Stats & Training
Sandshrew's all-in on Defense at the expense of Sp. Atk. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 1 Defense EV and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It digs deep burrows to live in. When in danger, it rolls up its body to withstand attacks.
No matter how high a place it falls from, this Pokémon can save itself by rolling in a ball and bouncing.
Sandshrew Weakness
Sandshrew's Ice/Steel typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire, Fighting, and Ground. Fire and Fighting hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Poison-type attacks completely. 8 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Sandshrew's physical bulk (base 90 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Fire, Fighting |
| 2x (Weak) | Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Grass, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Ice |
| 0x (Immune) | Poison |
Volcarona can KO Sandshrew with Heat Wave (370-436%). Annihilape threatens a KO with Drain Punch (120-142%). Krookodile's Close Combat also KOs at 148-174%.
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemGrassyseed NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Volcarona builds →Heat Wave 4x370-436%KO | ||
 Annihilape FightingGhost | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDefiant ItemSitrus Berry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Annihilape builds →Drain Punch 4x120-142%KO | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x93-110%KO Knock Off30-36% Close Combat 4x148-174%KO | ||
 Urshifu FightingDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnseenfist ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Urshifu builds →Close Combat 4x262-309%KO Sucker Punch39-45% | ||
 Blaziken FireFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySpeed Boost ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves View Blaziken builds →
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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
Breeding
Breed Sandshrew easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
Sandshrew Best Moveset
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 Steel Beam and Blizzard 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 Iron Tail and Metal Claw, they expand what Sandshrew can actually threaten in practice.
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 Steel Roller and Blizzard, they expand what Sandshrew can actually threaten in practice.
Without TMs, Sandshrew's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 7 types on top of Blizzard and Iron Tail for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
How to Get Alolan Sandshrew
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.
Sandshrew Guide
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 Ice/Steel 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.
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
- 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