People love a good weird crossover. Honestly, it’s one of the best parts of the internet. You have Smeargle, this quirky, beret-wearing Pokémon that literally uses its tail as a paintbrush, and then you have the massive, epic, world-ending stakes of the Lord of the Rings. At first glance? It makes zero sense. But if you've spent any time in the fan-art community or looked at competitive Pokémon movesets lately, you’ll realize the connection is actually pretty deep.
It's a meme. It’s a creative challenge.
Smeargle is the "Painter Pokémon." Introduced in Generation II (Pokémon Gold and Silver), its entire identity revolves around the move Sketch. Basically, Smeargle can learn almost any move in the entire game. It's a blank canvas. Now, pair that with the visual aesthetics of Middle-earth. You have artists depicting Smeargle as Gandalf, painting the runes on Bilbo’s door, or perhaps more fittingly, Smeargle as a tiny, obsessed Gollum, but instead of a Ring, it’s chasing a Master Ball or a rare pigment.
The Artistic Collision of Smeargle and Middle-earth
Why do people keep drawing Smeargle in the Lord of the Rings universe?
It's the "Artist" archetype. Tolkien’s world is built on the idea of sub-creation—the act of making something new within a divine framework. Smeargle embodies that. I’ve seen some incredible digital paintings where Smeargle replaces the traditional scribes of Gondor. Imagine a Smeargle meticulously painting the White Tree of Gondor onto a shield. It fits the cozy, hobbity vibe perfectly.
But there is a darker side to this crossover, too.
Consider Smeargle as Saruman. Instead of a staff, it holds its paint-tipped tail. Instead of Uruk-hai, it’s sketching an army of Ditto. The community gets a kick out of these juxtapositions because they take a relatively "weak" Pokémon and put it in a position of immense power. It's the ultimate underdog story, which, let’s be real, is exactly what Lord of the Rings is about. Frodo is small. Smeargle is small. Both can change the course of the world.
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Competitive Play: The "One Ring" of Movesets
If we step away from the fan art for a second, there is a mechanical reason for the Smeargle Lord of the Rings comparison. In the world of competitive Pokémon (VGC), Smeargle is often viewed as a "utility lord." Because of Sketch, it can hold the "One Move" to rule them all in a specific meta.
Think about Dark Void before the nerfs. Smeargle was the gatekeeper.
It’s almost like the Ring of Power. The move Sketch gives Smeargle a level of versatility that is both seductive and dangerous for game balance. Game Freak has had to step in multiple times to nerf Smeargle's capabilities because it simply became too dominant. When one Pokémon can do everything, it loses its identity and becomes a vessel for the most broken mechanics in the game. Much like the Ring, the power of Sketch can be a burden to the game's competitive health.
The Lore of the "Painter" in Fantasy Settings
We don't talk enough about how Smeargle fits into the broader "bard" or "scribe" role found in Tolkien's writings. In the Silmarillion, the creation of the world is a song. In Pokémon, Smeargle creates through color.
There's a specific piece of fan lore that suggests Smeargle didn't just appear; it was "sketched" into existence by an ancient creator. This mirrors the way the Valar shaped Arda. When you see Smeargle in Lord of the Rings fan content, it's usually not just a gag. It’s often a commentary on the act of storytelling itself.
I remember seeing a thread on a forum years ago—this was probably back in the Smogon heyday—where users were debating which Pokémon would represent which member of the Fellowship.
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- Aragorn? Gallade.
- Legolas? Decidueye.
- Gimli? Probopass (maybe too on the nose).
- Smeargle? He’s the one recording the journey. He is the Samwise Gamgee of the art world.
Why This Crossover Persists in 2026
You might think a crossover between a 1999 Pokémon and a 1954 book series would have died out by now. It hasn't.
With the recent resurgence of interest in Middle-earth through various streaming adaptations and the constant evolution of Pokémon’s "Terastal" mechanics, the Smeargle Lord of the Rings vibe has found new life. People are now using AI-assisted art tools to generate hyper-realistic depictions of Smeargle in the Mines of Moria. The results are hauntingly beautiful.
There’s also a significant overlap in the collector communities. People who hunt for "The One Ring" 1-of-1 Magic: The Gathering card are often the same people hunting for a Shiny Smeargle with a perfect IV spread. The psychological drive is identical. It’s the hunt for the unique. The "Precious."
Technical Analysis of Smeargle's "Legendary" Status
Even though Smeargle has base stats that are, frankly, terrible (we're talking a base speed of 75 and HP of 55), it is treated with the reverence of a legendary. In a Lord of the Rings context, Smeargle is the "hidden king."
It doesn't look like much. It's a beagle with a hat.
But then it hits you with Spore. Or Follow Me. Or King's Shield (how appropriate). Suddenly, your Primal Groudon or your Mega Rayquaza is useless because this little painter outplayed you. This "David vs. Goliath" dynamic is what links Smeargle to the themes of Tolkien so effectively. You don't need to be a Balrog to win the war; you just need the right tools and a bit of luck.
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How to Build a "Lord of the Rings" Themed Team with Smeargle
If you're looking to actually bring this into your next playthrough or a casual battle, here is how you should kit out your Smeargle to honor the Fellowship.
- The "Gandalf" Smeargle: Focus on "magical" utility. Sketch moves like Light Screen, Reflect, and maybe a flash-bang move like Dazzling Gleam. Give it a Focus Sash so it survives the "Balrog" hit.
- The "Sauron" Smeargle: This is for the trolls. Sketch Dark Void (even with the accuracy drop), Mean Look, and Perish Song. It’s oppressive. It’s dark. It’s basically the Eye of Barad-dûr watching your opponent’s every move.
- The "Galadriel" Smeargle: High utility and healing. Wish, Protect, and Moonlight.
Actually, using Smeargle in this way makes the game feel like a tabletop RPG. You aren't just clicking buttons; you're playing a character. This roleplay aspect is why the Smeargle Lord of the Rings niche stays active on Reddit and Discord.
The Misconceptions About Smeargle’s "Art"
A common mistake people make is thinking Smeargle is just a gimmick.
"Oh, it's just for fun."
No. In the hands of a pro, Smeargle is a surgeon's scalpel. In the context of Middle-earth, Smeargle isn't the comic relief; it’s the strategist. It's Elrond in Rivendell, planning the moves three steps ahead. If you underestimate the Smeargle Lord of the Rings crossover as just "fan fiction," you're missing the point of why these two worlds harmonize. They both value the small things that can turn the tide of a great battle.
Final Actionable Steps for Fans and Players
If you want to dive deeper into this specific subculture, here’s how to do it without getting lost in the "Moria" of the internet.
- Check out the "Pokémon x Tolkien" tag on ArtStation. You will find some high-quality renders of Smeargle that go way beyond simple doodles.
- Try the "Smeargle Challenge" in Pokémon Scarlet or Violet. Capture a Smeargle and only allow it to "Sketch" moves that have a fantasy or medieval flavor (Swords Dance, Sacred Sword, etc.).
- Search for "Middle-earth Pokémon" ROM hacks. There are community-made versions of the games where the entire map is redesigned to look like the Shire, Bree, and Mordor. Smeargle often serves as an NPC that saves your progress.
The Smeargle Lord of the Rings connection isn't going anywhere. It represents the bridge between two of the most influential "world-building" franchises in history. Whether you are a competitive player looking for that "One Ring" strategy or an artist looking for a new muse, the Painter Pokémon in the land of Middle-earth is a concept that offers endless creativity.
Go find your own Smeargle. Give it a name like "Mithrandir." See where the journey takes you.