[OVERVIEW]
Sneasel is one the most dominant Pokemon in NU thanks to its fearsome combination of power, speed, and a spectacular offensive typing. With access to a powerful STAB move in Knock Off, Sneasel can devastate defensive and offensive teams alike. Furthermore, Sneasel is a fantastic Pursuit trapper and can remove dangerous Pokemon such as Meloetta, Sigilyph, Mismagius, Delphox, and Jellicent for the rest of its team to take advantage of. Sneasel can fit on any team archetype with the appropriate support and almost always pulls its weight. However, while good offensively, Sneasel's poor defensive typing and low bulk mean it cannot switch into or withstand many attacks, making it more difficult to effectively Pursuit trap bulkier foes.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Icicle Crash
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Pursuit
item: Choice Band
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Sneasel's strongest Dark-type STAB move and comes with the benefit of removing items such as Eviolite and Leftovers. Icicle Crash is Sneasel's strongest Ice-type STAB move and can hit Dark-resistant targets such as Aromatisse and Scrafty extremely hard. Ice Shard is used to pick off faster threats such as Sceptile, Accelgor, and Whimsicott as well as boosted threats such as +2 Minior, +1 Lilligant, and Choice Scarf Rotom-C. Pursuit allows Sneasel to trap Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Mismagius, Jellicent, Slowking, Meloetta, and Sigilyph. Low Kick is an alternative that can 2HKO many common Sneasel switch-ins such as Steelix, Emboar, and Incineroar, but these Pokemon are worn down quite easily by Sneasel's STAB moves regardless.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack and Speed amplifies Sneasel's offensive presence. Choice Band substantially increases Sneasel's damage output and doesn't inflict residual damage, unlike Life Orb. Sneasel's abilities are mostly irrelevant, but Inner Focus can occasionally be helpful versus Fake Out users such as Kangaskhan and Hariyama, while Pickpocket can potentially be useful in specific scenarios such as Sneasel switching into a weak Knock Off from the likes of Clefairy, Uxie, and Cryogonal.
Usage Tips
========
Sneasel is very frail; therefore, it should not be directly brought in on any attacks other than Choice-locked Psychic-type moves and weak resisted hits such as defensive Cryogonal's Freeze-Dry. However, don't be afraid to apply pressure with Sneasel should you predict the opponent to use a recovery move, set up, or switch out. Sneasel can be brought in safely either through slow pivots to terrorize slower teams or on free switches to maximize its longevity while still placing enormous strain on the opponent. Sneasel should often use Knock Off to cripple incoming switch-ins and deal huge amounts of damage, while Icicle Crash can be used against Pokemon that resist Dark. Sneasel can also be used as a very effective revenge killer, either by trapping weakened threats with Pursuit or by simply outspeeding and KOing them with the appropriate STAB move. Be wary of locking Sneasel into Pursuit should the opponent have threatening sweepers such as Barbaracle and Scrafty, which can take advantage of the situation and freely set up.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate Pursuit support generally go very well with Sneasel. For example, Fighting-types such as Hitmonlee, Sawk, and Medicham detest Psychic- and Ghost-types, and in return they can obliterate bulkier Pokemon that Sneasel has trouble with such as Steelix, Emboar, Incineroar, Scrafty, and Piloswine. Pivots such as Rotom-C, Eelektross, Scyther, and Uxie can bring in Sneasel safely and keep up momentum. Poison-types such as Garbodor and Vileplume make great partners, as they can come in on Fairy- and Fighting-types, which threaten Sneasel. The former can also set up Spikes to chip away at the opposing side, while the latter can come in on Steelix freely. Sneasel appreciates hazard control from Hitmonlee, Cryogonal, Golbat, and Xatu to keep healthy and reduce passive damage from entry hazards. Furthermore, Psychic-types such as Sigilyph and Meloetta work quite well with Sneasel, as they can remove bulky Poison-types such as Garbodor and Weezing, as well as Fighting-types such as Sawk and Hitmontop. In return, Sneasel can trap opposing Psychic-types as well as Ghost-types for them. While Sneasel thrives on offensive teams, it can also be fit onto bulkier teams, which appreciate its Speed and trapping capabilities. For example, Vaporeon appreciates Sneasel's ability to trap Water-types such as Slowking and Jellicent, as well as OHKO Virizion, and in return, it can perform clerical duties to keep Sneasel healthy as well as pivot into Fire-types such as Houndoom and Choice Scarf Delphox.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Swords Dance set with Icium Z can be used to break through common defensive checks to Sneasel such as Granbull, Aromatisse, and Emboar, but Sneasel finds very few opportunities to set up. Dread Plate can be used to bluff a Choice Band set, but Sneasel sorely misses the power it gains from Choice Band. Similarly, Life Orb could be used to achieve a medium between power and freedom, but it wears Sneasel down much too fast to be effective. Eviolite could be used to slightly increase Sneasel's bulk and make Pursuit trapping easier; however, it is still very frail and also quite weak.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Granbull and Aromatisse can easily switch into Knock Off and take Icicle Crash rather well, but the former gets worn down quickly due to a lack of recovery, while the latter must be wary of Icicle Crash flinches. Whimsicott can outspeed and OHKO Sneasel with Moonblast, but Sneasel can KO it with Ice Shard with some prior damage.
