On paper, Sandslash looks underwhelming. In practice, Sand Rush doubles its Speed in sandstorm — and that's the whole story. Ground typing means Electric moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively. Known as the Mouse Pokemon.
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.
The spikes on its body are made up of its hardened hide. It rolls up and attacks foes with its spikes.
Sandslash Weakness
AvgSandslash is weak to Water, Grass, and Ice-type moves. 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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Evolved from Sandshrew. Sandslash is the final form in this two-stage line. No compatible partners 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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Sandslash to get Sandshrew eggs easily from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Chip Away, Counter, Crush Claw and 7 more.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 5.
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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 Earth Power.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
A solid number of locations for Sandslash with high spawn 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 Black 2 & White 2
To get Sandslash, start by catching Sandshrew through walking encounters at Lv. 19-64. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch SandshrewEASYDesert Resort - DesertBlack 2GrassLv.19-20UncommonMidDesertAnyEASYDesert Resort - DesertWhite 2GrassLv.19-20UncommonMidDesertAnyEASYDesert Resort - EntranceBlack 2GrassLv.19-20UncommonMidDesertAnyEASYDesert Resort - EntranceWhite 2GrassLv.19-20UncommonMidDesertAnyEASYRelic Castle - 1FWhite 2GrassLv.19-20UncommonMidRuinsAnyEASYRelic Castle - 1FBlack 2GrassLv.19-20UncommonMidRuinsAnyEASYRelic Castle - B1FWhite 2GrassLv.19-20UncommonMidRuinsAnyEASYRelic Castle - B1FBlack 2GrassLv.19-20UncommonMidRuinsAny
Step 2Sandslash ✓EASYRelic Castle - B2FBlack 2GrassLv.28-29UncommonMidRuinsAnyEASYRelic Castle - B2FWhite 2GrassLv.28-29UncommonMidRuinsAnyEASYRelic Castle - B3FBlack 2GrassLv.28-29UncommonMidRuinsAnyEASYRelic Castle - B3FWhite 2GrassLv.28-29UncommonMidRuinsAnyEASYRelic Castle - B4FWhite 2GrassLv.28-29UncommonMidRuinsAnyEASYRelic Castle - B4FBlack 2GrassLv.28-29UncommonMidRuinsAnyEASYRelic Castle - B5FWhite 2GrassLv.28-29UncommonMidRuinsAnyEASYRelic Castle - B5FBlack 2GrassLv.28-29UncommonMidRuinsAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 15White 2GrassLv.54-56CommonPostRouteAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 15Black 2GrassLv.54-56CommonPostRouteAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 15White 2GrassLv.62-64CommonPostRouteAnyDouble grassEFFORTLESSRoute 15Black 2GrassLv.62-64CommonPostRouteAnyDouble grassor evolve from Sandshrew (Step 1)
Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Sandslash. The 450 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked A-Tier as an attacker.
Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash at level 22. Sandslash is the fully evolved form. It sits at 450 BST in its evolved form.
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.
Sandslash appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Sandslash has appeared in 20 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received an Alolan form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- 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