QC: Pak / Artoria / Cynde
GP: marthaa / ACakeWearingAHat
[OVERVIEW]
An incredibly one-dimensional Pokemon, Alolan Sandslash's only niche is to set up Aurora Veil. To do so, it is partnered with Snow Warning Aurorus. Its ability, Slush Rush, allows Alolan Sandslash to outspeed most of the metagame, making it by far the most reliable Aurora Veil user. Its Ice typing allows Alolan Sandslash to threaten common Defog users, making it easy to keep Stealth Rock and Aurora Veil up. Additionally, its access to Rapid Spin allows Alolan Sandslash to support its team by removing entry hazards. Sadly, Alolan Sandslash's atrocious defensive typing and low Speed leave it vulnerable to the majority of the metagame outside of hail, and it has no use beyond setting up Aurora Veil.
[SET]
name: Aurora Veil Setter
move 1: Aurora Veil
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Icicle Crash
move 4: Earthquake / Knock Off / Toxic
item: Light Clay
ability: Slush Rush
nature: Jolly Nature
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Aurora Veil is used to replicate the effect of Reflect and Light Screen and help Alolan Sandslash's teammates set up. Rapid Spin removes opposing entry hazards, which helps Alolan Sandslash prevent its teammates from getting worn down easily. Icicle Crash is a STAB move that threatens common Defog users such as Gliscor, Latias, and Serperior. Earthquake is usually Alolan Sandslash's best last move, as it threatens Pokemon such as Chandelure and Cobalion that resist its STAB move and prevents them from setting up. It also 2HKOs Empoleon, which can otherwise Defog away Alolan Sandslash's Aurora Veil. Knock Off can be used to retain coverage for Chandelure and remove the items of Pokemon such as Suicune. Toxic can be used to punish Mantine's Defog and can stop Substitute + Calm Mind Suicune—a big threat to all Aurora Veil teams—from setting up freely.
Set Details
========
252 Speed EVs coupled with a Jolly nature allow Alolan Sandslash to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame as well as some Choice Scarf users like Krookodile and Hydreigon in hail due to its ability, Slush Rush. Maximum Attack investment is used to punish Defog users better. It also gives Alolan Sandslash a very good chance to 2HKO Cobalion with Earthquake after hail. Light Clay is used to extend the duration of Aurora Veil, as Sandslash is unlikely to get more than one opprtunity to set it up, which is its main role.
Usage Tips
========
Alolan Sandslash should come in while hail is still up so it can set Aurora Veil. If a foe has set up entry hazards before, Alolan Sandslash can remove them via Rapid Spin. Ghost-types can attempt to block it but do not switch into Sandslash easily. Standard Chandelure gets OHKOed by Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage, while Gengar does not even need to take Stealth Rock damage. Alolan Marowak is 2HKOed. Doublade is problematic, as it only gets 4HKOed and can thus spinblock reliably, but it is oftentimes needed to take on one of Alolan Sandslash's teammates later in the game. Potential Defog users should be removed or forced out with Icicle Crash before setting up Aurora Veil. However, if they are paired with an Infernape, attempting to set up Aurora Veil may be worth trying, as Infernape can easily take an Icicle Crash, and potentially even an Earthquake, and then force Alolan Sandslash to switch, as Infernape will either outspeed with Choice Scarf or carry strong Fighting-type priority that OHKOes Alolan Sandslash outside of Aurora Veil. Once Aurora Veil has been set up and entry hazards have been removed, Alolan Sandslash should attack its foes and try to deal damage while fainting quickly so its teammates get as much use of Aurora Veil as they can. If it cannot threaten the opposing Pokemon offensively, it should switch out to a teammate that can.
Team Options
========
Aurorus needs to be run with Alolan Sandslash, as it provides the hail necessary to set up Aurora Veil. It will also serve as the team's Stealth Rock user. Life Orb Swords Dance Scizor is an especially good partner for Alolan Sandslash due to its ability to wallbreak and sweep, and it is almost mandatory on Aurora Veil-based teams. It can also revenge kill some common threats to hyper offense, such as Mega Aerodactyl. Threatening setup sweepers such as Terrakion, Linoone, Salazzle, and Barbaracle pair well with Alolan Sandslash, as Aurora Veil grants them setup opportunities and they can become overwhelming quickly. Bulkier setup sweepers such as Substitute + Calm Mind Suicune and Swords Dance Doublade can also work, as they provide some defensive utility outside of Aurora Veil and can also become difficult to stop once set up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Iron Head can be used as a secondary STAB move but is generally an inferior option, as Alolan Sandslash's niche is not attempting to wallbreak or sweep on its own. Similarly, Swords Dance can be used to increase Sandslash's Attack, but it generally falls short when compared to better options. Hail is another option and allows Alolan Sandslash to circumvent Hippowdon and Gigalith trying to change the weather to prevent Aurora Veil from being set up.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Opposing Weather**: Hippowdon and Gigalith can disrupt hail and stop Aurora Veil from being set up. Although uncommon, Rain Dance users such as Klefki can also stop Aurora Veil from being used successfully.
**Defog Users**: While not all Defog users can beat Alolan Sandslash, a select few do and not only prevent Aurora Veil, but also remove Aurorus's Stealth Rock. Mantine and Moltres are at the forefront of these, although Moltres needs to be careful, as it is likely losing half its health upon switching in. Empoleon can Defog away the Aurora Veil but is forced out, as it gets 2HKOed by Earthquake.
**Fast Choice Scarf Users**: Choice Scarf Infernape is faster than Alolan Sandslash in hail and can easily OHKO it with any STAB move. Choice Scarf Latias can carry Hidden Power Fire to OHKO Alolan Sandslash, too, so it should be wary of that.
**Substitute + Calm Mind Suicune**: Substitute + Calm Mind Suicune can set up a Substitute easily on Alolan Sandslash carrying neither Knock Off nor Toxic, and it will be extremely hard to break once it has successfully done so.
GP: marthaa / ACakeWearingAHat
[OVERVIEW]
An incredibly one-dimensional Pokemon, Alolan Sandslash's only niche is to set up Aurora Veil. To do so, it is partnered with Snow Warning Aurorus. Its ability, Slush Rush, allows Alolan Sandslash to outspeed most of the metagame, making it by far the most reliable Aurora Veil user. Its Ice typing allows Alolan Sandslash to threaten common Defog users, making it easy to keep Stealth Rock and Aurora Veil up. Additionally, its access to Rapid Spin allows Alolan Sandslash to support its team by removing entry hazards. Sadly, Alolan Sandslash's atrocious defensive typing and low Speed leave it vulnerable to the majority of the metagame outside of hail, and it has no use beyond setting up Aurora Veil.
[SET]
name: Aurora Veil Setter
move 1: Aurora Veil
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Icicle Crash
move 4: Earthquake / Knock Off / Toxic
item: Light Clay
ability: Slush Rush
nature: Jolly Nature
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Aurora Veil is used to replicate the effect of Reflect and Light Screen and help Alolan Sandslash's teammates set up. Rapid Spin removes opposing entry hazards, which helps Alolan Sandslash prevent its teammates from getting worn down easily. Icicle Crash is a STAB move that threatens common Defog users such as Gliscor, Latias, and Serperior. Earthquake is usually Alolan Sandslash's best last move, as it threatens Pokemon such as Chandelure and Cobalion that resist its STAB move and prevents them from setting up. It also 2HKOs Empoleon, which can otherwise Defog away Alolan Sandslash's Aurora Veil. Knock Off can be used to retain coverage for Chandelure and remove the items of Pokemon such as Suicune. Toxic can be used to punish Mantine's Defog and can stop Substitute + Calm Mind Suicune—a big threat to all Aurora Veil teams—from setting up freely.
Set Details
========
252 Speed EVs coupled with a Jolly nature allow Alolan Sandslash to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame as well as some Choice Scarf users like Krookodile and Hydreigon in hail due to its ability, Slush Rush. Maximum Attack investment is used to punish Defog users better. It also gives Alolan Sandslash a very good chance to 2HKO Cobalion with Earthquake after hail. Light Clay is used to extend the duration of Aurora Veil, as Sandslash is unlikely to get more than one opprtunity to set it up, which is its main role.
Usage Tips
========
Alolan Sandslash should come in while hail is still up so it can set Aurora Veil. If a foe has set up entry hazards before, Alolan Sandslash can remove them via Rapid Spin. Ghost-types can attempt to block it but do not switch into Sandslash easily. Standard Chandelure gets OHKOed by Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage, while Gengar does not even need to take Stealth Rock damage. Alolan Marowak is 2HKOed. Doublade is problematic, as it only gets 4HKOed and can thus spinblock reliably, but it is oftentimes needed to take on one of Alolan Sandslash's teammates later in the game. Potential Defog users should be removed or forced out with Icicle Crash before setting up Aurora Veil. However, if they are paired with an Infernape, attempting to set up Aurora Veil may be worth trying, as Infernape can easily take an Icicle Crash, and potentially even an Earthquake, and then force Alolan Sandslash to switch, as Infernape will either outspeed with Choice Scarf or carry strong Fighting-type priority that OHKOes Alolan Sandslash outside of Aurora Veil. Once Aurora Veil has been set up and entry hazards have been removed, Alolan Sandslash should attack its foes and try to deal damage while fainting quickly so its teammates get as much use of Aurora Veil as they can. If it cannot threaten the opposing Pokemon offensively, it should switch out to a teammate that can.
Team Options
========
Aurorus needs to be run with Alolan Sandslash, as it provides the hail necessary to set up Aurora Veil. It will also serve as the team's Stealth Rock user. Life Orb Swords Dance Scizor is an especially good partner for Alolan Sandslash due to its ability to wallbreak and sweep, and it is almost mandatory on Aurora Veil-based teams. It can also revenge kill some common threats to hyper offense, such as Mega Aerodactyl. Threatening setup sweepers such as Terrakion, Linoone, Salazzle, and Barbaracle pair well with Alolan Sandslash, as Aurora Veil grants them setup opportunities and they can become overwhelming quickly. Bulkier setup sweepers such as Substitute + Calm Mind Suicune and Swords Dance Doublade can also work, as they provide some defensive utility outside of Aurora Veil and can also become difficult to stop once set up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Iron Head can be used as a secondary STAB move but is generally an inferior option, as Alolan Sandslash's niche is not attempting to wallbreak or sweep on its own. Similarly, Swords Dance can be used to increase Sandslash's Attack, but it generally falls short when compared to better options. Hail is another option and allows Alolan Sandslash to circumvent Hippowdon and Gigalith trying to change the weather to prevent Aurora Veil from being set up.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Opposing Weather**: Hippowdon and Gigalith can disrupt hail and stop Aurora Veil from being set up. Although uncommon, Rain Dance users such as Klefki can also stop Aurora Veil from being used successfully.
**Defog Users**: While not all Defog users can beat Alolan Sandslash, a select few do and not only prevent Aurora Veil, but also remove Aurorus's Stealth Rock. Mantine and Moltres are at the forefront of these, although Moltres needs to be careful, as it is likely losing half its health upon switching in. Empoleon can Defog away the Aurora Veil but is forced out, as it gets 2HKOed by Earthquake.
**Fast Choice Scarf Users**: Choice Scarf Infernape is faster than Alolan Sandslash in hail and can easily OHKO it with any STAB move. Choice Scarf Latias can carry Hidden Power Fire to OHKO Alolan Sandslash, too, so it should be wary of that.
**Substitute + Calm Mind Suicune**: Substitute + Calm Mind Suicune can set up a Substitute easily on Alolan Sandslash carrying neither Knock Off nor Toxic, and it will be extremely hard to break once it has successfully done so.
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