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.
Sandslash’s body is covered by tough spikes, which are hardened sections of its hide. Once a year, the old spikes fall out, to be replaced with new spikes that grow out from beneath the old ones.
Sandslash can roll up its body as if it were a ball covered with large spikes. In battle, this Pokémon will try to make the foe flinch by jabbing it with its spines. It then leaps at the stunned foe to tear wildly with its sharp claws.
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 |
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Serperior can KO Sandslash with Leaf Storm (128-151%). Weavile's Ice Shard hits Sandslash for 36-42%. Gastrodon's Scald also KOs at 87-103%.
 Serperior Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityContrary ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Serperior builds →Leaf Storm 2x128-151%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Weavile builds →Knock Off29-34% Ice Shard 2x36-42% Pursuit18-21% | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityStormdrain ItemLeftovers NatureQuiet Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Gastrodon builds →Scald 2x87-103%KO | ||
 Greninja WaterDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityProtean ItemAssault Vest NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse56-66% Scald 2x112-132%KO Blizzard 2x103-121%KO | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Venusaur builds →Sludge Bomb40-47% Giga Drain 2x134-157%KO | ||
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire 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 200 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Chip Away, Counter, Crush Claw and 8 more.
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Sandslash Best Moveset
Sandslash's job is getting Stealth Rock up and staying on the field. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Sandrush helps it stick around, and max HP and Defense EVs prioritize longevity.
Best Build
Sandslash best EVs are HP and Defense
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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
How to Get Sandslash in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Can't catch Sandslash directly. Start with Sandshrew at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 22. The 2-stage line from Sandshrew to Sandslash is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Sandslash in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
To get Sandslash, start by catching Sandshrew through walking encounters at Lv. 11-23. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch SandshrewRoute 111 - DesertAlpha SapphireGrass Lv.11 Route35%EarlyHorde battleRoute 111 - DesertOmega RubyGrass Lv.11 Route35%EarlyHorde battleRoute 113Omega RubyGrass Lv.15-18 Route18%EarlyRoute 113Alpha SapphireGrass Lv.15-18 Route18%EarlyRoute 111 - DesertAlpha SapphireGrass Lv.20-23 Route60%MidRoute 111 - DesertOmega RubyGrass Lv.20-23 Route60%Mid
Step 2Sandslash ✓
Sandslash Guide
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Sandslash. The 450 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker. Rapid Spin with Leftovers 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.
For Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, the core moveset is Rapid Spin, Earthquake, Knock Off, and Stealth Rock. Rapid Spin leads at 25% 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