No. 0028 · Generation I · Mouse Pokémon
サンドパンSandpan · 'Sand' plus the 'pan' of pangolin, the scaly, ball-curling mammal it so closely resembles.
The Mouse Pokémon · Ground type · first seen in Pokémon Red & Green (1996)
01Overview
Meet Sandslash
Everything you need to know about the Mouse Pokémon — the creature behind the number.
Sandslash is what happens when a little ball of a Pokémon grows up and grows spikes. The evolved form of Sandshrew, it swaps its pre-evolution's smooth, plated back for a rugged crown of brown spines and stands tall on two legs, though it is happy to drop onto all fours and scurry. With its mustard-yellow body, pale belly, narrow muzzle and thick tail, it looks like a pangolin that has spent a lot of time at the gym.
Those spines are not separate quills but hardened sections of its own dry, tough hide. Once a year the old set falls out and a fresh one pushes up from underneath, and if Sandslash digs so hard that it snaps a spike or a claw, the damage is gone by the next day – no wonder it shrugs off breakages. Its two big claws on each paw and foot are its main weapons, equally good for slashing foes and tunnelling through the earth, and the drier its home, the harder and smoother its spikes become.
“It is adept at attacking with the spines on its back and its sharp claws while quickly scurrying about.”
Pokédex · Pokémon Red (Japan), Green (Japan), FireRed & Scarlet · 1996
In battle it still leans on the family speciality: curl up, turn into a spiky ball and roll straight at the opponent. The same trick helps it escape, guard its soft belly and even avoid heatstroke on scorching desert days. When it needs to disappear, it dashes around at top speed until it has kicked up a blinding dust storm. Away from fights it is a surprisingly good climber, hooking its claws into the bark, dozing off in the branches and dropping onto passing prey from above – and some shake Berries down to the Sandshrew waiting below the tree.
Sandslash was there at the very start, as #028 in Red and Green, where its line was one of the original version exclusives: Green (and, in the West, Blue) players found it in the wild, while Red players had to trade. In Yellow, the rival Blue made one a fixture of his Champion team. When Sun and Moon came along, it was one of the Kanto favourites chosen for an Alolan makeover and reinvented as a gleaming Ice/Steel mountain dweller.
Part of Sandslash's charm is how believable it feels: a hard-working desert creature with a rough-and-tumble streak, a soft spot for its family and a habit of napping wherever it feels safe – even buried in the dirt with only its spines poking out. Decades on, between the original and its frosty Alolan cousin, it remains one of the most recognisable silhouettes in the original 151.
How big is Sandslash?
At 1.0 m (3′03″) Sandslash stands about as tall as a kitchen worktop, and at 29.5 kg (65.0 lb) it weighs about as much as a bag of cement – while Alolan Sandslash, at 1.2 m (3′11″) and 55.0 kg (121.3 lb), is nearly twice as heavy.
Evolution
Alolan Sandslash
Alola form · since Sun & Moon (2016) · Mouse Pokémon
Once upon a time Alola's Sandslash lived in the desert, just like their Kantonian cousins. Then the volcanoes erupted, the line fled uphill into the snowy mountains, and long ages in the cold turned it into something entirely new: an Ice/Steel Pokémon, a type pairing that only it and Alolan Sandshrew share. It stands taller than the original and weighs almost twice as much, with an icy-blue hide and a back bristling with steel spikes sheathed in ice – taller than Sandslash's quills and shaped like a thicket of icicles.
The cold air its own body gives off keeps those spikes razor-sharp, and a stab from one leaves a deep wound with frostbite on top. Unlike Sandslash it rarely curls into a ball. Instead it relies on its oversized forepaws and long, hooked claws, carving paths through deep snow at a speed no other Pokémon on a snowy mountain can match, and it can climb straight up an iceberg without slipping. When it would rather not be seen, it simply melts into the snow. People even climb snowy mountains at dawn just to see its icy spikes glittering in the first light.
Base stats
Abilities
- Snow Cloak
Raises its evasiveness in hail or snow, making it harder to hit. - Slush RushHidden ability
Doubles its Speed in hail or snow.
Type matchups
How hard each attacking type hits Alolan Sandslash (Ice/Steel).
Where to find itMoon and Ultra Moon: evolve an Alolan Sandshrew (wild on Mount Lanakila and in Tapu Village) with an Ice Stone – Sun and Ultra Sun players have to trade. Let's Go, Pikachu!: evolve the Alolan Sandshrew that Camper Nicholice trades you in the Celadon City Pokémon Center. Sword & Shield: evolve an Alolan Sandshrew (an Isle of Armor reward) or meet one in The Crown Tundra's Dynamax Adventures. Scarlet & Violet (The Indigo Disk): 6★ Tera Raid Battles at Blueberry Academy in Violet (Scarlet players can join through Tera Raid Battle Search), or evolve an Alolan Sandshrew. Pokémon GO: since 21 June 2018.
Alolan Sandslash’s Pokédex entries
Fleeing a volcanic eruption, it settled on a snowy mountain. As it races through the snowfields, it sends up a spray of snow.
This Pokémon's steel spikes are sheathed in ice. Stabs from these spikes cause deep wounds and severe frostbite as well.
It runs across snow-covered plains at high speeds. It developed thick, sharp claws to plow through the snow.
A long, long time ago, it lived in the desert. With its sharp claws fully extended, it can climb right up an iceberg without slipping.
This is Sandslash's form after adaptation to a frigid environment. The cold air emitted by its body sharpens its icy spikes.
It uses large, hooked claws to cut a path through deep snow as it runs. On snowy mountains, this Sandslash is faster than any other Pokémon.
Many people climb snowy mountains, hoping to see the icy spikes of these Pokémon glistening in the light of dawn.
A long, long time ago, it lived in the desert. With its sharp claws fully extended, it can run right up an iceberg without slipping.
02In the Pokédex's words
Sandslash's Pokédex entries
18 different entries across 43 games, from 1996 to 2020. Here is how the Pokédex has described Sandslash over the years, in the order the games came out.
Generation I
It is adept at attacking with the spines on its back and its sharp claws while quickly scurrying about.
Kanto Pokédex
Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape.
Kanto Pokédex
It is skilled at slashing enemies with its claws. If broken, they start to grow back in a day.
Kanto Pokédex
Curls into a ball of sharp spikes and rolls into enemies. It is also adept at slashing with its sharp claws.
Kanto Pokédex
Generation II
In an attempt to hide itself, it will run around at top speed to kick up a blinding dust storm.
Johto Pokédex
If it digs at an incredible pace, it may snap off its spikes and claws. They grow back in a day.
Johto Pokédex
Adept at climbing trees, it rolls into a spiny ball, then attacks its enemies from above.
Johto Pokédex
Generation III
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.
Hoenn Pokédex
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.
Hoenn Pokédex
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.
Hoenn Pokédex
Generation IV
It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage.
Sinnoh Pokédex
Generation V
The spikes on its body are made up of its hardened hide. It rolls up and attacks foes with its spikes.
Unova Pokédex
Generation VII
Although they are sharp, its claws and spikes often break off. They grow back the next day, so it is not bothered by the temporary loss.
Rotom Pokédex
It uses its claws to climb trees and then curls its body into a spiny ball, ready to drop onto any prey that appears.
Rotom Pokédex
Its claws and horns often break off. The broken claws and horns can be used to carve plows for tilling farm fields.
Rotom Pokédex
Thanks to its thick claws, it's good at climbing trees. There are plenty of Sandslash that park themselves in trees and go right to sleep.
Rotom Pokédex
Generation VIII
The drier the area Sandslash lives in, the harder and smoother the Pokémon's spikes feel when touched.
Rotom Phone (Sword & Shield)
It climbs trees by hooking on with its sharp claws. Sandslash shares the berries it gathers, dropping them down to Sandshrew waiting below the tree.
Rotom Phone (Sword & Shield)
03Stats, moves & where to find it
Sandslash in the video games
Base stat total 450 · 24 core-series games · 24 spin-offs · every move it learns, generation by generation.
Base stats
Sandslash's base stats have never changed: 75 HP, 100 Attack, 110 Defense, 45 Sp. Atk, 55 Sp. Def and 65 Speed, a total of 450 – exactly 150 more than Sandshrew. In Red, Green, Blue and Yellow it had a single Special stat of 55; when Gold and Silver split Special in two, Sp. Def kept the 55 and Sp. Atk dropped to 45. Alolan Sandslash has the same 450 total but shuffles it, with 10 extra points each in Defense and Sp. Def paid for by 20 fewer in Sp. Atk. Its base experience yield was 163 until Black & White lowered it to 158, and its base friendship was 70 in Generations II–VII and has been 50 since Sword & Shield. In HeartGold & SoulSilver's Pokéathlon it is a Skill specialist: four stars, rising to five.
Abilities
- Sand Veilsince Gen III
Raises Sandslash's evasiveness during a sandstorm, making it harder to hit. - Sand RushHidden abilitysince Gen V
Doubles Sandslash's Speed while a sandstorm is blowing.
Type matchups
How hard each attacking type hits a Ground Pokémon.
These matchups have never changed since Red and Green. As a pure Ground-type, Sandslash shrugs off Electric-type moves completely and takes no damage from sandstorms – the very weather its Abilities thrive in.
Training & breeding
- Catch rate
- 90
- Base friendship
- 50
- Base experience
- 158
- Growth rate
- Medium Fast
- EV yield
- 2 Defense
- Egg groups
- Field
- Egg cycles
- 20
- Colour
- Yellow
- Gender ratio
- 50% male
- Body shape
- bipedal, tailed
Where to find Sandslash
| Game | Year | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Red & Green | 1996 | Green only: wild on Route 23 and in Cerulean Cave, or evolve SandshrewNot found in Red – trade from Green. |
| Blue (Japan) | 1996 | Wild on Route 23 and in Cerulean Cave |
| Red & Blue | 1998 | Blue only: wild on Route 23 and in Cerulean Cave, or evolve SandshrewRed players have to trade; Arbok's line is Red's exclusive in its place. |
| Yellow | 1998 | Wild in Cerulean Cave, or evolve SandshrewYour rival Blue fields a level 61 Sandslash in every version of his Champion team. |
| Gold & Silver | 1999 | Gold: wild on Kanto Routes 26 and 27 and in Mt. Moon. Silver: evolve Sandshrew |
| Crystal | 2000 | Wild on Route 26 and in Victory Road |
| Ruby & Sapphire | 2002 | Evolve Sandshrew |
| FireRed & LeafGreen | 2004 | LeafGreen only: wild on Route 23 and in Victory RoadFireRed players have to trade. |
| Emerald | 2004 | Evolve Sandshrew |
| Diamond & Pearl | 2006 | Wild on Route 228 with LeafGreen in the DS's Game Boy Advance slotOr migrate one from a Game Boy Advance game via Pal Park, where it lives in the Mountain area. |
| Platinum | 2008 | Wild on Route 228 with LeafGreen in the DS's Game Boy Advance slot |
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | 2009 | Both: the Safari Zone's Desert area. HeartGold: also wild on Routes 26 and 27 and in Mt. Moon |
| Black & White | 2010 | Wild in Relic Castle |
| Black 2 & White 2 | 2012 | Wild on Route 15 and in Relic Castle |
| X & Y | 2013 | Wild on Route 18 and in Terminus Cave |
| Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire | 2014 | Evolve Sandshrew |
| Sun & Moon | 2016 | Kantonian Sandslash: Pokémon Bank only. Alolan Sandslash: Moon only – evolve Alolan Sandshrew with an Ice StoneSun players have to trade for Alolan Sandslash. |
| Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon | 2017 | Kantonian Sandslash: Pokémon Bank only. Alolan Sandslash: Ultra Moon only – evolve Alolan Sandshrew with an Ice StoneUltra Sun players have to trade for Alolan Sandslash. |
| Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee! | 2018 | Let's Go, Pikachu! only: evolve Sandshrew, or evolve the Alolan Sandshrew from the Celadon City trade with an Ice StoneNot available in Let's Go, Eevee! – trade from Let's Go, Pikachu!. |
| Sword & Shield | 2019 | Trade only in the base game (from version 1.2.0); The Isle of Armor adds it roaming the Forest of Focus and Potbottom Desert and in Max Raid Battles at Challenge Beach, Courageous Cavern and Potbottom DesertIn The Crown Tundra, both Sandslash and Alolan Sandslash turn up in Dynamax Adventures at the Max Lair. |
| Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl | 2021 | Shining Pearl only: the Grand Underground's Spacious Cave, Rocky Cave, Sandsear Cave and Big Bluff Cavern, after obtaining the National PokédexBrilliant Diamond players have to trade, and Alolan Sandslash can't be obtained in either version. |
| Legends: Arceus | 2022 | Unobtainable |
| Scarlet & Violet | 2022 | Trade only in the base game (from version 2.0.1); The Teal Mask adds it wild on Oni Mountain, in the Paradise Barrens and in the Kitakami WildsIn The Indigo Disk, Alolan Sandslash appears in 6★ Tera Raid Battles at Blueberry Academy in Violet; Scarlet players can join them through Tera Raid Battle Search. |
| Legends: Z-A | 2025 | Unobtainable |
Sprites through the ages
Spin-offs & cameos
Pokémon GO
Sandslash has been in Pokémon GO since launch day, 6 July 2016, evolving from Sandshrew for 50 Candy, and Alolan Sandslash followed on 21 June 2018, using the same Sandshrew Candy. Shiny Sandslash arrived on 6 December 2018, timed with the Sandshrew Festival in Tottori, Japan, and shiny Alolan Sandslash on 28 June 2019 as part of the game's third anniversary. Shadow Sandslash joined Team GO Rocket's ranks on 7 November 2019, with Shadow Alolan Sandslash following on 3 April 2022. The line's biggest day was Sandshrew Community Day on 13 March 2022, which came with the 'Gritty and Glacial' Special Research: evolve a Sandshrew during the event and Sandslash learned Night Slash, while Alolan Sandslash picked up Shadow Claw – exclusive moves that returned at the December 2022 Community Day. It has also had spells as a raid boss, and both forms are 3 km buddies. The two forms play very differently: Sandslash hits with Ground moves like Earthquake and Scorching Sands, while Alolan Sandslash brings Ice and Steel attacks such as Powder Snow, Blizzard, Gyro Ball and Drill Run.
Keep your lens trained on the Valley course, where Sandslash is one of the Pokémon waiting for its close-up.
It can't be caught directly – evolve a Sandshrew on the table to add Sandslash to your Pinball Pokédex.
