[OVERVIEW]
With its new Alolan forme, the original Sandshrew has been greatly overshadowed, even more than it already was, in fact. However, Sandshrew can still use Knock Off and has a much better defensive typing. It is also largely outclassed by Drilbur in its role as a Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin user, though it has a higher Defense stat and access to the previously mentioned Knock Off. Furthermore, with the rise of Staryu, Sandshrew has become even more niche due to Staryu's ability to clear away Sandshrew's hazards and completely force it out with the threat of a Scald.
[SET]
name: Bulky Support
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Knock Off
item: Eviolite
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 156 Atk / 76 Def / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin gives Sandshrew the ability to clear away entry hazards on your side of the field, helping many Pokemon stay healthy. Stealth Rock can help sweepers, passively damage foes upon switching in, and even at times bait Staryu in. Earthquake is Sandshrew's Ground-type STAB move and is a very powerful option to hit most of the tier. Knock Off is Sandshrew's main niche over Drilbur and lets it hit Pumpkaboo, something that Drilbur can't do normally, as well as provide even more utility to Sandshrew's team.
Set Details
========
Sandshrew should always use Sand Rush, as Sand Veil is completely reliant on luck and doesn't help Sandshrew as much as Sand Rush does. The EV investment in Defense and Special Defense coupled with Eviolite maximizes Sandshrew's bulk, letting it endure many attacks it may not have otherwise. It also has 196 EVs in Speed so that it can reach a Speed tier of 13 in order to outspeed Croagunk and Timburr. The rest of the EVs are put into Attack and HP, the former to increase the damage of Earthquake and the latter to let it withstand more attacks.
Usage Tips
========
Always be careful of Flying-types such as Doduo and especially Vullaby, as Sandshrew can't do much against any of them with its lack of coverage. Baiting in Staryu with Stealth Rock can be a valid option if Sandshrew is paired with a good Staryu check, but this should be done very sparingly. Since Pumpkaboo and Gastly are common switch-ins to Rapid Spin, using Knock Off when predicting them to come in can cripple the former and KO the latter. Be aware of Sandshrew's low Special Defense; it can be easily KOed by many special attackers because of it.
Team Options
========
Pumpkaboo makes for a perfect partner, as it can check Water-types (Staryu in particular) and Grass-types, as well as block opposing Rapid Spin users. Pawniard can help discourage an opponent from using Defog and therefore clearing away Sandshrew's hazards. Sandshrew's ability to clear away hazards can be extremely beneficial to Fire-, Bug-, and Flying-types such as Larvesta and Rufflet. Doduo in particular benefits greatly from Sandshrew's ability to to control hazards on both sides, as they can help it beat Sturdy users such as Onix and Magnemite. Cottonee and Foognus can check Fighting- and Water-types while providing some support with Taunt and Spore, respectively. Hippopotas can be a good option to help Sandshrew take advantage of Sand Rush, although sand is a bit too passive to correctly support Sandshrew.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sandshrew has access to Poison Jab, Rock Slide, and Shadow Claw, which can be used as coverage options, but Drilbur can take advantage of them better. It also gets Swords Dance to boost its Attack, but it is simply to slow to make use of such a set. Eviolite can be replaced with Berry Juice, but Sandshrew's poor special bulk makes this hard to pull off. A fully offensive Sand Rush Sandshrew could work with Hippopotas, but the ever-present sun archetype and the rise of hail teams as well as the passiveness of Hippopotas makes this very hard to pull off.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Although they sometimes struggle with switching in, a Scald from even a less powerful Pokemon can take advantage of Sandshrew's poor Special Defense. Sandshrew can also be setup fodder for common sweepers such as Shellder and Corphish. Staryu can clear hazards as well as hit Sandshrew with a very powerful Scald, while Sandshrew can do almost nothing back.
**Entry Hazard Removers**: Defog and Rapid Spin users such as Vullaby and Staryu can make one of Sandshrew's two main purposes, setting up Stealth Rock, obsolete.
**Special Attackers**: Powerful special attackers such as Abra and Omanyte take advantage of Sandshrew's low Special Defense and usually OHKO it.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types can easily take an Earthquake, and many can fire back with a powerful Grass-type move. Cottonee and Snivy stand out in this regard.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types aren't really threatened by anything Sandshrew can do as long as they can easily switch in to Stealth Rock. Also, many popular Flying-types get Defog or can set up on Sandshrew with a Nasty Plot or Swords Dance. Vullaby in particular can set up a possibly game-winning sweep.
