[Overview]
Ice
========
Alolan Sandslash is blessed with a nice utility movepool consisting of moves such as Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Knock Off; in addition, it is gifted with a fantastic ability in Slush Rush, which allows Alolan Sandslash to outspeed up to Choice Scarf Landorus-I in snow, enabling it to act as a form of much-needed speed control. A secondary Steel typing allows it to revenge kill prominent threats such as Iron Valiant and Flutter Mane, and gives it a convenient neutrality to Rock moves, which, combined with a decent 120 base defense and 70 base HP, allows Alolan Sandslash to tank Rock-type moves such as Iron Boulder's Mightly Cleave and Kleavor's Stone Axe.
However, Alolan Sandslash suffers from middling base stats. Even with its speed doubled under snow, it still does not outspeed threats such as +1 Hisuian Lilligant or Choice Scarf Enamorus; in addition, it also does not hit particularly hard with merely base 100 atk and no boosting item, especially when one takes into account the low base power of some of its moves. Furthermore, Alolan Sandslash suffers from competition; Avalugg is a more reliable spinner, while Cetitan is a better offensive Slush Rush user, with access to Belly Drum and a higher speed tier and attack stat. As such, successfully utilizing Alolan Sandslash requires a bit of finesse to make the best use of its talents, but it is capable of filling multiple roles if used properly.
[Set]
Sandslash-Alola @ Air Balloon / Heavy-Duty Boots
Name: Slush Rush Utility (Ice)
Ability: Slush Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Knock Off / Earthquake / Triple Axel
- Stealth Rock / Spikes / Knock Off / Earthquake
[SET COMMENTS]
Alolan Sandslash is a nice role compression pokemon for Ice teams, offering speed control and hazard removal in one slot. Iron Head OHKOs important targets like Flutter Mane and Kleavor after Stealth Rock chip. The next slot helps round out Alolan Sandslash's coverage. Knock Off is the best choice for utility, as well as hitting most of the Ghost types that may want to spinblock Alolan Sandslash; it also removes items from defensive switch-ins such as Archaludon and Skarmory. Earthquake can be used to OHKO non-Air Balloon Heatran, Hisuian Arcanine, and Iron Moth; in addition, it is Alolan Sandslash's hardest hitting move against Kelfki and Hisuian Goodra. Alternatively, Triple Axel is Alolan Sandslash's highest base power STAB move, and OHKOS Landorus-I, Latios, and Dragapult. The last slot can be used for another attack or a hazard to punish a defensive switch-in hoping to tank Alolan Sandslash's somewhat weak moves. The item choice is generally best as Air Balloon to give Ice teams a ground immunity; however, Heavy-Duty Boots can also be used if the team already runs a ground immunity.
Alolan Ninetales is a mandatory teammate, setting up the snow needed for Alolan Sandslash to thrive; Icy Rock is nice on Alolan Ninetales to generate extra turns of snow. Choice Specs Kyurem is a nice teammate to pressure the physical walls that Alolan Sandslash tends to attract such as Skarmory, Toxapex, and Pechurant. If Alolan Sandslash isn't running hazards, hazard setters such as Mamoswine and Froslass are nice to help Alolan Sandslash as it lacks raw power and appreciates the chip; in turn, Alolan Sandslash can use Knock Off to remove boots to ensure the hazards do work. Froslass gets a special mention for helping cover Alolan Sandslash's 4x fighting weakness; in addition, it can slow down faster threats with Thunder Wave. Furthermore, Choice Scarf Mamoswine can offensively pressure threats if Alolan Sandslash's team is unable to reliably keep up snow. Dewgong is a nice teammate, covering Alolan Sandslash's quad weakness to Fire; in addition, Dewgong also covers Alolan Sandslash's general weakness to special attacks as Alolan Sandslash has relatively low special bulk; it also has Knock Off so Alolan Sandslash can utilize a different option. It also helps pivot Alolan Sandslash in with Flip Turn to help it come in when Snow is active. Setup sweepers such as Cetitan and Cloyster appreciate Alolan Sandslash's ability to remove hazards so they have an easier time setting up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice
Swords Dance can be used to make Alolan Sandslash a sweeper, but it often struggles to sweep due to power and speed issues. Life Orb can be used to augment damage output, enabling an OHKO on Iron Valiant, as well as getting Knock Off to OHKO both Dragapult and Latios after Stealth Rock chip. Endeavor can be used to catch something like Archaludon off guard at low health. Rock Slide can be used to hit Volcarona and Moltres. Ice Spinner can be used as a more reliable Ice STAB move. Brick Break can be used to hit Bisharp as well as breaking Klefki's screens.
--------
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pikachu-3.244354/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/boomp.637295/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/neko.542526/
Grammar checked by:
Ice
========
Alolan Sandslash is blessed with a nice utility movepool consisting of moves such as Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Knock Off; in addition, it is gifted with a fantastic ability in Slush Rush, which allows Alolan Sandslash to outspeed up to Choice Scarf Landorus-I in snow, enabling it to act as a form of much-needed speed control. A secondary Steel typing allows it to revenge kill prominent threats such as Iron Valiant and Flutter Mane, and gives it a convenient neutrality to Rock moves, which, combined with a decent 120 base defense and 70 base HP, allows Alolan Sandslash to tank Rock-type moves such as Iron Boulder's Mightly Cleave and Kleavor's Stone Axe.
However, Alolan Sandslash suffers from middling base stats. Even with its speed doubled under snow, it still does not outspeed threats such as +1 Hisuian Lilligant or Choice Scarf Enamorus; in addition, it also does not hit particularly hard with merely base 100 atk and no boosting item, especially when one takes into account the low base power of some of its moves. Furthermore, Alolan Sandslash suffers from competition; Avalugg is a more reliable spinner, while Cetitan is a better offensive Slush Rush user, with access to Belly Drum and a higher speed tier and attack stat. As such, successfully utilizing Alolan Sandslash requires a bit of finesse to make the best use of its talents, but it is capable of filling multiple roles if used properly.
[Set]
Sandslash-Alola @ Air Balloon / Heavy-Duty Boots
Name: Slush Rush Utility (Ice)
Ability: Slush Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Knock Off / Earthquake / Triple Axel
- Stealth Rock / Spikes / Knock Off / Earthquake
[SET COMMENTS]
Alolan Sandslash is a nice role compression pokemon for Ice teams, offering speed control and hazard removal in one slot. Iron Head OHKOs important targets like Flutter Mane and Kleavor after Stealth Rock chip. The next slot helps round out Alolan Sandslash's coverage. Knock Off is the best choice for utility, as well as hitting most of the Ghost types that may want to spinblock Alolan Sandslash; it also removes items from defensive switch-ins such as Archaludon and Skarmory. Earthquake can be used to OHKO non-Air Balloon Heatran, Hisuian Arcanine, and Iron Moth; in addition, it is Alolan Sandslash's hardest hitting move against Kelfki and Hisuian Goodra. Alternatively, Triple Axel is Alolan Sandslash's highest base power STAB move, and OHKOS Landorus-I, Latios, and Dragapult. The last slot can be used for another attack or a hazard to punish a defensive switch-in hoping to tank Alolan Sandslash's somewhat weak moves. The item choice is generally best as Air Balloon to give Ice teams a ground immunity; however, Heavy-Duty Boots can also be used if the team already runs a ground immunity.
Alolan Ninetales is a mandatory teammate, setting up the snow needed for Alolan Sandslash to thrive; Icy Rock is nice on Alolan Ninetales to generate extra turns of snow. Choice Specs Kyurem is a nice teammate to pressure the physical walls that Alolan Sandslash tends to attract such as Skarmory, Toxapex, and Pechurant. If Alolan Sandslash isn't running hazards, hazard setters such as Mamoswine and Froslass are nice to help Alolan Sandslash as it lacks raw power and appreciates the chip; in turn, Alolan Sandslash can use Knock Off to remove boots to ensure the hazards do work. Froslass gets a special mention for helping cover Alolan Sandslash's 4x fighting weakness; in addition, it can slow down faster threats with Thunder Wave. Furthermore, Choice Scarf Mamoswine can offensively pressure threats if Alolan Sandslash's team is unable to reliably keep up snow. Dewgong is a nice teammate, covering Alolan Sandslash's quad weakness to Fire; in addition, Dewgong also covers Alolan Sandslash's general weakness to special attacks as Alolan Sandslash has relatively low special bulk; it also has Knock Off so Alolan Sandslash can utilize a different option. It also helps pivot Alolan Sandslash in with Flip Turn to help it come in when Snow is active. Setup sweepers such as Cetitan and Cloyster appreciate Alolan Sandslash's ability to remove hazards so they have an easier time setting up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice
Swords Dance can be used to make Alolan Sandslash a sweeper, but it often struggles to sweep due to power and speed issues. Life Orb can be used to augment damage output, enabling an OHKO on Iron Valiant, as well as getting Knock Off to OHKO both Dragapult and Latios after Stealth Rock chip. Endeavor can be used to catch something like Archaludon off guard at low health. Rock Slide can be used to hit Volcarona and Moltres. Ice Spinner can be used as a more reliable Ice STAB move. Brick Break can be used to hit Bisharp as well as breaking Klefki's screens.
--------
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pikachu-3.244354/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/boomp.637295/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/neko.542526/
Grammar checked by:
Last edited:
