Punchshroom
FISHIOUS REND MEGA SHARPEDO
[OVERVIEW]
Sandslash is a Rapid Spin user with a resistance to the Stealth Rock it gets rid of, as well as the ability to best most entry hazard setters such as Garbodor and Steelix. Unfortunately, it faces a lot of competition from other Rapid Spin users that also resist Stealth Rock; Claydol also has an immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes thanks to Levitate as well as a superior offensive movepool to defend itself with, especially when combating spinblockers, whereas Hitmonchan boasts far greater utility throughout a match with Drain Punch and Mach Punch. Steelix, Rhydon, and Piloswine overshadow Sandslash as a bulky Ground-type due to their greater bulk and number of resistances, whereas Rhydon, Torterra, and Golurk are superior Ground-type attackers due to their access to secondary STAB moves and better coverage. Because Sandslash is outclassed in several roles, it is thus relegated to being one of the main driving forces behind sand teams, due to its Sand Rush ability giving it access to speedy Ground-type attacks, while its spinning capabilities are put to better use. Be warned that sand teams are extremely exploitable defensively and face competition from the more rewarding and less restrictive weather playstyles in rain and sun, plus the fact that Sandslash isn't worth using anywhere else, so you'd have to be pretty committed if you're considering using this Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Sand Rush
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Swords Dance / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb / Earth Plate
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is Sandslash's STAB attack and cleaning tool, giving Sandslash very reliable damage output. Stone Edge lets Sandslash beat down Flying-types such as Charizard, Archeops, and Scyther while also allowing it to 2HKO Colbur Berry Xatu. Knock Off hits Ghost-types looking to block Rapid Spin and is a good coverage move in general due to its decent neutral coverage with Ground as well as its disruptive item removal effect. Swords Dance bolsters Sandslash's power and greatly improves its sweeping potential as well as its ability to punch holes into bulkier Pokemon, particularly by beating down the frailer Colbur Berry spinblockers with +2 Knock Off. Rapid Spin is a good option if Sandslash's team has many alternative sweepers, as it clears the field of entry hazards, particularly Toxic Spikes, which can be dangerous for its teammates.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment maximizes Sandslash's damage output, enhancing its sweeping ability with Sand Rush. Maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature allow Sandslash to outrun base 95 Speed Choice Scarf users such as Jynx, Haunter, and Primeape, as well as +2 Speed Adamant Barbaracle, after the Sand Rush boost. When outside of sand, Sandslash can outrun Hasty Abomasnow and neutral-natured Samurott and Ludicolo, as well as Speed tie with offensive Adamant Hitmonchan. An Adamant nature can be used for more power in exchange for failing to outspeed the likes of Choice Scarf Rotom, Jynx, Haunter and +2 Barbaracle. Sandslash can adopt an alternative bulkier spread, incorporating maximum Attack investment alongside an Adamant nature, 136 Speed EVs, and the remaining EVs into HP. This gives Sandslash more opportunities to set up Swords Dance and sweep while still allowing it to naturally outrun Adamant Aggron and outspeed up to Swellow with the aid of Sand Rush. Life Orb maximizes Sandslash's power and KO potential, but Earth Plate can be considered so Sandslash doesn't incur recoil damage, especially when using Rapid Spin.
Usage Tips
========
Sandslash should aim to sweep with Earthquakes, preferably Swords Dance-boosted ones, after the opposing team has been sufficiently weakened mid- to late-game. Sandslash can also throw out Earthquakes to weaken or take out bulky Rock- and Steel-types early-game if a Swords Dance boost isn't necessary, and it helps to maintain offensive presence as well as support Stoutland. It can gain Swords Dance opportunities by scaring out Pokemon it can OHKO, such as Pyroar, Magmortar, Garbodor, Skuntank, and Aggron, or against Pokemon that aren't strong enough to threaten it, such as Steelix, Regirock, and Clefairy. Sandslash can also be brought in directly on the likes of Regirock and non-Grass move Garbodor to start attacking or setting up. Sandslash can also use Rapid Spin if entry hazards need to be cleared to ease switching. Because spinning isn't a particularly high priority for Sandslash, the Sandslash user can afford to bluff the spin and lure in the opponent's spinblocker to get free turns or attacks off.
