Sandslash The Desert Pangolin

SANDSLASH



Abilities:
Sand Veil
Sand Rush

Stats:

HP:75
Atk:100
Def:110
SpA:45
SpD:55
Spe:65

Total:450

Placed Tier: RU / LU

Type: GROUND

Sandslash is an excellent pokemon in both offense and defense. With the ability to setup Stealth Rocks and also the ability to spin them away makes Sandslash a great poke to support a team. This when combined with Sandslash's defenses and typing make it a great choice for any team. However it has a pitiful sppecial defense stat and in a metagame filled with new threats it must use its abilities and moves to maximize its effectiveness.

RU Strategy

Set #1: Stealthy Spinner

Item:Leftovers
Ability:Sand Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 252 DEF / 4 SDEF
Nature:Impish

- Stealth Rocks
- Rapid Spin
- Stone Edge / Night Slash / Toxic
- Earthquake

Set Explanation:The ability to be a spinner and setup hazards make Sandslash some what unique and also makes Sandslash a great lead and support pokemon. The EVs also allow Sandslash to become a great physical wall that blocks certain threats with ease. Stone Edge and Earthquake have great coverage,but Night Slash can be used for Ghost types immune to Rapid Spin. Toxic is also there to hit Water types like Slowking who may want to switch in. Earthquake is the primary STAB move.

OU Strategy

Set #2: Rush Sweeper

Item: Life Orb / Earth Gem / Earth Plate
Ability:Sand Rush
EVs: 252 ATK / 4 DEF / 252 SPE
Nature: Jolly

- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Return / X-Scissor

Set Explanation:With Sandslash's dream world ability released,this is the reincarnation of Excadrill. After a Swords Dance Sandslash gains an impressive 598 attack,and when combined with Sand Rush boosting its speed to 502,its nearly unstoppable. Earthquake combined with whatever tem you give to Sandslash is extremely powerful and a great STAB move,it's great when combined with Stone Edge making the infamous EdgeQuake combo. Return offers nice neutral coverage hitting things that Stone Edge may miss on like Rotom-W or Landorus,while X-Scissor is good on grass types and psychic types.
With an impressive 100 base defense this set can easily take a hit from a Bullet Punch and then setup or counter attack. This set requires sandstorm so a Tyranitar or Hippowdon is needed however.


Conclusion

Sandslash as the capability to stay in the tier its in and has a great move set that makes it a great support pokemon,physical wall,or sweeper,however Sandslash has a pitiful special defense and a STAB special move can easily KO it.
IN RU good partners are ones tht counter Ghost types that try to spin block Sandslah like drapion and Absol,while certain partners with special defense such as Slowking,Uxie,and Mandibuzz all make reliable partners. In OU Ferrothorn and Tentacruel can take hits for Sandslah as well as special defensive Jirachi. Sandslash will continue to stick around,and will eventually show its might one day.