[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock / Spikes / Rapid Spin
move 2: Icicle Crash / Iron Head
move 3: Knock Off / Toxic
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Slush Rush
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 200 SpD / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Alolan Sandlash boasts a unique defensive typing alongside its high utility, making it one of the most splashable Pokemon in ZU. Alolan Sandslash takes advantage of passive defensive Pokemon like Clefairy and Stunfisk to either keep hazards on or off the field. It also can switch into certain physical attackers, while also sponging special attacks from Frosmoth and the Rotom forms. It functions as either a hazard setter or remover, depending on a team’s preferences. Icicle Crash threatens opposing hazard removers, such as Altaria. Knock Off severely hurts the longevity of item-reliant opponents like Clefairy, while Toxic cripples opponents like Articuno and Cramorant in the long run. Protect allows Alolan Sandslash to scout attacks from opponents like Choice Band Cinccino and Thwackey, while also receiving Leftovers recovery. 56 Speed EV’s are used to outpace Adamant Rhydon.
Balance and bulky offense teams greatly appreciate Alolan Sandslash’s role compression. With Alolan Sandslash being weak to Fighting-types and Fire-types, bulky resistances like Wishiwashi, Altaria, and Alcremie soak up those attacks. Alolan Sandslash needs Leftovers to maintain its longevity, so Knock Off absorbers like Miltank and Qwilfish are great. The hazard versatility it has makes Alolan Sandslash a perfect fit on hazard stack teams, too. Wallbreakers like Kangaskhan, Shiftry, Rotom, and Jynx highly benefit from the extra damage provided by stacking hazards. Offensive pivots including Rotom, Thwackey, and Silvally forms thrive off of the Spikes that further weaken their checks, as well as hazard removal from Alolan Sandslash that can make pivoting more easy.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Triple Axel
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Iron Head / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Slush Rush
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Alolan Sandslash is a fantastic hail sweeper with its Swords Dance set, becoming faster than almost the entire unboosted metagame under hail. However, Swords Dance sets work greatly outside of hail as well. Earthquake provides significant coverage resistances to Triple Axel such as Qwilfish, Klinklang, and Rapidash. Iron Head is used on hail teams to break through Pokemon like Articuno and Alcremie, but outside of hail, the hazard removal utility and Speed-boosting benefits of Rapid Spin make it preferable. Life Orb extrapolates the strength of Alolan Sandslash, letting it more easily KO defensive threats, but Leftovers gives Alolan Sandslash greater longevity, allowing it to stay on the field for longer.
Swords Dance variants of Alolan Sandslash shine on hail teams, but they also shine on bulky offense teams looking for a strong setup breaker with defensive utility and a niche as an offensive spinner. On hail teams, Abomasnow stands out as the premier Hail setter, and Beartic is a hail abuser that can break through bulky waters like Wishiwashi and Poliwrath. Wallbreakers like Sawk and Thievul not only wear down Ice resists like Miltank and Piloswine, but they also grealty benefit from Hail's chip damage. Outside of hail, Alolan Sandslash's removal of hazards increases the longevity of defensive Pokemon like Tangela and Wishiwashi, who don't appreciate the chip damage from hazards. This also applies for offensive pivots like Thwackey and Rotom, who otherwise get worn down by hazard stacking. Defensive checks to Alolan Sandslash, such as Throh and Wishiwashi, can be pressured by status. As a result, spreaders of Toxic including Altaria and Miltank wear down these checks so that Alolan Sandslash can pick them off. Fire-types and Fighting-types are often able to easily revenge kill Alolan Sandslash, so defensive sponges like Rhydon and Alcremie help soak up those attacks to preserve Alolan Sandslash's longevity.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Triple Axel
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Ice Shard / Spikes
item: Choice Band
ability: Slush Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
With a solid Attack stat and a standout offensive typing, Alolan Sandslash can work as a physical wallbreaker that threatens common defensive staples such as Rhydon, Alcremie, and Eldegoss with its STAB moves. Earthquake is valuable coverage that ensures Fire-types like Rapidash, Ninetales, and Coalossal cannot safely switch into it. This is alongside Steel-types like Klinklang, and other Ice resists like Qwilfish. Ice Shard allows it to revenge kill weakened wallbreakers, including Sawk, Small Gourgeist, and the Silvally forms. Alternatively, Alolan Sandslash can lay Spikes for free by threatening its attacks, getting the opponent to switch out; this lets it break more easily later.
