Overview
########
Sandile's unique STAB type combination is resisted by just two Pokemon in the entire LC metagame: Cottonee and Vullaby. Sandile has access to a powerful ability in Moxie. With Moxie, Sandile steadily gains strength when sweeping and becomes very powerful after a boost. Its movepool is also quite extensive, including moves such as Fire Fang and Aqua Tail. It is also quite fast, making it an effective Choice Scarf user. To top it all off, Sandile can provide useful Pursuit support. However, Sandile also has many weaknesses to many common types. Its lack of bulk also means it can't take priority hits, and it's even weak to a few priority moves such as Aqua Jet and Ice Shard. Sandile faces stiff competition from Pawniard and Drilbur as Dark- and Ground-type sweepers. It is also very easily worn down by status and entry hazards, and its lack of power before Moxie boosts also means that Sandile struggles to break through walls. Finally, Sandile lacks access to Knock Off, unlike other Dark-types.
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Fire Fang
move 4: Pursuit / Stone Edge
ability: Moxie
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 180 Atk / 76 Def / 236 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
========
Earthquake is a very powerful STAB move that Sandile can utilize to clean up weakened teams. Crunch adds to Sandile's great coverage, hitting Psychic-types hard; it also hits Gastly and Misdreavus. Fire Fang is used to break through Ferroseed and Cottonee, while gaining nice all-around coverage. Pursuit is useful to trap Psychic- and Ghost-types for its teammates. However, Stone Edge can be used instead to hit Flying-types attempting to switch into Earthquake.
Set Details
========
The EVs listed give Sandile the highest Attack and Speed possible, while adding an additional point to Defense. Choice Scarf bolsters Sandile's Speed and gives it a chance to sweep when coupled with Moxie. An Adamant nature is preferred to make Sandile as hard hitting as possible, as allows it to hit 24 Speed with it; however, a Jolly nature can be used if Sandile needs to outspeed Choice Scarf Chinchou. Choice Band and Life Orb are also candidates for items, but the immediate Speed provided by Choice Scarf is much more beneficial.
Usage Tips
========
Sandile must be wary of being locked into certain moves; for example, Earthquake should be used sparingly when the opponent carries a Flying-type, and the same goes for using Crunch when the opponent has a Fairy-type, etc. Try to avoid being locked into Fire Fang and Pursuit if possible, as these moves are not very powerful without boosts, and Sandile does not always have the luxury of attaining a boost. Bringing Sandile in with a slow U-turn or Volt Switch is needed, as it lacks bulk and has many weaknesses. Walls should be broken down early game so Sandile has an easier time sweeping late-game. Don't attempt to set up Moxie boosts early on in the match, as Sandile will often not be powerful enough to steamroll opposing teams by itself.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate the removal of Misdreavus, such as Mienfoo and Bunnelby, make good partners. Trubbish is a good partner because it provides Spikes support to wear down the opposition and resists Sandile's Fighting-, Fairy-, and Grass-type weaknesses; Sandile can take Psychic-type moves in return. Pawniard provides Knock Off support, removing opponents' Eviolites, which is crucial for Sandile because it needs the support to break through bulkier Pokemon. Stealth Rock support from the likes of Archen and Dwebble is helpful to wear down Flying-type Pokemon attempting to switch into Earthquake. Fairy-types, such as Spritzee and Snubbull, are good partners to handle Dark-, Fighting-, and Bug-types for Sandile.
Other Options
########
Thunder Fang hits potential Water-type switch-ins and Vullaby, but it has little use outside of this. Choice Band can make Sandile very powerful, but the Speed provided by Choice Scarf is much more appreciated; in a similar vein, Life Orb can be used, but the recoil from Life Orb wears down Sandile very quickly. Stealth Rock can be used, although Sandile lacks the bulk to properly set it up. Hone Claws is Sandile's only form of boosting its Attack outside of Moxie and makes Stone Edge much more reliable. Aqua Tail gets nice coverage, although it is fairly weak against Pokemon it is neutral against. Foul Play is an interesting move, but Crunch's reliability is often preferred. Finally, Iron Tail puts massive hurt on Fairy-types; however, it is very unreliable and gets horrible coverage otherwise.
Checks & Counters
########
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types resist Crunch and often have the bulk to tank Sandile's other moves.
**Super Effective Attacks**: Fighting-, Grass-, Ice-, and Water-type moves all put a serious hurt on Sandile. Grass-types work especially well because they request Earthquake; Cottonee also resists Crunch.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types are immune to Earthquake and can set up on Choice-locked Sandile.
**Passive Damage**: Passive damage such as Spikes wears Sandile down because it lacks reliable recovery. Will-O-Wisp in particular completely ruins its sweep and wears it down quickly.