One of the 151 Pokémon you can battle with in 3D, complete with its own Stadium Pokédex entry about rolling into enemies as a ball of spikes.
Back for the Johto-era sequel, where its Pokédex page shows the Gold or Silver entry depending on which cartridge is plugged in.
Once again you'll need to evolve a Sandshrew on the table to register Sandslash.
A rare piece that drops into Endless and Forever mode stages, and into Mr. Who's Den.
Evolve a Sandshrew teammate to get one; its friend area is the Furnace Desert.
A Sandslash is one of the members of Team Razor Wind, and wild ones roam Quicksand Cave and Shimmer Desert.
Found in Hippowdon Temple; once befriended it lends a Ground-type Poké Assist and can use the Tunnel field move.
Team Razor Wind's Sandslash is back, and wild ones can again be met in Quicksand Cave and Shimmer Desert.
Lives in the Daybreak Ruins, Forest Temple and Light Temple, and its claws can Cut through obstacles in the field.
Sandslash waits on Marron Trail with the Counterattack skill, and Alolan Sandslash came later through the 'Sandslash Appears' Great Challenge, armed with Ice Dance.
Deliver a Sandshrew's letter to Sandslash in Noe Town and it will join your cause.
Here since launch day, with Alolan Sandslash joining in 2018; Sandshrew's Community Day handed both forms exclusive moves.
Sandslash sails the Charizard, Entei, Lugia and Bulbasaur Seas, while Alolan Sandslash shows up in the final Jirachi Sea.
Steven's summer 2020 outfit pairs him with Alolan Sandslash, and the globetrotting Naomi teams up with Sandslash from the 'Super Tour Guide Rosa' event, unleashing the sync move Must-See Ground Beam.
Wild Sandslash dig in at Magma Cavern, the Desert Region and Joyous Tower.
Alolan Sandslash is the star here: track it down in the icy Shiver Snowfields for Photodex #164.
A Skills-specialist helper that loves Figy Berries and uses Ingredient Draw S; researchers can find it on Greengrass Isle, in Taupe Hollow and in Amber Canyon.
Moves
Sandslash started out as a digger with a short to-do list: in Red and Green it scratched, threw sand, slashed, poisoned, fired off Swift and finished at level 47 with Fury Swipes, leaving its earth-shaking power (Earthquake, Fissure and Dig) to the TM case. Gold and Silver taught it to curl up and summon a Sandstorm, Ruby and Sapphire added Sand Tomb, and Diamond and Pearl gave it its signature moment: Crush Claw, learned at the very level at which Sandshrew evolves, alongside Rapid Spin, Rollout and Gyro Ball.
Black 2 and White 2 then turned the list into a proper miner's toolkit, with Magnitude, Dig, Swords Dance and an Earthquake finale, a shape the main games have kept ever since, give or take Bulldoze in Sword and Shield. Sun and Moon brought the biggest twist of all: Alolan Sandslash, an Ice- and Steel-type that trades sand for snow, evolving with an Ice Stone and arriving armed with Icicle Spear, Icicle Crash and Metal Burst, and later picking up Steel Beam, Triple Axel and Ice Spinner. From Let's Go's brisk lists to the 55-strong TM case of Scarlet and Violet, both forms have plenty to dig, slash and freeze with.
Signature moves
Those big claws at work, with a high critical-hit ratio. Sandslash learned it at level 17 in Red and Blue and has had it in every game since, usually somewhere between levels 24 and 44, while Alolan Sandslash knows it from level 1 in Sun and Moon, Sword and Shield, and Scarlet and Violet.
The level-47 grand finale of Sandslash's very first move list in Red and Blue: a flurry of two to five scratches. It now arrives far sooner, at level 16 in Let's Go and 26 in Sword, Shield, Scarlet and Violet.
The move that marks the evolution. From Diamond and Pearl to Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Sandslash learns it at level 22, the very level at which Sandshrew evolves; Sun and Moon teach it on evolution, and Sandslash itself can pass it on to Sandshrew as an egg move.
Desert weather on demand. Sandstorm became the level-52 finale in Gold and Silver and has stayed on the Kantonian list in every main game since, Let's Go aside, while Sand Tomb, a Ground-type move that traps its target, joined it from Ruby and Sapphire.
A burrower's favourite. Dig was TM28 in Red and Blue, with a mighty 100 power, and became a level-up move in Black 2 and White 2: level 30, later 33, then 20 in Let's Go and 41 in Sword, Shield, Scarlet and Violet.
TM26 from the very first games, and since Black 2 and White 2 the last move on Kantonian Sandslash's level-up list: level 46, then 53, 52 in Let's Go and 61 in Sword, Shield, Scarlet and Violet.
The snowy form's own claws of ice. Alolan Sandslash learns Icicle Spear the moment an Ice Stone evolves it and knows Icicle Crash from level 1 in Sun and Moon, Sword and Shield, and Scarlet and Violet.
Complete learnsets
Generation I · Red, Green, Blue & Yellow7 level-up · 22 TM/HM
In Red and Blue, Sandslash belongs to Blue: Blue players can catch one on Route 23 or in Cerulean Cave, Red players have to trade for one, and Yellow keeps it in Cerulean Cave. It arrives knowing Scratch and Sand-Attack, and because Sandshrew evolves at level 22, the moves it actually picks up afterwards are Poison Sting at 27, Swift at 36 and Fury Swipes as the level-47 finale, each a little later than on Sandshrew (Sand-Attack at 10 and Slash at 17 are also on the list). In the first three generations a move's category follows its type, so every attack it can learn here is physical. Its 22 TMs and HMs are Sandshrew's 21 plus Hyper Beam, led by Earthquake, Fissure, Dig (a hefty 100 power in these games), Rock Slide and Swords Dance. Counter, Defense Curl and Headbutt can be brought back from Gold, Silver and Crystal through the Time Capsule.
By level-up
| RGBY | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Sand-Attack | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 10 | Sand-Attack | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 17 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 27 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 36 | Swift | Normal | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| 47 | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM03 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM08 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| TM09 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| TM10 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM17 | Submission | Fighting | Physical | 80 | 80 | 25 |
| TM19 | Seismic Toss | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM20 | Rage | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Fissure | Ground | Physical | — | 30 | 5 |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM31 | Mimic | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM34 | Bide | Normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| TM39 | Swift | Normal | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| TM40 | Skull Bash | Normal | Physical | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM48 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM50 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Counter | Gen II (breeding) |
| Defense Curl | Gen II (level-up, TM) |
| Headbutt | Gen II (TM) |
Generation II · Gold, Silver & Crystal10 level-up · 31 TM/HM · 5 egg
Gold has wild Sandslash on Routes 26 and 27 and in Mt. Moon, Crystal on Route 26 and in Victory Road in the morning and daytime, and Silver players have to evolve a Sandshrew. Defense Curl joins Scratch and Sand-Attack as a starting move, Sand-Attack becomes Ground-type, and the list is reshuffled: Poison Sting at 17, Slash at 24, Swift at 33, Fury Swipes at 42 and Sandstorm as the new level-52 finale. The TM case grows to 31 with Rollout, Mud-Slap, Iron Tail, Fury Cutter, DynamicPunch and Sandstorm, and a Sandslash hatched as Sandshrew can carry five egg moves: Counter (which has to be chain-bred), Flail, Rapid Spin, Safeguard and, in Crystal only, Metal Claw. Thirteen Red, Blue and Yellow TM moves, from Swords Dance and Rock Slide to Fissure and Submission, can only be carried over from Generation I.