Choice Band Alolan Sandslash has solid amounts of defensive utility for an offensive wallbreaker, making it fit nicely on bulky offense. Alolan Sandslash struggles with Water-types, so offensive partners like Small Gourgeist and Rotom can take advantage of checks like Wishiwashi and Poliwrath. Fighting-types and Fire-types like Throh and Rapidash will also give Alolan Sandslash a difficult time breaking. Thus, partners like Alcremie and Rhydon can respectively abuse that. Pivots like Thwackey, Cinccino, and Basculin can lure in different Pokemon that Alolan Sandslash takes advantage of. This includes Tangela, Altaria, Alcremie, and Eldegoss. Those pivots also do a good job of removing Alolan Sandslash's checks, including Wishiwashi and Rapidash. Alolan Sandslash appreciates Speed control from Pokemon like Rotom and Thwackey, who can also help against checks like Qwilfish and Wishiwashi.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
============
On Choice Band sets, Knock Off removes the items of opponents with a strong hit. However, most of the Pokemon that check Alolan Sandslash, including Miltank and Wishiwashi, are more harmed by Spikes. For Swords Dance sets outside of Hail, Ice Shard lets it surprise Pokemon looking to revenge kill it, but it does not have the long term boost nor the hazard removal abilities of Rapid Spin. Protective Pads can be ran to prevent contact effects from Rocky Helmet Qwilfish and Miltank. Wide Lens boosts the accuracy of Triple Axel, which can be mildly useful on teams that need more consistent Ice-type coverage. While these options are certainly good, the extra damage from Life Orb, or the longevity gained from Leftovers, is more valuable.
Checks and Counters
==================
**Water-Types:** Water-type Pokemon, including Wishiwashi and Poliwrath, resist both of Alolan Sandslash's STAB moves, with Poliwrath particularly being able to retaliate with a Fighting-type attack. These defensive Pokemon also threaten to burn it with Scald. Other Water-types like Basculin and offensive variants of Poliwrath can break through Alolan Sandslash's defenses.
**Fighting-Types:** Due to Alolan Sandslash's 4x weakness to Fighting, Fighting-types like Throh, Sawk, and Gurdurr easily force it out. With that being said, they don't switch into offensive sets too well, because they do not resist Triple Axel.
**Fire-Type Pokemon:** Although they are vulnerable to Earthquake or Knock Off, Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales resist both of its STAB moves and can OHKO back with a 4x effective Fire-type attack.
**Super effective Coverage:** While Alolan Sandslash has a plethora of resistances, it's also weak to some common types. For instance, common wallbreakers like Kangaskhan run Earthquake, and a common revenge killer like Choice Scarf Manectric runs Overheat.
**Miltank:** With its ability Thick Fat resisting Alolan Sandslash's Ice-type attacks, it can be difficult for Alolan Sandslash to break through Miltank. Although Miltank has to watch out for Toxic, many variants run Heal Bell to negate this.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[hiss, 528055]]
- Quality checked by: [[Tuthur, 369076], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
name: Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock / Spikes / Rapid Spin
move 2: Icicle Crash / Iron Head
move 3: Knock Off / Toxic
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Slush Rush
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 200 SpD / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Alolan Sandlash boasts a unique defensive typing alongside its high utility, making it one of the most splashable Pokemon in ZU. Alolan Sandslash takes advantage of passive defensive Pokemon like Clefairy and Stunfisk to either keep hazards on or off the field. It also can switch into certain physical attackers, while also sponging special attacks from Frosmoth and the Rotom forms. It functions as either a hazard setter or remover, depending on a team’s preferences. Icicle Crash threatens opposing hazard removers, such as Altaria. Knock Off severely hurts the longevity of item-reliant opponents like Clefairy, while Toxic cripples opponents like Articuno and Cramorant in the long run. Protect allows Alolan Sandslash to scout attacks from opponents like Choice Band Cinccino and Thwackey, while also receiving Leftovers recovery. 56 Speed EV’s are used to outpace Adamant Rhydon.
Balance and bulky offense teams greatly appreciate Alolan Sandslash’s role compression. With Alolan Sandslash being weak to Fighting-types and Fire-types, bulky resistances like Wishiwashi, Altaria, and Alcremie soak up those attacks. Alolan Sandslash needs Leftovers to maintain its longevity, so Knock Off absorbers like Miltank and Qwilfish are great. The hazard versatility it has makes Alolan Sandslash a perfect fit on hazard stack teams, too. Wallbreakers like Kangaskhan, Shiftry, Rotom, and Jynx highly benefit from the extra damage provided by stacking hazards. Offensive pivots including Rotom, Thwackey, and Silvally forms thrive off of the Spikes that further weaken their checks, as well as hazard removal from Alolan Sandslash that can make pivoting more easy.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Triple Axel
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Iron Head / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Slush Rush
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Alolan Sandslash is a fantastic hail sweeper with its Swords Dance set, becoming faster than almost the entire unboosted metagame under hail. However, Swords Dance sets work greatly outside of hail as well. Earthquake provides significant coverage resistances to Triple Axel such as Qwilfish, Klinklang, and Rapidash. Iron Head is used on hail teams to break through Pokemon like Articuno and Alcremie, but outside of hail, the hazard removal utility and Speed-boosting benefits of Rapid Spin make it preferable. Life Orb extrapolates the strength of Alolan Sandslash, letting it more easily KO defensive threats, but Leftovers gives Alolan Sandslash greater longevity, allowing it to stay on the field for longer.
