I'll get working on Lanturn, but I oughtta get this up too. It's time to show off how terrible Sandslash really is.
OMG why are people still using this?
[Overview]
<p>When looking for a Rapid Spin user, Sandslash shouldn't be your first choice. This is mostly because Sandslash has many flaws that make it a poor option on most teams. One of these is Sandslash's inability to deal with many of RU's spinblockers, such as Golurk, Rotom, and Misdreavus, while its competitors, Kabutops and Cryogonal, can. In spite of Sandslash's ability to set up Stealth Rock, it is largely outclassed by other Stealth Rock users such as Uxie, Steelix, and Mesprit. Due to Sandslash's miserable Special Defense, it becomes an easy target for even resisted special attacks. Sandslash also loses to many prominent threats, including Sceptile, Slowking, and especially Glaceon. Its weakness to Ice-type attacks makes it a poor choice against hail teams, while Kabutops and Cryogonal can take them on more reliably.</p>
<p>However, Sandslash does have a few redeeming qualities. It can reliably beat the most popular Ghost-type, Spiritomb, one-on-one. Sandslash can also set up Swords Dance to inflict decent damage on the opposing team. Its physical bulk, while not amazing, is sufficient to allow it to survive enough physical hits to pull off Rapid Spin. In addition to Rapid Spin, Sandslash also has access to Stealth Rock to further support its team. Thanks to these characteristics, Sandslash can also slide onto teams that desperately need to absorb Volt Switch from Pokemon such as Magneton and Manectric. This also makes it a decent fit on teams that do not want their Rapid Spin user vulnerable to Spiritomb. Overall, Sandslash has a very specific niche, and it should only be considered as a last resort if the other Rapid Spin users are too difficult to fit on your team.</p>
[SET]
name: Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge / Night Slash
move 4: Swords Dance / Stealth Rock
item: Lum Berry / Leftovers
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 232 HP / 216 Atk / 36 Def / 24 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is Sandslash's best bet at accomplishing anything in RU. While Kabutops and Cryogonal are significantly better choices on a vast majority of teams, Sandslash aims to be used sparingly, enduring physical hits while using Rapid Spin when it's necessary. It also serves as an emergency check to physical sweepers at full health, and it doesn't have a Volt Switch or Stealth Rock weakness, unlike Kabutops and Cryogonal.</p>
<p>Rapid Spin is the sole reason Sandslash should be used, and as such, it finds itself a spot in this set, allowing Sandslash to remove entry hazards that may cripple its team. Earthquake serves as a powerful and reliable STAB move for Sandslash to hit fairly hard with, especially against Spiritomb. Be wary though, Sandslash can potentially lure in Grass-types, such as Sceptile, Lilligant, and Rotom-C, that will easily score a KO. Stone Edge provides good coverage alongside Earthquake, while Night Slash allows Sandslash to also nail Rotom and Misdreavus. Swords Dance is useful because it allows Sandslash to handle Pokemon such as Spiritomb, Rotom, and Misdreavus more effectively. Stealth Rock is another option for the final moveslot, as it enables Sandslash to provide extra support for its team.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread gives Sandslash enough power to 2HKO standard Spiritomb while 3HKOing defensive variants, both after Stealth Rock, while the Speed EVs allow Sandslash to outspeed minimum Speed Lanturn. A Lum Berry is the preferred item, allowing Sandslash to bypass status conditions from opposing Pokemon once. Leftovers, however, is useful for recovery, although this leaves Sandslash prone to being burned by Ghost-types. An Adamant nature is chosen to further enhance Sandslash's Attack, allowing it to beat Spiritomb. Toxic is a viable option in the last slot to wear down Alomomola and Poliwrath while crippling incoming spinblockers.</p>
<p>Aside from Spiritomb, Absol can Pursuit trap opposing Ghost-types; this is quite useful as Sandslash is helpless against the majority of them. Sandslash also needs Wish support to keep it from being worn out; Alomomola and Clefable are both viable options to this end. Sandslash also needs a cleric such as Clefable, Misdreavus, or Roselia if it isn't using a Lum Berry. Roselia can also take Water- and Grass-type moves aimed at Sandslash. Sandslash also appreciates Pokemon that can take on Grass-types as it is typically helpless against them. Emboar, Roselia, Druddigon, and Scolipede are all very good options for this. Pokemon that appreciate Rapid Spin support, such as Moltres and Scyther, are good partners for Sandslash as well. All things considered, supporting Sandslash is probably more trouble than it's worth.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Sandslash doesn't have many other options. The most notable one is Sandstorm, which lets Sandslash run a gimmicky set with Sand Rush and Swords Dance to sweep. It can also run Protect to scout the opponent's move and is useful to allow Sandslash to utilize its Leftovers recovery. Sandslash is capable of running a defensive set to take on a few physical attackers more easily while supporting its team with Stealth Rock and Toxic. It also has Sunny Day to support sun teams while providing Rapid Spin support. X-Scissor and Rock Slide are additional options for extra coverage. Finally, Sandslash can also run Knock Off to remove Eviolite from Magneton, Rhydon, Roselia, and Ferroseed. As it stands, Sandslash's utility is already severely limited, and implementing any of these options could diminish any marginal usefulness Sandslash originally possessed.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Most spinblockers are very capable of stopping Sandslash from pulling off a Rapid Spin, especially if it lacks Night Slash. If it lacks Lum Berry, burning it with Will-O-Wisp is an effective way to stop it from defeating any spinblockers while gradually chipping away at its HP. Bulky Water-types such as Alomomola, Poliwrath, and Slowking can tank hits from it while also dealing a significant amount of damage with Scald. Sandslash loses to common entry hazard setters such as Mesprit, Uxie, Qwilfish, and Roselia, ultimately rendering it useless. Sceptile, Lilligant, and Rotom-C can hit Sandslash super effectively with their Grass-type STAB moves. Hail teams will completely obliterate Sandslash, as Blizzard and other powerful Ice-type moves from Glaceon, Walrein, and Rotom-F will quickly dispose of it. It is also useful to constantly pressure Sandslash with repeated attacks and Spikes, as forcing it out will consistently weaken it. Finally, using Trick with a Choice item can make Sandslash easier to deal with by locking it into Earthquake or Rapid Spin.</p>
OMG why are people still using this?
[Overview]
<p>When looking for a Rapid Spin user, Sandslash shouldn't be your first choice. This is mostly because Sandslash has many flaws that make it a poor option on most teams. One of these is Sandslash's inability to deal with many of RU's spinblockers, such as Golurk, Rotom, and Misdreavus, while its competitors, Kabutops and Cryogonal, can. In spite of Sandslash's ability to set up Stealth Rock, it is largely outclassed by other Stealth Rock users such as Uxie, Steelix, and Mesprit. Due to Sandslash's miserable Special Defense, it becomes an easy target for even resisted special attacks. Sandslash also loses to many prominent threats, including Sceptile, Slowking, and especially Glaceon. Its weakness to Ice-type attacks makes it a poor choice against hail teams, while Kabutops and Cryogonal can take them on more reliably.</p>
<p>However, Sandslash does have a few redeeming qualities. It can reliably beat the most popular Ghost-type, Spiritomb, one-on-one. Sandslash can also set up Swords Dance to inflict decent damage on the opposing team. Its physical bulk, while not amazing, is sufficient to allow it to survive enough physical hits to pull off Rapid Spin. In addition to Rapid Spin, Sandslash also has access to Stealth Rock to further support its team. Thanks to these characteristics, Sandslash can also slide onto teams that desperately need to absorb Volt Switch from Pokemon such as Magneton and Manectric. This also makes it a decent fit on teams that do not want their Rapid Spin user vulnerable to Spiritomb. Overall, Sandslash has a very specific niche, and it should only be considered as a last resort if the other Rapid Spin users are too difficult to fit on your team.</p>
[SET]
name: Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge / Night Slash
move 4: Swords Dance / Stealth Rock
item: Lum Berry / Leftovers
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 232 HP / 216 Atk / 36 Def / 24 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is Sandslash's best bet at accomplishing anything in RU. While Kabutops and Cryogonal are significantly better choices on a vast majority of teams, Sandslash aims to be used sparingly, enduring physical hits while using Rapid Spin when it's necessary. It also serves as an emergency check to physical sweepers at full health, and it doesn't have a Volt Switch or Stealth Rock weakness, unlike Kabutops and Cryogonal.</p>
