Other Options

Bulky variants of Alolan Sandslash can also run Iron Head to surprise Alolan Ninetales and Diancie, but dropping either its Ice-type STAB move or Knock Off is usually not worth the tradeoffs. Ice Shard can be used to aid teams that otherwise lack priority in picking off low HP foes and catch Flygon off-guard before it can use Earthquake or U-turn, but the low Base Power can render you ineffective against bulky Grass-types like Amoonguss and Tsareena. This also helps offensive sets surprise Choice Scarf Flamigo and Flygon after snow expires. Super Fang can be a decent midground option to deal significant damage to bulky switch-ins like Swampert and Vaporeon, but Knock Off is usually more consistent at making long-term progress, especially when paired with Spikes. Offensive sets have a few more item options at their disposal: Wide Lens brings Triple Axel to near-perfect accuracy, reducing the move's biggest drawback. Lum Berry's ability to cure status can be extremely helpful against Vaporeon, Milotic, and Klefki. Clear Amulet blocks attack drops from Intimidate from foes like Incineroar and Paldean Tauros-W, enabling comparable damage after to Life Orb sets after a Swords Dance without the self-damage drawback. Finally, you can simply run Leftovers or Sitrus Berry to improve Alolan Sandslash's longevity, as its uninvested physical bulk under snow is still quite decent.

Checks and Counters

Fighting-types: Paldean Tauros-W, Paldean Tauros-F, Infernape, and Hariyama can consistently switch into Alolan Sandslash's Ice-type attacks and Knock Off and threaten an OHKO with Close Combat. With a Choice Scarf, Infernape is even able to outspeed maximum Speed Alolan Sandslash under snow. Non-Fighting-types with Fighting-type coverage, such as Body Press Bronzong and Focus Blast Munkidori, can also force Alolan Sandslash to switch out or KO it by surprise.

Fire-types: Fire-types are incredibly threatening to Alolan Sandslash, as it has a crippling 4x weakness to Fire-type attacks and they resist both of its STAB moves. Incineroar takes minimal damage from all of Alolan Sandslash's attacks bar Earthquake. Chandelure can be a difficult matchup, as it gains momentum by switching in to block Rapid Spin, but it can be predicted and hit with a super effective Knock Off or Earthquake.

Special Wallbreakers: Due to Alolan Sandslash's low Special Defense, even resisted attacks from special wallbreakers like Toxtricity, Porygon-Z, and Choice Specs Sylveon can easily overwhelm Alolan Sandslash. Offensive Alolan Sandslash does not suffer to the same degree, as it can outspeed these Pokemon under snow and OHKO them after a Swords Dance boost.

Physical Walls: Avalugg walls both offensive and defensive variants of Alolan Sandslash, threatens an OHKO with Body Press, and can remove entry hazards Alolan Sandslash has set with Rapid Spin. Bulky Water-types like Vaporeon and Milotic can shrug off hits and threaten to burn Alolan Sandslash with Scald, and defensive Alolan Sandslash often gives them breathing room to heal themselves or their teammates with Wish and Recover. Defensive tanks like Diancie and Duraludon can easily take on Alolan Sandslash one-on-one and set their own hazards, while Rocky Helmet users like Overqwil, Swampert, and Galarian Slowbro can be annoying for Triple Axel variants of Alolan Sandslash due to the massive recoil damage inflicted.

Ground-types: Flygon, Swampert, and Gastrodon threaten massive damage to Alolan Sandslash with Earthquake and Earth Power, but Flygon in particular does not enjoy switching into its Ice-type attacks.