NU Sandslash [DONE]

5Dots

5Dots

is a Site Content Manageris a Social Media Contributoris a Top Community Contributoris a Metagame Resource Contributoris a Top Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributor
:BW/Sandslash:
Sorrow and Sand
[OVERVIEW]

Sandslash is a notable sweeper thanks to Sand Rush doubling its Speed under sand, making it a staple on sand teams. Sandslash's good Attack and physical bulk give it several chances to set up Swords Dance and muscle through Pokemon like Sylveon, Vaporeon, and Escavalier. Sandslash also has good coverage in Knock Off and Leech Life to lure in and beat Grass-type checks like Dhelmise, Rotom-C, and Tsareena. However, Sandslash's low Special Defense hurts it against foes that can retaliate after taking an unboosted hit, like Vaporeon and Blastoise. Outside of sand, Sandslash is slow and easy to revenge kill, especially given its several common weaknesses. Sand is also niche due to how teams built around it require a lot of support to execute a sweep.

[SET]
name: Sand Rush Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Knock Off / Leech Life
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
With this set, +2 Earthquake can KO even bulky threats like Vaporeon, Sylveon, and Escavalier after Stealth Rock. Knock Off targets Decidueye and Dhelmise while crippling switch-ins like Vaporeon and Tsareena. Alternatively, Leech Life has a good chance to OHKO Rotom-C after Stealth Rock and 2HKOes Tsareena. Lum Berry can be run instead to use status users like Talonflame, Mudsdale, and defensive Guzzlord as setup fodder, though without Life Orb, Sandslash loses much of its OHKO potential.

Gigalith is a necessary teammate for Sandslash to use Sand Rush and effectively sweep or wallbreak. Lycanroc can work alongside Sandslash to overwhelm the opposition, with both capitalizing on the sand turns Gigalith provides. Pivots like Dragalge and Rotom-C help Sandslash get on the field more safely; Dragalge also covers Sandslash's vulnerability to Grass- and Water-type attacks, while Rotom-C applies additional pressure to Ground- and Water-types. Starmie can provide reliable entry hazard removal with Rapid Spin and switch into Water- and Ice-type attacks as well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Rapid Spin enables Sandslash to outspeed Choice Scarf Heliolisk under sand while functioning as an emergency entry hazard remover. The Speed boost also allows Sandslash to outspeed threats like Tsareena and non-Choice Scarf Rotom-C outside of sand.

Checks and Counters
====

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: In a one-on-one situation, Pokemon like Vaporeon, Sylveon, and Mudsdale are bulky enough to tank Earthquake and threaten heavy damage in return, especially if Sandslash is running Lum Berry. However, if Sandslash is running Life Orb and has obtained a Swords Dance boost, it can OHKO them with Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage.

**Faster Choice Scarf Users**: While Sandslash outspeeds the most common Choice Scarf users—Rotom-C and Passimian—under sand, Choice Scarf Heliolisk and Inteleon can outspeed and KO it with Hyper Voice after minor chip damage or OHKO with Surf, respectively. However, they cannot switch in reliably at all.

**Snow Warning**: Snow Warning users, like Vanilluxe and Aurorus, negate Sandslash's Speed boost and can stop it from sweeping by instantly setting hail. However, Aurorus gets outsped and OHKOed by Sandslash, and both cannot switch in reliably.

**Faster Pokemon**: The second sand turns are over, Sandslash becomes quite simple to revenge kill with Pokemon like Exploud, Starmie, and Rotom-C.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5Dots, 543866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Expulso, 202058], [S1nn0hC0nfirm3d, 231074]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [Finland, 517429]]
 
Last edited:
add comments remove

:BW/sandslash:
I like Sand!
[OVERVIEW]

Sandslash is a notable sweeper thanks to Sand Rush doubling its Speed under sand, making it a staple under said archetype. Sandslash’s good attacking stats and physical bulk give it several chances to set up Swords Dance and muscle through Pokemon like Sylveon, Vaporeon, and Escavalier. Sandslash also has good coverage in Knock Off and Leech Life to lure Pokemon that sport type advantage against it, like Dhelmise and Tsareena. However, Sandslash‘s only decent Attack and low Special Defense can cause it to struggle against foes that can retaliate after taking a hit, like Vaporeon and Blastoise. Outside of sand, Sandslash is slow and easy to revenge kill, which is not helped by its several common weaknesses. Sand is also niche in NU due to how builds around the archetype require a lot of support to execute a successful sweep. Good overview

