Nothing fancy in Sandile's spread. It leans physical with Attack out front. And you'll get 1 Attack EV per KO for it. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It submerges itself in sand and moves as if swimming. This wise behavior keeps its enemies from finding it and maintains its temperature.
They live hidden under hot desert sands in order to keep their body temperature from dropping.
Sandile's Ground/Dark typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. It shrugs off Electric and Psychic-type attacks completely. The Ground/Dark typing picks up 4 resistances to work with.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Rock, Ghost, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric, Psychic |
Volcarona threatens a KO with Heat Wave (127-149%). Annihilape's Drain Punch also KOs at 182-215%.
 Dondozo Water | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Dondozo builds →
| ||
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemGrassyseed NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Sandile View Volcarona builds →Heat Wave127-149%KO | ||
 Annihilape FightingGhost | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDefiant ItemSitrus Berry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sandile View Annihilape builds →Drain Punch 2x182-215%KO | ||
 Toedscool GroundGrass | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMyceliummight ItemEviolite NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sandile View Toedscool builds →Rapid Spin15-18% Knock Off9-11% Giga Drain 2x85-100%KO | ||
 Tinkatink FairySteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPickpocket ItemEviolite NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Sandile View Tinkatink builds →Knock Off11-13% | ||
Sandile kicks off a three-stage evolution line through Krokorok all the way to Krookodile. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via one egg group. The evolved forms gain up to 227 total stats over Sandile. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Sandile easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
You commit to a move every time Sandile comes in. Choice Scarf gives speed patching through item lock, and Moxie adds to that. Spread EVs make sure the locked move actually hurts. Double STAB covers the rest.
Best Build
Sandile best EVs are Speed and Attack
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Power Trip
- Earthquake
- Brick Break
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Helping Hand
- Taunt
- Protect
- Snarl
Recommended Teammates
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Power Trip
- Earthquake
- Brick Break
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Helping Hand
- Taunt
- Protect
- Snarl
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 7.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Sandile's coverage across 9 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Earthquake and Foul Play for same-type damage. Foul Play and Earthquake are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Sandile won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 10 types means it always has an effective option. Earthquake and Earth Power anchor the STAB core.
The natural movepool does the job, but Aqua Tail and Counter from the egg pool give Sandile something extra. Pair those with Earthquake and Foul Play for STAB and coverage across 9 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
The natural movepool does the job, but Beat Up and Counter from the egg pool give Sandile something extra. Pair those with Earthquake and Foul Play for STAB and coverage across 8 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Easy grab on Sandile with high spawn rates across 2 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations to Catch Sandile in Scarlet & Violet
Sandile doesn't appear in Legends: Z-A. Transfer it from Black, Black 2, or Sword to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Sandile is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 18 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations to Catch Sandile in Sword & Shield
18 walking encounters at Lv. 10-24 for Sandile across Shield and Sword. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Sandile can't be caught in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring it over from Black, Black 2, or Sword instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Sandile is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Catch in the wild in:
Then trade to Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
Also found in:
Krokorok at level 29 is the mid-stage. Push through to Krookodile at level 40 for the final form. 292 BST right now won't cut it long-term.
Level 29 gets you Krokorok. Not the fastest evolution, so consider Exp. Share or route grinding to speed it up.
For a casual playthrough, Sandile works as a placeholder. Ground/Dark coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Krokorok. That's where the stats start mattering.
Across 9 games, Sandile has solid availability. First showed up in Legends: Z-A. The latest games to include it are Black & White and Black 2 & White 2.
Since Black & White, Sandile has been obtainable in 9 games. A Generation 5 debut means a shorter history, but Sandile has appeared steadily across every generation since.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves