While most trainers evolve Sandshrew into Sandslash immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Electric moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively. Known as the Mouse Pokemon.
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.
Its ice-covered body lets it slide across the ground with bullet-like speed, sending its enemies flying when it hits them.
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.
Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. No compatible partners 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 from the Ground egg group.
Best Build
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.
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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
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 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