PU Sandslash [GP 1/1]

sugar ovens

blood inside
is a Top Tiering Contributor
[OVERVIEW]
With access to Sand Rush, decent stats and typing, and an expansive movepool, Sandslash is a versatile offensive and defensive presence and a defining member of PU sand teams. Swords Dance Sandslash is one of the most dangerous sweepers in the tier. Under the effect of sand, it outspeeds almost the entire unboosted metagame and even some Choice Scarf users such as Gallade. Its typing and decent natural physical bulk give it ample setup opportunities against the common Rock- and Steel-types such as Gigalith and Togedemaru. Once boosted by Swords Dance, it has very few reliable defensive answers, and with access to useful coverage moves in Rock Slide, Leech Life, Knock Off, and Poison Jab, it can choose to narrow down its checks and counters even further. With its utility options in Rapid Spin, Spikes, and Knock Off, Sandslash also carves itself a niche as a versatile spinner that can compress several roles in one slot. Due to it's lack of reliable recovery along with its average stats, it can get worn down rather quickly, and can't be relied upon to repeatedly take on strong attackers like Perrserker. Furthermore, its poor special bulk and low Speed outside of sand leave it vulnerable to special attackers like Magneton, and common utility Pokemon like Wishiwashi, Eldegoss, and Levitate Weezing can exploit its overall passivity to gain momentum via U-turn, and either remove or set up entry hazards of their own.

[SET]
name: Offensive Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide / Leech Life
move 4: Knock Off / Leech Life / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb / Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Most Rock-weak Ground-resistant Pokemon like Ribombee, Charizard, and Archeops are already OHKOed by Rock Slide; as such, it is preferred over the stronger, but less accurate Stone Edge. Stone Edge can still be used to deal more damage to neutral targets when not running Leech Life or Poison Jab. After using Swords Dance, Leech Life in conjunction with Life Orb allows Sandslash to OHKO Eldegoss. It also allows Sandslash to threaten Tangela. With Knock Off, Sandslash can OHKO Trevenant and weaken Pokémon that wall it, namely Levitate Weezing, Quagsire, and Tangela. Sandslash can perform as an effective offensive spinner. Rapid Spin is also useful for boosting its Speed outside of sand. Instead of Leech Life, Poison Jab can be used to OHKO defensive Whimsicott. Life Orb is the most powerful choice of an item for a dedicated sweeper set, notably allowing Sandslash to OHKO Eldegoss. Leftovers and Heavy-Duty Boots can be used to improve Sandslash's longevity instead, particularly if an utility move is chosen as the last moveslot. A Jolly Nature can be considered to outspeed Choice Scarf Togedemaru and a few other uncommon Choice Scarf users like Gourgeist-S in sand, and Modest Magneton when unboosted, but this is typically not worth the drop in power.

Swords Dance Sandslash should be ran with Gigalith, as it is the only viable sand setter in the tier. Spikes or Toxic Spikes support from the likes of Ferroseed, Weezing, or Qwilfish is appreciated to help Sandslash break through physically defensive walls like Sandaconda, Jellicent, and Wishiwashi. Ribombee and Whimsicott are useful utility Pokemon that can use U-turn to bring Sandslash safely into their typical Steel- and Rock-type switch-ins, like Togedemaru, Aggron, and Gigalith. Galarian Articuno and Vikavolt can switch in on Grass-types that check Sandslash and fire off powerful attacks or pivot with U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively. Charizard is a great Gigalith magnet that also counters most Grass-types and wears down Wishiwashi and Jellicent with Toxic. Wallbreakers like Gallade can weaken walls like Tangela, while Sandslash itself can benefit sweepers such as Doublade, dealing heavy damage to their shared checks.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Spikes
item: Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off makes typical Sandslash switch-ins like Eldegoss and Wishiwashi more susceptible to residual damage, including Sandslash's own Spikes, by removing their Heavy-Duty Boots and Leftovers and discouraging spinblockers like Trevenant from switching in. Spikes are chosen to wear down grounded targets, forming an entry hazard-stacking core with Gigalith. If you choose to not use Gigalith, Stealth Rock is a viable option. Leftovers give Sandslash a bit of passive recovery, improving its longevity. Heavy-Duty Boots is an alternative that protects Sandslash from entry hazards, particularly Toxic Spikes. Sandslash's EV spread is quite flexible and it can easily run some Speed investment to outpace certain threats according to its team's needs. One of the possibilities is a spread of 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe to outpace Adamant Perrserker outside of sand, while outspeeding Jolteon in sand.

Although this set does not necessarily require sand in order to function, Gigalith is still recommended. With a Sand Rush boost, Sandslash is far less passive, and it can be situationally used to revenge kill Pokemon like Magmortar. Gigalith can also take care of most special attackers, including Charizard and Ribombee. Pokemon that can switch into bulky Grass- and Water-types are necessary, as these will often come in on Sandslash to remove its Spikes, block Rapid Spin, or gain momentum. Bulk Up Scrafty can comfortably come in, absorb status with Rest, and use most of the tier's walls as a setup fodder. Weezing is a solid switch-in to Grass-types and can help wear down the opposition with Toxic Spikes. Eldegoss can deal with most Water-types and provide cleric support. Running Eldegoss along with Sandslash also allows you to free up a moveslot that is typically occupied by Rapid Spin on either of the two Pokemon. Wallbreakers like Magneton and Galarian Articuno can take advantage of the likes of Eldegoss and Weezing. Doublade has good typing synergy with both Sandslash and Gigalith, can effectively spinblock and, as a late-game sweeper, benefits from Spikes wearing down its checks.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[sugar ovens, 383140]]
- Quality checked by: [[asa, 400292]], [Heracross2.0, 414072]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Sulo, 528036]]
 
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asa

is a Site Content Manageris a Community Leaderis a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
PU Leader
[OVERVIEW]
With access to Sand Rush, solid stats, (you go on to call its stats "good but not great," so some other adjective like "decent" would probably work better here.) appropiate typing (bit of a weird descriptor.) and an expansive movepool, Sandslash is a versatile offensive and defensive presence and a defining member of PU sand teams. Swords Dance Sandslash is one of the most dangerous sweepers in the tier. Under the effect of Sandstorm, it outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame and even some Choice Scarf users such as Gallade. Its typing and decent natural physical bulk give it ample setup opportunities against the common Rock- and Steel- types such as Gigalith and Togedemaru. Once boosted by Swords Dance, it has very few reliable defensive answers, and with access to useful coverage moves in Leech Life, Knock Off and Poison Jab, it can choose to narrow down the list of its checks and counters even further. It struggles to break past Quagsire and Tangela, however. (probably better to have this sentence at the end, since that's where flaws usually go and there's no real transition to this sentence from the previous one or from this sentence to the next one.) With its utility options in Rapid Spin, Spikes and Knock Off, Sandslash also carves itself a niche as a versatile spinner that can compress several roles in one slot: removing hazards, setting up Spikes, wearing down the opposition with Knock Off, blanket checking physical attackers and even revenge killing frail threats when in Sandstorm. Due to it's lack of reliable recovery along with its good, but not great stats, it can get worn down rather quickly, and can't be relied upon to repeatedly take on strong attackers like Perrserker.

[SET]
name: Offensive Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Leech Life / Knock Off / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb / Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Almost every Rock- weak Ground resist in the tier, such as Ribombee, Charizard and Archeops is OHKOed by Rock Slide, as such, it is preferable to the less accurate Stone Edge. (the wording implies that stone edge is both less accurate and weaker than rock slide when only the former is true.) Stone Edge can be still an option to deal more damage to neutral targets when not running Leech Life or Poison Jab. After using Swords Dance, Leech Life in conjunction with Life Orb allows Sandslash to OHKO Eldegoss. With Knock Off, Sandslash can OHKO Trevenant and weaken Pokémon that wall it, namely Levitate Weezing, Quagsire and Tangela. Sandslash can perform as an effective offensive spinner, Rapid Spin is also practical for boosting its speed outside Sandstorm. Spikes is another good utility option for hazard-stacking teams. Instead of Leech Life, Poison Jab can be used to OHKO defensive Whimsicott. Life Orb is the most powerful choice of an item for a dedicated sweeper set, notably allowing Sandslash to OHKO Eldegoss. Leftovers and Heavy-Duty Boots can be used to improve Sandslash's longevity instead, particularly if an utility move is chosen as the last moveslot. A Jolly Nature can be considered to outspeed Choice Scarf Togedemaru and a few other uncommon Choice Scarf users like Gourgeist-S in Sandstorm, Archeops, Cinccino and Sneasel after a Rapid Spin boost and Modest Magneton when unboosted, but this is typically not worth the drop in power.

