Sorry lol
Welp finally written up for GP checks
Welp finally written up for GP checks
Alright thank you :], I'm new to this but I believe your check counts (put it GP: 1/2) right?amcheck :) Please post this in the GP Queue
addremove(comments)
Overview
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Sandslash is one of the best dedicated spinners in the NU tier, having outstandingdefensivephysical bulk, a decent movepool, a great offensive typing, and a high Attackoffensivestat, with even a decent movepool and a great typing offensively. Additionally, it has access to Stealth Rock, which very few other Rapid Spin users have access to, which is always nice. It can boost its Attack with Swords Dance andmost of all, ithas abrilliantuseful resistance to Stealth Rock.
However, itscommonweaknesses to common Water-, Ice- and Grass- type attacksisare really hindering for Sandslash. It also has a low Special Defense stat, so it cannotNot to mention its really dismal Special Defense which can barelytake a decent special hit. Finally, Sandslash's Speed is very low.also really detrimental to its job, sinceBecause of these flaws, any fast and powerful special attacker can take care of Sandslashbecause of this.
Offensive Rapid Spin
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name: Offensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Swords Dance / Stealth Rock
ability: Sand Rush
item: Lum Berry / Soft Sand
evs: 180 HP / 252 Atk / 76 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
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Rapid Spin is the most important move on any set Sandslash uses, asSandslash's main role is to use Rapid Spin. Knock Off is a great move on a dedicated Rapid Spin user such as Sandslash, as it, bringing a good amount of offensive presence, especially with the given EV's. Knock Off has a good chance to OHKOsoffensive spinblockers such as Mismagius and Rotom(Has a huge chance to)anddoesdeals a huge chunk of damage to defensive spinblockers,often enough to nail the KO with Earthquake,such asagainstGolurk and Dusknoir, which it can then KO with Earthquake(after rocks).ItKnock Off also cripples every Pokemon in the tier, since all Pokemonsdepend on their item.Furthermore,Earthquake ismandatory STAB,the most powerful STAB move Sandslash has,and just like Knock Off itbringingsthis set some offensive presence. Earthquakeis really helpful as itusually 2HKOes Spiritomb(94.9% chance to 2HKO leftovers variants), the most common spinblocker, after Stealth Rock, andorOHKOes Spiritomb afters rocksStealth Rock damage and a Swords Dance boost. The combination of Earthquake and Knock Off alsonailKOes some spinblockers, such as Golurk.Additionally,Swords Dance canused toturn many 2HKOs into OHKOs, (comma), which is helpful since Knock Off is most powerful only when the pokemon has its item. (<- how does this relate to Swords Dance?)It helpspowering up Earthquake and Knock Offpick off some kills and generally have more power.Alternatively,Stealth Rock can be used over Swords Dance, as it can bringto supportto theSandslash's team, including Sandslash, and help them turn as much 3HKOs into 2HKOs and 2HKOs into OHKOs.
Set Detail
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Lum Berry is used since most spinblockers, including Gourgeist and physically defensive Spiritomb, (<- add "physically defensive" before "Gourgeist" if Gourgeist sometimes runs specially defensive sets) carry Will-O-Wisp, which cripples Sandslash anddeemsmakes it unable to threaten them anymore.ItLum Berry is extremely useful in a 1v1 situationwherein which Sandslash can only 2HKO and the spinblocker carries Will-O-Wisp.It is also really good in beating Physically defensive Spiritomb and Gourgiest, as their Will-o-Wisp can make you unable to threaten them anymore.Alternatively, Soft Sand or Earth Plate can be used toinstead of Lum berry as it gives Sandslash a considerable amount of power andletitEarthquakenail many 2HKOs and OHKOs, such asnailinga 2HKO on Spiritomb when Sandslash is unboosted, while after a Swords Dance, Soft Sand / Earth Plate Earthquake can OHKO Spiritomb.at +0, while OHKO-ing it at +2, both calcs are calculated without rocks. Note that it wouldHowever, when using Soft Sand or Earth Plate, Sandslash becomes vulnerable to being burnts, but fortunately it's not as common as Spiritomb. (<- What is "it"? Please reword this or remove it)As for the EV's,76 Speed EVs allow Sandslash to outspeedno speeduninvested Seismitoad,(remove comma) and most Lanturns and uninvested base 70. (period)additionally,Running a spread of 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe allows Sandslash to outspeedall the aforementioned things andeverything up to uninvested base 75s. Maximum Attack investmentis usedwith an Adamantboostingnaturetoallows Sandslash to have a 50% chance to 2HKO Black Glasses Spiritomb(Guaranteed after rocks), (comma)and havea 92.2% chance to 2HKO Leftovers Spiritomb afterrocks.Stealth Rock, and a 43.8% chance to OHKO all variants of Spiritomb after Swords Dance. It also allowshimSandslash to have a43.8% chance of OHKO'ing Spiritomb at +2 (Guaranteed after rocks) and aguaranteed chance to 2HKO Kangaskhan at +0, and OHKO at +2.Finally,The rest of the EVs aredumpedput into HP for bulkand to avoid as many OHKOs and 2HKOs as possible.
