The Mouse Pokemon. Sandshrew is a Blue version exclusive with Ground typing that's useful against Lt. Surge's Gym in Red & Blue.
310HP50Attack75Defense85Speed40Sp.Def30Sp.Atk30
Sandshrew
Sandslash
Weak to
Physical
Balanced
40Speed · Very Slow

Is Sandshrew Good in Red & Blue Playthrough?

Blue version only. Sandshrew fills the Ground-type slot early, which helps against Lt. Surge and later Giovanni. Slow and can't take special hits well, but the physical side holds up. Sandslash is the real destination.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTTSESESSEGGEEBrockGym 1SandshrewCatchableMistyGym 2SandslashEvolveSurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Tough

Brock's typing presses Sandshrew's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Avoid
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreechBide
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's team hits Sandshrew's weaknesses hard.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleWater Gun
Risky
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunBubble Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Strong

Sandslash resists most of Lt. Surge's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
TackleScreechSonic Boom
Easy KO
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Thunder ShockGrowlThunder WaveQuick Attack
Easy KO
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Thunder ShockGrowlThunderbolt
Erika
Gym 4
Even

Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

Even
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafWrapPoison PowderSleep Powder
Even
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
ConstrictBind
Even
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DancePoison PowderMega DrainSleep Powder
Koga
Gym 5
Strong

Sandslash resists most of Koga's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
TackleSmogSludgeSmokescreen
Easy KO
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
DisablePoison GasMinimizeSludge
Easy KO
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
TackleSmogSludgeSmokescreen
You Win
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludgeToxicSelf Destruct
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
DisablePsybeamRecoverPsychic
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
Psychic
Soundproof
ConfusionBarrierLight ScreenDouble Slap
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Poison PowderLeech LifeStun SporePsybeam
Even
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsywaveReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Strong

Sandslash resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
EmberLeerTake DownAgility
Easy KO
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
Tail WhipStompGrowlFire Spin
Easy KO
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
Tail WhipStompGrowlFire Spin
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
RoarEmberFire BlastTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Strong

Sandslash resists most of Giovanni's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
StompTail WhipFury AttackHorn Drill
You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
GrowlDigSand AttackSlash
Easy KO
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ScratchTail WhipBody SlamPoison Sting
Easy KO
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
TackleHorn AttackPoison StingThrash
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
StompTail WhipFissureHorn Drill
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

Even
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
GrowlAurora BeamRestTake Down
Even
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampAurora BeamSpike Cannon
Even
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
GrowlWater GunWithdrawAmnesia
Even
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchBody SlamThrash
Even
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Sandslash has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchMega PunchCounter
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Jump KickFocus EnergyHigh Jump KickMega Kick
You Win
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
Even
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerFocus EnergyFissureSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

Sandslash has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.

You Win
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
Even
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicConfuse RayWing AttackHaze
You Win
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
Easy KO
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
BiteGlareScreechAcid
You Win
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeToxicDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
SupersonicBiteTake DownHyper Beam
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
AgilitySlamBarrierHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Even

Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Even
Pidgeot
Lv 61
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
WhirlwindWing AttackSky AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsychicReflect
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 61
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Tail WhipFury AttackHorn DrillLeer
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
BarrageHypnosisStomp
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 63
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
Even
Charizard
Lv 65
FireFlying
Blaze
RageSlashFire BlastFire Spin

Catchable

Available after Badge 1
Type
Ground
Tier
E

Catch Sandshrew on Route 4 (walking, Lv 6-12, common).

View Sandshrew locations

Evolve Sandshrew to Sandslash

Level 22
Type
Ground
Tier
E

Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash at Level 22. Your Sandshrew should hit Level 22 before you reach Lt. Surge, at typical leveling pace.

View Sandslash locations

Recommended Moves

How to Get Sandshrew in Red & Blue

Blue exclusive in the wild, with six common spots across the central routes. Red players catch Sandshrew only by trading for one, since the desert mouse never spawns on their side.

Blue Exclusive: Trade with Red for Ekans. See every Red & Blue version exclusive

6 locations to catch Sandshrew

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8

Where To Catch Sandshrew in RB

Sandshrew is where the line starts, caught through walking encounters at Lv. 6-26. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in Red & Blue for Sandshrew.

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.

Sandshrew Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Grass, Ice
0.5x (Resist)Poison, Rock
0x (Immune)Electric
Gen I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

What is Sandshrew Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
2Resist
1Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Sandshrew Strong Against

4Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score+1
½xResisted
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Sandshrew

C
Ivysaur
Ivysaur
GrassPoison
C

Sandshrew Evolutions

A Ground type with 310 stats, Sandshrew has a chain leading to Sandslash. Breeding won't work. The evolved forms gain up to 140 total stats over Sandshrew. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Sandshrew
Ground
Sandslash
Ground
HP
50
75+25
ATK
75
100+25
DEF
85
110+25
SP.ATK
20
45+25
SP.DEF
30
55+25
SPE
40
65+25
BST
300E-Tier
450E-Tier+150
ROLE
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

RB Sandshrew Best Moveset

Decent Attack for MoveEarthquake but nothing else noteworthy. Ground TermStab handles Electric and Rock matchups, and the physical bulk absorbs a few hits. Functional in lower tiers without standing out.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Sandshrew
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Swords Dance
  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Rock Slide
  • SubstituteUtility

Moves List

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

Lv 1
Scratch
—4010035Normal
Lv 10
Sand Attack
D—10015Ground
Lv 17
Slash
D7010020Normal
Lv 24
Poison Sting
D1510035Poison
Lv 31
Swift
D60—20Normal
Lv 38
Fury Swipes
—188015Normal

TM Moves

All 21 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM34D——10Normal
TM08
Body SlamS.S. Annebadge 2
C8510015Normal
HM01
CutS.S. Annebadge 2
—509530Normal
TM32
Double TeamSafari Zonebadge 3
———15Normal
TM10
Double-EdgeRocket Hideoutbadge 3
C12010015Normal
TM26
EarthquakeSilph Co.badge 5
S15010010Ground
TM27——305Ground
TM31
MimicSaffron Citybadge 5
D——10Normal
TM20
RageRoute 15badge 3
D2010020Normal
TM44
RestS.S. Annebadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM48S759010Rock
TM19
Seismic TossRoute 25badge 1
D—10020Fighting
TM40
Skull BashSafari Zonebadge 4
C10010010Normal
HM04
StrengthFuchsia Citybadge 4
—8010015Normal
TM17
SubmissionCeladon Department Storebadge 3
D808025Fighting
TM50
SubstituteRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
S——10Normal
TM39
SwiftRoute 12 Gate 2Fbadge 2
D60—20Normal
TM03
Swords DanceSilph Co.badge 5
S——30Normal
TM09
Take DownSilph Co.badge 3
D908520Normal
TM06C—9010Poison

Tutor Moves

Sandshrew can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP50
D
Attack75
C
Defense85
C
Sp. Atk30
F
Sp. Def30
F
Speed40
D
Total310
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.6 m
Weight12.0 kg
Base XP60
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.

Pokemon Red / Pokemon Blue

Sandshrew Red & Blue Guide

  • In Red & Blue, 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.

  • Sandshrew has an Alolan form that swaps the typing and reshuffles the stats. Introduced in Gen 7. Worth checking if the original version doesn't fit your team.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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