[SET]
name: Sand Rush Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Knock Off / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
The combination of Earthquake and Rock Slide enables Sandslash to hit most of NU for neutral damage, while Swords Dance makes it much more threatening to switch into. At +2, Earthquake can KO even bulky threats like Vaporeon, Sylveon, and Escavlier, especially after Stealth Rock. Knock Off cripples switch-ins like Vaporeon and Tsareena, while Rapid Spin enables it to outspeed Choice Scarf Heliolisk under sand while functioning as an emergency hazard remover. [Rapid Spin also makes it more useful after sand ends, letting it outspeed non-Scarf Rotom-C for instance] Life Orb is necessary for it to provide as much power as possible in all of its moves. [Mention, and maybe slash, Lum Berry to make it easier to set up? Not much walls it and KOs back at +2, a SD isn't all that necessary for it to begin wallbreaking]

Gigalith is a necessary teammate for Sandslash, as the former’s ability is what allows Sandslash to become a sweeper or wallbreaker. Lycanroc can work alongside Sandslash to overwhelm the opposition, with both capitalizing on the sand turns Gigalith provides. Pivots like Dragalge and Vaporeon are helpful to get Sandslash get on the field more safely; Dragalge covers Sandslash’s vulnerability to Grass- and Water-type attacks, while Vaporeon can cover against Sandslash’s vulnerability to Water- and Ice-type attacks. In return, Sandslash can pivot against Vaporeon’s vulnerability to Electric-type attacks. Starmie can provide more reliable entry hazard removal with Rapid Spin and switch into Water- and Ice-type attacks as well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Leech Life provides coverage against foes like Tsareena, Guzzlord, and Rotom-Mow while giving it recovery, though Sandslash will sorely miss the utility Knock Off or Rapid Spin provides. Lum Berry lacks Life Orb’s recoil and acts as a one-time shield from status, though Sandslash will lose offensive presence by not being able to KO Vaporeon, Sylveon, and Escavalier at +2. Move Lum Berry up to set details, it's more viable than you give it credit for; sylv and escav don't do that much back to you so it's fine to not have an immediate OHKO, particularly alongside Lycanroc to chip its checks down]

Checks and Counters
====

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: In a one-on-one situation, Pokemon like Vaporeon, Sylveon, and Mudsdale are bulky enough to tank Earthquake and threaten heavy damage in return. However, if Sandslash has obtained a Swords Dance boost beforehand, it can beat them with Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage.

**Faster Choice Scarf Users**: While Sandslash outspeeds the most common Choice Scarf users Rotom-C and Passimian under Sand, Choice Scarf Heliolisk can OHKO Sandslash with Surf or KO it after some minor chip damage with Hyper Voice, though it cannot switch in reliably at all. Choice Scarf Inteleon can threaten it out with Hydro Pump, though such a set is generally uncommon on it.

**Snow Warning**: Snow Warning users, like Vanilluxe and Aurorus, negate Sandslash’s Speed boost and can stop it from sweeping under Hail. However, Aurorus gets outsped and OHKOed by Sandslash, and both cannot switch in reliably.

**Faster Pokemon**: The second Sand turns are over, Sandslash becomes quite simple to revenge kill, leaving it very vulnerable to revenge killers like Blastoise, Starmie, and Rotom-Mow.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5Dots, 543866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Expulso, 202058], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]

Good job, QC 1/2 once implemented.
 