Usage Tips
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Sandslash is one of the best dedicated Rapid Spin users in the NU tier, pressuring and threatening most spinblockers and even hazard setters such as Rhydon.Earthquake+(remove plus) combined with Knock Offcombo2HKOes most of the spinblockers in the tier, which is extremely important to a Rapid Spin user to function effectively.Additionally,Swords Dancehelps a lot since itcan turn 2HKOs into OHKOs, most importantly on Gourgeist after Stealth Rock damage, (comma)an impossible 2HKO into an OHKO on Gourgeist after rocks. so use it carefully. (period) It is best used on a predicted switch. Finally, if Stealth Rock is used, using it as early as possible is the best thing to do, as it pressures Rapid Spin and Defog users on the opposing team, while also gettings somechip damage on the opposing Pokemons as much as possible.
Team Options
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Any Pokemon that appreciates Rapid Spin support, such as Archeops, Magmortar, Chatot, and Focus Sash users,wouldloves Sandslash, such as Archeops, Magmortar, and Chatot.Pokemons that carry a Focus Sash also appreciate Sandslash's support.Sandslash has the most success on balancedorand bulky offensive teams, so make sure to use Sandslash in one of these teams to function most effectively.Additionally, Sandslash has some common resistances such as Rock- and Poison- type attacks while having some pretty decent bulk; therefore,Any team that is weak tosuchtypes Sandslash resists, such as Rock and Poison,wouldwelcomes Sandslash.Furthermore, If using both Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin on Sandslash,Any team that lacks a Rapid Spin user and a reliable Stealth Rock user, and only has one spot left in the team wouldappreciates what Sandslash brings to the table.As for pokemons that would help Sandslash,Sandslash really appreciates Pokemonsthat resist the common Water-, Grass-, and Ice-type attacks it is weak toweakness it has are really appreciated, as Sandslash would like to switch out safelyout to switch back later. Finally, Spikes-stacking teamsor pokemons wouldalso appreciate what Sandslash brings to the table, as it uses Rapid Spin instead of Defog, which is counterproductive to such teamsRapid Spins away any possible hazards as opposed to using Defog and being counterproductive.
Defensive Rapid Spin
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name: Defensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Stealth Rock / Swords Dance
ability: Sand Rush
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 20 Spe
nature: Impish
Moves
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Rapid Spinis the most important move, getting offgets rid of hazards so that Sandslash cantosupport itsotherteammates. Earthquakeis an important move one Sandslash, as it doesdeals a significant amount of damage to anything not resistant to it,(remove comma) and 2HKOs almost every pokemon weak to it.Additionally,Knock Off is important as it cripples opposing Pokemonsby removing their item. It also hits bulky Ghost- types pretty hard, even without any investment in Attack.Stealth Rock is the main slash becauseWith Sandslash's bulk it can easily set up Stealth Rock, allowing it to support other team members and getting off chip damage on every opposing Pokemon that switches in. Alternatively, Swords Dance can be used since it doubles Sandslash's uninvested Attack, which can be pretty useful toat leastallow it to 2HKO most Ghost-(remove space)types. Finally,(add space)Toxic can also be used toweaken andcrippleextremelybulky Pokemonssuch as Gourgeist.
