Shadow Alolan Sandslash

The Shadow boost still doesn't quite put Alolan Sandslash on a par with its competition. It's sadly still not really worth the high investment needed to raise one.

Best PvE Offensive Moveset

• You really want Powder Snow in tandem with Blizzard.
• Shadow Claw has no use for offense. 
• Ice Punch is inferior, but at least it gets STAB. 
• Metal Claw with Gyro Ball is a Steel moveset, but why?
• With no STAB, don't even think about Bulldoze or Drill Run for offense.

Best PvE Defensive Moveset

• Shadow Claw* is recommended for defense since it's less likely to be resisted by attackers. 
• Powder Snow's high energy gain gives Shadow Alolan Sandslash better odds to use a charged move.
• Metal Claw doesn't have a valuable typing against attackers. 
• Ice Punch sports the earliest damage window and is also the most accessible as a 3-bar move. 
• Drill Run has great counter-coverage and comes out reasonably often
• Bulldoze and Gyro Ball are ridiculously slow
• With double weaknesses to Fire and Fighting, good luck using Blizzard before fainting.

Powder Snow and Shadow Claw* are identical in performance against neutral opponents, and thus both are viable. The latter is less likely to be resisted and provides coverage, so it is often the preferred choice.. It is recommended to have multiple Alolan Sandslash with both Fast Moves to avoid using rare Elite TMs. 

The move rebalance on September 27, 2019 gave Alolan Sandslash the much needed Ice Punch, which is mandatory due to its low energy cost compared to A-Sandslash's other options. Benefiting from STAB, this is its main charge move and also acts as a shield bait.

Starting in June 1 2023, Alolan Sandslash gained access to Drill Run. It provides nearly perfect coverage when combined with Ice Punch, and is a much better move than Bulldoze.

Gyro Ball is amongst one of the worst moves in PvP, and Alolan Sandslash should not use it despite receiving STAB. Blizzard can pull off surprise KOes, but is far less consistent than Ice Punch due to its extreme cost.