<p>Rapid Spin is the sole reason Sandslash should be used, and as such, it finds itself a spot in this set, allowing Sandslash to remove entry hazards that may cripple its team. Earthquake serves as a powerful and reliable STAB move for Sandslash to hit fairly hard with, especially against Spiritomb. Be wary though, Sandslash can potentially lure in Grass-types, such as Sceptile, Lilligant, and Rotom-C, that will easily score a KO. Stone Edge provides good coverage alongside Earthquake, while Night Slash allows Sandslash to also nail Rotom and Misdreavus. Swords Dance is useful because it allows Sandslash to handle Pokemon such as Spiritomb, Rotom, and Misdreavus more effectively. Stealth Rock is another option for the final moveslot, as it enables Sandslash to provide extra support for its team.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread gives Sandslash enough power to 2HKO standard Spiritomb while 3HKOing defensive variants, both after Stealth Rock, while the Speed EVs allow Sandslash to outspeed minimum Speed Lanturn. A Lum Berry is the preferred item, allowing Sandslash to bypass status conditions from opposing Pokemon once. Leftovers, however, is useful for recovery, although this leaves Sandslash prone to being burned by Ghost-types. An Adamant nature is chosen to further enhance Sandslash's Attack, allowing it to beat Spiritomb. Toxic is a viable option in the last slot to wear down Alomomola and Poliwrath while crippling incoming spinblockers.</p>
<p>Aside from Spiritomb, Absol can Pursuit trap opposing Ghost-types; this is quite useful as Sandslash is helpless against the majority of them. Sandslash also needs Wish support to keep it from being worn out; Alomomola and Clefable are both viable options to this end. Sandslash also needs a cleric such as Clefable, Misdreavus, or Roselia if it isn't using a Lum Berry. Roselia can also take Water- and Grass-type moves aimed at Sandslash. Sandslash also appreciates Pokemon that can take on Grass-types as it is typically helpless against them. Emboar, Roselia, Druddigon, and Scolipede are all very good options for this. Pokemon that appreciate Rapid Spin support, such as Moltres and Scyther, are good partners for Sandslash as well. All things considered, supporting Sandslash is probably more trouble than it's worth.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Sandslash doesn't have many other options. The most notable one is Sandstorm, which lets Sandslash run a gimmicky set with Sand Rush and Swords Dance to sweep. It can also run Protect to scout the opponent's move and is useful to allow Sandslash to utilize its Leftovers recovery. Sandslash is capable of running a defensive set to take on a few physical attackers more easily while supporting its team with Stealth Rock and Toxic. It also has Sunny Day to support sun teams while providing Rapid Spin support. X-Scissor and Rock Slide are additional options for extra coverage. Finally, Sandslash can also run Knock Off to remove Eviolite from Magneton, Rhydon, Roselia, and Ferroseed. As it stands, Sandslash's utility is already severely limited, and implementing any of these options could diminish any marginal usefulness Sandslash originally possessed.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Most spinblockers are very capable of stopping Sandslash from pulling off a Rapid Spin, especially if it lacks Night Slash. If it lacks Lum Berry, burning it with Will-O-Wisp is an effective way to stop it from defeating any spinblockers while gradually chipping away at its HP. Bulky Water-types such as Alomomola, Poliwrath, and Slowking can tank hits from it while also dealing a significant amount of damage with Scald. Sandslash loses to common entry hazard setters such as Mesprit, Uxie, Qwilfish, and Roselia, ultimately rendering it useless. Sceptile, Lilligant, and Rotom-C can hit Sandslash super effectively with their Grass-type STAB moves. Hail teams will completely obliterate Sandslash, as Blizzard and other powerful Ice-type moves from Glaceon, Walrein, and Rotom-F will quickly dispose of it. It is also useful to constantly pressure Sandslash with repeated attacks and Spikes, as forcing it out will consistently weaken it. Finally, using Trick with a Choice item can make Sandslash easier to deal with by locking it into Earthquake or Rapid Spin.</p>
[Overview]
- Outclassed by Kabutops and Cryogonal
- A relatively mediocre spinner
- Has many negative qualities which make it relatively mediocre
- It struggles with a lot of spinblockers, leaving it in the shadows of Kabutops and Cryogonal
- It can up SR and can spin, but for the previous reason, you're often better with a SR+spinner with two teamslots
- This functions sorely as a support Pokemon with no recovery, meaning over the course of the match, it's getting worn down by the very hazards it is supposed to be removing.
- It's not even that bulky physically, as many strong physical attackers still 2HKO it regardless
- It's specially frail and has three exploitable weaknesses, making it bait for threats such as Sceptile, Feraligatr, and Glaceon
- Loses to hail teams, which Kabu and Cryo don't
- However, its access to the excellent Rapid Spin makes sure it can remove hazards if the opponent lacks a Ghost-type
- It has Swords Dance and can use Lum Berry to beat Spiritomb and Misdreavus while denting opponents hard
- Sandslash should be used on teams that need a spinner that can endure a physical hit and pull off the spin when it counts
- It can be complete shit if you use it incorrectly; use it to its strengths
- Before you use Sandslash, always consider the existence of better spinners such as Kabutops and Cryogonal, both of which generally outclass Sandslash
- This is Sandslash's best bet at accomplishing anything
- It uses its decent 100 Attack and decent physical defense to spin and hit alright
- It beats Spiritomb at least
- Fits well on teams that don't want Kabutops for redundancy or for those who hate being Escavalier bait with Cryo
- Could do decent damage to things and maybe pull off a spin or two
- Rapid Spin because duh
- Earthquake for STAB
- Stone Edge for EdgeQuake coverage while Night Slash nabs Rotom and Misdreavus
- Swords Dance for boosting or SR to support the team
- Sandslash sucks but this uses it to the best of its abilities
- EV spread invests into bulk, and allows it to 2HKO standard Spiritomb and 3HKO physically defensive. Also allows it to outspeed Lanturn
- Lum Berry to dodge burns and Smeargle Spore
- Adamant because SD
- Sandslash has no useful abilities, sadly
- Absol should be used to keep Ghosts at bay
- Alomomola and Clefable are needed to keep Sandslash healthy
- Cleric support is needed, Roselia, Misdreavus, and Clefable being good examples
- Grass-type switch-ins like Emboar, Roselia, Druddigon, and Scolipede
- Toxic could be used to cripple spinblockers and Grass-types bar Roselia
- Anything weak to SR such as Moltres and Scyther so that Sandslash benefits your team in some way
- You really shouldn't be trying to support Sandslash
- This thing is dry on other options
- Rock Slide
- Toxic
- Sunny Day
- X-Scissor
- Rotom and Misdreavus cockblock Sandslash from doing its job
- Spiritomb can burn it
- Burning Sandslash is effective if it lacks Lum Berry
- Water-types such as Alomomola, Poliwrath, and Slowking
- Some hazard users, such as Mesprit, Uxie, Qwilfish, and Roselia can beat it one-on-one
- Sceptile, Lilligant, and Rotom-C (and Roselia too I guess)
- Glaceon and Walrein
- Pressure Sandslash with hazards and onslaughts; it can't repeatedly come in
- Wear down Sandslash
- Trick can put Sandslash out of commision
- Mesprit and Uxie mind nothing other than Night Slash, the latter can go for the kill with Ice Beam
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