Gen 1 Sandslash (NU Mini) [GP 1/1]

[5Dots]

”SD up to +6, Use Fissure. Check and mate. Any Questions?”

[OVERVIEW]
Sandslash is able to carve out a solid niche in NU as the only fully evolved Ground-type that possesses Swords Dance and a neutrality to Earthquake. Thanks to its immunity to Thunder Wave, Sandslash can switch in more easily than other Swords Dance users, like Kingler and Pinsir, by predicting Thunder Wave from Pokemon like Electrode, Drowzee, and Mr. Mime. It further benefits from the coveted Earthquake + Rock Slide combination, alongside other key offensive moves like Substitute and Body Slam. Its Speed tier is also serviceable enough to outspeed key staples like Golem, Clefable, and Porygon. Lastly, Sandslash possesses good physical bulk, allowing it to combat physical attackers like Golem effectively. With paralysis support from Pokemon like Mr. Mime and Clefable, Sandslash can ravage the opposing team late-game.

However, while having some use, Sandslash's Speed tier is still poor: the relevant Water-types of the tier, such as Kingler, Blastoise, Seadra, and Kabutops, will outspeed it, threatening significant damage before it can set up with Swords Dance. Ergo, they must be removed, severely weakened, or crippled for Sandslash to be effective. This usually causes it to rely on paralysis support, which many teams cannot afford to easily provide. Although Sandslash is immune to Thunder Wave, paralysis from Body Slam, Stun Spore, or Glare cripples its chances to sweep late-game, exposing its poor special bulk and cutting into what Speed it does have. Lastly, it faces heavy competition as a Ground-type from Nidoking and Golem: the former has a much more flexible movepool, better Speed, and a Toxic immunity, while the latter has access to STAB Rock Slide, an important resistance to Fire, more immediate power, and Explosion.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Body Slam / Substitute

[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance is Sandslash's calling card, driving its Attack stat to terrifying levels. At +2, it can threaten OHKOs on Pokemon like Electrode, Mr. Mime, and Nidoking with Earthquake. Rock Slide complements Earthquake, providing unresisted coverage and securing OHKOs on Charizard and Moltres after a boost; it also hits Pinsir and Fearow hard. Body Slam discourages switch-ins from Poliwhirl and Blastoise, potentially paralyzing them. Alternatively, Substitute can exploit predicted switches and grants Sandslash more opportunities to set up, especially given its immunity to Thunder Wave.

Sandslash has a surprisingly interesting movepool, making it quite customizable. Slash gives Sandslash immediate power and tears through Pokemon relying on Reflect, such as Abra and rare variants of Mr. Mime, Clefable, and Wigglytuff. Toxic prevents partial trappers like AgiliWrap Dragonair, Charizard, Moltres, and Rapidash from pinning it down. Submission is its best option against Clefable, Porygon, and Wigglytuff; however, the recoil, shaky accuracy, and lower damage than Earthquake against neutral targets make it a niche option at best. Hyper Beam is Sandslash's best move against Exeggcute and matches Earthquake’s power but fails to notably hit other targets.

As a result of its typing and good physical bulk, Sandslash can pivot in against Electrode and Golem as well as Pokemon running Rest, such as Moltres and Blastoise, which let it also break holes in the opposition with Swords Dance. Since they let Sandslash set up, sleeping Pokemon are effectively left on the sidelines until it is eliminated. Pokemon carrying Thunderbolt, like Clefable, that can deter Water-types like Seadra and Blastoise from staying in allows Sandslash to set up more easily. Chip damage from Fire Spin users like Moltres, Rapidash, and Charizard, as well as Wrap from Dragonair, is also appreciated to help secure OHKOs after a Swords Dance, which makes Sandslash more difficult to deal with over the course of a game. Lastly, paralysis support from the likes of Electrode and Mr. Mime allows Sandslash to not only have more setup opportunities, but also to fish for full paralysis with Substitute and become even more lethal.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5Dots, 543866]]
- Quality checked by: [[pac, 520967], [May, 236353]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]

 

[5Dots]

Ready for QC!

 

[pac]

Hey! Gonna do this in the PvK style of QC feedback. Implement these and i'll come back later and suggest more stuff.

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Sonic Heroeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees

[OVERVIEW]
Sandslash is able to carve out a slight niches in NU by being the only fully-evolved Ground-type that possesses Swords Dance and a neutrality to Earthquake. At +2, it is able to threaten OHKOs on Pokemon like Drowzee, Mr. Mime, and Raticate with Earthquake. A boosted Rock Slide OHKOs Charizard and Moltres. (These are more fitting in set comments than overview, I'd find a place for them there.) Sandslash’s speed tier is also serviceable enough to outspeed key staples like Golem, Clefable, and Porygon. With its decent offensive presence and paralysis support from Pokemon like Mr. Mime and Clefable, Sandslash can ravage the opposing team.

However, Sandslash is burdened with several flaws, the most prominent being its poor speed tier: relative to NU, most of the metagame, such as Kingler, Blastoise, and Kabutops, will outspeed it, causing Sandslash to usually take a hit before being able to move. Although it is immune to Thunder Wave, paralysis from Body Slam or Stun Spore (Exeggcute is a thing and its a problem for Sandslash) can cripple its chances to sweep late-game, exposing its poor special bulk and cutting into what remaining speed it has left to outspeed the aforementioned threats. Most importantly, it faces immense competition for the Ground-type slot as a Ground-type from the likes of Nidoking and Golem: the former has a much more flexible movepool, better Speed, and a Toxic immunity, while the latter has access to STAB Rock Slide, a resistance to Fire, more immediate power, and Explosion.

[SET]
name: Hedgehog (Swords Dance) Swords Dance (Hedgehog is not a commonly used term so it shouldn't be a set name. Only use nicknames for sets for stuff like Kingler and Cringe Crab, or BlizzBolt or Triple OHKO, which are used terms.)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Body Slam
move 4: Rock Slide / Substitute

[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance enables Sandslash to boost its good Attack stat to higher levels. (This is so basic and dex infoy. Let's talk about how it can reapply para speed drops, list some notable calcs after a Swords Dance like OHKOing Molt, and play it up as "boost its Attack stat to extraordinary levels" ya know? Add detail and flavor, hmu on Discord if you need help.) Earthquake is its primary STAB move, enabling it to OHKO Drowzee, Kabutops, and Nidoking after a boost. Body Slam enables it to spread paralysis and makes it more difficult to switch into. (Mention how this helps mitigate its ass Speed tier) Rock Slide achieves perfect coverage alongside Earthquake and 2HKOs Moltres and Charizard. Alternatively, Substitute can exploit switches and grant it more opportunities to set up.

Sandslash’s limited movepool leave it without many choices. Toxic prevents it from being fodder for AgiliWrap Dragonair and Fire Spin users like Charizard, Moltres, and Rapidash. Hyper Beam is its best move against Exeggcute and matches Earthquake’s power, but is otherwise unneeded. (Add stuff for Slash, Rest, and Submission imo. Beef this up, maybe mention Sand Attack?)
Paragraph Separation
Sandslash appreciates Pokemon like Exeggcute and Electrode that can deter Water-types like Blastoise and Poliwhirl from staying in and allow Sandslash to set up more easily. In turn, Sandslash can set up against opposing Electodes and on a predicted Rest from Blastoise, enabling it to become a mid- to late-game cleaner. Chip damage from the likes of Fire Spin users like Moltres, Rapidash, and Charizard, as well as Wrap from Dragonair, are also appreciated to help secure OHKOs after a Swords Dance, which can make Sandslash more difficult to deal with over the course of a game.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5Dots, 543866]]
- Quality checked by: [[name, id], [name, id]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, id]]

 

[5Dots]

implemented.

 

[pac]

Liked the PvK style last time so im doing it again.

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Sonic Heroeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees Part 2

[OVERVIEW]
Sandslash is able to carve out a niche in NU by being the only fully-evolved Ground-type that possesses Swords Dance and neutrality to Earthquake. This is further complemented with it having access to having the the coveted SlideQuake "QuakeSlide" combination, alongside other key offensive moves like Substitute and Body Slam. Sandslash’s speed tier is also serviceable enough to outspeed key staples like Golem, Clefable, and Porygon. Sandslash also wields impressive physical bulk, allowing it to combat physical attackers like Golem very effectively. (Its physical bulk is great, play that shit up) With its decent offensive presence and paralysis support from Pokemon like Mr. Mime and Clefable, Sandslash can ravage the opposing team late game.

However, Sandslash is burdened with several flaws, the most prominent being its poor speed tier: relative to NU, most of the metagame, such as Kingler, Blastoise, and Kabutops, will outspeed it, causing Sandslash to usually take a hit before being able to move. This usually forces it to rely on paralysis support, which many teams cannot afford to provide. Although it is immune to Thunder Wave, paralysis from Body Slam or Stun Spore can cripple its chances to sweep late-game, exposing its poor special bulk and cutting into what remaining speed it has left to outspeed the aforementioned threats. Most importantly, it faces immense competition as a Ground-type from the likes of Nidoking and Golem: the former has a much more flexible movepool, better Speed, and a Toxic immunity, while the latter has access to STAB Rock Slide, an important (most NU players dont realise going into it that Fire is relevant since it sucks in OU and Ubers) resistance to Fire, more immediate power, and Explosion.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Body Slam
move 4: Rock Slide / Substitute

[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance is Sandslash's calling card, driving its Attack stat to terrifying levels. At +2, it is able to threaten OHKOs on Pokemon like Drowzee, Mr. Mime, and Raticate with Earthquake. Rock Slide complements Earthquake, providing unresisted coverage and secures OHKOs on Charizard and Moltres after a boost. Body Slam discourages switch-ins like Moltres and Charizard, potentially paralyzing them. Alternatively, Substitute can exploit predicted switches and grant it more opportunities to set up.

Sandslash has a surprisingly interesting movepool. Toxic prevents it from being fodder for AgiliWrap Dragonair and Fire Spin users like Charizard, Moltres, and Rapidash. Hyper Beam is its best move against Exeggcute and matches Earthquake’s power, but is otherwise unneeded. Rest enables Sandslash to be healthy again and get rid of any status it may have accumulated. though its only decent bulk renders it hard to wake up later in the match. Submission is its best option against Clefable and Wigglytuff; however, the recoil, shaky accuracy, and lower damage than even Earthquake against neutral targets makes it a worse option in comparison. Slash bypasses Pokemon relying on Reflect, such as Abra and rare variants of Mr. Mime and Clefable. However, its mediocre Speed tier causes it to fall just short of the 99.6% critical hit rate, and has a hard time replacing Rock Slide's coverage, Substitute's utility setup opportunities, or Body Slam's paralysis spreading. Sand Attack allows it to have a better fighting chance in losing matchups, such as against Blastoise or Poliwhirl.

Sandslash appreciates Pokemon like Exeggcute and (Blastoise and Poliwhirl outspeed with Blizzard while Exeggcute kinda just pokes them with sticks.) Electrode that can deter Water-types like Blastoise and Poliwhirl from staying in and allow Sandslash to set up more easily. In turn, Sandslash can set up against opposing Electodes, sleeping Pokemon, and enabling it to become a mid- to late-game cleaner. Chip damage from the likes of Fire Spin users like Moltres, Rapidash, and Charizard, as well as Wrap from Dragonair, are also appreciated to help secure OHKOs after a Swords Dance, which can make Sandslash more difficult to deal with over the course of a game.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5Dots, 543866]]
- Quality checked by: [[name, id], [name, id]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, id]

Implement these and i'll give one last look before QCing.

