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 curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage.
It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage.
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 | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Gyarados builds →Hydro Pump 2x90-106%KO Blizzard 2x60-71% Aqua Tail 2x78-92% Ice Beam 2x49-59% | ||
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Pelipper builds →Hydro Pump 2x129-152%KO Blizzard 2x86-101%KO Surf 2x105-124%KO Ice Beam 2x70-83% | ||
 Jumpluff Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Jumpluff builds →Solar Beam 2x91-108%KO Seed Bomb 2x37-44% Giga Drain 2x59-70% Mega Drain 2x32-38% | ||
 Tropius Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Tropius builds →Leaf Storm 2x122-144%KO Solar Beam 2x112-132%KO Seed Bomb 2x42-50% Giga Drain 2x71-84% | ||
 Delibird Ice | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Delibird builds →Blizzard 2x95-112%KO Ice Beam 2x78-92% Ice Spinner 2x37-44% Seed Bomb 2x25-29% | ||
In Scarlet & Violet, Greninja can KO Sandslash with Surf (148-174%). Rillaboom's Wood Hammer hits Sandslash for 68-80%.
 Greninja WaterDark | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse66-77% Ice Beam 2x99-116%KO Surf 2x148-174%KO U Turn11-13% | ||
 Rillaboom Grass | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemAssault Vest NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Rillaboom builds →Wood Hammer 2x68-80% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityStickyhold ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Muk builds →Knock Off13-15% Shadow Sneak8-10% Drain Punch15-18% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Grafaiai builds →Knock Off11-13% U Turn12-14% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityOvergrow ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Venusaur builds →Sludge Bomb22-26% Giga Drain 2x74-87% Knock Off7-8% | ||
Scarlet & Violet 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 206 partners from the Ground egg group.
Scarlet & Violet Sandslash Best Moveset
Sandslash's job is getting Stealth Rock up and staying on the field. Rocky Helmet provides chip damage on every physical hit received, 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
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Knock Off
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Moves
TMs carry this one. Sandslash learns Earthquake and High Horsepower naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Poison and beyond give it real matchup play.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Sandslash in Scarlet & Violet
Sandslash can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer Sandshrew from Blue, Yellow, or Black 2 and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Sandslash Guide
In Scarlet & Violet, Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Sandslash. The 450 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked A-Tier as an attacker. Rapid Spin with Rocky Helmet 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 Scarlet & Violet, the best way to handle Sandslash: Faster attackers outpace it. Anything with a super-effective STAB move and decent speed can revenge kill.
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