Smeargle Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Smeargle in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Smeargle
Smeargle is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Normal typing. The best counter is Mega Blaziken (Mega) with Counter and Aura Sphere, dealing 85.125 DPS.
Smeargle can be defeated by a minimum of 2 trainers using optimal counters at level 40+. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win, especially if your team isn't fully powered up.
Type strategy: Smeargle is weak to Fighting -type attacks. Avoid using Ghost-type moves as Smeargle resists them. Focus your team on the highest DPS counters from the list below — even budget options without Shadow or Mega forms perform well in larger groups.
Top 3 counters: The strongest lineup against Smeargle is Mega Blaziken (85.125 DPS), Mega Lucario (83.833 DPS), and Shadow Blaziken (74.750 DPS).
Catching Smeargle: After defeating Smeargle, the catch encounter will have a CP between 220 and 252 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 274-314 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Smeargle from raids will have exactly 252 CP — look for that number! Use Golden Razz Berries and Excellent curveball throws to maximize your catch rate.
Quick Stats
Weak To
Best Counters
Budget Counters (No Shadow / No Mega)
Catch CP
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best counters for Smeargle?
The best counter for Smeargle is Mega Blaziken with Counter and Aura Sphere, dealing 85.125 DPS. Other top options include Mega Lucario (83.833 DPS) and Shadow Blaziken (74.750 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Smeargle?
Smeargle can be defeated by a minimum of 2 high-level trainers with optimal counters. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win. In public lobbies, 5-6 is a safe number.
What is Smeargle weak to?
Smeargle is weak to Fighting-type attacks. It resists Ghost-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Smeargle be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Smeargle's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Smeargle from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Smeargle from raids will have 252 CP at level 20, or 314 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 220. If you see 252 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Smeargle worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Smeargle is a lower-tier raid boss that can be soloed or defeated easily with 1-2 trainers. It's useful for farming candy, earning XP, and potentially getting a high-IV specimen. Worth doing when convenient, but doesn't require spending Premium Passes.
What is the best moveset for Smeargle?
For the best moveset for Smeargle itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Smeargle stats page which includes optimal fast and charged move combinations for both PvE raids and PvP GO Battle League, along with DPS calculations and PvP rankings.
Can I beat Smeargle without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Smeargle can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Pheromosa (66.074 DPS) and Lucario (64.333 DPS). You may need 5-6 trainers instead of the minimum 2 when using budget teams. Check the Budget Counters section above for the full F2P-friendly list.
What weather boosts Smeargle in raids?
Weather boost information for Smeargle is not currently available. Normal-type Pokemon are typically boosted in specific weather conditions. When weather boosted, the raid is harder but the catch encounter is level 25 with higher CP.