QC: Cynara, Serial EKiller, Nayrz
GP: Fireflame479, The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
* With access to almost all moves in the game, Smeargle is considered one of the most versatile utility lead Pokemon.
* Access to all entry hazards such as Stealth Rock, Sticky Web, and Toxic Spikes makes Smeargle one of the best lead Pokemon in the tier.
* A decent Speed tier allows Smeargle to set up hazards early-game against slower Pokemon such as defensive Primal Groudon and defensive Necrozma-DM.
* It can also provide massive team support with entry hazard removal such as Rapid Spin and cripple opposing Pokemon with status-inducing moves such as Spore and Nuzzle.
* Hyper offensive teams benefit heavily from Smeargle, as hazards and status-inducing moves allow such teams to perform their roles with ease.
* However, due to its lackluster offensive and defensive stats, Smeargle's role is limited to a suicide lead.
* Once Focus Sash is broken, Smeargle is almost useless.
* Outside of Nuzzle, Smeargle's reliance on status moves means that it can easily get shut down by Taunt users and hazard removers and struggles against common leads likes Excadrill, Cloyster, Magic Bounce users, and Mega Gengar.
* Smeargle will struggle against stall teams that depend on Magic Bounce, which can render it useless for the majority of the battle.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Nuzzle
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Whirlwind / Toxic Thread
item: Focus Sash
ability: Own Tempo
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Sticky Web is the premier utility move for Smeargle, allowing its otherwise slower teammates to outpace faster grounded Pokemon.
* Nuzzles allows Smeargle to cripple non-Ground-type Pokemon with paralysis and avoid being crippled by fast Taunt leads like Yveltal and Deoxys-S.
* Taunt prevents opposing Pokemon from easily setting up on Smeargle.
* Whirlwind is useful against setup Pokemon like Substitute + Dragon Dance Mega Salamence and Zygarde, which would otherwise be problematic for a Sticky Web-oriented team.
* Toxic Thread cripples opposing non-Poison-type Pokemon by dropping their Speed and inducing poison, which can help Smeargle avoid being shut down by Ground-types that are immune to Nuzzle and faster Taunt users.
Set Details
========
* A Jolly nature with maximum Speed investment is mandatory for Smeargle to be as fast as it can be to effectively set up entry hazards.
* Maximum HP investment increases Smeargle's bulk. However, it's essentially useless due to Smeargle's frailty and vulnerability of getting OHKOed or 2HKOed by many Pokemon in the tier.
* Focus Sash guarantees Smeargle the opportunity to use one of its utility moves before fainting.
* Own Tempo prevents Smeargle from getting confused, which risks breaking its own Focus Sash.
Usage Tips
========
* Smeargle's only role is a suicide lead that helps its teammates by setting up Sticky Web.
* Generally, it is ideal for Smeargle to set up Sticky Web first and then deal with the opposing lead Pokemon. However, this is solely based on lead matchup. It is important to analyze the opposing lead Pokemon in determining the optimal play for Smeargle. For example, if the opposing lead Pokemon knows Taunt, Smeargle should use Nuzzle first to cripple the foe and then set up Sticky Web. If the opposing lead Pokemon has moves with secondary effects, such as flinch or burn, it is important to realize that those factors risk preventing Smeargle from setting Sticky Web.
* Smeargle should only be led if the opposing team does not have a lead that can directly deal with it. For example, opposing lead Excadrill can be problematic, as it is immune to Nuzzle and Toxic Thread, can spin Sticky Web away, and can break Smeargle's Focus Sash.
* Mega Gengar poses as a threat to Smeargle, as it can either use Taunt to prevent Sticky Web or use Substitute to prevent being paralyzed. Therefore, Smeargle must be used with the right predictions.
* If the opposing lead Pokemon is a setup user, Smeargle can get Sticky Web up first and then phaze it with Whirlwind.
* Against lead hazard removers, Smeargle can use Toxic Thread to lower their Speed and get Sticky Web set up while the foe is poisoned. This will pressure the foe into staying in against Smeargle to remove hazards, but it will lose out from poison in the long run.
* If Smeargle cannot set up Sticky Web due to lead matchup, it can help cripple the opposing lead Pokemon with its status moves.
