Munna Pokemon Guide

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Kara Phillips-Ashman

Kara is a certified gaming pro, at least where to soft and comfy games out there are concerned, and with hundreds of hours in Animal Crossing, Pokemon, Stardew Valley and her all-time-favorite Harvest Moon, she knows what makes a game an engaging, wholesome experience.

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I’ve always found myself in awe of Psychic Pokemon. Since the first game’s release, they’ve been a significant, mind-churning addition to the franchise, with new species joining every generation. However, it’s easy to argue that some are stronger and more memorable than others.

Munna is a Pokemon from a generation I massively overlooked. After falling head over heels for Generation Four, Gen Five was a miss for me. I didn’t visit Black and White until the release of Sun and Moon. By that point, it seemed like a forgotten generation anyway. However, after looking back on this generation and Pokemon, in particular, it’s become clear that it’s an easy Pokemon to forget anyway. 

Although Munna seems quite cute, there is a world of weaknesses behind it, and as a standalone Pokemon, it’s hard to see many benefits without evolving it. In the hopes of finding a reason to love this strange, pink blob, this guide exposes the ins and outs of the species and what makes it such an interesting addition to the psychic collection. 

Bottom Line Up Front

Munna was introduced into the Pokemon franchise alongside Pokemon Black and White in Generation Five. Titled the “Dream Eater Pokemon,” this entirely psychic build has an intriguing air around it despite its adorable appearance. In the game, anime, and manga, the main focus of this Pokemon’s design is on the mist that expels from its body, which is referred to as “dream mist.” 

I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of Munna. It’s not that I don’t like the design or concept of this Pokemon; it’s just not one that I adore and think about often. Following Generation Four’s success and high praise, Gen Five had some big boots to fill. Unfortunately, this meant a lot of Pokemon, such as this one, were overlooked by veterans of the franchise. However, our opinions may be changed after diving a little into what makes this Pokemon so unique and significant to the series. 

Here are some general facts about Munna to get started:

• Generation: Five
• Pokedex Number: 517
• Type: Psychic
• Catch Rate: 190 (35.2%)
• Gender Ratio: 50% Male 50% Female
• Base Friendship: 70
• How to evolve: Expose to a Moon Stone to evolve into Musharna.

Munna’s Appearance

Munna is a tapir-like, almost spherical, quadrupedal Pokemon with large, glassy red eyes on either side of its head. Towards the top of the eyes are two long black eyelashes. It’s entirely pink in color, aside from a handful of flower patterns towards the back of its body.

These flowers have five purple petals and a pink center much darker than the rest of its body. Aside from these flowers, Munna hosts no significant markings aside from a dark pink, oval-shaped hole on the center of its snout, where it’s said to release dream-mist.  

The snout of a Munna is pointed and looks incredibly similar to the look of its four legs and is the only other prominent feature of the Pokemon’s body. Although, I find it rather amusing that it doesn’t appear to have a snout at certain angles of the Pokemon.

For example, the artwork of a Munna in the Pokemon Adventures manga, which is drawn as though you’re looking up from the underside of a Munna, appears almost entirely spherical with no snout. 

It’s rare to encounter a Munna that isn’t floating. This species of Pokemon is rarely seen using its legs to walk and instead uses its psychic ability to glide. I’ve noticed this is a trait of many psychic Pokemon, such as Abra and its evolutions. Rather than walking when outside of a Pokeball, psychic Pokemon are quick to utilize their skills. Frankly, if I could float rather than walk, I would too. 

Where to Find Munna

Since this species was introduced in Generation Five, it has appeared in several Pokemon titles. Eight mainline Pokemon games allow you to encounter this Pokemon in the wild; however, Munna can also be traded into games via the Pokemon Bank or Pokemon Home. 