 

[5Dots]

Implemented changes.

 

[pac]

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Sandslash

[OVERVIEW]
Sandslash is able to carve out a niche in NU by being the only fully-evolved Ground-type that possesses Swords Dance and neutrality to Earthquake. This is further complemented with it having access to the coveted "QuakeSlide" combination, alongside other key offensive moves like Substitute and Body Slam. Sandslash’s speed tier is also serviceable enough to outspeed key staples like Golem, Clefable, and Porygon. Sandslash also wields impressive physical bulk, allowing it to combat physical attackers like Golem effectively. With its decent offensive presence and paralysis support from Pokemon like Mr. Mime and Clefable, Sandslash can ravage the opposing team late game.

However, Sandslash is burdened with several flaws, the most prominent being its poor speed tier: relative to NU, most of the metagame the relevant Water-types of the tier, such as Kingler, Blastoise, Seadra, and Kabutops, will outspeed it, causing Sandslash to usually often take a potentially fatal hit before being able to move set up Swords Dance. This usually causes it to rely on paralysis support, which many teams cannot afford to easily provide. Although it is immune to Thunder Wave, paralysis from Body Slam or Stun Spore Body Slam, Stun Spore, or Glare (eh, might as well throw Arbok a bone.) can cripple its chances to sweep late-game, exposing its poor special bulk and cutting into what remaining speed it has left to outspeed the aforementioned threats. Most importantly, it faces immense competition as a Ground-type from the likes of Nidoking and Golem: the former has a much more flexible movepool, better Speed, and a Toxic immunity, while the latter has access to STAB Rock Slide, an important resistance to Fire, more immediate power, and Explosion.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Body Slam
move 4: Rock Slide / Substitute

[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance is Sandslash's calling card, driving its Attack stat to terrifying levels. At +2, it is able to threaten OHKOs on Pokemon like Drowzee, Mr. Mime, and Raticate Electrode, Mr. Mime, and Nidoking with Earthquake. Rock Slide complements Earthquake, providing unresisted coverage and secures securing OHKOs on Charizard and Moltres after a boost. Body Slam discourages switch-ins like Moltres and Charizard Poliwhirl and Fearow, potentially paralyzing them. Alternatively, Substitute can exploit predicted switches and grant it more opportunities to set up.

Sandslash has a surprisingly interesting movepool. Toxic prevents it from being fodder for AgiliWrap Dragonair and Fire Spin users like Charizard, Moltres, and Rapidash. Hyper Beam is its best move against Exeggcute and matches Earthquake’s power, but is otherwise unneeded. Rest enables Sandslash to be healthy again and get rid of any status it may have accumulated. though its only mediocre Special bulk renders it hard to wake up later in the match. Submission is its best option against Clefable and Wigglytuff; however, the recoil, shaky accuracy, and lower damage than even Earthquake against neutral targets makes it a worse option in comparison niche option at best. Slash bypasses tears through Pokemon relying on Reflect, such as Abra and rare variants of Mr. Mime and Clefable Mr. Mime, Clefable, and Wigglytuff (Might as well include Wigglytuff, probably the last Reflect user). However, its mediocre Speed tier causes it to fall just short of the valued 99.6% critical hit rate, and has a hard time replacing Rock Slide's coverage, Substitute's setup opportunities, or Body Slam's paralysis spreading. Sand Attack allows it to have a better fighting chance in losing matchups, such as against Blastoise or Poliwhirl.

Sandslash appreciates Electrode and Pokemon carrying Thunderbolt like Clefable, Electrode, and Mr. Mime that can deter Water-types like Seadra, Blastoise, and Poliwhirl from staying in, and allowing Sandslash to set up more easily. In turn, Sandslash can set up against opposing Electodes, sleeping Pokemon, and enabling it to become a mid- to late-game cleaner. Chip damage from the likes of Fire Spin users like Moltres, Rapidash, and Charizard, as well as Wrap from Dragonair, are also appreciated to help secure OHKOs after a Swords Dance, which can make Sandslash more difficult to deal with over the course of a game.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5Dots, 543866]]
- Quality checked by: [[pacattacc, 520967], [name, id]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, id]

Implement this for a QC 1/2.

 

[5Dots]

Implemented changes.

 

[Plague von Karma]

Ayup implement for QC 2/2 and come to me if you have any questions!
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ayup

[OVERVIEW]
Sandslash is able to carve out a niche in NU by being the only fully-evolved Ground-type that possesses Swords Dance and neutrality to Earthquake. (This is more of its distinguishing factor, I'd argue that the real niche is that it's a Swords Dance user immune to paralysis. It gets tons of entry points because of that.) This is further complemented with it having access to the coveted "QuakeSlide" combination, alongside other key offensive moves like Substitute and Body Slam. Sandslash’s Speed tier is also serviceable enough to outspeed key staples like Golem, Clefable, and Porygon. Sandslash wields impressive physical bulk, allowing it to combat physical attackers like Golem effectively. With paralysis support from Pokemon like Mr. Mime and Clefable, Sandslash can ravage the opposing team late-game.(AH)

However, Sandslash is burdened with several flaws, the most prominent being its poor Speed tier: the relevant Water-types of the tier, such as Kingler, Blastoise, Seadra, and Kabutops, will outspeed it, causing Sandslash to often take a potentially fatal hit get threatened with significant damage (it can take at least a hit: Seadra Surf vs. Sandslash: 285-336 (80.7 - 95.1%)) before being able to set up Swords Dance; ergo, they must be removed for it to be effective. This usually causes it to rely on paralysis support, which many teams cannot afford to easily provide. Although it is immune to Thunder Wave, paralysis from Body Slam, Stun Spore, or Glare can cripple its chances to sweep late-game, exposing its poor special bulk and cutting into what remaining Speed it has left to outspeed the aforementioned threats. Most importantly, it faces immense competition as a Ground-type from the likes of Nidoking and Golem: the former has a much more flexible movepool, better Speed, and a Toxic immunity, while the latter has access to STAB Rock Slide, an important resistance to Fire, more immediate power, and Explosion.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Body Slam
move 4: Rock Slide / Substitute

(With Charizard and Moltres being so common I am very skeptical about Rock Slide being the fourth move. I'm open to talking about this point, but right now I think Rock Slide and Body Slam should be swapped. Rock Slide also hits Pinsir (an EQ resist, very important), Fearow, and Venomoth. You also word the first paragraph of Set Details as if Body Slam is the fourth move, so this is actually very easy to adapt into the analysis.)

[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance is Sandslash's calling card, driving its Attack stat to terrifying levels. At +2, it is able to threaten OHKOs on Pokemon like Electrode, Mr. Mime, and Nidoking with Earthquake. Rock Slide complements Earthquake, providing unresisted coverage and securing OHKOs on Charizard and Moltres after a boost; it also complements Earthquake by hitting Pinsir, Fearow, and Venomoth hard. Body Slam discourages switch-ins like from Poliwhirl and Fearow, potentially paralyzing them. Alternatively, Substitute can exploit predicted switches and grants it more opportunities to set up, which is made more effective by its immunity to Thunder Wave.

Sandslash has a surprisingly interesting movepool, making it easier to customize. Toxic prevents it from being fodder for locked down by AgiliWrap Dragonair and Fire Spin users like Charizard, Moltres, and Rapidash. Hyper Beam is its best move against Exeggcute and matches Earthquake’s power, but is otherwise unneeded. Rest enables Sandslash to be healthy again and get rid of any status it may have accumulated. though its mediocre Special bulk renders it hard to wake up later in the match. (This doesn't synergize with its sweeper identity at all and there is no way you're waking this up. It invites Poliwhirl in too, which we don't want.) Submission is its best option against Clefable, Porygon, and Wigglytuff; however, the recoil, shaky accuracy, and lower damage than even Earthquake against neutral targets makes it a niche option at best. Slash gives Sandslash immediate power and tears through Pokemon relying on Reflect, such as Abra and rare variants of Mr. Mime, Clefable, and Wigglytuff. However, its mediocre Speed tier causes it to fall just short of the coveted 99.6% critical hit rate, and (This is outright false, it just barely hits it. Read here.) has a hard time replacing Rock Slide's coverage, Substitute's setup opportunities, or Body Slam's paralysis spreading.

(It may be worth discouraging Hyper Beam more, as it has the same Base Power as STAB Earthquake and doesn't hit anything that Rock Slide doesn't. The reason you use it is for that extra push against Grass-types but in a metagame where they're so easy to cover it's kind of...bad)

Sandslash appreciates Pokemon carrying Thunderbolt like Clefable that can deter Water-types like Seadra and Blastoise from staying in, allowing Sandslash to set up more easily. Chip damage from the likes of Fire Spin users like Moltres, Rapidash, and Charizard, as well as Wrap from Dragonair, are also appreciated to help secure OHKOs after a Swords Dance, which can make Sandslash more difficult to deal with over the course of a game.

(You fail to go over what Sandslash does and where it goes. Sandslash functions as a Thunder Wave / Electric coverage absorber early- to mid-game that can be used to gain momentum, and functions as a sweeper later on. Sandslash should, ideally, not set up at all until a sweep is secured. It's a brutal punish to Rest users like Moltres and Blastoise too, they can't stall it out and coming in on a predicted Rest is free seratonin. It's also good to encourage users to exercise prediction, as a player's first instinct against Sandslash is to try and switch in on Earthquake.)

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5Dots, 543866]]
- Quality checked by: [[pacattacc, 520967], [Plague von Karma, 236353]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, id]

 

[5Dots]

Changes implemented. This is ready for GP!

 

[Deleted User 465389]

blue = add
red = delete
green = comments

am gp check

”SD up to +6, Use Fissure. Check and mate. Any Questions?”

[OVERVIEW]
Sandslash is able to carve out a solid niche in NU by being the only fully-(RH)evolved Ground-type that possesses Swords Dance and a neutrality to Earthquake. As a result of its immunity to paralysis Thunder Wave (you mention later that it can be paralyzed by body slam, stun spore etc), compared to other Swords Dance users, like Kingler and Pinsir, Sandslash can pivot in more easily against predicted Electric-type moves, such as against like Electrode, Drowzee, and Mr. Mime. Sandslash's capabilities are further complemented with it having access to the coveted "QuakeSlide" combination, alongside other key offensive moves like Substitute and Body Slam. Its Speed tier is also serviceable enough to outspeed key staples like Golem, Clefable, and Porygon. Lastly, Sandslash wields impressive physical bulk, allowing it to combat physical attackers like Golem effectively. With paralysis support from Pokemon like Mr. Mime and Clefable, Sandslash can ravage the opposing team late-game.

However, Sandslash is burdened with several flaws, the most prominent being its poor Speed tier: the relevant Water-types of the tier, such as Kingler, Blastoise, Seadra, and Kabutops, will outspeed it, causing Sandslash to be threatened with significant damage before being able to set up Swords Dance; ergo, they must be removed or severely weakened for it to be effective. This usually causes it to rely on paralysis support, which many teams cannot afford to easily provide. Although it is immune to Thunder Wave, paralysis from Body Slam, Stun Spore, or Glare can cripple its chances to sweep late-game, exposing its poor special bulk and cutting into what remaining Speed it has left to outpace the aforementioned threats. Lastly, it faces significant competition as a Ground-type from the likes of Nidoking and Golem: the former has a much more flexible movepool, better Speed, and a Toxic immunity, while the latter has access to STAB Rock Slide, an important resistance to Fire, more immediate power, and Explosion.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Body Slam / Substitute

[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance is Sandslash's calling card, driving its Attack stat to terrifying levels. At +2, it is able to threaten OHKOs on Pokemon like Electrode, Mr. Mime, and Nidoking with Earthquake. Rock Slide complements Earthquake, providing unresisted coverage and securing OHKOs on Charizard and Moltres after a boost; it also complements Earthquake by hitting hits Pinsir and Fearow hard. Body Slam discourages switch-ins from Poliwhirl and Blastoise, potentially paralyzing them. Alternatively, Substitute can exploit predicted switches and grants it more opportunities to set up, which is made more effective by its immunity to Thunder Wave.

Sandslash has a surprisingly interesting movepool, allowing it to be quite customizable. Slash gives Sandslash immediate power and tears through Pokemon relying on Reflect, such as Abra and rare variants of Mr. Mime, Clefable, and Wigglytuff. Toxic prevents it from being pinned down by AgiliWrap Dragonair and Fire Spin users like Charizard, Moltres, and Rapidash. Submission is its best option against Clefable, Porygon, and Wigglytuff; however, the recoil, shaky accuracy, and lower damage than Earthquake against neutral targets makes it a niche option at best. Hyper Beam is its best move against Exeggcute and matches Earthquake’s power, but fails to do provide other utility due to it failing to hit other targets. Moreover, it has a hard time replacing Rock Slide's coverage, Substitute's setup opportunities, or Body Slam's paralysis spreading.

As a result of its defensive typing and good physical bulk, Sandslash can pivot in against Electrode and Golem as well as Pokemon running Rest, such as Moltres and Blastoise, where it can also break holes against the opposition with Swords Dance. Sleeping Pokemon will not be able to outlast Sandslash’s assault, effectively leaving them on the sidelines until Sandslash is eliminated. To further its offensive capabilities, Pokemon carrying Thunderbolt like Clefable that can deter Water-types like Seadra and Blastoise from staying in, allowing Sandslash to set up more easily. Chip damage from the likes of Fire Spin users like Moltres, Rapidash, and Charizard, as well as Wrap from Dragonair, are also appreciated to help secure OHKOs after a Swords Dance, which can make Sandslash more difficult to deal with over the course of a game. Lastly, paralysis support from the likes of Electrode and Mr. Mime can allow Sandslash to not only set the stage for more setup opportunities, but to also fish for full paralysis with Substitute and become even more lethal.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5Dots, 543866]]
- Quality checked by: [[pac, 520967], [May, 236353]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, id]

good job!

 

[Adeleine]

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[OVERVIEW]
Sandslash is able to carve out a solid niche in NU by being as the only fully evolved Ground-type that possesses Swords Dance and a neutrality to Earthquake. As a result of its immunity to paralysis Thunder Wave, compared to Its Electric immunity lets it switch in more easily than other Swords Dance users, like Kingler and Pinsir, Sandslash can pivot in more easily against predicted Electric-type moves, like Electrode, Drowzee, and Mr. Mime. Sandslash's capabilities are further complemented with it having access to the coveted "QuakeSlide" combination, by predicting Thunder Wave from Pokemon like Electrode, Drowzee, and Mr. Mime. It further benefits from the coveted Earthquake + Rock Slide combination, (I imagine this section still makes sense?) alongside other key offensive moves like Substitute and Body Slam. Its Speed tier is also serviceable enough to outspeed key staples like Golem, Clefable, and Porygon. Lastly, Sandslash wields possesses good physical bulk, allowing it to combat physical attackers like Golem effectively. With paralysis support from Pokemon like Mr. Mime and Clefable, Sandslash can ravage the opposing team late-game.

