[OVERVIEW]
Smeargle is capable of learning nearly every move in the game thanks to Sketch, which gives it a slew of options on paper. Sadly, its extremely low offensive and defensive stats mostly limit its options to status moves. Even with said drawbacks, though, it finds a niche as an entry hazard setter due to the fact that it is the only Pokemon with access to both Stealth Rock and Spore and is also the most viable Sticky Web setter in the tier. Although not bad, Smeargle's base 75 Speed leaves it slower than several offensive Pokemon in the tier, usually limiting it to a single entry hazard once it puts a foe to sleep. Smeargle's low offensive stats also make it setup fodder for many Pokemon in the tier, although this can be taken care of depending on its moves. Smeargle also happens to struggle against Taunt users due to the fact that it uses status moves most of the time, although Magic Coat can be used to help mitigate this.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Spore / Dark Void
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Sticky Web
move 4: Explosion / Whirlwind / Nuzzle
item: Focus Sash
ability: Own Tempo / Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spore gives Smeargle some extra time to set up entry hazards while also crippling an opponent's Pokemon by putting it to sleep. Stealth Rock helps secure KOs for Smeargle's teammates and punishes Flying-types and Levitate users. Sticky Web slows down the opponent's grounded Pokemon, which gives Smeargle's teammates a good advantage against faster attackers. Explosion deals some chip damage and grants momentum to the rest of Smeargle's team while also blocking Rapid Spin and Defog for one turn. Whirlwind forces out Pokemon that might want to set up on Smeargle. Nuzzle could be used to paralyze the foe and has the added benefits of not being halted by Taunt and breaking Focus Sashes, giving Smeargle an advantage over Accelgor and Qwilfish, which can otherwise incapacitate Smeargle with Encore and Taunt, respectively. Dark Void could be used if you are worried about Pokemon that are immune to Spore, although the move's imperfect accuracy is concerning. Magic Coat bounces back entry hazards and status moves, such as Stealth Rock and Taunt; however, Qwilfish is the only Taunt user in RU that is faster than Smeargle, and most Stealth Rock users are slower than Smeargle, so they can be put to sleep beforehand. Taunt can be used to prevent slower entry hazard setters from laying down entry hazards of their own as well as prevent Defog users from switching in and removing Smeargle's entry hazards.
Set Details
========
A Jolly nature along with maximum Speed EVs allows Smeargle to outspeed as much as possible. As Smeargle has little use for its defenses, 252 EVs can be invested into Attack to boost Explosion's damage output. Focus Sash allows Smeargle to survive any one hit, giving it an extra opportunity to set up entry hazards. Due to the fact that Smeargle has no offensive presence, Own Tempo is its most useful ability, although Technician can be used to boost Nuzzle's power. If Smeargle isn't carrying an attacking move, the Attack EVs should be moved to Defense or Special Defense.
Usage Tips
========
Smeargle works most effectively as a lead, as leading with it keeps its Focus Sash intact and its low bulk means that it will likely be KOed early in the game. Smeargle should focus on putting the foe to sleep first, and then it should set up entry hazards during the free turns it receives. In the case your opponent decides to lead with a Pokemon that Smeargle can put to sleep but can switch into a Pokemon immune to Spore afterwards, it is most optimal to set up entry hazards immediately, prioritizing Sticky Web against offensive teams and Stealth Rock against more defensive ones. It should be noted that several Pokemon immune to Spore in the tier can be hit by Nuzzle, with the exceptions being Rotom-C and Torterra, which are immune to it, as well as Roselia and Trevenant, which can heal themselves with Natural Cure. Taunt should be used against slower entry hazard setters to prevent them from laying down entry hazards of their own as well as Defog users switching into Smeargle such as Flygon and Togetic.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that pressure entry hazard removers, such as Glalie against Defog users and Spiritomb and Jellicent against Rapid Spin users, are great partners for Smeargle to have. Wallbreakers such as Tyrantrum, Meloetta, and Exploud appreciate the entry hazards Smeargle provides, as Stealth Rock's chip damage makes punching holes in the opponent's team easier. Setup sweepers such as Scrafty and Houndoom also benefit from entry hazard support, as Stealth Rock damage ensures some key OHKOs and Sticky Web helps them outrun some of their checks. Entry hazard support also makes cleaning much easier for fast attackers such as Delphox and Jolteon. Braviary works well with Smeargle, as it appreciates Sticky Web support and can deter Defoggers with Defiant.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Spikes or Toxic Spikes can be used to rack up even more entry hazard damage. Smeargle could use Baton Pass in tandem with a boosting move such as Belly Drum or Tail Glow and Endure or Substitute with a Custap Berry. Rapid Spin can be used to get rid of entry hazards set up by the foe. Icy Wind with Technician and 188 Special Attack EVs can 2HKO non-Choice Scarf offensive Flygon variants, and it also has the benefit of slowing down the foe. Extreme Speed and Endeavor can be used as an emergency check against a setup sweeper, but these moves are inconsistent seeing as Smeargle must rely on its Focus Sash being intact. Memento can be used to safely bring in a setup sweeper, although Smeargle's subpar Speed means that it will likely be KOed before it gets to use it. Mental Herb can be used to avoid Taunt once, but Smeargle can already utilize Magic Coat and running Mental Herb means that it will have to forgo Focus Sash.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magic Bounce and Magic Coat Users**: Xatu with Magic Bounce and, in some cases, Magic Coat users can prevent Smeargle from setting up entry hazards, rendering it useless.
