Physical
Balanced
65Speed · Below Avg

Is Sandile Good in Black & White Playthrough?

Ground/Dark with AbilityMoxie raising Attack after every KO. Route 4 and Desert Resort catch. One of the best Pokemon in BW. Krookodile at level 40 snowballs through everything once the KOs start rolling. Grab one the moment the desert opens.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGGGTEEEEEEGEGEECilanGym 1ChiliGym 2CressGym 3LenoraGym 4BurghGym 5SandileCatchableElesaGym 6KrokorokEvolveClayGym 7SkylaGym 8BrycenGym 9KrookodileEvolveDraydenGym 10ShauntalE4GrimsleyE4CaitlinE4MarshalE4AlderChamp*
Cilan
Gym 1
Good

Sandile has the type edge here and should clean up Cilan's team.

You Win
Lillipup
Lv 12
Normal
Vital Spirit
BiteWork UpOdor SleuthHelping Hand
Even
Pansage
Lv 14
Grass
Gluttony
Vine WhipWork UpLickFury Swipes
Chili
Gym 2
Good

Sandile has the type edge here and should clean up Chili's team.

You Win
Lillipup
Lv 12
Normal
Vital Spirit
BiteWork UpOdor SleuthHelping Hand
You Win
Pansear
Lv 14
Fire
Gluttony
IncinerateWork UpLickFury Swipes
Cress
Gym 3
Good

Sandile has the type edge here and should clean up Cress's team.

You Win
Lillipup
Lv 12
Normal
Vital Spirit
BiteWork UpOdor SleuthHelping Hand
You Win
Panpour
Lv 14
Water
Gluttony
Water GunWork UpLickFury Swipes
Lenora
Gym 4
Tough

Lenora's typing presses Sandile's defenses.

Even
Herdier
Lv 18
Normal
Intimidate
Take DownBiteRetaliateLeer
Risky
Watchog
Lv 20
Normal
Illuminate
LeerCrunchRetaliateHypnosis
Burgh
Gym 5
Even

Sandile trades roughly evenly with Burgh's team.

Even
Whirlipede
Lv 21
BugPoison
Poison Point
Poison TailStruggle BugPursuitScreech
Even
Dwebble
Lv 21
BugRock
Sturdy
Smack DownStruggle BugFeint AttackSand Attack
Even
Leavanny
Lv 23
BugGrass
Swarm
Razor LeafStruggle BugString ShotProtect
Elesa
Gym 6
Even

Sandile trades roughly evenly with Elesa's team.

Risky
Emolga
Lv 25
ElectricFlying
Static
PursuitQuick AttackVolt SwitchAerial Ace
Risky
Emolga
Lv 25
ElectricFlying
Static
PursuitQuick AttackVolt SwitchAerial Ace
Even
Zebstrika
Lv 27
Electric
Lightningrod
Quick AttackSparkVolt SwitchFlame Charge
Clay
Gym 7
Even

Krokorok trades roughly evenly with Clay's team.

Even
Krokorok
Lv 29
GroundDark
Intimidate
CrunchSwaggerBulldozeTorment
Even
Palpitoad
Lv 29
WaterGround
Swift Swim
Muddy WaterAqua RingBulldozeBubblebeam
Even
Excadrill
Lv 31
GroundSteel
Sand Rush
SlashRock SlideBulldozeHone Claws
Skyla
Gym 8
Even

Krokorok trades roughly evenly with Skyla's team.

You Win
Swoobat
Lv 33
PsychicFlying
Unaware
Heart StampAmnesiaAcrobaticsAssurance
Even
Unfezant
Lv 33
NormalFlying
Big Pecks
Quick AttackAir SlashLeerRazor Wind
You Win
Swanna
Lv 35
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Aqua RingAerial AceAir SlashBubblebeam
Brycen
Gym 9
Even

Krokorok trades roughly evenly with Brycen's team.

You Win
Vanillish
Lv 37
Ice
Ice Body
Mirror ShotAcid ArmorFrost BreathAstonish
Even
Cryogonal
Lv 37
Ice
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
ReflectAurora BeamFrost BreathRapid Spin
Even
Beartic
Lv 39
Ice
Snow Cloak
SlashBrineIcicle CrashSwagger
Drayden
Gym 10
Even

Krookodile trades roughly evenly with Drayden's team.

You Win
Fraxure
Lv 41
Dragon
Rivalry
Dragon DanceDragon RageDragon TailAssurance
Even
Druddigon
Lv 41
Dragon
Rough Skin
Chip AwayRevengeDragon TailNight Slash
Even
Haxorus
Lv 43
Dragon
Mold Breaker
Dragon DanceSlashDragon TailAssurance
Shauntal
Elite Four
Good

Krookodile has the type edge here and should clean up Shauntal's team.

