Smudge is the standout companion pet from the Shady Bazaar update in Roblox Fisch, and it does something no other companion does. It hands you random Trash fish carrying the Sludged mutation, which multiplies their value by 2.5 times, and it makes the fishing minigame easier on top of that. If you have been hearing players push it as the only thing worth buying in the Bazaar, the buying process and its exact effects are below.
Quick answer: Enter the Shady Bazaar, earn 25 Shady Scrips (S$), then buy Smudge from the Companion Dealer and equip it from your companion slot.
What Smudge is and what it does in Fisch
Smudge is a companion pet added in version 1.85.0 as part of the Shady Bazaar update. Fisch lets you equip one companion at a time for passive bonuses, and Smudge stacks three benefits into a single slot instead of one. It has a sludgy, purple-tinted look that matches the mutation it grants, and you will see it floating beside your character once equipped.
| Effect | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sludged mutation | Grants a random Trash fish from your current location with a 2.5x value multiplier every 1 to 2 minutes (45 to 90 seconds at max level) |
| Fish speed reduction | Cuts fish movement speed by 20% during the minigame, always active while equipped |
| Shady Scrips earning | Adds Shady Scrips (S$) while you fish in or near the Shady Bazaar area |
The Sludged fish always come from the biome you are fishing in, so the mutated catch matches your current spot rather than pulling a random fish from anywhere. The speed reduction works on every catch, common or rare, and stacks with your rod’s control stats to make erratic fish much easier to reel in.
Requirements before you buy Smudge
- Access to the Shady Bazaar, the special area added in version 1.85.0.
- 25 Shady Scrips (S$), the currency introduced with the Shady Bazaar update.
- An open companion slot to equip Smudge after the purchase.
You earn Shady Scrips by fishing in certain conditions, completing Bazaar-related tasks, and through other activities tied to the area. If your balance is empty, focus on the basic fishing tasks that pay out S$ until you hit 25.
How to get Smudge in Fisch
You will know it worked when Smudge appears floating next to your character and a purple fish bar shows up during the minigame. That purple indicator confirms the Sludged system is running in the background and a mutated Trash fish is on the way at the next trigger.
How Smudge’s mechanics work
Trigger interval
Smudge runs on a timer. At base level it grants a Sludged Trash fish every 60 to 120 seconds with no input from you beyond fishing. The exact moment inside that window is random, so you will not get a fish at the same second every cycle.
Foggy weather bonus
Foggy weather shortens Smudge’s trigger interval and raises the chance of receiving Sludged fish. When fog rolls in, it is the most efficient time to fish with Smudge equipped, since you get more frequent triggers and better returns from each one. That weather interaction is a big part of why the companion is valued so highly.
The Sludged mutation value
The Sludged mutation multiplies a fish’s value by 2.5x. It only applies to the Trash fish Smudge grants through its trigger, not your normal catches. Because Trash fish have different base values by location, the actual coin return changes depending on where you fish. You can pick the mutated fish out of your inventory by its purple indicator.
How to level up Smudge faster
Smudge improves through the Companion XP system. At max level the trigger interval drops from 60 to 120 seconds down to 45 to 90 seconds, which is roughly 33% more mutated fish over the same session. That alone makes leveling worth the time.
Companion XP builds passively as long as Smudge is equipped. Every fish you catch adds a small amount toward its progression, with no special actions required beyond fishing. The fastest route is simply staying out and catching fish, and pairing those sessions with foggy weather speeds up both the leveling and your Shady Scrips income.
Because Smudge keeps earning Shady Scrips around the Bazaar, it slowly pays back the 25 S$ you spent on it, leaving you currency to put toward other purchases. For most players, that combination of a 2.5x mutation, a 20% slowdown on fish, and self-funding currency is what makes Smudge the one Shady Bazaar pickup that is hard to pass up.