**Taunt Users**: Seeing as Smeargle's main role is to set up entry hazards, Taunt shuts down Smeargle completely, although Taunt users should be wary of Magic Coat.
**Entry Hazard Removers**: After Smeargle faints, Defoggers and Rapid Spin users such as Flygon, Hitmonlee, Hitmontop, and Kabutops can get rid of entry hazards, although the latter three must be wary of Ghost-types.
**Priority Attackers**: After Smeargle's Focus Sash is broken and it manages to put an opponent's Pokemon to sleep, a priority user such as Hitmonlee or Glalie can finish Smeargle off, usually limiting it to setting up one entry hazard. Shadow Sneak and Sucker Punch won't work because Smeargle is immune to the former and the latter only works against damaging moves, which Smeargle will not be using much.
**Faster Sleep Absorbers**: Grass-types such as Virizion and Rotom-C as well as faster Pokemon holding a Lum Berry do not mind Spore and can 2HKO Smeargle, limiting its opportunity to set up entry hazards. It should be noted that Rotom-C and non-Lum Berry Virizion are susceptible to Dark Void, however.
**Sleep Inducers**: Faster Pokemon with access to sleep-inducing moves, such as Jynx and Vivillon, can put Smeargle to sleep and 2HKO it, although they should be wary of Magic Coat.
Smeargle is capable of learning nearly every move in the game thanks to Sketch, which gives it a slew of options on paper. Sadly, its extremely low offensive and defensive stats mostly limit its options to status moves. Even with said drawbacks, though, it finds a niche as an entry hazard setter due to the fact that it is the only Pokemon with access to both Stealth Rock and Spore and is also the most viable Sticky Web setter in the tier. Although not bad, Smeargle's base 75 Speed leaves it slower than several offensive Pokemon in the tier, usually limiting it to a single entry hazard once it puts a foe to sleep. Smeargle's low offensive stats also make it setup fodder for many Pokemon in the tier, although this can be taken care of depending on its moves. Smeargle also happens to struggle against Taunt users due to the fact that it uses status moves most of the time, although Magic Coat can be used to help mitigate this.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Spore / Dark Void
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Sticky Web
move 4: Explosion / Whirlwind / Nuzzle
item: Focus Sash
ability: Own Tempo / Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spore gives Smeargle some extra time to set up entry hazards while also crippling an opponent's Pokemon by putting it to sleep. Stealth Rock helps secure KOs for Smeargle's teammates and punishes Flying-types and Levitate users. Sticky Web slows down the opponent's grounded Pokemon, which gives Smeargle's teammates a good advantage against faster attackers. Explosion deals some chip damage and grants momentum to the rest of Smeargle's team while also blocking Rapid Spin and Defog for one turn. Whirlwind forces out Pokemon that might want to set up on Smeargle. Nuzzle could be used to paralyze the foe and has the added benefits of not being halted by Taunt and breaking Focus Sashes, giving Smeargle an advantage over Accelgor and Qwilfish, which can otherwise incapacitate Smeargle with Encore and Taunt, respectively. Dark Void could be used if you are worried about Pokemon that are immune to Spore, although the move's imperfect accuracy is concerning. Magic Coat bounces back entry hazards and status moves, such as Stealth Rock and Taunt; however, Qwilfish is the only Taunt user in RU that is faster than Smeargle, and most Stealth Rock users are slower than Smeargle, so they can be put to sleep beforehand. Taunt can be used to prevent slower entry hazard setters from laying down entry hazards of their own as well as prevent Defog users from switching in and removing Smeargle's entry hazards.
