Physical
Attacker
65Speed · Below Avg

Is Sandslash Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Ground coverage that handles Surge, Blaine, and contributes against Blue's Rhydon at the Championship. AbilitySand Veil rarely activates in FRLG's story since sandstorm isn't common. Sandslash contributes through typing more than through its ability. Reliable without being exciting. LeafGreen only.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadETETEESGEGEEEBrockGym 1SandshrewCatchableMistyGym 2SandslashEvolveSurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Even

Sandshrew trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Even
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's team hits Sandshrew's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Avoid
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
Even
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Tough

Erika's team hits Sandslash's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Risky
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Risky
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

Risky
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Easy KO
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
Risky
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Risky
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Strong

Sandslash resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Easy KO
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Sandslash has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
You Win
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

You Win
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
Even
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
Even
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Risky
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
Even
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Sandslash has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
You Win
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
You Win
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Even

Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.

Risky
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
Even
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
Risky
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
You Win
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Risky
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

Even
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
Easy KO
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Risky
Exeggutor
Lv 73
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Giga DrainPsychicSleep PowderLight Screen
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 73
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hydro PumpDragon DanceEarthquakeHyper Beam
Even
Charizard
Lv 75
FireFlying
Blaze
Fire BlastDragon ClawAerial AceEarthquake
Catch Sandshrew
Available after Badge 1
Type
Ground
Tier
E

Catch Sandshrew on Route 4 (walking, Lv 6-12, common).

View Sandshrew locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM28GroundDig120100%10
    • TM31FightingBrick Break75100%15
  • After Erika
    • TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
    • HM04NormalStrength80100%15
  • After Koga
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
  • After Giovanni
    • TM26GroundEarthquake150100%10
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Evolve Sandshrew to Sandslash
Level 22
Type
Ground
Tier
A

Your Sandshrew should hit Level 22 before you reach Lt. Surge, at typical leveling pace.

View Sandslash locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM28GroundDig120100%10
    • TM31FightingBrick Break75100%15
  • After Erika
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • HM04NormalStrength80100%15
  • After Koga
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
  • After Giovanni
    • TM26GroundEarthquake150100%10
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Sandslash in FireRed & LeafGreen

LeafGreen exclusive and rare across all four endgame encounters. Sandslash barely shows up, even on the late-game routes where it exists.

LeafGreen Exclusive — Trade with FireRed for Arbok

Wild Sandslash may be holding when caught:

Soft Sand (5% chance) An item to be held by a Pokemon. A loose, silky sand that boosts the power of GROUND-type moves.

2 locations to catch Sandslash

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 8

Where To Catch Sandslash in FRLG

To get Sandslash, start by catching Sandshrew through walking encounters at Lv. 6-46. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

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
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Grass, Ice
0.5x (Resist)Poison, Rock
0x (Immune)Electric
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Sandslash Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
2Resist
1Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Sandslash Strong Against

5Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score+2

Best Pokemon Against Sandslash

Sandslash Evolutions

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
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Sandshrew
Ground
Sandslash
Ground
HP
50
75+25
ATK
75
100+25
DEF
85
110+25
SP.ATK
20
45+25
SP.DEF
30
55+25
SPE
40
65+25
BST
300D-Tier
450C-Tier+150
ROLE
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Sandslash to get Sandshrew eggs easily using 102 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Counter, Crush Claw, Flail and 5 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
8moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

FRLG Sandslash Best Moveset

100 Attack with 110 Defense creates a physical Ground type that hits hard and takes physical hits. AbilitySand Veil raises evasion in sandstorm. MoveEarthquake for Ground TermStab on the physical side and MoveRock Slide for coverage make up the core moveset. Slow at 65 Speed but built to trade hits.

Best Build

Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Sand Veil
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Sandslash

Sandslash best EVs are Defense and Attack

EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Rock Slide
  • Rapid Spin
  • CounterSLOW -5Coverage

Moves List

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 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Earthquake and Dig.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Defense Curl
D40Normal
Lv 1
Sand Attack
D10015Ground
Lv 1
Scratch
D4010035Normal
Lv 6
Defense Curl
D40Normal
Lv 11
Sand Attack
D10015Ground
Lv 17
Poison Sting
D1510035Poison
Lv 24
Slash
C7010020Normal
Lv 33
Swift
6020Normal
Lv 42
Fury Swipes
D188015Normal
Lv 52
Sand Tomb
528515Ground
Lv 62
Sandstorm
D10Rock

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
C6020Flying
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM31
Brick Break
C7510015Fighting
HM01
Cut
D509530Normal
TM28
Dig
B9010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
S15010010Ground
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM01
Focus Punch-3
B15010020Fighting
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM23
Iron Tail
C1007515Steel
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D2010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
D609510Rock
TM37
Sandstorm
D10Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM46
Thief
C6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Counter-5
B10020Fighting
Egg
Crush Claw
C759510Normal
Egg
Flail
D10015Normal
Egg
Metal Claw
509535Steel
Egg
Rapid Spin
B5010040Normal
Egg
Rock Slide
S759010Rock
Egg
Safeguard
D25Normal
Egg
Swords Dance
B30Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Counter-5
B10020Fighting
Tutor
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Rock Slide
S759010Rock
Tutor
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal
Tutor
Swords Dance
B30Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP75
C
Attack100
B
Defense110
B
Sp. Atk45
D
Sp. Def55
D
Speed65
C
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.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+2SpASpDSpe
Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

It is adept at attacking with the spines on its back and its sharp claws while quickly scurrying about.

Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape.

Sandslash FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Is Sandslash exclusive to LeafGreen or FireRed?

    Sandslash is exclusive to Pokemon LeafGreen. FireRed players have to trade for one.

    Pokemon LeafGreen cover art

    LeafGreen exclusive

    Trade with a player who has Pokemon LeafGreen to obtain Sandslash.

    See the Locations section above for where to find Sandslash in LeafGreen.

    How to trade in FireRed and LeafGreen

    GBA cartridges: You need a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable and both players' FireRed/LeafGreen cartridges. Trade at the Cable Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, which opens up shortly after Oak gives you the Pokedex.
    Nintendo Switch (2026 release): Trading uses local wireless only. There is no online play, and no Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required. Both players head to the Pokemon Wireless Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, then step into a Union Room. Up to four other players can join. Available once you have the Pokedex from Professor Oak.

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.

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