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.
To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
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. 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 195 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Counter, Flail, Hone Claws and 3 more to offspring.
Still unevolved, still relevant. Sandshrew's Eviolite bulk with a spread EV build EVs creates a defensive profile that punches above its stage. Sandrush adds passive value. Earthquake gives it offensive presence.
Best Build
Best Sandshrew Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Life
Recommended Teammates
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
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