Alolan Sandslash



Type: /
Weaknesses: (X2) and , (X4)
Resistances: , , , , , , (X0,5), (X0,25) and (X0)


Abilities:

Snow Cloak: Raises the Pokémon’s evasion during a hailstorm by one level.


Hidden Ability:

Slush Rush: Doubles the Pokémon's Speed when Hail is in effect



Base stats: 75 HP / 100 Attack / 120 Defense / 25 Special Attack / 65 Special Defense / 65 Speed


Sandslash is a very cool Pokémon; it has a weird defensive typing, having two 4 times weaknesses but a plethora of resistances, and it has both great stats, like its Defense and Attack, and really mediocre stats, such as its Special Defense and Speed. It also has a very cool ability in Slush Rush, which is its main niche. Enjoy the set!


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the set


Slush Rush Sweeper (Singles)



Sandslash-Alola @ Life Orb
Ability: Slush Rush
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 224 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Icicle Crash
- Iron Head
- Earthquake/Rapid Spin

This set is Sandslash's only good niche in singles; its ability Slush Rush (speed is doubled under hail), coupled with its access to Swords Dance, makes it an excellent sweeper with hail support. Even without full investment in speed, it can still outspeed a good amount of threats in the tier under hail. While 100 base Attack stat isn't that strong, it still hits pretty hard with an Adamant nature and a Life Orb and it can deal with a lot of frailer Pokémon even without the Swords Dance boost. Icicle Crash and Iron Head are its main STAB and they are both fairly powerful, and Earthquake helps it against Fire and Steel types. Rapid Spin is also an option for teams in need of hazard removal, but is very weak and doesn't provide any coverage compared to Earthquake. Sandslash has a good amount of resistances and a pretty good Defense stat, so you should try to set up your Swords Dance on a physical attackers that can't hit it with super effective damage; keep in mind that a lot of Pokémon can carry coverage moves and KO Sandslash, such as Superpower Tapu Bulu. However, its Special Defense is pretty mediocre, so try to avoid having to take special attacks. This is why Sandslash has a hard time in OU; it's filled with strong special attackers and everything has coverage for it, and finding opportunities to set up is really hard. Don't sleep on it; after a boost, it can shred teams. Sandslash should always be paired with a hail setter, since its ability will obviously not trigger otherwise. The EVs allow it to outspeed Jolly/max speed Pheromosa (except if it's holding a Choice Scarf) under the hail.

calcs

Defensive:


Offensive:




Slush Rush Sweeper (VGC)

Sandslash-Alola @ Life Orb
Ability: Slush Rush
Level: 50
EVs: 44 HP / 252 Atk / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Icicle Crash
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Protect

Very similar to the first set, but this one is made for VGC; it hits the same speed benchmark (outspeeding max speed non-scarfed Pheromosa), and Earthquake and Swords Dance have been replaced by Rock Slide and Protect. Rock Slide helps it deal with Fire types, such as Arcanine, and has a good chance to flinch which is especially good when paired with its incredible speed under hail. Protect helps it scout for the opponent's Pokémon and helps it in situations where the opponent could try to double target it. This set doesn't work exactly like the first one; it's more of a fast attacker that chunks the opposing team without getting too much KOs, but it still puts in work when use properly.

Big shoutout to @"MudkipLegend" for the help with this set :]

calcs

Defensive:


Offensive:



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good partners


Fire/Fighting/Ground Checks/Counters: Sandslash is weak to Fire, Fighting and Ground types, so having something to handle those is always.

Alolan Ninetales: Alolan Ninetales can set up hail for Sandslash and help it set up with Aurora Veil, which helps it a lot while trying to get Swords Dance boosts.

Water Checks: Sandslash also struggles against Water types, so be prepared.

(OU) Hazard Support: Sandslash sometimes needs a bit of prior damage on some Pokémon to get the KO, so Stealth Rock and Spikes are always useful.


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threats


Super Effective Hits: Pretty obvious: super effective=big damage. Beware of coverage moves too, such as Superpower on Tapu Bulu.

Physical Walls: They can eat up most of Sandslash's hits with ease, often forcing it to switch.

Speed Boosting Pokémon/Choice Scarf Users: They can outspeed Sandslash even in hail and potentially KO it, making them big threats.


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