QC: blarajan /
GP:
[OVERVIEW]
* Thanks to its ability, Slush Rush, which doubles its Speed in Hail, Alolan Sandslash is a team option to consider should you be building a team with Vanilluxe or Alolan Ninetales.
* The ability to hit a titanic Speed tier while still being able to switch moves is what makes Alolan Sandslash worthy of considering on a team that has a Hail setter, as the inability to change moves is a shortcoming for Choice Scarf users.
* Access to Steel-type STAB moves enables it to threaten the Rock-type Pokemon which threaten the Hail setters. This is especially noteworthy for improving Hail's matchup against Gigalith.
* Alolan Sandslash also has pretty good physical bulk for an offensive Pokemon.
* However, its Attack stat leaves much to be desired, and its Speed could be better; these facts mean it's often too slow with an Adamant nature, but too weak with a Jolly nature, and also makes it easily walled.
* Alolan Sandslash's typing also leads to it stacking a Fire-type weakness with Alolan Ninetales, and Fire-type and Fighting-type weaknesses with Vanilluxe.
* Due to these shortcomings, it is usually easier and more efficient to build a standard team that has Vanilluxe or Alolan Ninetales on it than it is to directly abuse Hail.
[SET]
name: Slush Rush
move 1: Icicle Crash
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Protect
item: Groundium Z / Life Orb
ability: Slush Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Icicle Crash is one of Alolan Sandslash's two obligatory STAB moves, OHKOing threats like Garchomp and Salamence and 2HKOing threats like Krookodile and Mudsdale, as well as 2HKOing Kartana if it carries a Life Orb.
* Iron Head expands Alolan Sandslash's coverage, 2HKOing Gigalith and OHKOing Tapu Lele.
* Earthquake gives Alolan Sandslash a fighting chance against Fire-types, though it should be noted that it only has a 53.5% chance to 2HKO Torkoal after Hail damage with a Life Orb.
* Aurora Veil allows Alolan Sandslash to support its team by reducing the damage they take from attacks for five turns. This option should only be considered if its team's Hail setter is Vanilluxe as opposed to Alolan Ninetales, as Alolan Ninetales already gets the move.
* Protect is a VGC staple, allowing Sandslash to be safe for a turn while a teammate handles a threat like Tapu Fini.
Set Details
========
* 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe is the only EV spread Alolan Sandslash will get much mileage from as it needs both as much power and speed as it can possibly get.
* An Adamant nature is highly recommended as it makes Alolan Sandslash stronger, although a Jolly nature allows it to outspeed Timid Choice Scarf Tapu Lele and Jolly Choice Scarf Garchomp, ensuring it goes before any variant of these Pokemon, though it should be noted that this causes many OHKOs and 2HKOs to no longer be guaranteed, such as the Life Orb Icicle Crash 2HKO on Kartana.
* Slush Rush is the only ability Alolan Sandslash should be using, as doubling its Speed in Hail is what makes it viable.
* Life Orb gives Alolan Sandslash a much-needed power boost, enabling Icicle Crash to 2HKO Kartana.
* Groundium Z enables the use of Tectonic Rage, which allows Alolan Sandslash to threaten the Fire-type Pokemon which threaten it and its Hail setter.
Usage Tips
========
* If Hail isn't up, it's not recommended to send out Alolan Sandslash, as it will be too slow to do anything of value.
* Thanks to its respectable physical bulk and Steel typing, Alolan Sandslash can realistically be switched in on a non-super effective physical attack, though it will have a hard time switching in on special attacks.
* As such, it can easily come in on a neutral or resisted physical attack and give the opponent little opportunity for a follow-up attack thanks to its great Speed tier, but against special attackers, it would be better off coming in after an ally is knocked out.
* As Torkoal can easily change the weather and force out Alolan Sandslash, it's generally ill-advised to bring Alolan Sandslash against a team that has Torkoal.
Team Options
========
* As Slush Rush is the only reason Alolan Sandslash is viable, it is mandatory to pair it up with one of either Vanilluxe or Alolan Ninetales. As five turns of Hail may turn out to be too little, it may be worthwhile to consider giving an Icy Rock to whichever Snow Warning user you pick.
* As Fire-type Pokemon like Torkoal and Arcanine to be problematic for Alolan Sandslash and its Hail setter, Ground-type Pokemon like Krookodile and Water-type Pokemon like Araquanid and Milotic make for good allies. Milotic also discourages Intimidate users from coming in to weaken Alolan Sandslash.
* A Fire-type ally of its own, such as Arcanine or Alolan Marowak, will assist Alolan Sandslash against Pokemon like Celesteela and Metagross.
* Choice Scarf Tapu Lele assists Alolan Sandslash against Hariyama and Pheromosa regardless of whether or not Trick Room is active for the former, and regardless of weather conditions for the latter.
* Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Xurkitree help Alolan Sandslash against Water-types like Tapu Fini and Araquanid. Grass-type Pokemon like Tapu Bulu and Kartana do the same, but it should be noted that this will cause its team to have at least three Fire-type weaknesses, meaning it's usually better to use an Electric-type to handle Water-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Swords Dance allows Alolan Sandslash to increase its damage output, which may seem appealing thanks to its mediocre Attack stat, but the limited number of Hail turns means it's almost always better off simply attacking.
* Icium Z can be used to enable the use of Subzero Slammer, which is only particularly useful for hitting Pokemon like Garchomp and Salamence through Protect.
* Steelium Z allows Alolan Sandslash to use Corkscrew Crash, which allows it to OHKO Gigalith.
* Brick Break allows Alolan Sandslash to always 2HKO Kartana, regardless of its held item or nature.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-type Pokemon**: Water-type Pokemon all resist at least one of Alolan Sandslash's STAB moves and are usually bulky enough to take the one it doesn't resist. As such, Pokemon such as Gyarados, Tapu Fini, and Araquanid all prove problematic for Alolan Sandslash. However, it should be noted that Alolan Sandslash is always paired up with either Vanilluxe or Alolan Ninetales, both of which almost always know Freeze-Dry.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: Pokemon like Torkoal, Arcanine, and Alolan Marowak all easily take any of Alolan Sandslash's STAB moves and are not OHKOed by Earthquake, allowing them to easily take a hit and OHKO with their Fire-type STAB moves. However, they must watch out for Tectonic Rage.
**Steel-type Pokemon**: Celesteela and Metagross easily take any hit from Alolan Sandslash and can retaliate with Flamethrower and Hammer Arm, respectively. While Kartana cannot switch in thanks to being 2HKOed by Icicle Crash, if it safely comes in at full health, it can take a hit from Alolan Sandslash and OHKO it with Sacred Sword.
**Speed Control**: Trick Room turns Alolan Sandslash's ability against it, ensuring it will go last on any given turn. Similarly, opposing Tailwind gives Alolan Sandslash's opponents an equivalent speed boost, while paralysis completely negates Slush Rush.
**Opposing Weather**: Torkoal, Politoed, and Pelipper can come in to change the weather and remove Alolan Sandslash's speed boost. Gigalith can also do so, but risks being OHKOed by Corkscrew Crash, while Pelipper and Politoed won't enjoy taking Freeze-Dry from the Vanilluxe or Alolan Ninetales that Alolan Sandslash will always be seen with.
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