Sandshrew Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Rapid Spin gives Sandshrew the ability to clear away entry hazards on your side of the field, helping many Pokemon stay healthy. Stealth Rock can help sweepers, passively damage foes upon switching in, and even at times bait Staryu in. Earthquake is Sandshrew's Ground-type STAB move and is a very powerful option to hit most of the tier. Knock Off is Sandshrew's main niche over Drilbur and lets it hit Pumpkaboo, something that Drilbur can't do normally, as well as provide even more utility to Sandshrew's team. Set Details Sandshrew should always use Sand Rush, as Sand Veil is completely reliant on luck and doesn't help Sandshrew as much as Sand Rush does. The EV investment in Defense and Special Defense coupled with Eviolite maximizes Sandshrew's bulk, letting it endure many attacks it may not have otherwise. It also has 196 EVs in Speed so that it can reach a Speed tier of 13 in order to outspeed Croagunk and Timburr. The rest of the EVs are put into Attack and HP, the former to increase the damage of Earthquake and the latter to let it withstand more attacks. Usage Tips Always be careful of Flying-types such as Doduo and especially Vullaby, as Sandshrew can't do much against any of them with its lack of coverage. Baiting in Staryu with Stealth Rock can be a valid option if Sandshrew is paired with a good Staryu check, but this should be done very sparingly. Since Pumpkaboo and Gastly are common switch-ins to Rapid Spin, using Knock Off when predicting them to come in can cripple the former and KO the latter. Be aware of Sandshrew's low Special Defense; it can be easily KOed by many special attackers because of it. Team Options Pumpkaboo makes for a perfect partner, as it can check Water-types (Staryu in particular) and Grass-types, as well as block opposing Rapid Spin users. Pawniard can help discourage an opponent from using Defog and therefore clearing away Sandshrew's hazards. Sandshrew's ability to clear away hazards can be extremely beneficial to Fire-, Bug-, and Flying-types such as Larvesta and Rufflet. Doduo in particular benefits greatly from Sandshrew's ability to to control hazards on both sides, as they can help it beat Sturdy users such as Onix and Magnemite. Cottonee and Foongus can check Fighting- and Water-types while providing some support with Taunt and Spore, respectively. Hippopotas can be a good option to help Sandshrew take advantage of Sand Rush, although Hippopotas's passivity can make it difficult to support Sandshrew.

Moves Rapid Spin allows Sandshrew to aid its teammates by removing hazards. Earthquake is Sandshrew's STAB move of choice, hitting a lot of Pokemon quite hard. Knock Off is a great utility option, hitting Ghost-types that try to spinblock, notably Pumpkaboo, a Pokemon that Drilbur cannot heavily damage. It also removes opposing Eviolites, Choice Scarves, and Berry Juices, making walls and sweepers easier to deal with. Stealth Rock is a fantastic move; Sandshrew's more offensive teammates can benefit from foes being weakened by it. Rock Slide can be used over Stealth Rock if your team already has a hazard setter, allowing Sandshrew to hit Larvesta, Flying-types, and Ice-types. Set Details The EVs provide Sandshrew with lots of bulk, hitting 23 / 18 / 10 before Eviolite, with the remaining EVs being invested in Attack and Speed, hitting 16 Attack and 11 Speed, to let Sandshrew outspeed Pokemon such as Timburr and Pumpkaboo. Eviolite boosts Sandshrew's bulk and works well with the EVs, which make Sandshrew's Defense and Special Defense even numbers. Sandshrew's abilities rather contradict its role, but if the opponent uses a sand team, Sandshrew becomes blisteringly fast thanks to Sand Rush. Usage Tips Sandshrew's impressive Defense stat allows it to switch into a majority of non-super effective physical moves; take advantage of this by setting up Stealth Rock or removing hazards with Rapid Spin while the foe switches out. If Stealth Rock is used over Rock Slide, be wary of Fletchling, as it is immune to Earthquake and lacks an item, weakening Knock Off's power. Although Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin are great moves, they make Sandshrew rather predictable, as it'll either lead or switch in shortly after the opponent sets hazards; be sure to play smartly with Sandshrew, for example nailing the obvious Pumpkaboo switch-in with a Knock Off as opposed to simply using Rapid Spin. Team Options Sandshrew pairs well with Fire-, Flying-, and Bug-types, as it can remove Stealth Rock from the field. Spikes users, such as Trubbish and Ferroseed, can partner with Sandshrew to form an effective hazard-setting core. Ferroseed, in particular, can handle the Water- and Grass-type attacks aimed at Sandshrew. Pumpkaboo can spinblock, keeping Sandshrew's Stealth Rock on the field; it also resists Water- and Grass-types attacks aimed at Sandshrew. Pawniard deters Defog users, as its ability, Defiant, gives it a large Attack boost when hit by Defog. Clerics such as Spritzee and Lickitung can compensate for Sandshrew's lack of recovery, providing it with Wish and Heal Bell / Aromatherapy support. RestTalk Munchlax can handle Foongus and special Water-types, all while absorbing status, particularly burn, that Sandshrew doesn't appreciate.