Easy KO
Cofagrigus
Lv 48
Ghost
Mummy
Will O WispGrass KnotPsychicShadow Ball
Easy KO
Jellicent
Lv 48
WaterGhost
Cursed Body
Energy BallBrineSurfShadow Ball
You Win
Golurk
Lv 48
GroundGhost
Iron Fist
CurseEarthquakeBrick BreakShadow Punch
You Win
Chandelure
Lv 50
GhostFire
Flame Body
PaybackFire BlastPsychicShadow Ball
Grimsley
Elite Four
Even

Krookodile trades roughly evenly with Grimsley's team.

Even
Scrafty
Lv 48
DarkFighting
Moxie
CrunchBrick BreakPoison JabSand Attack
Even
Liepard
Lv 48
Dark
Limber
Night SlashFake OutAerial AceAttract
Even
Krookodile
Lv 48
GroundDark
Intimidate
CrunchDragon ClawEarthquakeFoul Play
Even
Bisharp
Lv 50
DarkSteel
Defiant
Night SlashX ScissorMetal ClawAerial Ace
Caitlin
Elite Four
Good

Krookodile has the type edge here and should clean up Caitlin's team.

You Win
Reuniclus
Lv 48
Psychic
Magic Guard
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastThunder
Easy KO
Musharna
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCharge BeamReflect
Even
Sigilyph
Lv 48
PsychicFlying
Wonder Skin
PsychicShadow BallIce BeamAir Slash
Easy KO
Gothitelle
Lv 50
Psychic
Frisk
PsychicShadow BallThunderboltCalm Mind
Marshal
Elite Four
Even

Krookodile trades roughly evenly with Marshal's team.

Even
Throh
Lv 48
Fighting
Guts
Storm ThrowBulldozeStone EdgePayback
Even
Sawk
Lv 48
Fighting
Sturdy
Karate ChopGrass KnotStone EdgeRetaliate
Even
Conkeldurr
Lv 48
Fighting
Sheer Force
Hammer ArmGrass KnotStone EdgeRetaliate
Risky
Mienshao
Lv 50
Fighting
Inner Focus
Jump KickU TurnRock SlideRetaliate
Alder
Champion
Even

Krookodile trades roughly evenly with Alder's team.

Even
Accelgor
Lv 75
Bug
Hydration
Focus BlastBug BuzzMe FirstEnergy Ball
Even
Bouffalant
Lv 75
Normal
Sap Sipper
Head ChargeMegahornEarthquakeStone Edge
You Win
Druddigon
Lv 75
Dragon
Rough Skin
OutrageSuperpowerNight SlashPayback
Even
Vanilluxe
Lv 75
Ice
Ice Body
BlizzardFlash CannonLight ScreenAcid Armor
You Win
Escavalier
Lv 75
BugSteel
Swarm
X ScissorIron HeadAerial AceGiga Impact
Even
Volcarona
Lv 77
BugFire
Flame Body
OverheatQuiver DanceBug BuzzHyper Beam
Catchable
Available after Badge 5
Type
GroundDark
Tier
E

Catch Sandile on Route 4 (walking, Lv 15-18, common).

View Sandile locations

Evolve Sandile to Krokorok
Level 29
Type
GroundDark
Tier
E

Your Sandile should hit Level 29 before you reach Clay, at typical leveling pace.

View Krokorok locations

Evolve Krokorok to Krookodile
Level 40
Type
GroundDark
Tier
A

Your Krokorok should hit Level 40 before you reach Drayden, at typical leveling pace.

How to Get Sandile in Black & White

Sandile's scattered across 10 spots in early-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.

Where To Catch Sandile in BW

Sandile is your first catch on the way to Sandile. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 15-50 across 22 total spots in the chain.

  1. Sandile
    Step 1Sandile
    Route 4
    Lv.15-18Grass
    Rate 40%
    Any
    Relic Castle - 1F
    Lv.19-22Floor
    Rate 50%
    Any
    Relic Castle - B1F
    Lv.19-22Floor
    Rate 50%
    Any
    Desert Resort - Desert
    Lv.19-22Grass
    Rate 40%
    Any
    Desert Resort - Entrance
    Lv.19-22Grass
    Rate 40%
    Any
  2. Krokorok
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Krokorok
    Relic Castle - B2F
    Lv.34-37Floor
    Rate 50%
    Any
    Relic Castle - B3F
    Lv.34-37Floor
    Rate 50%
    Any
    Relic Castle - B4F
    Lv.34-37Floor
    Rate 50%
    Any
    Relic Castle - B5F
    Lv.34-37Floor
    Rate 50%
    Any
    Relic Castle - B6F
    Lv.47-50Floor
    Rate 35%
    Any
    Relic Castle - B7F
    Lv.47-50Floor
    Rate 35%
    Any
    or evolve from Sandile (Step 1)
  3. Krookodile
    Step 3Evolve into Krookodile
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Krookodile egg.

Sandile Weakness

Sandile's Ground/Dark typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, and Bug. It shrugs off Electric and Psychic-type attacks completely. The Ground/Dark typing picks up 4 resistances to work with.

Sandile Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Bug
0.5x (Resist)Poison, Rock, Ghost, Dark
0x (Immune)Electric, Psychic
Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Sandile Weak Against

Avg
5Weak
4Resist
2Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None

What is Sandile Strong Against

7Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+7
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Sandile

Sandile Evolutions

Sandile kicks off a three-stage evolution line through Krokorok all the way to Krookodile. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via one egg group. The evolved forms gain up to 227 total stats over Sandile. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Sandile
GroundDark
Krokorok
GroundDark
Krookodile
GroundDark
HP
50
60+10
95+35
ATK
72
82+10
117+35
DEF
35
45+10
80+35
SP.ATK
35
45+10
65+20
SP.DEF
35
45+10
70+25
SPE
65
74+9
92+18
BST
292D-Tier
351D-Tier+59
519B-Tier+168
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Sandile easily with 181 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Beat Up, Counter, Double-Edge and 7 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
10moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

BW Sandile Best Moveset

Ground/Dark pre-evolution with AbilityMoxie gaining +1 Attack on every KO and AbilityIntimidate cutting opposing Attack. 72 Attack and 65 Speed. The moveset previews Krookodile's Moxie strategy. Two evolutions away.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Moxie
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Best Nature for Sandile

Sandile best EVs are Speed and Attack

EVs

Utility Moveset

  • CrunchSTAB
  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Fire Fang
  • Stone Edge

Moves List

The natural movepool does the job, but Beat Up and Counter from the egg pool give Sandile something extra.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
10030Normal
Lv 1
Rage
2010020Normal
Lv 4
Bite
C9010025Dark
Lv 7
Sand Attack
D10015Ground
Lv 10
Torment
10015Dark
Lv 13
Sand Tomb
528515Ground
Lv 16
Assurance
7510010Dark
Lv 19
Mud-Slap
D3010010Ground
Lv 22
Embargo
D10015Dark
Lv 25
Swagger
9015Normal
Lv 28
Crunch
B12010015Dark
Lv 31
Dig
C12010010Ground
Lv 34
Scary Face
10010Normal
Lv 37
Foul Play
C14210015Dark
Lv 40
Sandstorm
D10Rock
Lv 43
Earthquake
B15010010Ground
Lv 46
Thrash
C12010010Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
C10015Normal
TM78
Bulldoze
C9010020Ground
HM01
Cut
509530Normal
TM28
Dig
C12010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
B15010010Ground
TM63
Embargo
D10015Dark
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM01
Hone Claws
A15Dark
TM59
Incinerate
3010015Fire
TM66
Payback
D7510010Dark
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM67
Retaliate
D701005Normal
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6
C10020Normal
TM80
Rock Slide
D759010Rock
TM39
Rock Tomb
D609510Rock
TM48
Round
D6010015Normal
TM37
Sandstorm
D10Rock
TM36
Sludge Bomb
D9010010Poison
TM95
Snarl
829515Dark
TM71
Stone Edge
B100805Rock
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM12
Taunt
C10020Dark
TM46
Thief
C9010010Dark
TM41
Torment
10015Dark
TM06
Toxic
C9010Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Beat Up
10010Dark
Egg
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Egg
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Egg
Fire Fang
B659515Fire
Egg
Focus Energy
30Normal
Egg
Mean Look
5Normal
Egg
Pursuit
D6010020Dark
Egg
Rock Climb
D908520Normal
Egg
Thunder Fang
D659515Electric
Egg
Uproar
D9010010Normal

Tutor Moves

Sandile can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP50
D
Attack72
C
Defense35
F
Sp. Atk35
F
Sp. Def35
F
Speed65
C
Total292
Details
Catch Rate
Moderate180 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.7 m
Weight15.2 kg
Base XP58
Abilities
Intimidate
Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle.
Moxie
Raises Attack one stage upon KOing a Pokémon.
Anger PointHidden Ability
Raises Attack to the maximum of six stages upon receiving a critical hit.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

They live buried in the sands of the desert. The sun-warmed sands prevent their body temperature from dropping.

It moves along below the sand’s surface, except for its nose and eyes. A dark membrane shields its eyes from the sun.

Sandile Black & White Guide

  • In Black & White, For a casual playthrough, Sandile works as a placeholder. Ground/Dark coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Krokorok. That's where the stats start mattering.

Game Availability

Since Black & White, Sandile has been obtainable in 9 games. A Generation 5 debut means a shorter history, but Sandile has appeared steadily across every generation since.

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