et, huh? You’ve come to the right place. Let me tell you, Smeargle is a total wildcard. It can learn literally any move in the game, which means it can be super versatile and unpredictable. But you gotta know how to use it right.
So, how do you make the most of Smeargle’s crazy move-learning abilities? Well, it’s all about being strategic and using its unique strengths. Here’s the thing, Smeargle is a Normal-type Pokemon, which makes it a bit vulnerable to Fighting-type moves. But its ability to learn literally any move in the game makes it super versatile.
Let’s break down some of the most popular and effective strategies for using Smeargle:
Smeargle: The Ultimate Support Pokemon
Smeargle is like that teammate who always has your back, you know? It’s not about dealing tons of damage, but rather about supporting your other Pokemon and setting up the perfect situation for them to shine.
Here are some of the most popular moves you can use to make Smeargle a fantastic support Pokemon:
Sticky Web: This is Smeargle’s secret weapon! It slows down any non-flying Pokemon on the field, making it much harder for them to outspeed your team. This is super useful for taking control of the battlefield and setting up the perfect situation for your faster teammates to land their attacks.
Nuzzle: This move is awesome for weakening your opponent’s Pokemon. It paralyzes them with a chance of causing them to miss their next attack. Imagine your opponent’s strongest Pokemon just standing there unable to move, while your team takes them down! It’s like having a free win.
Thunder Wave: Another great move for disabling your opponent. It paralyzes your opponent’s Pokemon, making them slower and unable to attack.
Will-O-Wisp: Smeargle can use Will-O-Wisp to give your opponent a serious burn. This lowers their attack power and deals damage over time. It’s like a slow, burning pain that makes it harder for them to fight back.
The Master of Imitation: Sketch
This is where Smeargle gets really interesting! Sketch lets Smeargle permanently learn a move from an opponent. It can be super useful for a few reasons:
Learning powerful moves: You can use Sketch to learn any move in the game, even if it’s not in Smeargle’s normal movepool. Imagine Smeargle learning powerful moves like Draco Meteor or Solar Beam and using them to turn the tide of battle.
Counteracting your opponent’s strategies: If your opponent is using a powerful move, Smeargle can learn it and use it against them. For example, they use a Thunderbolt? Smeargle can learn it and use it to take them down.
But remember, Sketch has some limitations:
It can’t learn Sketch, Selfdestruct, Explosion, or Transform.
Smeargle forgets its previous move when it learns a new one.
Building the Ultimate Support Smeargle
When it comes to building a support Smeargle, you want to make sure it can stay alive long enough to do its job. Here’s what I usually do:
Nature: A Calm nature is the best choice. This will boost Smeargle’s Special Defense and lower its Special Attack, which is perfect for a support Pokemon that’s not focused on attacking.
EVs: I like to put 252 EVs in Special Defense and 252 EVs in HP. This will make Smeargle as bulky as possible and give it the best chance of surviving attacks.
Item: Leftovers is a great choice for Smeargle, as it recovers a small amount of HP each turn, giving it a chance to heal up while supporting your team.
Smeargle: The Unpredictable Attacker
Okay, so Smeargle isn’t exactly known for its powerful offensive moves, but with a little creativity, it can be a surprise attacker.
Here are some moves that can help Smeargle pull off some unexpected wins:
Extreme Speed: This move is super fast and always goes first. It can be a great way to land a surprise hit on a slower opponent.
Fake Out: This move is perfect for catching your opponent off guard and making them flinch. It can be used to break through a Pokemon’s substitute or stall tactics.
Sucker Punch: This move can be used to hit Ghost-type Pokemon hard, which are normally immune to Normal-type moves.
Return: Smeargle’s high base attack stat makes it a good candidate for Return, especially if you’re using Smeargle for its move-copying abilities.
The Power of Surprise: Sneaking in the Attack
Remember, Smeargle’s strength is in its unpredictability. Here are some tips for using Smeargle as an attacker:
Choose your targets wisely: Smeargle is vulnerable to Fighting-type moves, so try to avoid using it against powerful Fighting-type Pokemon.
Use Sketch to copy moves: If you’re facing a tough opponent, try to use Sketch to copy their strongest move and turn it against them.
Use Fake Out to disrupt your opponent: This move can give you the edge by catching your opponent off guard.
Building the Ultimate Attacking Smeargle
For an attacking Smeargle, you’ll want to focus on boosting its Attack stat and making sure it can survive long enough to land its attacks.
Nature: A Jolly nature is perfect for boosting Smeargle’s speed, giving it a better chance of landing hits before the opponent can act.
EVs: You’ll want to max out Smeargle’s Attack and Speed stats. I recommend 252 EVs in Attack and 252 EVs in Speed.
Item: Choice Scarf or Choice Band are great choices for Smeargle. These items will boost its Attack stat significantly, making it hit harder.
The Bottom Line: Smeargle’s Flexibility is its Power
Smeargle is a unique and versatile Pokemon with unlimited potential. It’s not a straightforward Pokemon that excels in one area. Its real power comes from its ability to adapt to any situation. Whether you’re building a support Smeargle to control the battlefield or an attacking Smeargle to land unexpected hits, you need to be creative and think outside the box.
So, go ahead and unleash Smeargle’s true potential! Have fun experimenting with different movesets and strategies to find what works best for you. You never know what surprises await!
What’s your favorite strategy for using Smeargle? Do you have any tips for other trainers?