By level-up
| GSC | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 1 | Sand-Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 6 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 11 | Sand-Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 17 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 24 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 33 | Swift | Normal | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| 42 | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| 52 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | DynamicPunch | Fighting | Physical | 100 | 50 | 5 |
| TM02 | Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM03 | Curse | ??? | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM04 | Rollout | Rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM08 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 20 | 100 | 15 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Varies | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM13 | Snore | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM20 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM23 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| TM31 | Mud-Slap | Ground | Physical | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM34 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 |
| TM35 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM39 | Swift | Normal | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| TM40 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| TM43 | Detect | Fighting | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Special | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| TM49 | Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 10 | 95 | 20 |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino, Nidoking, Rhyhorn, Rhydon (chain breeding: the father must itself have learned it as an egg move) |
| Flail | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | Phanpy, Donphan |
| Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 | Sneasel |
| Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 | Donphan |
| Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 | Vulpix, Ninetales, Seel, Dewgong |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Body Slam | Gen I (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen I (TM) |
| Fissure | Gen I (TM) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Rock Slide | Gen I (TM) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen I (TM) |
| Skull Bash | Gen I (TM) |
| Submission | Gen I (TM) |
| Substitute | Gen I (TM) |
| Swords Dance | Gen I (TM) |
| Take Down | Gen I (TM) |
Generation III · Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed & LeafGreen (plus Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness)11 level-up · 24 TM/HM · 8 egg · 18 tutor
LeafGreen has wild Sandslash on Route 23 and in Victory Road and FireRed has none, while in Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald and Pokémon XD it comes from evolving Sandshrew (Colosseum has no Sandslash at all). One level-up list covers the handheld games: the Gold and Silver order up to Fury Swipes at 42, then Sand Tomb at 52 and Sandstorm at 62. Its 24 TMs and HMs add Focus Punch, Brick Break, Rock Tomb, Aerial Ace and Secret Power, and eight egg moves can now be passed down, with Crush Claw from Zangoose, Rock Slide from Camerupt and Swords Dance from Farfetch'd, Zangoose or Absol joining the list. The tutors are generous: Emerald teaches all 18 tutor moves, FireRed and LeafGreen eight of them and Pokémon XD six (Body Slam, Double-Edge, Mimic, Seismic Toss, Substitute and Swagger). Categories still follow type, so Sand Tomb counts as physical.
By level-up
| RSE/FRLG | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 1 | Sand-Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 6 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 11 | Sand-Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 17 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 24 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 33 | Swift | Normal | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| 42 | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| 52 | Sand Tomb | Ground | Physical | 15 | 70 | 15 |
| 62 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Varies | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM23 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 50 | 80 | 10 |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM43 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Special | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| HM06 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 20 | 100 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking |
| Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 | Zangoose |
| Flail | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | Dunsparce, Phanpy, Donphan, Zigzagoon, Slakoth, Slaking, Torkoal, Spinda |
| Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 | Sneasel |
| Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 | Donphan |
| Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | Camerupt |
| Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 | Vulpix, Ninetales, Seel, Dewgong |
| Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 | Farfetch'd, Zangoose, Absol |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | FRLG, Emerald |
| Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | Emerald |
| Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| DynamicPunch | Fighting | Physical | 100 | 50 | 5 | Emerald |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Emerald |
| Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 10 | 95 | 20 | Emerald |
| Mimic | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Mud-Slap | Ground | Physical | 20 | 100 | 10 | Emerald |
| Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | FRLG, Emerald |
| Rollout | Rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 | Emerald |
| Seismic Toss | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Emerald |
| Snore | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | Emerald |
| Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | Emerald, XD |
| Swift | Normal | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | Emerald |
| Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 | FRLG, Emerald |
Generation IV · Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver16 level-up · 42 TM/HM · 10 egg · 9 tutor
Diamond, Pearl and Platinum have Sandslash on Route 228 when LeafGreen is in the DS's Game Boy Advance slot, HeartGold adds Routes 26 and 27 and Mt. Moon, both HeartGold and SoulSilver have it in the Desert area of the Johto Safari Zone, and older Sandslash can come over through Pal Park's Mountain area. The level-up list grows to 16 entries, with Rapid Spin at 13, Swift at 15, Fury Swipes at 19 and Rollout at 21, then Crush Claw at level 22, the very level at which Sandshrew evolves, followed by Fury Cutter at 28, Sand Tomb at 33, Slash at 40, the new Gyro Ball at 45 and Sandstorm at 52. Every move now has its own physical or special category, so Swift and Hyper Beam become special. The 42 TMs and HMs add Stone Edge, Stealth Rock, X-Scissor, Poison Jab, Shadow Claw, Focus Blast and Rock Climb; the ten egg moves include Night Slash and, in HeartGold and SoulSilver only, Mud Shot; and the tutors of Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver teach Earth Power, Knock Off, Rollout, Swift and more, with Headbutt and Super Fang in HeartGold and SoulSilver only. Five old tutor moves (Body Slam, Double-Edge, DynamicPunch, Mimic and Seismic Toss) can only arrive from the Game Boy Advance games.
By level-up
| DPPt/HGSS | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 1 | Sand-Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 3 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 7 | Sand-Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 9 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 13 | Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 |
| 15 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| 19 | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| 21 | Rollout | Rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| 22 | Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 |
| 28 | Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 10 | 95 | 20 |
| 33 | Sand Tomb | Ground | Physical | 15 | 70 | 15 |
| 40 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 45 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| 52 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM23 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 50 | 80 | 10 |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM43 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| TM52 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM56 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM58 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM68 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM71 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 |
| TM74 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| TM75 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM76 | Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM78 | Captivate | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM80 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM81 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM82 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM83 | Natural Gift | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM84 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| HM06 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| HM08 | Rock Climb | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Lucario |
| Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 | Sandslash, Zangoose |
| Flail | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | Dunsparce, Phanpy, Donphan, Zigzagoon, Linoone, Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Torkoal, Spinda |
| Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 | Sneasel, Weavile, Prinplup, Empoleon, Lucario |
| Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Wooper, Quagsire |
| Night Slash | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | Dugtrio, Meowth, Persian, Farfetch'd, Seviper, Absol, Stunky, Skuntank, Weavile |
| Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 | Sandshrew, Sandslash, Donphan, Torkoal |
| Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | Camerupt |
| Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 | Vulpix, Ninetales, Seel, Dewgong |
| Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 | Raticate, Farfetch'd, Zangoose, Absol, Empoleon, Lucario, Leafeon |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | Pt, HGSS |
| Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 10 | 95 | 20 | Pt, HGSS |
| Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | HGSS |
| Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 | Pt, HGSS |
| Mud-Slap | Ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 | Pt, HGSS |
| Rollout | Rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 | Pt, HGSS |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | Pt, HGSS |
| Super Fang | Normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 | HGSS |
| Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 | Pt, HGSS |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Body Slam | Gen III (tutor) |
| Double-Edge | Gen III (tutor) |
| DynamicPunch | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen III (tutor) |
Generation V · Black, White, Black 2 & White 221 level-up · 37 TM/HM · 10 egg · 8 tutor
Sandslash lives in the Relic Castle in Black and White, and Black 2 and White 2 add Route 15. Black and White keep the Diamond and Pearl level-up order (moves marked N/A cannot be learned there), while Black 2 and White 2 pack the early moves into the first few levels and add Magnitude at 17, Dig at 30, Swords Dance at 38 and Earthquake as the level-46 finale, with Crush Claw still at 22. Sand Tomb now hits for 35 power and Fury Cutter for 20. Hone Claws, Round and Bulldoze arrive among the 37 TMs and HMs, Chip Away, Endure and Rock Climb join the ten egg moves, and the Black 2 and White 2 tutors teach eight moves, including Earth Power, Stealth Rock and Super Fang. In Black and White, Super Fang can only be inherited from a Sandshrew that learned it in the Dream World. Eleven older moves, such as Focus Punch, Secret Power and Captivate, can only be brought from earlier games.
