Smeargle
VGC Guide
The only Pokémon that can learn any move in the game. In VGC, that means Spore + Follow Me — putting one opponent to sleep while redirecting all attacks to itself, giving your partner a free turn to act.
Base Stats: Terrible Numbers, Infinite Moves
Smeargle's 250 BST is among the lowest in the game — every stat is essentially bad. 20 Attack and Sp. Atk mean it deals no meaningful damage. But this is entirely irrelevant, because Sketch lets Smeargle learn any move in the game, including moves exclusive to other Pokémon. In VGC, this means it can build move combinations no other support Pokémon can replicate.
Sketch: The Most Unique Mechanic in the Game
Opponent uses any move
Smeargle must let the opponent act first, using any move — damaging or status.
Use Sketch on that Pokémon
Sketch copies the last move the target used and permanently replaces itself. Can only be used once per field appearance.
Sketch is gone; new move is permanent
After copying, Sketch disappears from the move slot and the new move stays permanently. Switching out or fainting does not reset it.
Regulation I Legal Sets
Why Dark Void Was Banned
Dark Void is a 80% accurate sleep move that hits both opposing Pokémon simultaneously. When Smeargle Sketched it and paired with Prankster support in Gen 7, it created a near-unbreakable priority dual-sleep combination. Dark Void was permanently banned from VGC starting in the 2017 season and has remained banned in every format since, including VGC 2026 Regulation I.
Smeargle vs Amoonguss: Spore User Comparison
| Factor | Smeargle | Amoonguss |
|---|---|---|
| Spore (100% sleep) | ✓ Via Sketch | ✓ Natural learner |
| Fake Out | ✓ Natural learner | ✗ Cannot learn |
| Redirection (Follow Me / Rage Powder) | ✓ Sketch Follow Me | ✓ Natural Rage Powder |
| Bulk (HP) | 55 HP (extremely fragile) | 114 HP (very bulky) |
| Move Flexibility | Any move (Sketch) | Fixed movepool |
| Total BST | 250 | 490 |
- •Need Fake Out + Spore dual disruption
- •Want Sticky Web + Spore hazard combo
- •Need a unique move only Smeargle can access
- •Accept extreme fragility for move flexibility
- •Need reliable Spore + Rage Powder together
- •Team needs a bulky redirector that survives
- •Want high SpDef to absorb special hits
- •No need for Fake Out; bulk is more valuable
How to Counter Smeargle
Smeargle's defensive stats are so low (55 HP / 35 Def / 45 SpDef) that almost any hit KOs it without a Focus Sash. Knocking off the Sash (via Knock Off or Rock Blast) or breaking it on turn 1 is the most reliable counter.
Spore is a Grass-type move — all Grass-type Pokémon are completely immune to it. Common Grass-types like Amoonguss and Wo-Chien fully ignore Smeargle's Spore.
Safety Goggles item makes the holder immune to powder moves including Spore. Overcoat ability also blocks all powder moves. Both are hard counters to Smeargle's sleep strategy.
Taunt blocks all non-damaging moves, completely shutting down Smeargle's Spore, Follow Me, and support options. If Smeargle isn't running Mental Herb, a timely Taunt neutralizes it entirely.
Overcoat completely blocks all powder moves (Spore, Stun Spore, Sleep Powder, etc.). Pokémon with this ability — such as Cyclizar — are unaffected by any of Smeargle's powder-based support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Standard Reg I support Smeargle Sketches: Spore (100% accurate sleep), Follow Me (redirect attacks), Fake Out (priority disruption), and Protect. Some teams opt for Sticky Web or Nuzzle. The key advantage is having Fake Out and Spore in the same set — something Amoonguss cannot do.
No. Dark Void has been banned from VGC since the 2017 season (Gen 7 VGC) and has remained banned in every format since. Even if Smeargle Sketches Dark Void, it cannot be used in legal VGC 2026 Regulation I play.
Sketch permanently replaces itself with the last move the target used in battle. It can only be used once per field appearance because it disappears after use. Smeargle must let the opposing Pokémon use the target move first, then immediately use Sketch on it. Struggle and Sketch itself cannot be copied.
Smeargle's key advantage is Fake Out + Spore in one set — Amoonguss cannot learn Fake Out. Fake Out lets Smeargle disrupt before using Spore. However, Amoonguss has far greater bulk (114 HP vs 55 HP), Rage Powder, and a broader support movepool. Smeargle suits aggressive dual-disruption strategies; Amoonguss suits teams needing stable bulk and redirection.
Usage Rate & Meta Data
Spore bypasses accuracy checks entirely (100% hit rate). A sleeping Pokémon fails to act 100% of the turn it wakes, then has a 50% chance to remain asleep each subsequent turn — averaging ~1.5 lost actions per Spore, a massive tempo swing in VGC doubles.
Key Damage Calculations
Each Spore use costs the target ~1.5 turns of action. In VGC doubles, one action can mean the difference between a KO and survival; a 1.5-turn lead approximates a 4v3 action advantage for those turns.
With 55 HP and 35 Defense, Smeargle is OHKOed by virtually any attack. Focus Sash is non-negotiable — it guarantees at least one action (Spore or Follow Me). Once the Sash breaks, Smeargle's support window collapses.
Follow Me draws all opposing attacks to Smeargle, allowing a partner to freely Spore the other opposing Pokémon without interruption. The net result: one opponent's attacks are nullified while the other is put to sleep — effectively creating a 2-turn field advantage in a single turn.
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