Swords Dance Sandslash should be ran with Gigalith, as it is the only viable Sandstorm setter in the tier. Spikes or Toxic Spikes support from the likes of Ferroseed, Weezing or Qwilfish is appreciated to help Sandslash break through physically defensive walls like Sandaconda, Jellicent and Wishiwashi. Sandslash can take advantage of bulky Steel- and Rock- types like Togedemaru, Aggron and Gigalith very well and as such, it has good synergy with many Pokemon that can draw these in. Ribombee and Whimsicott are useful utility Pokemon that can bring Sandslash in safely via U-turn. Galarian Articuno and Vikavolt can switch in on Grass- types that check Sandslash and fire off powerful attacks or pivot with U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively. Charizard is a great Gigalith magnet that also counters most Grass- types and wears down Wishiwashi and Jellicent. Wallbreakers like Gallade can weaken walls like Tangela, while Sandslash itself can benefit sweepers such as Doublade, dealing heavy damage to their shared checks.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Spikes
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off is useful for a variety of purposes. It makes typical Sandslash switchins like Eldegoss and Wishiwashi more suspectible to residual damage, including Sandslash's own Spikes, by removing their Heavy-Duty Boots and Leftovers. It also discourages powerful wallbreakers like Galarian Articuno from switching in and taking advantage of Sandslash, removes Eviolites from Ferroseed and Tangela, threatens some spinblockers like Trevenant and Rotom and improves Sandslash's ability to check Doublade. Spikes are chosen to wear down grounded targets, forming a hazard-stacking core with Gigalith. If you choose to not use Gigalith, Stealth Rock is a viable option. Sandslash's EV spread is quite flexible and it can easily run some Speed investment to outpace certain threats according to its team's needs. One of the possibilities is a 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 Spe spread to outpace Adamant Perrserker outside of Sandstorm, while outspeeding everything as fast as or slower than Jolteon while in Sandstorm. (the point still gets across without the bit i removed, i think.)

Although this set does not necessarily require Sandstorm in order to function, Gigalith is still recommended. With a Sand Rush boost, Sandslash is far less passive, and it can be situationally used to revenge kill Pokemon like Magmortar. Gigalith can also take care of most special attackers, including Charizard and Ribombee. Pokemon that can switch into bulky Grass- and Water- types are necessary, as these will often come in on Sandslash to remove its Spikes, block Rapid Spin or gain momentum. Bulk Up Scrafty can comfortably come in, absorb status with Rest and use most of the tier's walls as a setup fodder. Weezing is a solid switch-in to Grass- types that can help wear down the opposition with Toxic Spikes. Eldegoss can deal with most Water-types and provide cleric support. (could also make a point about how one frees up a moveslot for the other given that both like to run rapid spin.) Wallbreakers like Vikavolt and Galarian Articuno can take advantage of the likes of Eldegoss and Weezing, Trevenant and Gourgeist-XL are capable breakers that can also block Rapid Spin. Late-game sweepers like Quiver Dance Ribombee and Silvally-Fairy that benefit from entry hazards wearing down their checks are good partners for Sandslash. A particularly notable cleaner is Doublade, which can also effectively spinblock and has good typing synergy with both Sandslash and Gigalith.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ sugar ovens, 383140]]
- Quality checked by: [[asa, 400292], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
honestly didn't have much to say other than a few nitpicks, solid work. qc 1/2
 

sugar ovens

blood inside
is a Top Tiering Contributor
Implemented.

The quagsire and tangela mention in the overview didn't really feel fitting in the end either and Sandslash can work through them with support anyway, so i just removed that and added a Tangela mention just to the Leech Life move in the sd set part
 

Hera

Make a move before they can make an act on you
is a Social Media Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
PUPL Champion
Comments in bold

Crossed out text = delete it, will provide explanations for each

[OVERVIEW]
With access to Sand Rush, decent stats and typing, and an expansive movepool, Sandslash is a versatile offensive and defensive presence and a defining member of PU sand teams. Swords Dance Sandslash is one of the most dangerous sweepers in the tier. Under the effect of Sandstorm, it outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame (technically it doesn't outspeed Jolly Ninjask with Adamant, which is bad but still part of the metagame, unless you would rather specify Jolly Sandslash which isn't slashed on the main set) and even some Choice Scarf users such as Gallade. Its typing and decent natural physical bulk give it ample setup opportunities against the common Rock- and Steel- types such as Gigalith and Togedemaru. Once boosted by Swords Dance, it has very few reliable defensive answers, and with access to useful coverage moves in Leech Life, Knock Off and Poison Jab (you should definitely mention Rock Slide somewhere here), it can choose to narrow down the list of its checks and counters even further. With its utility options in Rapid Spin, Spikes and Knock Off, Sandslash also carves itself a niche as a versatile spinner that can compress several roles in one slot: removing hazards, setting up Spikes, wearing down the opposition with Knock Off, blanket checking physical attackers and even revenge killing frail threats when in Sandstorm (it's kinda fluffy + this is really long for a mini-analysis). Due to it's lack of reliable recovery along with its good, but not great stats, it can get worn down rather quickly, and can't be relied upon to repeatedly take on strong attackers like Perrserker. (also mention its poor special bulk, low Speed without Sand, and how it can be abused by common Pokemon like Wishwashi, Eldegoss, and Levitate Weezing)

[SET]
name: Offensive Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Leech Life / Knock Off / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb / Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots (swap HDB and Lefties, I'd argue avoiding TSpikes and opposing Spikes is much more important than the passive recovery Lefties provides)
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Almost every Rock- weak Ground resist in the tier, such as Ribombee, Charizard and Archeops is already OHKOed by Rock Slide, as such, it is preferable to the stronger, but less accurate Stone Edge. Stone Edge can be still an option to deal more damage to neutral targets when not running Leech Life or Poison Jab. After using Swords Dance, Leech Life in conjunction with Life Orb allows Sandslash to OHKO Eldegoss. It also allows Sandslash to threaten Tangela, once it has had its Eviolite removed (no need to specify Knocked Tangela) . With Knock Off, Sandslash can OHKO Trevenant and weaken Pokémon that wall it, namely Levitate Weezing, Quagsire and Tangela. Sandslash can perform as an effective offensive spinner, (fluff) Rapid Spin is also practical for boosting its speed outside Sandstorm. Spikes is another good utility option for hazard-stacking teams. (as neat as this sounds, realistically very few people run Spikes on SD Sandslash, you almost always want a coverage move) Instead of Leech Life, Poison Jab can be used to OHKO defensive Whimsicott. Life Orb is the most powerful choice of an item for a dedicated sweeper set, notably allowing Sandslash to OHKO Eldegoss. Leftovers and Heavy-Duty Boots can be used to improve Sandslash's longevity instead, particularly if an utility move is chosen as the last moveslot. A Jolly Nature can be considered to outspeed Choice Scarf Togedemaru and a few other uncommon Choice Scarf users like Gourgeist-S in Sandstorm, Archeops, Cinccino and Sneasel after a Rapid Spin boost (no need to mention all of these Pokemon if you're recommeding Jolly considering Jolly + Spin sounds bad, Magneton is important though so keep that) and Modest Magneton when unboosted, but this is typically not worth the drop in power.

Swords Dance Sandslash should be ran with Gigalith, as it is the only viable Sandstorm setter in the tier. Spikes or Toxic Spikes support from the likes of Ferroseed, Weezing or Qwilfish is appreciated to help Sandslash break through physically defensive walls like Sandaconda, Jellicent and Wishiwashi. Sandslash can take advantage of bulky Steel- and Rock- types like Togedemaru, Aggron and Gigalith very well and as such, it has good synergy with many Pokemon that can draw these in. Ribombee and Whimsicott are useful utility Pokemon that can bring Sandslash in safely via U-turn (combine the previous two sentences into one and try making them shorter, my suggestion is saying something like "...into their switchins like [blank] and [blank]" right after the U-turn part). Galarian Articuno and Vikavolt can switch in on Grass- types that check Sandslash and fire off powerful attacks or pivot with U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively. Charizard is a great Gigalith magnet that also counters most Grass- types and wears down Wishiwashi and Jellicent (with Toxic). Wallbreakers like Gallade can weaken walls like Tangela, while Sandslash itself can benefit sweepers such as Doublade, dealing heavy damage to their shared checks.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Spikes
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers (switch Lefties and Boots, the opposite of the above applies here in that Sandslash wants every bit of extra HP it can get)
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD (make this spread 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD)

[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off is useful for a variety of purposes. It makes typical Sandslash switchins like Eldegoss and Wishiwashi more suspectible to residual damage, including Sandslash's own Spikes, by removing their Heavy-Duty Boots and Leftovers. It also discourages powerful wallbreakers like Galarian Articuno from switching in and taking advantage of Sandslash, removes Eviolites from Ferroseed and Tangela, threatens some spinblockers like Trevenant and Rotom and improves Sandslash's ability to check Doublade. (fluff, if you want you can mention one of these things and merge it with the above sentence) Spikes are chosen to wear down grounded targets, forming a hazard-stacking core with Gigalith. If you choose to not use Gigalith, Stealth Rock is a viable option. Sandslash's EV spread is quite flexible and it can easily run some Speed investment to outpace certain threats according to its team's needs. One of the possibilities is a 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 Spe (like above, change to 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe) spread to outpace Adamant Perrserker outside of Sandstorm, while outspeeding Jolteon in Sandstorm.

Although this set does not necessarily require Sandstorm in order to function, Gigalith is still recommended. With a Sand Rush boost, Sandslash is far less passive, and it can be situationally used to revenge kill Pokemon like Magmortar. Gigalith can also take care of most special attackers, including Charizard and Ribombee. Pokemon that can switch into bulky Grass- and Water- types are necessary, as these will often come in on Sandslash to remove its Spikes, block Rapid Spin or gain momentum. Bulk Up Scrafty can comfortably come in, absorb status with Rest and use most of the tier's walls as a setup fodder. Weezing is a solid switch-in to Grass- types that can help wear down the opposition with Toxic Spikes. Eldegoss can deal with most Water-types and provide cleric support. Running Eldegoss along with Sandslash also allows you to free up a moveslot that is typically occupied by Rapid Spin on either of the two Pokemon. Wallbreakers like Vikavolt and Galarian Articuno (these are the same two examples used above, use different ones) can take advantage of the likes of Eldegoss and Weezing, Trevenant and Gourgeist-XL are capable breakers that can also block Rapid Spin. Late-game sweepers like Quiver Dance Ribombee and Silvally-Fairy that benefit from entry hazards wearing down their checks are good partners for Sandslash. A particularly notable cleaner is Doublade, which can also effectively spinblock and has good typing synergy with both Sandslash and Gigalith.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[sugar ovens, 383140]]
- Quality checked by: [[asa, 400292]], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]

Lots to do, ping me when done and I'll look at it again.
 

Hera

Make a move before they can make an act on you
is a Social Media Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
PUPL Champion
You didn't ping me but I can see you implemented the QC, comments in bold

[OVERVIEW]
With access to Sand Rush, decent stats and typing, and an expansive movepool, Sandslash is a versatile offensive and defensive presence and a defining member of PU sand teams. Swords Dance Sandslash is one of the most dangerous sweepers in the tier. Under the effect of Sandstorm, it outspeeds almost the entire unboosted metagame and even some Choice Scarf users such as Gallade. Its typing and decent natural physical bulk give it ample setup opportunities against the common Rock- and Steel- types such as Gigalith and Togedemaru. Once boosted by Swords Dance, it has very few reliable defensive answers, and with access to useful coverage moves in Rock Slide, Leech Life, Knock Off and Poison Jab, it can choose to narrow down the list of its checks and counters even further. With its utility options in Rapid Spin, Spikes and Knock Off, Sandslash also carves itself a niche as a versatile spinner that can compress several roles in one slot. Due to it's lack of reliable recovery along with its good, but not great stats, it can get worn down rather quickly, and can't be relied upon to repeatedly take on strong attackers like Perrserker. (also mention its poor special bulk, low Speed without Sand, and how it can be abused by common Pokemon like Wishwashi, Eldegoss, and Levitate Weezing)


[SET]
name: Offensive Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide / Leech Life
move 4: Knock Off / Leech Life / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb / Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots (swap HDB and Lefties)
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Almost every Rock- weak Ground resist in the tier, such as Ribombee, Charizard and Archeops is already OHKOed by Rock Slide, as such, it is preferable to the stronger, but less accurate Stone Edge. Stone Edge can be still an option to deal more damage to neutral targets when not running Leech Life or Poison Jab. After using Swords Dance, Leech Life in conjunction with Life Orb allows Sandslash to OHKO Eldegoss. It also allows Sandslash to threaten Tangela. With Knock Off, Sandslash can OHKO Trevenant and weaken Pokémon that wall it, namely Levitate Weezing, Quagsire and Tangela. Sandslash can perform as an effective offensive spinner, Rapid Spin is also practical for boosting its speed outside Sandstorm. Instead of Leech Life, Poison Jab can be used to OHKO defensive Whimsicott. Life Orb is the most powerful choice of an item for a dedicated sweeper set, notably allowing Sandslash to OHKO Eldegoss. Leftovers and Heavy-Duty Boots can be used to improve Sandslash's longevity instead, particularly if an utility move is chosen as the last moveslot. A Jolly Nature can be considered to outspeed Choice Scarf Togedemaru and a few other uncommon Choice Scarf users like Gourgeist-S in Sandstorm, and Modest Magneton when unboosted, but this is typically not worth the drop in power.

Swords Dance Sandslash should be ran with Gigalith, as it is the only viable Sandstorm setter in the tier. Spikes or Toxic Spikes support from the likes of Ferroseed, Weezing or Qwilfish is appreciated to help Sandslash break through physically defensive walls like Sandaconda, Jellicent and Wishiwashi. Sandslash can take advantage of bulky Steel- and Rock- types like Togedemaru, Aggron and Gigalith very well and as such, it has good synergy with many Pokemon that can draw these in. Ribombee and Whimsicott are useful utility Pokemon that can bring Sandslash in safely via U-turn. (combine the previous two sentences into one and try making them shorter, my suggestion is saying something like "...into their switchins like [blank] and [blank]" right after the U-turn part) Galarian Articuno and Vikavolt can switch in on Grass-types that check Sandslash and fire off powerful attacks or pivot with U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively. Charizard is a great Gigalith magnet that also counters most Grass- types and wears down Wishiwashi and Jellicent with Toxic. Wallbreakers like Gallade can weaken walls like Tangela, while Sandslash itself can benefit sweepers such as Doublade, dealing heavy damage to their shared checks.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Spikes
item: Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off is useful for a variety of purposes. It makes typical Sandslash switchins like Eldegoss and Wishiwashi more suspectible to residual damage, including Sandslash's own Spikes, by removing their Heavy-Duty Boots and Leftovers and discourages spinblockers like Trevenant from switching in. Spikes are chosen to wear down grounded targets, forming a hazard-stacking core with Gigalith. If you choose to not use Gigalith, Stealth Rock is a viable option. (mention why you would run Lefties or HDB) Sandslash's EV spread is quite flexible and it can easily run some Speed investment to outpace certain threats according to its team's needs. One of the possibilities is a 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 Spe (like above, change to 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe) spread to outpace Adamant Perrserker outside of Sandstorm, while outspeeding Jolteon in Sandstorm.

Although this set does not necessarily require Sandstorm in order to function, Gigalith is still recommended. With a Sand Rush boost, Sandslash is far less passive, and it can be situationally used to revenge kill Pokemon like Magmortar. Gigalith can also take care of most special attackers, including Charizard and Ribombee. Pokemon that can switch into bulky Grass- and Water- types are necessary, as these will often come in on Sandslash to remove its Spikes, block Rapid Spin or gain momentum. Bulk Up Scrafty can comfortably come in, absorb status with Rest and use most of the tier's walls as a setup fodder. Weezing is a solid switch-in to Grass- types that can help wear down the opposition with Toxic Spikes. Eldegoss can deal with most Water-types and provide cleric support. Running Eldegoss along with Sandslash also allows you to free up a moveslot that is typically occupied by Rapid Spin on either of the two Pokemon. Wallbreakers like Vikavolt and Galarian Articuno (these are the same two examples used above, use different ones) can take advantage of the likes of Eldegoss and Weezing, Trevenant and Gourgeist-XL are capable breakers that can also block Rapid Spin. Late-game sweepers like Quiver Dance Ribombee and Silvally-Fairy that benefit from entry hazards wearing down their checks are good partners for Sandslash. A particularly notable cleaner is Doublade, which can also effectively spinblock and has good typing synergy with both Sandslash and Gigalith. (not neccessary to go so much in-depth into Sandslash's partners, this is a mini after all)

Make sure you implement all of this. I saw you skipped over a few things from the previous QC.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[sugar ovens, 383140]]
- Quality checked by: [[asa, 400292]], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]

QC 2/2 when implemented.

 

Sulo

pure heroine
is a Site Content Manageris an official Team Rateris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Leaderis a Community Contributoris a Smogon Discord Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Battle Simulator Moderator
National Dex Leader
add remove comment
ac = add comma, rc = remove comma, ap = add period
[OVERVIEW]
With access to Sand Rush, decent stats and typing, and an expansive movepool, Sandslash is a versatile offensive and defensive presence and a defining member of PU sand teams. Swords Dance Sandslash is one of the most dangerous sweepers in the tier. Under the effect of sand, Sandstorm, it outspeeds almost the entire unboosted metagame and even some Choice Scarf users such as Gallade. Its typing and decent natural physical bulk give it ample setup opportunities against the common Rock- and Steel-types (removed space) such as Gigalith and Togedemaru. Once boosted by Swords Dance, it has very few reliable defensive answers, and with access to useful coverage moves in Rock Slide, Leech Life, Knock Off, (ac) and Poison Jab, it can choose to narrow down the list of its checks and counters even further. With its utility options in Rapid Spin, Spikes, (ac) and Knock Off, Sandslash also carves itself a niche as a versatile spinner that can compress several roles in one slot. Due to its (removed apostrophe) lack of reliable recovery along with its middling good, but not great (I feel like since you're listing downsides here, something with a negative connotation might be more appropriate. Unless its stats aren't actually middling by PU standards, I would say this. Otherwise, something like "average" might be better.) stats, it can get worn down rather quickly, and can't be relied upon to repeatedly take on strong attackers like Perrserker. Furthermore, its poor special bulk and low Speed speed outside of sand Sandstorm leave it vulnerable to special attackers like Magneton, and common utility Pokemon like Wishiwashi, Eldegoss, (ac) and Levitate Weezing can exploit its overall passivity to gain momentum via U-turn, and either remove or set up entry hazards of their own. remove hazards or set up entry hazards of their own.

[SET]
name: Offensive Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide / Leech Life
move 4: Knock Off / Leech Life / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb / Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Most Rock-weak Ground-resistant Pokemon like Ribombee, Charizard, and Archeops are already OHKOed by Rock Slide; as such, it is preferred over the stronger, but less accurate Stone Edge. Almost every Rock- weak Ground resist in the tier, such as Ribombee, Charizard and Archeops is already OHKOed by Rock Slide, as such, it is preferable to the stronger, but less accurate Stone Edge. Stone Edge can still be used be still an option to deal more damage to neutral targets when not running Leech Life or Poison Jab. After using Swords Dance, Leech Life in conjunction with Life Orb allows Sandslash to OHKO Eldegoss. It also allows Sandslash to threaten Tangela. With Knock Off, Sandslash can OHKO Trevenant and weaken Pokémon that wall it, namely Levitate Weezing, Quagsire, (ac) and Tangela. Sandslash can perform as an effective offensive spinner. (ap) Rapid Spin is also useful practical for boosting its Speed speed outside of sand. Sandstorm. Instead of Leech Life, Poison Jab can be used to OHKO defensive Whimsicott. Life Orb is the most powerful choice of an item for a dedicated sweeper set, notably allowing Sandslash to OHKO Eldegoss. Leftovers and Heavy-Duty Boots can be used to improve Sandslash's longevity instead, particularly if an utility move is chosen as the last moveslot. A Jolly Nature can be considered to outspeed Choice Scarf Togedemaru and a few other uncommon Choice Scarf users like Gourgeist-S in sand Sandstorm, and Modest Magneton when unboosted, but this is typically not worth the drop in power.

Swords Dance Sandslash should be ran with Gigalith, as it is the only viable sand Sandstorm setter in the tier. Spikes or Toxic Spikes support from the likes of Ferroseed, Weezing, (ac) or Qwilfish is appreciated to help Sandslash break through physically defensive walls like Sandaconda, Jellicent, (ac) and Wishiwashi. Ribombee and Whimsicott are useful utility Pokemon that can use U-turn to bring Sandslash safely into their typical Steel- and Rock-type switch-ins (added hyphen, removed space in Rock-type), like Togedemaru, Aggron, (ac) and or Gigalith. Galarian Articuno and Vikavolt can switch in on Grass-types (removed space) that check Sandslash and fire off powerful attacks or pivot with U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively. Charizard is a great Gigalith magnet that also counters most Grass-types (removed space) and wears down Wishiwashi and Jellicent with Toxic. Wallbreakers like Gallade can weaken walls like Tangela, while Sandslash itself can benefit sweepers such as Doublade, dealing heavy damage to their shared checks.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Spikes
item: Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off is useful for a variety of purposes. It makes typical Sandslash switch-ins (added hyphen) like Eldegoss and Wishiwashi more susceptible suspectible to residual damage, including Sandslash's own Spikes, by removing their Heavy-Duty Boots and Leftovers and discouraging discourages spinblockers like Trevenant from switching in. Spikes are chosen to wear down grounded targets, forming a an entry hazard-stacking core with Gigalith. If you choose to not use Gigalith, Stealth Rock is a viable option. Leftovers give Sandslash a bit of passive recovery, improving its longevity. Heavy-Duty Boots is an alternative that protects Sandslash from entry hazards, particularly Toxic Spikes. Sandslash's EV spread is quite flexible and it can easily run some Speed investment to outpace certain threats according to its team's needs. One of the possibilities is a spread of 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe spread to outpace Adamant Perrserker outside of sand Sandstorm, while outspeeding Jolteon in sand. Sandstorm.

Although this set does not necessarily require sand Sandstorm in order to function, Gigalith is still recommended. With a Sand Rush boost, Sandslash is far less passive, and it can be situationally used to revenge kill Pokemon like Magmortar. Gigalith can also take care of most special attackers, including Charizard and Ribombee. Pokemon that can switch into bulky Grass- and Water-types (removed space) are necessary, as these will often come in on Sandslash to remove its Spikes, block Rapid Spin, (ac) or gain momentum. Bulk Up Scrafty can comfortably come in, absorb status with Rest, (ac) and use most of the tier's walls as a setup fodder. Weezing is a solid switch-in to Grass-types (removed space) and that can help wear down the opposition with Toxic Spikes. Eldegoss can deal with most Water-types and provide cleric support. Running Eldegoss along with Sandslash also allows you to free up a moveslot that is typically occupied by Rapid Spin on either of the two Pokemon. Wallbreakers like Magneton and Galarian Articuno can take advantage of the likes of Eldegoss and Weezing. Doublade has good typing synergy with both Sandslash and Gigalith, can effectively spinblock and, as a late-game sweeper, benefits from Spikes wearing down its checks.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[sugar ovens, 383140]]
- Quality checked by: [[asa, 400292]], [Heracross2.0, 414072 username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Sulo, 528036 username1, userid1]]
GP 1/1
GP Team done
 
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