OP stolen from Spirit
[OVERVIEW]
With one of the best STAB combinations in RU, a blistering Speed stat, and access to STAB Knock Off, Sneasel makes for an extremely threatening Pokemon. Sneasel's excellent Speed stat in tandem with its solid power and STAB Ice Shard also makes it a fantastic revenge killer capable of picking off many offensive threats such as Meloetta, Flygon, Rotom-C, and Sigilyph. Furthermore, due to the switches Sneasel is capable of forcing, it makes for a good Swords Dance user that can slice through typical balanced builds without much difficulty. Sneasel has two things that stop it from fully excelling in RU: the first is its lack of opportunities to switch in due to its weakness to Stealth Rock, general frailty, and horrid defensive typing, and the second is Sneasel's four-moveslot syndrome, as it prefers all of Low Kick, Icicle Crash, Ice Shard, and Knock Off to function at its prime, making it rather one dimensional and keeping Swords Dance sets in particular from being as effective as they could be.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Icicle Crash
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Low Kick / Pursuit
item: Life Orb / Choice Band
ability: Pickpocket
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Sneasel's best STAB move and heavily damages Psychic-types such as Uxie while crippling just about everything else with its item-removing effect. Ice Shard is used to pick off faster or weakened Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Flygon, Rotom-C, Dugtrio, and Jolteon. Icicle Crash destroys many of the Pokemon that can tank a Knock Off, including Fairy-types such as Togetic and Dark-types such as Drapion. Low Kick hits Pokemon that take little damage from Sneasel's other moves, such as Mega Glalie, Emboar, Houndoom, and Mega Steelix. Pursuit is an option over Low Kick if one needs to Pursuit trap certain Psychic- or Ghost-types; however, this restricts Sneasel's coverage and thus leaves it walled by more Pokemon.
Set Details
========
The EV spread and nature allow Sneasel to hit hard while tying with other base 115 Speed Pokemon and outrunning Pokemon such as Virizion and Durant. Life Orb allows Sneasel to pack more of a punch while letting it take full advantage of its great coverage. However, Choice Band is an option due to how spammable Knock Off is, and the increase in power allows Sneasel to 2HKO 252/0 Mega Steelix after Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes.
Usage Tips
========
Because of its lackluster defenses, there isn't much Sneasel can switch in safely on, so generally bring Sneasel in after a KO, with a slow Volt Switch, or with a double switch. Knock Off is generally a risk-free move to use, so feel free to spam it to your heart's content. Use Ice Shard to pick off Flygon, Rotom-C, and other Choice Scarf Pokemon. Keep Sneasel away from burns and paralyzing moves, as they make Sneasel basically useless.
Team Options
========
Flygon makes for a good partner, as it can weaken Steel-types and provide Defog support. Eelektross also works as a good partner because of its slow Volt Switch, while Sneasel can deal with specially bulky Pokemon that check Eelektross. Pokemon that benefit from Sneasel's ability to weaken Mega Steelix, such as Drapion and Choice Scarf Tyantrum, make for good partners, as they can generally clean up the opposing team after Sneasel has done its work. Pokemon that handle Fighting-types well, such as Fletchinder and Qwilfish, also go well with Sneasel. Fletchinder in particular appreciates having Steel-types weakened, and Qwilfish provides Spikes support to wear down Sneasel's checks. Sigilyph makes for a good partner for the same reason as Fletchinder; however, unlike Fletchinder, it can take on bulky Water-types such as Alomomola.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Icicle Crash / Low Kick
item: Eviolite
ability: Pickpocket
nature: Jolly
evs: 224 Atk / 28 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Sneasel's Attack and allows it to sweep and break through Pokemon such as Aromatisse with the right move. Knock Off is a STAB move that Sneasel can't go without as a result of its coverage, and Ice Shard is needed so that Sneasel isn't too easily picked off after a boost. Icicle Crash in tandem with Eviolite gives Sneasel a chance to beat Aromatisse and Drapion, especially with the useful flinch rate, whereas Low Kick allows Sneasel to destroy Mega Steelix, Emboar, Houndoom, and Mega Glalie for its teammates. Ice Shard may be dropped so that Sneasel can run both Low Kick and Icicle Crash, but doing so leaves it revenge killed quite easily.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is not used to switch in on hits but to allow Sneasel to set up on weaker attackers and tank weaker hits, such as Aromatisse's Moonblast. With Eviolite and 28 EVs in Defense, it can avoid the 2HKO from Drapion's Poison Jab and easily get up a Swords Dance boost. A Jolly nature and maximum Speed investment allow Sneasel to outrun threats such as Virizion and Durant while tying with other base 115 Speed Pokemon. Life Orb is an option over Eviolite, as it provides more immediate power and allows Sneasel to OHKO Hitmonlee and Jolteon with Ice Shard at +2 after a round of Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
Try to bring Sneasel in after a KO in order to set up. This Sneasel set works best on teams in need of something that can break down defensive walls in order to pave the way for another Pokemon's sweep. Try to take advantage of Sneasel's offensive presence to find setup opportunities, such as forcing out a Flygon and setting up on the switch.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Tyrantrum works well with this set because it can clean up after Sneasel has broken down opposing physical walls. Flygon is a great partner for Sneasel, as it provides Defog support and can lure in physically defensive Pokemon and smash them with its special moves. If one opts for Icicle Crash over Low Kick, Dugtrio can soften up Steel-types for Sneasel. Swords Dance Drapion also works well with this set, as the two of them can break down each other's checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fake Out can be used on the all-out attacker set to get some chip damage; however, Sneasel is better off using those turns to hit hard with its STAB moves. A Counter set with Focus Sash could work, luring in and KOing physical attackers. Punishment can be used to punish setup sweepers on the opposing team. Iron Tail demolishes Fairy-types such as Aromatisse and Mega Audino, easily 2HKOing them on the switch. Taunt allows Sneasel to shut down walls and possibly provide setup opportunities, but this greatly restricts Sneasel's coverage. Finally, Ice Punch is an option if you're really worried about accuracy, but Icicle Crash is generally better for its power, flinch rate, and ability to hit through Druddigon's Rough Skin.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Gurdurr, Scrafty, Hitmontop, and Emboar can tank Knock Off and most of Sneasel's other moves while easily OHKOing with their respective STAB moves.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Alomomola, Qwilfish, and Quagsire give Sneasel a lot of problems, as they easily wall the all-out attacker set. Qwilfish has to watch out for repeated Knock Offs, though, and Alomomola and Qwilfish are setup bait for the Swords Dance set.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Physically defensive Pokemon such as Mega Steelix, Aromatisse, and Granbull can switch into and tank hits from Sneasel by virtue of their great physical bulk, and they can then retaliate with their respective STAB moves.
**Revenge Killers**: Pokemon such as Gurdurr, Choice Scarf Delphox, Choice Scarf Durant, and Choice Scarf Emboar don't take much from Ice Shard and can revenge kill Sneasel with a STAB move.
[OVERVIEW]
With one of the best STAB combinations in RU, a blistering Speed stat, and access to STAB Knock Off, Sneasel makes for an extremely threatening Pokemon. Sneasel's excellent Speed stat in tandem with its solid power and STAB Ice Shard also makes it a fantastic revenge killer capable of picking off many offensive threats such as Meloetta, Flygon, Rotom-C, and Sigilyph. Furthermore, due to the switches Sneasel is capable of forcing, it makes for a good Swords Dance user that can slice through typical balanced builds without much difficulty. Sneasel has two things that stop it from fully excelling in RU: the first is its lack of opportunities to switch in due to its weakness to Stealth Rock, general frailty, and horrid defensive typing, and the second is Sneasel's four-moveslot syndrome, as it prefers all of Low Kick, Icicle Crash, Ice Shard, and Knock Off to function at its prime, making it rather one dimensional and keeping Swords Dance sets in particular from being as effective as they could be.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Icicle Crash
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Low Kick / Pursuit
item: Life Orb / Choice Band
ability: Pickpocket
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Sneasel's best STAB move and heavily damages Psychic-types such as Uxie while crippling just about everything else with its item-removing effect. Ice Shard is used to pick off faster or weakened Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Flygon, Rotom-C, Dugtrio, and Jolteon. Icicle Crash destroys many of the Pokemon that can tank a Knock Off, including Fairy-types such as Togetic and Dark-types such as Drapion. Low Kick hits Pokemon that take little damage from Sneasel's other moves, such as Mega Glalie, Emboar, Houndoom, and Mega Steelix. Pursuit is an option over Low Kick if one needs to Pursuit trap certain Psychic- or Ghost-types; however, this restricts Sneasel's coverage and thus leaves it walled by more Pokemon.
Set Details
========
The EV spread and nature allow Sneasel to hit hard while tying with other base 115 Speed Pokemon and outrunning Pokemon such as Virizion and Durant. Life Orb allows Sneasel to pack more of a punch while letting it take full advantage of its great coverage. However, Choice Band is an option due to how spammable Knock Off is, and the increase in power allows Sneasel to 2HKO 252/0 Mega Steelix after Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes.
Usage Tips
========
Because of its lackluster defenses, there isn't much Sneasel can switch in safely on, so generally bring Sneasel in after a KO, with a slow Volt Switch, or with a double switch. Knock Off is generally a risk-free move to use, so feel free to spam it to your heart's content. Use Ice Shard to pick off Flygon, Rotom-C, and other Choice Scarf Pokemon. Keep Sneasel away from burns and paralyzing moves, as they make Sneasel basically useless.
Team Options
========
Flygon makes for a good partner, as it can weaken Steel-types and provide Defog support. Eelektross also works as a good partner because of its slow Volt Switch, while Sneasel can deal with specially bulky Pokemon that check Eelektross. Pokemon that benefit from Sneasel's ability to weaken Mega Steelix, such as Drapion and Choice Scarf Tyantrum, make for good partners, as they can generally clean up the opposing team after Sneasel has done its work. Pokemon that handle Fighting-types well, such as Fletchinder and Qwilfish, also go well with Sneasel. Fletchinder in particular appreciates having Steel-types weakened, and Qwilfish provides Spikes support to wear down Sneasel's checks. Sigilyph makes for a good partner for the same reason as Fletchinder; however, unlike Fletchinder, it can take on bulky Water-types such as Alomomola.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Icicle Crash / Low Kick
item: Eviolite
ability: Pickpocket
nature: Jolly
evs: 224 Atk / 28 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Sneasel's Attack and allows it to sweep and break through Pokemon such as Aromatisse with the right move. Knock Off is a STAB move that Sneasel can't go without as a result of its coverage, and Ice Shard is needed so that Sneasel isn't too easily picked off after a boost. Icicle Crash in tandem with Eviolite gives Sneasel a chance to beat Aromatisse and Drapion, especially with the useful flinch rate, whereas Low Kick allows Sneasel to destroy Mega Steelix, Emboar, Houndoom, and Mega Glalie for its teammates. Ice Shard may be dropped so that Sneasel can run both Low Kick and Icicle Crash, but doing so leaves it revenge killed quite easily.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is not used to switch in on hits but to allow Sneasel to set up on weaker attackers and tank weaker hits, such as Aromatisse's Moonblast. With Eviolite and 28 EVs in Defense, it can avoid the 2HKO from Drapion's Poison Jab and easily get up a Swords Dance boost. A Jolly nature and maximum Speed investment allow Sneasel to outrun threats such as Virizion and Durant while tying with other base 115 Speed Pokemon. Life Orb is an option over Eviolite, as it provides more immediate power and allows Sneasel to OHKO Hitmonlee and Jolteon with Ice Shard at +2 after a round of Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
Try to bring Sneasel in after a KO in order to set up. This Sneasel set works best on teams in need of something that can break down defensive walls in order to pave the way for another Pokemon's sweep. Try to take advantage of Sneasel's offensive presence to find setup opportunities, such as forcing out a Flygon and setting up on the switch.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Tyrantrum works well with this set because it can clean up after Sneasel has broken down opposing physical walls. Flygon is a great partner for Sneasel, as it provides Defog support and can lure in physically defensive Pokemon and smash them with its special moves. If one opts for Icicle Crash over Low Kick, Dugtrio can soften up Steel-types for Sneasel. Swords Dance Drapion also works well with this set, as the two of them can break down each other's checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fake Out can be used on the all-out attacker set to get some chip damage; however, Sneasel is better off using those turns to hit hard with its STAB moves. A Counter set with Focus Sash could work, luring in and KOing physical attackers. Punishment can be used to punish setup sweepers on the opposing team. Iron Tail demolishes Fairy-types such as Aromatisse and Mega Audino, easily 2HKOing them on the switch. Taunt allows Sneasel to shut down walls and possibly provide setup opportunities, but this greatly restricts Sneasel's coverage. Finally, Ice Punch is an option if you're really worried about accuracy, but Icicle Crash is generally better for its power, flinch rate, and ability to hit through Druddigon's Rough Skin.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Gurdurr, Scrafty, Hitmontop, and Emboar can tank Knock Off and most of Sneasel's other moves while easily OHKOing with their respective STAB moves.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Alomomola, Qwilfish, and Quagsire give Sneasel a lot of problems, as they easily wall the all-out attacker set. Qwilfish has to watch out for repeated Knock Offs, though, and Alomomola and Qwilfish are setup bait for the Swords Dance set.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Physically defensive Pokemon such as Mega Steelix, Aromatisse, and Granbull can switch into and tank hits from Sneasel by virtue of their great physical bulk, and they can then retaliate with their respective STAB moves.
**Revenge Killers**: Pokemon such as Gurdurr, Choice Scarf Delphox, Choice Scarf Durant, and Choice Scarf Emboar don't take much from Ice Shard and can revenge kill Sneasel with a STAB move.
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