Team Options
========
Smooth Rock Hippopotas is absolutely mandatory as a teammate, as Sandslash badly needs Sand Rush active in order to function adequately. Stoutland is an important partner for Sandslash as well, as they complement each other well offensively and form a powerful, speedy core, with Stoutland functioning as the immediate holepuncher among the duo. Mesprit can be a very appealing teammate, as it has the bulk and Speed to be able to perform supportive roles such as Stealth Rock and Healing Wish, as well as being a switch-in for Fighting- and Ground-type attacks. Though novel, Mesprit can even act as a backup Sandstorm setter with Smooth Rock. Teammates that can deal with Pokemon that Sandslash, and by extension Stoutland, have difficulty breaking through are recommended. Powerful wallbreakers such as Magmortar, Charizard, Aurorus, Jynx, Shiftry, Will-O-Wisp + Hex Rotom, and Haunter can pummel the likes of Weezing, Gourgeist-XL, and Pelipper, while Sandslash can provide Rapid Spin support for most of these wallbreakers, which are weak to Stealth Rock. Aurorus even receives a Special Defense boost from sand, though it must obviously forgo Snow Warning. Attackers that resist Sandslash's weaknesses to Grass, Ice, and Water, or simply can help take special attacks for it, are especially notable partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sandslash doesn't really have much business attempting any other set aside from being a Sand Rush sweeper, so it doesn't have many options to choose from its already narrow movepool. X-Scissor nets coverage against Grass-types such as Shiftry, Lilligant, Ludicolo, and Torterra, as well as nailing Malamar, though its coverage risks being redundant with Earthquake and Knock Off otherwise. Sandslash can attempt to support the team on its own using moves such as Stealth Rock and even Sandstorm, but that isn't recommended, as it costs Sandslash a valuable moveslot, and spending an idle turn not boosting or attacking puts Sandslash in a riskier position, which can dash its chances for a sweep. Passho, Yache, and Rindo Berry can be considered to keep Sandslash from being revenge killed by Water-, Ice-, and Grass-types, respectively, allowing it the opportunity to overwhelm them or even simply get the Rapid Spin off. However, Sandslash's Special Defense is still too low to comfortably survive hits from the primarily specially offensive Water- and Grass-type moves of the tier, so the Berries primarily apply to physical blows. Lum Berry is a decent option to improve Sandslash's matchup against Ghost-types if spinning is of greater importance to your team, and it helps to thwart status ailments in general to enable easier Swords Dance opportunities. Super Fang is an option to shave off half the HP of Sandslash's switch-ins, though Sandslash would most likely remain unable to finish them off.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Negating Sand**: Abomasnow stands out one of Sandslash's most threatening foes, as it automatically wipes out the sand that gives Sandslash the speed advantage, resists Earthquake, and can destroy Sandslash with either of its STAB attacks, although it doesn't take kindly to switching into Rock-type moves and fails to outrun Jolly Sandslash. While Ludicolo doesn't summon rain automatically, it does have the luxury of being able to set up Rain Dance in front of Sandslash without much trouble and threaten a countersweep. Weather setters such as Liepard, Mesprit, Regirock, and Volbeat can set up weather and rob Sandslash's offensive momentum and proceed to have their Swift Swim or Chlorophyll teammates pick Sandslash off.
**Grass-types**: Torterra has an easy time keeping Sandslash in check due to its high Defense and Ground resistance and can easily dispose of Sandslash with its Grass-type STAB attack or even take advantage of it by setting up. Vileplume can stomach an Earthquake and OHKO Sandslash with Giga Drain, while Gourgeist-XL survives even +2 Life Orb-boosted Adamant Knock Off and can retaliate with Will-O-Wisp or Foul Play; however, both of these Pokemon need to be wary of Sandstorm reducing Synthesis's effectiveness, meaning they risk being whittled into KO range. Offensive Grass-types such as Shiftry and Lilligant aren't OHKOed by Sandslash's unboosted attacks bar X-Scissor, and they easily revenge kill it outside of the sandstorm. Shiftry can also pick off a weakened Sandslash with Sucker Punch, and Sandslash risks running out of sand turns if it attempts to stall out Sucker Punch's PP.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Sandslash can struggle with various physically defensive Pokemon in the tier, especially if they threaten Sandslash enough to deter Swords Dance. Weezing can threaten with Will-O-Wisp, Gastrodon and Pelipper can threaten with Scald, and Quagsire simply does not care about anything Sandslash does. Tanky Pokemon give Sandslash trouble as well, with Piloswine picking off Sandslash with Icicle Crash followed up with Ice Shard, while Gurdurr's bulk plus access to Drain Punch and Mach Punch allows it to take on Sandslash one-on-one fairly consistently. Bulk-invested Levitate Psychic- and Ghost-types, such as Mesprit, Rotom, and Mismagius, that wield a Colbur Berry can also stop Sandslash in its tracks using Energy Ball and Will-O-Wisp, respectively; the Ghost-types can also spinblock against Sandslash if need be.
**Faster Attackers**: Sandslash outside of sand is really quite vulnerable, as nearly every faster Pokemon in the tier either does major damage to it, cripples it with status, or simply OHKOes it, with only a handful losing in a one-on-one matchup. A special mention goes to those that either resist or are immune to Earthquake, such as Charizard, Haunter, Lilligant, Ludicolo, SubToxic Mantine, Choice Specs Mesprit, Swellow, Rotom, and Vivillon.
Sandslash is a Rapid Spin user with a resistance to the Stealth Rock it gets rid of, as well as the ability to best most entry hazard setters such as Garbodor and Steelix. Unfortunately, it faces a lot of competition from other Rapid Spin users that also resist Stealth Rock; Claydol also has an immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes thanks to Levitate as well as a superior offensive movepool to defend itself with, especially when combating spinblockers, whereas Hitmonchan boasts far greater utility throughout a match with Drain Punch and Mach Punch. Steelix, Rhydon, and Piloswine overshadow Sandslash as a bulky Ground-type due to their greater bulk and number of resistances, whereas Rhydon, Torterra, and Golurk are superior Ground-type attackers due to their access to secondary STAB moves and better coverage. Because Sandslash is outclassed in several roles, it is thus relegated to being one of the main driving forces behind sand teams, due to its Sand Rush ability giving it access to speedy Ground-type attacks, while its spinning capabilities are put to better use. Be warned that sand teams are extremely exploitable defensively and face competition from the more rewarding and less restrictive weather playstyles in rain and sun, plus the fact that Sandslash isn't worth using anywhere else, so you'd have to be pretty committed if you're considering using this Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Sand Rush
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Swords Dance / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb / Earth Plate
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is Sandslash's STAB attack and cleaning tool, giving Sandslash very reliable damage output. Stone Edge lets Sandslash beat down Flying-types such as Charizard, Archeops, and Scyther while also allowing it to 2HKO Colbur Berry Xatu. Knock Off hits Ghost-types looking to block Rapid Spin and is a good coverage move in general due to its decent neutral coverage with Ground as well as its disruptive item removal effect. Swords Dance bolsters Sandslash's power and greatly improves its sweeping potential as well as its ability to punch holes into bulkier Pokemon, particularly by beating down the frailer Colbur Berry spinblockers with +2 Knock Off. Rapid Spin is a good option if Sandslash's team has many alternative sweepers, as it clears the field of entry hazards, particularly Toxic Spikes, which can be dangerous for its teammates.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment maximizes Sandslash's damage output, enhancing its sweeping ability with Sand Rush. Maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature allow Sandslash to outrun base 95 Speed Choice Scarf users such as Jynx, Haunter, and Primeape, as well as +2 Speed Adamant Barbaracle, after the Sand Rush boost. When outside of sand, Sandslash can outrun Hasty Abomasnow and neutral-natured Samurott and Ludicolo, as well as Speed tie with offensive Adamant Hitmonchan. An Adamant nature can be used for more power in exchange for failing to outspeed the likes of Choice Scarf Rotom, Jynx, Haunter and +2 Barbaracle. Sandslash can adopt an alternative bulkier spread, incorporating maximum Attack investment alongside an Adamant nature, 136 Speed EVs, and the remaining EVs into HP. This gives Sandslash more opportunities to set up Swords Dance and sweep while still allowing it to naturally outrun Adamant Aggron and outspeed up to Swellow with the aid of Sand Rush. Life Orb maximizes Sandslash's power and KO potential, but Earth Plate can be considered so Sandslash doesn't incur recoil damage, especially when using Rapid Spin.
Usage Tips
========
Sandslash should aim to sweep with Earthquakes, preferably Swords Dance-boosted ones, after the opposing team has been sufficiently weakened mid- to late-game. Sandslash can also throw out Earthquakes to weaken or take out bulky Rock- and Steel-types early-game if a Swords Dance boost isn't necessary, and it helps to maintain offensive presence as well as support Stoutland. It can gain Swords Dance opportunities by scaring out Pokemon it can OHKO, such as Pyroar, Magmortar, Garbodor, Skuntank, and Aggron, or against Pokemon that aren't strong enough to threaten it, such as Steelix, Regirock, and Clefairy. Sandslash can also be brought in directly on the likes of Regirock and non-Grass move Garbodor to start attacking or setting up. Sandslash can also use Rapid Spin if entry hazards need to be cleared to ease switching. Because spinning isn't a particularly high priority for Sandslash, the Sandslash user can afford to bluff the spin and lure in the opponent's spinblocker to get free turns or attacks off.
Team Options
========
Smooth Rock Hippopotas is absolutely mandatory as a teammate, as Sandslash badly needs Sand Rush active in order to function adequately. Stoutland is an important partner for Sandslash as well, as they complement each other well offensively and form a powerful, speedy core, with Stoutland functioning as the immediate holepuncher among the duo. Mesprit can be a very appealing teammate, as it has the bulk and Speed to be able to perform supportive roles such as Stealth Rock and Healing Wish, as well as being a switch-in for Fighting- and Ground-type attacks. Though novel, Mesprit can even act as a backup Sandstorm setter with Smooth Rock. Teammates that can deal with Pokemon that Sandslash, and by extension Stoutland, have difficulty breaking through are recommended. Powerful wallbreakers such as Magmortar, Charizard, Aurorus, Jynx, Shiftry, Will-O-Wisp + Hex Rotom, and Haunter can pummel the likes of Weezing, Gourgeist-XL, and Pelipper, while Sandslash can provide Rapid Spin support for most of these wallbreakers, which are weak to Stealth Rock. Aurorus even receives a Special Defense boost from sand, though it must obviously forgo Snow Warning. Attackers that resist Sandslash's weaknesses to Grass, Ice, and Water, or simply can help take special attacks for it, are especially notable partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sandslash doesn't really have much business attempting any other set aside from being a Sand Rush sweeper, so it doesn't have many options to choose from its already narrow movepool. X-Scissor nets coverage against Grass-types such as Shiftry, Lilligant, Ludicolo, and Torterra, as well as nailing Malamar, though its coverage risks being redundant with Earthquake and Knock Off otherwise. Sandslash can attempt to support the team on its own using moves such as Stealth Rock and even Sandstorm, but that isn't recommended, as it costs Sandslash a valuable moveslot, and spending an idle turn not boosting or attacking puts Sandslash in a riskier position, which can dash its chances for a sweep. Passho, Yache, and Rindo Berry can be considered to keep Sandslash from being revenge killed by Water-, Ice-, and Grass-types, respectively, allowing it the opportunity to overwhelm them or even simply get the Rapid Spin off. However, Sandslash's Special Defense is still too low to comfortably survive hits from the primarily specially offensive Water- and Grass-type moves of the tier, so the Berries primarily apply to physical blows. Lum Berry is a decent option to improve Sandslash's matchup against Ghost-types if spinning is of greater importance to your team, and it helps to thwart status ailments in general to enable easier Swords Dance opportunities. Super Fang is an option to shave off half the HP of Sandslash's switch-ins, though Sandslash would most likely remain unable to finish them off.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Negating Sand**: Abomasnow stands out one of Sandslash's most threatening foes, as it automatically wipes out the sand that gives Sandslash the speed advantage, resists Earthquake, and can destroy Sandslash with either of its STAB attacks, although it doesn't take kindly to switching into Rock-type moves and fails to outrun Jolly Sandslash. While Ludicolo doesn't summon rain automatically, it does have the luxury of being able to set up Rain Dance in front of Sandslash without much trouble and threaten a countersweep. Weather setters such as Liepard, Mesprit, Regirock, and Volbeat can set up weather and rob Sandslash's offensive momentum and proceed to have their Swift Swim or Chlorophyll teammates pick Sandslash off.
**Grass-types**: Torterra has an easy time keeping Sandslash in check due to its high Defense and Ground resistance and can easily dispose of Sandslash with its Grass-type STAB attack or even take advantage of it by setting up. Vileplume can stomach an Earthquake and OHKO Sandslash with Giga Drain, while Gourgeist-XL survives even +2 Life Orb-boosted Adamant Knock Off and can retaliate with Will-O-Wisp or Foul Play; however, both of these Pokemon need to be wary of Sandstorm reducing Synthesis's effectiveness, meaning they risk being whittled into KO range. Offensive Grass-types such as Shiftry and Lilligant aren't OHKOed by Sandslash's unboosted attacks bar X-Scissor, and they easily revenge kill it outside of the sandstorm. Shiftry can also pick off a weakened Sandslash with Sucker Punch, and Sandslash risks running out of sand turns if it attempts to stall out Sucker Punch's PP.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Sandslash can struggle with various physically defensive Pokemon in the tier, especially if they threaten Sandslash enough to deter Swords Dance. Weezing can threaten with Will-O-Wisp, Gastrodon and Pelipper can threaten with Scald, and Quagsire simply does not care about anything Sandslash does. Tanky Pokemon give Sandslash trouble as well, with Piloswine picking off Sandslash with Icicle Crash followed up with Ice Shard, while Gurdurr's bulk plus access to Drain Punch and Mach Punch allows it to take on Sandslash one-on-one fairly consistently. Bulk-invested Levitate Psychic- and Ghost-types, such as Mesprit, Rotom, and Mismagius, that wield a Colbur Berry can also stop Sandslash in its tracks using Energy Ball and Will-O-Wisp, respectively; the Ghost-types can also spinblock against Sandslash if need be.
**Faster Attackers**: Sandslash outside of sand is really quite vulnerable, as nearly every faster Pokemon in the tier either does major damage to it, cripples it with status, or simply OHKOes it, with only a handful losing in a one-on-one matchup. A special mention goes to those that either resist or are immune to Earthquake, such as Charizard, Haunter, Lilligant, Ludicolo, SubToxic Mantine, Choice Specs Mesprit, Swellow, Rotom, and Vivillon.
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