Pokémon Thread XIV: Return of the Pokémon Thread Strikes Back Harder

[Mando Knight]

Excadrill is superior. The higher Defense of Sandslash is somewhat less impressive than Excadrill's extensive pool of resistances (though it is weak to Ground, Fighting, and Fire, which Sandslash is not) as well as its higher HP. Excadrill's higher Speed and Attack also means that it'll get KOs more quickly in general.

Excadrill also gets Earthquake more quickly, as well as learning Rock Slide by level-up.

According to Smogon, at least, Dream World Sandslash is the poor man's Excadrill.