Sandslash
Type: Ground
Stats: 75 | 100 | 110 | 55 | 65
Introduction
Sandslash has similar matchups to Rhydon and Golem, but lacks their secondary Rock-typing, giving them a useful resistance to Normal- and Flying-type attacks, but giving them an even greater weakness to Water- and Grass-type attacks, as well as a weakness to Ground-type attacks. However, Water- and Grass-type attacks are very rare in RBY 1U, and most Ground-type attackers have Normal-type STAB, such as Snorlax and Tauros. The lack of Ground-type weakness however gives Sandslash an advantageous matchup versus the Rock-types. Sandslash also lacks a secondary STAB, making it harder to chip at Exeggutor, and weaker versus Zapdos. It still beats Zapdos 1 on 1, thanks to its good physical stats, but the lack of Flying-type resistance and Rock-type STAB make it a far from comfortable matchup. It also is slightly faster than Rhydon and Golem, which notably gives it the jump on Exeggutor and Chansey. All in all, it's a Pokemon with a good matchup versus both Rock-types and Zapdos, which can boost its power further with Swords Dance, but otherwise struggles to compete with other Ground-types, which offer more immediate power, and check Pokemon such as Snorlax and Zapdos far more effectively.
Sets
Swords Dance
Sandslash
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Slash
- Hyper Beam / Rock Slide / Body Slam
Set Details
Earthquake is STAB, and is a great, spammable move. Swords Dance lets it boost its attack, making it distinct from other Ground-types in the tier. Slash is the best choice in the third slot, letting it break Reflect Chansey. Hyper Beam is usually the choice in the final slot to hit Pokemon which take boosted Earthquakes fine, but Rock Slide also has perfect coverage alongside, hits Flying-types super-effectively, and has no recharge should it fail to KO. Body Slam is an alternative in the final slot: it is worse vs Zapdos than Rock Slide or Hyper Beam, but it gives it the option of trying to land paralysis on Pokemon such as Starmie which otherwise switch in and force Sandslash out comfortably.
Other Options
Sandslash doesn't really have the bulk or typing to make great use out of Rest, but Substitute could potentially be usable to exploit free turns generated by full paralysis.
Checks and Counters
Exeggutor is the best check, due to its Ground-type resistance and high defense, and its near-ubiquitous presence. However, Psychic is a roll to 2HKO. Dragonite can use Sandslash as set-up bait. Starmie has decent physical bulk, Recover, high Speed, and can hit Sandslash super-effectively with Blizzard, exploiting its low special. Cloyster outspeeds, has exceptional physical bulk, and has a good chance OHKO with STAB Blizzard, and Lapras, although outsped, also OHKOs with STAB Blizzard and has the physical bulk to take a boosted attack. Articuno is 2HKOd Rock Slide but can OHKO with STAB Blizzard. Tauros outspeeds and can 2HKO with Blizzard. Kingler and Victreebel outspeed and OHKO Sandslash with their STAB (albeit it's a roll in Victreebel's case), although Earthquake can sting Victreebel. If needed, Chansey can take an attack, and 2HKOs with Ice Beam.
Type: Ground
Stats: 75 | 100 | 110 | 55 | 65
Introduction
Sandslash has similar matchups to Rhydon and Golem, but lacks their secondary Rock-typing, giving them a useful resistance to Normal- and Flying-type attacks, but giving them an even greater weakness to Water- and Grass-type attacks, as well as a weakness to Ground-type attacks. However, Water- and Grass-type attacks are very rare in RBY 1U, and most Ground-type attackers have Normal-type STAB, such as Snorlax and Tauros. The lack of Ground-type weakness however gives Sandslash an advantageous matchup versus the Rock-types. Sandslash also lacks a secondary STAB, making it harder to chip at Exeggutor, and weaker versus Zapdos. It still beats Zapdos 1 on 1, thanks to its good physical stats, but the lack of Flying-type resistance and Rock-type STAB make it a far from comfortable matchup. It also is slightly faster than Rhydon and Golem, which notably gives it the jump on Exeggutor and Chansey. All in all, it's a Pokemon with a good matchup versus both Rock-types and Zapdos, which can boost its power further with Swords Dance, but otherwise struggles to compete with other Ground-types, which offer more immediate power, and check Pokemon such as Snorlax and Zapdos far more effectively.
Sets
Swords Dance
Sandslash
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Slash
- Hyper Beam / Rock Slide / Body Slam
Set Details
Earthquake is STAB, and is a great, spammable move. Swords Dance lets it boost its attack, making it distinct from other Ground-types in the tier. Slash is the best choice in the third slot, letting it break Reflect Chansey. Hyper Beam is usually the choice in the final slot to hit Pokemon which take boosted Earthquakes fine, but Rock Slide also has perfect coverage alongside, hits Flying-types super-effectively, and has no recharge should it fail to KO. Body Slam is an alternative in the final slot: it is worse vs Zapdos than Rock Slide or Hyper Beam, but it gives it the option of trying to land paralysis on Pokemon such as Starmie which otherwise switch in and force Sandslash out comfortably.
Other Options
Sandslash doesn't really have the bulk or typing to make great use out of Rest, but Substitute could potentially be usable to exploit free turns generated by full paralysis.
Checks and Counters
Exeggutor is the best check, due to its Ground-type resistance and high defense, and its near-ubiquitous presence. However, Psychic is a roll to 2HKO. Dragonite can use Sandslash as set-up bait. Starmie has decent physical bulk, Recover, high Speed, and can hit Sandslash super-effectively with Blizzard, exploiting its low special. Cloyster outspeeds, has exceptional physical bulk, and has a good chance OHKO with STAB Blizzard, and Lapras, although outsped, also OHKOs with STAB Blizzard and has the physical bulk to take a boosted attack. Articuno is 2HKOd Rock Slide but can OHKO with STAB Blizzard. Tauros outspeeds and can 2HKO with Blizzard. Kingler and Victreebel outspeed and OHKO Sandslash with their STAB (albeit it's a roll in Victreebel's case), although Earthquake can sting Victreebel. If needed, Chansey can take an attack, and 2HKOs with Ice Beam.
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