Here are the games where Munna can be encountered in the wild and the locations where you can find them:

#01 Black and White (and Black and White 2): Dreamyard

#02 X & Y: Friend Safari (Psychic)

#03 Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire: Mirage Island and Mirage Mountain

#04 Sword and Shield: Slumbering Weald, Rolling Fields, East Lake Axewell, Axew’s Eye, Giant’s Seat, Giant’s Cap, Bridge Field, Stoney Wilderness, Watchtower Ruins, and Additionally in Stoney Wilderness’ Max Raid Battles

If you find yourself fawning over this psychic orb, then it’s safe to say Munna isn’t a rare Pokemon. With a high catch rate and spawn rate, if you’re looking in suitable locations, I’m sure you’ll be stumbling across this Pokemon in no time. With the correct moves and knowledge of its abilities, this Pokemon could be a valuable addition to any party, so it might be time to consider what Munna can do for you!

Abilities and Hidden Abilities

Munna’s abilities are almost entirely exclusive to psychic-type Pokemon, with its Hidden Ability being the only exception. If you are hoping to add Munna to your team, taking these abilities into account is integral since they may impact which moves you line your Munna up with.

Unfortunately, I spent too long playing through Pokemon games and not giving abilities a second thought. Still, after spending hours creating the perfect team on Pokemon Showdown, I’ve learned how important it is to keep track of what they are and, more importantly, how they can benefit you in battle. 

• Forewarn (First Ability): While in battle, Forewarn will expose your opponent’s move with the highest power. However, if two moves are of the same power, one will be randomly selected. Forewarn is an ability utilized by predominantly psychic Pokemon. 
• Synchronize (Second Ability): Synchronise activates when the Pokemon hosting this ability is affected by a status condition. So if Munna is paralyzed, burned, or poisoned, the opposing Pokemon will also gain the status condition. Additionally, if Munna holds a berry that cures one of the above effects, the ability will still activate before the berry is eaten – which is a huge benefit. It’s important to note that synchronize does not activate if your active Pokemon is put to sleep or frozen.
• Telepathy (Hidden Ability): This hidden ability allows Munna to avoid damaging moves by its allies. Although this ability only applies to duo battles, it can still come in handy should you find yourself low on HP in one of those circumstances. However, Telepathy has no effect if your opponent uses a status-effecting move such as Teeter Dance. 

By utilizing Munna’s abilities when taking its moveset into account, this psychic Pokemon can cause some real damage in battle. Although it relies more heavily on status effect than a direct hit, there are still chances for you to set up another Pokemon to come into play and pack a punch.

One thing I love about Psychic Pokemon is how heavily they rely on something which causes small, incremental bits of damage rather than significant hits now and then. Unfortunately, they’re finicky Pokemon when it comes to battle, and Munna plays into this stereotype.

Munna’s Base Stats

Now some attention has been drawn to the secret skills of a Munna; before gliding into battle with one, you’ll need to consider its base stats too. However, since this Pokemon is in the first stage of evolution, its base stats aren’t going to be as high as if you were to adopt a Musharna. But, it still has its perks. 

Munna’s base stats are as follows:

• HP: 76
• Attack: 25
• Defense: 45
• Sp. Attack: 67
• Sp. Defense: 55
• Speed: 24

Calculating a combined 292, Munna is one of two Pokemon with this total. The other is Sandile. It’s safe to say that Munna isn’t a powerful Pokemon, but there are still elements that can benefit a trainer. Despite the attack base stat of Munna being a disappointing 25, as I mentioned already, this Pokemon largely relies on status effects and the damage done by things like confusion than by a direct hit. 

With a substantial HP stat at 76, you can cause as many status conditions as possible without fainting. Additionally, Munna is a great Pokemon to swap out for since you can consistently cause some damage. A move like Baton Pass would be a valuable asset to any party featuring a Munna.

If you add this Pokemon to your party, having something strong like a Garchomp next in line could make your party almost unbeatable. Even though its base stats may seem a little disappointing from the get-go, there are still ways to utilize the strength of this species.

