[Overview]
Ice
========
Alolan Sandslash is blessed with a nice utility movepool consisting of moves such as Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Knock Off; in addition, it is gifted with a fantastic ability in Slush Rush, which allows it to outspeed Pokemon as fast as Choice Scarf Landorus in snow, enabling it to act as a form of much-needed speed control on Ice teams. A secondary Steel typing allows it to revenge kill prominent threats such as Iron Valiant and Flutter Mane and, combined with its decent physical bulk, allows Alolan Sandslash to tank Rock-type moves such as Iron Boulder's Mighty Cleave and Kleavor's Stone Axe.
However, Alolan Sandslash suffers from middling base stats. Even with its Speed doubled under snow, it still does not outspeed threats such as +1 Hisuian Lilligant and Choice Scarf Enamorus; in addition, it does not hit particularly hard with low base Attack and no boosting item, especially due to the low Base Power of some of its moves. Furthermore, Alolan Sandslash suffers from competition; Avalugg is a more reliable spinner, while Cetitan is a better offensive Slush Rush user due to its access to Belly Drum as well as a higher Speed and Attack. As such, successfully utilizing Alolan Sandslash requires a bit of finesse to make the best use of its talents, but it is capable of filling multiple roles if used properly.
[Set]
Sandslash-Alola @ Air Balloon / Heavy-Duty Boots
Name: Slush Rush Utility (Ice)
Ability: Slush Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Knock Off / Earthquake / Triple Axel
- Stealth Rock / Spikes / Knock Off / Earthquake
[SET COMMENTS]
Alolan Sandslash provides nice role compression for Ice teams, offering speed control and entry hazard removal in one slot. Iron Head OHKOs important targets like Flutter Mane and Kleavor after Stealth Rock chip. The next slot helps round out Alolan Sandslash's coverage. Knock Off is the best choice for added utility, removing items from defensive switch-ins such as Archaludon and Skarmory in addition to hitting most of the Ghost-types that may want to spinblock Alolan Sandslash. Earthquake can be used to OHKO non-Air Balloon Heatran, Hisuian Arcanine, and Iron Moth; in addition, it is Alolan Sandslash's hardest hitting move against Klefki and Hisuian Goodra. Alternatively, Triple Axel is Alolan Sandslash's highest Base Power STAB move, OHKOing Landorus, Latios, and Dragapult. The last slot can be used for another attack or an entry hazard to punish a defensive switch-in hoping to tank Alolan Sandslash's somewhat weak moves. Air Balloon is generally the best item choice to give Ice teams a Ground immunity; however, Heavy-Duty Boots can also be used if the team already runs a Ground immunity.
Alolan Ninetales is a mandatory teammate, setting up the snow needed for Alolan Sandslash to thrive; Icy Rock is nice on Alolan Ninetales to generate extra turns of snow. Choice Specs Kyurem is a nice teammate to pressure the physical walls that Alolan Sandslash tends to attract, such as Skarmory, Toxapex, and Pechurant. If Alolan Sandslash isn't running entry hazards, entry hazard setters such as Mamoswine and Froslass are useful to help it, as it lacks raw power and appreciates the chip damage to get certain KOs on targets such as Iron Valiant and Kleavor, as well as pressure defensive switch-ins; in return, Alolan Sandslash can use Knock Off to remove Heavy-Duty Boots to ensure the hazards wear down said switch-ins. Froslass deserves a special mention for helping to cover Alolan Sandslash's 4x Fighting weakness; in addition, it can slow down faster threats with Thunder Wave. Furthermore, Choice Scarf Mamoswine can offensively pressure threats if Alolan Sandslash's team is unable to reliably keep up snow. Dewgong is a nice teammate, covering Alolan Sandslash's 4x weakness to Fire and relatively low special bulk; it also has Knock Off so Alolan Sandslash can utilize a different option. Dewgong also helps pivot Alolan Sandslash in with Flip Turn when Snow is active. Setup sweepers such as Cetitan and Cloyster appreciate Alolan Sandslash's ability to remove hazards so they have an easier time setting up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice
Swords Dance can be used to make Alolan Sandslash a sweeper, but it often struggles to sweep due to its low power and speed. Life Orb can be used to augment its damage output, enabling an OHKO on Iron Valiant while getting Knock Off to OHKO both Dragapult and Latios after Stealth Rock chip. Endeavor can be used to catch bulky Pokemon like Archaludon off-guard at low health. Rock Slide can be used to hit Volcarona and Moltres. Ice Spinner can be used as a more reliable Ice-type STAB move. Finally, Brick Break can be used to hit Bisharp and break Klefki's screens.
