ice revolution[OVERVIEW]
Alolan Sandslash's unique typing and solid support movepool give it a niche as a defensive Steel-type. What sets it apart is access to Rapid Spin, making it important role compression for teams. It also has a higher Speed tier than its main competition in Ferroseed, allowing it to outpace Pokemon like Drampa and Sandaconda with minimal investment, as well as being able to run Knock Off easier than Ferroseed. Having both Stealth Rock and Spikes means Alolan Sandslash has an easier time standing on its own. However, its typing also leaves it with 4x weakness to Fire- and Fighting-types, leaving it unable to stay in on Pokemon like Charizard and Gallade. It is also heavily reliant on Leftovers for recovery, and without it, Alolan Sandslash gets worn down faster. Finally, Pokemon it would like to switch into, such as Tsareena and Galarian Articuno, can run coverage that OHKOs Alolan Sandslash, or pivot out into a teammate that can abuse Alolan Sandslash.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Icicle Crash
move 4: Toxic / Knock Off
item: Leftovers
ability: Slush Rush
nature: Careful
evs: 248 HP / 12 Atk / 136 SpD / 112 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Alolan Sandslash's bulk and typing makes it a great switch-in to various Psychic-, Fairy-, and Ice-types like Galarian Articuno, Rimbombee, and Vanniluxe. Toxic cripples switch-ins like Charizard and Jellicent, while Knock Off removes items from switch-ins like Aggron and Regirock. Protect can be used if Toxic or Knock Off is not needed to gain more passive recovery from Leftovers. Earthquake and Spikes can also be Alolan Sandslash's 4th move to directly punish Aggron and accure more chip damage, respectively. The given EV spread ensures Alolan Sandslash outspeeds Modest Galarian Articuno at +1 and OHKO Ribombee with Iron Head as well as improving rolls versus Ice-types like Frosmoth; the rest is dumped into special bulk to make it a better defensive Pokemon. Alolan Sandslash is 4x weak to Fighting- and Fire-types like Sawk and Centiskorch, so Pokemon like Weezing and Qwilfish are solid partners for it. They can also form an entry hazard stacking core with it. In return, Alolan Sandslash switches into Psychic-types like Galarian Articuno for them. Specially defensive partners such as Clefairy and Audino can help Alolan Sandslash against foes like Charizard, while being able to take the moveslot of Stealth Rock and Knock Off, respectively. Offensive Pokemon like Archeops and Ribombee can also force out the Fire- and Fighting-types Alolan Sandslash dislikes.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Icicle Crash / Triple Axel
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Rapid Spin / Iron Head
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Wide Lens
ability: Slush Rush
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Alolan Sandslash's access to Swords Dance, solid STAB combination, and decent coverage options make it a viable Swords Dance user. Earthquake hits Steel-types like Aggron and Togedemaru that its STAB combination struggles against. Rapid Spin offers general utility and limits offensive checks like Charizard, while Iron Head offers a more consistent option versus Fairy-types like Ribombee. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Alolan Sandslash to avoid entry hazards damage, ensuring it can set up multiple times if need be. If more power is desired, Wide Lens with Triple Axel is stronger than Icicle Crash, but this makes Alolan Sandslash more susceptible to Pokemon that punish contact moves, like Druddigon or Ferroseed. Jolly allows Alolan Sandslash to outspeed Choice Scarf Togedemaru under Hail, while Adamant offers more power. Hail setters like Vanniluxe and Aurous can increase Alolan Sandslash's Speed, ensuring it can sweep late-game when its checks are weakened. They can also give free entry via Vanniluxe's Explosion, entry hazards via Aurous' Stealth Rock, and Aurora Veil to ease setup. Other Hail abusers like Beartic can wear down shared switch-ins like Regirock. Outside of Hail, teammates such as Gigalith and Lanturn appreciate an offensive check to annoying Ground-types like Palossand; in return, they can switch into threatening Fire-types like Charizard and Magmortar.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Heracross2.0, 414072]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
Last edited:
12 Atk Sandslash-Alola Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Ribombee: 264-312 (101.1 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Articuno-Galar Hurricane vs. 248 HP / 136+ SpD Sandslash-Alola: 140-165 (39.6 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
12 Atk Sandslash-Alola Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tsareena: 188-224 (54 - 64.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