**Fighting-types**: Poliwrath, Hitmontop, Hitmonlee, Medicham, Scrafty, Machamp, and Emboar can revenge kill or check Sneasel while switching into its STAB Dark-type moves without much hassle; however, aside from Poliwrath, they don't fare well against Sneasel in the long term, as they all can be worn down quickly or eventually picked off by Ice Shard. Furthermore, Choice Scarf Emboar is severely crippled by getting its item removed by Knock Off.
**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Fast Pokemon such as Accelgor, Whimsicott, Sceptile, Choice Scarf Emboar, and Choice Scarf Drapion can easily outspeed and OHKO Sneasel due to its pitiful bulk, but they must be cautious of Ice Shard, which can pick them off when weakened, particularly Pokemon that are hit super effectively by it.
**Bulky Water-types**: Vaporeon, Colbur Berry Slowbro, Quagsire, Seismitoad, Qwilfish, and Gastrodon can all take on Sneasel quite well, but the last two can get worn down quickly due to a lack of reliable recovery.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Steelix can serve as a temporary check to Sneasel throughout the match due to its high physical bulk; however, it is very easily worn down and hates losing its Leftovers. Likewise, Piloswine can comfortably take Icicle Crash, but without its Eviolite and reliable recovery, it will struggle to survive for very long. Moreover, Garbodor can chip away at Sneasel with Rocky Helmet and Aftermath recoil in an emergency, and Weezing can take a plethora of hits, cripple Sneasel with Will-O-Wisp, and keep healthy with either Pain Split or Z-Haze.
Sneasel is one the most dominant Pokemon in NU thanks to its fearsome combination of power, speed, and a spectacular offensive typing. With access to a powerful STAB move in Knock Off, Sneasel can devastate defensive and offensive teams alike. Furthermore, Sneasel is a fantastic Pursuit trapper and can remove dangerous Pokemon such as Meloetta, Sigilyph, Mismagius, Delphox, and Jellicent for the rest of its team to take advantage of. Sneasel can fit on any team archetype with the appropriate support and almost always pulls its weight. However, while good offensively, Sneasel's poor defensive typing and low bulk mean it cannot switch into or withstand many attacks, making it more difficult to effectively Pursuit trap bulkier foes.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Icicle Crash
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Pursuit
item: Choice Band
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Sneasel's strongest Dark-type STAB move and comes with the benefit of removing items such as Eviolite and Leftovers. Icicle Crash is Sneasel's strongest Ice-type STAB move and can hit Dark-resistant targets such as Aromatisse and Scrafty extremely hard. Ice Shard is used to pick off faster threats such as Sceptile, Accelgor, and Whimsicott as well as boosted threats such as +2 Minior, +1 Lilligant, and Choice Scarf Rotom-C. Pursuit allows Sneasel to trap Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Mismagius, Jellicent, Slowking, Meloetta, and Sigilyph. Low Kick is an alternative that can 2HKO many common Sneasel switch-ins such as Steelix, Emboar, and Incineroar, but these Pokemon are worn down quite easily by Sneasel's STAB moves regardless.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack and Speed amplifies Sneasel's offensive presence. Choice Band substantially increases Sneasel's damage output and doesn't inflict residual damage, unlike Life Orb. Sneasel's abilities are mostly irrelevant, but Inner Focus can occasionally be helpful versus Fake Out users such as Kangaskhan and Hariyama, while Pickpocket can potentially be useful in specific scenarios such as Sneasel switching into a weak Knock Off from the likes of Clefairy, Uxie, and Cryogonal.
