PolitoedPolitoed

Pokémon that use this move

127 Pokémon, sorted by usage

  • Tyranitar MegaTyranitar Mega
  • Gyarados MegaGyarados Mega
  • Barbaracle MegaBarbaracle Mega
  • Dragalge MegaDragalge Mega
  • Swampert MegaSwampert Mega
  • Slowbro MegaSlowbro Mega
  • Goodra HisuiGoodra Hisui
  • Blastoise MegaBlastoise Mega
  • GoodraGoodra
  • Feraligatr MegaFeraligatr Mega
  • Basculegion FemaleBasculegion Female
  • Blastoise GmaxBlastoise Gmax
  • PelipperPelipper
  • SwampertSwampert
  • FeraligatrFeraligatr
  • BlastoiseBlastoise
  • TyranitarTyranitar
  • VaporeonVaporeon
  • GyaradosGyarados
  • ClawitzerClawitzer
  • BarbaracleBarbaracle
  • DragalgeDragalge
  • PolitoedPolitoed
  • Slowking GalarSlowking Galar
  • BelliboltBellibolt
  • MiloticMilotic
  • Basculegion MaleBasculegion Male
  • StunfiskStunfisk
  • HippowdonHippowdon
  • Slowbro GalarSlowbro Galar
  • SlowbroSlowbro
  • SlowkingSlowking
  • ToxapexToxapex
  • Stunfisk GalarStunfisk Galar
  • AzumarillAzumarill

What this move does

Muddy Water is a Water-type special attack. It has 90 base power, 85% accuracy, 10 PP and targets a single adjacent target. As a spread move it can affect multiple Pokémon at once. Muddy Water is a Water-type special attack. It has 90 base power, 85% accuracy, 10 PP and targets both opposing Pokémon. As a spread move it can hit multiple Pokémon at once.

Useful as a spread option in doubles, pressuring both opponents at once; watch for Wide Guard.

When to consider it

Consider Muddy Water when you want to pressure both opponents simultaneously. Spread attacks are powerful in doubles, but remember that they can be blocked by Wide Guard and may hit your own partner if they target all adjacent Pokémon. Pair it with Pokémon that are immune or resistant to its type, or protect your partner with Follow Me, Rage Powder or a well-timed Protect.

How to evaluate it in team building

In team building, Muddy Water helps compress coverage into a single moveslot because it threatens two foes at once. It works best on teams that can control the board with speed, redirection or Protect. Make sure your team does not rely too heavily on the same defensive typing, because a spread weakness can be punished by Wide Guard or an immune switch-in.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes with Muddy Water include: Using it without a clear plan for the turns it creates. Forgetting that Protect and Detect can block it, wasting a key turn. Hitting your own partner with friendly fire in spread matchups. Spamming it predictably and letting the opponent switch into a resist. Not considering how redirectors like Follow Me and Rage Powder change targeting.

VGC interactions

Protect and Detect block this move. Wide Guard blocks the spread effect. Spread moves hit both foes but may also damage your ally. These interactions are situational, so test them in the team builder and matchup analyzer before committing to the moveslot.

Related tools and guides

Use the tools below to test Muddy Water in a full team context and compare it with alternative options.

VGC interactions

  • Protect / Detect: blocks this move.
  • Wide Guard: blocks this spread move.
  • Follow Me / Rage Powder: spread moves are not redirected.
  • Quick Guard: no effect (non-priority).

Frequently asked questions

Is Muddy Water good in ChampionsVGC?

Useful as a spread option in doubles, pressuring both opponents at once; watch for Wide Guard. It is blocked by Protect and Detect, which can waste a key turn if predicted.

Is Muddy Water blocked by Protect?

Yes, Muddy Water is blocked by Protect and Detect.

Last updated: July 2026 · This entry is kept navigable while additional editorial context is being added.
All figures are estimated trends based on available data and do not guarantee competitive results. Matchups are situational. See our methodology for how these figures are calculated.