Moves

Blizzard is Alolan Ninetales's best Ice-type STAB attack thanks to its high Base Power and ability to deal spread damage. Freeze-Dry is a more reliable option, as it does not require hail to have 100% accuracy and allows Alolan Ninetales to hit Tapu Fini, Gastrodon, and common rain sweepers, such as Kingdra and Mega Swampert, for super effective damage. Aurora Veil is the main reason to use Alolan Ninetales. This move single-handedly makes Alolan Ninetales a viable support Pokemon. Encore is another move that boosts Alolan Ninetales's utility by enabling it to punish foes using Protect to stall out hail or trying to take advantage of Alolan Ninetales's passivity by setting up on it. Protect shields Alolan Ninetales from a potential OHKO and can let its partner deal with the threat. Keep in mind the hail turns when using Protect because you might accidentally help stall it out. Icy Wind can be used in either of the last two slots to give Ninetales a bit of extra utility in the form of Speed control.

Set Details

Maximum Speed EVs with a Timid nature ensure that Alolan Ninetales is as fast as possible. 184 HP and 72 Defense EVs allow Alolan Ninetales to take a Double-Edge from 180 Attack Mega Salamence. Snow Warning is the only ability to use because it allows Alolan Ninetales to use Aurora Veil, makes Blizzard perfectly accurate, and provides nice chip damage. Light Clay is the preferred item to prolong Aurora Veil's effects. For a bit of extra Speed, a Choice Scarf set can be used. This would allow Ninetales to outspeed and OHKO such notable threats as Mega Salamence, both formes of Choice Scarf Landorus, post-Clangorous Soulblaze Kommo-o, and +1 Speed Zygarde. Blizzard, Freeze-Dry, Moonblast, and Aurora Veil should be the moves accompanying a Choice Scarf, while a simple EV spread of 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe and Timid Nature maximize Ninetales' Speed and power.

Usage Tips

Use Aurora Veil when Alolan Ninetales's partner is planning to set up. Keep in mind that Aurora Veil only works under hail, so if the foe has a Pokemon that can change the weather, such as Tyranitar or Pelipper, be wary of using it. Alolan Ninetales relies heavily on hail, so if the opponent has a Pokemon that can change the weather, try to get rid of it as soon as possible. Preserve Alolan Ninetales in that situation so it can win the weather war, since it needs hail to function. Keep in mind that due to Alolan Ninetales's Speed, it will almost always set up weather first, so if the opponent has any weather setters, don't lead with Alolan Ninetales, or else its weather will be overridden if the opponent also leads with their weather setter. If switching Alolan Ninetales in, try to switch it into neutral special attacks. Never switch it into a physical attack, unless resisted, since it is pretty frail physically. Be careful of Trick Room, as once it is set up, Alolan Ninetales is useless.

Team Options

Alolan Ninetales is great next to setup sweepers thanks to Aurora Veil. Zygarde is a great partner, as it threatens Fire- and Steel-types that threaten Alolan Ninetales. In return, Alolan Ninetales discourages and threatens Salamence and Landorus-T, two common Intimidate users, from switching in, which allows Zygarde to set up more easily. Porygon-Z benefits greatly from the added padding from Aurora Veil, as it is very frail. Porygon-Z can also effectively use Blizzard when paired up with Alolan Ninetales, which is a step up from Ice Beam. The added chip damage from hail is also nice for Porygon-Z to get some KOs that it normally might not get, such as on Tapu Lele. Fire-types, most notably Volcanion, can threaten opposing Steel-types and easily switch into any Fire-type attacks aimed at Alolan Ninetales.