[Final] Sandshrew

Discussion in 'Gen 5 LC Analyses' started by Xdevo, Jul 15, 2012.

  1. Xdevo

    Xdevo Phrasing Super Moderator Tour Director Super Moderator Tour Director

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    [secret][​IMG]
    SHREW SHREW



    =General=

    Sandshrew was an extremely overlooked Pokemon in LC before its Dream World ability, Sand Rush, was released. However, with the new ability Sandshrew has become an offensive juggernaut and a fearsome sweeper. Sandshrew also has great physical bulk, meaning that it can't revenged easily by priority. Sandshrew can also boost its (already great) attack with Swords Dance, this, combined with Sandshrew's decent movepool, makes Sandshrew one of the top sweepers in the tier.

    =Sand Sweeper=
    Sandshrew @ Life Orb / Lum Berry
    Trait: Sand Rush
    EVs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 36 SDef / 196 Spd
    Nature: Adamant (+Atk, - SpAtk) / Jolly (+Spe, -SpAtk)
    -Earthquake
    -Sword Dance
    -X-Scissor
    -Night Slash / Rock Slide

    ==Set Comments==
    This set is extremely powerful, hitting 36 attack after a Swords Dance (if Adamant). This set is meant to sweep from the start, hitting through almost any walls with little trouble. Earthquake is the natural choice for a STAB move and is extremely powerful to boot. X-Scissor hits any grass-types attempting to sponge an attack, 2HKOing most of them before a boost. Night Slash hits Duskull hard, while Rock Slide can hit any bulky Flying-types.

    The Evs maximize attack and speed with a leftover point for both HP and Special Defense. A Jolly nature lets Sandshrew outspeed Scarf Gastly and Modest Scarf Abra, but it loses a bit of power. Lum Berry can be useful to dodge a Will-O-Wisp from a Duskull or Koffing or a stray Toxic from something. Life Orb lets Sandshrew hit extremely hard and is required to 2HKO Bronzor after a boost. Sandshrew can also use Protect to be safe from Fake Out users.

    This set can generally hit through most walls, but a few Pokemon, such as Koffing, Bronzor, and Duskull aren't 2HKO'd. These Pokemon are all rather weak and easy to be set-up upon assuming status can be avoided. Magnemite generally beats all three, and can even trap Bronzor. Abra doesn't mind a burn and can hit all three withvery powerful moves. One shouldn't forget that Sandshrew needs sand from Hippopotas to function.

    =Bulky Shrew=
    Sandshrew @ Eviolite
    Trait: Sand Rush
    EVs: 196 HP / 156 Atk / 80 Def / 40 SDef / 36 Spd
    Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SAtk)
    -Earthquake
    -Swords Dance
    -X-Scissor
    -Night Slash / Rock Slide

    ==Set Comments==
    This set is much bulkier and can set-up on more attacks. Earthquake is the same STAB move and the coverage is the same. This set can take on priority users much better than the former set, while still being able to sweep. X-Scissor hits the Grass-types while Night Slash hits Ghost-types.

    11 speed lets Sandshrew outspeed all of the unboosted Pokemon in the tier, and any scarfers that sit above them. Sandshrew can run more speed depending on which scarfer one wishes to outspeed, but loses bulk. These EVs give Sandshrew maximum HP, while still maintaining good attack and speed. The extra points are distrubted to both defenses.

    This set is best run with things that can take on physical walls such as Bronzor and Koffing. Magnemite can trap Bronzor, then 2HKO with HP Fire or set-up. Magnemite can use Koffing as free switch (unless it carries Fire Blast), then gain momentum by Volt Switching out. Bulky Psychic Pokemon can also handle both to an extent.


    =Other Options=
    Sandshrew also has great supporting moves such as Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin, but Sandshrew would rather be a sweeper. Smack Down can be used with some prediction to hit Koffing and Bronzor with Earthquake. Sandshrew can also use Substitute to ease prediction and to beat Koffing and Duskull much easier.

    =Counters and Checks=
    Bronzor, Duskull, and Koffing are Sandshrew's best checks. Duskull and Koffing can both take one boosted attack and neutralize Sandshrew with a burn. Bronzor has Hidden Power Ice to hit Sandshrew with, but with a tiny bit of residual damage Sandshrew 2HKO's with a +2 move. If they can avoid an X-Scissor, then bulky Grass-types, such as Shroomish, can handle Sandshrew to an extent. Sandshrew also can't take repeated priority attacks, especially Aqua Jet. Snover can also change the weather and stop a Sandshrew sweep, but rarely wins against Sandshrew itself.[/secret]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 25, 2013
  2. SockPuppet

    SockPuppet lmao

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    sockpuppet
    Pf, looks good to me.
     
  3. Xdevo

    Xdevo Phrasing Super Moderator Tour Director Super Moderator Tour Director

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  4. Weavile

    Weavile Phoenix

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    I re-wrote this analysis to reflect the metagame changes since its writing. Feel free to make further improvements.