Stats & Training
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 Weakness
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Pansage Grass | D | |
Obtain MethodDreamyard Gift | ||
 Snivy Grass | D | |
Obtain MethodNuvema Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Snivy builds →Leaf Tornado 2x50-59% Vine Whip 2x23-27% | ||
 Panpour Water | D | |
Obtain MethodDreamyard Gift | ||
 Oshawott Water | D | |
Obtain MethodNuvema Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Oshawott builds →Razor Shell 2x42-50% Water Gun 2x38-45% | ||
 Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
 Virizion GrassFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodPinwheel Forest Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Virizion builds →Solar Beam 2x134-158%KO Magical Leaf 2x69-81% | ||
 Whimsicott Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Whimsicott builds →Solar Beam 2x120-142%KO Mega Drain 2x45-53% | ||
 Lilligant Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Lilligant builds →Solar Beam 2x158-186%KO Mega Drain 2x54-65% | ||
 Swadloon BugGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Swadloon builds →Solar Beam 2x89-105%KO Razor Leaf 2x34-41% | ||
 Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Virizion GrassFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodPinwheel Forest Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Virizion builds →Solar Beam 2x126-148%KO Magical Leaf 2x66-78% | ||
Whimsicott Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Whimsicott builds →Solar Beam 2x113-134%KO Mega Drain 2x41-49% | ||
Lilligant Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Lilligant builds →Solar Beam 2x149-176%KO Mega Drain 2x53-64% | ||
 Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x144-169%KO Giga Drain 2x93-109%KO Needle Arm 2x39-46% Mega Drain 2x51-60% | ||
Swadloon BugGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Swadloon builds →Solar Beam 2x84-99% Razor Leaf 2x29-35% | ||
Virizion GrassFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodPinwheel Forest Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Virizion builds →Solar Beam 2x134-158%KO Magical Leaf 2x68-80% | ||
Whimsicott Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Whimsicott builds →Solar Beam 2x118-139%KO Mega Drain 2x41-49% | ||
Lilligant Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Lilligant builds →Solar Beam 2x155-182%KO Mega Drain 2x55-65% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x152-179%KO Giga Drain 2x97-114%KO Needle Arm 2x39-46% Mega Drain 2x53-62% | ||
 Ducklett Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Ducklett builds →Scald 2x55-65% Bubble Beam 2x44-53% Water Pulse 2x41-49% Water Gun 2x29-34% | ||
Virizion GrassFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodPinwheel Forest Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Virizion builds →Solar Beam 2x134-158%KO Magical Leaf 2x68-81% | ||
 Leavanny BugGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Leavanny builds →Solar Beam 2x110-131%KO Razor Leaf 2x42-50% | ||
Whimsicott Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Whimsicott builds →Solar Beam 2x120-142%KO Mega Drain 2x42-50% | ||
Lilligant Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Lilligant builds →Solar Beam 2x157-186%KO Mega Drain 2x54-64% | ||
Ducklett Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Ducklett builds →Scald 2x54-64% Bubble Beam 2x44-53% Water Pulse 2x42-50% Water Gun 2x28-33% | ||
Virizion GrassFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodPinwheel Forest Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Virizion builds →Solar Beam 2x133-156%KO Giga Drain 2x83-98% Magical Leaf 2x68-81% | ||
Leavanny BugGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Leavanny builds →Solar Beam 2x109-129%KO Leaf Blade 2x66-78% Razor Leaf 2x40-48% | ||
Whimsicott Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Whimsicott builds →Solar Beam 2x118-139%KO Mega Drain 2x40-48% | ||
Lilligant Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Lilligant builds →Solar Beam 2x154-182%KO Mega Drain 2x53-63% | ||
Ducklett Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Ducklett builds →Surf 2x60-71% Scald 2x53-63% Bubble Beam 2x45-53% Water Pulse 2x40-48% | ||
Virizion GrassFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodPinwheel Forest Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Virizion builds →Solar Beam 2x133-157%KO Giga Drain 2x84-99% Magical Leaf 2x68-81% | ||
Leavanny BugGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Leavanny builds →Solar Beam 2x109-129%KO Leaf Blade 2x66-78% Razor Leaf 2x41-48% | ||
Whimsicott Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Whimsicott builds →Solar Beam 2x118-138%KO Mega Drain 2x41-48% | ||
Lilligant Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Lilligant builds →Solar Beam 2x157-185%KO Mega Drain 2x55-65% | ||
Ducklett Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Ducklett builds →Surf 2x61-72% Scald 2x55-65% Bubble Beam 2x45-53% Water Pulse 2x41-48% | ||
In Black & White, Politoed can KO Sandslash with Scald (88-104%). Breloom's Bullet Seed hits Sandslash for 38-45%. Mamoswine's Earthquake also KOs at 85-100%.
 Politoed Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Politoed builds →Scald 2x88-104%KO | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Breloom builds →Mach Punch30-35% Bullet Seed 2x38-45% | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Mamoswine builds →Earthquake85-100%KO Ice Shard 2x69-81% Superpower68-80% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityOvergrow ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Venusaur builds →Giga Drain 2x115-135%KO Sludge Bomb34-40% | ||
Black & White 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. 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 181 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Chip Away, Counter, Crush Claw and 7 more.
Black & White Sandslash Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 5.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Egg moves make a real difference. Sandslash gets Chip Away and Counter 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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Sandslash in Black & White
high spawn rates for Sandslash across 4 locations in endgame routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Sandslash in Black & White
The path to Sandslash starts with Sandshrew at Lv. 47-49 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Obtain Sandshrew
Step 2Sandslash ✓Relic Castle - B6FBlackGrass Lv.47-49 RuinsCommonPostAnyRelic Castle - B6FWhiteGrass Lv.47-49 RuinsCommonPostAnyRelic Castle - B7FBlackGrass Lv.47-49 RuinsCommonPostAnyRelic Castle - B7FWhiteGrass Lv.47-49 RuinsCommonPostAnyor evolve from Sandshrew (Step 1)
Sandslash Guide
In Black & White, Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Sandslash. The 450 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-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.
In Black & White, Sand Rush is the hidden ability. It doubles Speed during a sandstorm. Worth hunting for if you want Sandslash to compete at a higher level.
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 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