Overview
########
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Fire Fang
move 4: Pursuit / Stone Edge
ability: Moxie
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 180 Atk / 76 Def / 236 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage Tips
========
Team Options
========
Other Options
########
Checks & Counters
########
########
- Pros:
- Two great abilities, Moxie and Intimidate.
- Very powerful after a Moxie boost.
- STAB Earthquake is very powerful.
- Somewhat fast.
- Cottonee and Vullaby are the only Pokemon in LC that resist Sandile's STAB combination.
- Useful resistances in Ghost- and Dark-type moves.
- Can offer Pursuit support.
- Wide movepool.
- Cons:
- A lot of weaknesses, including common Grass-, Water-, Bug-, Fairy-, Ice-, and Fighting-type weaknesses.
- Lacks any bulk if not using Intimidate.
- Has to compete with Pawniard and Drilbur as Dark- and Ground-type sweepers.
- Easily worn down.
- Struggles to really break through Physical walls.
- Lacks access to Knock Off, unlike other Dark-types.
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Fire Fang
move 4: Pursuit / Stone Edge
ability: Moxie
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 180 Atk / 76 Def / 236 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
========
- Earthquake is a very powerful STAB move that can clean up weakened teams.
- Crunch adds to Sandile's great coverage and hits Psychic-types especially hard, it also hits Gastly and Misdreavus.
- Fire Fang is to break through Ferroseed and Cottonee, while getting nice coverage.
- Pursuit can be used to trap Psychic- and Ghost-types for teammates.
- Stone Edge hits Flying-types that attempt to switch into Earthquake.
Set Details
========
- The EVs listed give Sandile the highest Attack and Speed possible, while adding an extra point to Defense.
- Choice Scarf is used to bolster Sandile's Speed and allow it to sweep in conjunction with Moxie; a snowball effect.
- Adamant nature is preferred to make Sandile as hard hitting as possible, as it hits 24 Speed with it, but it can use a Jolly nature if it needs to outspeed Choice Scarf Chinchou.
- A Choice Band or Life Orb can be used, but the immediate Speed from Choice Scarf is much more beneficial.
Usage Tips
========
- Be careful when using certain moves. An example being using Earthquake when the opponent has a Flying-type Pokemon, or using Crunch when the opponent has a Fairy-type Pokemon, etc.
- Try to avoid being locked into Fire Punch and Pursuit if possible, as they won't be powerful until after a few Moxie boosts, which Sandile does not always have the luxury for.
- Bring Sandile in on a slow U-turn or Volt Switch, as it has many common weaknesses and an absence of bulk, making it difficult for it to switch in.
- Break down walls early game with it and its teammates so it has an easier time sweeping late game.
- Don't attempt to set up Moxies early on in the game, as it will often not be powerful enough to sweep entire teams.
Team Options
========
- Partners that appreciate the removal of Misdreavus make for good partners; such partners include Bunnelby and Mienfoo.
- Trubbish provides Spikes support for late-game and resists Sandile's Fighting-, Fairy-, and Grass-type weaknesses; Sandile is immune to Psychic-type moves in return.
- Pawniard provides Knock Off support, removing opponent's Eviolites, which is crucial because Sandile needs this support to break through Pokemon who rely on Eviolite.
- Stealth Rock wears down Flying-type Pokemon that switch into Earthquake; such support can be provided by Archen and Dwebble.
- Fairy-types make good partners because they can handle Dark-, Fighting-, and Bug-types for Sandile; Spritzee and Snubbull are good partners for this.
Other Options
########
- Thunder Fang hits Water-types and Mandibuzz, but sees little use outside of this.
- Choice Band makes Sandile very powerful, but it appreciates the Speed provided by Choice Scarf; in a similar fashion, Life Orb can be used, but it is worn down quickly.
- Stealth Rock can see use on any non-Choice sets.
- Hone Claws is Sandile's only option of boosting its Attack.
- Aqua Tail gets nice coverage, but is fairly weak on Pokemon it is not super effective against.
- Foul Play is a cool move, but the reliability from Crunch or Pursuit is preferred.
- Finally, Iron Tail puts massive hurt on Fairy-types, however, it is very unreliable and gets horrible coverage otherwise.
Checks & Counters
########
- Bulky Fairy-types resist Crunch and are not worn down by Sandile's other moves.
- Fighting-types can easily take a hit and kill Sandile with their STAB moves.
- Flying-types are immune to Earthquake and get a free switch in if Sandile is locked into this move.
- Passive damage such as Spikes wear it down because it lacks reliable recovery, Will-O-Wisp in particular completely ruins its sweep and wears it down quickly.
Last edited:
