While most trainers evolve Sandshrew into Sandslash immediately, the unevolved form can still contribute in the right matchup. Electric moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively. Known as the Mouse Pokemon. The stat spread favors raw physical power.
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.
It burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection.
Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for prey.
Sandshrew Weakness
AvgSandshrew's Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Grass, and Ice moves. 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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
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.
How to Evolve
Breed Sandshrew easily with 102 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Counter, Crush Claw, Flail and 5 more to offspring.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 3.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 6 locations. Sandshrew's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations
6 walking spots from Lv. 6-34 for Sandshrew. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.
Sandshrew isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Sandslash to unlock its full potential. At 300 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash at level 22. Sandshrew is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Run Sand Rush on Sandshrew. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Sandshrew also gets Sand Veil, but they don't compare.
Sandshrew fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 75 Attack. Base 40 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Sandshrew appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Sandshrew first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 20 games across 9 generations. It later gained an Alolan form in Generation 7, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
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 VIISMAlolan
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