Smeargle

[Twix]

qc: ? / ? / ?
gp: ? / ?

[OVERVIEW]

• Smeargle is one of the premier lead Pokemon in the tier due to its access to almost all moves, such as Spore, Sticky Web, and Stealth Rock, among others.
• Smeargle also has a decent Speed tier, allowing it to outpace common Stealth Rock users such as Aurorus and Golurk, although it still is slower than a large part of the metagame.
• Smeargle's pitiful offensive and defensive stats prevent it from performing any roles outside of a suicide lead without extreme support. This, in turn, makes it only usable on hyper offensive playstyles, as it is not bulky enough for any other roles.
• Due to its reliance on status moves, Smeargle is very susceptible to Taunt.
• It faces competition from Leavanny, which is faster and has much more offensive presence. However, Smeargle has a much better support movepool, including access to Spore and Stealth Rock.
• Smeargle additionally faces competition from Masquerain, a more offensive-based Sticky Web user, although Smeargle is faster and has much more support capabilities.

[SET]
name: Sticky Web Lead
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Spore
move 4: Nuzzle / Taunt
item: Focus Sash
ability: Own Tempo
nature: Jolly
evs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

• Sticky Web is Smeargle's main utility, allowing its slower teammates to outpace usually-faster grounded Pokemon.
• Stealth Rock can help break foe's Focus Sash and Sturdy, as well as break them down for teammates to have an easier time cleaning.
• Spore allows Smeargle to put foes to sleep, ensuring that it can use one, if not both, of its entry hazards.
• Nuzzle prevents Smeargle from being completely immobilized by Taunt, and can paralyze Pokemon immune to Spore such as Sap Sipper Miltank and Grass-types.
• Taunt is another utility move that can prevent slower Pokemon from using status moves, although it forces Smeargle to struggle if taunted since it would have no attacking moves.

Set Details
========

• Max Speed paired with a Jolly nature allows Smeargle to be as fast as it can in order to most effectively get its entry hazards up.
• The given HP investment helps Smeargle's overall bulk, although it generally will always be 2HKOed by most Pokemon.
• Focus Sash allows Smeargle to live any single hit and ensures it will be able to use one of its utility moves before fainting.
• Own Tempo is the best ability that Smeargle can have, since it prevents potential confusion, although it is not very useful in most situations.

Usage Tips
========

• Due to its lackluster offensive and defensive presence, Smeargle is used solely as a suicide lead, getting up entry hazards to support its teammates.
• In order to do this, Smeargle should use Spore on opposing Pokemon to get up as many hazards as it can.
• Alternatively, Nuzzle should be used against threatening Pokemon that are immune to Spore or can be revenge killed by a partner if slowed.
• In both cases, be aware of Pokemon immune to Spore or Nuzzle as there would be no use in using the move against them.
• Similarly, be aware of Taunt users such as Sableye because they can prevent Sableye from using any of its status moves, including both of its entry hazards.
• Based on certain matchups, Sticky Web has no real use if the opposing team is slower than yours already, such as playing against Trick Room or Stall teams.
• In certain cases, it may be best to not lead with Smeargle if the opponent has sufficient counterplay, although this is very rare.

Team Options
========

• Since Smeargle can only function as a suicide lead effectively, it is geared towards offensive teams.
• Slower, strong attackers s
• Defiant users such as Primeape and Pawniard
• Spinblockers such as Oricorio-Sensu and Spiritomb
• Strong momentum grabbing Pokemon such as Primeape can be very effective in keeping offensive pressure and preventing a foe from using Defog.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

• Explosion and Parting Shot are options in the last moveslot, although Nuzzle is generally more beneficial for Smeargle's team and Taunt can prevent opposing entry hazards, among other things, so they are generally more useful.
• Magic Coat is also an option, as it can Reflect opposing entry hazards and status, although it cannot prevent Defog like Taunt can and is generally less effective.
• Smeargle can run an offensive set with Belly Drum and Extreme Speed, although it would require a lot of support to set and is weak even at +6.
• Z-Geomancy is another offensive set that looks good on paper, but it shares similar difficulties with the aforementioned set.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Taunt**:

**Faster Pokemon**:

**Flying-types**

 

[Quartia]

Another counter would be Rapid Spin and Defog users such as Komala, Skuntank, and Archeops. Komala is a particularly good counter to Smeargle as it is immune to Spore and the paralysis from Nuzzle, and can remove hazards using Rapid Spin.

 

[yogi]

Been over a month, any update on this Twix?

 

[MZ]

reassigning