Is Sandshrew Good in Crystal Playthrough?
Kanto postgame only, same as Gold and Silver. By the time Sandshrew is available, your Ground coverage is already settled. Crystal's combined roster means Quagsire and Donphan are both reachable before Kanto, making Sandshrew even less relevant than in the individual versions.
Sandshrew trades roughly evenly with Falkner's team.
Sandshrew trades roughly evenly with Bugsy's team.
Sandshrew trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.
Sandslash has the type edge here and should clean up Morty's team.
Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Chuck's team.
Sandslash resists most of Jasmine's coverage and hits back hard.
Sandslash has the type edge here and should clean up Pryce's team.
Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.
Sandslash resists most of Lt. Surge's coverage and hits back hard.
Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.
Erika's team hits Sandslash's weaknesses hard.
Sandslash has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.
Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.
Sandslash has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.
Sandslash has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.
Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.
Will's team hits Sandslash's weaknesses hard.
Sandslash trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.
Sandslash has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Sandslash has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.
Catch Sandshrew on Union Cave (walking, Lv 6, common).
- After Falkner
- TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
- After Bugsy
- TM28GroundDig120100%10
- After Whitney
- HM04NormalStrength80100%15
- LV 23NormalSlash70100%20
- LV 30NormalSwift60100%20
- After Jasmine
- TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
- TM10NormalHidden Power60100%15
- TM46DarkThief60100%25
Your Sandshrew should hit Level 22 before you reach Morty, at typical leveling pace.
- After Falkner
- TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
- After Bugsy
- TM28GroundDig120100%10
- After Whitney
- HM04NormalStrength80100%15
- LV 24NormalSlash70100%20
- LV 33NormalSwift60100%20
- After Jasmine
- TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
- TM10NormalHidden Power60100%15
- TM46DarkThief60100%25
How to Get Sandshrew in Crystal
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 4 locations. Sandshrew's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Sandshrew in C
Sandshrew is your first catch on the way to Sandshrew. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 6-35 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Sandshrew ✓Union Cave - 1FLv.6CaveRate 30%Morning/dayMt. Moon - 1FLv.8CaveRate 20%Morning/dayRoute 3Lv.10GrassRate 5%Morning/dayRoute 4Lv.10GrassRate 5%Morning/day
Step 2Catch or Evolve into SandslashRoute 26Lv.28GrassRate 30%Victory Road - 1FLv.35CaveRate 5%Morning/dayor evolve from Sandshrew (Step 1)
Sandshrew Weakness
Sandshrew's Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Grass, and Ice. It shrugs off Electric-type attacks completely. Sandshrew's physical bulk (base 85 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 |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
What is Sandshrew Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Sandshrew
 Bellsprout GrassPoison | D | |
 Chikorita Grass | D | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift | ||
 Hoppip Grass | D | |
 Poliwag Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEcruteak City Surfing | ||
 Totodile Water | C | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift | ||
 Smoochum IcePsychic | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift | ||
Chikorita Grass | D | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift | ||
Bellsprout GrassPoison | D | |
Hoppip Grass | D | |
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodIlex Forest Surfing | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Lapras builds →Blizzard 2x218-257%KO Water Gun 2x77-91% | ||
Smoochum IcePsychic | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift | ||
 Skiploom Grass | C | |
Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodIlex Forest Surfing | ||
 Bayleef Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chikorita (New Bark Town Gift) | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Lapras builds →Surf 2x182-215%KO Blizzard 2x228-269%KO | ||
 Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Vileplume builds →Petal Dance 2x163-193%KO | ||
Smoochum IcePsychic | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 34 Gift | ||
Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodIlex Forest Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Psyduck builds →Surf 2x152-179%KO Blizzard 2x127-149%KO | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Quagsire builds →Surf 2x152-179%KO Ice Punch 2x81-96% | ||
 Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Goldenrod City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Vaporeon builds →Surf 2x214-252%KO Blizzard 2x178-210%KO | ||
 Jynx IcePsychic | B | |
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Lapras builds →Surf 2x175-207%KO Blizzard 2x220-259%KO | ||
 Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Feraligatr builds →Surf 2x163-193%KO Blizzard 2x138-163%KO | ||
Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Vileplume builds →Petal Dance 2x157-185%KO | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Goldenrod City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Vaporeon builds →Surf 2x208-246%KO Blizzard 2x176-207%KO | ||
Jynx IcePsychic | B | |
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Lapras builds →Surf 2x169-199%KO Blizzard 2x214-253%KO | ||
Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Feraligatr builds →Surf 2x159-188%KO Blizzard 2x135-159%KO | ||
Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Vileplume builds →Petal Dance 2x157-184%KO | ||
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Good Rod Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Gyarados builds →Surf 2x131-155%KO Blizzard 2x110-130%KO | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Goldenrod City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Vaporeon builds →Surf 2x208-246%KO Blizzard 2x176-207%KO | ||
Jynx IcePsychic | B | |
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Lapras builds →Surf 2x169-199%KO Blizzard 2x214-253%KO | ||
Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Feraligatr builds →Surf 2x159-188%KO Blizzard 2x135-159%KO | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Good Rod Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Gyarados builds →Surf 2x131-155%KO Blizzard 2x110-130%KO | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Goldenrod City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Vaporeon builds →Surf 2x208-246%KO Blizzard 2x176-207%KO | ||
Jynx IcePsychic | B | |
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Lapras builds →Surf 2x169-199%KO Blizzard 2x214-253%KO | ||
Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Feraligatr builds →Surf 2x159-188%KO Blizzard 2x135-159%KO | ||
Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Good Rod Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sandshrew View Gyarados builds →Hydro Pump 2x176-207%KO Blizzard 2x117-138%KO | ||
 Celebi PsychicGrass | C | |
Obtain MethodIlex Forest Interact Encounter | ||
 Victreebel GrassPoison | C | |
 Tangela Grass | C | |
Sandshrew Evolutions
Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 150 total stats over Sandshrew. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
C Sandshrew Best Moveset
Ground pre-evolution with MoveEarthquake at stats too low to threaten. Physical bulk absorbs a few hits, but Sandslash does everything at higher numbers with MoveRapid Spin utility on top.
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dig
- Mud Slap
- Sand Attack
Moves List
You'll want to breed for Counter and Flail on Sandshrew. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Earthquake and Dig, they expand what Sandshrew can actually threaten in practice.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
It prefers dry, sandy places because it uses the sand to protect itself when threatened.
Sandshrew Crystal Guide
In Crystal, Sandshrew does the job early-game if you need a Ground type on your team. Evolve it into Sandslash before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Sandshrew has an Alolan form that swaps the typing and reshuffles the stats. Introduced in Gen 7. Worth checking if the original version doesn't fit your team.
Game Availability
Sandshrew first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 20 games across 10 generations. It later gained an Alolan form in Generation 7, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves