[OVERVIEW]
Sandslash stands out among the plethora of defensive Pokemon in DPP NU with its combination of Rapid Spin + Stealth Rock, offering unique role compression and being one of the few viable Pokemon with Rapid Spin alongside Hitmonchan. One of Sandslash's better attributes over Hitmonchan is that it serves as a good physical wall to check common Pokemon such as Regirock and Skuntank while trading hits well with other physical attackers such as Hitmonchan and Medicham. All of these traits combined make Sandslash a great defensive utility Pokemon on bulky offense or defensive teams that need an entry hazard remover and Stealth Rock setter in the same teamslot.
Unfortunately, since Sandslash has to fulfill both roles for most of the time it spends on the field, it can sometimes end up on the passive side. Although Sandslash has a high base Attack stat, the general lack of EV investment means it struggles to break past certain Ghost-types trying to spinblock it despite its access to super effective coverage moves, whereas Hitmonchan exerts more offensive pressure. Sandslash's weak Special Defense is also irksome, as it can't easily take on some defensive responsibilities that other Stealth Rock users have against Drifblim and Electric-types. While Sandslash walls Regirock and reliably uses Rapid Spin against it, its lower Special Defense and Ground typing also means it can't reliably remove entry hazards against Ice Beam Nidoqueen, Cradily, and Cacturne.
[SET]
Name: Defensive Rapid Spin
Move 1: Earthquake
Move 2: Shadow Claw / Stone Edge
Move 3: Stealth Rock / Toxic
Move 4: Rapid Spin
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Shadow Claw provides coverage for Ghost-types like Drifblim and Haunter that would otherwise try to spinblock Sandslash, preventing them from gaining free Substitutes. Stone Edge is an alternative move that hits Drifblim harder and is Sandslash's best move to consistently OHKO Charizard and hit Articuno very hard as well. Stealth Rock allows Sandslash to compress roles alongside being a Rapid Spinner, gaining safe opportunities to use it against Regirock and Skuntank. Toxic can be used with another Stealth Rock setter to hinder the longevity of bulky Pokemon like Slowking, Cradily, Dusclops, and Meganium that can sit on Sandslash. This provides great synergy with Earthquake, as Sandslash can threaten Toxic-immune Pokemon such as Skuntank, Nidoqueen, and Magneton. The given EV spread maximizes Sandslash's ability to take on physical attackers, but 92 Speed EVs can be used to outspeed uninvested Nidoqueen and pressure it.
Team Options
=========
Although Sandslash can compete with Hitmonchan as a Rapid Spin user due to the latter's greater offensive presence and priority, having Sandslash as a teammate means Hitmonchan can forgo using Rapid Spin in favor of better coverage and greater offensive potential, making up for Sandslash's passivity. Medicham is also a strong Fighting-type wallbreaker that can be used on teams using Sandslash as a Rapid Spin user instead of Hitmonchan, avoiding the shared Fighting typing. Sandslash is a great fit on Charizard teams, as Charizard loves the fact that Sandslash can reliably switch in and use Rapid Spin against Regirock to mitigate its Stealth Rock weakness while also providing Stealth Rock support. In turn, Charizard helps against Grass-types that would give Sandslash trouble and can lure Slowking with Substitute + Toxic or Hidden Power Grass. Since Sandslash has trouble with spinblockers and Slowking, Pursuit support from Skuntank is very beneficial. Skuntank is also helpful against Pokemon that can threaten Sandslash, such as Vileplume, Cacturne, Shiftry, and Jynx. If Sandslash opts to run Toxic over Stealth Rock, it appreciates another user of Stealth Rock such as Regirock or Cradliy, both of which provide a solid defensive backbone against Tauros, Charizard, and Drifbllim. Since Sandslash is vulnerable to Toxic from Regirock and Tauros, and Will-O-Wisp from Dusclops, it appreciates cleric support from Lickilicky, Articuno, and Meganium on stall teams to increase its longevity. Lickilicky also comes packed with Wish support to give Sandslash a way to recover damage outside of Leftovers, while Sandslash helps with Lickilicky's vulnerability to entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sandslash can aim for the offensive Rapid Spin route, using Swords Dance to pose a potential sweeping threat and break past bulky Pokemon such as Dusclops and Sableye trying to spinblock it. This is especially helped by Lum Berry to offer short-term protection against Will-O-Wisp and Toxic. Besides Toxic, an alternative way for Sandslash to hinder the longevity of bulky Pokemon is by using Knock Off, which harms Pokemon that are reliant on Leftovers or Black Sludge recovery such as Slowking, Vileplume, and Dusclops.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Sandslash struggles to beat common Ghost-types, which prevent Sandslash from removing entry hazards. Drifblim and Haunter are immune to Earthquake and trade hits well with Sandslash because of its low special bulk. Even Drifblim without much defensive investment can survive a 2HKO from Shadow Claw with Sitrus Berry, allowing Drifblim to set up Calm Mind and threaten to sweep. Haunter provides more immediate pressure with Shadow Ball but takes more damage from Shadow Claw and can potentially be KOed after Life Orb recoil, forcing Haunter to need chip on Sandslash or trade with Destiny Bond. Dusclops shrugs off any attack Sandslash throws at it and can use Will-O-Wisp to cripple it. Sableye functions similarly to Dusclops with instant recovery in Recover to outlast Sandslash.
**Water-types**: Sandslash's lack of good pressure, especially as it uses Rapid Spin or Stealth Rock, can be exploited by bulky Water-types such as Slowking and Poliwrath. Slowking can safely set up Nasty Plot or Calm Mind on Sandslash, helping pressure a potential Skuntank switching in, while Poliwrath can lock Sandslash into undesirable moves with Encore and use Substitute or Toxic to pressure switches. While Sharpedo and Floatzel aren't bulky, they can still find entry on passive moves and use their Speed to offensively pressure Sandslash, especially if they opt to run special attacks.
**Grass-types**: Despite not resisting Earthquake, Vileplume and Cradily are able to effectively wall Sandslash due to their good physical bulk and instant recovery while threatening it with Energy Ball. In Vileplume's case, it can use Sleep Powder on any potential switch, while Cradily can set up Stealth Rock. Meganium shares the same bulk as the former two Grass-types while resisting Earthquake and potentially setting up Swords Dance. While Cacturne and Shiftry aren't bulky, they can still find entry on Sandslash due to them resisting Ground. Cacturne can set up Spikes against Sandslash while beating it as an entry hazard setter, while Shiftry threatens powerful coverage and can set up either Swords Dance or Nasty Plot.
**Jynx**: While Jynx is physically frail and can get potentially OHKOed by Stone Edge, it can pose a threat to Sandslash's team if it finds entry on passive moves such as Rapid Spin and Stealth Rock. Jynx puts the fear of an OHKO into Sandslash with Ice Beam, and it can pressure forced switches with Lovely Kiss, Nasty Plot, or Substitute.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/amity.619555/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/vivalospride.151509/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rabia.336073/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aurora.109385/
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