Sandshrew can forgo Swords Dance's potential to sweep teams in order to use its bulk, power, and Speed to assist its team with Rapid Spin and revenge killing, freeing up Drilbur to run a more offensive set. With this EV spread, Sandshrew hits 24 Speed in sand, outspeeding all unboosted Pokemon in Little Cup as well as many Choice Scarf wielders. It is outsped by +2 Clamperl and can only tie with 16 Speed Pokemon wielding Choice Scarfs. Even without Swords Dance, Sandshrew remains powerful, 2HKOing Misdreavus on the switch with Night Slash to prevent it from blocking Rapid Spin. Earthquake is Sandshrew's main STAB attack. Rock Slide and Night Slash allow Sandshrew to threaten Flying- and Ghost-types, respectively. Stealth Rock can be run over either coverage move to free up a moveslot for teammates such as Hippopotas and Lileep, but this compromises Sandshrew's revenge killing and spinning abilities. The teammates for this set are very similar to the Swords Dance set. Sandshrew should be run with Hippopotas and Drilbur; Sandshrew needs sand support in order to be effective, and Drilbur is often the better choice for teams only wishing to run one Sand Rush user. Unlike the Swords Dance set, this set cannot muscle through Bronzor at all, so Magnemite makes a good teammate to trap and KO it. Magnemite also threatens Water-types and resists Snover's STAB attacks, providing further help for Sandstorm teams. Lileep and Ferroseed also counter unboosted Sandshrew, so Croagunk makes for a good partner, resisting their Grass-type attacks and destroying them with super effective Fighting-type moves while also serving as an excellent counter to many Water-types in LC. This set is more about supporting its teammates than receiving support, so Pokemon that enjoy having entry hazards consistently removed make for great teammates. Drifloon is one such Pokemon, being Stealth Rock weak and also having its weaknesses to Rock- and Electric-type attacks covered by Sandshrew. Sandshrew defeats the Steel- and Electric-type Pokemon that resist Drifloon's attacks, while Drifloon beats Grass-types like Shroomish that utterly wall Sandshrew. Drifloon is also able to threaten the only Pokemon that can consistently block Sandshrew's Rapid Spin: Frillish. Other Pokemon that can handle Frillish such as Lileep and Misdreavus have good synergy with Sandshrew and make naturally good partners.

Sandshrew can use its excellent Defense, high Attack, and access to Sand Rush to easily nab a Swords Dance boost and wreak havoc upon the opposing team. After a Swords Dance, Adamant and Jolly Sandshrew reach a monstrous 36 and 34 Attack, respectively. +2 Sandshrew can OHKO Misdreavus and, with minimal residual damage, Timburr and Mienfoo, as well as 2HKO Hippopotas, Ferroseed, and Lileep. Adamant Sandshrew can also OHKO Timburr with a boosted Earthquake after Stealth Rock, so even a slightly weakened team will be hard pressed to withstand Sandshrew's onslaught. This power means that Sandshrew can forgo Life Orb for Eviolite to increase its bulk and obtain more opportunities to set up. With its high Defense, Sandshrew can set up easily on all but the strongest physical attackers. Earthquake serves as Sandshrew's strong and reliable STAB, hitting most Pokemon in LC for solid damage and allowing Sandshrew to be extremely threatening after a Swords Dance. Rock Slide complements Earthquake's coverage by hitting the Flying-types that are immune to Ground-type attacks and the Bug-types that resist Earthquake hard; it OHKOes Taillow and Shelmet after Stealth Rock. Night Slash completes Sandshrew's coverage, OHKOing Misdreavus and Exeggcute and dealing neutral damage to Bronzor to help wear it down for Drilbur. Drilbur, after Hippopotas, is obviously the most important partner for Sandshrew, as Sandshrew's main niche is breaking down Drilbur's checks for Drilbur to clean up—or benefitting from Drilbur doing the same. Bronzor can check the pair with its typing and Levitate, but only 4HKOes Sandshrew with Flash Cannon, while Sandshrew's +2 Night Slash 3HKOes. A better check to Sandshrew and Drilbur—and a Pokemon that poses a severe threat to Sandstorm teams in general—is Snover. Choice Scarf Snover outspeeds both Sandshrew and Drilbur, removes the Sandstorm that feeds the Sand Rush duo's blazing Speed stats, and OHKOes them with Blizzard. Although already a threat to Sandstorm teams, Snover poses a particular threat to "Double Rush" due to the restrictions in synergy caused by running three Ground-types. Scarf Porygon is another check that is an issue for Sandshrew, as it uses Trace to take advantage of Sandshrew's Sand Rush to kill it with a super effective Ice Beam. Munchlax, despite its low usage, is actually an excellent choice to deal with Snover and Porygon, as its immense special bulk and Thick Fat ability allow it to take little from their attacks and either OHKO Snover and 2HKO Porygon with Return or deal heavy damage with Pursuit as they switch out. Munchlax also draws in weaker physical attackers that Sandshrew can easily set up on. Shell Smash Tirtouga is another issue for Sandshrew, as it can use Sturdy to get an opportunity to use Shell Smash and OHKO Sandshrew with +2 Aqua Jet. Lileep serves an excellent check to Tirtouga and the numerous other Water-types populating LC, contributing greatly to a sand team's synergy thanks to its immunity to Water-type moves. Croagunk is also an excellent teammate, countering Tirtouga, providing an immunity to Water-type attacks, and threatening opposing Snover, Porygon, and Lileep with STAB Fighting-type attacks. Most teams' final way of attempting to defeat Drilbur and Sandshrew lies in priority. Magnemite can still help against Flying-types should Sandshrew be weakened, and is also able to trap and KO Bronzor.

With massive natural bulk and excellent utility, Sandshrew makes a fine supporting Pokemon. Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin are both staples on this set, as they are the best support options Sandshrew is able to muster from its movepool. Earthquake and Rock Slide are both advised on this set as they provide Sandshrew with attacking options coming off an impressive base 75 Attack stat, ensuring that Sandshrew is not completely vulnerable to Taunt users or set-up bait for sweepers; the two aforementioned moves also have great offensive coverage with each other, forming the infamous "EdgeQuake" combination. The given EV spread has been designed to maximize Sandshrew's defensive prowess by heavily investing in HP, Defense, and Special Defense while also making the mouse Pokemon slightly offensive through EV investments in Attack and Speed. An Impish nature further complements the EV spread by making Sandshrew more bulky and durable, allowing it to provide support during various points in a battle, such as when it switches into a resisted physical attack. Lastly, an Oran Berry is the recommended item as it allows Sandshrew to remain at a passable level of health throughout the course of a battle.