Team Options
========
* Strong wallbreakers such as Swords Dance Mega Lucario, Swords Dance Rayquaza, and Calm Mind Primal Kyogre, which would otherwise struggle against offensive teams, can take advantage of Sticky Web by setting up.
* Since Smeargle's primary role is to set up Sticky Web, an offensive Stealth Rock setter like Primal Groudon and Necrozma-DM ensures that the entry hazard can be set up more than once, as opposing bulky offense and balance teams will attempt to get rid of Sticky Web. This means that the opposing team's defensive core will be vulnerable to the offensive pressure of trying to remove Sticky Web and will concede with either Stealth Rock, Sticky Web, or both for the duration of the battle.
* Ultra Necrozma benefits from Sticky Web, as it can outspeed threats like Mega Gengar. Its pre-Ultra Burst form can be either Necrozma-DM or Necrozma-DW depending on team composition. Necrozma-DM is able to be an offensive threat with Swords Dance without transforming into Ultra Necrozma, and Necrozma-DW can spinblock prior to transforming.
* Offensive Fairy-types like Choice Specs Xerneas can deal with crippled Yveltal, Mega Salamence, and Marshadow. Arceus-Fairy can set up with Calm Mind and provides another option for a Stealth Rock setter.
* Mega Diancie is a great teammate for Smeargle, as Magic Bounce covers most Taunt leads for Smeargle. Mega Diancie also has access to Stealth Rock and Explosion to complement Smeargle's Sticky Web and punch a hole into offensive teams early.
* Smeargle can cripple opposing threats with Nuzzle, which can slow down faster threats like Choice Scarf Yvetal, Geomancy Xerneas, Marshadow, and Deoxys-A that teammates can check or counter more easily.
* Taunt users like Yveltal can prevent opposing teams from potentially undoing Smeargle's entry hazards with Defog.
* On the other hand, Ghost-types like Marshadow and Mega Gengar can block Rapid Spin from opposing Excadrill and Smeargle.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Rapid Spin gives Smeargle the option to remove entry hazards, though this will risk Smeargle's Focus Sash breaking if it is still intact.
* Glare can be an alternative to Nuzzle but is shut down by Taunt.
* Spore is another status-inducing move Smeargle can use to cripple an opposing Pokemon, allowing its teammates to easily set up while the foe is asleep.
* Once Smeargle's HP is reduced to the bare minimum, Endeavor can cripple opposing threats and walls for its teammates to revenge kill.* Magic Coat can help Smeargle against opposing Taunt, entry hazard setting, and status infliction.
* Toxic Spikes can used as an alternative entry hazard, though Stick Web and Stealth Rock are more valuable to hyper offensive playstyles.
* Memento can be used to cripple opposing offensive threats once Smeargle uses up its Focus Sash.
* Stealth Rock can be an alternative to Sticky Web, as it damages Flying-types such as Yveltal and Ho-Oh.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt**: Taunt is Smeargle's worst nightmare in the lead matchup and can shut it down. However, opposing Taunt users like Yveltal and Mega Gengar can be susceptible to Nuzzle.
**Rapid Spin Users**: Excadrill can undo Smeargle's Sticky Web with Rapid Spin and is immune to Nuzzle and Toxic Thread. Cloyster can also fulfill the same role but must be wary of Nuzzle and Toxic Thread.
**Substitute Sweepers**: Substitute sweepers such as Arceus-Ground and Zygarde cannot be touched by Nuzzle and are very threatening if Smeargle lacks Whirlwind. Both can set up with their respective moves and can be problematic for the rest of the team to deal with.
**Magic Bounce**: Magic Bounce users such as Mega-Sableye and Mega Diancie can easily deflect the majority of Smeargle's moveset. However, Nuzzle can easily cripple them.
**Flying-types and Levitate Users**: Flying-types like Yveltal and Mega Salamence and Levitate users like Giratina-O are immune to Smeargle's Sticky Web. Mega Salamence threatens Sticky Web teams with the Dragon Dance + Refresh set and is one of the most effective Defoggers.
**Faster Pokemon**: Smeargle's base 75 Speed stat means that it is vulnerable to faster Pokemon like Yveltal and Excadrill that can pressure it with status or hazard removal. However, Focus Sash guarantees that Smeargle sets up at least one entry hazard.
GP: Fireflame479, The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
* With access to almost all moves in the game, Smeargle is considered one of the most versatile utility lead Pokemon.
* Access to all entry hazards such as Stealth Rock, Sticky Web, and Toxic Spikes makes Smeargle one of the best lead Pokemon in the tier.
* A decent Speed tier allows Smeargle to set up hazards early-game against slower Pokemon such as defensive Primal Groudon and defensive Necrozma-DM.
* It can also provide massive team support with entry hazard removal such as Rapid Spin and cripple opposing Pokemon with status-inducing moves such as Spore and Nuzzle.
* Hyper offensive teams benefit heavily from Smeargle, as hazards and status-inducing moves allow such teams to perform their roles with ease.
* However, due to its lackluster offensive and defensive stats, Smeargle's role is limited to a suicide lead.
* Once Focus Sash is broken, Smeargle is almost useless.
* Outside of Nuzzle, Smeargle's reliance on status moves means that it can easily get shut down by Taunt users and hazard removers and struggles against common leads likes Excadrill, Cloyster, Magic Bounce users, and Mega Gengar.
* Smeargle will struggle against stall teams that depend on Magic Bounce, which can render it useless for the majority of the battle.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Nuzzle
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Whirlwind / Toxic Thread
item: Focus Sash
ability: Own Tempo
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Sticky Web is the premier utility move for Smeargle, allowing its otherwise slower teammates to outpace faster grounded Pokemon.
* Nuzzles allows Smeargle to cripple non-Ground-type Pokemon with paralysis and avoid being crippled by fast Taunt leads like Yveltal and Deoxys-S.
* Taunt prevents opposing Pokemon from easily setting up on Smeargle.
* Whirlwind is useful against setup Pokemon like Substitute + Dragon Dance Mega Salamence and Zygarde, which would otherwise be problematic for a Sticky Web-oriented team.
* Toxic Thread cripples opposing non-Poison-type Pokemon by dropping their Speed and inducing poison, which can help Smeargle avoid being shut down by Ground-types that are immune to Nuzzle and faster Taunt users.
Set Details
========
* A Jolly nature with maximum Speed investment is mandatory for Smeargle to be as fast as it can be to effectively set up entry hazards.
* Maximum HP investment increases Smeargle's bulk. However, it's essentially useless due to Smeargle's frailty and vulnerability of getting OHKOed or 2HKOed by many Pokemon in the tier.
* Focus Sash guarantees Smeargle the opportunity to use one of its utility moves before fainting.
* Own Tempo prevents Smeargle from getting confused, which risks breaking its own Focus Sash.
Usage Tips
========
* Smeargle's only role is a suicide lead that helps its teammates by setting up Sticky Web.
* Generally, it is ideal for Smeargle to set up Sticky Web first and then deal with the opposing lead Pokemon. However, this is solely based on lead matchup. It is important to analyze the opposing lead Pokemon in determining the optimal play for Smeargle. For example, if the opposing lead Pokemon knows Taunt, Smeargle should use Nuzzle first to cripple the foe and then set up Sticky Web. If the opposing lead Pokemon has moves with secondary effects, such as flinch or burn, it is important to realize that those factors risk preventing Smeargle from setting Sticky Web.
* Smeargle should only be led if the opposing team does not have a lead that can directly deal with it. For example, opposing lead Excadrill can be problematic, as it is immune to Nuzzle and Toxic Thread, can spin Sticky Web away, and can break Smeargle's Focus Sash.
* Mega Gengar poses as a threat to Smeargle, as it can either use Taunt to prevent Sticky Web or use Substitute to prevent being paralyzed. Therefore, Smeargle must be used with the right predictions.
* If the opposing lead Pokemon is a setup user, Smeargle can get Sticky Web up first and then phaze it with Whirlwind.
* Against lead hazard removers, Smeargle can use Toxic Thread to lower their Speed and get Sticky Web set up while the foe is poisoned. This will pressure the foe into staying in against Smeargle to remove hazards, but it will lose out from poison in the long run.
* If Smeargle cannot set up Sticky Web due to lead matchup, it can help cripple the opposing lead Pokemon with its status moves.
