In-battle formes
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| Tier |
| HP: | 55 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Attack: | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Defense: | 35 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sp. Atk: | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sp. Def: | 45 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Speed: | 75 |
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Overview
Smeargle has access to the combination of Transform, Imprison, and a sleep-inducing move, granting it a unique niche in being able to shut down almost any slower defensive Pokemon. However, its subpar defensive stats result in it losing to any Pokemon faster than it due to it getting OHKOed or hit with Taunt. A fairly low base Speed stat of 75 leaves Smeargle outsped by common threats like Mega Lopunny, Mega Charizard X and Y, and Greninja. Smeargle relies heavily on sleep turns, as it can't beat any Pokemon that wakes up before it sets up Imprison and transforms.
Spore + Transform
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Moves
With the use of Spore, Smeargle increases its chances of being able to use Imprison + Transform while taking minimal damage. Imprison prevents the foe from using moves it shares with Smeargle; when paired with Transform, this won't let the foe use any of its moves. The fourth moveslot is pretty flexible. King's Shield can help Smeargle take a physical hit it otherwise wouldn't before putting the opponent to sleep. Magic Coat can help Smeargle out by bouncing Taunt and other status moves back to the user. Usually, you would use Magic Coat if you are running Quick Claw. Lovely Kiss can help with Spore's problem of not being able to put Grass-types to sleep. Substitute can help Smeargle get enough sleep turns and allow it to take a hit from behind the Substitute to put the foe to sleep once more. It also allows Smeargle to evade a super effective Z-Move from Pokemon such as bulky Dragonium Z Dragonite and Ghostium Z Aegislash after using Transform.
Set Details
Running 252 Speed EVs with a Speed-boosting nature makes Smeargle outspeed as many Pokemon as possible. Speed is Smeargle's only useful stat, as it relies on Speed to win. 252 HP EVs make Smeargle slightly better at taking hits, and the EVs aren't useful elsewhere. After Transform, Smeargle copies the opposing Pokemon's stats besides HP, which it retains. Mental Herb can help Smeargle put Taunt users to sleep. Quick Claw is also an option, as it can let Smeargle steal away games with its 20% chance of letting Smeargle use a sleep-inducing move before an otherwise faster foe can move. Sitrus Berry can restore HP lost from Struggle recoil and heal Smeargle using Substitute.
Usage Tips
Use Smeargle only if you suspect that your opponent will bring a slower tank or wall. When you send out Smeargle, you should always use Spore first unless you expect a physical hit from a faster foe, in which case you can use King's Shield, or if you're facing a Grass-type, which is immune to Spore. After using Spore on the opposing Pokemon, use Imprison and then Transform to force it to use Struggle.
Team Options
Pokemon like Pheromosa and Zeraora benefit from Smeargle's ability to scare off bulkier builds, while Smeargle appreciates their Speed stats against faster teams. The opponent will hesitate to use bulky Pokemon against a Smeargle team, so Pokemon that enjoy having these walls not picked like Mega Lopunny and Donphan make good team options. Smeargle can deal with slow, bulky, powerful Pokemon like Mega Mawile, which benefits hyper offensive teams unable to OHKO these Pokemon.
Other Options
Smeargle can't pull off any other viable set due to its low Speed and overall bad stats.
Checks and Counters
Faster Pokemon: Due to Smeargle's mediocre speed of 75 and terrible bulk, it's very unlikely to land Spore against the likes of Mega Lopunny before getting OHKOed.
Grass-types: With most Smeargle sets relying on Spore, it has trouble with Grass-types, which are free to attack. They can be handled with Lovely Kiss, though.
Z-Move Users: Z-Moves can be used in spite of Imprison, so if you do not use Substitute, Pokemon like Dragonium Z Dragonite and Ghostium Z Aegislash can OHKO a Transformed Smeargle with super effective attacks.
