Smeargle
Hi C&C. I am taking over this Smeargle set for Hcapt, posted here. I'm not doing this in the Smeargle update because that's already done and being GPed, while this can easily be added in after the fact.
Status:
Done (Ready for Upload)
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[SET]
name: Lv. 1 Endeavor Lead
move 1: Spore
move 2: Endeavor
move 3: Trick Room / Protect
move 4: Dragon Rage
item: Focus Sash
ability: Own Tempo
nature: Jolly
evs: 0 HP / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Smeargle's boundless movepool enables him to run a rather annoying Endeavor set from the lead position that's unlike any other. The strategy is to use Trick Room on Smeargle's first turn out, letting him go first on turn two. Once Trick Room is active, Smeargle should Spore the opposing lead if it isn't likely to have a Lum Berry; otherwise, he should Endeavor it. If Smeargle used Spore, then next he should use Endeavor to severely cripple the opposing lead. Under Trick Room, Smeargle will go first and use Dragon Rage to KO the opposing lead, and then be in a favorable position for crippling the opponent's next Pokemon as well. Protect can be used in the place of Trick Room to enable Smeargle to beat Fake Out leads, but they are relatively uncommon in OU outside of Infernape. In some match-ups, this Smeargle will be able to KO the opposing lead and then either put something else to sleep or reduce it to 1 HP.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Because Smeargle is level 1 with this set and will be OHKOed by anything and everything that deals damage, there's little reason to invest any EVs into his defenses. That said, you should <em>not</em> invest any EVs into HP if you're compelled to use all of Smeargle's 508 EVs; Smeargle wants as low an HP stat as possible. It is worth noting that a 0 HP IV isn't necessary because it doesn't actually reduce Smeargle's HP stat at all at level 1. 252 EVs are placed in Speed for the chance to win the Speed tie with opposing Endeavor Smeargle leads and Spore them first. Focus Sash is used because it lets Smeargle survive one hit and then use Endeavor to bring the opponent down to exactly 1 HP.</p>
<p>This set has trouble with common Lum Berry leads, such as Metagross and Machamp, and anything that induces hail or sandstorm. The reason Lum Berry leads are so problematic is because they also carry priority moves to use once they break Smeargle's Focus Sash. Tyranitar and Abomasnow leads also trouble Smeargle because they can OHKO through Focus Sash with their damaging weather. In all of these cases, Smeargle can either switch out to a teammate or simply drop the opponent to 1 HP with Endeavor and get KOed. Machamp is a very difficult Pokemon to switch into, but Ghost-type Pokemon like Rotom-A do so relatively well and can weaken him to KO range for another Pokemon to finish off. Heatran switches into Metagross well if he can avoid Earthquake, while Rotom-A can burn Metagross and 3HKO it if the need arises. A Fighting-type of your own, such as Machamp or Breloom, can switch into Tyranitar with ease and threaten him out. Metagross can switch into both Tyranitar and Abomasnow with relative ease and threaten to OHKO both with Meteor Mash. Metagross can also set up Stealth Rock, which will prevent Pokemon that Smeargle Endeavors from safely coming back into the battle. Jirachi leads present Smeargle with an interesting dilemma. 40% of the time, Smeargle will win, while the other 60% of the time he will lose. To play it safe, Heatran can switch into Iron Head and threaten to OHKO Jirachi with Fire Blast. Heatran, like Metagross, can be used to set up Stealth Rock for your team.</p>
<p>This Smeargle pairs well with teammates that can set up Trick Room or entry hazards and those with powerful priority. Trick Room isn't mandatory in choosing partners for Smeargle, but with it, Smeargle can sometimes get in later in the match and Endeavor another Pokemon. Entry hazards, particularly Stealth Rock, are valuable to Smeargle because he reduces the opposing Pokemon's HP to KO range for Stealth Rock. This means that Endeavored foes that switch out will be unable to safely come back in later in the match. Good choices for setting up Stealth Rock are Metagross or Heatran because they also check some of the leads that Smeargle has trouble with. Strong priority users can pick off Endeavored Pokemon before they get the chance to do anything. Scizor and Lucario can use Bullet Punch and ExtremeSpeed, respectively, to finish off weakened Pokemon. Both of these Pokemon also have the added benefit of checking a few of the leads that Smeargle doesn't like dealing with.</p>