By level-up
| BW | B2W2 | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | 1 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 1 | 1 | Sand-Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| N/A | 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 7 | 3 | Sand-Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 9 | 5 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 21 | 7 | Rollout | Rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| 13 | 9 | Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 |
| 15 | 11 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| 28 | 14 | Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 20 | 95 | 20 |
| N/A | 17 | Magnitude | Ground | Physical | — | 100 | 30 |
| 19 | 20 | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| 22 | 22 | Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 |
| 33 | 23 | Sand Tomb | Ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| 40 | 26 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| N/A | 30 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| 45 | 34 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| N/A | 38 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 52 | 42 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| N/A | 46 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| 3 | N/A | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Hone Claws | Dark | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM20 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 50 | 80 | 10 |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM52 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM56 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM68 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM71 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 |
| TM74 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| TM75 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM78 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| TM80 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM81 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM84 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM94 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chip Away | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | Nidoking, Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Rhyperior, Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Scraggy, Scrafty |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Lucario |
| Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 | Sandslash, Zangoose |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Phanpy, Vigoroth, Pachirisu, Buneary, Lopunny, Cubchoo, Beartic |
| Flail | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Phanpy, Donphan, Zigzagoon, Slakoth, Slaking, Torkoal, Spinda, Cubchoo, Beartic |
| Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 | Sneasel, Weavile, Prinplup, Empoleon, Lucario, Drilbur, Excadrill |
| Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Wooper, Quagsire |
| Night Slash | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | Dugtrio, Meowth, Persian, Farfetch'd, Seviper, Absol, Stunky, Skuntank, Weavile, Purrloin, Liepard, Zoroark |
| Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 | Sandshrew, Sandslash, Donphan, Torkoal, Drilbur, Excadrill |
| Rock Climb | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | Scraggy, Scrafty |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covet | Normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 40 | B2W2 |
| Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | B2W2 |
| Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | B2W2 |
| Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 | B2W2 |
| Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | B2W2 |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | B2W2 |
| Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 | B2W2 |
| Super Fang | Normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 | B2W2 |
From its pre-evolution
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Learnt as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Fang | Normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 | Sandshrew · Dream World · BW |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Body Slam | Gen III (tutor) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen III (tutor) |
| DynamicPunch | Gen III (tutor) |
| Focus Punch | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM) |
| Headbutt | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Secret Power | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen III (tutor) |
Generation VI · X, Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire20 level-up · 41 TM/HM · 11 egg · 8 tutor
X and Y have wild Sandslash on Route 18 and in Terminus Cave, while in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire it comes from evolving Sandshrew. X and Y keep the Black 2 and White 2 level-up list exactly (with Sand-Attack now spelled Sand Attack), while Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire move Fury Cutter to 11, Magnitude to 14 and Swift to 17 and stretch the back half, from Sand Tomb at 24 to Earthquake at 53. Fury Cutter now hits for 40 power, Rock Tomb for 60 and Thief for 60, and Swords Dance drops to 20 PP. Confide arrives as TM100, TM94 is Rock Smash in X and Y but Secret Power in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (where Rock Smash is HM06), Rototiller becomes an eleventh egg move, and the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire tutors teach eight moves, from Covet and Focus Punch to Earth Power and Stealth Rock.
By level-up
| XY | ORAS | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | 1 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 1 | 1 | Sand Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 1 | 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 3 | 3 | Sand Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 5 | 5 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 7 | 7 | Rollout | Rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| 9 | 9 | Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 |
| 14 | 11 | Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| 17 | 14 | Magnitude | Ground | Physical | — | 100 | 30 |
| 11 | 17 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| 20 | 20 | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| 22 | 22 | Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 |
| 23 | 24 | Sand Tomb | Ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| 26 | 28 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 30 | 33 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| 34 | 38 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| 38 | 43 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 42 | 48 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 46 | 53 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Hone Claws | Dark | Status | — | — | 15 | |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 | |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 | |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 | |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM20 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 | |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 | |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 | |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | ||
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM52 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 | |
| TM56 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 | |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM68 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 | |
| TM71 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 | |
| TM74 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | |
| TM75 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| TM78 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM80 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | |
| TM81 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM84 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | |
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM94 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | XY |
| TM94 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | ORAS |
| TM100 | Confide | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 | |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | |
| HM06 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | ORAS |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chip Away | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | Nidoking, Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Rhyperior, Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Scraggy, Scrafty |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Lucario |
| Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 | Sandslash, Zangoose |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Phanpy, Vigoroth, Pachirisu, Buneary, Lopunny, Cubchoo, Beartic |
| Flail | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Phanpy, Zigzagoon, Slakoth, Slaking, Torkoal, Spinda, Cubchoo, Beartic, Bunnelby, Diggersby |
| Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 | Sneasel, Weavile, Prinplup, Empoleon, Lucario, Drilbur, Excadrill |
| Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Wooper, Quagsire, Chespin, Quilladin, Chesnaught, Bunnelby, Diggersby |
| Night Slash | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | Dugtrio, Meowth, Persian, Farfetch'd, Seviper, Absol, Stunky, Skuntank, Weavile, Purrloin, Liepard, Zoroark |
| Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 | Sandshrew, Sandslash, Donphan, Torkoal, Drilbur, Excadrill |
| Rock Climb | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | Scraggy, Scrafty |
| Rototiller | Ground | Status | — | — | 10 | Dugtrio, Linoone, Bibarel, Lopunny, Watchog, Excadrill, Diggersby |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covet | Normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | ORAS |
| Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | ORAS |
| Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 | ORAS |
| Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | ORAS |
| Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 | ORAS |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | ORAS |
| Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 | ORAS |
| Super Fang | Normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 | ORAS |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Body Slam | Gen III (tutor) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen III (tutor) |
| Dynamic Punch | Gen III (tutor) |
| Headbutt | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen III (tutor) |
Generation VII · Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon21 level-up · 34 TM/HM · 12 egg · 9 tutor · + Alolan Sandslash
Alola has a Sandslash of its own. The Ground-type original can only reach Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon through Pokémon Bank, while the Ice/Steel Alolan Sandslash is evolved from Alolan Sandshrew with an Ice Stone in Moon and Ultra Moon; Sun and Ultra Sun players have to trade for one. Kantonian Sandslash keeps the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire levels, except that Crush Claw moves from level 22 to level 1 and the moment it evolves. Dig is no longer a TM (it stays on the level-up list at 33), and its 34 TMs lean on Earthquake, Bulldoze, Rock Slide and Stone Edge; it has twelve egg moves (Hone Claws in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon only), and the Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon tutors teach it nine moves, including the new Stomping Tantrum. Sun and Moon have no tutor moves, and 21 older moves, from Fissure and Skull Bash to Dynamic Punch, can only come from earlier generations.
