Physical
Balanced
DTier
40Speed · Very Slow

Sandshrew Best Moveset

Ground at 75 Attack and 85 Defense with 40 Speed. AbilitySand Rush doubles Speed under sandstorm, but the base Attack is too low to threaten at competitive level. The moveset needs evolution. Get to Sandslash for 100 Attack and the physical damage that makes Sand Rush worth building around.

SABCDEFEEEEEEEEERed, Blue & YellowIRB/YPEAKGold, Silver & CrystalIIGS/CRuby, Sapphire & EmeraldIIIRS/EDiamond, Pearl & PlatinumIVDP/PtBlack & White / B2W2VBW/B2W2X & Y / ORASVIXY/ORASSun & Moon / USUMVIISM/USUMSword & Shield / BDSPVIIISS/BDSPScarlet & Violet / Legends Z-AIXSV/LZACURRENT
★Gen I — Red, Blue & YellowE

Sandshrew saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Sandshrew's competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 30.

Had a combined Special stat of 30

Best Moves

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Egg
Swords Dance
Normal—POPULARUtility
TM26
Earthquake
Ground100POPULARSTAB
Egg
Rock Slide
Rock75POPULARCoverage
Tutor
Substitute
Normal—POPULARUtility
Sandshrew Red & Blue MovesSandshrew Yellow Moves

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Sandshrew
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Swords Dance
  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Rock Slide
  • SubstituteUtility

Recommended Teammates

Jynx
JynxExcellent
Snorlax
SnorlaxExcellent
Chansey
ChanseyExcellent
→Gen II — Gold, Silver & CrystalE

Sandshrew saw minimal competitive use in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal). Sandshrew maintained its position from the previous generation.

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM26
Earthquake
Ground100POPULARSTAB
TM28
Dig
Ground80POPULARSTAB
TM31
Mud-Slap
Ground20POPULARSTAB
Lv 11
Sand Attack
Ground—POPULARSTAB
Sandshrew Gold & Silver MovesSandshrew Crystal Moves
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
Thick Club
Best Nature for Sandshrew
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • DigCoverage
  • Mud SlapSTAB
  • Sand AttackSTAB
→Gen III — Ruby, Sapphire & EmeraldE

Sandshrew saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Sandshrew maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sandveil with Quickclaw, favoring a Adamant nature.

Received Sand Veil
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Egg
Swords Dance
Normal—COMMONUtility
Egg
Rock Slide
Rock75COMMONCoverage
TM31
Brick Break
Fighting75COMMONCoverage
TM26
Earthquake
Ground100COMMONSTAB
Lv 1
Scratch
Normal40RARECoverage
Lv 6
Defense Curl
Normal—RAREUtility
Lv 11
Sand Attack
Ground—RARESTAB
Sandshrew Ruby & Sapphire MovesSandshrew Emerald Moves
Experimental
Physical Tank
Ability
Sand Veil
Item
Quick Claw
Best Nature for Sandshrew
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Physical Tank Moveset

  • Swords Dance
  • Rock Slide
  • Brick Break
  • EarthquakeSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Clamperl
ClamperlGood
Duskull
DuskullGood
Magcargo
MagcargoGood
→Gen IV — Diamond, Pearl & PlatinumE

Sandshrew saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Sandshrew maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sandveil with Oranberry, favoring a Impish nature.

Physical/Special split overhauled move damage
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM26
Earthquake
Ground100COMMONSTAB
Lv 13
Rapid Spin
Normal50COMMONCoverage
TM76
Stealth Rock
Rock—COMMONUtility
TM80
Rock Slide
Rock75COMMONCoverage
TM81
X-Scissor
Bug80RARECoverage
TM65
Shadow Claw
Ghost70RARECoverage
Sandshrew Diamond & Pearl MovesSandshrew Platinum Moves
Experimental
Hazard Setter
Ability
Sand Veil
Item
Oran BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Sandshrew
Impish+DEF
EVs

Hazard Setter Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Rapid Spin
  • Stealth Rock
  • Rock Slide

Recommended Teammates

Gligar
GligarGood
Munchlax
MunchlaxGood
Magnemite
MagnemiteGood
→Gen V — Black & White / B2W2E

Sandshrew saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Sandshrew maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sandrush with Eviolite, favoring a Hardy nature.

