Strategy for Smeargle [Pokémon Sun and Moon]

A COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS ON THE PAINTER POKÉMON: SMEARGLE

This article contains information for the Painter Pokémon Smeargle in Pokémon Sun and Moon.
The analysis would involve: the distribution of effort values, choice of movesets, recommended held items, and other suggested options. This will also show information on how to deal with Smeargle during free battles and rating battles on Wi-Fi.

Please note that Dark Void has been nerfed in Pokemon Sun and Moon.

Please check here for the related article: List of Pokemon that got nerfed [Pokemon Sun and Moon]

Basic Information on Smeargle

Source: http://www.pokemon.jp/zukan/

Type 1 Type 2
Normal
Ability Hidden Ability
Own Tempo Moody
Technician
HP Attack Defense Sp.Atk Sp.Def Speed Base Stat Total
55 20 35 20 45 75 250
Type Compatibility
This is super effective
(×4)
This is super effective
(×2)
Fighting
This is not very effective
(×1/2)
Normal
This is not very effective
(×1/4)
No effect Ghost

Using Smeargle

Smeargle possesses unbelievable low Bast stats but makes up for it by learning almost every move. The only exceptions to this are Chatter and Hyperspace Fury. The former cannot be copied with Sketch while the latter will attempt to copy it but will fail.

Due to its measly attack stat, Smeargle should run mostly Non-Damaging moves.

For the singles format, it will usually use Fake Out, Transform, Spore, etc.

As for the doubles format, its niche is as a supporting role with Helping Hand and Dark Void.

Outside of battle, Smeargle is a useful in Breeding when a certain desired species needs to inherit number of Field Egg Group egg moves.

A breakdown of the suggested moves for Smeargle

Physical Moves Special Moves Non-Damaging Moves
Endeavor Sheer Cold Spore
Super Fang Metal Burst Dark Void
Fake Out Volt Switch Destiny Bond
U-turn Infestation Spiky Shield
Pursuit King’s Shield
Ice Shard Mat Block
Final Gambit Wide Guard
Explosion Quick Guard
Knock Off Switcheroo
Counter Parting Shot
Feint Baton Pass
Extreme Speed Memento
Perish Song
Spider Web
Encore
Mind Reader
Transform
Trick Room
Sticky Web
Minimize
Trick
Lock-On

Fitting Smeargle on your team

■ Baton Pass set

Nature Timid
Effort Values 252 Defense / 252 Speed
Held Item Focus Sash/Power Herb/White Herb
Recommended Move Baton Pass
  • This set aims to buff its teammates, an example of this is Geomancy which works in tandem with a Power Herb then follows up with a Baton Pass.
  • Since Speed will increase with the Non-Damaging Move, other options to make it more effective in battle is using Spore.

■ Assist set

Nature Timid
Effort Values 252 Speed and the rest on durability (HP/Defense/Sp.Defense)
Held Item Focus Sash/Choice Scarf/Mental Herb
Recommended Move Spore(Singles) or Dark Void/Whirlwind(Doubles)
  • This set aims to incapacitate its opponent using moves that normally have low priority.
  • Apart from moves that put the opponent to sleep or force them to switch, other recommended moves are those that should not be called upon by Assist.

■ Sheer Cold set

Nature Timid
Effort Values 252 Defense / 252 Speed
Held Item Focus Sash/Cheri Berry
Recommended Move Sheer Cold/Mind Reader or Lock-On
  • Using Mind Reader or Lock-On guarantees that the next move will hit, while Sheer Cold is a low Accuracy move that will knock out almost any opponent.
  • In order to increase the chances of trapping an opponent, moves such as Spore, etc should be used first.

■ Choice Scarf set

Nature Timid
Effort Values 252 Speed / 252 Defense or 252 HP
Held Item Choice Scarf
Recommended Move Spore or Dark Void/Switcheroo/Transform/Sheer Cold/U-turn or Parting Shot/Destiny Bond/Memento/Lunar Dance
  • This set capitalizes on Speed to boost its mediocre stat and outrun most opponents.
  • There are several options when selecting moves for this set. Among them is U-turn which provides an effective way to scout the opponent.

■Counterattack set

Nature Timid
Effort Values 252 HP / 252 Speed
Held Item Focus Sash
Recommended Move Counter/Mirror Coat
  • Contrary to the Choice Scarf Set, using Counter and Mirror Coat will make Smeargle move after the opponent. This is useful if an attacking move is anticipated to trigger Smeargle’s Focus Sash as it will allow it to survive and deal double damage.

Countering Smeargle

Due to Smeargle’s reliance on Non-Damaging Moves, using Taunt is effective to cripple it.

In both formats: Singles and Doubles, it usually carries either Spore or Dark Void, therefore Pokemon with the Insomnia ability are recommended due to their immunity.

With a low durability, it is preferred to remove the effects of Smeargle’s Focus Sash by using Pokemon that can outrun it and are able to deal multiple hits.

Pokemon Sun and Moon Recommended Article List

This article is about Pokemon Sun and Moon. For information about Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon, click below.
https://samurai-gamers.com/pokemon-ultra-sun-and-moon/

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