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 runs across snow-covered plains at high speeds. It developed thick, sharp claws to plow through the snow.
A long, long time ago, it lived in the desert. With its sharp claws fully extended, it can climb right up an iceberg without slipping.
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 |
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 14 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Pelipper builds →Hydro Pump 2x129-152%KO Ice Beam 2x70-83% Brine 2x76-90% Water Pulse 2x71-84% | ||
 Tropius Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodPoke Pelago Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Tropius builds →Leaf Storm 2x122-144%KO Solar Beam 2x112-132%KO Energy Ball 2x85-100%KO Leaf Tornado 2x63-74% | ||
 Sceptile Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Sceptile builds →Leaf Storm 2x165-194%KO Leaf Blade 2x56-66% Energy Ball 2x115-136%KO Mega Drain 2x53-62% | ||
 Dartrix Grass | D | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Rowlet (Route 1 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Dartrix builds →Leaf Blade 2x51-60% Energy Ball 2x83-98% Razor Leaf 2x32-38% Leafage 2x23-28% | ||
 Delibird Ice | D | |
Obtain MethodSeaward Cave Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Delibird builds →Ice Beam 2x78-92% Frost Breath 2x53-62% | ||
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Volcanion threatens a KO with Fire Blast (149-175%). Mamoswine deals 75-88% with Earthquake.
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureSassy Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
 Volcanion FireWater | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Volcanion builds →Sludge Bomb41-48% Fire Blast149-175%KO | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Mamoswine builds →Earthquake75-88% Ice Shard 2x60-71% Knock Off33-38% | ||
 Greninja WaterDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse92-108%KO Ice Beam 2x138-163%KO Hydro Pump 2x253-298%KO | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemFocus Sash NatureMild Moves
Damage vs Sandslash View Venusaur builds →Sludge Bomb37-44% Giga Drain 2x124-146%KO | ||
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon 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 218 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Chip Away, Counter, Crush Claw and 9 more.
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon 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
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
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
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Sandslash in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
You're catching Sandshrew first, not Sandslash. Sandshrew appears at solid rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Sandslash in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Sandshrew is your first catch on the way to Sandslash. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 30-50 across 4 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SandshrewMount Lanakila - BaseGrass Lv.30-33 Cave30%MidRoute 14Grass Lv.30-33 Route10%MidTapu VillageGrass Lv.30-33 City10%MidMount Lanakila - OutsideGrass Lv.47-50 Cave30%Post
Step 2Sandslash ✓
Sandslash Guide
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Sandslash. The 450 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker. Earthquake with Choice Band 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 Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Sand Rush is the hidden ability. It doubles Speed during a sandstorm. Worth hunting for if you want Sandslash to compete at a higher level.
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