Swords Dance variants of Alolan Sandslash shine on hail teams, but they also shine on bulky offense teams looking for a strong setup breaker with defensive utility and a niche as an offensive spinner. On hail teams, Abomasnow stands out as the premier Hail setter, and Beartic is a hail abuser that can break through bulky waters like Wishiwashi and Poliwrath. Wallbreakers like Sawk and Thievul not only wear down Ice resists like Miltank and Piloswine, but they also grealty benefit from Hail's chip damage. Outside of hail, Alolan Sandslash's removal of hazards increases the longevity of defensive Pokemon like Tangela and Wishiwashi, who don't appreciate the chip damage from hazards. This also applies for offensive pivots like Thwackey and Rotom, who otherwise get worn down by hazard stacking. Defensive checks to Alolan Sandslash, such as Throh and Wishiwashi, can be pressured by status. As a result, spreaders of Toxic including Altaria and Miltank wear down these checks so that Alolan Sandslash can pick them off. Fire-types and Fighting-types are often able to easily revenge kill Alolan Sandslash, so defensive sponges like Rhydon and Alcremie help soak up those attacks to preserve Alolan Sandslash's longevity.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Triple Axel
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Ice Shard / Spikes
item: Choice Band
ability: Slush Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
With a solid Attack stat and a standout offensive typing, Alolan Sandslash can work as a physical wallbreaker that threatens common defensive staples such as Rhydon, Alcremie, and Eldegoss with its STAB moves. Earthquake is valuable coverage that ensures Fire-types like Rapidash, Ninetales, and Coalossal cannot safely switch into it. This is alongside Steel-types like Klinklang, and other Ice resists like Qwilfish. Ice Shard allows it to revenge kill weakened wallbreakers, including Sawk, Small Gourgeist, and the Silvally forms. Alternatively, Alolan Sandslash can lay Spikes for free by threatening its attacks, getting the opponent to switch out; this lets it break more easily later.
Choice Band Alolan Sandslash has solid amounts of defensive utility for an offensive wallbreaker, making it fit nicely on bulky offense. Alolan Sandslash struggles with Water-types, so offensive partners like Small Gourgeist and Rotom can take advantage of checks like Wishiwashi and Poliwrath. Fighting-types and Fire-types like Throh and Rapidash will also give Alolan Sandslash a difficult time breaking. Thus, partners like Alcremie and Rhydon can respectively abuse that. Pivots like Thwackey, Cinccino, and Basculin can lure in different Pokemon that Alolan Sandslash takes advantage of. This includes Tangela, Altaria, Alcremie, and Eldegoss. Those pivots also do a good job of removing Alolan Sandslash's checks, including Wishiwashi and Rapidash. Alolan Sandslash appreciates Speed control from Pokemon like Rotom and Thwackey, who can also help against checks like Qwilfish and Wishiwashi.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
============
On Choice Band sets, Knock Off removes the items of opponents with a strong hit. However, most of the Pokemon that check Alolan Sandslash, including Miltank and Wishiwashi, are more harmed by Spikes. For Swords Dance sets outside of Hail, Ice Shard lets it surprise Pokemon looking to revenge kill it, but it does not have the long term boost nor the hazard removal abilities of Rapid Spin. Protective Pads can be ran to prevent contact effects from Rocky Helmet Qwilfish and Miltank. Wide Lens boosts the accuracy of Triple Axel, which can be mildly useful on teams that need more consistent Ice-type coverage. While these options are certainly good, the extra damage from Life Orb, or the longevity gained from Leftovers, is more valuable.
Checks and Counters
==================
**Water-Types:** Water-type Pokemon, including Wishiwashi and Poliwrath, resist both of Alolan Sandslash's STAB moves, with Poliwrath particularly being able to retaliate with a Fighting-type attack. These defensive Pokemon also threaten to burn it with Scald. Other Water-types like Basculin and offensive variants of Poliwrath can break through Alolan Sandslash's defenses.
**Fighting-Types:** Due to Alolan Sandslash's 4x weakness to Fighting, Fighting-types like Throh, Sawk, and Gurdurr easily force it out. With that being said, they don't switch into offensive sets too well, because they do not resist Triple Axel.
**Fire-Type Pokemon:** Although they are vulnerable to Earthquake or Knock Off, Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales resist both of its STAB moves and can OHKO back with a 4x effective Fire-type attack.
**Super effective Coverage:** While Alolan Sandslash has a plethora of resistances, it's also weak to some common types. For instance, common wallbreakers like Kangaskhan run Earthquake, and a common revenge killer like Choice Scarf Manectric runs Overheat.
**Miltank:** With its ability Thick Fat resisting Alolan Sandslash's Ice-type attacks, it can be difficult for Alolan Sandslash to break through Miltank. Although Miltank has to watch out for Toxic, many variants run Heal Bell to negate this.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[hiss, 528055]]
- Quality checked by: [[Tuthur, 369076], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
Last edited:
