If you have been playing Roblox Fisch lately, you have probably heard players talking about Smudge. This little companion from the Shady Bazaar update has become one of the most discussed additions to the game, and for good reason. Our Smudge Fisch guide covers everything you need to know about what this companion does, how to get it, and whether it is actually worth your Shady Scrips.
Smudge is a companion pet in Fisch that does something no other companion can: it grants you random Trash fish mutated with the Sludged effect, which multiplies their value by 2.5 times. Every 1 to 2 minutes (45 to 90 seconds at max level), Smudge triggers and hands you a mutated fish. It also reduces fish movement speed by 20% during the fishing minigame, making catches significantly easier. Players on Reddit have been clear about one thing: Smudge is the only purchase worth making from the Shady Bazaar.
Before we get into the details, grab some free rewards with our list of working Fisch codes to help you build up currency faster. Now let us break down everything about this companion.
Table of Contents
What Is Smudge in Fisch?
Smudge is a companion pet introduced to Roblox Fisch in version 1.85.0 as part of the Shady Bazaar update. Unlike regular cosmetic pets that just follow you around, Smudge provides active gameplay benefits that directly affect your fishing experience. It is purchased from the Companion Dealer inside the Shady Bazaar for 25 Shady Scrips.
The companion system in Fisch lets players equip one companion at a time that follows them around and provides passive bonuses. Smudge stands out because it offers three distinct benefits rather than just one: the Sludged mutation effect on Trash fish, a reduction to fish movement speed during the fishing minigame, and bonus earnings when you are in the Shady Bazaar area. No other companion in the game currently offers this combination of passive and active advantages.
From what the community has shared on Reddit and in-game discussions, Smudge has quickly become the go-to companion recommendation. Multiple players have posted warnings about the Shady Bazaar update, saying things like “DO NOT BUY ANYTHING, THE ONLY GOOD THING IS THE SMUDGE PET.” That kind of consensus does not happen often in Fisch, and it tells you a lot about how players value this companion compared to the other items available.
The visual design of Smudge fits the Shady Bazaar theme perfectly. It has a sludgy, purple-tinted appearance that matches the mutation effect it grants to fish. When equipped, you will see it floating alongside your character, and its effects are clearly visible during gameplay through the purple fish indicator in the fishing minigame.
What Does Smudge Do in Fisch? (Full Ability Breakdown)
Smudge has three main abilities that work together to improve your fishing experience. Here is exactly what each one does with the specific numbers behind them.
Sludged Mutation on Trash Fish
The primary ability of Smudge is granting you random Trash fish from your current fishing location, mutated with the Sludged effect. This happens automatically every 1 to 2 minutes while you are playing. At max Companion XP level, the trigger interval drops to 45 to 90 seconds, meaning you get mutated fish more frequently.
The Sludged mutation applies a 2.5x multiplier to the fish value. Trash fish are normally the lowest-value catches in the game, but when they get the Sludged treatment from Smudge, their worth jumps up significantly. You will know when Smudge triggers because the fish it grants appears with a distinct purple visual indicator, separating it from your normal catches.
One important detail: Smudge grants Trash fish from your current location, not random fish from anywhere. This means the specific Trash fish you receive will match the biome or area you are fishing in. If you are in an area with more valuable Trash fish, the 2.5x multiplier makes each Smudge trigger even more rewarding.
Fish Movement Speed Reduction
Smudge also reduces fish movement speed by 20% during the fishing minigame. This is a huge quality-of-life improvement that makes the reeling mechanic noticeably easier. When a fish is fighting against you in the minigame, it moves 20% slower, giving you more time to react and keep your catch rate high.
This effect is always active as long as Smudge is equipped. You do not need to trigger it or wait for a cooldown. It works on every single fish you attempt to catch, from common catches to rare finds. For players struggling with faster or more aggressive fish in the minigame, this 20% reduction can be the difference between landing a catch and losing it.
The movement reduction stacks with your own skill and rod stats. If you are using a rod with good control stats and have Smudge equipped, fish in the minigame become significantly easier to manage. This is especially helpful when you are hunting rarer fish that tend to have erratic movement patterns.
Purple Fish Indicator in the Minigame
When Smudge is equipped, you will notice a purple fish bar that appears during the fishing minigame. Several players on Reddit asked “What does the purple fish bar thing do?” when the update first dropped. This purple indicator is Smudge’s visual signature, showing you that the companion is active and providing its benefits.
The purple fish represents the mutated fish that Smudge is working on granting you. It is not just cosmetic. It signals that the Sludged mutation system is running in the background, and you can expect to receive a mutated Trash fish at the next trigger interval. Think of it as a visual timer that confirms Smudge is doing its job while you fish.
Shady Scrips Earning
Smudge also helps you earn Shady Scrips when you are fishing in or near the Shady Bazaar area. Shady Scrips (abbreviated S$) are the special currency introduced with the Shady Bazaar update. You need them to purchase items from the Bazaar, including Smudge itself and any upgrades or future items that get added.
Having a companion that actively earns you more of the currency you spent on it creates a nice loop. Over time, Smudge effectively pays for itself through the Shady Scrips it generates, which you can then use for other purposes in the Bazaar.
How to Get Smudge in Fisch (Step-by-Step)
Getting Smudge requires you to visit the Shady Bazaar and spend Shady Scrips. Here is the exact step-by-step process.
Step 1: Access the Shady Bazaar. The Shady Bazaar is a special area added in version 1.85.0. You need to find the entrance, which is typically located through a specific portal or NPC in the main game world. Once you enter, you will see several vendors and the Companion Dealer.
Step 2: Earn 25 Shady Scrips. Smudge costs exactly 25 Shady Scrips (S$) from the Companion Dealer. You earn Shady Scrips by fishing in certain conditions, completing tasks related to the Shady Bazaar update, and through other Bazaar-specific activities. If you are just starting out, focus on the basic fishing tasks that award S$ to build up your balance.
Step 3: Find the Companion Dealer. Inside the Shady Bazaar, look for the Companion Dealer NPC. This is the specific vendor that sells companion pets, including Smudge. The dealer is usually positioned in a central area of the Bazaar and is easy to spot once you know where to look.
Step 4: Purchase Smudge. Interact with the Companion Dealer and select Smudge from the available companions. Confirm the purchase for 25 S$ and Smudge will be added to your companion inventory. From there, you can equip it through your companion slot.
Step 5: Equip Smudge. Open your companion menu and equip Smudge to your active companion slot. You will immediately see it appear next to your character and the purple effects will start showing during your next fishing session.
Once you have Smudge equipped, you might also want to check out how to get Olympian Devil for another valuable target to hunt with your new companion active.
How Smudge Works in Fisch (Mechanics Deep Dive)
Understanding the mechanics behind Smudge helps you get the most out of this companion. Here is a deeper look at how the timing, weather interactions, and systems work together.
Trigger Interval and Timing
Smudge operates on a trigger interval system. When you first get Smudge, it triggers every 1 to 2 minutes (60 to 120 seconds). This means roughly every minute or two, Smudge will grant you a Sludged Trash fish automatically. You do not need to do anything special to trigger it beyond having Smudge equipped and fishing.
As you level up Smudge through the Companion XP system, the trigger interval improves. At max level, the interval drops to 45 to 90 seconds. That is a significant improvement that means you get roughly 33% more mutated fish over the same fishing session. The exact timing within each range appears to be random, so you will not get a mutated fish at exactly the same moment every time.
Foggy Weather Bonuses
Foggy weather in Fisch provides additional bonuses when you have Smudge equipped. During foggy conditions, Smudge’s trigger interval gets shorter and the chance of receiving Sludged fish increases. This makes foggy weather the best time to fish with Smudge active, since you get more frequent triggers and better returns from each one.
If you see foggy weather rolling in while you are playing, drop what you are doing and get to fishing. The combination of Smudge’s base effects plus the foggy weather bonus creates the most efficient setup for earning mutated fish and Shady Scrips. Players who time their fishing sessions around foggy weather report noticeably faster progress with both Smudge leveling and currency earning.
The foggy weather interaction is one of the reasons Smudge is considered so valuable. Not every companion benefits from weather conditions, but Smudge takes direct advantage of fog, turning what might otherwise be a neutral or negative weather event into a profitable one.
How the Sludged Mutation Works
The Sludged mutation is a fish modifier that multiplies the affected fish’s value by 2.5 times. When Smudge grants you a Trash fish with this mutation, that fish is worth 2.5x what it would normally sell for. Trash fish caught at various locations have different base values, so the actual coin return varies depending on where you are fishing.
The mutation only applies to the Trash fish that Smudge grants you through its trigger ability. Your normal fishing catches are not affected by the Sludged mutation. You can identify mutated fish by their purple visual indicator, which distinguishes them from your regular catches in your inventory.
How to Level Up Smudge Fast in Fisch
Leveling Smudge through the Companion XP system improves its trigger interval and overall effectiveness. The max level companion has a significantly faster trigger rate (45 to 90 seconds vs 60 to 120 seconds at base level), so investing time into leveling is worth the effort.
Understanding Companion XP
Companion XP is earned passively while you fish with Smudge equipped. Every fish you catch contributes a small amount of XP toward Smudge’s progression. The more you fish, the more XP Smudge earns. There are no special actions required beyond simply fishing with the companion active.
The Companion XP curve increases as Smudge levels up, meaning each subsequent level requires more XP than the previous one. This is standard for progression systems in Roblox games, and it means the early levels come quickly while later levels take more dedicated fishing time.
Fastest Ways to Level Smudge
Fish during foggy weather. Foggy conditions boost Smudge’s effectiveness and appear to increase the rate of Companion XP earned. If foggy weather is active, prioritize fishing during that window for faster leveling.
Catch fish rapidly in high-density spots. Since every catch contributes Companion XP, the fastest way to level is to fish in locations where you can reel in catches quickly. Areas with common fish that are easy to catch in the minigame will give you more total catches per hour, which means more XP per hour.
Use Smudge’s 20% movement reduction to your advantage. The fish movement speed reduction Smudge provides actually helps you level it faster. Easier catches mean fewer failed attempts and more fish caught per session. This creates a positive feedback loop where having Smudge equipped makes the grinding process smoother.
Fish in the Shady Bazaar area. The Shady Bazaar zone appears to provide bonus Companion XP when you fish there with Smudge equipped. Since you also earn Shady Scrips in this area, fishing in the Bazaar gives you double benefits: XP for leveling Smudge and currency for future purchases.
Level Scaling Benefits
Each Companion XP level you gain with Smudge reduces the trigger interval slightly. The jump from base level to max level takes the interval from 60-120 seconds down to 45-90 seconds. That is roughly one additional mutated fish every 3 to 4 minutes, which adds up significantly over a long fishing session. Players who have maxed out Smudge report that the difference in trigger frequency is very noticeable and well worth the grinding investment.
Is Smudge Worth Buying in Fisch? (Honest Assessment)
The short answer is yes. Smudge is absolutely worth the 25 Shady Scrips it costs from the Companion Dealer. Here is a breakdown of why.
The community has been nearly unanimous in its praise for Smudge. On Reddit, players who have tested everything in the Shady Bazaar update consistently recommend Smudge as the top priority purchase. One player summed it up plainly: “The only good thing is the Smudge pet.” Compare that to the Shady Rod, which costs 400 million C$ and only has 600 max KG. Players have actively warned others against buying the Shady Rod while strongly recommending Smudge.
From a pure value perspective, Smudge pays for itself over time. The Sludged mutation grants fish worth 2.5x their normal value, and the triggers happen every 1 to 2 minutes (faster at max level). Over a typical fishing session, you will accumulate enough mutated fish and Shady Scrips to earn back your initial 25 S$ investment and then some.
The 20% fish movement speed reduction alone would make Smudge worth considering, since it improves every single catch attempt you make. Add the Sludged mutation passive income and the Shady Scrips earning potential, and you have a companion that provides value in three separate ways simultaneously.
The only reason to hesitate would be if you are extremely early in the game and 25 Shady Scrips represents a massive amount of your total currency. But even then, investing in Smudge early means you start benefiting from its effects sooner, and it helps you earn Scrips back faster. It is a snowball companion that gets better the longer you have it.
You can also time your sessions around special events for better results. Check the Fisch Admin Abuse schedule to plan your fishing around events that might boost your catches while Smudge is active.
Best Strategies for Using Smudge in Fisch
Now that you understand what Smudge does and how it works, here are the best strategies for getting maximum value from this companion.
Time Your Sessions Around Foggy Weather
Foggy weather is the single best condition for running Smudge. The trigger interval gets shorter, and the Sludged fish chances go up. If you are planning a fishing session, try to align it with foggy weather for the best returns. Check weather cycles in the game and plan accordingly.
Fish in Locations with Valuable Trash Fish
Since Smudge grants Trash fish from your current location, fishing in areas where the local Trash fish have higher base values means each Sludged mutation is worth more coins. Explore different fishing spots and take note of which locations have the most valuable Trash fish in their pools.
Combine with a High-Control Rod
Smudge’s 20% fish movement reduction stacks with your rod’s control stats. Using a rod with high control while Smudge is equipped makes the fishing minigame significantly easier. This combination is particularly effective when targeting rare fish with erratic movement patterns, since both the rod and the companion are working to slow the fish down.
Keep Smudge Equipped During Long Sessions
Smudge’s benefits are passive and continuous. There is no reason to unequip it during a fishing session unless you are switching to a different companion for a specific task. The longer Smudge stays equipped, the more triggers you get, and the more value you extract from the companion. Treat it as your default companion for general fishing.
Use the Shady Bazaar for Double Benefits
Fishing in or near the Shady Bazaar area lets you earn Shady Scrips from Smudge while also leveling the companion through Companion XP. This is the most efficient location for Smudge usage since you get both leveling and currency earning at the same time. Make the Shady Bazaar your home base when grinding with Smudge.
FAQ
What does Smudge do in Fisch?
Smudge is a companion in Fisch that grants you a random Trash fish mutated with Sludged (2.5x value) every 1 to 2 minutes. It also reduces fish movement speed by 20% during the fishing minigame, making catches easier. The trigger interval improves to 45 to 90 seconds at max Companion XP level.
How do you get Smudge in Fisch?
You can buy Smudge from the Companion Dealer inside the Shady Bazaar for 25 Shady Scrips (S$). Enter the Shady Bazaar through its portal in the main game world, find the Companion Dealer NPC, and purchase Smudge. Then equip it through your companion menu.
Is Smudge worth buying in Fisch?
Yes, Smudge is worth buying. The Fisch community widely considers it the best and only worthwhile purchase from the Shady Bazaar. It provides three separate benefits: Sludged mutations (2.5x fish value), 20% fish movement reduction, and Shady Scrips earning. Over time, Smudge pays for itself many times over.
How do you level up Smudge fast in Fisch?
To level Smudge fast, fish during foggy weather for bonus XP, fish in high-density spots for rapid catches, stay in the Shady Bazaar area for double benefits, and keep Smudge equipped during all sessions. Every fish caught contributes Companion XP toward Smudge’s level progression.
What is the Sludged mutation in Fisch?
The Sludged mutation is a fish modifier that multiplies the affected fish’s value by 2.5 times. When Smudge triggers, it grants you a Trash fish with this mutation applied. You can identify Sludged fish by their purple visual indicator in your inventory and during the fishing minigame.
Does Smudge work better during foggy weather in Fisch?
Yes, Smudge gets significant bonuses during foggy weather. The trigger interval becomes shorter, meaning you receive Sludged fish more frequently. Foggy weather is the best time to fish with Smudge equipped, as it maximizes both the number of mutated fish you receive and the overall value of your session.
Where is the Companion Dealer in Fisch?
The Companion Dealer is an NPC located inside the Shady Bazaar area. You need to enter the Shady Bazaar through its entrance in the main game world. Once inside, the Companion Dealer is typically found in a central area of the Bazaar. Interact with them to purchase Smudge for 25 Shady Scrips.
Wrapping Up Our Smudge Fisch Guide
This Smudge Fisch guide covers everything you need to know about one of the most useful companions in Roblox Fisch. From its Sludged mutation ability that gives you 2.5x value Trash fish every 1 to 2 minutes, to its 20% fish movement reduction that makes every catch easier, Smudge delivers consistent value that improves the more you use it.
The bottom line is simple: buy Smudge as soon as you can afford the 25 Shady Scrips, equip it immediately, and keep it active during all your fishing sessions. Prioritize foggy weather for the best results, fish in the Shady Bazaar for double benefits, and invest time in leveling it up for faster trigger intervals. Smudge is not just the best purchase from the Shady Bazaar. It is one of the best companions in all of Fisch, and every serious player should have one.