Smeargle VS Sableye in Gyarados

[kwisdumb]

I'm always 100% certain that 4 Sableye and 1 Smeargle is the best option. Sableye is undoubtedly your better starter, but Smeargle isn't a terrible starter either, nor is it a bad card to have in general. 4 Sableye 0 Smeargle seems strictly worse, and 4 Sableye 2 Smeargle seems like too many Smeargle. Anything less than 4 Sableye is incorrect, imo.

 

[cmak37]

I like Sableye, but I don't like the fact that when you Impersonate for 3 Karps/whatever my opponent can just Judge/Looker's them away. Also, sometimes I'd much rather go 2nd. I know that you don't always hit what you want with Smeargle, but when you do (it's not hard at all to hit a useful supporter IMO) it's so much better than having to wait a turn with Sableye.

You should definitely still run Sableye, but I almost prefer a higher Smeargle count than Sableye count. That's just my opinion.

 

[luxray master2]

well ive always prefered sableye(i havent played g does but ive played sablock and chenlock)because like a few other people have said its to risky

 

[FLCLFANMAN]

I dont see the point of running smeargle over Sableye. Even teching i seems like a waste since its random/situational. I'd rather sub in a (LA) Ditto for the Mirror.

 

[Raen]

I dont see the point of running smeargle over Sableye. Even teching i seems like a waste since its random/situational. I'd rather sub in a (LA) Ditto for the Mirror.

Really? Smeargle can be a game changer, and quite often in fact, especially in the mirror. Take this for example: I was playing a top 4 match against mirror. At this point, I didn't play Smeargle, but my opponent did. I had an amazing set up, he didn't. However, he did get his Smeargle out. Using Portrait, he proceeds to use my Twins and save his set up. The next game we play goes essentially the exact same way. He used his own Twins after using mine at one point, as well, and I lost those games due to that.

To sum up, I think ALL Gyarados lists should run at least one Smeargle. Smeargle is useful in ALL matchups, whereas something like Ditto isn't.

 

[Physics Squirrel]

Really? Smeargle can be a game changer, and quite often in fact, especially in the mirror. Take this for example: I was playing a top 4 match against mirror. At this point, I didn't play Smeargle, but my opponent did. I had an amazing set up, he didn't. However, he did get his Smeargle out. Using Portrait, he proceeds to use my Twins and save his set up. The next game we play goes essentially the exact same way. He used his own Twins after using mine at one point, as well, and I lost those games due to that.

To sum up, I think ALL Gyarados lists should run at least one Smeargle. Smeargle is useful in ALL matchups, whereas something like Ditto isn't.

Sorry to say it, but that's your fault.
When you get an early lead, you discard Twins like the plague. What you did instead was you let your opponent set up.

Smeargle, especially when your opponent can discard whatever two cards they want every turn, can be played around, which makes it much weaker than Sableye. Yes, you could get Judged, but things just as bad or worse can happen if you start Smeargle, including what often happens which is that your opponent doesn't start with a Collector, and when they draw one, they use it immediately and deny you the Portrait.

Sableye's pros definitely outweigh the cons. It's harder to say the same for Smeargle.

EDIT:
That doesn't mean I'm against playing a Smeargle or two in Gyarados. What I'm saying is that Sableye is uncontestedly the better starter for the deck, whether you whip out a mid-game Smeargle or not.

 

[FLCLFANMAN]

Smeargle is too situational for my tastes. If both players start with jank then you're boned. Sableye guarantees you a T1 supporter and set up.

I'm just getting back into the game, but Sableye+ Junk Arm spells HUGE trouble for your opp. come T2, especially if you surprise them by dropping the ditto in the Mirror.