Competitive Information for Alolan Sandslash [Sword/Shield]
Base Stats for Sandslash-Alola
Ice / Steel
Abilities:
Snow CloakSnow Cloak: If Hail is active, this Pokemon's evasiveness is 1.25x; immunity to Hail.
, Slush RushSlush Rush: If Hail is active, this Pokemon's Speed is doubled.
Bug
Dark
Dragon
Electric
Fairy
Fighting
Fire
Flying
Ghost
0.5x
0.5x
0.5x
4x
4x
0.5x
Grass
Ground
Ice
Normal
Poison
Psychic
Rock
Steel
Water
0.5x
2x
0.25x
0.5x
0x
0.5x
¼x
½x
2x
4x
Optimize Sandslash-alola's EVs for Sword/Shield
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Sandslash-alola? These builds have been optimized for Pokemon competing in Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs have been specifically calibrated to deal the most amount of damage to the largest group of potentially common opponents and typing threats for the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
Common single-battle team mates for Sandslash-alola in Pokemon Sword/Shield:
Ninetales-AlolaTogekissTalonflameIndeedeeTerrakionUrshifuUrshifu-Rapid-StrikeMiloticAbomasnowChandelure
Ninetales-AlolaTogekissTalonflameIndeedeeTerrakionUrshifuUrshifu-Rapid-StrikeMiloticAbomasnowChandelure
Sandslash is a stupendous Ice and Steel-typed Pokemon. Sandslash are common Pokemon to see in the SS metagame. Sandslash is weak to Fighting, Fire, and Ground-typed attacks.
Species: Sandslash-Alola
Item: Life Orb / Weakness Policy
Ability: Slush Rush
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Steel Roller / Iron Head
- Earthquake / Drill Run
- Icicle Crash / Triple Axel
- Protect
Item: Life Orb / Weakness Policy
Ability: Slush Rush
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Steel Roller / Iron Head
- Earthquake / Drill Run
- Icicle Crash / Triple Axel
- Protect
Physical Sweeper Sandslash-Alola (Popular/Trending)
Sandslash is a phenomenal Physical Sweeper. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Weakness Policy activates if Sandslash is hit by a super effective move. The Weakness Policy is consumed and its Attack and Special Attack are increased by two stages each. Life Orb boosts the power of Sandslash's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Slush Rush, if hail is active Sandslash's speed is doubled.
♦ Steel Roller is a physical STAB-boosted 130-base power Steel-type move (fails if there is no terrain active. ends the effects of terrain).
♦ Iron Head is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
♦ Drill Run is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Icicle Crash is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Ice-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Triple Axel is a physical STAB-boosted 20-base power Ice-type move (hits 3 times. each hit can miss, but power rises).
♦ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Sandslash this turn).
♦ Iron Head is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
♦ Drill Run is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Icicle Crash is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Ice-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Triple Axel is a physical STAB-boosted 20-base power Ice-type move (hits 3 times. each hit can miss, but power rises).
♦ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Sandslash this turn).
Species: Sandslash-Alola
Item: Chople Berry / Occa Berry
Ability: Slush Rush
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Steel Roller / Iron Head
- Triple Axel / Icicle Crash
- Earthquake / Drill Run
- Knock Off / Night Slash
Item: Chople Berry / Occa Berry
Ability: Slush Rush
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Steel Roller / Iron Head
- Triple Axel / Icicle Crash
- Earthquake / Drill Run
- Knock Off / Night Slash
Physical Sweeper Sandslash-Alola (Slush Rush)
Sandslash is a stupendous Physical Sweeper. It attempts to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. With Slush Rush, if hail is active Sandslash's speed is doubled.
♦ Steel Roller is a physical STAB-boosted 130-base power Steel-type move (fails if there is no terrain active. ends the effects of terrain).
♦ Iron Head is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Triple Axel is a physical STAB-boosted 20-base power Ice-type move (hits 3 times. each hit can miss, but power rises).
♦ Icicle Crash is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Ice-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
♦ Drill Run is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Knock Off is a physical 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
♦ Night Slash is a physical 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Iron Head is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Triple Axel is a physical STAB-boosted 20-base power Ice-type move (hits 3 times. each hit can miss, but power rises).
♦ Icicle Crash is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Ice-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
♦ Drill Run is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Knock Off is a physical 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
♦ Night Slash is a physical 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Sandslash-alola? These builds have been optimized for Sword/Shield Double Battles. They have movesets and EVs specifically calibrated to generally work best versus multiple Pokemon at once as well as helping to support other team members and allys in the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
Common double-battle team mates for Sandslash-alola in Pokemon Sword/Shield:
Ninetales-AlolaTogekissIncineroarAbomasnowInteleonTalonflameVanilluxeIndeedeeMiloticHitmontop
Ninetales-AlolaTogekissIncineroarAbomasnowInteleonTalonflameVanilluxeIndeedeeMiloticHitmontop
Species: Sandslash-Alola
Item: Chople Berry / Occa Berry
Ability: Slush Rush
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Steel Roller / Iron Head
- Earthquake / Drill Run
- Rock Slide
- Triple Axel / Icicle Crash
Item: Chople Berry / Occa Berry
Ability: Slush Rush
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Steel Roller / Iron Head
- Earthquake / Drill Run
- Rock Slide
- Triple Axel / Icicle Crash
Doubles Physical Sweeper Sandslash-Alola (Slush Rush)
Sandslash is a pretty decent Physical Sweeper. This moveset is designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. With Slush Rush, if hail is active Sandslash's speed is doubled.
♦ Steel Roller is a physical STAB-boosted 130-base power Steel-type move (fails if there is no terrain active. ends the effects of terrain).
♦ Iron Head is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
♦ Drill Run is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to flinch the foes).
♦ Triple Axel is a physical STAB-boosted 20-base power Ice-type move (hits 3 times. each hit can miss, but power rises).
♦ Icicle Crash is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Ice-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Iron Head is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
♦ Drill Run is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to flinch the foes).
♦ Triple Axel is a physical STAB-boosted 20-base power Ice-type move (hits 3 times. each hit can miss, but power rises).
♦ Icicle Crash is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Ice-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Sandslash-alola learn? Here is the list of moves this Pokemon can learn in this selected generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by move type, category, accuracy, and power. Bolded moves will gain the same-type attack bonus (STAB) if this Pokemon uses them.
Cat
Type
Movename
Damage
Accuracy
PP
Effect
Blizzard
110
70%
5
10% chance to freeze foe(s). Can't miss in hail.
Focus Blast
120
70%
5
10% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.
Frost Breath
60
90%
10
Always results in a critical hit.
Hyper Beam
150
90%
5
User cannot move next turn.
Ice Beam
90
100%
10
10% chance to freeze the target.
Icy Wind
55
95%
15
100% chance to lower the foe(s) Speed by 1.
Mirror Coat
--
100%
20
If hit by special attack, returns double damage.
Powder Snow
40
100%
25
10% chance to freeze the foe(s).
Round
60
100%
15
Power doubles if others used Round this turn.
Snore
50
100%
15
User must be asleep. 30% chance to flinch target.
Steel Beam
140
95%
5
User loses 50% max HP.
Swift
60
--
20
This move does not check accuracy. Hits foes.
Aerial Ace
60
--
20
This move does not check accuracy.
Aqua Tail
90
90%
10
No additional effect.
Avalanche
60
100%
10
Power doubles if user is damaged by the target.
Body Slam
85
100%
15
30% chance to paralyze the target.
Brick Break
75
100%
15
Destroys screens, unless the target is immune.
Bulldoze
60
100%
20
100% chance lower adjacent Pkmn Speed by 1.
Counter
--
100%
20
If hit by physical attack, returns double damage.
Covet
60
100%
25
If the user has no item, it steals the target's.
Crush Claw
75
95%
10
50% chance to lower the target's Defense by 1.
Dig
80
100%
10
Digs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2.
Drill Run
80
95%
10
High critical hit ratio.
Earthquake
100
100%
10
Hits adjacent Pokemon. Double damage on Dig.
Facade
70
100%
20
Power doubles if user is burn/poison/paralyzed.
Flail
--
100%
15
More power the less HP the user has left.
Fling
--
100%
10
Flings the user's item at the target. Power varies.
Focus Punch
150
100%
20
Fails if the user takes damage before it hits.
Fury Cutter
40
95%
20
Power doubles with each hit, up to 160.
Fury Swipes
18
80%
15
Hits 2-5 times in one turn.
Giga Impact
150
90%
5
User cannot move next turn.
Gyro Ball
--
100%
5
More power the slower the user than the target.
Headbutt
70
100%
15
30% chance to flinch the target.
Ice Punch
75
100%
15
10% chance to freeze the target.
Ice Shard
40
100%
30
Usually goes first.
Icicle Crash
85
90%
10
30% chance to flinch the target.
Icicle Spear
25
100%
30
Hits 2-5 times in one turn.
Iron Head
80
100%
15
30% chance to flinch the target.
Iron Tail
100
75%
15
30% chance to lower the target's Defense by 1.
Knock Off
65
100%
20
1.5x damage if foe holds an item. Removes item.
Leech Life
80
100%
10
User recovers 50% of the damage dealt.
Metal Burst
--
100%
10
If hit by an attack, returns 1.5x damage.
Metal Claw
50
95%
35
10% chance to raise the user's Attack by 1.
Night Slash
70
100%
15
High critical hit ratio.
Pin Missile
25
95%
20
Hits 2-5 times in one turn.
Poison Jab
80
100%
20
30% chance to poison the target.
Rapid Spin
50
100%
40
Free user from hazards/bind/Leech Seed; +1 Spe.
Rock Slide
75
90%
10
30% chance to flinch the foe(s).
Rock Tomb
60
95%
15
100% chance to lower the target's Speed by 1.
Rollout
30
90%
20
Power doubles with each hit. Repeats for 5 turns.
Scratch
40
100%
35
No additional effect.
Seismic Toss
--
100%
20
Does damage equal to the user's level.
Shadow Claw
70
100%
15
High critical hit ratio.
Slash
70
100%
20
High critical hit ratio.
Steel Roller
130
100%
5
Fails if there is no terrain active. Ends the effects of terrain.
Super Fang
--
90%
10
Does damage equal to 1/2 target's current HP.
Thief
60
100%
25
If the user has no item, it steals the target's.
Throat Chop
80
100%
15
For 2 turns, the target cannot use sound moves.
Triple Axel
20
90%
10
Hits 3 times. Each hit can miss, but power rises.
X-Scissor
80
100%
15
No additional effect.
Agility
--
--
30
Raises the user's Speed by 2.
Amnesia
--
--
20
Raises the user's Sp. Def by 2.
Attract
--
100%
15
A target of the opposite gender gets infatuated.
Aurora Veil
--
--
20
For 5 turns, damage to allies is halved. Hail only.
Confide
--
--
20
Lowers the target's Sp. Atk by 1.
Curse
--
--
10
Curses if Ghost, else -1 Spe, +1 Atk, +1 Def.
Defense Curl
--
--
40
Raises the user's Defense by 1.
Double Team
--
--
15
Raises the user's evasiveness by 1.
Endure
--
--
10
User survives attacks this turn with at least 1 HP.
Hail
--
--
10
For 5 turns, hail crashes down.
Hone Claws
--
--
15
Raises the user's Attack and accuracy by 1.
Iron Defense
--
--
15
Raises the user's Defense by 2.
Mist
--
--
30
For 5 turns, protects user's party from stat drops.
Protect
--
--
10
Prevents moves from affecting the user this turn.
Rest
--
--
10
User sleeps 2 turns and restores HP and status.
Safeguard
--
--
25
For 5 turns, protects user's party from status.
Sleep Talk
--
--
10
User must be asleep. Uses another known move.
Spikes
--
--
20
Hurts grounded foes on switch-in. Max 3 layers.
Stealth Rock
--
--
20
Hurts foes on switch-in. Factors Rock weakness.
Substitute
--
--
10
User takes 1/4 its max HP to put in a substitute.
Sunny Day
--
--
5
For 5 turns, intense sunlight powers Fire moves.
Swagger
--
85%
15
Raises the target's Attack by 2 and confuses it.
Swords Dance
--
--
20
Raises the user's Attack by 2.
Toxic
--
90%
10
Badly poisons the target. Poison types can't miss.
Work Up
--
--
30
Raises the user's Attack and Sp. Atk by 1.
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Sandslash-alola can perform in Sword/Shield. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive SS Move and Ability Combos for Sandslash-alola
- Moves: Defense curl + Rollout
- Moves: Endure + Flail
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect, Ice Shard
- Moves that Break Screens: Brick Break
Related Videos
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