Team Options
========
* Strong wallbreakers such as Swords Dance Mega Lucario, Swords Dance Rayquaza, and Calm Mind Primal Kyogre, which would otherwise struggle against offensive teams, can take advantage of Sticky Web by setting up.
* Since Smeargle's primary role is to set up Sticky Web, an offensive Stealth Rock setter like Primal Groudon and Necrozma-DM ensures that the entry hazard can be set up more than once, as opposing bulky offense and balance teams will attempt to get rid of Sticky Web. This means that the opposing team's defensive core will be vulnerable to the offensive pressure of trying to remove Sticky Web and will concede with either Stealth Rock, Sticky Web, or both for the duration of the battle.
* Ultra Necrozma benefits from Sticky Web, as it can outspeed threats like Mega Gengar. Its pre-Ultra Burst form can be either Necrozma-DM or Necrozma-DW depending on team composition. Necrozma-DM is able to be an offensive threat with Swords Dance without transforming into Ultra Necrozma, and Necrozma-DW can spinblock prior to transforming.
* Offensive Fairy-types like Choice Specs Xerneas can deal with crippled Yveltal, Mega Salamence, and Marshadow. Arceus-Fairy can set up with Calm Mind and provides another option for a Stealth Rock setter.
* Mega Diancie is a great teammate for Smeargle, as Magic Bounce covers most Taunt leads for Smeargle. Mega Diancie also has access to Stealth Rock and Explosion to complement Smeargle's Sticky Web and punch a hole into offensive teams early.
* Smeargle can cripple opposing threats with Nuzzle, which can slow down faster threats like Choice Scarf Yvetal, Geomancy Xerneas, Marshadow, and Deoxys-A that teammates can check or counter more easily.
* Taunt users like Yveltal can prevent opposing teams from potentially undoing Smeargle's entry hazards with Defog.
* On the other hand, Ghost-types like Marshadow and Mega Gengar can block Rapid Spin from opposing Excadrill and Smeargle.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Rapid Spin gives Smeargle the option to remove entry hazards, though this will risk Smeargle's Focus Sash breaking if it is still intact.
* Glare can be an alternative to Nuzzle but is shut down by Taunt.
* Spore is another status-inducing move Smeargle can use to cripple an opposing Pokemon, allowing its teammates to easily set up while the foe is asleep.
* Once Smeargle's HP is reduced to the bare minimum, Endeavor can cripple opposing threats and walls for its teammates to revenge kill.* Magic Coat can help Smeargle against opposing Taunt, entry hazard setting, and status infliction.
* Toxic Spikes can used as an alternative entry hazard, though Stick Web and Stealth Rock are more valuable to hyper offensive playstyles.
* Memento can be used to cripple opposing offensive threats once Smeargle uses up its Focus Sash.
* Stealth Rock can be an alternative to Sticky Web, as it damages Flying-types such as Yveltal and Ho-Oh.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt**: Taunt is Smeargle's worst nightmare in the lead matchup and can shut it down. However, opposing Taunt users like Yveltal and Mega Gengar can be susceptible to Nuzzle.
**Rapid Spin Users**: Excadrill can undo Smeargle's Sticky Web with Rapid Spin and is immune to Nuzzle and Toxic Thread. Cloyster can also fulfill the same role but must be wary of Nuzzle and Toxic Thread.
**Substitute Sweepers**: Substitute sweepers such as Arceus-Ground and Zygarde cannot be touched by Nuzzle and are very threatening if Smeargle lacks Whirlwind. Both can set up with their respective moves and can be problematic for the rest of the team to deal with.
**Magic Bounce**: Magic Bounce users such as Mega-Sableye and Mega Diancie can easily deflect the majority of Smeargle's moveset. However, Nuzzle can easily cripple them.
**Flying-types and Levitate Users**: Flying-types like Yveltal and Mega Salamence and Levitate users like Giratina-O are immune to Smeargle's Sticky Web. Mega Salamence threatens Sticky Web teams with the Dragon Dance + Refresh set and is one of the most effective Defoggers.
**Faster Pokemon**: Smeargle's base 75 Speed stat means that it is vulnerable to faster Pokemon like Yveltal and Excadrill that can pressure it with status or hazard removal. However, Focus Sash guarantees that Smeargle sets up at least one entry hazard.
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