Sand Stream (Ability)

Sand Stream (Japanese: すなおこし Sand Raising) is an Ability introduced in Generation III. Prior to Generation IV, it was the signature Ability of Tyranitar.

Effect

In battle

Generation III-V

Sand Stream summons a sandstorm in battle as soon as a Pokémon with Sand Stream enters the battle. Its effects almost are the same as Sandstorm's; the only difference is that instead of lasting for five turns, it lasts for the whole battle until a different weather condition replaces it. If a Pokémon with Sand Stream is sent out in the same turn as another Pokémon whose Ability causes a different weather condition, the slower Pokémon's Ability will override the faster Pokémon's Ability.

Generation VI

In Generation VI, the sandstorm will last only for five turns instead. This can be extended to eight turns if the Pokémon is holding a Smooth Rock.

If heavy rain, extremely harsh sunlight, or a mysterious air current is present, Sand Stream will fail to activate.

Outside of battle

Sand Stream has no effect outside of battle.

Pokémon with Sand Stream

#	Pokémon		Types		First Ability	Second Ability	Hidden Ability
0248		Tyranitar	Rock	Dark	Sand Stream	None	Unnerve
248M	Tyranitar	Tyranitar	Rock	Dark	Sand Stream	None	None
0449		Hippopotas	Ground		Ground	Sand Stream	None	Sand Force
0450		Hippowdon	Ground		Ground	Sand Stream	None	Sand Force
0526		Gigalith	Rock		Rock	Sturdy	Sand Stream	Sand Force
Please note that abilities marked with a superscript are only available in the stated generation or later. For Generation III and IV games, ignore Hidden Abilities.

• Prior to Generation VII, Gigalith did not have Sand Stream.

In the anime

Tyranitar
The Pokémon summons a sandstorm in battle.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	When Tyranitar enters the battle, a sandstorm will start blowing on the battlefield.
Alain's Tyranitar	Finals Not for the Faint-Hearted!		Debut

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Hippowdon Tyranitar
The Pokémon releases a powerful sandstorm from its body.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Hippowdon releases multiple streams of sand from the holes in its body into the air. The streams of sand then form into a powerful sand tornado and blow the opponent away.
A wild Hippowdon	Bombastic Bibarel & Heroic Hippopotas		Debut
	A while after when Tyranitar is sent out, a spiraling sandstorm surrounds the battle arena, hurting the opponent.
The Battle Factory's Tyranitar	Outlasting Ledian		None

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 揚沙 Yèuhngsā 沙流 Sālàuh * Mandarin 揚沙 / 扬沙 Yángshā * 沙流 Shāliú * French Sable Volant German Sandsturm Italian Sabbiafiume Korean 모래날림 Morae Nallim Portuguese Fluxo Areia Spanish Chorro Arena

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.