--------
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pikachu-3.244354/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/boomp.637295/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/neko.542526/
Grammar checked by:
Ice
========
Alolan Sandslash is blessed with a nice utility movepool consisting of moves such as Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Knock Off; in addition, it is gifted with a fantastic ability in Slush Rush, which allows it to outspeed Pokemon as fast as Choice Scarf Landorus in snow, enabling it to act as a form of much-needed speed control on Ice teams. A secondary Steel typing allows it to revenge kill prominent threats such as Iron Valiant and Flutter Mane and, combined with its decent physical bulk, allows Alolan Sandslash to tank Rock-type moves such as Iron Boulder's Mighty Cleave and Kleavor's Stone Axe.
However, Alolan Sandslash suffers from middling base stats. Even with its Speed doubled under snow, it still does not outspeed threats such as +1 Hisuian Lilligant and Choice Scarf Enamorus; in addition, it does not hit particularly hard with low base Attack and no boosting item, especially due to the low Base Power of some of its moves. Furthermore, Alolan Sandslash suffers from competition; Avalugg is a more reliable spinner, while Cetitan is a better offensive Slush Rush user due to its access to Belly Drum as well as a higher Speed and Attack. As such, successfully utilizing Alolan Sandslash requires a bit of finesse to make the best use of its talents, but it is capable of filling multiple roles if used properly.
[Set]
Sandslash-Alola @ Air Balloon / Heavy-Duty Boots
Name: Slush Rush Utility (Ice)
Ability: Slush Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Knock Off / Earthquake / Triple Axel
- Stealth Rock / Spikes / Knock Off / Earthquake
[SET COMMENTS]
Alolan Sandslash provides nice role compression for Ice teams, offering speed control and entry hazard removal in one slot. Iron Head OHKOs important targets like Flutter Mane and Kleavor after Stealth Rock chip. The next slot helps round out Alolan Sandslash's coverage. Knock Off is the best choice for added utility, removing items from defensive switch-ins such as Archaludon and Skarmory in addition to hitting most of the Ghost-types that may want to spinblock Alolan Sandslash. Earthquake can be used to OHKO non-Air Balloon Heatran, Hisuian Arcanine, and Iron Moth; in addition, it is Alolan Sandslash's hardest hitting move against Klefki and Hisuian Goodra. Alternatively, Triple Axel is Alolan Sandslash's highest Base Power STAB move, OHKOing Landorus, Latios, and Dragapult. The last slot can be used for another attack or an entry hazard to punish a defensive switch-in hoping to tank Alolan Sandslash's somewhat weak moves. Air Balloon is generally the best item choice to give Ice teams a Ground immunity; however, Heavy-Duty Boots can also be used if the team already runs a Ground immunity.
Alolan Ninetales is a mandatory teammate, setting up the snow needed for Alolan Sandslash to thrive; Icy Rock is nice on Alolan Ninetales to generate extra turns of snow. Choice Specs Kyurem is a nice teammate to pressure the physical walls that Alolan Sandslash tends to attract, such as Skarmory, Toxapex, and Pechurant. If Alolan Sandslash isn't running entry hazards, entry hazard setters such as Mamoswine and Froslass are useful to help it, as it lacks raw power and appreciates the chip damage to get certain KOs on targets such as Iron Valiant and Kleavor, as well as pressure defensive switch-ins; in return, Alolan Sandslash can use Knock Off to remove Heavy-Duty Boots to ensure the hazards wear down said switch-ins. Froslass deserves a special mention for helping to cover Alolan Sandslash's 4x Fighting weakness; in addition, it can slow down faster threats with Thunder Wave. Furthermore, Choice Scarf Mamoswine can offensively pressure threats if Alolan Sandslash's team is unable to reliably keep up snow. Dewgong is a nice teammate, covering Alolan Sandslash's 4x weakness to Fire and relatively low special bulk; it also has Knock Off so Alolan Sandslash can utilize a different option. Dewgong also helps pivot Alolan Sandslash in with Flip Turn when Snow is active. Setup sweepers such as Cetitan and Cloyster appreciate Alolan Sandslash's ability to remove hazards so they have an easier time setting up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice
Swords Dance can be used to make Alolan Sandslash a sweeper, but it often struggles to sweep due to its low power and speed. Life Orb can be used to augment its damage output, enabling an OHKO on Iron Valiant while getting Knock Off to OHKO both Dragapult and Latios after Stealth Rock chip. Endeavor can be used to catch bulky Pokemon like Archaludon off-guard at low health. Rock Slide can be used to hit Volcarona and Moltres. Ice Spinner can be used as a more reliable Ice-type STAB move. Finally, Brick Break can be used to hit Bisharp and break Klefki's screens.
--------
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pikachu-3.244354/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/boomp.637295/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/neko.542526/
Grammar checked by:
Last edited:
