[OVERVIEW]
*Smeargle is the best suicide Sticky Web setter in Ubers.
*Its near-infinite utility options and decent speed gives it an edge over Shuckle.
*However, it relies on its Focus Sash to survive hits due to its pathetic bulk.
*A lack of offensive presence makes Smeargle easy setup fodder and Taunt bait.
*Finally, low overall stats forces Smeargle to run a suicide lead set in order to have any sort of viability in the Ubers tier.
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Setter
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Nuzzle
move 3: Spore
move 4: Rapid Spin / Skill Swap / Taunt
item: Focus Sash
ability: Own Tempo
nature: Timid
evs: 80 HP / 96 Def / 80 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
*Sticky Web is the only reason to use Smeargle, and lowers the speed of grounded opponents.
*Nuzzle cripples taunt users such as Mewtwo and Yveltal, as well as Mega Diancie, which counters Smeargle otherwise. It also halves the opposing Pokemon's speed, which can sometimes allow Smeargle to use Sticky Web the next turn.
*Spore cripples everything thats not a Grass-Type and lets you get up Sticky Web for free.
*Rapid spin clears hazards set by the opponent, preventing unnecessary chip damage to your team.
*Skill Swap prevents Smeargle from being useless versus Mega Sableye, as it can Spore Sableye or get Sticky Web versus it after removing its Magic Bounce.
*Taunt prevents defoggers such as Giratina and Yveltal from clearing your Sticky Web away. It also can prevent opposing hazard setter.
Set Details
========
*Max Speed is mandatory for outspeeding opposing leads such as Primal Groudonn, defensive Ho-oh, and defensive Yveltal, while also speed tying with other Smeargles.
* A Timid nature is preferred to minimize Foul Play damage and to maximize Speed.
* The given EV spread maximizes Smeargle's bulk, allowing Smeargle to survive weaker hits such as Defensive Primal Groudon's Lava Plume most of the time, and two Lugia's Ice Beams.
*Own Tempo is Smeargle's only useful ability and can prevent Marshadow's Swagger, but generally won't come into play.
*Focus Sash allows Smeargle to take at least one hit and get up Sticky Web or Nuzzle, and is mandatory due to Smeargle's pathetic bulk.
Usage Tips
========
*Smeargle should almost always be a lead as setting Sticky Web should be prioritized.
*Use Nuzzle on predicted taunts from the likes of Yveltal, Mewtwo, and Tapu Lele
*Spore Pokemon slower than Smeargle such as Necrozma-DM, defensive Groudon, and defensive Ho-oh, but be wary of Sleep Talk users such as Primal Kyogre.
*If your opponent has a Diancie, lead with something that can beat it such as Primal Groudon, then double into Smeargle as they switch out their Diancie.
*Once Sticky Webs are up, don't preserve Smeargle because it could be setup fodder for your opponent.
Team Options
========
*Smeargle fits best on hyper offense teams. As such, Smeargle's best teammates are generally hard-hitting offensive Pokemon.
*Slower Pokemon that rely on setup are the best teammates because they can take full advantage of Sticky Web.
*Offensive Primal Groudon can set Stealth Rock, and benefits from the opponent's lowered Speed. Other varients of Groudon such as Mixed Rock Polish also work well.
*Arceus-Fairy can threaten Mega Salamence, Giratina-o, and Yveltal with Judgement, all of which can Defog away Sticky Web. It can then use them as Calm Mind fodder.
*Similarily, Xerneas can pressure the aforementioned Defoggers.
*Calm Mind Lunala takes advantage of support Arceus forms and can use them as setup bait.
*Dragon Dance users such as Rayquaza and Mega Gyarados can also take advantage of Defoggers.
*Mega Lucario outspeeds the entire unboosted tier with Sticky Web up, including fast Arceus formes, Marshadow, Choice Scarf Xerneas, and Mega Gengar, and can be difficult to revenge kill, especially when boosted.
*Finally, slower wallbreakers such as Kyurem-W, Zekrom, and Dusk Mane Necrozma make good partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
*Magic Coat stops Taunt
*Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes can be used, but Smeargle is inconsistent in getting up more than one hazard.
*Explosion and Memento can prevent Rapid Spin or Defog for one turn.
*Whrilwind is an option to phaze out predicted Substitute users that try to counterlead such as Kyogre.
*Toxic Thread can be used to slow down faster Defog users such as Arceus-Water and, combined with Taunt, can prevent the opponent from Defogging. It also poisons the opponent, chipping it down.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magic Bounce**: Mega Diancie and Mega Sableye prevent Smeargle from setting up Sticky Web. Mega Diancie doesn't like being paralyzed by Nuzzle however, and Mega Sableye can be beaten with Skill Swap.
**Substitute**: Substitute users such as Primal Kyogre, Ho-Oh, Mega Gengar, and Zekrom easily block Spore and Nuzzle from Smeargle, preventing Smeargle from crippling them.
**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Mega Gyarados, Yveltal, Mega Gengar, and Mewtwo prevent Smeargle from getting Sticky Web up. They must be wary of Nuzzle, however.
**Defog**: Defog users such as Arceus-Ground, Mega Salamence, and Giratina-O can remove Sticky Web.
**Mega Kangaskhan**: While uncommon, Mega Kangaskhan can easily outspeed and OHKO Smeargle through its Focus Sash with Body Slam due to Parental Bond.
*Smeargle is the best suicide Sticky Web setter in Ubers.
*Its near-infinite utility options and decent speed gives it an edge over Shuckle.
*However, it relies on its Focus Sash to survive hits due to its pathetic bulk.
*A lack of offensive presence makes Smeargle easy setup fodder and Taunt bait.
*Finally, low overall stats forces Smeargle to run a suicide lead set in order to have any sort of viability in the Ubers tier.
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Setter
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Nuzzle
move 3: Spore
move 4: Rapid Spin / Skill Swap / Taunt
item: Focus Sash
ability: Own Tempo
nature: Timid
evs: 80 HP / 96 Def / 80 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
*Sticky Web is the only reason to use Smeargle, and lowers the speed of grounded opponents.
*Nuzzle cripples taunt users such as Mewtwo and Yveltal, as well as Mega Diancie, which counters Smeargle otherwise. It also halves the opposing Pokemon's speed, which can sometimes allow Smeargle to use Sticky Web the next turn.
*Spore cripples everything thats not a Grass-Type and lets you get up Sticky Web for free.
*Rapid spin clears hazards set by the opponent, preventing unnecessary chip damage to your team.
*Skill Swap prevents Smeargle from being useless versus Mega Sableye, as it can Spore Sableye or get Sticky Web versus it after removing its Magic Bounce.
*Taunt prevents defoggers such as Giratina and Yveltal from clearing your Sticky Web away. It also can prevent opposing hazard setter.
Set Details
========
*Max Speed is mandatory for outspeeding opposing leads such as Primal Groudonn, defensive Ho-oh, and defensive Yveltal, while also speed tying with other Smeargles.
* A Timid nature is preferred to minimize Foul Play damage and to maximize Speed.
* The given EV spread maximizes Smeargle's bulk, allowing Smeargle to survive weaker hits such as Defensive Primal Groudon's Lava Plume most of the time, and two Lugia's Ice Beams.
*Own Tempo is Smeargle's only useful ability and can prevent Marshadow's Swagger, but generally won't come into play.
*Focus Sash allows Smeargle to take at least one hit and get up Sticky Web or Nuzzle, and is mandatory due to Smeargle's pathetic bulk.
Usage Tips
========
*Smeargle should almost always be a lead as setting Sticky Web should be prioritized.
*Use Nuzzle on predicted taunts from the likes of Yveltal, Mewtwo, and Tapu Lele
*Spore Pokemon slower than Smeargle such as Necrozma-DM, defensive Groudon, and defensive Ho-oh, but be wary of Sleep Talk users such as Primal Kyogre.
*If your opponent has a Diancie, lead with something that can beat it such as Primal Groudon, then double into Smeargle as they switch out their Diancie.
*Once Sticky Webs are up, don't preserve Smeargle because it could be setup fodder for your opponent.
Team Options
========
*Smeargle fits best on hyper offense teams. As such, Smeargle's best teammates are generally hard-hitting offensive Pokemon.
*Slower Pokemon that rely on setup are the best teammates because they can take full advantage of Sticky Web.
*Offensive Primal Groudon can set Stealth Rock, and benefits from the opponent's lowered Speed. Other varients of Groudon such as Mixed Rock Polish also work well.
*Arceus-Fairy can threaten Mega Salamence, Giratina-o, and Yveltal with Judgement, all of which can Defog away Sticky Web. It can then use them as Calm Mind fodder.
*Similarily, Xerneas can pressure the aforementioned Defoggers.
*Calm Mind Lunala takes advantage of support Arceus forms and can use them as setup bait.
*Dragon Dance users such as Rayquaza and Mega Gyarados can also take advantage of Defoggers.
*Mega Lucario outspeeds the entire unboosted tier with Sticky Web up, including fast Arceus formes, Marshadow, Choice Scarf Xerneas, and Mega Gengar, and can be difficult to revenge kill, especially when boosted.
*Finally, slower wallbreakers such as Kyurem-W, Zekrom, and Dusk Mane Necrozma make good partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
*Magic Coat stops Taunt
*Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes can be used, but Smeargle is inconsistent in getting up more than one hazard.
*Explosion and Memento can prevent Rapid Spin or Defog for one turn.
*Whrilwind is an option to phaze out predicted Substitute users that try to counterlead such as Kyogre.
*Toxic Thread can be used to slow down faster Defog users such as Arceus-Water and, combined with Taunt, can prevent the opponent from Defogging. It also poisons the opponent, chipping it down.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magic Bounce**: Mega Diancie and Mega Sableye prevent Smeargle from setting up Sticky Web. Mega Diancie doesn't like being paralyzed by Nuzzle however, and Mega Sableye can be beaten with Skill Swap.
**Substitute**: Substitute users such as Primal Kyogre, Ho-Oh, Mega Gengar, and Zekrom easily block Spore and Nuzzle from Smeargle, preventing Smeargle from crippling them.
**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Mega Gyarados, Yveltal, Mega Gengar, and Mewtwo prevent Smeargle from getting Sticky Web up. They must be wary of Nuzzle, however.
**Defog**: Defog users such as Arceus-Ground, Mega Salamence, and Giratina-O can remove Sticky Web.
**Mega Kangaskhan**: While uncommon, Mega Kangaskhan can easily outspeed and OHKO Smeargle through its Focus Sash with Body Slam due to Parental Bond.
Last edited: