Alolan Diglett Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Earthquake and Iron Head are the obligatory STAB attacks, and both also receive a boost from Sand Force. Alolan Diglett usually cannot take advantage of Iron Head's chance to flinch due to its frailty, as if it doesn't get the foe to flinch it will usually be OHKOed in return. Rock Slide hits Flying- and Bug-types harder, Vullaby and Larvesta being common targets, and is also boosted by Sand Force. Substitute can let Alolan Diglett actually take a hit, allowing it to attack safely. Substitute also lets it dodge Sucker Punch and helps on a predicted switch. Finally, Sucker Punch can be used for priority, but it is rather weak due to not being boosted by Sand Force. Set Details Life Orb is the preferred item on this set, letting Alolan Diglett hit very hard when combined with Sand Force. Maximum Attack and Speed with a Jolly nature let Alolan Diglett hit as hard as possible while outspeeding the majority of the unboosted metagame. The remaining EVs allow it to take physical attacks better. In terms of the ability, Sand Force powers up Alolan Diglett's STAB attacks and Rock Slide by 30% in a sandstorm, letting it do serious damage. Usage Tips Send Alolan Diglett in mid- or late-game after softening up its counters, and proceed to sweep with its STAB attacks and Rock Slide. It's not really a good idea to use Alolan Diglett without sand up, as this decreases its damage output. Alolan Diglett can OHKO opposing weather setters with the exception of Eviolite Snover, but you might want to switch out afterwards to get the sandstorm back up. Finally, you may not want to switch in directly; instead, bring it in with a slow U-turn or Volt Switch, or to revenge kill after a teammate has fainted. Team Options Since Alolan Diglett functions best in a sandstorm, it's a good idea to have Hippopotas for setting it up. Alolan Diglett can check Ice-types such as Snover that threaten Hippopotas. Lileep is a good defensive teammate, as it can take any Water-type attacks aimed at Alolan Diglett due to its typing and Storm Drain. It also gets a Special Defense boost from the sandstorm, increasing its overall longevity. However, where Alolan Diglett really shines is on sand offense. Abra can check the Fighting-types that threaten Alolan Diglett and, thanks to Magic Guard, is not hurt by the sandstorm. Magnemite works as both an offensive and defensive teammate, and can easily take care of bulky Water-types such as Shellder. It also can bring Alolan Diglett in unharmed with a slow Volt Switch. Finally, Knock Off users like Pawniard and Mienfoo can remove Eviolites from troublesome Pokemon so that Alolan Diglett can come in and OHKO them. Vullaby is an excellent Knock Off user, but it can also bring Diglett in with U-turn and has Overcoat to avoid sandstorm damage.