[SET]
name: Lv. 1 Endeavor Lead
move 1: Spore
move 2: Endeavor
move 3: Trick Room / Protect
move 4: Dragon Rage
item: Focus Sash
ability: Own Tempo
nature: Jolly
evs: 0 HP / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Smeargle's boundless movepool enables him to run a rather annoying Endeavor set from the lead position that's unlike any other. The strategy is to use Trick Room on Smeargle's first turn out, letting him go first on turn two. Once Trick Room is active, Smeargle should Spore the opposing lead if it isn't likely to have a Lum Berry; otherwise, he should Endeavor it. If Smeargle used Spore, then next he should use Endeavor to severely cripple the opposing lead. Under Trick Room, Smeargle will go first and use Dragon Rage to KO the opposing lead, and then be in a favorable position for crippling the opponent's next Pokemon as well. Protect can be used in the place of Trick Room to enable Smeargle to beat Fake Out leads, but they are relatively uncommon in OU outside of Infernape. In some match-ups, this Smeargle will be able to KO the opposing lead and then either put something else to sleep or reduce it to 1 HP.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Because Smeargle is level 1 with this set and will be OHKOed by anything and everything that deals damage, there's little reason to invest any EVs into his defenses. That said, you should <em>not</em> invest any EVs into HP if you're compelled to use all of Smeargle's 508 EVs; Smeargle wants as low an HP stat as possible. It is worth noting that a 0 HP IV isn't necessary because it doesn't actually reduce Smeargle's HP stat at all at level 1. 252 EVs are placed in Speed for the chance to win the Speed tie with opposing Endeavor Smeargle leads and Spore them first. Focus Sash is used because it lets Smeargle survive one hit and then use Endeavor to bring the opponent down to exactly 1 HP.</p>
<p>This set has trouble with common Lum Berry leads, such as Metagross and Machamp, and anything that induces hail or sandstorm. The reason Lum Berry leads are so problematic is because they also carry priority moves to use once they break Smeargle's Focus Sash. Tyranitar and Abomasnow leads also trouble Smeargle because they can OHKO through Focus Sash with their damaging weather. In all of these cases, Smeargle can either switch out to a teammate or simply drop the opponent to 1 HP with Endeavor and get KOed. Machamp is a very difficult Pokemon to switch into, but Ghost-type Pokemon like Rotom-A do so relatively well and can weaken him to KO range for another Pokemon to finish off. Heatran switches into Metagross well if he can avoid Earthquake, while Rotom-A can burn Metagross and 3HKO it if the need arises. A Fighting-type of your own, such as Machamp or Breloom, can switch into Tyranitar with ease and threaten him out. Metagross can switch into both Tyranitar and Abomasnow with relative ease and threaten to OHKO both with Meteor Mash. Metagross can also set up Stealth Rock, which will prevent Pokemon that Smeargle Endeavors from safely coming back into the battle. Jirachi leads present Smeargle with an interesting dilemma. 40% of the time, Smeargle will win, while the other 60% of the time he will lose. To play it safe, Heatran can switch into Iron Head and threaten to OHKO Jirachi with Fire Blast. Heatran, like Metagross, can be used to set up Stealth Rock for your team.</p>
<p>This Smeargle pairs well with teammates that can set up Trick Room or entry hazards and those with powerful priority. Trick Room isn't mandatory in choosing partners for Smeargle, but with it, Smeargle can sometimes get in later in the match and Endeavor another Pokemon. Entry hazards, particularly Stealth Rock, are valuable to Smeargle because he reduces the opposing Pokemon's HP to KO range for Stealth Rock. This means that Endeavored foes that switch out will be unable to safely come back in later in the match. Good choices for setting up Stealth Rock are Metagross or Heatran because they also check some of the leads that Smeargle has trouble with. Strong priority users can pick off Endeavored Pokemon before they get the chance to do anything. Scizor and Lucario can use Bullet Punch and ExtremeSpeed, respectively, to finish off weakened Pokemon. Both of these Pokemon also have the added benefit of checking a few of the leads that Smeargle doesn't like dealing with.</p>
