[OVERVIEW]
Smeargle unsurprisingly has tremendous flexibility, but it is overwhelmingly seen as a Spiker or sleep lead run on hyper offense teams. Unlike other aggressive Spikes leads, Smeargle has the advantage of sometimes being able to set up all three layers or trade favorably with foes by putting one to sleep then using Explosion, Destiny Bond, or Endeavor on another. However, Smeargle's terrible base stats and dependence on getting a good lead matchup tend to make it less common than more reliable Spikers like Skarmory, Forretress, and Cloyster. It also requires a fast-paced team and usually needs to be paired with Gengar to defend the Spikes from Rapid Spin users.
[SET]
name: Standard Spikes Lead
move 1: Spore
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Whirlwind / Encore / Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave / Substitute
move 4: Destiny Bond / Explosion / Endeavor / Transform / Baton Pass
item: Salac Berry / Leftovers / Lum Berry
ability: Own Tempo
nature: Jolly
evs: 68 HP / 188 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Spore and Spikes are the hallmarks of this set; Smeargle's ability to use both on the same set is the main reason to use a Pokemon with base stats as low as it has. The object of the set is fairly straightforward: put a foe to sleep and then start setting up Spikes until all three layers are up or Smeargle is KOed.
The remaining two moves are where Smeargle's endless customization comes in. Typically, it will run a phazing, utility, or setup denial move and a trading move. Whirlwind and Encore have the benefit of helping handle Substitute users such as Jirachi and Lum Berry users such as Dragon Dance Tyranitar, which a dual status set often allows to set up freely. Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp have the advantage of sometimes crippling opponents that sacrifice a Pokemon to sleep then immediately switch to a fast revenge killer, believing that Smeargle can no longer threaten their Aerodactyl. Substitute can be very effective against opponents who sleep sacrifice their lead and then try to wake it up quickly to KO Smeargle before it can set up all three layers of Spikes.
As for trading moves, Destiny Bond has great synergy with Encore and Whirlwind, as it discourages setup sweepers from attacking and encourages them to continue setting up whereupon they can be met with Encore or Whirlwind. An important note is that a fast Destiny Bond will still work the following turn provided Smeargle moves second, so a Dragon Dance user that outspeeds it or a Pokemon attacking into a negative priority Whirlwind will still activate the Destiny Bond that Smeargle used the previous turn. The other main option, Explosion, still hits reasonably hard with STAB even off Smeargle's pathetic Attack stat and importantly denies the foe a turn to set up or burn sleep.
The EVs are chosen such that Smeargle can take a maximum invested Modest Zapdos Thunderbolt while still investing as much as possible into HP to assist slightly in its anemic Defense. Maximum Speed and a Jolly nature is usually ideal to outspeed neutral-nature base 85 Speed Pokemon like Adamant Heracross as well as other less invested faster Pokemon such as Salamence, Zapdos, Jirachi, and Celebi.
Smeargle usually opts for Salac Berry, as it can take most strong special hits from foes like Zapdos, Starmie, and Suicune then activate Salac Berry to outspeed the entire relevant metagame at +1. Leftovers is an alternative that gives Smeargle much better longevity in sand. Lum Berry helps primarily in the sleep lead mirror matchup against Jynx or enemy Smeargle. It also can come in handy to prevent secondary effects such as Thunderbolt paralysis from limiting Smeargle.
Team Options
========
This Smeargle set is typically seen as a lead on hyper offense Spikes stack teams thanks to its trade-heavy playstyle combined with high volatility. Gengar is crucial to defend Smeargle's hard-earned Spikes from enemy Rapid Spin users. Physical setup threats like Dragon Dance Tyranitar, Aerodactyl, and Agility Metagross are often combined to overwhelm enemy Rock-type checks that tend to struggle to come in repeatedly on Spikes. Other typical offensive Pokemon that benefit from Spikes such as mixed Salamence, Calm Mind Jirachi, Jolteon, and Charizard can also be considered. Occasionally, this set is also put on Dugtrio offense. Smeargle's Explosion usually puts almost any Dugtrio-weak foe into range of a KO, most notably Tyranitar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fake Out can be used to scout an opposing Tyranitar or Metagross on turn 1. If the slower foe reveals Leftovers, Smeargle can safely use Spore without fearing a Lum Berry, while if Leftovers is not revealed, it can instead opt to use Spikes to ensure at least one layer is set up. However, Fake Out is otherwise largely a waste of a slot, and the upside of getting a single layer of Spikes in return for Smeargle getting KOed when facing a Lum Berry lead is often not particularly high. Endure can be used to let Smeargle survive unfavorable lead matchups such as Salamence and Dugtrio, activate a Salac Berry, and then use Spore, Spikes, or Endeavor. Usually, this will lead to an enemy Tyranitar entering and Smeargle perishing immediately to sand damage. Endeavor can be combined with Endure or Substitute to bring down Smeargle's own HP, and optionally, an attack such as Extreme Speed or Seismic Toss can be run to finish off crippled foes. Spider Web can be combined with Perish Song or Substitute + Leech Seed in order to trap a sleep sacrifice that stays in against Smeargle and tries to wake up. This usually requires all four moveslots, which tends to be too much of a sacrifice to be fully viable. Rapid Spin can be an option in emergencies, primarily for slower-paced Smeargle teams. The surprise value can sometimes bait opponents into overcommitting to three layers of Spikes, sacrificing their Spiker, or not bringing in a Ghost-type to spinblock. That being said, Smeargle lacks the longevity and Speed to be a reliable spinner, and running the move is usually a pace mismatch with the typical Smeargle team.
Smeargle outside of the lead position can have merit in avoiding the Turn 1 volatility of lead Smeargle. The main downside of not leading Smeargle is that Spikes start to lose value the later a game goes and the more Pokemon are eliminated. However, this can be mitigated with Baton Pass users or dedicated trade leads with the goal of getting Smeargle in during the first few turns of the game. Alternatively, non-lead Smeargle can forgo Spikes entirely and rely on late-game sleep to achieve value. Smeargle is the only Pokemon capable of using Baton Pass to pass Belly Drum or Tail Glow boosts to a teammate. This can be effective if the foe is sacrificed to sleep, stays in, and doesn't wake up. However, without the ability to raise Smeargle's Speed, it is highly vulnerable to an opponent switching to a fast revenge killer that threatens it. Tail Glow pass usually lacks the needed upside to justify this, while Belly Drum pass tends to be far too unreliable outside the context of a dedicated team. Belly Drum can also be used alongside Attack investment and Extreme Speed to make Smeargle into a sweeper in its own right. +6 STAB Explosion KOes almost any non-Ghost-type, and +6 Extreme Speed can KO a lot of supposed revenge killers. This set is best used mid- or late-game when Ghost-types have been eliminated and Normal-type checks have been chipped. The required investment into Attack makes this Smeargle completely unable to take any hits and therefore even more reliant on getting the right entry on a double switch or sacrifice than other Smeargle sets.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Leads**: Smeargle is tremendously dependent on getting a favorable lead matchup. Salamence and Jolly Medicham leads for example can quickly wrest Smeargle's momentum away and force its team to play without Spikes or make uncomfortable switches with a hyper offense team not well equipped to do so.
**Lum Berry + Speed Boosting Move**: Dragon Dance Tyranitar and Agility Metagross can use Smeargle using Spore as a setup opportunity and then threaten a KO the following turn.
**Faster Substitute**: Speed invested Zapdos and Jirachi can use Substitute to deny Smeargle from using Spore or other status moves.
**Rapid Spin**: As a frail Spikes lead on hyper offense, Smeargle frequently sets up a layer of Spikes at the cost of being KOed or losing most of its HP. Thus, if the foe can remove the Spikes with Rapid Spin, Smeargle is rarely in a position to lay more.
**Sleep Talk**: Sleep Talk users can switch into Smeargle's Spore, allowing the opponent to get value from their sleep sacrifice. This is particularly effective when Sleep Talk is run alongside three attacks on a Choice Band user such as Metagross or Heracross or on a utility-focused Pokemon such as Rest + Sleep Talk Zapdos. Rest + Sleep Talk setup sets on Suicune and Snorlax are notably less effective because they only have one attacking move and a 1/3 chance of rolling it. This makes it considerably more likely that Smeargle will set up all three layers of Spikes.
**Dugtrio**: Smeargle is trapped, outsped, and OHKOed by Dugtrio's Earthquake. If Dugtrio is unable to get an immediate trap on turn 1 or a double switch, it is often hard switched in against Smeargle after sleep sacrificing a Pokemon in order to limit Smeargle to a single layer of Spikes.
**Natural Cure**: Celebi, Blissey, and Starmie can put Smeargle into an awkward guessing game between using Spore a second time on the already asleep Natural Cure user or risking laying down a layer of Spikes on a switch to a foe like Dugtrio or Aerodactyl.
**Insomnia and Vital Spirit**: Banette, Hypno, Murkrow, and Primeape can deny Smeargle's Spore entirely, though they offer little else.
[CREDITS]
Written by
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/spreek.682628/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/shitrock-enjoyer.600071/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zpanther.590983/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
Smeargle unsurprisingly has tremendous flexibility, but it is overwhelmingly seen as a Spiker or sleep lead run on hyper offense teams. Unlike other aggressive Spikes leads, Smeargle has the advantage of sometimes being able to set up all three layers or trade favorably with foes by putting one to sleep then using Explosion, Destiny Bond, or Endeavor on another. However, Smeargle's terrible base stats and dependence on getting a good lead matchup tend to make it less common than more reliable Spikers like Skarmory, Forretress, and Cloyster. It also requires a fast-paced team and usually needs to be paired with Gengar to defend the Spikes from Rapid Spin users.
[SET]
name: Standard Spikes Lead
move 1: Spore
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Whirlwind / Encore / Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave / Substitute
move 4: Destiny Bond / Explosion / Endeavor / Transform / Baton Pass
item: Salac Berry / Leftovers / Lum Berry
ability: Own Tempo
nature: Jolly
evs: 68 HP / 188 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Spore and Spikes are the hallmarks of this set; Smeargle's ability to use both on the same set is the main reason to use a Pokemon with base stats as low as it has. The object of the set is fairly straightforward: put a foe to sleep and then start setting up Spikes until all three layers are up or Smeargle is KOed.
The remaining two moves are where Smeargle's endless customization comes in. Typically, it will run a phazing, utility, or setup denial move and a trading move. Whirlwind and Encore have the benefit of helping handle Substitute users such as Jirachi and Lum Berry users such as Dragon Dance Tyranitar, which a dual status set often allows to set up freely. Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp have the advantage of sometimes crippling opponents that sacrifice a Pokemon to sleep then immediately switch to a fast revenge killer, believing that Smeargle can no longer threaten their Aerodactyl. Substitute can be very effective against opponents who sleep sacrifice their lead and then try to wake it up quickly to KO Smeargle before it can set up all three layers of Spikes.
As for trading moves, Destiny Bond has great synergy with Encore and Whirlwind, as it discourages setup sweepers from attacking and encourages them to continue setting up whereupon they can be met with Encore or Whirlwind. An important note is that a fast Destiny Bond will still work the following turn provided Smeargle moves second, so a Dragon Dance user that outspeeds it or a Pokemon attacking into a negative priority Whirlwind will still activate the Destiny Bond that Smeargle used the previous turn. The other main option, Explosion, still hits reasonably hard with STAB even off Smeargle's pathetic Attack stat and importantly denies the foe a turn to set up or burn sleep.
The EVs are chosen such that Smeargle can take a maximum invested Modest Zapdos Thunderbolt while still investing as much as possible into HP to assist slightly in its anemic Defense. Maximum Speed and a Jolly nature is usually ideal to outspeed neutral-nature base 85 Speed Pokemon like Adamant Heracross as well as other less invested faster Pokemon such as Salamence, Zapdos, Jirachi, and Celebi.
Smeargle usually opts for Salac Berry, as it can take most strong special hits from foes like Zapdos, Starmie, and Suicune then activate Salac Berry to outspeed the entire relevant metagame at +1. Leftovers is an alternative that gives Smeargle much better longevity in sand. Lum Berry helps primarily in the sleep lead mirror matchup against Jynx or enemy Smeargle. It also can come in handy to prevent secondary effects such as Thunderbolt paralysis from limiting Smeargle.
Team Options
========
This Smeargle set is typically seen as a lead on hyper offense Spikes stack teams thanks to its trade-heavy playstyle combined with high volatility. Gengar is crucial to defend Smeargle's hard-earned Spikes from enemy Rapid Spin users. Physical setup threats like Dragon Dance Tyranitar, Aerodactyl, and Agility Metagross are often combined to overwhelm enemy Rock-type checks that tend to struggle to come in repeatedly on Spikes. Other typical offensive Pokemon that benefit from Spikes such as mixed Salamence, Calm Mind Jirachi, Jolteon, and Charizard can also be considered. Occasionally, this set is also put on Dugtrio offense. Smeargle's Explosion usually puts almost any Dugtrio-weak foe into range of a KO, most notably Tyranitar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fake Out can be used to scout an opposing Tyranitar or Metagross on turn 1. If the slower foe reveals Leftovers, Smeargle can safely use Spore without fearing a Lum Berry, while if Leftovers is not revealed, it can instead opt to use Spikes to ensure at least one layer is set up. However, Fake Out is otherwise largely a waste of a slot, and the upside of getting a single layer of Spikes in return for Smeargle getting KOed when facing a Lum Berry lead is often not particularly high. Endure can be used to let Smeargle survive unfavorable lead matchups such as Salamence and Dugtrio, activate a Salac Berry, and then use Spore, Spikes, or Endeavor. Usually, this will lead to an enemy Tyranitar entering and Smeargle perishing immediately to sand damage. Endeavor can be combined with Endure or Substitute to bring down Smeargle's own HP, and optionally, an attack such as Extreme Speed or Seismic Toss can be run to finish off crippled foes. Spider Web can be combined with Perish Song or Substitute + Leech Seed in order to trap a sleep sacrifice that stays in against Smeargle and tries to wake up. This usually requires all four moveslots, which tends to be too much of a sacrifice to be fully viable. Rapid Spin can be an option in emergencies, primarily for slower-paced Smeargle teams. The surprise value can sometimes bait opponents into overcommitting to three layers of Spikes, sacrificing their Spiker, or not bringing in a Ghost-type to spinblock. That being said, Smeargle lacks the longevity and Speed to be a reliable spinner, and running the move is usually a pace mismatch with the typical Smeargle team.
