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.
This is Sandslash’s form after adaptation to a frigid environment. The cold air emitted by its body sharpens its icy spikes.
This is Sandslash’s form after adaptation to a frigid environment. The cold air emitted by its body sharpens its icy spikes.
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 |
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 10 Surfing) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Gyarados builds →Hydro Pump 2x90-106%KO Waterfall 2x69-82% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Venusaur builds →Power Whip 2x73-86% Petal Dance 2x146-172%KO Razor Leaf 2x34-40% Vine Whip 2x29-34% | ||
 Parasect BugGrass | C | |
 Blastoise Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Blastoise builds →Bubble Beam 2x71-84% Bubble 2x44-52% Aqua Jet 2x25-30% Water Gun 2x44-52% | ||
 Golduck Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Golduck builds →Surf 2x105-124%KO Water Gun 2x47-56% | ||
In Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, Volcanion threatens a KO with Fire Blast (149-175%). Mamoswine deals 75-88% with Earthquake.
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureSassy Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
 Volcanion FireWater | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Volcanion builds →Sludge Bomb41-48% Fire Blast149-175%KO | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Mamoswine builds →Earthquake75-88% Ice Shard 2x60-71% Knock Off33-38% | ||
 Greninja WaterDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse92-108%KO Ice Beam 2x138-163%KO Hydro Pump 2x253-298%KO | ||
Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemFocus Sash NatureMild Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Venusaur builds →Sludge Bomb37-44% Giga Drain 2x124-146%KO | ||
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee Evolution
Evolved from Sandshrew. Sandslash is the final form in this two-stage line. A decent 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
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee 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
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Leveling does the heavy lifting. Sandslash picks up Earthquake and Hyper Beam along the way, building toward a complete offensive set. TMs add Fighting and Poison coverage and more, but the foundation's already strong by then.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Sandslash in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Sandslash doesn't appear wild. Catch Sandshrew instead, it shows up at decent rates. Evolve it at level 22 to get Sandslash. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Sandslash in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
To get Sandslash, start by catching Sandshrew through walking and trade encounters at Lv. 3-27. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch SandshrewRoute 3Grass Lv.3-8 Route20%EarlyRoute 4Grass Lv.7-12 Route20%EarlyCeladon CityIn-game trade Lv.27 CityMidTrade for (give Sandshrew)
Step 2Sandslash ✓
Sandslash Guide
In Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Sandslash. The 450 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker. Earthquake with Choice Band 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 an attacker.
In Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, 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