Smeargle
Smeargle is a Normal-type Pokémon that can be caught through surprise encounters in GO Snapshot. It does not normally appear in the wild, hatch from Eggs or appear in raids.
To find Smeargle, take a photo of one of your Pokémon. Smeargle may photobomb the picture and then appear on the map near your location. Its unusual Sketch mechanic also allows it to copy the photographed Pokémon’s attacks.
Follow these steps to catch Smeargle:
- Open your Pokémon storage.
- Select any Pokémon.
- Tap the camera icon to open GO Snapshot.
- Take one photo.
- Exit the Snapshot session and check the photo gallery.
- If Smeargle appears in the photo, return to the map.
- Tap the Smeargle that appears near your location and catch it.
If Smeargle does not appear, start another Snapshot session and try again. You can continue photographing the same Pokémon, so there is no need to switch Pokémon after every attempt.
Smeargle can appear only in the first photo taken during a Snapshot session. Taking dozens of photos without leaving the session does not give you dozens of chances. The quickest method is to take one photo, exit, check it and start a new session.
A Smeargle photobomb is not guaranteed, and there is no officially published encounter rate. You may find it immediately or need to repeat the process several times.
GO Snapshot also works on devices that do not support full AR. The Pokémon will appear against a static background, but you can still trigger a Smeargle surprise encounter.
If Smeargle photobombs your Snapshot, it will appear behind or beside the Pokémon in the resulting photo.
After viewing the photograph, return to the map. Smeargle should appear close to your current location.
Keep the following rules in mind:
- You can normally trigger one Smeargle surprise encounter per day.
- Special events may allow several Snapshot encounters each day.
- Smeargle is not a guaranteed catch and can escape from Poké Balls or flee.
- Its level and IVs are random and are not copied from the photographed Pokémon.
- The Pokémon you photograph affects Smeargle’s attacks, but not its CP or IVs.
- Catch the map spawn promptly, as it will eventually disappear.
Some events feature a different Pokémon as the GO Snapshot surprise encounter. During those events, the featured Pokémon may replace Smeargle or reduce your opportunities to encounter it.
Smeargle
Shiny Smeargle is available in Pokémon GO, but it is normally restricted to specific events. If an event announcement does not explicitly mention Shiny Smeargle, you should assume that it cannot be encountered.
Shiny Smeargle first appeared during the New Pokémon Snap Celebration in April 2021. It has returned during selected events since then, sometimes with additional daily Snapshot encounters or an increased chance of finding the Shiny form.
The photobomb itself does not tell you whether Smeargle will be Shiny. You must open the encounter on the map to check it.
When Smeargle photobombs a Pokémon, it copies that Pokémon’s current Fast Attack and first Charged Attack. This is Pokémon GO’s version of Smeargle’s signature Sketch mechanic.
For example, photographing a Tyranitar with Smack Down and Brutal Swing can produce a Smeargle with Smack Down and Brutal Swing.
Smeargle can copy many legacy and event-exclusive attacks, which makes it possible to collect unusual move combinations. If you want a specific Smeargle moveset, photograph a Pokémon that already knows the two attacks you want.
There are some exceptions:
- Smeargle cannot unlock a second Charged Attack.
- It copies only the Pokémon’s first Charged Attack if two are unlocked.
- Certain special attacks cannot be copied and will be replaced by another eligible attack.
- If Hidden Power is copied, its type is determined separately for Smeargle and may not match the original Pokémon.
If you are targeting a particular moveset, take a Snapshot of only one Pokémon. This avoids any uncertainty when using the newer group Snapshot feature.
Smeargle has an enormous potential move pool, so repeatedly changing its attacks with TMs is not a practical way to target a specific combination. Photographing the correct Pokémon is much easier.
Smeargle is mainly a collector’s Pokémon. It has a maximum CP of only 487 at Level 50, very low Attack and Defense stats.
Even with a powerful or unusual moveset, Smeargle is not useful for raids, Gym Battles or most GO Battle League formats. It can occasionally appear in eligible Little Cup formats, where its unusual move combinations can make it an interesting novelty pick.
You can find its complete stats and CP chart on the Smeargle database page.
The Cameraman medal tracks surprise encounters triggered through GO Snapshot. It is not limited to Smeargle, so event photobombs featuring Pikachu or other Pokémon also count toward the medal.
You do not need to catch the Pokémon for the photobomb to count. The surprise encounter itself advances the medal.
| Medal | Required surprise encounters |
|---|---|
 |
Have surprise encounters in GO Snapshot |
| Bronze | 10 |
| Silver | 50 |
| Gold | 200 |
| Platinum | 400 |
How many Smeargle can you catch per day?
You can normally trigger one Smeargle surprise encounter each day. Special events may temporarily increase this limit.
Do you need AR to catch Smeargle?
No. Devices that do not support full AR can still take Pokémon photos using a static background and trigger Smeargle encounters.
Do you need to switch Pokémon after every photo?
No. You can repeatedly photograph the same Pokémon. What matters is starting a new Snapshot session after each unsuccessful attempt.
Can Smeargle appear after any photo?
Smeargle can only appear in the first photo of a Snapshot session. Take one photo, exit the session and try again.
Does Smeargle copy the photographed Pokémon’s IVs?
No. Smeargle’s CP, level and IVs are generated independently. Only the Pokémon’s Fast Attack and first Charged Attack are copied.
Is Shiny Smeargle always available?
No. Shiny Smeargle is usually available only during events that specifically announce its return.
