Hiya!

Well, the Season 3 Pokemon League promo is a Smeargle. Now, at first the card
looks pretty crappy. The attack doesn't do ANY damage, requires a coin flip,
and YUCK! It only has 40 HP. It even has a retreat cost!

I'll admit, Smeargle may not seem to useful, but I think it will work well in
stall decks.
Smeargle's only attack, Paint, allows you to flip a coin, and if you get
heads, you change the type of one of your opponent's Pokemon.  This could be
useful in a number of ways:

1) Resistance: Let's say that the current Pokemon you're powering up is a
Wigglytuff, and the opponent is a Machamp. If you were to use Smeargle first,
you could change Machamp into a Psychic card, and you would now take 30 less
damage

2) Darkness and Metal Energies: Sneasel is a popular card. The negative side
effect of the Darkness Energy doesn't effect Sneasel, since it's a Dark
Pokemon. But say, Smeargle changed Sneasel to a water Pokemon. Then, Sneasel
will lose damage from the Darkness Energies! With 60 HP, Sneasel won't last
for much longer.  Likewise, you could use this to change one of your own
Pokemon into a Dark or Metal type so that you don't suffer the negative side
effects.

But, with the low HP, Smeargle will often play the part of the sacrificial
lamb. If you REALLY wanted to keep Smeargle alive, you could put some Metal
Energies on him. Scoop up wouldn't be too bad either. Although, a Recycle
energy would be ideal, since Smeargle could use it to Retreat, and then use
it again to attack.

I really don't think we'll see Smeargle in too many big tournaments, but it's
a nice card to use in casual play. So, get those 500 points and earn two
Smeargles right away!

Tom-

Questions? Comments? You actually agree with me!?
E-mail me at Ryoga95@aol.com

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it's junk mail and delete it.  Thank you for taking the time to read this!