[OVERVIEW]

Sandslash is a notable sweeper thanks to Sand Rush doubling its Speed under sand, making it a staple under said archetype. Sandslash’s good attacking stats Attack (what you had implies it uses both attacking stats and it simply doesnt) and physical bulk give it several chances to set up Swords Dance and muscle through Pokemon like Sylveon, Vaporeon, and Escavalier. Sandslash also has good coverage in Knock Off and Leech Life to lure Pokemon that sport type advantage against it, (fluff) like Dhelmise and Tsareena. However, Sandslash's only decent Attack and (contradicts your point earlier) low Special Defense can cause it to struggle against foes that can retaliate after taking an unboosted (to clarify as you mention Vap goes down to +2 EQ earlier) hit, like Vaporeon and Blastoise. Outside of sand, Sandslash is slow and easy to revenge kill, which is not helped by its several common weaknesses. Sand is also niche due to how builds around it require a lot of support to execute a successful sweep.

[SET]
name: Sand Rush Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Knock Off / Leech Life (See below)
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
The combination of Earthquake and Rock Slide enables Sandslash to hit most of NU for neutral damage, while Swords Dance makes it much more threatening to switch into. At +2 and with an Adamant Nature Life Orb, Earthquake can KO even bulky threats like Vaporeon, Sylveon, and Escavlier, especially after Stealth Rock. Knock Off targets Decidueye and Dhelmise while crippling switch-ins like Vaporeon and Tsareena. Life Orb is recommended to provide as much power as possible in all of its moves. (Mention Leech Life has a chance to OHKO Rotom-Mow after Stealth Rock) Lum Berry lacks Life Orb’s recoil and acts as a one-time shield from status, which gives it an easier time wearing down shared checks alongside Lycanroc. However, Sandslash will miss some offensive presence. (I cleaned up some of the fluff here. Rewrite the final sentence to something like: At the cost of the aforementioned matchups, Lum Berry instead works great to secure boosts from status spreaders like Talonflame and Mudsdale. You want to highlight that the aforementioned examples all need Life Orb, as well as provide legit examples for status spreaders you'd potentially setup on. Feel free to copy what I wrote verbatim or change as you see fit)

Gigalith is a necessary teammate for Sandslash, as the former’s ability is what allows Sandslash to become a sweeper or wallbreaker. Lycanroc can work alongside Sandslash to overwhelm the opposition, with both capitalizing on the sand turns Gigalith provides. Pivots like Dragalge and Vaporeon are helpful to get Sandslash get on the field more safely; Dragalge covers Sandslash’s vulnerability to Grass- and Water-type attacks, while Vaporeon can cover against Sandslash’s vulnerability to Water- and Ice-type attacks. In return, Sandslash can pivot against Vaporeon’s vulnerability to Electric-type attacks. Starmie can provide more reliable entry hazard removal with Rapid Spin and switch into Water- and Ice-type attacks as well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Rapid Spin enables it to outspeed Choice Scarf Heliolisk under sand while functioning as an emergency hazard remover. The additional Speed boost allows Sandslash to be faster than threats like Tsareena and non-Choice Scarf Rotom-C outside of sand. Leech Life provides coverage against foes like Tsareena, Guzzlord, and Rotom-C while giving it recovery, though Sandslash will sorely miss the utility Knock Off or Rapid Spin provides. (see above)

Checks and Counters
====

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: In a one-on-one situation, Pokemon like Vaporeon, Sylveon, and Mudsdale are bulky enough to tank Earthquake and threaten heavy damage in return. However, if Sandslash has obtained a Swords Dance boost beforehand, it can beat them with Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage.

**Faster Choice Scarf Users**: While Sandslash outspeeds the most common Choice Scarf users, Rotom-C and Passimian, under sand, Choice Scarf Heliolisk can OHKO Sandslash with Surf or KO it after some minor chip damage with Hyper Voice, though it cannot switch in reliably at all. Choice Scarf Inteleon can threaten it out with Hydro Pump.

**Snow Warning**: Snow Warning users, like Vanilluxe and Aurorus, negate Sandslash’s Speed boost and can stop it from sweeping under Hail. However, Aurorus gets outsped and OHKOed by Sandslash, and both cannot switch in reliably.

**Faster Pokemon**: The second Sand turns are over, Sandslash becomes quite simple to revenge kill, leaving it very vulnerable to revenge killers like Blastoise Exploud (Blastoise isn't the greatest example just because it's not going to come in unless its meant to sweep, so we should rather showoff a wallbreaker like Exploud here to show how relatively slow Sandslash is, and how when send ends there will be a problem with letting in these breakers), Starmie, and Rotom-Mow.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5Dots, 543866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Expulso, 202058], [S1nn0hC0nfirm3d, 231074]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
QC 2/2

Ho3nConfirm3d-QC-small.gif
 
add remove comments
[OVERVIEW]

Sandslash is a notable sweeper thanks to Sand Rush doubling its Speed under sand, making it a staple under said archetype on sand teams. Sandslash’s Sandslash's good Attack and physical bulk give it several chances to set up Swords Dance and muscle through Pokemon like Sylveon, Vaporeon, and Escavalier. Sandslash also has good coverage in Knock Off and Leech Life to lure in and beat Grass-type checks like Dhelmise, Rotom-C, and Tsareena. However, Sandslash's low Special Defense can cause it to struggle against foes that can retaliate after taking an unboosted hit, like Vaporeon and Blastoise. Outside of sand, Sandslash is slow and easy to revenge kill, which is not helped by its several common weaknesses. Sand is also niche due to how builds around it require a lot of support to execute a sweep.

[SET]
name: Sand Rush Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Knock Off / Leech Life
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
At +2 and with an Adamant Nature Life Orb With this set, +2 Earthquake can KO even bulky threats like Vaporeon, Sylveon, and Escavalier,(RC) especially after Stealth Rock. Knock Off targets Decidueye and Dhelmise while crippling switch-ins like Vaporeon and Tsareena. Alternatively, Leech Life has a good chances chance to OHKO Rotom-Mow Rotom-C after Stealth Rock and 2HKOs 2HKOes Tsareena. Lum Berry can be run instead to use status users like Talonflame, Mudsdale, and defensive Guzzlord as setup fodder, though without Life Orb, the aforementioned calculations would not be possible at +2 Sandslash loses much of its OHKO potential.

Gigalith is a necessary teammate for Sandslash, as the former’s ability is what allows Sandslash to become a sweeper or wallbreaker to activate Sand Rush and let it effectively sweep or wallbreak. Lycanroc can work alongside Sandslash to overwhelm the opposition, with both capitalizing on the sand turns Gigalith provides. Pivots like Dragalge and Vaporeon Rotom-C are helpful to get Sandslash get on the field more safely; Dragalge also covers Sandslash’s Sandslash's vulnerability to Grass- and Water-type attacks, while Vaporeon can cover against Sandslash’s vulnerability to Water- and Ice-type attacks Rotom-C applies additional pressure to Ground- and Water-types. In return, Sandslash can pivot into Electric-type attacks. Starmie can provide more reliable entry hazard removal with Rapid Spin and switch into Water- and Ice-type attacks as well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Rapid Spin enables it Sandslash to outspeed Choice Scarf Heliolisk under sand while functioning as an emergency entry hazard remover. The additional Speed boost also allows Sandslash to be faster than outspeed threats like Tsareena and non-Choice Scarf Rotom-C outside of sand.

Checks and Counters
====

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: In a one-on-one situation, Pokemon like Vaporeon, Sylveon, and Mudsdale are bulky enough to tank Earthquake and threaten heavy damage in return, especially if Sandslash is running Lum Berry. However, if Sandslash is running Life Orb and has obtained a Swords Dance boost beforehand, it can beat them with Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage.

**Faster Choice Scarf Users**: While Sandslash outspeeds the most common Choice Scarf users—Rotom-C and Passimian—under sand, Choice Scarf Heliolisk and Inteleon can outspeed and OHKO Sandslash with Surf or, in Heliolisk's case, KO it after some minor chip damage with Hyper Voice, though it cannot switch in reliably at all. However, they cannot switch in reliably at all. Choice Scarf Inteleon can threaten it out with Hydro Pump.

**Snow Warning**: Snow Warning users, like Vanilluxe and Aurorus, negate Sandslash’s Sandslash's Speed boost and can stop it from sweeping under Hail hail. However, Aurorus gets outsped and OHKOed by Sandslash, and both cannot switch in reliably.