Gained Sand Rush as hidden abilityHidden Abilities became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 46
Earthquake
Ground100COMMONSTAB
Tutor
Stealth Rock
Rock—COMMONUtility
Lv 9
Rapid Spin
Normal50COMMONCoverage
Tutor
Knock Off
Dark65RARECoverage
Tutor
Super Fang
Normal—RARECoverage
Lv 3
Sand Attack
Ground—RARESTAB
Lv 42
Sandstorm
Rock—RAREUtility
Lv 17
Magnitude
Ground—RARESTAB
Sandshrew Black & White MovesSandshrew Black 2 & White 2 Moves
Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Sand Rush
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Sandshrew
HardyNEUTRAL
EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Stealth Rock
  • Rapid Spin
  • Knock Off

Recommended Teammates

Victreebel
VictreebelDecent
Simisear
SimisearDecent
Audino
AudinoDecent
→Gen VI — X & Y / ORASE

Sandshrew saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Sandshrew maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sandveil with Eviolite, favoring a Hardy nature.

Fairy type added to the gameMega Evolution became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 9
Rapid Spin
Normal50POPULARCoverage
Lv 42
Sandstorm
Rock—COMMONUtility
Tutor
Stealth Rock
Rock—COMMONUtility
Xfer
Double-Edge
Normal120COMMONCoverage
TM6
Toxic
Poison—COMMONUtility
Tutor
Super Fang
Normal—COMMONCoverage
Lv 46
Earthquake
Ground100COMMONSTAB
Sandshrew X & Y MovesSandshrew ORAS Moves
Experimental
Support
Ability
Sand Veil
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Sandshrew
HardyNEUTRAL
EVs

Support Moveset

  • Rapid Spin
  • SandstormUtility
  • Stealth Rock
  • Double Edge

Recommended Teammates

Furfrou
FurfrouGood
Persian
PersianGood
Furret
FurretGood
→Gen VII — Sun & Moon / USUME

Sandshrew saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Sandshrew maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sandrush with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.

Z-Moves became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 46
Earthquake
Ground100COMMONSTAB
Lv 9
Rapid Spin
Normal50COMMONCoverage
Tutor
Stealth Rock
Rock—COMMONUtility
Tutor
Knock Off
Dark65COMMONCoverage
Lv 38
Swords Dance
Normal—RAREUtility
Egg
Counter
Fighting—RARECoverage
Sandshrew Sun & Moon MovesSandshrew Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Moves
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Sand Rush
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Sandshrew
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Utility Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Rapid Spin
  • Stealth Rock
  • Knock Off

Recommended Teammates

Pidgeotto
PidgeottoDecent
Bulbasaur
BulbasaurDecent
Scyther
ScytherDecent
→Gen VIII — Sword & Shield / BDSPE

Sandshrew saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Sandshrew maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sandrush with Life Orb, favoring a Adamant nature.

Gigantamax became availableDynamax became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 45
Earthquake
Ground100POPULARSTAB
TM25
Protect
Normal—COMMONPriority
Xfer
Knock Off
Dark65COMMONCoverage
TM22
Rock Slide
Rock75COMMONCoverage
Egg
Hone Claws
Dark—COMMONUtility
Lv 15
Rapid Spin
Normal50COMMONCoverage
TR18
Leech Life
Bug80COMMONCoverage
Sandshrew Sword & Shield MovesSandshrew BDSP Moves
Experimental
Physical Attacker
Ability
Sand Rush
Item
Life OrbPOWER
Best Nature for Sandshrew
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Physical Attacker Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • ProtectFAST +4
  • Knock Off
  • Rock Slide

Recommended Teammates

Shelmet
ShelmetGood
Baltoy
BaltoyGood
Seedot
SeedotGood
→Gen IX — Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-AE

Sandshrew saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Sandshrew maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sandrush with Choice Band, favoring a Adamant nature.

