Technician boosts weaker moves to surprising damage levels, letting Smeargle hit way above its stat class. Normal typing helps — Ghost moves can't touch it, and only a single type hits it super-effectively. Introduced in Gen 2.
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 Weakness
GoodSmeargle's Normal typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting moves. It shrugs off Ghost-type attacks completely. Just 1 weak spot to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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.
How to Evolve
Breed Smeargle easily with 131 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
One guaranteed turn is all Smeargle needs. Focus Sash buys it, max Attack and Speed EVs make it count, and Owntempo adds something extra. The goal: get Stealth Rock up and deal damage with Explosion. Utility options gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Best Smeargle Moveset
- Spore
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion
- Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Not a lot to pick from. Smeargle gets Normal STAB for same-type damage, and limited coverage rounds things out. You're building around what's available rather than choosing from a deep bench.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
the PokeRadar is the only way to find Smeargle in this game. 2 locations host these encounters, and each one has its own conditions. These become available in mid-game encounter areas. Sort below to compare them.
Best Locations
Technician changes the entire equation for Smeargle. The 250 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a hazard setter.
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 doesn't evolve and has no evolutionary line. It's a Normal-type Pokemon with a 250 base stat total.
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. Best used as a hazard setter.
Smeargle appears in 16 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Available in 16 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Smeargle spans 8 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A