Sandslash Best Moveset
AbilitySand Rush doubles the 65 base Speed under sandstorm, and Held ItemHeavy Duty Boots blocks TermEntry Hazards damage on the switch. 100 Attack behind NatureAdamant pushes Ground TermStab into real damage territory. The moveset relies entirely on sand being active, but when it is, Sandslash outspeeds and breaks through.
Ground-type with decent Attack but Earthquake was everywhere on better Pokemon. Dugtrio was faster and Rhydon hit harder, leaving Sandslash without a clear role.
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Hyper Beam
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Swords Dance made Sandslash a legitimate physical threat in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Rapid Spin gave it a secondary role, and its bulk let it set up more reliably than frailer options.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance
- Hidden Power Bug
Recommended Teammates
Same formula worked in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Swords Dance plus Earthquake plus Rock Slide coverage was a solid offensive combo.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin
- Counter
Recommended Teammates
Speed held it back in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Faster Ground-types with better offensive profiles took Sandslash's spot.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Shadow Claw
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Sand Rush turned Sandslash into a speed demon under Sandstorm. Paired with Tyranitar's Sand Stream, it could outrun and sweep weakened teams.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Earth Power
Sand teams fell out of favor when weather was nerfed to five turns in Gen VI (X & Y). Without permanent Sand, Sandslash lost its main engine.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Same weather issues plus new competition. Z-Moves didn't help a Pokemon that needed setup AND weather support just to function.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Dynamax could set sand with Max Rockfall, but Sandslash still needed too many things to go right to actually threaten a sweep.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Drill Run
Recommended Teammates
No Dynamax, limited sand support in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Sandslash went back to being too slow without its weather boost.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Sandslash Weakness
Sandslash is weak to Fire, Fighting, and Ground. Watch out for Fire and Fighting attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Poison-type moves entirely. With 8 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Sandslash's physical bulk (base 120 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Fire, Fighting |
| 2x (Weak) | Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Grass, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Ice |
| 0x (Immune) | Poison |
What is Sandslash Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Sandslash
Gliscor's Earthquake hits Sandslash for 41-48%. Machamp's Close Combat also KOs at 254-299%.
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Gliscor builds →Earthquake 2x41-48% Knock Off13-16% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves View Volcarona builds →
| ||
 Machamp Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNoguard ItemFlame Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Machamp builds →Bullet Punch14-17% Close Combat 4x254-299%KO Stone Edge35-42% | ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandrush ItemAir Balloon NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x109-129%KO Rapid Spin9-11% | ||
Evolution
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. Defense grew the most through evolution (+35 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.
How to Get Alolan Sandslash
A solid number of locations for Sandslash with moderate rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Sandslash in SV
To get Sandslash, start by catching Sandshrew through walking encounters at Lv. 5-80. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch SandshrewKitakami WildsLv.5-60OverworldOni MountainLv.5-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.5-60OverworldRevelers RoadLv.5-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.5-60OverworldPolar BiomeLv.50-80OverworldVioletPolar BiomeLv.62OverworldViolet
Step 2Sandslash ✓Kitakami RoadLv.22-60OverworldKitakami WildsLv.22-60OverworldOni MountainLv.22-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.22-60OverworldRevelers RoadLv.22-60Overworldor evolve from Sandshrew (Step 1)
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 BDSP
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 CavernLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameRocky CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameSandsear CaveLv.58-63GrassShining PearlPost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-game
Step 2Sandslash ✓Big Bluff CavernLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameRocky CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameSandsear CaveLv.58-63GrassShining PearlPost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-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 SwSh
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 TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 56%RainingWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 56%SnowstormWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 56%Intense SunWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 56%Heavy FogWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 56%SnowingWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 56%OvercastWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 56%SandstormWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 56%ThunderstormWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 56%Normal Weather
Step 2Sandslash ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Sandslash egg.
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 LGPE
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 3Lv.3-8GrassLet's Go PikachuRate 20%Route 4Lv.7-12GrassLet's Go PikachuRate 20%Celadon CityLv.27In-game tradeLet's Go PikachuTrade for (give Sandshrew)
Step 2Sandslash ✓
Base Stats
Defense leads and Sp. Atk gets almost nothing. That's Sandslash's stat line in a nutshell. 2 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Defense EVs.
The spikes on its body are made up of its hardened hide. It rolls up and attacks foes with its spikes.
Sandslash Guide
Slush Rush changes the entire equation for Sandslash. The 450 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a tank.
Slush Rush is what you want on Sandslash. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Snow Cloak) work on paper but Slush 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 a tank.
The core moveset is Rapid Spin, Earthquake, Knock Off, and Swords Dance. Rapid Spin leads at 0% usage. Earthquake provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
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 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves