Sandslash (Pokémon)

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Sandslash
サンドパン Sandpan
130
Artwork from FR/LG
National Dex #028
Johto Dex #049
Hoenn Dex #113
Sinnoh Dex #—
Fiore Browser R—
Almia Browser R-195
Type Ground
Species Mouse Pokémon
Height 3′03″ (1.0m)
Weight 65.0 lbs. (29.5kg)
Ability Sand Veil
Egg group Ground
Time to hatch 5,120 steps
Effort yield 2 Def
Exp. yield 163 base exp.
Lv100 at 1,000,000 exp.
Gender 50% ♀ / 50% ♂
Pokédex color Yellow
Catch rate 90

Sandslash (Japanese: サンドパン Sandpan) is a Ground-type Pokémon. It was first available in Pokémon Green and Pokémon Blue, and is also available in Pokémon Yellow, Pokémon Gold, Pokémon Silver, Pokémon Crystal, Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Pokémon LeafGreen, and Pokémon Emerald.

Sandslash comes with the ability Sand Veil, which raises evasiveness during a Sandstorm.

Contents

Biology

Physiology

Sandslash is a ground-dwelling rodent notable for its offensive and defensive capabilities. Its body is mostly covered in sharp quills formed from its tough, dry hide. It can curl into a large ball to protect its underbelly, and in this position it can roll to attack or escape. Its primary weapon is the large claws on its paws, which can be used to slash at enemies but which also useful for burrowing quickly and can sometimes be poisoned. Its claws and spikes can both break off and are shed regularly, but grow back quickly.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Sandslash's special abilities are extremely limited compared to other Pokémon. It has a greater control over the ground and sand than the average Pokémon, mostly derived from adaptation to its habitat.

Like all evolved Pokémon, Sandslash can generate a Hyper Beam.

Behavior

In the wild, Sandslash are more offensive than their pre-evolution, Sandshrew, but are still mostly defensive by nature. They spend much of their time hidden underground in their burrows and will kick up sand or curl into a ball to escape predators.

When needed, they can perform a variety of techniques to attack enemies, including slashing at them, rolling at them while curled up, and even climbing trees and attacking from above. With the assistance of a trainer, they can become very strong and aggressive fighters.

Habitat

They are adapted to dry, arid areas. Thus, they can mostly be found in deserts and grasslands, and sometimes in river valleys or the upper levels of caves as well. Wherever they are, they live underground in burrows.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Sandslash do not require a lot of water, due to a very efficient system of staying hydrated with minimal moisture. They hunt for prey in the wild.

In the anime

An unnamed boy and his Sandslash
An unnamed boy and his Sandslash
Sandslash first appeared in To Master the Onixpected. It was stuck underneath the rocky skin of a giant Onix and causing so much pain, that the Rock Snake Pokémon was on a rampage. Bruno helped to get the Sandslash out.

A Sandslash was one of the Pokémon that was captured and cloned by Mewtwo in Mewtwo Strikes Back. When Team Rocket saw this Pokémon being cloned, it was mistaken for its pre-evolution, Sandshrew.

In Good 'Quil Hunting, a Pokémon trainer named Koji informed Ash about a place that was good for catching Cyndaquil. After Ash captured a Cyndaquil, the trainer challenged Ash to a 1-on-1 Pokémon battle to determine who'd keep the Cyndaquil. That trainer used a Sandslash against Ash's Cyndaquil.

In Bulbasaur... the Ambassador, several Sandslash helped dig a new lake for the Grass-type Pokémon at Professor Oak's Lab.

Sandslash also made a cameo in Numero Uno Articuno as a Pokémon belonging to Noland.

In Gymbaliar! a Sandslash was under the ownership of a boy trainer battling Jessie for "a Badge". It lost to Jessie's Dustox.

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon 2 special, Sandslash was a member of Team Razor Wind, along with Scyther and Zangoose

In the manga

In Pokémon Special, Sandslash's most dominant appearance was in Volume 12, VS Sandslash. While trying to find out their location, Gold and Silver are attacked by a swarm of spiky balls, which are revealed to be Sandslash migrating in response to the wrath of Lugia.

In the TCG

Main article: Sandslash (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokédex entries

Gen Game Pokédex entry
I Red Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape.
Blue
Yellow It is skilled at slashing enemies with its claws. If broken, they start to grow back in a day.
Stadium Curls into a ball of sharp spikes and rolls into enemies. It is also adept at slashing with its sharp claws.
II Gold In an attempt to hide itself, it will run around at top speed to kick up a blinding dust storm.
Silver If it digs at an incredible pace, it may snap off its spike and claws. They grow back in a day.
Crystal Adept at climbing trees, it rolls into a spiny ball, then attacks its enemies from above.
Stadium 2 In an attempt to hide itself, it will run around at top speed to kick up a blinding dust storm.
III Ruby Sandslash's body is covered by tough spikes, which are hardened sections of its hide. Once a year, the old spikes fall out, to be replaced with new spikes that grow out from beneath the old ones.
Sapphire Sandslash can roll up its body as if it were a ball covered with large spikes. In battle, this Pokémon will try to make the foe flinch by jabbing it with its spines. It then leaps at the stunned foe to tear wildly with its sharp claws.
Emerald It curls up in a ball to protect itself from enemy attacks. It also curls up to prevent heatstroke during the daytime when temperatures rise sharply.
FireRed It is adept at attacking with the spines on its back and its sharp claws while quickly scurrying about.
LeafGreen Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape.
IV Diamond It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage.
Pearl It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage.

Game locations

Gen Game Rarity Location
I Pokémon Red and Blue Few Route 23, Unknown Dungeon (Blue only)
Pokémon Yellow Few Unknown Dungeon
II Pokémon Gold and Silver Few Routes 26 and 27, Mt. Moon (Gold only)
Pokémon Crystal Uncommon Route 26 and Victory Road
III Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire None Evolve Sandshrew
Pokémon Emerald None Evolve Sandshrew
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Uncommon Route 23 and Victory Road (LeafGreen only)
Pokémon Colosseum None Trade
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness None Evolve Sandshrew
IV Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Uncommon Route 228 (dongle method: LeafGreen)
Pokémon Platinum Unknown
Pal Park Mountain


In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Snap Valley
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire Evolve from Sandshrew
Pokémon Trozei Endless Level 3
Endless Level 20
Forever Level 52
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Evolve from Sandshrew
Pokémon Ranger Batonnage Hippowdon Temple

Base stats

HP: 75
 
Attack: 100
 
Defense: 110
 
Special: 55
 
SpAtk: 45
 
SpDef: 55
 
Speed: 65
 

The Special stat was used only in Generation I; it was later split into Special Attack and Special Defense.

Type effectiveness

Weakness Resistance

Learnset

Sandslash is capable of learning the following moves (from its evolution onwards):
NOTE: Moves in bold are damage moves to which STAB apply.

By leveling up

Generation I
Level Move Type
Previous Scratch Normal
Sand-Attack Ground
Slash Normal
27 Poison Sting Poison
36 Swift Normal
47 Fury Swipes Normal
Generation II
Level Move Type
Previous Scratch Normal
Defense Curl Normal
Sand-Attack Ground
Poison Sting Poison
24 Slash Normal
33 Swift Normal
42 Fury Swipes Normal
52 Sandstorm Rock
Generation III
Level Move Type
Previous Scratch Normal
Defense Curl Normal
Sand-Attack Ground
Poison Sting Poison
24 Slash Normal
33 Swift Normal
42 Fury Swipes Normal
52 Sand Tomb Ground
62 Sandstorm Rock
Generation IV
Level Move Type Cat.
Previous Scratch Normal Physical
Defense Curl Normal Status
Sand-Attack Ground Status
Poison Sting Poison Physical
Rapid Spin Normal Physical
Swift Normal Special
Fury Swipes Normal Physical
Rollout Rock Physical
22 Crush Claw Normal Physical
28 Fury Cutter Bug Physical
33 Sand Tomb Ground Physical
40 Slash Normal Physical
45 Gyro Ball Steel Physical
62 Sandstorm Rock Status

By TM/HM

Generation I
# Move Type
TM03 Swords Dance Normal
TM06 Toxic Poison
TM08 Body Slam Normal
TM09 Take Down Normal
TM10 Double-Edge Normal
TM15 Hyper Beam Normal
TM17 Submission Fighting
TM19 Seismic Toss Fighting
TM20 Rage Normal
TM26 Earthquake Ground
TM27 Fissure Ground
TM28 Dig Ground
TM31 Mimic Normal
TM32 Double Team Normal
TM34 Bide Normal
TM39 Swift Normal
TM40 Skull Bash Normal
TM44 Rest Psychic
TM48 Rock Slide Rock
TM50 Substitute Normal
HM01 Cut Normal
HM04 Strength Normal
Generation II
# Move Type
TM01 DynamicPunch Fighting
TM02 Headbutt Normal
TM03 Curse Unknown
TM04 Rollout Rock
TM06 Toxic Poison
TM08 Rock Smash Fighting
TM10 Hidden Power Normal
TM11 Sunny Day Fire
TM13 Snore Normal
TM15 Hyper Beam Normal
TM17 Protect Normal
TM20 Endure Normal
TM21 Frustration Normal
TM23 Iron Tail Steel
TM26 Earthquake Ground
TM27 Return Normal
TM28 Dig Ground
TM31 Mud-Slap Ground
TM32 Double Team Normal
TM34 Swagger Normal
TM35 Sleep Talk Normal
TM37 Sandstorm Rock
TM39 Swift Normal
TM40 Defense Curl Normal
TM43 Detect Fighting
TM44 Rest Psychic
TM45 Attract Normal
TM46 Thief Dark
TM49 Fury Cutter Bug
HM01 Cut Normal
HM04 Strength Normal
Generation III
# Move Type
TM01 Focus Punch Fighting
TM06 Toxic Poison
TM10 Hidden Power Normal
TM11 Sunny Day Fire
TM15 Hyper Beam Normal
TM17 Protect Normal
TM21 Frustration Normal
TM23 Iron Tail Steel
TM26 Earthquake Ground
TM27 Return Normal
TM28 Dig Ground
TM31 Brick Break Fighting
TM32 Double Team Normal
TM37 Sandstorm Rock
TM39 Rock Tomb Rock
TM40 Aerial Ace Flying
TM42 Facade Normal
TM43 Secret Power Normal
TM44 Rest Psychic
TM45 Attract Normal
TM46 Thief Dark
HM01 Cut Normal
HM04 Strength Normal
HM06 Rock Smash Fighting
Generation IV
# Move Type Cat.
TM01 Focus Punch Fighting Physical
TM06 Toxic Poison Status
TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special
TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status
TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special
TM17 Protect Normal Status
TM21 Frustration Normal Physical
TM23 Iron Tail Steel Physical
TM26 Earthquake Ground Physical
TM27 Return Normal Physical
TM28 Dig Ground Physical
TM31 Brick Break Fighting Physical
TM32 Double Team Normal Status
TM37 Sandstorm Rock Status
TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical
TM40 Aerial Ace Flying Physical
TM42 Facade Normal Physical
TM43 Secret Power Normal Physical
TM44 Rest Psychic Status
TM45 Attract Normal Status
TM46 Thief Dark Physical
TM52 Focus Blast Fighting Special
TM56 Fling Dark Physical
TM58 Endure Normal Status
TM65 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical
TM68 Giga Impact Normal Physical
TM71 Stone Edge Rock Physical
TM74 Gyro Ball Steel Physical
TM75 Swords Dance Normal Status
TM76 Stealth Rock Rock Status
TM78 Captivate Normal Status
TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical
TM81 X-Scissor Bug Physical
TM82 Sleep Talk Normal Status
TM83 Natural Gift Normal Physical
TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical
TM87 Swagger Normal Status
TM90 Substitute Normal Status
HM01 Cut Normal Physical
HM04 Strength Normal Physical
HM06 Rock Smash Fighting Physical
HM08 Rock Climb Normal Physical

By breeding

Move Type Cat. Father
Counter Normal Physical Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking
Crush Claw Normal Physical Sandshrew, Sandslash
Zangoose
Flail Normal Physical Slakoth
Slaking
Night Slash Dark Physical Dugtrio
Meowth, Persian
Farfetch'd
Seviper
Absol
Stunky, Skuntank
Weavile
Rapid Spin Normal Physical Sandshrew, Sandslash
Donphan
Rock Slide Rock Physical Camerupt
Safeguard Normal Status Vulpix
Seel, Dewgong
Swords Dance Normal Status Raticate
Farfetch'd
Zangoose
Absol

By tutoring

Move Type Cat. Version
Body Slam Normal Physical FR LG E
Counter Fighting Physical FR LG E
Double-Edge Normal Physical FR LG E
Mimic Normal Status FR LG E
Rock Slide Rock Physical FR LG E
Seismic Toss Fighting Physical FR LG E
Substitute Normal Status FR LG E
Swords Dance Normal Status FR LG E
Defense Curl Normal Status     E
DynamicPunch Fighting Physical     E
Endure Normal Status     E
Fury Cutter Bug Physical     E
Mud-Slap Ground Special     E
Rollout Rock Physical     E
Sleep Talk Normal Status     E
Snore Normal Physical     E
Swagger Normal Status     E
Swift Normal Special     E

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
Image:Pin028.png Acquisition: Evolve
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
Image:PinRS028.png Acquisition: Evolve
Pokémon Trozei!
Image:Trozeiani028.gif Rarity: Rare Image:Trozeiani028.gif
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Body size: 1 Recruit Rate: Evolve Friend Area: Furnace Desert
Phrases
51%-100% HP Let me take them on with the spikes on my back and my big claws!
26%-50% HP Uh-oh, not good. My health is down to half.
1%-25% HP I'm beat... I don't have the energy to shake my spikes...
Level Up There! I leveled! My claws are even sharper!
Pokémon Ranger Batonnage
Group: Ground Poké Assist: Ground Field Move: Dig


Evolution