[OVERVIEW]
Sneasel's high Speed and solid offensive typing make it one of PU's premier wallbreakers. Its access to powerful and punishing STAB moves in Knock Off and Triple Axel compensates for its average Attack and allows Sneasel to easily cleave through defensive teams. Sneasel can also function as an effective setup sweeper with Swords Dance, using its speed and potentially priority in Ice Shard to give teams a harder time consistently revenge killing it. However, Sneasel's lackluster defensive presence generally limits how often it can switch in and, in the case of Swords Dance variants, set up. Furthermore, despite its great Speed tier, Sneasel is still vulnerable to faster Pokemon like Ribombee and Talonflame as well as Choice Scarf users such as Passimian and Tsareena.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Triple Axel
move 4: Low Kick / Ice Shard
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance elevates Sneasel's already great offensive presence, with its high natural Speed making it harder to revenge kill once it sets up while also differentiating it from other setup sweepers. Ice Shard can be used over Low Kick to target faster foes such as Choice Scarf Braviary and weakened Ribombee; however, Low Kick gives Sneasel the ability to better deal with bulky Rock- and Steel-types like Gigalith, Regirock, and Silvally-Steel, which is generally more useful. Although Sneasel's frailty doesn't allow it many chances to come in and set up, it can force out slower Pokemon like Virizion, Heliolisk, Archeops, and non-Choice Scarf Roserade and turn them into setup fodder as a result.
- pivots bc frail + lacks many opportunities to switch in
- entry hazard setters facilitate a potential sweep even in the event that sneasel cannot manage or elects not to use swords dance
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Triple Axel
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Low Kick
item: Choice Band
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band Sneasel is a terrifying wallbreaker,
- icicle crash vs. triple axel
- removers and hazard deterrents (esp. xatu)
- late-game sweepers can take advantage of sneasel's wallbreaking
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[asa, 400292]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
Last edited:
