Slow is good when Trick Room is up, and Palossand is about as slow as they come. Ghost/Ground typing gives it a defined role on the team. Normal, Electric, and Fighting moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat.
Palossand's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Physical bulk with Defense doing the heavy lifting. And the medium-fast 1M XP curve means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 2 Defense EVs.
The terrifying Palossand drags smaller Pokémon into its sandy body. Once its victims are trapped, it drains them of their vitality whenever it pleases.
From the hollows in its arms, it fires the bones of its victims, which are all dried up after being drained of their vitality.
Palossand Weakness
GoodType-wise, Palossand takes extra damage from Water, Grass, Ice, Ghost, and Dark. Normal, Electric, and Fighting moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. Palossand's physical bulk (base 110 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
Palossand is what Sandygast becomes. Breed it for Sandygast eggs (quick to hatch). Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolution from Sandygast pushed Palossand to 480 total stats. HP saw the largest single gain at +30.
How to Evolve
Breed with Palossand to get Sandygast eggs easily using 63 partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
The build centers on Stealth Rock and survivability. Rocky Helmet means chip damage on every physical hit received, and max HP and Defense EVs give Palossand the bulk to set up repeatedly. Watercompaction adds another layer of staying power.
Best Build
Best Palossand Moveset
- Shore Up
- Stealth Rock
- Shadow Ball
- Scorching Sands
Recommended Teammates
Most of Palossand's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Poltergeist and Earthquake, but Grass and Normal and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Most of Palossand's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Earthquake and Earth Power, but Grass and Bug and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
The egg pool carries weight here. Ancient Power and Curse aren't available any other way for Palossand, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Poltergeist and Earthquake for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Amnesia and Ancient Power aren't available any other way for Palossand, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Earthquake and Earth Power for solid options.
moderate rates across 10 locations for Palossand in late-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Palossand in Scarlet & Violet
The path to Palossand starts with Sandygast at Lv. 16-61 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SandygastEFFORTLESSEast Province (Area One) - BeachVioletOverworldLv.16-4636%MidRouteEFFORTLESSEast Province (Area One) - BeachScarletOverworldLv.16-4636%MidRouteEFFORTLESSEast Province (Area Two) - BeachVioletOverworldLv.16-4636%MidRouteEFFORTLESSEast Province (Area Two) - BeachScarletOverworldLv.16-4636%MidRouteEFFORTLESSSouth Province (Area Five) - BeachVioletOverworldLv.16-4636%MidRouteEFFORTLESSSouth Province (Area Five) - BeachScarletOverworldLv.16-4636%MidRouteEFFORTLESSWest Province (Area Two) - BeachVioletOverworldLv.16-4636%MidRouteEFFORTLESSWest Province (Area Two) - BeachScarletOverworldLv.16-4636%MidRouteMODERATECasseroya Lake - BeachVioletOverworldLv.42-618%LateWaterMODERATECasseroya Lake - BeachScarletOverworldLv.42-618%LateWater
Step 2Palossand ✓MODERATECasseroya Lake - BeachVioletOverworldLv.42-618%LateWaterMODERATECasseroya Lake - BeachScarletOverworldLv.42-618%LateWaterMODERATEEast Province (Area One) - BeachVioletOverworldLv.42-618%LateRouteMODERATEEast Province (Area One) - BeachScarletOverworldLv.42-618%LateRouteMODERATEEast Province (Area Two) - BeachVioletOverworldLv.42-618%LateRouteMODERATEEast Province (Area Two) - BeachScarletOverworldLv.42-618%LateRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Five) - BeachVioletOverworldLv.42-618%LateRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Five) - BeachScarletOverworldLv.42-618%LateRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area Two) - BeachVioletOverworldLv.42-618%LateRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area Two) - BeachScarletOverworldLv.42-618%LateRouteor evolve from Sandygast (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Palossand in Legends: Z-A. Bring Sandygast over from Sun, Ultra Sun, or Scarlet, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Palossand in Legends: Z-A
- Step 1Obtain Sandygast
Catch in the wild in:
Then trade to Legends: Z-A to continue the evolution chain.
Also found in:
- Step 2Palossand ✓
You're catching Sandygast first, not Palossand. Sandygast appears at solid rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Palossand in Sword & Shield
Step 1Catch SandygastEFFORTLESSLoop Lagoon - BeachSwordOverworldLv.16-21100%MidAll WeatherEFFORTLESSLoop Lagoon - BeachShieldOverworldLv.16-21100%MidAll Weather
Step 2Palossand ✓
No wild encounters for Palossand. The 2-stage line runs through Sandygast, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 42 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Palossand in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
The path to Palossand starts with Sandygast at Lv. 22-30 via walking and fixed encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SandygastEFFORTLESSHano BeachUltra MoonGrassLv.22-2530%MidWaterEFFORTLESSHano BeachUltra SunGrassLv.22-2530%MidWaterRoute 15Ultra MoonInteract with PokemonLv.30MidRoute
Step 2Palossand ✓
Palossand works as a tank with 480 BST behind it. B-Tier on our list — a solid choice for the right team. That 110 base Defense does the heavy lifting.
Palossand's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Walrein (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Ghost and Dark-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. At base 35 Speed, Palossand won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Sandygast evolves into Palossand at level 42. Palossand is the fully evolved form. At 480 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Water Compaction is the go-to ability for Palossand. It raises this Pokémon's Defense by two stages when it's hit by a Water move. Its hidden ability Sand Veil can work in specific setups.
Palossand is a special attacker with base 100 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 35 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the tank role.
Palossand can be found in Legends: Z-A, Scarlet & Violet, Sword & Shield, Sun & Moon, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
Since Sun & Moon, Palossand has been obtainable in 5 games. A Generation 7 debut means a shorter history, but Palossand has appeared steadily across every generation since.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISMDebut
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A