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 |
 Budew GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Budew builds →Energy Ball 2x79-95% Giga Drain 2x66-79% Bullet Seed 2x18-24% Absorb 2x26-32% | ||
 Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Surskit builds →Scald 2x74-87% Giga Drain 2x45-53% Water Pulse 2x53-63% Water Gun 2x39-47% | ||
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Psyduck builds →Surf 2x87-103%KO Waterfall 2x45-55% Scald 2x79-95% Brine 2x66-79% | ||
Budew GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Budew builds →Energy Ball 2x70-84% Giga Drain 2x58-70% Bullet Seed 2x16-21% Absorb 2x23-28% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Surskit builds →Scald 2x65-77% Giga Drain 2x40-47% Water Pulse 2x47-56% Water Gun 2x35-42% | ||
 Buizel Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Buizel builds →Surf 2x77-91% Waterfall 2x47-56% Scald 2x70-84% Brine 2x58-70% | ||
 Shellos Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Shellos builds →Surf 2x77-91% Scald 2x70-84% Brine 2x58-70% Water Pulse 2x51-63% | ||
Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Psyduck builds →Surf 2x81-98% Waterfall 2x40-49% Scald 2x70-84% Brine 2x58-70% | ||
 Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Abomasnow builds →Solar Beam 2x138-163%KO Blizzard 2x127-150%KO Energy Ball 2x102-121%KO Ice Beam 2x102-121%KO | ||
 Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Bibarel builds →Blizzard 2x57-68% Surf 2x72-86% Ice Beam 2x48-57% Waterfall 2x54-64% | ||
Budew GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Budew builds →Solar Beam 2x89-105%KO Energy Ball 2x67-80% Giga Drain 2x56-67% Bullet Seed 2x11-13% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Surskit builds →Solar Beam 2x60-70% Blizzard 2x54-64% Ice Beam 2x45-53% Scald 2x60-70% | ||
Buizel Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Buizel builds →Blizzard 2x61-72% Surf 2x76-89% Ice Beam 2x50-60% Waterfall 2x43-51% | ||
Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Abomasnow builds →Solar Beam 2x138-163%KO Blizzard 2x127-150%KO Energy Ball 2x102-121%KO Ice Beam 2x102-121%KO | ||
Budew GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Budew builds →Solar Beam 2x89-105%KO Energy Ball 2x67-80% Giga Drain 2x56-67% Bullet Seed 2x11-13% | ||
 Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Wingull builds →Blizzard 2x57-68% Ice Beam 2x48-57% Scald 2x65-77% Brine 2x54-64% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Surskit builds →Solar Beam 2x60-70% Blizzard 2x54-64% Ice Beam 2x45-53% Scald 2x60-70% | ||
 Marill WaterFairy | D | |
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Marill builds →Hydro Pump 2x51-61% Blizzard 2x34-40% Aqua Tail 2x27-32% Surf 2x40-48% | ||
Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Abomasnow builds →Solar Beam 2x135-159%KO Blizzard 2x123-146%KO Energy Ball 2x101-119%KO Ice Beam 2x101-119%KO | ||
Budew GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Budew builds →Solar Beam 2x86-103%KO Energy Ball 2x66-78% Giga Drain 2x55-65% Bullet Seed 2x11-14% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Wingull builds →Blizzard 2x56-67% Ice Beam 2x46-54% Scald 2x61-73% Brine 2x50-59% | ||
Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Psyduck builds →Hydro Pump 2x94-111%KO Blizzard 2x62-74% Aqua Tail 2x41-49% Ice Beam 2x51-61% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Surskit builds →Solar Beam 2x58-68% Blizzard 2x53-63% Ice Beam 2x44-52% Scald 2x59-70% | ||
Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Abomasnow builds →Solar Beam 2x133-156%KO Blizzard 2x122-144%KO Energy Ball 2x100-118%KO Ice Beam 2x100-118%KO | ||
 Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x143-169%KO Energy Ball 2x109-129%KO Giga Drain 2x92-108%KO Magical Leaf 2x72-86% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Wingull builds →Blizzard 2x55-66% Ice Beam 2x45-54% Scald 2x61-73% Brine 2x51-61% | ||
Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Psyduck builds →Hydro Pump 2x94-111%KO Blizzard 2x62-74% Aqua Tail 2x40-48% Ice Beam 2x51-61% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Surskit builds →Solar Beam 2x57-67% Blizzard 2x52-62% Ice Beam 2x44-52% Scald 2x57-68% | ||
 Delibird Ice | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Delibird builds →Blizzard 2x91-108%KO Ice Beam 2x75-89% Avalanche 2x27-33% Water Pulse 2x34-41% | ||
Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Abomasnow builds →Solar Beam 2x131-155%KO Blizzard 2x120-141%KO Energy Ball 2x99-117%KO Ice Beam 2x99-117%KO | ||
 Sneasel DarkIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Sneasel builds →Blizzard 2x62-73% Surf 2x33-39% Ice Beam 2x49-59% Avalanche 2x41-49% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x139-164%KO Energy Ball 2x105-124%KO Giga Drain 2x89-105%KO Magical Leaf 2x71-84% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Wingull builds →Blizzard 2x54-64% Ice Beam 2x45-53% Scald 2x59-70% Brine 2x49-59% | ||
Delibird Ice | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Delibird builds →Blizzard 2x91-108%KO Ice Beam 2x75-89% Avalanche 2x27-33% Water Pulse 2x34-41% | ||
Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Abomasnow builds →Solar Beam 2x131-155%KO Blizzard 2x120-141%KO Energy Ball 2x99-117%KO Ice Beam 2x99-117%KO | ||
Sneasel DarkIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Sneasel builds →Blizzard 2x62-73% Surf 2x33-39% Ice Beam 2x49-59% Avalanche 2x41-49% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x139-164%KO Energy Ball 2x105-124%KO Giga Drain 2x89-105%KO Magical Leaf 2x71-84% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Wingull builds →Blizzard 2x54-64% Ice Beam 2x45-53% Scald 2x59-70% Brine 2x49-59% | ||
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Weavile's Ice Shard hits Sandslash for 40-47%. Slowking threatens a KO with Scald (95-112%). Venusaur's Giga Drain also KOs at 162-190%.
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Weavile builds →Knock Off32-38% Ice Shard 2x40-47% | ||
 Slowking WaterPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemColbur Berry NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Slowking builds →Scald 2x95-112%KO | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Venusaur builds →Sludge Bomb48-57% Giga Drain 2x162-190%KO | ||
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl 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 131 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Counter, Crush Claw, Flail and 6 more.
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Sandslash Best Moveset
Sandslash runs Swords Dance to boost before sweeping. Sandrush and Adamant nature shape the build, with max Attack and Speed EVs to capitalize after one turn of setup, plus the remaining moves to back it up.
Best Build
Sandslash best EVs are Attack and Speed
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
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Sandslash in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
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)
Sandslash Guide
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Sandslash. The 450 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a hazard setter. Earthquake with Life Orb is the standard set.
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 a hazard setter.
For Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, the core moveset is Earthquake, Knock Off, Swords Dance, and Leechlife. Earthquake leads at 21% 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 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