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.
It uses large, hooked claws to cut a path through deep snow as it runs. On snowy mountains, this Sandslash is faster than any other Pokémon.
Many people climb snowy mountains, hoping to see the icy spikes of these Pokémon glistening in the light of dawn.
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 Sword & Shield, Rillaboom can KO Sandslash with Wood Hammer (133-157%). Weavile's Ice Shard hits Sandslash for 40-47%. Slowking's Scald also KOs at 95-112%.
 Rillaboom Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Rillaboom builds →U Turn26-31% Wood Hammer 2x133-157%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Weavile builds →Knock Off32-38% Ice Shard 2x40-47% | ||
 Slowking WaterPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemColbur Berry NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Slowking builds →Scald 2x95-112%KO | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Venusaur builds →Sludge Bomb48-57% Giga Drain 2x162-190%KO | ||
Sword & Shield 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 152 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Counter, Flail, Hone Claws and 3 more.
Sword & Shield 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
Sandslash best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Leech Life
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Drill Run
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Egg moves make a real difference. Sandslash gets Counter and Flail exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 8 types rounds out the picture alongside Earthquake and Earth Power.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Sandslash in Sword & Shield
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 Sword & Shield
The path to Sandslash starts with Sandshrew at Lv. 16-21 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SandshrewWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidNormal WeatherWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidOvercastWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidSnowstormWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidNormal WeatherWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidSnowstormWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidThunderstormWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidIntense SunWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidThunderstormWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidSnowingWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidIntense SunWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidSandstormWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidSnowingWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidRainingWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidSandstormWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidHeavy FogWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidRainingWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidOvercastWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Cave56%MidHeavy Fog
Step 2Sandslash ✓
Sandslash Guide
In Sword & Shield, Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Sandslash. The 450 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a hazard setter. Earthquake with Life Orb 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 a hazard setter.
For Sword & Shield, the core moveset is Earthquake, Knock Off, Swords Dance, and Leechlife. Earthquake leads at 21% 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