Set Details
========
A Jolly nature along with maximum Speed EVs allows Smeargle to outspeed as much as possible. As Smeargle has little use for its defenses, 252 EVs can be invested into Attack to boost Explosion's damage output. Focus Sash allows Smeargle to survive any one hit, giving it an extra opportunity to set up entry hazards. Due to the fact that Smeargle has no offensive presence, Own Tempo is its most useful ability, although Technician can be used to boost Nuzzle's power. If Smeargle isn't carrying an attacking move, the Attack EVs should be moved to Defense or Special Defense.
Usage Tips
========
Smeargle works most effectively as a lead, as leading with it keeps its Focus Sash intact and its low bulk means that it will likely be KOed early in the game. Smeargle should focus on putting the foe to sleep first, and then it should set up entry hazards during the free turns it receives. In the case your opponent decides to lead with a Pokemon that Smeargle can put to sleep but can switch into a Pokemon immune to Spore afterwards, it is most optimal to set up entry hazards immediately, prioritizing Sticky Web against offensive teams and Stealth Rock against more defensive ones. It should be noted that several Pokemon immune to Spore in the tier can be hit by Nuzzle, with the exceptions being Rotom-C and Torterra, which are immune to it, as well as Roselia and Trevenant, which can heal themselves with Natural Cure. Taunt should be used against slower entry hazard setters to prevent them from laying down entry hazards of their own as well as Defog users switching into Smeargle such as Flygon and Togetic.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that pressure entry hazard removers, such as Glalie against Defog users and Spiritomb and Jellicent against Rapid Spin users, are great partners for Smeargle to have. Wallbreakers such as Tyrantrum, Meloetta, and Exploud appreciate the entry hazards Smeargle provides, as Stealth Rock's chip damage makes punching holes in the opponent's team easier. Setup sweepers such as Scrafty and Houndoom also benefit from entry hazard support, as Stealth Rock damage ensures some key OHKOs and Sticky Web helps them outrun some of their checks. Entry hazard support also makes cleaning much easier for fast attackers such as Delphox and Jolteon. Braviary works well with Smeargle, as it appreciates Sticky Web support and can deter Defoggers with Defiant.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Spikes or Toxic Spikes can be used to rack up even more entry hazard damage. Smeargle could use Baton Pass in tandem with a boosting move such as Belly Drum or Tail Glow and Endure or Substitute with a Custap Berry. Rapid Spin can be used to get rid of entry hazards set up by the foe. Icy Wind with Technician and 188 Special Attack EVs can 2HKO non-Choice Scarf offensive Flygon variants, and it also has the benefit of slowing down the foe. Extreme Speed and Endeavor can be used as an emergency check against a setup sweeper, but these moves are inconsistent seeing as Smeargle must rely on its Focus Sash being intact. Memento can be used to safely bring in a setup sweeper, although Smeargle's subpar Speed means that it will likely be KOed before it gets to use it. Mental Herb can be used to avoid Taunt once, but Smeargle can already utilize Magic Coat and running Mental Herb means that it will have to forgo Focus Sash.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magic Bounce and Magic Coat Users**: Xatu with Magic Bounce and, in some cases, Magic Coat users can prevent Smeargle from setting up entry hazards, rendering it useless.
**Taunt Users**: Seeing as Smeargle's main role is to set up entry hazards, Taunt shuts down Smeargle completely, although Taunt users should be wary of Magic Coat.
**Entry Hazard Removers**: After Smeargle faints, Defoggers and Rapid Spin users such as Flygon, Hitmonlee, Hitmontop, and Kabutops can get rid of entry hazards, although the latter three must be wary of Ghost-types.
**Priority Attackers**: After Smeargle's Focus Sash is broken and it manages to put an opponent's Pokemon to sleep, a priority user such as Hitmonlee or Glalie can finish Smeargle off, usually limiting it to setting up one entry hazard. Shadow Sneak and Sucker Punch won't work because Smeargle is immune to the former and the latter only works against damaging moves, which Smeargle will not be using much.
**Faster Sleep Absorbers**: Grass-types such as Virizion and Rotom-C as well as faster Pokemon holding a Lum Berry do not mind Spore and can 2HKO Smeargle, limiting its opportunity to set up entry hazards. It should be noted that Rotom-C and non-Lum Berry Virizion are susceptible to Dark Void, however.
**Sleep Inducers**: Faster Pokemon with access to sleep-inducing moves, such as Jynx and Vivillon, can put Smeargle to sleep and 2HKO it, although they should be wary of Magic Coat.
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