Set Details
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Leftovers is used to give Sandslash some longetivity.It also allows Sandslash to avoid 2HKOs and 3HKOs as much as possible.Alternatively, Rocky Helmet can be used to punish physical threats such as Kangaskhan and Archeops, which Sandslash walls effectively. (period), such as Kangakshan and turn many 3HKOs into 2HKOs. Another example is that it brings Archeops into Defeatist's range with Knock Off damage. As for the EV's,Maximum HP investment is used for the maximum possible bulk. 20 Speed EVs allow Sandslash to outspeed everything up to uninvested Lanturnno speed Lanturn and uninvested base 65.And finally,The rest of the EVs are put into Defense to allow Sandslash to take on physical threats much better, making them at best onlybeingable tobarely2HKO Sandslash.
Usage Tips
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Sandslash's resistance to Stealth Rock makes it veryflexible ineasy to switchingin to Rapid Spinand using Rapid Spin, especially on physical Pokemons.As forRapid Spin, itis best used as soon as you see an opportunity, because it weakens Sandslash's team little by little.Additionally,If using Stealth Rock, make sure to set it up as early as possible, to get as much chip damage as possible. Finally, if using Swords Dance, beware of mispredictingmiscalculating, as it can make the turn you uses Swords Dance in completely useless, and make sure you don't waste a turn bybutsetting up.
Team Options
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(since this is exactly the Team Options of the above set, make the edits suggested there and copypaste it to here)
Any pokemon that appreciates Rapid Spin support would love Sandslash, such as Archeops, Magmortar, and Chatot. Pokemons that carry a Focus Sash also appreciate Sandslash's support. Sandslash has most success on Balanced or Bulky Offensive teams, so make sure to use Sandslash in one of these teams to function most effectively. Additionally, Sandslash has some common resistances such as Rock- and Poison- type attacks while having some pretty decent bulk; therefore, any team that is weak to such types would welcome Sandslash. Furthermore, If using both Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin on Sandslash, any team that lacks a Rapid Spin user and a reliable Stealth Rock user, and only has one spot left in the team would appreciate what Sandslash brings to the table. As for pokemons that would help Sandslash, pokemons that resist the common Water-, Grass-, and Ice- weakness it has are really appreciated, as Sandslash would like to switch safely out to switch back later. Finally, spike stacking teams or pokemons would also appreciate what Sandslash brings to the table, as it Rapid Spins away any possible hazards as opposed to using Defog and being counterproductive.
Other Options
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ALife Orb Sandslashwith sand supportis one of the best Pokemon to have on a sand team and can function as a cleaner,as it is one of the best pokemons to have on a sand team and a great team member,but theOffensive and DefensiveRapid Spin sets are more general and consistent.As for moves,Counter can be used as it canalmostusually OHKObackany physical Pokemon trying to eliminate Sandslash.Additionally,Super Fang can be used as italways does half, meaning 50% on the first hit whichcan be really helpful in weakening opposing Pokemons, but it'sgreatlyvery inconsistent. Finally, Rest can be used to heal, (comma)up Sandslashbut Sandslash must drop either Earthquake or Knock Offwill be droppedfor Sleep Talk, (comma) or Restitwill only havebe onlyone use if a Chesto Berrywasis used instead.
Checks & Counters
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**Grass-types (dash)**:pokemonsGrass-types such as Gourgeist, Victreebel, Vileplume, Torterra, Tangela, Simisage, Sceptile, Lilligant, Roselia, Leafeon, Exeggutor, and Ludicolo can alleitherwall Sandslash and either 2HKO orjust outrightOHKO it.Sandslash. Grass- types are the biggest bane for Sandslash
**Water-types (dash)**:pokemonsWater-types such as Mantine, Swanna, Simipour, Seismitoad, Feraligatr, Samurott, and Ludicolo can all either 2HKO or OHKO Sandslash, the bulkier the better, since you want to take at least 1 Earthquake.
**Ice-types (dash)**: Offensive Cryogonal, Rotom-Frost, Regice, and Aurorus, most of themcan usually barely take an Earthquake oraKnock Off, but they can OHKO back.
**Powerful Special Attackers**:pokemonsPowerful special attackers such as Choice Specs Typhlosion and Life Orb Chatot can OHKO Sandslash withliterallyno problem; however, (comma)theymost of them can't take an Earthquake oraKnock Off.