**Faster Pokemon**: The second Sand sand turns are over, Sandslash becomes quite simple to revenge kill, leaving it very vulnerable to revenge killers with Pokemon like Exploud, Starmie, and Rotom-Mow Rotom-C.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5Dots, 543866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Expulso, 202058], [S1nn0hC0nfirm3d, 231074]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]]
Includes a bit of QC as well. GP 1/2 when implemented.
 
Add/Fix Remove Comment
[OVERVIEW]

Sandslash is a notable sweeper thanks to Sand Rush doubling its Speed under sand, making it a staple on sand teams. Sandslash's good Attack and physical bulk give it several chances to set up Swords Dance and muscle through Pokemon like Sylveon, Vaporeon, and Escavalier. Sandslash also has good coverage in Knock Off and Leech Life to lure in and beat Grass-type checks like Dhelmise, Rotom-C, and Tsareena. However, Sandslash's low Special Defense can cause it to struggle hurts it against foes that can retaliate after taking an unboosted hit, like Vaporeon and Blastoise. Outside of sand, Sandslash is slow and easy to revenge kill, which is not helped by especially given its several common weaknesses. Sand is also niche due to how builds teams built around it require a lot of support to execute a sweep.

[SET]
name: Sand Rush Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Knock Off / Leech Life
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
With this set, +2 Earthquake can KO even bulky threats like Vaporeon, Sylveon, and Escavalier after Stealth Rock. Knock Off targets Decidueye and Dhelmise while crippling switch-ins like Vaporeon and Tsareena. Alternatively, Leech Life has a good chance to OHKO Rotom-C after Stealth Rock and 2HKOes Tsareena. Lum Berry can be run instead to use status users like Talonflame, Mudsdale, and defensive Guzzlord as setup fodder, though without Life Orb, Sandslash loses much of its OHKO potential.

Gigalith is a necessary teammate for Sandslash to activate utilize (subjective but slightly clearer after removing "let it") Sand Rush and let it effectively sweep or wallbreak. Lycanroc can work alongside Sandslash to overwhelm the opposition, with both capitalizing on the sand turns Gigalith provides. Pivots like Dragalge and Rotom-C are helpful to get Sandslash help Sandslash get on the field more safely; Dragalge also covers Sandslash's vulnerability to Grass- and Water-type attacks, while Rotom-C applies additional pressure to Ground- and Water-types. Starmie can provide more reliable entry hazard removal with Rapid Spin and switch into Water- and Ice-type attacks as well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Rapid Spin enables Sandslash to outspeed Choice Scarf Heliolisk under sand while functioning as an emergency entry hazard remover. The Speed boost also allows Sandslash to outspeed threats like Tsareena and non-Choice Scarf Rotom-C outside of sand.

Checks and Counters
====

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: In a one-on-one situation, Pokemon like Vaporeon, Sylveon, and Mudsdale are bulky enough to tank Earthquake and threaten heavy damage in return, especially if Sandslash is running Lum Berry. However, if Sandslash is running Life Orb and has obtained a Swords Dance boost, it can beat OHKO (I assume?) them with Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage.

**Faster Choice Scarf Users**: While Sandslash outspeeds the most common Choice Scarf users—Rotom-C and Passimian—under sand, Choice Scarf Heliolisk and Inteleon can outspeed and OHKO Sandslash with Surf or, in Heliolisk's case, KO it after some minor chip damage with Hyper Voice. KO it with Hyper Voice after minor chip damage or OHKO with Surf, respectively. However, they cannot switch in reliably at all.

**Snow Warning**: Snow Warning users, like Vanilluxe and Aurorus, negate Sandslash's Speed boost and can stop it from sweeping under by instantly setting hail. However, Aurorus gets outsped and OHKOed by Sandslash, and both cannot switch in reliably.

**Faster Pokemon**: The second sand turns are over, Sandslash becomes quite simple to revenge kill with Pokemon like Exploud, Starmie, and Rotom-C.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5Dots, 543866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Expulso, 202058], [S1nn0hC0nfirm3d, 231074]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [Finland, 517429]]
hikari.gif
2/2
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top