By level-up
| SM/USUM | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 |
| 1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 1 | Sand Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| Evo. | Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 |
| 3 | Sand Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 5 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 7 | Rollout | Rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| 9 | Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 |
| 11 | Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| 14 | Magnitude | Ground | Physical | — | 100 | 30 |
| 17 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| 20 | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| 24 | Sand Tomb | Ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| 28 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 33 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| 38 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| 43 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 48 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 53 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM20 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM52 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM56 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM68 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM71 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 |
| TM74 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| TM75 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM78 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| TM80 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM81 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM84 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM100 | Confide | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chip Away | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | Nidoking, Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Rhyperior, Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Scraggy, Scrafty |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Lucario, Lycanroc (Midnight Form), Lycanroc (Dusk Form), Mudbray, Mudsdale |
| Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 | Sandslash, Zangoose |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Phanpy, Vigoroth, Pachirisu, Buneary, Lopunny, Cubchoo, Beartic |
| Flail | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Phanpy, Zigzagoon, Slakoth, Slaking, Torkoal, Spinda, Cubchoo, Beartic, Bunnelby, Diggersby, Stufful, Bewear, Komala |
| Hone Claws | Dark | Status | — | — | 15 | Sneasel, Weavile, Zangoose, Glameow, Purugly, Purrloin, Liepard, Drilbur, Excadrill, Zoroark, Heatmor |
| Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 | Alolan Sandshrew, Alolan Sandslash, Alolan Diglett, Alolan Dugtrio, Sneasel, Weavile, Prinplup, Empoleon, Lucario, Drilbur, Excadrill |
| Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Wooper, Quagsire, Chespin, Quilladin, Chesnaught, Bunnelby, Diggersby |
| Night Slash | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | Dugtrio, Alolan Dugtrio, Meowth, Alolan Meowth, Persian, Alolan Persian, Farfetch'd, Seviper, Absol, Stunky, Skuntank, Weavile, Purrloin, Liepard, Zoroark |
| Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 | Sandshrew, Alolan Sandshrew, Sandslash, Donphan, Torkoal, Drilbur, Excadrill, Komala |
| Rock Climb | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | Scraggy, Scrafty, Rockruff, Lycanroc, Lycanroc (Midnight Form), Lycanroc (Dusk Form) |
| Rototiller | Ground | Status | — | — | 10 | Dugtrio, Alolan Dugtrio, Linoone, Bibarel, Lopunny, Watchog, Excadrill, Diggersby, Mudbray, Mudsdale |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covet | Normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | USUM |
| Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | USUM |
| Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 | USUM |
| Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | USUM |
| Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 | USUM |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 | USUM |
| Stomping Tantrum | Ground | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 | USUM |
| Super Fang | Normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 | USUM |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Body Slam | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Curse | Gen II (TM) |
| Cut | Gen I (TM), Gen II (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Detect | Gen II (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Dynamic Punch | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Fissure | Gen I (TM) |
| Headbutt | Gen II (TM), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Rock Smash | Gen II (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Secret Power | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Skull Bash | Gen I (TM) |
| Strength | Gen I (TM), Gen II (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Submission | Gen I (TM) |
| Take Down | Gen I (TM) |
Alolan SandslashIceSteel
Alolan Sandslash's level-up list is all front-loaded: Icicle Spear, Metal Burst, Icicle Crash, Slash, Defense Curl, Ice Ball and Metal Claw at level 1, with Icicle Spear also taught the moment it evolves. Everything else Alolan Sandshrew learns, such as Powder Snow, Rapid Spin, Swift and Fury Swipes, has to be learned before evolving; in Sun and Moon that also goes for Iron Defense and Iron Head, which the Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon tutors teach directly. Its 37 TMs swap Sandstorm, Rock Tomb and Stone Edge for Blizzard, Hail, Frost Breath, Aurora Veil, Leech Life and Work Up, its twelve egg moves include Icicle Crash, Icicle Spear, Amnesia and Curse, and the Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon tutors teach it 14 moves, among them Ice Punch, Icy Wind, Iron Head, Drill Run, Aqua Tail and Throat Chop.
By level-up
| SM/USUM | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Icicle Spear | Ice | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
| 1 | Metal Burst | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| 1 | Icicle Crash | Ice | Physical | 85 | 90 | 10 |
| 1 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 1 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 1 | Ice Ball | Ice | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| 1 | Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 |
| Evo. | Icicle Spear | Ice | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Work Up | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM07 | Hail | Ice | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM20 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM28 | Leech Life | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM52 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM56 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM68 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM70 | Aurora Veil | Ice | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM74 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| TM75 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM78 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| TM79 | Frost Breath | Ice | Special | 60 | 90 | 10 |
| TM80 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM81 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM84 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM100 | Confide | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Psyduck, Golduck, Sentret, Furret, Wooper, Quagsire, Swinub, Piloswine, Slakoth, Slaking, Wailmer, Wailord, Numel, Camerupt, Torkoal, Bidoof, Bibarel, Pansear, Woobat, Swoobat, Heatmor |
| Chip Away | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | Nidoking, Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Rhyperior, Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Scraggy, Scrafty |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Lucario, Lycanroc (Midnight Form), Lycanroc (Dusk Form), Mudbray, Mudsdale |
| Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 | Sandslash, Zangoose |
| Curse | Ghost | Status | — | — | 10 | Numel, Camerupt, Torkoal, Bidoof, Bibarel |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Phanpy, Vigoroth, Pachirisu, Buneary, Lopunny, Cubchoo, Beartic |
| Flail | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Phanpy, Zigzagoon, Slakoth, Slaking, Torkoal, Spinda, Cubchoo, Beartic, Bunnelby, Diggersby, Stufful, Bewear, Komala |
| Hone Claws | Dark | Status | — | — | 15 | Sneasel, Weavile, Zangoose, Glameow, Purugly, Purrloin, Liepard, Drilbur, Excadrill, Zoroark, Heatmor |
| Icicle Crash | Ice | Physical | 85 | 90 | 10 | Alolan Sandslash, Beartic |
| Icicle Spear | Ice | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 | Alolan Sandslash |
| Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 | Alolan Sandshrew, Alolan Sandslash, Alolan Diglett, Alolan Dugtrio, Sneasel, Weavile, Prinplup, Empoleon, Lucario, Drilbur, Excadrill |
| Night Slash | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | Dugtrio, Alolan Dugtrio, Meowth, Alolan Meowth, Persian, Alolan Persian, Farfetch'd, Seviper, Absol, Stunky, Skuntank, Weavile, Purrloin, Liepard, Zoroark |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqua Tail | Water | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 | USUM |
| Covet | Normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | USUM |
| Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 | USUM |
| Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 | USUM |
| Ice Punch | Ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | USUM |
| Iron Defense | Steel | Status | — | — | 15 | USUM |
| Iron Head | Steel | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | USUM |
| Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 | USUM |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 | USUM |
| Super Fang | Normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 | USUM |
| Throat Chop | Dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
From its pre-evolution
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Learnt as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up |
| Bide | Normal | Physical | — | — | 10 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up |
| Powder Snow | Ice | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up |
| Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up |
| Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up |
| Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up |
| Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up |
| Iron Defense | Steel | Status | — | — | 15 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up · SM |
| Iron Head | Steel | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up · SM |
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! · Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!14 level-up · 17 TM/HM · + Alolan Sandslash
In Let's Go, Pikachu!, both forms come from evolving Sandshrew (the Alolan one with an Ice Stone); Let's Go, Eevee! has neither, so Eevee players need to trade. Kantonian Sandslash adds Counter to its starting moves and then learns Poison Sting at 4, Sand Attack at 8, Swift at 12, Fury Swipes at 16, Dig at 20, Protect at 28, Swords Dance at 36, Slash at 44 and Earthquake at 52. It can use 17 TMs, among them Dig, Earthquake, Rock Slide, Stealth Rock and Drill Run. There is no breeding and there are no move tutors in these games.