Smeargle outside of the lead position can have merit in avoiding the Turn 1 volatility of lead Smeargle. The main downside of not leading Smeargle is that Spikes start to lose value the later a game goes and the more Pokemon are eliminated. However, this can be mitigated with Baton Pass users or dedicated trade leads with the goal of getting Smeargle in during the first few turns of the game. Alternatively, non-lead Smeargle can forgo Spikes entirely and rely on late-game sleep to achieve value. Smeargle is the only Pokemon capable of using Baton Pass to pass Belly Drum or Tail Glow boosts to a teammate. This can be effective if the foe is sacrificed to sleep, stays in, and doesn't wake up. However, without the ability to raise Smeargle's Speed, it is highly vulnerable to an opponent switching to a fast revenge killer that threatens it. Tail Glow pass usually lacks the needed upside to justify this, while Belly Drum pass tends to be far too unreliable outside the context of a dedicated team. Belly Drum can also be used alongside Attack investment and Extreme Speed to make Smeargle into a sweeper in its own right. +6 STAB Explosion KOes almost any non-Ghost-type, and +6 Extreme Speed can KO a lot of supposed revenge killers. This set is best used mid- or late-game when Ghost-types have been eliminated and Normal-type checks have been chipped. The required investment into Attack makes this Smeargle completely unable to take any hits and therefore even more reliant on getting the right entry on a double switch or sacrifice than other Smeargle sets.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Leads**: Smeargle is tremendously dependent on getting a favorable lead matchup. Salamence and Jolly Medicham leads for example can quickly wrest Smeargle's momentum away and force its team to play without Spikes or make uncomfortable switches with a hyper offense team not well equipped to do so.
**Lum Berry + Speed Boosting Move**: Dragon Dance Tyranitar and Agility Metagross can use Smeargle using Spore as a setup opportunity and then threaten a KO the following turn.
**Faster Substitute**: Speed invested Zapdos and Jirachi can use Substitute to deny Smeargle from using Spore or other status moves.
**Rapid Spin**: As a frail Spikes lead on hyper offense, Smeargle frequently sets up a layer of Spikes at the cost of being KOed or losing most of its HP. Thus, if the foe can remove the Spikes with Rapid Spin, Smeargle is rarely in a position to lay more.
**Sleep Talk**: Sleep Talk users can switch into Smeargle's Spore, allowing the opponent to get value from their sleep sacrifice. This is particularly effective when Sleep Talk is run alongside three attacks on a Choice Band user such as Metagross or Heracross or on a utility-focused Pokemon such as Rest + Sleep Talk Zapdos. Rest + Sleep Talk setup sets on Suicune and Snorlax are notably less effective because they only have one attacking move and a 1/3 chance of rolling it. This makes it considerably more likely that Smeargle will set up all three layers of Spikes.
**Dugtrio**: Smeargle is trapped, outsped, and OHKOed by Dugtrio's Earthquake. If Dugtrio is unable to get an immediate trap on turn 1 or a double switch, it is often hard switched in against Smeargle after sleep sacrificing a Pokemon in order to limit Smeargle to a single layer of Spikes.
**Natural Cure**: Celebi, Blissey, and Starmie can put Smeargle into an awkward guessing game between using Spore a second time on the already asleep Natural Cure user or risking laying down a layer of Spikes on a switch to a foe like Dugtrio or Aerodactyl.
**Insomnia and Vital Spirit**: Banette, Hypno, Murkrow, and Primeape can deny Smeargle's Spore entirely, though they offer little else.
[CREDITS]
Written by
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/spreek.682628/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/shitrock-enjoyer.600071/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zpanther.590983/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
Last edited:
