In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Sandslash. The 450 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker.

What is Sandslash weak to?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Sandslash's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Lapras (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.

What is the best ability for Sandslash?

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.

What role does Sandslash play in battle?

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.

What is Sandslash's hidden ability?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.

Sandslash - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Attacker

CTier

65Speed · Below Avg

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.

Base Stats

Above

HP75

Attack100

Defense110

Sp. Atk45

Sp. Def55

Speed65

Total450

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging90 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height1.0 m

Weight29.5 kg

Base XP158

Abilities

Sand Veil

Increases evasion to 1.25× during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.

Sand RushHANot in game

Doubles Speed during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.

EV Yield

HPAtkDef+2SpASpDSpe

Defense training target

Pokedex Entries

In an attempt to hide itself, it will run around at top speed to kick up a blinding dust storm.

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.

Sandslash Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Water, Grass, Ice
0.5x (Resist)	Poison, Rock
0x (Immune)	Electric

Type ChartAvg

3Weak

2Resist

1Immune

Score-1

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Water Grass Ice

½xResist

Poison Rock

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Electric

STAB (5)

Fire Electric Poison Rock Steel

How to Beat Sandslash in HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)

Gyarados WaterFlying	A
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves BlizzardTM14 Aqua TailLv. 35 Ice BeamTM13 SurfHM03 Damage vs Sandslash Blizzard 2x 61-72% Aqua Tail 2x 79-93% Ice Beam 2x 50-59% Surf 2x 75-89% View Gyarados builds →
Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 135-160%KO Energy Ball 2x 102-120%KO Vine Whip 2x 33-39% Bullet Seed 2x 20-25% View Carnivine builds →
Tangela Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 26 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 146-172%KO Energy Ball 2x 111-130%KO Vine Whip 2x 23-27% Mega Drain 2x 50-59% View Tangela builds →
Delibird IceFlying	D
Available Moves Moves BlizzardTM14 Ice BeamTM13 AvalancheTM72 Damage vs Sandslash Blizzard 2x 96-113%KO Ice Beam 2x 79-93% Avalanche 2x 29-34% View Delibird builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainLv. 37 Mega DrainLv. 25 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 69-81% Energy Ball 2x 52-61% Giga Drain 2x 43-52% Mega Drain 2x 25-30% View Hoppip builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver 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

2 Forms

#027Sandshrew

Level 22

#028Sandslash

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Sandshrew

Ground

Sandslash

Ground

75+25

ATK

100+25

DEF

110+25

SP.ATK

45+25

SP.DEF

55+25

SPE

65+25

BST

300C-Tier

450A-Tier+150

ROLE

Balanced

Attacker

TYPE

Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

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 7 more.

Egg Groups

Ground

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

10moves

Breed With (best first)

HeartGold & SoulSilver Sandslash Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

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 Earth Power.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Lv 1

Sand Attack

D—10015Ground

Lv 1

Scratch

—4010035Normal

Lv 3

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Lv 7

Sand Attack

D—10015Ground

Lv 9

Poison Sting

—1510035Poison

Lv 13

Rapid Spin

D5010040Normal

Lv 15

Swift

—60—20Normal

Lv 19

Fury Swipes

—188015Normal

Lv 21

Rollout

—309020Rock

Lv 22

Crush Claw

—759510Normal

Lv 28

Fury Cutter

—109520Bug

Lv 33

Sand Tomb

—358515Ground

Lv 40

Slash

—7010020Normal

Lv 45

Gyro Ball

D—1005Steel

Lv 52

Sandstorm

———10Rock

TM Moves

TM40

Aerial Ace

C60—20Flying

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM31

Brick Break

C7510015Fighting

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

HM01

Cut

—509530Normal

TM28

Dig

B8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM26

Earthquake

B10010010Ground

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM42

Facade

C7010020Normal

TM56

Fling

——10010Dark

TM52

Focus Blast

D120705Fighting

TM01

Focus Punch-3

B15010020Fighting

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM68

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM74

Gyro Ball

D—1005Steel

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM23

Iron Tail

C1007515Steel

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM84

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

HM08

Rock Climb

—908520Normal

TM80

Rock Slide

C759010Rock

HM06

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM39

Rock Tomb

D609510Rock

TM37

Sandstorm

———10Rock

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM65

Shadow Claw

C7010015Ghost

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM76

Stealth Rock

C——20Rock

TM71

Stone Edge

C100805Rock

HM04

Strength

C8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM75

Swords Dance

C——30Normal

TM46

Thief

—6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

TM81

X-Scissor

C8010015Bug

Egg Moves

Egg

Counter-5

D—10020Fighting

Egg

Crush Claw

—759510Normal

Egg

Flail

——10015Normal

Egg

Metal Claw

—509535Steel

Egg

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Egg

Night Slash

C7010015Dark

Egg

Rapid Spin

D5010040Normal

Egg

Rock Slide

C759010Rock

Egg

Safeguard

D——25Normal

Egg

Swords Dance

C——30Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Earth Power

C9010010Ground

Tutor

Fury Cutter

—109520Bug

Tutor

Headbutt

C7010015Normal

Tutor

Knock Off

C6510020Dark

Tutor

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Tutor

Rollout

—309020Rock

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Tutor

Super Fang

D—9010Normal

Tutor

Swift

—60—20Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

B12010015Normal

Gen 3

Dynamic Punch

D100505Fighting

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 3

Seismic Toss

D—10020Fighting

How to Get Sandslash in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Easy grab on Sandslash with high spawn rates across 4 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.

Where To Catch Sandslash in HeartGold & SoulSilver

To get Sandslash, start by catching Sandshrew through walking and gift encounters at Lv. 6-28. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

Step 1Catch Sandshrew
Union Cave - 1F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.6 Cave
CommonEarly
Union Cave - B1F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.8 Cave
CommonEarly
Mt. Moon - 1F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.8 Cave
UncommonEarly
Mt. Moon - 2F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.8 Cave
UncommonEarly
Goldenrod City - Game Corner
SoulSilverGift from NPC Lv.15 City
LimitedEarly
Purchase: 700 coins
Train until Level 22
Step 2Sandslash ✓
Mt. Moon - 1F
Grass Lv.10 Cave
RareEarly
Mt. Moon - 2F
Grass Lv.10 Cave
RareEarly
Route 26
Grass Lv.28 Route
CommonMid
Route 27
Grass Lv.20 Route
RareMid
or evolve from Sandshrew (Step 1)

Sandslash Guide

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Sandslash. The 450 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Sandslash's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Lapras (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.
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 HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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

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Buizel Water	C
Available Move Moves Water GunLv. 6 Damage vs Sandslash Water Gun 2x 43-51% View Buizel builds →
Whiscash WaterGround	C
Upcoming Move Moves Water GunLv. 10 Learns Water Gun at Level 10 View Whiscash builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Sandslash Razor Leaf 2x 34-43% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Sandslash Vine Whip 2x 34-43% View Bellsprout builds →
Totodile Water	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Water GunLv. 6 Damage vs Sandslash Water Gun 2x 34-43% View Totodile builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Vine Whip 2x 37-44% Bullet Seed 2x 22-28% View Carnivine builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
TM Move Moves Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Bullet Seed 2x 13-17% View Hoppip builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Sandslash Bullet Seed 2x 19-22% Absorb 2x 22-28% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 6 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Razor Leaf 2x 28-33% Bullet Seed 2x 19-22% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Vine Whip 2x 31-39% Bullet Seed 2x 19-22% View Bellsprout builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 138-164%KO Energy Ball 2x 103-123%KO Vine Whip 2x 38-45% Bullet Seed 2x 23-27% View Carnivine builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 77-91% Energy Ball 2x 58-68% Bullet Seed 2x 15-18% View Hoppip builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 120-141%KO Energy Ball 2x 92-109%KO Bullet Seed 2x 15-18% Absorb 2x 23-27% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 88-105%KO Energy Ball 2x 68-82% Magical Leaf 2x 45-55% Razor Leaf 2x 30-36% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 115-136%KO Energy Ball 2x 88-105%KO Vine Whip 2x 30-36% Bullet Seed 2x 18-23% View Bellsprout builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 136-161%KO Energy Ball 2x 101-120%KO Vine Whip 2x 35-41% Bullet Seed 2x 21-26% View Carnivine builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 25 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 73-86% Energy Ball 2x 56-68% Mega Drain 2x 28-34% Bullet Seed 2x 13-15% View Hoppip builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 21 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 120-143%KO Energy Ball 2x 91-109%KO Mega Drain 2x 44-53% Bullet Seed 2x 15-19% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 89-105%KO Energy Ball 2x 66-79% Magical Leaf 2x 48-56% Razor Leaf 2x 28-34% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 111-131%KO Energy Ball 2x 85-101%KO Vine Whip 2x 31-38% Bullet Seed 2x 19-23% View Bellsprout builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 134-158%KO Energy Ball 2x 99-118%KO Vine Whip 2x 34-40% Bullet Seed 2x 21-25% View Carnivine builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 25 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 70-84% Energy Ball 2x 53-62% Mega Drain 2x 26-31% Bullet Seed 2x 12-15% View Hoppip builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 21 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 115-136%KO Energy Ball 2x 89-105%KO Mega Drain 2x 41-49% Bullet Seed 2x 12-15% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 84-99% Energy Ball 2x 65-77% Magical Leaf 2x 44-53% Razor Leaf 2x 26-31% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Sandslash Solar Beam 2x 110-130%KO Energy Ball 2x 84-99% Vine Whip 2x 29-34% Bullet Seed 2x 18-22% View Bellsprout builds →

Swampert WaterGround	B
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves EarthquakeSTAB Stealth Rock Ice Beam WaterfallSTAB Damage vs Sandslash Earthquake 37-44% Ice Beam 2x 63-74% Waterfall 2x 60-71% View Swampert builds →
Roserade GrassPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves Toxic Spikes Hidden Power Fire SpikesHazard Sleep Powder View Roserade builds →
Weavile DarkIce	B
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves Ice Shard Night Slash Low Kick PursuitSTAB Damage vs Sandslash Ice Shard 2x 40-47% Pursuit 20-24% View Weavile builds →
Venusaur GrassPoison	C
Recommended Build AbilityOvergrow ItemBlack Sludge NatureCalm Moves Sleep Powder Leech Seed Giga Drain Sludge Bomb Damage vs Sandslash Giga Drain 2x 93-109%KO Sludge Bomb 27-33% View Venusaur builds →