Munna’s Moveset and Moves It Can Learn

Now you know the ins and outs of Munna’s abilities and base stats, the final thing to consider is which moves will best suit your playstyle and attempt a win. 

Much like every Pokemon, Munna will learn several moves as it levels up, making it more robust, but a few will need to be substituted for something different. Before I particularly cared about the intricacies of a Pokemon battle, I’d go along with whatever moves my Pokemon learned throughout a game.

However, after facing off relentlessly with Cynthia in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, I’ve learned that there is more to battle than just hitting hard and fast. Most moves Munna learns as it levels up are psychic based, reflective of its type. But if you want to ensure your Pokemon is strong when facing off with the elite four, then its moves must be carefully selected. 

Here are the moves Munna learns as it levels up:

• Stored Power – Level One
• Defense Curl – Level One
• Hypnosis – Level Four 
• Psybeam – Level Eight
• Imprison – Level Twelve
• Moonlight – Level Sixteen
• Magic Coat – Level Twenty
• Zen Headbutt – Level Twenty-Four
• Calm Mind – Level Twenty-Eight
• Yawn – Level Thirty-Two
• Psychic – Level Thirty-Six
• Moonblast – Level Forty
• Dream Eater – Level Forty-Four
• Future Sight – Level Forty-Eight
• Wonder Room – Level Fifty-Two

Luckily, Munna’s capabilities are not capped there. There is much more than meets the eye with this Pokemon, and there is a whole list of moves that this Pokemon can additionally be taught. I always consider abilities when learning moves via TR and TM because they can hugely affect how you fight.

For example, Munna’s ability Synchronise will guarantee the opponent is affected by the same status condition affecting your Munna, so a move like Rest which can cure any condition, may be a valuable addition. 

Here are the moves Munna can learn via TM or TR:

• Thunder Wave
• Light Screen
• Reflect
• Safeguard
• Rest
• Rock Slide
• Snore
• Protect
• Attract 
• Rain Dance
• Facade
• Swift
• Helping Hand
• Rock Tomb
• Power Swap
• Guard Swap
• Trick Room
• Round
• Amnesia
• Substitute
• Psyshock
• Endure
• Sleep Talk
• Shadow Ball
• Future Sight
• Trick
• Skill Swap
• Calm Mind
• Gyro Ball
• Energy Ball
• Zen Headbutt
• Stored Power
• Ally Switch
• Dazzling Gleam

I’m always impressed when Pokemon can learn moves utterly unrelated to their type, which in this case would be Munna’s ability to learn electric moves such as Thunder Wave or energy ball, which is typically a grass-type move. Depending on which trainer or gym leader you’re facing off against, taking these additional moves into account may also benefit your approach to battle. 

Munna’s Calm Mind Build

Munna’s base stats open it up for a lot of vulnerability when it comes to battle. With its low speed and mediocre HP stat, you’ll need to optimize the build of your Pokemon before winning a fight is even an option. As much as I have gone on about how this Pokemon hones in on status conditions rather than attacks, there is one main build that will help utilize your Munna’s skills. 

Munna’s base stats leave it too open for attack outside of this approach, and most setups I’ve tried have been unsuccessful. This setup is still risky due to Munna’s low speed and the fact it can only move second. If you wanted to take this Pokemon into battle, I’d suggest evolving it into Musharna and going from there. But, when you’re just beginning a game, and you come across a Munna, you may find use in this Pokemon and its setup for now. 

The Calm Mind Approach

Moves: Calm Mind, Stored Power, Dazzling Gleam, Moonlight.

In this approach, your Munna will need to be holding an Eviolite. This item increases the defense and Sp. Defense of the Pokemon by 1.5x. So even though Munna’s HP is weak, its defense is improved, allowing it to remain standing longer than usual on the battlefield. 

This approach to battle starts with Calm Mind, which increases Munna’s special attack and special defense by one stage. With the Eviolite equipped to the Pokemon, three stats are increased already, which is why Stored Power follows this move.

Although Stored Power is already damage-causing, its power increases by twenty each time one of Munna’s stats is increased. With three stats increased via item and Calm Mind, Stored Power’s base power is drastically increased. 

Following Stored Power, Dazzling Gleam is a Fairy-type move solely in this set to cause damage. Unlike Calm Mind and Stored Power, it has no added benefits or status increases; it is simply there as a filler move. Almost like a final jab from Munna if all else fails and your opponent is still standing. However, this move is crucial to battle since it means you aren’t wasting a turn or repeating yourself. You may take a hit, but the next addition to this moveset will lend a hand. 

Finally, this set ends with Moonlight. A Fairy-type move is set to heal your Pokemon’s HP, depending on the time of day and weather conditions.

This move cures ⅔  of a Pokemon’s total HP in strong winds and harsh sunlight. With no weather conditions, it’ll heal ½. So if your Munna took a hit in the last round, this move would be the thing that brings you back and allows you to continue reciting this moveset. 

If you do take this approach, here is Munna’s EVs:

• HP: 68
• Defense: 156
• Sp. Attack: 60
• Sp. Defense: 156

Weaknesses and Strengths

Even though Munna is already a weak Pokemon from the get-go, its type weaknesses are valuable to take into consideration too. For example, I rarely add a psychic-type Pokemon to my party due to how easily they can be damaged and their long list of weaknesses and vulnerabilities. When they hit, they can hit hard, but your opponent will likely almost double that in return. 

Here are the types Munna is affected normally by:

• Normal
• Flying
• Poison
• Ground
• Rock
• Steel
• Fire
• Water
• Grass
• Electric
• Ice
• Dragon
• Fairy

However, Munna, alongside Psychic Pokemon in general, is especially weak to:

• Bug
• Ghost
• Dark

Additionally, Munna is not immune to any type of move; however it does have the ability to resist the moves of fighting and other psychic Pokemon.

I’d love to suggest playing defensive with a Munna as your active Pokemon, but its defense stat begs to differ. Furthermore, it’s far from strong, and with a long list of weaknesses, it’s hard to suggest that this Pokemon would be an excellent addition to your party. 

Munna in the Anime

Munna debuted in the Pokemon anime in an episode called “Dreams by the Yard Full!” The sixth episode of the Black & White inspired Pokemon Series and the 663rd episode of the Pokemon anime. This episode, in particular, is Munna’s only major appearance due to being under the ownership of Fennel. Together they were able to locate a lost Musharna, which forms the plot of the episode. 

In the same series, Munna and Fennel appear in episode thirty-six of the Black & White series, “Archeops in the Modern World!” where the pair receive an Archen from a Plume Fossil. In both notable appearances, Munna is consistently seen outside of its Pokeball floating alongside Fennel – which is unusual for a Pokemon unless they are considered a favorite companion of trainers. 

Outside of these two notable appearances, Munna makes a few background appearances. Although they aren’t as significant as Fennel’s Munna, I’d say this species of Pokemon still appeared for a surprising amount of time within the Black & White Pokemon series. I can’t say that Munna is one of my favorite Pokemon, so seeing it frequently appear in the anime is a surprise. 

Munna can be seen within the following episodes of the Pokemon anime:

• A Maractus Musical!
• Cilan Takes Flight.
• Climbing the Tower of Success!
• Secrets of the Jungle.

In a flashback, a herd of Munna appears in the fourteenth Pokemon movie, explicitly made for the Black and White series. Making Munna a movie star as well! 

Munna in the Manga

Alongside its television and film appearances, Munna became a popular Pokemon to include in the Pokemon Manga. I didn’t expect this Pokemon to appear so frequently within the franchise, as I don’t see it as anything special. But upon seeing just how many pieces of media it’s included, I feel I need to second guess myself. 

Munna appears in four editions of the Pokemon Manga, which are listed below:

• Pocket Monsters BW
• Pocket Monsters BW: Good Partners
• Pocket Monsters HGSS
• Pokemon Adventures

While Munna predominantly makes background appearances in the first three editions of the manga, in Pokemon Adventures, Munna plays a much more significant role.

A Munna, nicknamed Musha, was the second Pokemon acquired by the character of Black. Munna was used to consuming Black’s dreams, which may initially seem incredibly ominous. I certainly wouldn’t look at one of these adorable orbs and perceive it as a dream eater. However, Munna has good intentions. By eating the dreams, Black can’t become distracted – and can sense things that humans can’t usually. 

Outside of this, Munna appears for the second time in Pokemon Adventures in the fifteenth chapter titled “Sword & Shield.”

However, instead of maintaining its prominent role in the comic, Munna retreats to being a background character. Which is what it’s used to! All though I’m starting to see how sweet this Pokemon is, it doesn’t have the same appeal as Pokemon’s traditional poster monsters, like Pikachu and Eevee!

Munna in TCG

With the release of any new Pokemon series or generation comes a few new card game sets to sink your teeth into. If you’ve seen Munna in battle, you may want to adopt one into your deck in the card game. Luckily, several cards are based on this psychic critter which you can add to your collection. 

There are eight series in which Munna has appeared, followed by their number in the set and their rarity:

• Fusion Strike – 121/264 – Common
• Unified Minds – 88/236 – Common
• XY – Phantom Forces – 39/119 – Common
• Black & White – Plasma Blast – 39/101 – Common
• Black & White – Boundaries Crossed – 68/149 – Uncommon
• Black & White – Next Destinies – 58/99 – Common
• Black & White – 48/114 – Uncommon
• Sword & Shield – 87/202 – Common

The only ‘rarity’ within this herd is the Boundaries Crossed Munna. It’s listed as uncommon; however, it can be found on the internet for a small fee – so it’s not exactly a rainbow rare Charizard. If you were looking to bulk out your deck with some psychic ability, then adding a Munna would do no harm.

But, it’s essential to consider the moves featured on the card before selecting randomly. I’m a real sucker for the art on Pokemon cards, and I’d instead go for what looks pretty rather than what would help me in a match. But I’ve been caught out one too many times now! 

When selecting cards, I suggest using either Phantom Forces or Boundaries Crossed. Phantom Forces presents the move “See Through,” in which the player needs to have one psychic energy attached to the card to force the opponent to expose their hand. For a particularly tactical competition, this move could be hugely beneficial. You’ll quickly know what you’re up against, and your hand is kept secret so you can play to their newly exposed disadvantage.

Similarly, Boundaries Crossed Munna also focuses on the status effect rather than attacking. However, this card is more of a gamble than Phantom Forces. In Boundaries Crossed, Munna features an ability rather than a move, which means that the action must be completed every move and is not optional. In this case, it’s the ability “Long Distance Hypnosis.”

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always had bad luck with coin flips or anything dependent on luck in card games. So abilities on cards always make me feel particularly tense.

However, I would take the gamble with this ability. Long Distance Hypnosis makes the player toss a coin before attacking each turn, and if the outcome is heads, your opponent’s active Pokemon is put to sleep. Which sounds fantastic in retrospect, but if the coin lands on tails, then your active Pokemon is put to sleep. As I said, it’s a huge risk – but it’s worth it if luck is on your side!

FAQs

Munna Pokemon Guide: Summary

As a whole, I’ll admit that Munna isn’t a Pokemon I’m particularly keen on adding to my party. Even though I find its rounded design rather cute, I think this Pokemon would just be more effort than its worth. In addition, it’s not particularly strong in battle, and it doesn’t make me feel nostalgic enough to justify having one around.

The main thing that puts me off is it’s one competitive build. If that fails, then this Pokemon is essentially deemed useless. It’s got some fantastic abilities, but even they only go so far in battle. As far as psychic Pokemon go, this one is definitely one of the weakest. 

I’m sorry, Munna, but it’ll be a while before you make the cut for my team!