[Overview]
<p>Sneasel isn't as dangerous as its evolution, Weavile, but it can pose a formidable threat in the lower tiers. As it has one of the highest Speed stats in the NU tier and its Attack stat can leave a dent in anything that doesn't resist its STAB, it makes a very good revenge killer. However, Sneasel isn't without its flaws; with a weakness to Stealth Rock, common weaknesses in Fire, Rock, and Fighting, and pitiful Defense and HP, Sneasel is fairly easy to KO. If you're incredibly lucky, Sneasel can pull off a sweep with Swords Dance, revenge kill with a Choice item, or trap fleeing Psychic-types with Pursuit. It may not look the part, but Sneasel is incredibly powerful given the right support.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Ice Punch
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Brick Break / Low Kick
item: Choice Band
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Thanks to its high Speed, Sneasel can revenge kill most Psychic- and Ghost-types with Pursuit without having to take a hit. Ice Punch is Sneasel's most reliable STAB move and hits bulky Grass- and Ground-types super effectively. Ice Shard helps Sneasel finish off weakened opponents and Pokemon locked into Outrage, while Brick Break hits Pokemon such as Lapras and Miltank super effectively. Low Kick can be used if you prefer its higher Base Power against Regirock and Lapras, who can take all other Sneasel's attack with ease.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread is simple; maximum Attack and Speed give Sneasel the highest chance of sweeping. A Jolly nature reaches 361 Speed, matching that of Persian, Floatzel, and Cinccino, and outrunning the occasional Choice Scarf Wailord. An Adamant nature can be used along with a Choice Scarf, but the added power from a Choice Band is preferred. Shadow Claw can be used to hit Ghost- and Psychic-types super effectively, but isn't boosted by STAB or doubled in power when the opponent switches out.</p>
<p>Weezing walls Sneasel without lifting a finger and can threaten it with a burn from Will-O-Wisp. Mesprit is a welcome partner; not only can it take on Weezing with its STAB moves, it can also switch into Fighting-type attacks aimed at Sneasel. Torkoal can take all of Sneasel's attacks and KO it with its STAB move, making bulky Water-types, such as Lanturn and Quagsire, excellent partners. Rapid Spin support helps Sneasel survive longer, giving it more chances to KO an opponent. Cryogonal can support Sneasel with Rapid Spin and has access to Recover, but shares a nasty weakness to both Fire- and Rock-type moves.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Ice Punch
move 3: Low Kick
move 4: Bite / Taunt
item: Life Orb
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes a different approach to Sneasel, attempting to deal as much damage as possible before going down. The idea is to switch into a Pokemon Sneasel can force out and proceed to set up Swords Dance; from there, Sneasel can pummel the opponent with boosted STAB moves or shut them down with Taunt. Ice Punch is recommended as it is Sneasel's most reliable STAB move. Low Kick can OHKO Regirock after Stealth Rock and Spikes damage, while Lapras is OHKOed when at +2. Furthermore, the combination of Ice Punch and Low Kick is only resisted by Tentacool, Slowking, Lampent, and Frillish. Bite rounds off Sneasel's coverage and means that Sneasel hits everything in the tier for at least neutral damage. Taunt can be used to stop the opponent from setting up, and it usually forces defensive Psychic-types, such as Musharna, to switch out.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Ice Shard can be used to finish off Swellow and Braviary, but this leaves Sneasel walled by Steel-types. A Pokemon that deals with Steel-types should be used if Low Kick is absent, making Emboar, Quagsire, or Probopass a great teammate. Sawk is another great teammate as it can switch into Rock-type moves and deal with Steel-types that wall Sneasel without Low Kick.</p>
<p>Rapid Spin support is almost mandatory in setting up a sweep, as Sneasel already loses health from Life Orb recoil; Armaldo and Torkoal are two excellent Rapid Spin users, but share a nasty weakness to Rock-type moves. Psychic-types such as Mesprit can be used to KO Weezing and friends, and also resist Fighting-type moves aimed at Sneasel. Wynaut can Encore an an attack Sneasel resists and give it an easy switch-in, while Grass-types can take out Unaware Quagsire.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Sneasel's movepool isn't great—it doesn't even have Night Slash—but it has a few options to consider. Punishment can be used to batter Calm Mind users such as Musharna, while Knock Off renders Eviolite Pokemon useless. Fake Out is somewhat gimmicky but breaks the opponent's Focus Sash, and Counter can be used to catch physical attackers, such as Sawk, off guard. X-Scissor hits Psychic-types harder than Bite does, but doesn't provide any significant coverage. Finally, Sneasel can use a gimmicky set with Eviolite and defensive EVs, but its awful defensive typing makes it difficult to pull off.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Most Fighting-types can destroy our clawed friend. Sawk can utilize a Choice Scarf to outrun and batter Sneasel, while bulkier Pokemon, such as Throh, Gurdurr, and Machoke, can take a hit and deal massive damage in return. Torkoal resists Ice-type moves, has Will-O-Wisp to lower Sneasel's Attack, and can KO Sneasel with Lava Plume. Weezing takes little damage from any of Sneasel's attacks, deals massive damage with Fire Blast, and cripples Sneasel with Will-O-Wisp. Although Rhydon is weak to Ice-type moves, its massive Defense and super effective STAB help it break through Sneasel. Armaldo can switch into Sneasel's Ice-type attacks and threaten it with X-Scissor or Rock Blast, while Quagsire takes little damage from Sneasel's attacks: Unaware helps it take on Swords Dance sets, and Recover keeps it alive longer. Regirock and Carracosta can take on sets without Low Kick, but neither of them likes taking boosted attacks. Magcargo can burn Sneasel with Will-O-Wisp or KO it with Lava Plume, but its lack of recovery makes it an easy Pokemon to revenge kill. Thanks to Alomomola's massive HP and Defense, it can wall Sneasel all day, and it has access to Wish and Toxic to keep it alive and let it wear down Sneasel, respectively. Most Water-types can deal with Sneasel; these include Whiscash, Seismitoad, and Relicanth. Almost anything with decent Defense that isn't weak to Ice-type moves can be considered a counter; Sneasel isn't dangerous enough to require a specialized counter.</p>
[Unreleased]
<p>Pickpocket is a rather pointless Dream World ability as it means Sneasel has to forgo an item or lose it during the battle. It may seem tempting with Fling or a single-use item, such as a Lum Berry, but Sneasel prefers a Choice Band or Life Orb.</p>