**Bulky Defog Users**: Though all Defog users are weak to Stealth Rock and they are no exceptions, Togetic and Vullaby are the best answers to Sandslashas Defog users. They are immune to Earthquake, resistant to Knock off, and can Defog away Stealth Rock. (period), and can 2-3HKO depending on the EV investment,They can also usually 2HKO or 3HKO Sandslash depending on their EV spreads, andnot to mentionTogetic can also set up with NastyPassPlot and Baton Pass into another Pokemonon Sandslash's face. Additionally, Mantine, Pelipper, and Swanna are all Defog userswhothat can OHKO Sandslashand use Defog to remove hazard.However, it should be noted that all these pokemons are weak to stealth rocks.
frenzyplant isn't on the GP team, so it doesn't count (though his checks are actuslly really good, so I won't be surprised if it gets stamped, in which case it would)Alright thank you :], I'm new to this but I believe your check counts (put it GP: 1/2) right?
I went over this real quick since I'm really tired, I c/p this to the OP and removed formatting so I'm gonna edit this tomorrow so pls no GP checks yet I haven't implemented the first 1 (or at least keep that in mind when GP checking)
But just a minor thing "can usually barely take an Earthquake or a Knock Off"
Is there any reason you want the "a" removed? I see no reason in fact I think it's more understandable with an "a".
As it what Professional2341?Sandslash's main role is to use Rapid Spin. Knock Off is a great move on a dedicated Rapid Spin user such as Sandslash, as it.
I'll fix it to details. Also, I could change it to that spread; however, I want to point out that you can't spin AND outspeed vs. Garbador, since weak armor, but it would definitely be nice to bait Garbador into Explosion. And Sceptile is pretty important.Remove Spiritomb mentions, which also means that Soft Sand isn't crucial anymore.
You mentioned a 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe spread in Set Details (you forgot 's') of the Offensive set, and quite frankly I don't see why this shouldn't be the main spread. 84 Speed outruns Garbodor outside of Sand (important since you want to spin against it and all), as well as outspeeding Sceptile in Sand, both of which Sandslash fails to do with only 76 Speed, which is definitely not worth 8 measly HP EVs.
Nice catch :]As it what Professional2341?
Lum allows Sandslash to spin against bulky Rotom, Gourgeist, and stallbreaker Mismagius, otherwise they can survive a +2 Knock Off and land an extra attack (Gourgeist can even survive 2 Knock Offs, since the 2nd one will be heavily weakened by burn and by Gourgeist now lacking an item).I'll fix it to details. Also, I could change it to that spread; however, I want to point out that you can't spin AND outspeed vs. Garbador, since weak armor, but it would definitely be nice to bait Garbador into Explosion. And Sceptile is pretty important.
EDIT: Also is Lum Berry even a good now with Spiritomb, I mean it avoids status but it's as much as important as when Spiritomb was around.
donei hate Soulgazer because he made me post and i don't even partake in these things anymore lol
Professional2341, you have a line that says "84 Speed EVs allow Sandslash to outspeed everything up to uninvested base 75s, Garbodor..." but garbodor is a base 75 pokemon itself, and as far as i can recall, it's the only relevant base 75 pokemon in the tier. you should just mention that it outspeeds up to uninvested garbodor, which also includes pokemon that commonly don't invest in much speed like seismitoad (74), malamar (73), and lanturn (67) but you probably don't really need to mention the last two
i also noticed the weak armor mention. that's irrelevant because you never see that on garbodor that don't invest in speed which is what the 84 evs are for, so just remove anything about that entirely
Toxic is already mentioned in the Moves section. That said, I do agree with the notion that Toxic should be on the defensive set, perhaps replacing Swords Dance. This variant of Sandslash is defensive after all, and would not make as good use of Swords Dance as the offensive set can. Toxic is better for this Sandslash for crippling Ghosts and outlasting them so that it can get the Spin that way.Could Toxic be possibly a third option on a defenisve Rapid Spin set? It's kinda situational. but useful sometimes maybe? Like in on Audino...he has Mismagius/Feraligatr. You can Knock Off or Toxic depending on a prediction?
Elaborated moreProfessional2341 your C&C is rather lacking and I dont really gather to much from it, you need to outline specific situations that Sandslash might face in C&C