Smeargle, the Painter Pokémon, stands out in Pokémon Heartgold for its unparalleled movepool versatility thanks to its signature move, Sketch. This allows trainers to create unique and effective builds, especially when it comes to catching wild Pokémon. While dedicated catchers like Breloom and Gallade are popular choices, Smeargle offers a customizable approach that can be tailored to specific needs in Heartgold.
One debated moveset for a catcher Smeargle includes Mean Look and Ingrain. Mean Look prevents Pokémon from fleeing, while Ingrain is suggested to avoid being swept by Legendaries or Roar from Roaming Pokémon. However, for general use, Spore is often considered superior to Mean Look, as putting a Pokémon to sleep effectively immobilizes it. A Pokémon like Wobbufett can also handle runners, offering an alternative strategy.
Moves like Swords Dance might seem appealing to boost Smeargle’s low Attack stat, but they aren’t strictly necessary for a catcher. Status conditions like sleep or paralysis, inflicted by moves such as Spore, already provide ample opportunity to whittle down a Pokémon’s health. False Swipe is crucial for this role, ensuring you don’t accidentally knock out the target Pokémon.
Odor Sleuth is another move to consider, allowing Smeargle to hit Ghost-type Pokémon, although Ghost types aren’t frequently encountered as catch targets in Heartgold outside of specific locations like the Safari Zone (where battles aren’t possible). Covet is a utility move that lets Smeargle steal items, adding another layer of usefulness, but might compete with space needed for essential catching moves.
Instead of Ingrain, Taunt could be a more broadly useful option. Ingrain’s HP recovery is minimal for Smeargle, and Taunt can prevent troublesome moves that hinder the catching process, like Roar or healing moves. For most standard Pokémon encounters in Heartgold, a combination of False Swipe and a status move like Spore is generally sufficient. Dedicated catcher setups become particularly relevant in specific scenarios, such as attempting to catch Legendaries with unique escape tactics or during self-imposed challenges like Poké Ball-only runs.
Ultimately, Smeargle’s strength lies in its ability to combine moves in ways that Pokémon with better stats cannot. While Breloom naturally learns Spore and False Swipe, Smeargle can incorporate these alongside other utility or defensive moves, creating a truly personalized catching Pokémon in your Heartgold adventure.
