Smeargle Best Moveset
Can learn every move through MoveSketch, but 20/20 offenses mean none of them deal damage. AbilityMoody randomly boosts one stat and drops another each turn, creating a lottery that occasionally wins. The moveset sets MoveSticky Web or MoveSpore and does nothing else useful. 75 Speed means faster hazard setters exist.
Sketch copied any move permanently, giving Smeargle access to every move in the game. Spore plus Baton Pass was the ultimate support set in Gen II (Gold & Silver).
Support Moveset
- Spore
- Baton Pass
- Agility
- Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Spore was the best sleep move and only Smeargle could pair it with Baton Pass and any boosting move in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Ultimate support flexibility.
Pivot Moveset
- Spore
- Spikes
- Baton Pass
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Stealth Rock lead Smeargle was a Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl) staple. Spore the opposing lead, set rocks, Explode or Endeavor at Focus Sash HP. Guaranteed hazards turn one.
Best Moves
Best Build
Smeargle best EVs are Attack and Speed
Support Moveset
- Spore
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion
- Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Shell Smash Baton Pass became the dream in Gen V (Black & White). Spore, Shell Smash, pass all boosts to a sweeper. Inconsistent but devastating when it worked.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Transform
Recommended Teammates
Power creep meant Smeargle's Focus Sash lead set was less effective in Gen VI (X & Y). Faster leads with better stats could Taunt before Spore landed.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Spore
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Dark Void was made Darkrai-exclusive in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Team Preview made Smeargle's leads predictable. Opponents always knew the Spore was coming.
Support Moveset
- Spore
- Foul Play
- Sticky Web
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Returned in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet) but completely irrelevant. Spore was still Spore, but everything else about Smeargle was too weak to function.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Endeavor
Recommended Teammates
Smeargle Weakness
Smeargle's Normal typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting. It shrugs off Ghost-type attacks completely. Just 1 weak spot to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ghost |
What is Smeargle Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Smeargle
Pelipper's Hurricane hits Smeargle for 45-53%.
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Smeargle View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn24-29% Scald17-20% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Smeargle View Pelipper builds →Hurricane45-53% U Turn21-25% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureTimid Moves View Ninetales builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilitySnow Warning ItemLightclay NatureTimid Moves View Ninetales-Alola builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureSassy Moves View Slowking-Galar builds →
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Evolution
Smeargle doesn't evolve, so breeding's where the action is. You'll find a massive partner pool across one egg group, and eggs are average hatch time. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Smeargle easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
Smeargle Locations
A solid number of locations for Smeargle with moderate rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Best Locations to Catch Smeargle in Scarlet & Violet
5 walking encounters at Lv. 50-80 for Smeargle across Scarlet and Violet. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Smeargle is only available through the PokeRadar in this game. No standard wild encounters here. 2 spots are listed below with details on how to trigger them. These become available in mid-game encounter areas.
Best Locations to Catch Smeargle in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Smeargle appears at moderate rates across 4 spots in early-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Best Locations to Catch Smeargle in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
decent spawn rates for Smeargle across 4 locations in early-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Best Locations to Catch Smeargle in Sun & Moon
Base Stats
Speed and HP carry most of Smeargle's stat budget. Attack's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 1 Speed EV. Follows a fast 800K XP curve.
It marks its territory by using its tail like a paintbrush. There are more than 5,000 different marks.
Smeargle Guide
Watch for Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Smeargle. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Smeargle has niche appeal at best. 250 base stats means you're fighting uphill by mid-game. There are better Normal Pokemon available.
Technician changes the entire equation for Smeargle. The 250 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier.
Technician is what you want on Smeargle. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Own Tempo, Moody) work on paper but Technician is what makes Smeargle worth using.
Base 75 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Smeargle is a physical attacker with base 20 Attack. Defensively? Fragile, can't afford to take many hits.
Game Availability
Available in 16 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Smeargle spans 9 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves