Catching Pokémon is a core element of any Pokémon game, and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are no exception. While brute force can work, having a dedicated catcher Pokémon can significantly streamline your Pokédex completion and make acquiring rare Pokémon much less frustrating. This guide will delve into utilizing Smeargle, a uniquely versatile Pokémon, as your premier catcher in HeartGold, exploring move sets and strategies to maximize your capture rate.
Smeargle stands out due to its signature move, Sketch, which allows it to learn almost any move in the game permanently. This unparalleled flexibility means Smeargle can be tailored to handle virtually any catching scenario, adapting to different Pokémon types and encounter situations. While Pokémon like Gallade and Breloom are often recommended for catching, Smeargle’s customization offers a different approach, letting you combine moves in ways other Pokémon simply can’t.
One of the primary advantages of using a dedicated catcher is the ability to inflict status conditions, making Pokémon easier to catch. Among these, Sleep is arguably the most effective, and Smeargle has access to Spore, a 100% accurate sleep-inducing move learned from Parasect. This alone makes Smeargle a top-tier contender. Pairing Spore with False Swipe, a move that leaves the target Pokémon with 1 HP, is a classic combination for efficient catching. False Swipe is widely available via TM54, making it easily accessible for Smeargle to Sketch.
Beyond these essential moves, the discussion arises on what else can enhance Smeargle’s catching prowess in HeartGold. Moves like Mean Look and Ingrain are sometimes suggested, primarily to prevent legendary Pokémon from escaping or using Roar. However, their utility is limited. For most scenarios, putting the target to sleep with Spore effectively immobilizes them, rendering Mean Look somewhat redundant. Ingrain, meant to prevent Roar, offers minimal HP recovery and isn’t generally necessary.
A more universally useful move to consider is Taunt. Taunt prevents the target Pokémon from using status moves, which can be incredibly helpful against Pokémon that use moves like Recover, Protect, or even stat-boosting moves that prolong the battle and increase the risk of accidentally knocking them out. Taunt ensures that you maintain control over the encounter and can reliably inflict status and weaken the target.
Moves like Swords Dance might seem appealing to boost Smeargle’s Attack stat for False Swipe, but they are generally unnecessary. The goal is to weaken the Pokémon to 1 HP, and False Swipe achieves this consistently even with Smeargle’s modest Attack. Focusing on utility and control is more beneficial than offensive boosts.
Odor Sleuth is another move that comes up in discussions, allowing Smeargle to hit Ghost-type Pokémon with Normal-type moves like False Swipe. While useful in theory, the limited number of Ghost-type Pokémon you typically aim to catch in HeartGold outside specific locations like the Safari Zone makes Odor Sleuth less crucial. Covet, a move that steals items, is an interesting utility option but detracts from Smeargle’s primary role as a catcher. If you’re building a dedicated catcher, defensive or control-oriented moves generally offer more consistent value than item-stealing capabilities.
Considering these factors, a highly effective Smeargle moveset for catching Pokémon in HeartGold would include:
- Spore: For reliable sleep status.
- False Swipe: To weaken Pokémon to 1 HP.
- Taunt: To prevent status moves and maintain control.
- Odor Sleuth / Filler (e.g., Protect): Odor Sleuth for Ghost-types if desired, or Protect for added safety and scouting movesets.
This set provides a robust foundation for catching most Pokémon in HeartGold. Spore and False Swipe are the core, Taunt adds crucial utility, and the final slot offers flexibility depending on your specific needs or preferences.
While Breloom and Gallade are excellent dedicated catchers, Smeargle’s unparalleled movepool allows for a uniquely customizable experience. By carefully selecting moves like Spore, False Swipe, and Taunt, you can create a highly effective catcher tailored to your HeartGold adventure. Experiment with different move combinations and find what works best for your playstyle to truly master Pokémon catching in HeartGold.
