Defense and Sp. Atk carry most of Sandygast's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 1 Defense EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
If it loses its shovel, it will stick something else—like a branch—in its head to make do until it finds another shovel.
It flings sand into the eyes of its prey and tries to close in on them while they’re blinded, but since Sandygast is so slow, the prey tends to escape.
Water, Grass, Ice, Ghost, and Dark moves hit Sandygast for super-effective damage. The upside? Normal, Electric, and Fighting-type moves can't touch it at all. Sandygast's physical bulk (base 80 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Ice, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug, Rock |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison |
| 0x (Immune) | Normal, Electric, Fighting |
Lokix deals 66-78% with Sucker Punch.
 Dondozo Water | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Dondozo builds →
| ||
 Annihilape FightingGhost | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDefiant ItemSitrus Berry NatureJolly Moves View Annihilape builds →
| ||
 Lokix BugDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTintedlens ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandygast View Lokix builds →Knock Off 2x62-73% U Turn16-19% Sucker Punch 2x66-78% | ||
 Urshifu FightingDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnseenfist ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandygast View Urshifu builds →Sucker Punch 2x78-92% | ||
 Toedscool GroundGrass | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMyceliummight ItemEviolite NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sandygast View Toedscool builds →Knock Off 2x14-16% Giga Drain 2x34-41% | ||
One evolution ahead. Sandygast grows into Palossand through a straightforward two-stage chain. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolved forms gain up to 160 total stats over Sandygast. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Sandygast easily with 63 breeding partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
Still unevolved, still relevant. Sandygast's Eviolite bulk with spread EVs creates a defensive profile that punches above its stage. Watercompaction adds passive value. Shoreup gives it offensive presence.
Best Build
Sandygast best EVs are Sp. Def and Sp. Atk
Bulky Support Moveset
- Shore Up
- Earth Power
- Shadow Ball
- Scorching Sands
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Scorching Sands
- Energy Ball
- Pain Split
Recommended Teammates
Winds & Waves has not been released yet. Build info will be available after launch.
Check back after the game launches for competitive build content.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Shore Up
- Earth Power
- Shadow Ball
- Scorching Sands
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Scorching Sands
- Energy Ball
- Pain Split
Recommended Teammates
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Sandygast. TMs unlock coverage across 8 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Poltergeist and Earthquake into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Move data for Sandygast in Winds & Waves isn't available yet. The moveset will be updated once the game releases.
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Sandygast. TMs unlock coverage across 9 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Earthquake and Earth Power into something with actual range.
Don't skip the egg moves. Sandygast picks up Ancient Power and Curse only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Poltergeist and Earthquake while Grass and Water coverage and more adds range.
Sandygast is available from mid-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 10 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations to Catch Sandygast in Scarlet & Violet
Sandygast's encounter pool splits between Violet and Scarlet. You've got 10 walking spots at Lv. 16-61 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
Winds & Waves hasn't launched yet, so encounter data for Sandygast isn't confirmed. In other games, it's available in Sun, Ultra Sun, or Scarlet.
Sandygast can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Bring it over from Sun, Ultra Sun, or Scarlet instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Sandygast is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Catch in the wild in:
Then trade to Legends: Z-A.
Also found in:
Sandygast's scattered across 2 spots in mid-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Best Locations to Catch Sandygast in Sword & Shield
Get Sandygast to Palossand at level 42. At 320 BST, Sandygast is just the starting point.
Level 42 gets you Palossand. Not the fastest evolution, so consider Exp. Share or route grinding to speed it up.
You can run Sandygast through the first few routes without issues. 320 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Palossand as fast as you can.
Across 6 games, Sandygast has solid availability. First showed up in Winds & Waves. The latest games to include it are Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon and Sun & Moon.
Sandygast joined the series in Sun & Moon and has been available in 6 titles so far. With 4 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
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 7SMDebut
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