While most trainers evolve Sandygast into Palossand immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Normal, Electric, and Fighting moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the Sand Heap Pokemon.
Defense and Sp. Atk carry most of Sandygast's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 1 Defense EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
If it loses its shovel, it will stick something else—like a branch—in its head to make do until it finds another shovel.
It flings sand into the eyes of its prey and tries to close in on them while they’re blinded, but since Sandygast is so slow, the prey tends to escape.
Sandygast Weakness
GoodWater, Grass, Ice, Ghost, and Dark-type moves hit Sandygast for super-effective damage. The upside? Normal, Electric, and Fighting-type moves can't touch it at all. Sandygast's physical bulk (base 80 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
One evolution ahead. Sandygast grows into Palossand through a straightforward two-stage chain. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolved forms gain up to 160 total stats over Sandygast.
How to Evolve
Breed Sandygast easily with 63 breeding partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
Still unevolved, still relevant. Sandygast's Eviolite bulk with a spread EV build EVs creates a defensive profile that punches above its stage. Watercompaction adds passive value. Shoreup gives it offensive presence.
Best Build
Best Sandygast Moveset
- Shore Up
- Earth Power
- Shadow Ball
- Scorching Sands
Recommended Teammates
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Sandygast. TMs unlock coverage across 8 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Poltergeist and Earthquake into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Sandygast. TMs unlock coverage across 9 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Earthquake and Earth Power into something with actual range.
Don't skip the egg moves. Sandygast picks up Ancient Power and Curse only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Poltergeist and Earthquake while Grass and Water coverage and more adds range.
Don't skip the egg moves. Sandygast picks up Amnesia and Ancient Power only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Earthquake and Earth Power while Grass and Normal coverage and more adds range.
Sandygast is available from mid-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 10 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
Sandygast's encounter pool splits between Violet and Scarlet. You've got 10 walking spots at Lv. 16-61 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
Sandygast can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Bring it over from Sun, Ultra Sun, or Scarlet instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Sandygast is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Catch in the wild in:
Then trade to Legends: Z-A.
Also found in:
Sandygast's scattered across 2 spots in mid-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Best Locations
A few locations for Sandygast with high spawn rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Best Locations
walking and fixed encounters for Sandygast across 3 spots at Lv. 22-30. The catch is that Ultra Moon and Ultra Sun don't share every location, so compare what's available in your version.
Sandygast is meant to evolve into Palossand. At 320 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Watch for Greninja (Water), Venusaur (Grass), and Cloyster (Ice) when using Sandygast. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Ghost and Dark-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. At base 15 Speed, Sandygast won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Sandygast evolves into Palossand at level 42. Sandygast is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Water Compaction raises this Pokémon's Defense by two stages when it's hit by a Water move — that's the one you want on Sandygast. Sand Veil is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Base 15 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Sandygast is a special attacker with base 70 Sp. Atk.
Sandygast can be found in Legends: Z-A, Scarlet & Violet, Sword & Shield, Sun & Moon, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
Sandygast joined the series in Sun & Moon and has been available in 5 titles so far. With 3 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
- 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