Stats & Training
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 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Ice |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Rock |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
 Rillaboom Grass | S | |
Grass is super effective against SandshrewView Rillaboom → | ||
 Dondozo Water | A | |
Water is super effective against SandshrewView Dondozo → | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Ice is super effective against SandshrewView Weavile → | ||
 Toedscool GroundGrass | B | |
Grass is super effective against SandshrewView Toedscool → | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | B | |
Water is super effective against SandshrewView Swampert → | ||
In Scarlet & Violet, 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% | ||
Scarlet & Violet 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 206 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Counter, Flail, Hone Claws and 3 more to offspring.
Scarlet & Violet 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
Moves
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 High Horsepower, they expand what Sandshrew can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Sandshrew in Scarlet & Violet
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.
In Scarlet & Violet, 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 can find Sandshrew in Scarlet & Violet. The Locations section has the full breakdown of routes and encounter details. It also appears in 19 other games across the series.
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