By level-up
| LGPE | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| 1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Sand Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 4 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 8 | Sand Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 12 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| 16 | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| 20 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| 28 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 36 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 44 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 52 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM05 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM07 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM08 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM10 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM12 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM13 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM15 | Seismic Toss | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM19 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| TM22 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM24 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM26 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM41 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM48 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM56 | Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM58 | Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 |
Alolan SandslashIceSteel
Alolan Sandslash has just five level-up moves of its own, Counter, Scratch, Defense Curl, Bide and Ice Shard, all at level 1, so Swift, Mirror Coat, Fury Swipes, Slash and Swords Dance have to be learned as Alolan Sandshrew. It can use the same 17 TMs as Kantonian Sandslash plus Ice Punch, Blizzard and Ice Beam.
By level-up
| LGPE | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| 1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 1 | Bide | Normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| 1 | Ice Shard | Ice | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM05 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM07 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM08 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM10 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM12 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM13 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM15 | Seismic Toss | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM19 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| TM22 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM24 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM26 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM35 | Ice Punch | Ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM41 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM48 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM51 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| TM55 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM56 | Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM58 | Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 |
From its pre-evolution
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Learnt as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up |
| Mirror Coat | Psychic | Special | — | 100 | 20 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up |
| Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up |
| Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up |
| Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Alolan Sandshrew · level-up |
Generation VIII · Sword & Shield (Version 1.2.0+ and Expansion Pass), Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl19 level-up · 83 TM/HM · 15 egg · 2 tutor · + Alolan Sandslash
Sword and Shield accept Sandslash by trade from Version 1.2.0. The Expansion Pass lets Kantonian Sandslash wander the Isle of Armor's Forest of Focus and Potbottom Desert and appear in Max Raid Battles at Challenge Beach, Courageous Cavern and Potbottom Desert, and both forms turn up in the Crown Tundra's Dynamax Adventures. In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Kantonian Sandslash lives in Shining Pearl's Grand Underground (Spacious Cave, Rocky Cave, Sandsear Cave and Big Bluff Cavern) once you have the National Pokédex, Brilliant Diamond players have to trade, and Alolan Sandslash cannot be obtained; neither form appears in Legends: Arceus. One level-up list covers all four games: Crush Claw, Scratch, Defense Curl, Poison Sting and Sand Attack at level 1 (plus Agility in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl), then Rollout at 9, Fury Cutter at 12, a 50-power Rapid Spin at 15, Bulldoze at 18 and so on up to Earthquake at 61. Sword and Shield teach 24 TMs and 21 TRs, and their Expansion Pass tutors add Scorching Sands and Steel Roller; Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl go back to a Sinnoh-style list of 38 TMs with Cut, Strength, Rock Smash and Rock Climb, and nine egg moves including Crush Claw, Mud Shot and Rapid Spin, against six in Sword and Shield. Some of the older moves Sandslash can bring along, such as Return, Frustration, Magnitude and Secret Power, cannot be used in Sword and Shield.
By level-up
| SwSh/BDSP | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 |
| 1 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Sand Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 9 | Rollout | Rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| 12 | Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| 15 | Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 50 | 100 | 40 |
| 18 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| 21 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| 26 | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| 31 | Sand Tomb | Ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| 36 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 41 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| 46 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| 51 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 56 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 61 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM07 | Pin Missile | Bug | Physical | 25 | 95 | 20 | SwSh |
| TM08 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 | SwSh |
| TM09 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 | SwSh |
| TM15 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM19 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 | SwSh |
| TM21 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM22 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM23 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | SwSh |
| TM24 | Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM25 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM31 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM32 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM34 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 | SwSh |
| TM39 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TM40 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TM43 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM48 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM49 | Sand Tomb | Ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM53 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM59 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM76 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM81 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TM98 | Stomping Tantrum | Ground | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR00 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TR01 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR10 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR12 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 | SwSh |
| TR17 | Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TR18 | Leech Life | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR20 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TR23 | Spikes | Ground | Status | — | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TR26 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TR27 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TR31 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR52 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | SwSh |
| TR57 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TR60 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR64 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 | SwSh |
| TR67 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR75 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 | SwSh |
| TR76 | Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TR85 | Work Up | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 | SwSh |
| TR87 | Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR95 | Throat Chop | Dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM01 | Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM10 | Work Up | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 | BDSP |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 | BDSP |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 | BDSP |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM20 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 | BDSP |
| TM23 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 | BDSP |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | BDSP | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | BDSP |
| TM52 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 | BDSP |
| TM56 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM58 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM68 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 | BDSP |
| TM71 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 | BDSP |
| TM74 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 | BDSP |
| TM75 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | BDSP |
| TM76 | Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 | BDSP |
| TM80 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM81 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM82 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM83 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM84 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM93 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 | BDSP |
| TM96 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM98 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM100 | Rock Climb | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | BDSP |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Galarian Zigzagoon, Galarian Linoone, Obstagoon, Lucario, Lycanroc (Midnight Form), Lycanroc (Dusk Form), Mudbray, Mudsdale, Scorbunny, Raboot, Cinderace, Skwovet, Greedent |
| Flail | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Zigzagoon, Linoone, Cubchoo, Beartic, Bunnelby, Diggersby, Stufful, Bewear |
| Hone Claws | Dark | Status | — | — | 15 | Galarian Meowth, Perrserker, Sneasel, Weavile, Linoone, Galarian Linoone, Obstagoon, Purrloin, Liepard, Drilbur, Excadrill, Sandile, Krokorok, Krookodile, Zorua, Zoroark, Mienfoo, Mienshao, Heatmor, Nickit, Thievul |
| Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 | Alolan Sandshrew, Alolan Sandslash, Alolan Diglett, Alolan Dugtrio, Galarian Meowth, Perrserker, Sneasel, Weavile, Lucario, Drilbur, Excadrill |
| Mud-Slap | Ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 | Diglett, Alolan Diglett, Dugtrio, Alolan Dugtrio, Dunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Drilbur, Excadrill, Bunnelby, Diggersby, Mudbray, Mudsdale |
| Night Slash | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | Dugtrio, Alolan Dugtrio, Alolan Meowth, Alolan Persian, Galarian Linoone, Obstagoon, Absol, Stunky, Skuntank, Weavile, Purrloin, Liepard, Zoroark, Pangoro, Nickit, Thievul |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Lucario |
| Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 | Sandslash, Zangoose |
| Flail | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Phanpy, Donphan, Zigzagoon, Linoone, Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Spinda |
| Hone Claws | Dark | Status | — | — | 15 | Sneasel, Weavile, Linoone, Zangoose, Glameow, Purugly |
| Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 | Sneasel, Weavile, Prinplup, Empoleon, Lucario |
| Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Wooper, Quagsire |
| Mud-Slap | Ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 | Diglett, Dugtrio, Mankey, Primeape, Dunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Poochyena, Mightyena |
| Night Slash | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | Dugtrio, Seviper, Absol, Stunky, Skuntank, Weavile |
| Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 50 | 100 | 40 | Sandshrew, Sandslash, Donphan, Torkoal |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scorching Sands | Ground | Special | 70 | 100 | 10 | Expansion Pass |
| Steel Roller | Steel | Physical | 130 | 100 | 5 | Expansion Pass |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Aerial Ace | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Chip Away | Gen V (breeding), Gen VI (breeding), Gen VII (breeding) |
| Confide | Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Covet | Gen V (tutor), Gen VI (tutor), Gen VII (tutor) |
| Curse | Gen II (TM) |
| Cut | Gen I (TM), Gen II (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Detect | Gen II (TM) |
| Double Team | Gen I (TM), Gen II (TM), Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Dynamic Punch | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Fissure | Gen I (TM) |
| Focus Punch | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen VI (tutor), Gen VII (tutor) |
| Frustration | Gen II (TM), Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Headbutt | Gen II (TM), Gen IV (tutor), Gen VII (TM) |
| Hidden Power | Gen II (TM), Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Knock Off | Gen IV (tutor), Gen V (tutor), Gen VI (tutor), Gen VII (tutor) |
| Magnitude | Gen V (level-up), Gen VI (level-up), Gen VII (level-up) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Return | Gen II (TM), Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Rock Climb | Gen V (breeding), Gen VI (breeding), Gen VII (breeding) |
| Rock Smash | Gen II (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Rototiller | Gen VI (breeding), Gen VII (breeding) |
| Secret Power | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen VII (TM) |
| Skull Bash | Gen I (TM) |
| Strength | Gen I (TM), Gen II (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Submission | Gen I (TM) |
| Super Fang | Gen IV (tutor), Gen V (tutor, prior evolution), Gen VI (tutor), Gen VII (tutor) |
| Swagger | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Take Down | Gen I (TM) |
| Toxic | Gen I (TM), Gen II (TM), Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
Alolan SandslashIceSteel
In Sword and Shield, Alolan Sandslash gets a far longer level-1 list than in Alola: twenty moves, from Icicle Spear, Icicle Crash and Metal Burst to Iron Head, Hail, Blizzard, Mist and Powder Snow, plus Icicle Spear again on evolving. It can use 25 TMs and 22 TRs, including Ice Punch, Icy Wind, Avalanche, Icicle Spear, Blizzard, Iron Defense and Iron Head, has six egg moves (Crush Claw and Curse among them) and can be tutored in Steel Beam, Steel Roller and Triple Axel. Ice Ball, Bide, Chip Away, Return, Frustration and Hidden Power can be brought along from Alola but not used here.
By level-up
| SwSh | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Icicle Spear | Ice | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
| 1 | Icicle Crash | Ice | Physical | 85 | 90 | 10 |
| 1 | Metal Burst | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| 1 | Rollout | Rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| 1 | Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| 1 | Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 50 | 100 | 40 |
| 1 | Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 |
| 1 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| 1 | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| 1 | Iron Defense | Steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| 1 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 1 | Iron Head | Steel | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| 1 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| 1 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 1 | Hail | Ice | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 1 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| 1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 1 | Mist | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 1 | Powder Snow | Ice | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| Evo. | Icicle Spear | Ice | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM04 | Ice Punch | Ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM07 | Pin Missile | Bug | Physical | 25 | 95 | 20 |
| TM08 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM09 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM15 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM19 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| TM21 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM22 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM23 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| TM24 | Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| TM25 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM27 | Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| TM31 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM34 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM35 | Hail | Ice | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM39 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM40 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| TM43 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM48 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| TM51 | Icicle Spear | Ice | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
| TM59 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM64 | Avalanche | Ice | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM76 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM81 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| TR00 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TR01 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| TR06 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| TR10 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TR12 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TR17 | Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TR18 | Leech Life | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TR20 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TR23 | Spikes | Ground | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TR26 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TR27 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TR31 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| TR46 | Iron Defense | Steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TR52 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| TR57 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| TR60 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TR64 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TR74 | Iron Head | Steel | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TR76 | Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TR85 | Work Up | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TR87 | Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 |
| TR95 | Throat Chop | Dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Galarian Zigzagoon, Galarian Linoone, Obstagoon, Lucario, Lycanroc (Midnight Form), Lycanroc (Dusk Form), Mudbray, Mudsdale, Scorbunny, Raboot, Cinderace, Skwovet, Greedent |
| Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 | Sandslash, Drilbur, Excadrill, Lycanroc (Dusk Form) |
| Curse | Ghost | Status | — | — | 10 | Torkoal |
| Flail | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Zigzagoon, Linoone, Cubchoo, Beartic, Bunnelby, Diggersby, Stufful, Bewear |
| Hone Claws | Dark | Status | — | — | 15 | Galarian Meowth, Perrserker, Sneasel, Weavile, Linoone, Galarian Linoone, Obstagoon, Purrloin, Liepard, Drilbur, Excadrill, Sandile, Krokorok, Krookodile, Zorua, Zoroark, Mienfoo, Mienshao, Heatmor, Nickit, Thievul |
| Night Slash | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | Dugtrio, Alolan Dugtrio, Alolan Meowth, Alolan Persian, Galarian Linoone, Obstagoon, Absol, Stunky, Skuntank, Weavile, Purrloin, Liepard, Zoroark, Pangoro, Nickit, Thievul |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel Beam | Steel | Special | 140 | 95 | 5 | SwSh |
| Steel Roller | Steel | Physical | 130 | 100 | 5 | Expansion Pass |
| Triple Axel | Ice | Physical | 20 | 90 | 10 | Expansion Pass |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Aerial Ace | Gen VII (TM) |
| Aqua Tail | Gen VII (tutor) |
| Aurora Veil | Gen VII (TM) |
| Bide | Gen VII (level-up, prior evolution) |
| Chip Away | Gen VII (breeding) |
| Confide | Gen VII (TM) |
| Covet | Gen VII (tutor) |
| Double Team | Gen VII (TM) |
| Focus Punch | Gen VII (tutor) |
| Frost Breath | Gen VII (TM) |
| Frustration | Gen VII (TM) |
| Headbutt | Gen VII (TM) |
| Hidden Power | Gen VII (TM) |
| Ice Ball | Gen VII (level-up) |
| Ice Beam | Gen VII (TM) |
| Ice Shard | Gen VII (level-up) |
| Knock Off | Gen VII (tutor) |
| Mirror Coat | Gen VII (prior evolution) |
| Return | Gen VII (TM) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen VII (TM) |
| Super Fang | Gen VII (tutor) |
| Swagger | Gen VII (TM) |
| Toxic | Gen VII (TM) |
Generation IX · Scarlet & Violet (Version 2.0.1+ and The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero)18 level-up · 55 TM/HM · 6 egg · 2 event · + Alolan Sandslash
Scarlet and Violet accept Sandslash by trade from Version 2.0.1, and The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero gives both forms a home: Kantonian Sandslash lives on Oni Mountain, in Paradise Barrens and in the Kitakami Wilds in The Teal Mask, where a wild Tera Sandslash on Reveler's Road comes with Rock Slide and Thief, while Alolan Sandslash is met in 6★ Tera Raid Battles at Blueberry Academy in The Indigo Disk. Neither form appears in Legends: Z-A. Kantonian Sandslash keeps the Sword and Shield level-up list, and its 55 TMs include High Horsepower, Gunk Shot, Smack Down, Spikes, