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[OVERVIEW]
With access to every move in the game, Smeargle has a unique belt of options to choose from. A decent Speed tier and access to every entry hazard let it perform as an exceptional suicide lead. However, Smeargle's pitiful stats and average typing make it bad in offensive and defensive roles. Even with boosting sets, Smeargle requires a tremendous amount of support. A reliance on status moves means it is also shut down by Taunt. Also, since it can really only contribute to a team as a suicide lead, Smeargle can solely be fully utilized on hyper offensive playstyles. Finally, Leavanny competes with Smeargle for a spot on Sticky Web teams because it also has offensive presence and higher Speed.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Dark Void / Spore
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Sticky Web / Spikes
move 4: Nuzzle / Destiny Bond
item: Focus Sash
ability: Own Tempo
nature: Timid
evs: 252 Def / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Dark Void targets Pokemon immune to Spore like Grass-types, Zebstrika, and Bouffalant and puts them to sleep. Spore is a perfectly accurate alternative that gives Smeargle more turns to lay down entry hazards and cripple the foe. Stealth Rock can help to break Focus Sashes and Sturdy while dealing some chip damage every time the opponent's Pokemon switch in. Sticky Web lets slower wallbreakers outpace Pokemon they weren't able to before. Spikes can be used over Sticky Web if Smeargle's teammates like the extra chip damage. Nuzzle can paralyze the foe before Smeargle goes down and catch switch-ins after Smeargle has put something to sleep. Alternatively, Destiny Bond lets Smeargle take down the foe if it KOes Smeargle with an attacking move. Explosion can be used to block Rapid Spin and Defog but can be somewhat weak, since Smeargle is not intended to do much offensively.
Set Details
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Focus Sash guarantees Smeargle will survive one hit from full health, letting it always do something before going down. 252 Speed EVs and a Timid nature let Smeargle outspeed as many Pokemon as possible, such as Adamant Monferno, Adamant Stoutland, and some Grumpig variants. 252 Defense EVs let Smeargle take priority attacks slightly better to help it avoid being picked off.
Usage Tips
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Use Smeargle as a suicide lead so that it can start pressuring the foe. Always try to put a Pokemon to sleep so that Smeargle can get both of its entry hazards up. Watch out for Grass-immune Pokemon or Vullaby coming in on Spore, though. Set up whichever entry hazard will be more important throughout the match first in case anything goes wrong, like the foe waking up too early. At Team Preview, watch out for faster Taunt Pokemon, such as Grumpig, Floatzel, and especially Electrode, since it can't be paralyzed by Nuzzle. Sometimes it's best to keep Smeargle in the back if your lead match-up looks undesirable so that it can lay more entry hazards later.
Team Options
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Slower wallbreakers like Stoutland and Mr. Mime appreciate being able to outspeed the majority of the tier with Sticky Web up. Spinblockers, such as Dusknoir and Drifblim, and Defog deterrents, such as Pawniard and Purugly, are also really good for keeping Smeargle's entry hazards up. Smeargle loves being on offensive teams, so Pokemon that can grab momentum like Rotom-F and Monferno make for excellent partners. Ground-types like Golem, Marowak, and Gabite help to stop Zebstrika and Electrode, which can effectively limit Smeargle to setting one entry hazard, if any.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Belly Drum + Extreme Speed with Technician can let Smeargle act as a late-game sweeper but requires almost an entire team's worth of support, making it not worth it. Parting Shot can be used to gain momentum and weaken attacks, and it works well with a sleep-inducing move, as Smeagle can act on a likely switch. Will-O-Wisp can be used over Nuzzle; however, it lets Fire-types in more easily, and Nuzzle can force a Pokemon not prone to Sticky Web to be slower. Magic Coat can be used to reflect Taunt and other entry hazards at the foe, forcing both players into a 50/50 position.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt**: Outside of Magic Coat, Smeargle is almost completely useless when Taunted, and it cannot prevent it when it comes from faster users like Electrode, Misdreavus, and Floatzel.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon faster than Smeargle can put it in a really bad position, since Smeargle will only be able to set up one entry hazard and possibly put something to sleep. Zebstrika threatens it more than others do, since it is immune to Spore and Nuzzle, the two moves Smeargle uses to get extra turns to set up.
**Utility**: Pokemon like Bullet Seed Leafeon, Substitute + Will-O-Wisp Rotom-F, and Sleep Powder Jumpluff can all force Smeargle into a bad situation by stopping it from setting up its entry hazards or even stopping it completely.
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