Moves
Icicle Spear is Alolan Sandshrew's main STAB move and is a powerful multi-hit move that allows it to break Focus Sash, Sturdy, and Substitute, as well as heavily damage unboosted Weak Armor Vullaby. Iron Head is a powerful secondary STAB attack that hits Fairy-types such as Spritzee and Snubbull for sufficient damage while also hitting targets resistant to Icicle Spear like Alolan Vulpix and Munchlax, OHKOing the former and 2HKOing the latter. Rapid Spin gives Alolan Sandshrew a reliable way of quickly clearing the field of entry hazards and allows it to support its team. It does, however, risk turning Alolan Sandshrew into setup bait by locking it into an extremely weak move. Knock Off can be used as an alternative to cripple threats that attempt to switch in, as well as surprising spinblockers. Earthquake is useful for hitting Fire-types such as Ponyta and Vulpix and Steel-types likes Pawniard and Magnemite, all of which otherwise wall Alolan Sandshrew, for super effective damage. Icicle Crash is an option over Icicle Spear, as it allows Alolan Sandshrew to hit Mudbray for more consistent damage and hit harder than a two-hit Icicle Spear. It is also helpful for situations in which a two-hit Icicle Spear won't be capable of revenge killing a foe, such as Vullaby. However, this generally isn't preferred due to the better damage rolls Icicle Spear will usually score due to Little Cup's damage roll mechanics, as well as the move's worse accuracy.
Set Details
Maximized Speed EVs with a Jolly nature and Choice Scarf allow Alolan Sandshrew to hit 21 Speed and outpace the entire unboosted metagame. Maximized Attack EVs are useful for allowing Alolan Sandshrew to hit as hard as possible and dent a decent portion of the metagame with its attacks, notably OHKOing Weak Armor Vullaby with a three-hit Icicle Spear and OHKOing offensive variants of Ponyta with Earthquake. The remaining EVs are invested into Special Defense, as Alolan Sandshrew's physical bulk is already high enough to justify further boosting its rather lackluster special bulk. Slush Rush allows Alolan Sandshrew to outpace all Choice Scarf users that normally outpace it, such as Doduo and Rufflet, if hail happens to be summoned during the match.
Usage Tips
Thanks to the good Speed Choice Scarf provides Alolan Sandshrew with, it is capable of revenge killing Pokemon like Diglett and Cottonee, as well as tearing holes in teams early-game or cleaning up late-game once its checks are removed or weakened. Alolan Sandshrew's good Speed with a Choice Scarf also allows it to function as a fairly reliable emergency stop to Nasty Plot Vullaby, whose Weak Armor ability leaves it extremely susceptible to an OHKO from Icicle Spear unless the move only hits twice. Despite its good Speed with a Choice Scarf, Alolan Sandshrew is still outsped and threatened by other common Choice Scarf users in Mienfoo, Rufflet, and Chinchou. As a result, these Pokemon must have their Choice Scarves scouted out on opposing teams to make full use of Alolan Sandshrew. Another big concern of Alolan Sandshrew is the tier's prevalence of Fighting-types like Mienfoo, Timburr, and Scraggy, which will tank a hit and OHKO Alolan Sandshrew. As a result, you should always switch Alolan Sandshrew out of healthy Fighting-types and remove them before Alolan Sandshrew attempts to clean late-game. If the opponent has a hail setter, Alolan Sandshrew is capable of utilizing its Slush Rush ability to outpace every Choice Scarf user in the metagame, thus allowing it to rip holes in the opposing team for as long as hail is active, though it's worth noting that these circumstances are rather rare. When predicting the switch into a Pokemon resistant to its STAB attacks, Alolan Sandshrew should either use Rapid Spin to remove entry hazards from its team's side of the field or use Earthquake to hit the potential switch-in for super effective or neutral damage. It should be noted, however, that being locked onto Rapid Spin can easily make Alolan Sandshrew setup bait, due to the move's low Base Power. Lastly, due to its role as a revenge killer, it is best to bring Alolan Sandshrew into play carefully, such as on weak resisted hits or after a teammate has fainted.
Team Options
Due to this set's role as a revenge killer, Alolan Sandshrew is most appreciated by offensive builds. Pokemon that bring in Flying- and Grass-types, such as Diglett, Cottonee, and Drilbur, appreciate Alolan Sandshrew's ability to remove the likes of Rufflet, Doduo, and Foongus for them. Pokemon that fear Diglett, such as Ponyta, Croagunk, and Chinchou, are also appreciative of Alolan Sandshrew, as its ability to revenge kill Diglett allows these Pokemon to perform their roles much more consistently. Reliable Fighting-type checks, such as Spritzee, Snubbull, Abra, and Foongus, are all capable of taking care of common Fighting-types in Timburr, Croagunk and Mienfoo and making it easier for Alolan Sandshrew to clean up late-game, though the former two can't reliably check Croagunk. Despite its access to Earthquake, Alolan Sandshrew is still very susceptible to Fire-type Pokemon. As a result, Pokemon capable of removing Fire-types such as Diglett, Mudbray, and Tirtouga are all quite helpful as partners. Pokemon capable of removing Water-types, such as Elekid, Chinchou, and Snivy, are also helpful, as Alolan Sandshrew's STAB attacks are resisted by most of LC's Water-types. Setup sweepers, such as Vullaby, Carvanha, and Timburr, appreciate Alolan Sandshrew's ability to weaken foes early-game and facilitate a more reliable late-game sweep. Knock Off support from the likes of Timburr, Vullaby, and Alolan Grimer is very useful for Alolan Sandshrew, allowing it to muscle past bulkier foes with better success. Entry hazard support from Pokemon like Dwebble and Onix is also helpful for giving Alolan Sandshrew an easier time breaking through foes due to the chip damage they have taken. Lastly, bulky Water-types like Mareanie and particularly Slowpoke make great teammates, as they fit well on the bulky offense teams that Alolan Sandshrew thrives on and generally have good synergy with it.
