Sandshrew's spread isn't flashy. Defense leads, Sp. Atk trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Easy to catch and worth 1 Defense EV, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
Sandshrew's Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Grass, and Ice. It shrugs off Electric-type attacks completely. Sandshrew's physical bulk (base 85 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Ice |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Rock |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
Rillaboom can KO Sandshrew with Wood Hammer (112-132%). Weavile deals 40-47% with Ice Shard.
 Rillaboom Grass | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemAssault Vest NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Rillaboom builds →Wood Hammer 2x112-132%KO | ||
 Dondozo Water | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Dondozo builds →
| ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Weavile builds →Knock Off32-38% Ice Shard 2x40-47% | ||
 Toedscool GroundGrass | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMyceliummight ItemEviolite NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Toedscool builds →Rapid Spin5-7% Knock Off7-8% Giga Drain 2x68-81% | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Swampert builds →Earthquake51-60% Flip Turn 2x62-73% Knock Off22-26% | ||
Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 150 total stats over Sandshrew. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Sandshrew easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
Still unevolved, still relevant. Sandshrew's Eviolite bulk with spread EVs creates a defensive profile that punches above its stage. Sandrush adds passive value. Earthquake gives it offensive presence.
Best Build
Sandshrew best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Life
Recommended Teammates
Physical Wallbreaker Moveset
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Low Kick
- Poison Jab
Recommended Teammates
Bulky Support Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Double Edge
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
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 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Without TMs, Sandshrew's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 9 types on top of Earthquake and High Horsepower for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
You'll want to breed for Counter and Crush Claw on Sandshrew. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Earthquake and Dig, they expand what Sandshrew can actually threaten in practice.
You'll want to breed for Counter and Flail on Sandshrew. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Earthquake and Earth Power, they expand what Sandshrew can actually threaten in practice.
Without TMs, Sandshrew's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal and Poison coverage and more on top of Earthquake and Dig for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
No wild encounters for Sandshrew in Scarlet & Violet. It's available in Blue, Yellow, or Black 2 and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
moderate rates across 4 locations for Sandshrew in endgame routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Best Locations to Catch Sandshrew in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
4 walking spots from Lv. 58-63 for Sandshrew. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.
Sandshrew is available from mid-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 Sandshrew in Sword & Shield
Sandshrew's encounter pool splits between Shield and Sword. You've got 18 walking spots at Lv. 16-21 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
decent spawn rates for Sandshrew across 3 locations in early-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Best Locations to Catch Sandshrew in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
3 walking and trade spots from Lv. 3-27 for Sandshrew. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.
Get Sandshrew to Sandslash at level 22. At 300 BST, Sandshrew is just the starting point.
Level 22 gets you Sandslash. Not the fastest evolution, so consider Exp. Share or route grinding to speed it up.
Sandshrew does the job early-game if you need a Ground type on your team. Evolve it into Sandslash before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
You won't have trouble finding Sandshrew. It's been around since Scarlet & Violet and appears in 20 games total. Latest appearances: Yellow and Red & Blue.
Sandshrew first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 20 games across 10 generations. It later gained an Alolan form in Generation 7, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
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 5BW
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 7SMAlolan
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