Checks: Lanturn and Pyukumuku
-
Welcome to Smogon! Take a moment to read the Introduction to Smogon for a run-down on everything Smogon, and make sure you take some time to read the global rules.
-
Congrats to the winners of the 2023 Smog Awards!
Project PU Victim of the Week! Finished
- Thread starter Oathkeeper
- Start date
- Status
Checks: Lanturn & Pyukumuku
Winners
Checks
j0gurt's Lycanroc,
StickingGum's Pyukumuku,
Toy Time King's Lanturn
Counters
Mehdiocre's Muk
Great submissions guys. Yeah, Simisear is kind of hard to counter or wall in this meta. There might be an exception or two. Anyway, next victim is....
Sandslash-Alola @ Leftovers
Ability: Slush Rush
EVs: 252 HP / 208 SpD / 48 Spe
- Icicle Crash / Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock / Toxic
Voting begins on Wednesday night!
Checks
Counters
Great submissions guys. Yeah, Simisear is kind of hard to counter or wall in this meta. There might be an exception or two. Anyway, next victim is....
Sandslash-Alola @ Leftovers
Ability: Slush Rush
EVs: 252 HP / 208 SpD / 48 Spe
- Icicle Crash / Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock / Toxic
Voting begins on Wednesday night!
Gurdurr @ Eviolite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 212 Def
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
- Bulk Up
Gurdurr takes nothing from spdef Alolaslash's attacks and OHKOes it. Alolaslash can cripple it w/ toxic but that gives gurdurr a guts boost. A counter, but idk bc it can lose to the hail set w/ z-icicle crash.
Last edited:
Manectric @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Hidden Power Grass / Switcheroo
Thanks to its great speed, moveset and offensive typing, Manectric is able to serve as a great check to Sandslash-Alola thanks to its access to Overheart, which is able to OHKO even specially defensive variants. While it cant come in on a potential Earthquake, its ability to pivot, often without repercussion since many teams dont have a way to stop Volt Switch users, allows it to threaten a plethora of Pokemon as well as having an amazing speed tier which allows it to beat other Scarfers, such as Primeape. An Electric immunity like Quagsire, which pairs alongside Sandslash-Alola quite well, fears a HP Grass, and put pressure on more defensive teams that might not have a way to stop it from pivoting in and out, wearing down teams or flat out sweeping them.
But back to Sandslash-Alola, a thing that stands out with this set is its ability to outspeed any variant even under hail, potentially stopping it from sweeping when being used in a Hail team, as well as threatening the specially defensive set due to its 4x weakness to the move Overheat. It can even afford to Switcheroo and punish potential answers to Manectric, such as Musdale. Thunderbolt and Volt Switch are even able to create a huge dent on non specially defensive sets, as shown in these next calcs. (EQ from specially defensive Slash is a 2HKO on Manectric, which I guess is worth pointing out):
252 SpA Manectric Overheat vs. 252 HP / 208+ SpD Sandslash-Alola: 484-572 (136.7 - 161.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Manectric Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sandslash-Alola: 141-166 (48.4 - 57%) -- 90.6% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Manectric Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sandslash-Alola: 180-213 (61.8 - 73.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Sandslash-Alola Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Manectric: 218-258 (77.5 - 91.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Manectric Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sandslash-Alola: 141-166 (48.4 - 57%) -- 90.6% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Manectric Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sandslash-Alola: 180-213 (61.8 - 73.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Sandslash-Alola Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Manectric: 218-258 (77.5 - 91.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
In a Togedemaru-less meta (RIP), looking into different scarfers is a valuable way of finding new terrain to cover and explore. While its impossible to fill the niche of a Pokemon like the spiky mouse, theres many options that are worth exploring as of late, which help shift the meta and makes it fun and exciting. I definitely feel like Manectic fits this category perfectly and deserves to be explored. Thank you for reading!
Last edited:
Primeape
Primeape @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Gunk Shot
Primeape @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Gunk Shot
Primeape is a great check against Alolasash. It can take one hit from it or just getting Toxiced and then revenge kill it with a OHKO using CC. Of course, Alolasash will be switching out and you can keep the momentum clicking U-turn and doing some damage too.
252 Atk Primeape Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Sandslash-Alola: 576-684 (162.7 - 193.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Sandslash-Alola Icicle Crash vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Primeape: 138-163 (50.9 - 60.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Last edited:
Lilligant @ Grassium Z
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Aromatherapy
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power Fire
Believe it or not guys, in a certain circumstance, Lilligant is a check with this set. Basically, Lilligant has to be in and lets say, force out a Mudsdale or a mon that it can beat 1v1, their immediate response is Alolaslash, and the turn they bring it in, you Quiver Dance. With the max HP investment, you live one Icicle Crash after Stealth Rock and you Quiver Dance again. HP Fire at +2 always kills with full. Bopped.
0 Atk Sandslash-Alola Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Lilligant: 234-276 (68 - 80.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 0 SpA Lilligant Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 208+ SpD Sandslash-Alola: 368-436 (103.9 - 123.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 0 SpA Lilligant Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 208+ SpD Sandslash-Alola: 368-436 (103.9 - 123.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Last edited:
Poliwrath @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Circle Throw
- Scald
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Phys Def Circle Throw Poliwrath is probably the best counter against all Sandslash sets. I picked it over Quagsire (which is the best counter to offensive variants) or Jellicent because that particular set doesn't care about Toxic. Circle Throw might not KO Slash, however the Spdef and Shuca Alolaslash's Attacks are resisted by Poli or EQ, which isn't doing jack too, and the SD one needs to be +4 and Z-Ground to have a chance to KO it.
