TL;DR. Sandshrew is a pure ground-type Pokémon from Generation I. Base Stat Total: 300. Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.
Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.
Stat spread.
Total of 300. Higher peaks mean specialized roles, flat spreads favor versatility.
Rankings computed across all 1025 base-species Pokémon (Mega and Gigantamax forms excluded). Source: National Pokédex base stats.
Sandshrew in Pokémon GO.
Pokémon GO uses its own hand-tuned base stats, distinct from the main-series spread above. At a perfect 15/15/15, Sandshrew reaches 1,261 CP at level 40 and 1,443 CP as a best buddy.
Run the numbers: CP & HP calculator · PvP IV optimizer · Catch CP calculator
Shiny release
Shiny Sandshrew first appeared on December 6, 2018, during Sandshrew Festival in Tottori.
- Japan
- worldwide
- Sandslash by encounter; Shadow
Shiny Alolan Sandshrew first appeared on June 28, 2019, during Pokémon GO 3rd Anniversary.
- Alolan Sandshrew
- Alolan Sandslash by encounter; Shadow
Recent raid runs
Last in raids: Aug 5 to Aug 12, 2026, 1-star (Alolan Form).
| Dates | Raid | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 5 to Aug 12, 2026 | 1-starAlolan Form | Regular rotation |
| Dec 24 to Dec 29, 2025 | 1-starAlolan Form | Winter Holiday Part 2 |
| Sep 30 to Oct 14, 2025 | 1-starAlolan Form | Steel Skyline |
| Jun 30 to Jul 14, 2025 | 1-starAlolan Form | Regular rotation |
| Aug 21 to Sep 3, 2024 | 1-starAlolan Form | Regular rotation |
| Jan 17 to Jan 25, 2024 | 1-starAlolan Form | Regular rotation |
Sandshrew in competitive play.
Sandshrew is a Generation 9 LC-tier pick in Smogon singles. In Pokémon GO it ranks #610 in the Great League.
Build around it: GO PvP IV optimizer · Team builder · Ask Dia
Sets and GO ranks last checked 2026-10-20.
Common questions about Sandshrew.
Direct, sourced answers to the most-asked questions about Sandshrew, each computed straight from its Pokédex data.
What type is Sandshrew?
Sandshrew is a pure Ground-type Pokémon. It has a single typing, which means a simpler matchup chart but also fewer resistances.
What is Sandshrew weak to?
Sandshrew takes 2× damage from Water, Grass, Ice. It has no 4× weaknesses.
What is Sandshrew resistant to?
Sandshrew is immune to Electric. It also resists Poison, Rock.
How does Sandshrew evolve?
Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash (Level 22) or Sandslash (Use Ice Stone) or Alolan Sandslash (Level 22 in Alola (yields Alolan Sandslash)) or Alolan Sandslash (Use Ice Stone in Alola (yields Alolan Sandslash)).
What generation is Sandshrew from?
Sandshrew was introduced in Generation I (the Kanto region). Its Pokédex number is #0027.
What are Sandshrew's base stats?
Sandshrew has HP 50, Attack 75, Defense 85, Special Attack 20, Special Defense 30, and Speed 40. Total base stat total: 300.
What are Sandshrew's abilities?
Sandshrew can have the ability Sand Veil, plus the Hidden Ability Sand Rush.
Is Sandshrew legendary or mythical?
No. Sandshrew is a regular Pokémon, not classified as Legendary or Mythical.
What is Sandshrew's best stat?
Sandshrew's highest base stat is Defense at 85, which ranks 34th of 75 Ground-type Pokémon.
Is Sandshrew good?
Sandshrew has a base stat total of 300, the 856th-highest of all 1025 Pokémon species and 64th among Ground-types. That is a modest total, typical of an unevolved or utility Pokémon.
This Pokémon has forms.
Through the generations.
Sandshrew as drawn across two decades of Pokémon games, plus the modern Pokémon HOME render. Hit the cry button to hear it.
In battle.
Damage multipliers when Sandshrew is hit by each attacking type. 4× is two stacked weaknesses, ¼× is two stacked resistances.
Sandshrew vs. the average Ground-type.
Each base stat measured against the mean across all 75 Ground-type Pokémon.
| Stat | Sandshrew | Ground avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | 50 | 77 | -27 |
| Attack | 75 | 88 | -13 |
| Defense | 85 | 85 | +0 |
| Special Attack | 20 | 58 | -38 |
| Special Defense | 30 | 65 | -35 |
| Speed | 40 | 58 | -18 |
| Total | 300 | 431 | -131 |
Sandshrew appears in 36 games.
Every mainline release where Sandshrew is obtainable, has a dex entry, or is transferable. Grouped by generation.
- 1998 Blue
- 1998 Red
- 1999 Yellow
- 2000 Gold
- 2000 Silver
- 2001 Crystal
- 2003 Ruby
- 2003 Sapphire
- 2004 FireRed
- 2004 LeafGreen
- 2005 Emerald
- 2007 Diamond
- 2007 Pearl
- 2009 Platinum
- 2010 HeartGold
- 2010 SoulSilver
- 2011 Black
- 2011 White
- 2012 Black 2
- 2012 White 2
- 2013 X
- 2013 Y
- 2014 Alpha Sapphire
- 2014 Omega Ruby
- 2016 Moon
- 2016 Sun
- 2017 Ultra Moon
- 2017 Ultra Sun
- 2018 Let's Go, Eevee!
- 2018 Let's Go, Pikachu!
- 2019 Shield
- 2019 Sword
- 2020 Isle of Armor DLC
- 2023 Indigo Disk DLC
- 2023 Teal Mask DLC
- 2016 Pokémon GO
How to get Sandshrew.
Every main-series game Sandshrew is in, newest first: how to get it, version exclusives and Shiny locks.
Generation IXObtainableNot in the game
- Scarlet · VioletObtainable
- Trade(Version 2.0.1+)
- WildReveler's Road, Oni Mountain, Wistful Fields, Paradise Barrens, Kitakami Wilds (The Teal Mask)
- RaidTera Raid Battles (1★, 3★) (The Teal Mask)
- Legends: Z-ANot in the game
Generation VIIIObtainableTradeNot in the game
- Sword · ShieldObtainable
- Trade(Version 1.2.0+)
- WildWarm-Up Tunnel (The Isle of Armor)
- RaidChallenge Beach, Courageous Cavern (Max Raid Battle) (The Isle of Armor)
- Brilliant DiamondTrade
- Shining PearlObtainable
- WildGrand Underground - Spacious Cave, Rocky Cave, Sandsear Cave, Big Bluff Cavern (After obtaining the National Pokédex)
- Legends: ArceusNot in the game
Generation VIIObtainableTradeTransfer only
- Sun · Ultra SunTrade
- TransferPokémon Bank
- Moon · Ultra MoonTransfer only
- TransferPokémon Bank
- Let's Go, Pikachu!Obtainable
- WildRoutes 3 and 4
- Let's Go, Eevee!Trade
Generation VIObtainable
- X · YObtainable
- WildFriend Safari (Ground) (needs another player)
- Omega Ruby · Alpha SapphireObtainable
- WildRoutes 111 and 113
Generation VObtainable
- Black · WhiteObtainable
- BreedSandslash
- Black 2 · White 2Obtainable
- WildDesert Resort, Relic Castle
Generation IVObtainable
- Diamond · Pearl · PlatinumObtainable
- WildWayward Cave (LeafGreen)
- HeartGoldObtainable
- WildUnion Cave, Mt. Moon
- WildSafari Zone (Desert, default)
- SoulSilverObtainable
- GiftGoldenrod Game Corner
- WildSafari Zone (Desert, default)
Generation IIIObtainableTrade
- Ruby · SapphireObtainable
- WildRoutes 111 and 113
- EmeraldObtainable
- WildRoute 111, Mirage Tower
- FireRedTrade
- Event
- LeafGreenObtainable
- WildRoutes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 23
Generation IIObtainable
- GoldObtainable
- WildUnion Cave, Mt. Moon
- SilverObtainable
- GiftGoldenrod Game Corner
- CrystalObtainable
- WildRoutes 3 and 4, Union Cave, Mt. Moon (morning) (day)
Generation IObtainableTrade
- RedTrade
- BlueObtainable
- WildRoutes 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 23
- YellowObtainable
- WildRoutes 3 and 4, Mt. Moon
- Pokémon HOME
- Send it to HOME from Pokémon Bank; Let's Go, Pikachu!; Sword; Shield; Shining Pearl; Scarlet; Violet; and LeafGreen. From HOME it can move into Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Scarlet and Violet.
- Pokémon Champions
- Not on the roster.
Sandshrew appears in 26 episodes.
From EP001 (1997-04-01) through HZ054 (2024-06-14).
Pokémon Sleep · Slumbering type
Sandshrew has 4 sleep styles.
Catch each pose by sleeping near Snorlax with enough Drowsy Power. Sandshrew sleeps as a Slumbering type.
TCG Pocket appearances
Sandshrew in TCG Pocket.
Every printed variant on iOS / Android. Tap any card for full art.
Pokémon like Sandshrew
Closest matches by typing, role, stats, and lore, from the same semantic search that powers the Reverse Dex.