Usage Tips
========
Sneasel is very frail; therefore, it should not be directly brought in on any attacks other than Choice-locked Psychic-type moves and weak resisted hits such as defensive Cryogonal's Freeze-Dry. However, don't be afraid to apply pressure with Sneasel should you predict the opponent to use a recovery move, set up, or switch out. Sneasel can be brought in safely either through slow pivots to terrorize slower teams or on free switches to maximize its longevity while still placing enormous strain on the opponent. Sneasel should often use Knock Off to cripple incoming switch-ins and deal huge amounts of damage, while Icicle Crash can be used against Pokemon that resist Dark. Sneasel can also be used as a very effective revenge killer, either by trapping weakened threats with Pursuit or by simply outspeeding and KOing them with the appropriate STAB move. Be wary of locking Sneasel into Pursuit should the opponent have threatening sweepers such as Barbaracle and Scrafty, which can take advantage of the situation and freely set up.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate Pursuit support generally go very well with Sneasel. For example, Fighting-types such as Hitmonlee, Sawk, and Medicham detest Psychic- and Ghost-types, and in return they can obliterate bulkier Pokemon that Sneasel has trouble with such as Steelix, Emboar, Incineroar, Scrafty, and Piloswine. Pivots such as Rotom-C, Eelektross, Scyther, and Uxie can bring in Sneasel safely and keep up momentum. Poison-types such as Garbodor and Vileplume make great partners, as they can come in on Fairy- and Fighting-types, which threaten Sneasel. The former can also set up Spikes to chip away at the opposing side, while the latter can come in on Steelix freely. Sneasel appreciates hazard control from Hitmonlee, Cryogonal, Golbat, and Xatu to keep healthy and reduce passive damage from entry hazards. Furthermore, Psychic-types such as Sigilyph and Meloetta work quite well with Sneasel, as they can remove bulky Poison-types such as Garbodor and Weezing, as well as Fighting-types such as Sawk and Hitmontop. In return, Sneasel can trap opposing Psychic-types as well as Ghost-types for them. While Sneasel thrives on offensive teams, it can also be fit onto bulkier teams, which appreciate its Speed and trapping capabilities. For example, Vaporeon appreciates Sneasel's ability to trap Water-types such as Slowking and Jellicent, as well as OHKO Virizion, and in return, it can perform clerical duties to keep Sneasel healthy as well as pivot into Fire-types such as Houndoom and Choice Scarf Delphox.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Swords Dance set with Icium Z can be used to break through common defensive checks to Sneasel such as Granbull, Aromatisse, and Emboar, but Sneasel finds very few opportunities to set up. Dread Plate can be used to bluff a Choice Band set, but Sneasel sorely misses the power it gains from Choice Band. Similarly, Life Orb could be used to achieve a medium between power and freedom, but it wears Sneasel down much too fast to be effective. Eviolite could be used to slightly increase Sneasel's bulk and make Pursuit trapping easier; however, it is still very frail and also quite weak.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Granbull and Aromatisse can easily switch into Knock Off and take Icicle Crash rather well, but the former gets worn down quickly due to a lack of recovery, while the latter must be wary of Icicle Crash flinches. Whimsicott can outspeed and OHKO Sneasel with Moonblast, but Sneasel can KO it with Ice Shard with some prior damage.
**Fighting-types**: Poliwrath, Hitmontop, Hitmonlee, Medicham, Scrafty, Machamp, and Emboar can revenge kill or check Sneasel while switching into its STAB Dark-type moves without much hassle; however, aside from Poliwrath, they don't fare well against Sneasel in the long term, as they all can be worn down quickly or eventually picked off by Ice Shard. Furthermore, Choice Scarf Emboar is severely crippled by getting its item removed by Knock Off.
**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Fast Pokemon such as Accelgor, Whimsicott, Sceptile, Choice Scarf Emboar, and Choice Scarf Drapion can easily outspeed and OHKO Sneasel due to its pitiful bulk, but they must be cautious of Ice Shard, which can pick them off when weakened, particularly Pokemon that are hit super effectively by it.
**Bulky Water-types**: Vaporeon, Colbur Berry Slowbro, Quagsire, Seismitoad, Qwilfish, and Gastrodon can all take on Sneasel quite well, but the last two can get worn down quickly due to a lack of reliable recovery.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Steelix can serve as a temporary check to Sneasel throughout the match due to its high physical bulk; however, it is very easily worn down and hates losing its Leftovers. Likewise, Piloswine can comfortably take Icicle Crash, but without its Eviolite and reliable recovery, it will struggle to survive for very long. Moreover, Garbodor can chip away at Sneasel with Rocky Helmet and Aftermath recoil in an emergency, and Weezing can take a plethora of hits, cripple Sneasel with Will-O-Wisp, and keep healthy with either Pain Split or Z-Haze.
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