However, Sandslash is burdened with several flaws, the most prominent being its poor Speed tier: while having some use, Sandslash's Speed tier is still poor: the relevant Water-types of the tier, such as Kingler, Blastoise, Seadra, and Kabutops, will outspeed it, causing Sandslash to be threatened with significant damage before being able to set up Swords Dance; ergo, it, threatening significant damage before it can set up with Swords Dance. Ergo, they must be removed or severely weakened for removed, severely weakened, or crippled for Sandslash (i imagine "crippled" makes sense, bc it relying on twave) to be effective. This usually causes it to rely on paralysis support, which many teams cannot afford to easily provide. Although it Sandslash is immune to Thunder Wave, paralysis from Body Slam, Stun Spore, or Glare can cripple its chances to sweep late-game, exposing its poor special bulk and cutting into what remaining Speed it has left to outpace the aforementioned threats. Speed it does have. Lastly, it faces significant competition as a Ground-type from the likes of Nidoking and Golem: the former has a much more flexible movepool, better Speed, and a Toxic immunity, while the latter has access to STAB Rock Slide, an important resistance to Fire, more immediate power, and Explosion.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Body Slam / Substitute

[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance is Sandslash's calling card, driving its Attack stat to terrifying levels. At +2, it is able to can threaten OHKOs on Pokemon like Electrode, Mr. Mime, and Nidoking with Earthquake. Rock Slide complements Earthquake, providing unresisted coverage and securing OHKOs on Charizard and Moltres after a boost; it also hits Pinsir and Fearow hard. Body Slam discourages switch-ins from Poliwhirl and Blastoise, potentially paralyzing them. Alternatively, Substitute can exploit predicted switches and grants it Sandslash more opportunities to set up, which is made more effective by especially given its immunity to Thunder Wave.

Sandslash has a surprisingly interesting movepool, allowing it to be making it quite customizable. Slash gives Sandslash immediate power and tears through Pokemon relying on Reflect, such as Abra and rare variants of Mr. Mime, Clefable, and Wigglytuff. Toxic prevents it from being pinned down by AgiliWrap Dragonair and Fire Spin users like partial trappers like AgiliWrap Dragonair, Charizard, Moltres, and Rapidash from pinning it down. Submission is its best option against Clefable, Porygon, and Wigglytuff; however, the recoil, shaky accuracy, and lower damage than Earthquake against neutral targets makes it a niche option at best. Hyper Beam is its Sandslash's best move against Exeggcute and matches Earthquake’s power (RC) but fails to provide other utility due to it failing to notably (I imagine?) hit other targets. Moreover, it has a hard time replacing Rock Slide's coverage, Substitute's setup opportunities, or Body Slam's paralysis spreading.

As a result of its defensive typing and good physical bulk, Sandslash can pivot in against Electrode and Golem as well as Pokemon running Rest, such as Moltres and Blastoise, where it can which let it (I imagine this still makes sense?) also break holes against in the opposition with Swords Dance. Sleeping Pokemon will not be able to outlast Sandslash’s assault, effectively leaving them on the sidelines until Sandslash is eliminated. To further its offensive capabilities, Since they let Sandslash set up, sleeping Pokemon are effectively left on the sidelines until it is eliminated. (assuming this makes sense. if not, could you either clarify and let me know before upload or just remove the original sentence?) Pokemon carrying Thunderbolt, (AC) like Clefable, (AC) that can deter Water-types like Seadra and Blastoise from staying in, allowing in allows Sandslash to set up more easily. Chip damage from the likes of Fire Spin users like Moltres, Rapidash, and Charizard, as well as Wrap from Dragonair, are is also appreciated to help secure OHKOs after a Swords Dance, which can make makes Sandslash more difficult to deal with over the course of a game. Lastly, paralysis support from the likes of Electrode and Mr. Mime can allow Sandslash to not only set the stage for allows Sandslash to not only have more setup opportunities, but to also to fish for full paralysis with Substitute and become even more lethal.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5Dots, 543866]]
- Quality checked by: [[pac, 520967], [May, 236353]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]

1/1 on implementation

 

[5Dots]

Implemented changes and rephrased some wording from earlier.
I think this is ready for upload!

 

[Plague von Karma]

This is uploaded, thanks!