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Sandslash
Sprite
No. 0028 · Generation I · Kanto

Sandslash

The Mouse Pokémon

TL;DR. Sandslash is a pure ground-type Pokémon from Generation I. Base Stat Total: 450. Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape.

Ground

Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape.

Height1.0 m
Weight29.5 kg
AbilitiesSand Veil
HiddenSand Rush
Base stats

Stat spread.

Total of 450. Higher peaks mean specialized roles, flat spreads favor versatility.

HP 75
Attack 100
Defense 110
Sp. Attack 45
Sp. Defense 55
Speed 65
Total450
450 base stat total, the 512th-highest of all 1025 Pokémon species and 37th among Ground-types.
110 base Defense, Sandslash's strongest stat, ranking 17th of 75 Ground-types.

Rankings computed across all 1025 base-species Pokémon (Mega and Gigantamax forms excluded). Source: National Pokédex base stats.

Pokémon GO

Sandslash 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, Sandslash reaches 2,374 CP at level 40 and 2,716 CP as a best buddy.

GO Attack182
GO Defense175
GO Stamina181
Max CP (L40)2,374
Max CP (L50)2,684
Best buddy (L51)2,716
Raid catch CP 1,288–1,356 (L20). Weather boosted 1,610–1,696 (L25).

Run the numbers: CP & HP calculator · PvP IV optimizer · Catch CP calculator

Competitive

Sandslash in competitive play.

Sandslash is a Generation 9 NU-tier pick in Smogon singles. In Pokémon GO it ranks #372 in the Great League.

NU
Sand Wallbreaker
Swords Dance / Earthquake / Knock Off / Leech Life
  • ItemLife Orb
  • AbilitySand Rush
  • NatureAdamant
  • EVs252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
  • TeraDark
Physical Wall
Earthquake / Knock Off / Rapid Spin / Spikes
  • ItemLeftovers
  • AbilitySand Rush
  • NatureImpish
  • EVs252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
  • TeraGhost, Dragon
PU
Defensive Spinner
Rapid Spin / Earthquake / Knock Off / Spikes
  • ItemLeftovers
  • AbilitySand Rush
  • NatureImpish
  • EVs248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
  • TeraGhost, Water
Pokémon GO Battle League
Great League #372 80.3 score
Ultra League #212 83.2 score

Build around it: GO PvP IV optimizer · Team builder · Ask Dia

Movesets via Smogon, GO ranks via PvPoke. Updated 2026-06-01.

Quick answers

Common questions about Sandslash.

Direct, sourced answers to the most-asked questions about Sandslash, each computed straight from its Pokédex data.

What type is Sandslash?

Sandslash is a pure Ground-type Pokémon. It has a single typing, which means a simpler matchup chart but also fewer resistances.

What is Sandslash weak to?

Sandslash takes 2× damage from Water, Grass, Ice. It has no 4× weaknesses.

What is Sandslash resistant to?

Sandslash is immune to Electric. It also resists Poison, Rock.

How does Sandslash evolve?

Sandslash evolves from Sandshrew (Level 22) or Sandshrew (Use Ice Stone). Sandslash is the final form of its evolution line.

What generation is Sandslash from?

Sandslash was introduced in Generation I (the Kanto region). Its Pokédex number is #0028.

What are Sandslash's base stats?

Sandslash has HP 75, Attack 100, Defense 110, Special Attack 45, Special Defense 55, and Speed 65. Total base stat total: 450.

What are Sandslash's abilities?

Sandslash can have the ability Sand Veil, plus the Hidden Ability Sand Rush.

Is Sandslash legendary or mythical?

No. Sandslash is a regular Pokémon, not classified as Legendary or Mythical.

What is Sandslash's best stat?

Sandslash's highest base stat is Defense at 110, which ranks 17th of 75 Ground-type Pokémon.

Is Sandslash good?

Sandslash has a base stat total of 450, the 512th-highest of all 1025 Pokémon species and 37th among Ground-types. That is a modest total, typical of an unevolved or utility Pokémon.

See the full Q&A page for Sandslash →
Alternate forms

This Pokémon has forms.

Sprites · Sound

Through the generations.

Sandslash as drawn across two decades of Pokémon games, plus the modern Pokémon HOME render. Hit the cry button to hear it.

Sandslash in Red / Blue
Gen I Red / Blue
Sandslash in Gold
Gen II Gold
Sandslash in Emerald
Gen III Emerald
Sandslash in HeartGold / SoulSilver
Gen IV HeartGold / SoulSilver
Sandslash in Black / White
Gen V Black / White
Sandslash in X / Y
Gen VI X / Y
Sandslash in Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon
Gen VII Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon
Sandslash 3D render in Pokémon HOME
HOME Modern 3D render
Type matchups

In battle.

Damage multipliers when Sandslash is hit by each attacking type. 4× is two stacked weaknesses, ¼× is two stacked resistances.

2× Weak to
Water Grass Ice
½× Resists
Poison Rock
0× Immune to
Electric
Comparison

Sandslash vs. the average Ground-type.

Each base stat measured against the mean across all 75 Ground-type Pokémon.

Stat Sandslash Ground avg Difference
HP 75 77 -2
Attack 100 88 +12
Defense 110 85 +25
Special Attack 45 58 -13
Special Defense 55 65 -10
Speed 65 58 +7
Total 450 431 +19
Ask Dia about Sandslash Compare it, check weaknesses, or get a quick competitive verdict.
Game appearances

Sandslash appears in 36 games.

Every mainline release where Sandslash is obtainable, has a dex entry, or is transferable. Grouped by generation.

Gen I
  • 1998 Blue
  • 1998 Red
  • 1999 Yellow
Gen II
  • 2000 Gold
  • 2000 Silver
  • 2001 Crystal
Gen III
  • 2003 Ruby
  • 2003 Sapphire
  • 2004 FireRed
  • 2004 LeafGreen
  • 2005 Emerald
Gen IV
  • 2007 Diamond
  • 2007 Pearl
  • 2009 Platinum
  • 2010 HeartGold
  • 2010 SoulSilver
Gen V
  • 2011 Black
  • 2011 White
  • 2012 Black 2
  • 2012 White 2
Gen VI
  • 2013 X
  • 2013 Y
  • 2014 Alpha Sapphire
  • 2014 Omega Ruby
Gen VII
  • 2016 Moon
  • 2016 Sun
  • 2017 Ultra Moon
  • 2017 Ultra Sun
  • 2018 Let's Go, Eevee!
  • 2018 Let's Go, Pikachu!
Gen VIII
  • 2019 Shield
  • 2019 Sword
  • 2020 Isle of Armor DLC
Gen IX
  • 2023 Indigo Disk DLC
  • 2023 Teal Mask DLC
Side games + live service
  • 2016 Pokémon GO
Pokémon Champions: Champions availability TBD . Full roster pending official reveal.
Where to find

Catch Sandslash in the wild.

Main-series wild-encounter locations, grouped by game. 17 games have a known habitat.

Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Sinnoh Route 228
Gold
Kanto Route 26Kanto Route 27MT Moon 1F
Crystal
Kanto Route 26Kanto Victory Road 1 1FKanto Victory Road 1 2FKanto Victory Road 1 3F
HeartGold
Johto Safari Zone Zone DesertKanto Route 26Kanto Route 27MT Moon 1FMT Moon 2F
Blue, green-japan
Cerulean Cave 1FCerulean Cave B1fKanto Route 23
Yellow
Cerulean Cave 1FCerulean Cave 2F
LeafGreen
Kanto Route 23Kanto Victory Road 2 1FKanto Victory Road 2 2FKanto Victory Road 2 3F
Black, White
Relic Castle C
Black 2, White 2
Relic Castle CUnova Route 15
X, Y
Kalos Route 18Terminus Cave 1FTerminus Cave B1f LeftTerminus Cave B1f RightTerminus Cave B2fTerminus Cave Zygardes Chamber
SoulSilver
Johto Safari Zone Zone Desert
Pokémon anime

Sandslash appears in 22 episodes.

From EP033 (1997-11-11) through JN141 (2023-02-10).

Pokémon Masters EX · Sync Pairs

Sandslash partners with 2 trainers in Masters EX.

Each card is a canon Trainer + Sandslash partnership. Tap any pair to open the Sync Pair catalog and explore the full roster.

Pokémon Sleep · Slumbering type

Sandslash has 4 sleep styles.

Catch each pose by sleeping near Snorlax with enough Drowsy Power. Sandslash sleeps as a Slumbering type.

TCG Pocket appearances

5 Sandslash cards across TCG Pocket.

Every printed variant on iOS / Android. Tap any card for full art.