Terastallization became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 45
Earthquake
Ground100POPULARSTAB
TM181
Knock Off
Dark65POPULARCoverage
TM12
Low Kick
Fighting—POPULARCoverage
TM83
Poison Jab
Poison80POPULARCoverage
Sandshrew Scarlet & Violet MovesSandshrew Legends Z-A Moves
Experimental
Physical Wallbreaker
Ability
Sand Rush
Item
Choice BandPOWER
Best Nature for Sandshrew
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Physical Wallbreaker Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Knock Off
  • Low Kick
  • Poison Jab

Recommended Teammates

Clefairy
ClefairyExcellent
Cinccino
CinccinoExcellent
Dachsbun
DachsbunExcellent

Sandshrew Weakness

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.

Sandshrew Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Grass, Ice
0.5x (Resist)Poison, Rock
0x (Immune)Electric

What is Sandshrew Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
2Resist
1Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
WaterGrassIce
½xResist
PoisonRock
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
Electric

What is Sandshrew Strong Against

5Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score+2
2xStrong
FireElectricPoisonRockSteel
½xResisted
GrassBug
0xImmune
Flying

Best Pokemon Against Sandshrew

Rillaboom can KO Sandshrew with Wood Hammer (236-277%). Swampert threatens a KO with Liquidation (102-120%). Baxcalibur deals 38-44% with Icicle Spear.

Evolution

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

2 Forms
Sandshrew
#027Sandshrew
22
Level 22
Sandslash
#028Sandslash
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Sandshrew
Ground
Sandslash
Ground
HP
50
75+25
ATK
75
100+25
DEF
85
110+25
SP.ATK
20
45+25
SP.DEF
30
55+25
SPE
40
65+25
BST
300D-Tier
450C-Tier+150
ROLE
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Sandshrew easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.

Egg Groups
Field
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy
12 of 278·

How to Get Sandshrew

All 20 games

Sandshrew starts showing up in early-game routes at moderate rates across 12 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.

Violet Exclusive — Trade with Scarlet for Vulpix

Where To Catch Sandshrew in SV

Sandshrew is your first catch on the way to Sandshrew. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 5-80 across 22 total spots in the chain.

  1. Sandshrew
    Step 1Sandshrew ✓
    Kitakami Wilds
    Lv.5-60Overworld
    Oni Mountain
    Lv.5-60Overworld
    Paradise Barrens
    Lv.5-60Overworld
    Revelers Road
    Lv.5-60Overworld
    Wistful Fields
    Lv.5-60Overworld
    Polar Biome
    Lv.50-80Overworld
    Violet
    Polar Biome
    Lv.62Overworld
    Violet
  2. Sandslash
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Sandslash
    Kitakami Road
    Lv.22-60Overworld
    Kitakami Wilds
    Lv.22-60Overworld
    Oni Mountain
    Lv.22-60Overworld
    Paradise Barrens
    Lv.22-60Overworld
    Revelers Road
    Lv.22-60Overworld
    or evolve from Sandshrew (Step 1)

Base Stats

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.

Base Stats
Avg
HP50
D
Attack75
C
Defense85
C
Sp. Atk20
F
Sp. Def30
F
Speed40
D
Total300
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.6 m
2'00"Small
Weight12.0 kg
26.5 lbsFeather
Base XP60
Low Yield
Abilities
Sand Veil
Increases evasion to 1.25× during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.
Sand RushHidden Ability
Doubles Speed during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

Life on mountains covered with deep snow has granted this Pokémon a body of ice that’s as hard as steel.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Sandshrew Guide

  • 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.

  • Sandshrew has an Alolan form that swaps the typing and reshuffles the stats. Introduced in Gen 7. Worth checking if the original version doesn't fit your team.

Game Availability

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

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