Electric moves don't affect Sandslash at all — that's the advantage of Ground typing. It relies on good prediction to keep up. Known as the Mouse Pokemon. Built to hit on the physical side.
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 stat exp. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Adept at climbing trees, it rolls into a spiny ball, then attacks its enemies from above.
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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
Evolved from Sandshrew. Sandslash is the final form in this two-stage line. Plenty of 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 using 66 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Counter, Flail, Metal Claw and 2 more.
Best Build
Best Sandslash Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance
- Hidden Power Bug
Recommended Teammates
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 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Earthquake and Dig.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Sandslash starts showing up in mid-game routes at high spawn rates across 2 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 Crystal
Sandshrew is your first catch on the way to Sandslash. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 6-35 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SandshrewEFFORTLESSUnion Cave - 1FGrassLv.6CommonEarlyCaveMorning/dayEASYMt. Moon - 1FGrassLv.8UncommonEarlyCaveMorning/dayCHALLENGINGRoute 3GrassLv.10RareEarlyRouteMorning/dayCHALLENGINGRoute 4GrassLv.10RareEarlyRouteMorning/day
Step 2Sandslash ✓EFFORTLESSRoute 26GrassLv.28CommonMidRouteCHALLENGINGVictory Road - 1FGrassLv.35RareLateCaveMorning/dayor evolve from Sandshrew (Step 1)
We rate Sandslash C-Tier — a situational pick that fills a niche. At 450 BST, it fits the attacker role. Base 110 Defense stands out.
Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash at level 22. Sandslash is the fully evolved form. It sits at 450 BST in its evolved form.
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