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.
Life on mountains covered with deep snow has granted this Pokémon a body of ice that’s as hard as steel.
It lives in snowy mountains on southern islands. When a blizzard rolls in, this Pokémon hunkers down in the snow to avoid getting blown away.
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 138 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Counter, Flail, Hone Claws and 3 more to offspring.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
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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 Earth Power, they expand what Sandshrew can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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
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.
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