Mudkip, the adorable Mud Fish Pokémon, is a popular starter in the Hoenn region. Known for its powerful Water-type moves, many trainers wonder if Mudkip can learn Surf. The answer is a resounding yes! Mudkip can learn Surf, but not right away.
Learning Surf: A Breakdown of Mudkip’s Evolution
Mudkip doesn’t learn Surf through leveling up naturally. Instead, it learns the move upon evolving into its final form, Swampert. Here’s how the progression works:
- Mudkip: Your starting point. This little guy focuses on basic Water-type moves like Water Gun and Water Pulse. It also learns some Ground-type moves thanks to its eventual evolution.
- Marshtomp (Level 16): Mudkip evolves into Marshtomp, gaining the Ground type. While Marshtomp is a strong Water and Ground Pokémon, it still can’t learn Surf.
- Swampert (Level 36): Finally, Marshtomp evolves into Swampert, a powerful Water and Ground-type Pokémon. At this stage, Swampert can learn Surf. This powerful move allows Swampert to traverse bodies of water and is a staple for many Water-type Pokémon.
Mudkip evolution line
Why Surf is Important for Swampert
Surf is a crucial move for Swampert for several reasons:
- Exploration: Surf allows Swampert to navigate waterways, opening up new areas of the game world for exploration. This is essential for progressing through the Hoenn region and beyond.
- Powerful Water-Type Attack: Surf is a high-damage Water-type move that’s super effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock-type Pokémon. This makes Swampert a formidable opponent in battles.
- STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus): Since Swampert is a Water-type, it receives a STAB bonus when using Surf, increasing the move’s power even further.
How to Teach Swampert Surf
In most modern Pokémon games, Swampert learns Surf upon evolving from Marshtomp. However, in some older games, you might need to use a TM (Technical Machine) to teach it the move. Regardless of the method, ensuring your Swampert knows Surf is a worthwhile investment.
Beyond Surf: Other Moves Mudkip Can Learn
While Surf is a key move, Mudkip’s evolutionary line learns a variety of other moves, both through leveling up and TMs. These include:
- Waterfall: Another strong Water-type move for dealing damage.
- Earthquake: A devastating Ground-type move that takes advantage of Swampert’s Ground typing.
- Ice Beam: Provides coverage against Grass, Flying, and Dragon types.
- Hammer Arm: A powerful Fighting-type move that can inflict significant damage.
Conclusion: Surf’s Up for Swampert!
While Mudkip can’t learn Surf initially, its final evolution, Swampert, certainly can. This powerful Water-type move makes Swampert an excellent choice for any trainer’s team. So, if you’re starting your journey with a Mudkip, be patient and train it diligently—the rewards of a Surf-wielding Swampert are well worth the effort!
