For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #234: Stantler	Pokémon	#236: Tyrogue →

Smeargle Painter Pokémon ドーブル Doble #235 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Normal
Abilities Own Tempo or Technician Moody Hidden Ability
Gender ratio     50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 45 (11.9%)
Breeding Egg Group Field Hatch time 5140 - 5396 steps
Height 3'11" 1.2 m	Weight 127.9 lbs. 58.0 kg
Base experience yield 106 Gen. II-IV 88 V+	Leveling rate Fast
EV yield Total: 1 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 1 Speed
Shape	Footprint
Pokédex color   White	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Smeargle (Japanese: ドーブル Doble) is a Normal-type Pokémon introduced in Generation II.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

Smeargle is best known for its ability to use the move Sketch, which permanently copies the last move used by the opponent. Due to this, it can legitimately have any move in the Pokémon games except for Chatter, Struggle, and Shadow moves. As a result of this, it can pass on any Egg Move to Pokémon in the Field Egg Group.

Biology

Smeargle is a bipedal, beagle-like Pokémon with white and brown fur. It has a long tail with an end resembling a paintbrush. This paintbrush oozes with paint, and the color of the paint may vary for each Smeargle, as well as change in hue corresponding to its emotions. Sprites from the games depict green, brown, and red, while the anime also shows yellow and blue. Smeargle has a footprint on its back that is the same color as the tip of the tail. The mark is placed on Smeargle's back as sign of adulthood. Smeargle also has a round structure on its head with a point that resembles a beret. It has floppy, brown ears and a brown collar on its neck. The rings encircling Smeargle's eyes are also brown, as are Smeargle's eyelids. Its arms have two brown bands, and its legs have only one. Each of its limbs have three digits.

Smeargle will use the paint to mark its territory. There are over 5,000 known different marks Smeargle uses. There are Smeargle fanatics who will pay big money for owning one. It can also use its signature move, Sketch, to copy moves from other Pokémon. Smeargle is often found in urban areas filled with graffiti.

In the anime

Main series

 

Smeargle in the anime

 

Sugimori reference sheet for the anime

Major appearances

In Pikachu & Pichu, a Smeargle was part of the Pichu Brothers Posse. It also appeared in episodes of Pokémon Chronicles.

In The Art of Pokémon, Jack Pollockson's three Smeargle were vandalizing the town of Whitestone in an effort to spread Pollockson's art, and became targeted by Team Rocket.

In Crystal-Clear Sleuthing!, a Smeargle costars with its Trainer Laki on the television series Alolan Detective Laki. It made further appearances in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon.

In Smashing with Sketch!, Ilima's Smeargle competed in the Pokémon Ping-Pong tournament and eventually won.

A Smeargle appeared in The Power of Us, under the ownership of Toren.

Minor appearances

In All Things Bright and Beautifly!, a Coordinator's Smeargle competed in the Rustboro Contest.

In Gonna Rule The School!, the Pokémon Trainers' School lent a Smeargle to the school's underage students for use in lessons.

A Smeargle appeared in The Unbeatable Lightness of Seeing!.

In Getting the Pre-Contest Titters!, a Smeargle was working in a nail salon.

A Smeargle appeared in Giratina & The Sky Warrior, under the ownership of Sylvan.

A Smeargle appeared in Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!.

A Smeargle appeared in A Blustery Santalune Gym Battle!.

A Smeargle appeared in Clemont's Got a Secret!.

A Smeargle appeared in A Jolting Switcheroo!.

A Smeargle appeared in Awakening the Sleeping Giant.

A Smeargle appeared in Mega Evolution Special I.

A Smeargle appeared in A Battle by Any Other Name!.

Two Smeargle appeared in Heroes - Friends and Faux Alike!.

A Smeargle appeared in The Cave of Trials!.

A Smeargle appeared in Dreaming a Performer's Dream!.

A Trainer's Smeargle appeared in A Performance Pop Quiz!.

A Trainer's Smeargle appeared in A Giga Battle with Mega Results!.

In Party Dancecapades!, a Performer's Smeargle attended Monsieur Pierre's dance party.

In Master Class Choices!, a Performer's Smeargle competed in the Fleurrh Showcase. In Master Class is in Session! and Performing a Pathway to the Future!, it competed in the Gloire Showcase.

A Trainer's Smeargle appeared in A League of His Own!.

A Trainer's Smeargle appeared in The First Day of the Rest of Your Life!.

A Trainer's Smeargle appeared in Till We Compete Again!.

Two Trainers' Smeargle appeared in Alola to New Adventure!.

Two Trainers' Smeargle appeared in A Shocking Grocery Run!.

A Trainer's Smeargle appeared in One Journey Ends, Another Begins....

Four Trainers' Smeargle appeared in Getting the Band Back Together!.

A Trainer's Smeargle appeared in A Glaring Rivalry!. It reappeared in a flashback in A Masked Warning!.

In Securing the Future!, a Trainer's Smeargle joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its true form.

In Battling on the Wing!, a Trainer's Smeargle watched the battles during the Manalo Conference. Another Trainer's Smeargle was waiting in line for Team Rocket's food truck.

A Smeargle appeared in a fantasy in The Final Four!.

A Trainer's Smeargle appeared in Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues!.

A Trainer's Smeargle appeared in Sword and Shield: Slumbering Weald!.

Pokédex entries

GOTCHA!

A Smeargle briefly appeared in GOTCHA!, under the ownership of Ilima.

In the manga

 

Smeargle in Pokémon Adventures

Ash & Pikachu

Two Smeargle appeared in Searching For The Color Of Miracles.

How I Became a Pokémon Card

Smeargle appeared in PW30.

Magical Pokémon Journey

A Smeargle appeared in Clefairy's Blue Period.

Pokémon Adventures

In Murkrow Row, a Smeargle was in Joey's bag after Gold helped him get it back.

Prior to Smeargle Smudge, Whitney gave her Smeargle, nicknamed Smea-Smea, to DJ Mary. It painted on Gold's face while he was asleep and battled his Pokémon before running back to DJ Mary at the Goldenrod Radio Tower, where Gold eventually found it. Prior to Out-Odding Oddish, Smea-Smea was returned to Whitney.

In The Last Battle XIII, a Smeargle was sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.

In A Sketchy Smattering of Smeargle, multiple Smeargle were found in Artisan Cave.

Starting in A Cheeky Charizard Change-Up II, Noland has three Smeargle he caught in the Artisan Cave because they had copied Jirachi's Wish. He decided to use it to search for Jirachi.

A Smeargle appeared in Deprogramming Porygon-Z, under the ownership of an Artist.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

A Smeargle appeared in Tyrogue the Artist!!.

Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire

A Smeargle appeared in I Won't Let You Lead!!, Rare Pokémon!!, and Clefairy Becomes A Work Of Art!.

Professor Oak owns a Smeargle in Annual Big Cleaning Operation!!.

A Smeargle appeared in Clefairy Becomes A Work Of Art!.

In the TCG

Main article: Smeargle (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Smeargle appears as a Spirit.

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: After rescuing Smeargle from Howling Forest, it will join the team and change the rescue base's flag on request.
• Pokémon Channel: A Smeargle appears in a television program called Smeargle's Art Study. He will rate the painting hanging on the player's bedroom wall, namely a picture the player made.
• Pokémon Black 2 and White 2: A unique Smeargle with a bowtie appears as the opposing side's Pokémon in the Love and Battles series.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

In events

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Events*		Silk Scarf (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Learnset

Side game data

Pokémon Trozei! Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team   Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 6.8% Friend Area: Sky Blue Plains Phrases 51%-100% HP Would you like me to paint? Art is an explosion of passion and talent! 26%-50% HP Pay attention, please! My health is down by half! 1%-25% HP I've had it... My tail feels too heavy to hold... Level up Ah! Leveled up! Perhaps my artistry has blossomed more?
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 6.8% IQ group: F
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Normal Poké Assist: (present) Normal Field move: (present) (Tackle ×2) Not available in the past. Browser entry R-235 It lets loose shock waves to attack.
Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ● Defense ● Speed ●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 1.67 seconds Base HP: 49   Base Attack: 62 Base Defense: 45 Base Speed: 60
Pokémon Battle Trozei Normal Attack Power: ★★★★★			Pokémon Shuffle Normal Attack Power: 30 - 120  20 #182 Block Smash Clears one unbreakable-block disruption without fail. Skill Swapper: Nap Time, Super Cheer, Double Normal, Transform
Pokémon GO Base Stamina: 146 Base Attack: 40 Base Defense: 83 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: N/A Fast Attacks: Collapse Tackle, Fury Cutter, Bug Bite, Bite, Sucker Punch, Dragon Breath, Thunder Shock, Spark, Low Kick, Karate Chop, Ember, Wing Attack, Peck, Lick, Shadow Claw, Vine Whip, Razor Leaf, Mud Shot, Ice Shard, Frost Breath, Quick Attack, Scratch, Pound, Cut, Poison Jab, Acid, Psycho Cut, Rock Throw, Metal Claw, Bullet Punch, Water Gun, Splash, Mud-Slap, Zen Headbutt, Confusion, Poison Sting, Bubble, Feint Attack, Steel Wing, Fire Fang, Rock Smash, Counter, Powder Snow, Charge Beam, Volt Switch, Dragon Tail, Air Slash, Infestation, Struggle Bug, Astonish, Hex, Iron Tail, Fire Spin, Bullet Seed, Extrasensory, Snarl, Hidden Power, Take Down, Waterfall, Yawn, Present, Smack Down, Charm, Lock-On, Thunder Fang, Ice Fang, Gust, Incinerate Charged Attacks: Collapse Struggle, Wrap, Hyper Beam, Dark Pulse, Sludge, Vise Grip, Flame Wheel, Megahorn, Flamethrower, Dig, Cross Chop, Psybeam, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Ice Punch, Discharge, Flash Cannon, Drill Peck, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Heat Wave, Aerial Ace, Drill Run, Petal Blizzard, Bug Buzz, Poison Fang, Night Slash, Bubble Beam, Submission, Low Sweep, Aqua Jet, Aqua Tail, Seed Bomb, Psyshock, Ancient Power, Rock Tomb, Rock Slide, Power Gem, Shadow Sneak, Shadow Punch, Ominous Wind, Shadow Ball, Magnet Bomb, Iron Head, Thunder Punch, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Twister, Dragon Pulse, Dragon Claw, Disarming Voice, Draining Kiss, Dazzling Gleam, Moonblast, Play Rough, Cross Poison, Sludge Bomb, Sludge Wave, Gunk Shot, Bone Club, Bulldoze, Mud Bomb, Signal Beam, X-Scissor, Flame Charge, Flame Burst, Fire Blast, Water Pulse, Hydro Pump, Psychic, Icy Wind, Fire Punch, Solar Beam, Leaf Blade, Power Whip, Air Cutter, Hurricane, Brick Break, Swift, Horn Attack, Stomp, Hyper Fang, Body Slam, Close Combat, Dynamic Punch, Focus Blast, Aurora Beam, Wild Charge, Zap Cannon, Avalanche, Brave Bird, Sky Attack, Sand Tomb, Rock Blast, Silver Wind, Night Shade, Gyro Ball, Heavy Slam, Overheat, Grass Knot, Energy Ball, Future Sight, Mirror Coat, Outrage, Crunch, Foul Play, Surf, Draco Meteor, Psycho Boost, Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn, Hydro Cannon, Last Resort, Meteor Mash, Brine, Scald, Psystrike, Doom Desire, Weather Ball (Fire), Weather Ball (Ice), Weather Ball (Water), Skull Bash, Acid Spray, Earth Power, Crabhammer, Lunge, Octazooka, Mirror Shot, Superpower, Fell Stinger, Leaf Tornado, Shadow Bone, Muddy Water, Blaze Kick, Power-Up Punch, Giga Impact, Synchronoise, great Sword, Flying Press, Aura Sphere, Payback, Rock Wrecker, Aeroblast, Techno Blast (Normal), Techno Blast (Fire), Techno Blast (Ice), Techno Blast (Water), Techno Blast (Electric), Fly, V-compose, Tri Attack

• In Pokémon GO, Smeargle may spawn after photobombing a Pokémon while taking its picture with the AR Camera.
• Smeargle will know the same moves as the Pokémon it photobombed. If the Pokémon knows two Charged Attacks, Smeargle will learn the one in the first slot. If that Pokémon knows a move Smeargle cannot learn, Smeargle will have a random move instead.
• Smeargle cannot learn a second Charged Attack, even if the photobombed Pokémon has one.
• Smeargle currently cannot use a TM to change its moves.

Evolution

Unevolved Smeargle  Normal

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation II   Gold   Silver   Crystal         Front Back   Front Back   Front Back
Generation III   Ruby Sapphire   Emerald   FireRed LeafGreen         Front Back   Front Back   Front Back
Generation IV   Diamond Pearl   Platinum   HeartGold SoulSilver         Front Back   Front Back   Front Back
Generation V   Black White   Black 2 White 2     Front Back   Front Back
Generation VI   X Y   Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire     Front Back   Front Back
Generation VII   Sun Moon   Ultra Sun Ultra Moon     Front Back   Front Back
Generation VIII   Sword Shield 400px 400px   HOME

 For other sprites and images, please see Smeargle images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

Other sprites

Sprite from Pokéstar Studios

Trivia

• Due to its signature move Sketch, Smeargle can legitimately know almost any move, giving it a number of distinctions:
  • Smeargle can pass down any Egg Move combination to any Pokémon in the Field Egg Group. This was important in Generations II to V, when only the father could pass down Egg Moves.
  • Hidden Power-evaluating NPCs cannot identify the type of Smeargle's Hidden Power even if Smeargle possesses the move, due to being unable to use the TM for it.
  • Smeargle is able to Sketch Hyperspace Fury, but the move will always fail when used by Pokémon other than Hoopa Unbound.
  • Smeargle is able to Sketch Dark Void, but starting in Pokémon Sun and Moon, the move will always fail when used by Pokémon other than Darkrai.
  • Smeargle is able to Sketch Mind Blown, and will successfully fling a Blacephalon head when used. The head will also be Shiny if the Smeargle is Shiny.
• Smeargle is the only Pokémon capable of learning the same move by leveling up more than four times—some Pokémon have the same move available at level 1 as well as by leveling up, while Smeargle has the same move available ten times as it levels up.
• In the anime, Smeargle have been seen with different colored-tipped tails.
  • This is also the case in Pokémon Stadium 2, where they also have differently-colored backs.
• In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team mission "Smeargle's Desperate Plea", even though the Smeargle refuses to have a paw painted onto its back, the paw print is nonetheless present on its sprite.
• In Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Smeargle's tail has a brown tip in its normal coloration (as it was in Generation II) instead of a green one, despite these games being part of Generation III. This is due to the games re-using models from Pokémon Stadium 2 for first and second-generation Pokémon.
• Because it's only ever capable of learning Sketch by level up, and being unable to learn any TM or HM move, Smeargle has both the smallest and the largest move pool out of any Pokémon.

Origin

Smeargle appears to be based on a beagle and a painter.

Name origin

Smeargle may be a combination of smear and beagle.

Doble may be a combination of dog and doodle or dabble (to splatter liquid, which could be a reference to paint being splattered). Doble also means double in Spanish, perhaps referencing Smeargle's ability to copy opponent's techniques.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning  Japanese ドーブル Doble From dog, doodle, dabble, and doble  French Queulorior From queue and colorier  Spanish Smeargle Same as English name  German Farbeagle From Farbe and beagle  Italian Smeargle Same as English name  Korean 루브도 Rubeudo From Louvre as in Musée du Louvre, dog, and 도 (圖) to, meaning "a picture"  Cantonese Chinese      Mandarin Chinese 圖圖犬 / 图图犬 Tútúquǎn Literally "Drawing dog", referring to its ability to paint

[hide]More languages  Hebrew סמירגל Smirgel Transcription of English name  Hindi स्मीयरगेल Smeargle Transcription of English name  Russian Смиргл Smirgl Transcription of English name  Thai โดเบิล Doboen Transcription of Japanese name

External links

← #234: Stantler

Pokémon

#236: Tyrogue →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.