With its new Alolan forme, the original Sandshrew has been greatly overshadowed, even more than it already was, in fact. However, Sandshrew can still use Knock Off and has a much better defensive typing. It is also largely outclassed by Drilbur in its role as a Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin user, though it has a higher Defense stat and access to the previously mentioned Knock Off. Furthermore, with the rise of Staryu, Sandshrew has become even more niche due to Staryu's ability to clear away Sandshrew's hazards and completely force it out with the threat of a Scald.
[SET]
name: Bulky Support
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Knock Off
item: Eviolite
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 156 Atk / 76 Def / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin gives Sandshrew the ability to clear away entry hazards on your side of the field, helping many Pokemon stay healthy. Stealth Rock can help sweepers, passively damage foes upon switching in, and even at times bait Staryu in. Earthquake is Sandshrew's Ground-type STAB move and is a very powerful option to hit most of the tier. Knock Off is Sandshrew's main niche over Drilbur and lets it hit Pumpkaboo, something that Drilbur can't do normally, as well as provide even more utility to Sandshrew's team.
Set Details
========
Sandshrew should always use Sand Rush, as Sand Veil is completely reliant on luck and doesn't help Sandshrew as much as Sand Rush does. The EV investment in Defense and Special Defense coupled with Eviolite maximizes Sandshrew's bulk, letting it endure many attacks it may not have otherwise. It also has 196 EVs in Speed so that it can reach a Speed tier of 13 in order to outspeed Croagunk and Timburr. The rest of the EVs are put into Attack and HP, the former to increase the damage of Earthquake and the latter to let it withstand more attacks.
Usage Tips
========
Always be careful of Flying-types such as Doduo and especially Vullaby, as Sandshrew can't do much against any of them with its lack of coverage. Baiting in Staryu with Stealth Rock can be a valid option if Sandshrew is paired with a good Staryu check, but this should be done very sparingly. Since Pumpkaboo and Gastly are common switch-ins to Rapid Spin, using Knock Off when predicting them to come in can cripple the former and KO the latter. Be aware of Sandshrew's low Special Defense; it can be easily KOed by many special attackers because of it.
Team Options
========
Pumpkaboo makes for a perfect partner, as it can check Water-types (Staryu in particular) and Grass-types, as well as block opposing Rapid Spin users. Pawniard can help discourage an opponent from using Defog and therefore clearing away Sandshrew's hazards. Sandshrew's ability to clear away hazards can be extremely beneficial to Fire-, Bug-, and Flying-types such as Larvesta and Rufflet. Doduo in particular benefits greatly from Sandshrew's ability to to control hazards on both sides, as they can help it beat Sturdy users such as Onix and Magnemite. Cottonee and Foognus can check Fighting- and Water-types while providing some support with Taunt and Spore, respectively. Hippopotas can be a good option to help Sandshrew take advantage of Sand Rush, although sand is a bit too passive to correctly support Sandshrew.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sandshrew has access to Poison Jab, Rock Slide, and Shadow Claw, which can be used as coverage options, but Drilbur can take advantage of them better. It also gets Swords Dance to boost its Attack, but it is simply to slow to make use of such a set. Eviolite can be replaced with Berry Juice, but Sandshrew's poor special bulk makes this hard to pull off. A fully offensive Sand Rush Sandshrew could work with Hippopotas, but the ever-present sun archetype and the rise of hail teams as well as the passiveness of Hippopotas makes this very hard to pull off.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Although they sometimes struggle with switching in, a Scald from even a less powerful Pokemon can take advantage of Sandshrew's poor Special Defense. Sandshrew can also be setup fodder for common sweepers such as Shellder and Corphish. Staryu can clear hazards as well as hit Sandshrew with a very powerful Scald, while Sandshrew can do almost nothing back.
**Entry Hazard Removers**: Defog and Rapid Spin users such as Vullaby and Staryu can make one of Sandshrew's two main purposes, setting up Stealth Rock, obsolete.
**Special Attackers**: Powerful special attackers such as Abra and Omanyte take advantage of Sandshrew's low Special Defense and usually OHKO it.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types can easily take an Earthquake, and many can fire back with a powerful Grass-type move. Cottonee and Snivy stand out in this regard.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types aren't really threatened by anything Sandshrew can do as long as they can easily switch in to Stealth Rock. Also, many popular Flying-types get Defog or can set up on Sandshrew with a Nasty Plot or Swords Dance. Vullaby in particular can set up a possibly game-winning sweep.
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