Defense and Attack carry most of Sandslash's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Defense EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage.
It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage.
Sandslash is weak to Water, Grass, and Ice. On the flip side, it's immune to Electric-type moves entirely. Sandslash's physical bulk (base 110 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 |
Greninja can KO Sandslash with Surf (148-174%). Rillaboom's Wood Hammer hits Sandslash for 68-80%.
 Greninja WaterDark | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse66-77% Ice Beam 2x99-116%KO Surf 2x148-174%KO U Turn11-13% | ||
 Rillaboom Grass | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemAssault Vest NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Rillaboom builds →Wood Hammer 2x68-80% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityStickyhold ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Muk builds →Knock Off13-15% Shadow Sneak8-10% Drain Punch15-18% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Grafaiai builds →Knock Off11-13% U Turn12-14% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityOvergrow ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Venusaur builds →Sludge Bomb22-26% Giga Drain 2x74-87% Knock Off7-8% | ||
Evolved from Sandshrew. Sandslash is the final form in this two-stage line. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. HP grew the most through evolution (+25 over Sandshrew), and Sandslash peaks at 450 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Sandslash to get Sandshrew eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
Sandslash's job is getting Stealth Rock up and staying on the field. Rocky Helmet provides chip damage on every physical hit received, Sandrush helps it stick around, and max HP and Defense EVs prioritize longevity.
Best Build
Sandslash best EVs are HP and Defense
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Knock Off
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Leech Life
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Drill Run
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Leech Life
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Drill Run
Recommended Teammates
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.
Moves
TMs carry this one. Sandslash learns Earthquake and High Horsepower naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Poison and beyond give it real matchup play.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Egg moves make a real difference. Sandslash gets Counter and Crush Claw exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 9 types rounds out the picture alongside Earthquake and Dig.
Egg moves make a real difference. Sandslash gets Counter and Flail exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 8 types rounds out the picture alongside Earthquake and Earth Power.
Leveling does the heavy lifting. Sandslash picks up Earthquake and Hyper Beam along the way, building toward a complete offensive set. TMs add Fighting and Poison coverage and more, but the foundation's already strong by then.
Sandslash can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer Sandshrew from Blue, Yellow, or Black 2 and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Sandslash starts showing up in endgame routes at moderate rates across 4 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Sandslash in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Sandshrew is your first catch on the way to Sandslash. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 58-63 across 8 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SandshrewBig Bluff CavernGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRocky CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSandsear CaveGrass Lv.58-63 DesertPostPost-gameSpacious CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-game
Step 2Sandslash ✓Big Bluff CavernGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRocky CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSandsear CaveGrass Lv.58-63 DesertPostPost-gameSpacious CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameor evolve from Sandshrew (Step 1)
Can't catch Sandslash directly. Start with Sandshrew at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 22. The 2-stage line from Sandshrew to Sandslash is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Sandslash in Sword & Shield
The path to Sandslash starts with Sandshrew at Lv. 16-21 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SandshrewWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidNormal WeatherWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidOvercastWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidSnowstormWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidNormal WeatherWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidSnowstormWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidThunderstormWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidIntense SunWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidThunderstormWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidSnowingWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidIntense SunWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidSandstormWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidSnowingWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidRainingWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidSandstormWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidHeavy FogWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidRainingWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidOvercastWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidHeavy Fog
Step 2Sandslash ✓
Sandslash doesn't appear wild. Catch Sandshrew instead, it shows up at decent rates. Evolve it at level 22 to get Sandslash. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Sandslash in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
To get Sandslash, start by catching Sandshrew through walking and trade encounters at Lv. 3-27. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch SandshrewRoute 3Grass Lv.3-8 Route20%EarlyRoute 4Grass Lv.7-12 Route20%EarlyCeladon CityIn-game trade Lv.27 CityMidTrade for (give Sandshrew)
Step 2Sandslash ✓
Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Sandslash. The 450 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked A-Tier as an attacker.
Sand Rush is what you want on Sandslash. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Sand Veil) work on paper but Sand Rush is what makes Sandslash worth using.
At base 65 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Sandslash is a physical attacker with base 100 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.
Best way to handle Sandslash: Faster attackers outpace it. Anything with a super-effective STAB move and decent speed can revenge kill.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Sandslash has appeared in 20 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received an Alolan form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
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