Is Smeargle Good for Anything?
Smeargle, the humble-looking Normal-type Pokémon, often finds itself relegated to the depths of players’ collections. With only two moves – Sketch and Pound – it seems like it wouldn’t be a reliable addition to a battling lineup. However, there’s more to Smeargle than its anemic stats suggest. Despite being considered one of the "weak" Pokémon, Smeargle can be used effectively under specific circumstances.
A Suicide Lead or a Catcher?
As Smeargle’s primary selling point is its ability to set up Sticky Web (a Field Effect that lowers opponents’ speeds and allows for an easier setup with more powerful Pokémon), it becomes apparent that it functions best as a suicidal lead. Its lack of stats is mitigated by its utility and ability to serve as an emergency reset button, allowing an ally to set up Sticky Web while disposing of opposing forces.
Moreover, Smeargle’s ability to learn moves with the Sketch glitch opens up some interesting play possibilities. With careful planning and consideration of the opponent’s movepool, you can temporarily copy powerful moves – allowing you to momentarily turn your usually inept Smeargle into a powerhouse.
Why Choose Smeargle Over Other Lead Options
Pros:
* Highly maneuverable: Smeargle's speed makes it well-suited for an early aggressive game plan
* Immortality: with only 300 HP, Smeargle effectively 'disposes' opponents (while they're using priority moves on it or using it as an Intimidator to lower stats)
* Adaptable: Smeargle can learn and copy popular moves
Cons:
- Its lack of stats results in an inevitable demise – except for very specific sets, your Smeargle can do only one set of rounds.Other Usages? Catching
Aside from playing Smeargle as an odd-ball lead or using the Sketch glitch to boost its battle-worthiness, there exists an untapped market for Smeargle as a Catching Assistant. Pokémon like Bug-, Rock- or Ground-types will appreciate having a smaller Smeargle taking the center of attention (and weakening an opponent for them), so you could use Smeargle as an expendable Pokémon to help get the Catch out of an opponent you won’t need on your field afterwards, while an ally follows-up with a potentially more damage capable Pokémon, like Pikachu in a Pokémon contest.
There exist various battle scenarios when, given some planning in a match with a non-aggressive opening, you just find yourself left with just Sticky Web, Toxic, and a rather low-defenses, Poison Needle, Wrap combination. In battles you want Sticky Web while you Lure/Lead With Sticky Web and Then Follow, where your target is to remove those who cannot take their normal speed away from opposing trainers.
If you manage Sticky Web quickly after starting an opponent’s fight, and before they attempt setting up (or by switching), using Smeargle, even with normal statistics, as you can’t “retract” the change for opponents using Reveal Card, you end the opponent by setting speed one to 3, which slows everything else for the future setup of teammates.
These battles will provide you with additional battles with reduced speed rates than those against opponents taking priority, making those battles smoother against your own lead.