Is Sandshrew-Alola viable in Gen 9 LC?

Sandshrew-Alola is ranked #8 in Gen 9 LC with 26.81% usage according to Smogon May 2026 - Jul 2026 data.

What beats Sandshrew-Alola in Gen 9 LC?

Mienfoo has the strongest conservative score in this observed May 2026 - Jul 2026 sample. The target was knocked out or switched out in 48.5% of 134.71963663349516 relevant encounters. Standard error is 7.3 points. Sets and switch conditions can change the result.

How are Sandshrew-Alola matchup checks ranked in Gen 9 LC?

They are ranked by p minus four standard errors. Here, p is the observed fraction of relevant encounters where Sandshrew-Alola was knocked out or switched out. This is not a set-specific battle guarantee.

Sandshrew-Alola counters

Gen 9 LC · Sorted by p − 4 standard errors · Smogon source period May 2026 - Jul 2026 · Generated 2026-08-05

#0027 Sandshrew-Alola

IceSteel

USAGE 26.8% #8

ABILITYSlush Rush

BASE STATS

HP 50

ATK 75

DEF 90

SPA 10

SPD 35

SPE 40

BST300

TYPE MATCHUPS

4×

FireFighting

2×

Ground

½×

NormalGrassFlyingPsychicBugDragonFairy

¼×

Ice

0×

Poison

Moves

Earthquake 98.9% Rapid Spin 97.2% Triple Axel 96.5% Swords Dance 54.5% Ice Shard 41.2% Knock Off 4.1% Icicle Spear 3.2% Substitute 1.4%

Items

Eviolite 84.6% Choice Scarf 9.8% Loaded Dice 3.1% Safety Goggles 2.4% Life Orb 0.1% Oran Berry 0.0% Heavy-Duty Boots 0.0% Choice Band 0.0%

Abilities

Slush Rush98.4%Snow Cloak1.6%

Tera Types

Fairy 80.9% Ice 9.0% Ghost 5.0% Flying 3.2% Fire 1.0% Ground 0.3% Electric 0.2% Dragon 0.2%

Common Teammates

Browse Gen 9 LC teams using Sandshrew-Alola →

Explore Sandshrew-Alola + Mienfoo teams 19 score Explore Sandshrew-Alola + Vullaby teams 2 score Explore Sandshrew-Alola + Foongus teams -7 score

Leading observed checks

Open a matchup for a separate set-based damage estimate, or browse uploaded teams with both Pokémon.

Team core to explore

Sandshrew-Alola + Mienfoo 76.1% teammate usage Explore teams →

Checks & Counters

Observed target KO or switch rate is upstream p: the fraction of relevant encounters where the target was knocked out or switched out. Standard error is upstream d. The conservative score is p − 4d. These ladder observations do not prove a set-specific counter.

How to read this table

Use encounter count and standard error to judge the sample. Damage estimates below use inferred sets and remain separate from the observed ladder metric.

# Checker Encounters Conservative score Target KO or switch rate

Mienfoo

Fighting SOFT CHECK View matchup

134.72

19.2

48.5% Standard error 7.31 points

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Mienfoo High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Sandshrew-Alola: 508-604 (167.1 - 198.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

View Mienfoo counters → Teams with Mienfoo →

Vullaby

DarkFlying SOFT CHECK View matchup

67.159

2.5

35.0% Standard error 8.15 points

DAMAGE CALC

0- SpA Vullaby Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Sandshrew-Alola: 112-136 (36.8 - 44.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

View Vullaby counters → Teams with Vullaby →

Foongus

GrassPoison SOFT CHECK View matchup

40.485

-6.8

16.7% Standard error 5.86 points

DAMAGE CALC

0- Atk Foongus Foul Play vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Sandshrew-Alola: 36-43 (11.8 - 14.1%) -- possible 8HKO

View Foongus counters → Teams with Foongus →

Ranked #8 with 26.81% usage. Sorted by conservative score.