Poliwrath VS Spdef Alolaslash:
0 Atk Poliwrath Circle Throw vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Sandslash-Alola: 216-256 (61 - 72.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Sandslash-Alola Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 54-64 (14 - 16.6%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery
Poliwrath vs Shuca Alolaslash:
252 Atk Sandslash-Alola Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 68-81 (17.7 - 21%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Poliwrath Circle Throw vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Sandslash-Alola: 216-256 (74.2 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Poliwrath vs Groundium-Z Alolaslash:
+4 252 Atk Sandslash-Alola Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 364-429 (94.7 - 111.7%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Poliwrath Circle Throw vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Sandslash-Alola: 216-256 (61 - 72.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Sandslash-Alola Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 54-64 (14 - 16.6%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery
Poliwrath vs Shuca Alolaslash:
252 Atk Sandslash-Alola Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 68-81 (17.7 - 21%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Poliwrath Circle Throw vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Sandslash-Alola: 216-256 (74.2 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Poliwrath vs Groundium-Z Alolaslash:
+4 252 Atk Sandslash-Alola Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 364-429 (94.7 - 111.7%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery
Last edited:
Katy
Banned deucer.
Hitmonchan @ Assault Vest
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 244 HP / 136 Atk / 128 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Thunder Punch
- Rapid Spin
Hitmonchan is a CHECK to Alola-Sandslash, since it can cover up the Hazard Removal of Alo-Slashs Stealth Rocks with it's own Rapid-Spin;
And it's able to check all Alo-Slash forms with the priority move in Mach Punch too.
Alo-Slash has a higher speed under Hail than Hitmonchan has, but after a bit of Prior Dmg Hitmonchan OHKO it with Mach Punch.
All other Alo-Slash variants are slower than Hitmonchan, so it can outright OHKO these with Drain Punch, which is able to give Hitmonchan some HP back in the process too.
Calcs:
136+ Atk Iron Fist Hitmonchan Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Sandslash-Alola: 436-516 (123.1 - 145.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
136+ Atk Iron Fist Hitmonchan Mach Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Sandslash-Alola: 232-276 (65.5 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
136+ Atk Iron Fist Hitmonchan Mach Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Sandslash-Alola: 232-276 (65.5 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
136+ Atk Iron Fist Hitmonchan Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Sandslash-Alola: 232-276 (79.7 - 94.8%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
136+ Atk Iron Fist Hitmonchan Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Sandslash-Alola: 232-276 (79.7 - 94.8%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
136+ Atk Iron Fist Hitmonchan Mach Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Sandslash-Alola: 232-276 (65.5 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
136+ Atk Iron Fist Hitmonchan Mach Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Sandslash-Alola: 232-276 (65.5 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
136+ Atk Iron Fist Hitmonchan Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Sandslash-Alola: 232-276 (79.7 - 94.8%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
136+ Atk Iron Fist Hitmonchan Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Sandslash-Alola: 232-276 (79.7 - 94.8%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Last edited:
Combusken @ Fightinium Z/Firium Z
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power Electric
- Protect
Combusken is a somewhat decent check to Alolan Sandslash but it comes with a drawback. Before I continue I need to be 100% real with you; If you get hit by an Earthquake and its NOT from the SpDef Set Alolan Sandslash, you are going to be clapped into a 2 piece meal from KFC. On the bright side, you have Protect and your only job is to live long enough to Hit either Fire Blast or Focus Blast. If the risk of missing either move triggers your PTSD, then just nut up an Z move them instead. On the Sp.Def Set, Sandslash's Speed is 356 in Hail and 502 on Max Speed so you'll have to play around the Hail since Combusken wont outspeed SpDef Slash in Hail until it gets +2 from Speed Boost.
Calcs:
0 Atk Sandslash-Alola Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Combusken: 216-256 (82.7 - 98%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Combusken Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 208+ SpD Sandslash-Alola: 532-628 (150.2 - 177.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Combusken Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 208+ SpD Sandslash-Alola: 580-688 (163.8 - 194.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Combusken Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 252 HP / 208+ SpD Sandslash-Alola: 892-1056 (251.9 - 298.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Combusken All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 208+ SpD Sandslash-Alola: 916-1084 (258.7 - 306.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Leftovers recovery
Last edited:
Jellicent @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 224 Def / 32 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
Counter. Alolaslash isn't doing much to Jellicent except for EQ which is barely chipping it anyway. Jelli also serves as a spinblocker, taunter, can recover HP if necessary, and chip down Slash with Scald. Hex could be run in place of Will-O to bring it down quicker if a Scald burn should ensue but either way, Jellicent wins 1v1 99% of the time!
Checks
Counters
Vote for 2 checks & 2 counters! Voting ends Saturday night
Checks:
Counters:
Checks: Manectric and Combusken
Counters: Gurdurr and Jellicent
Counters: Gurdurr and Jellicent
- Status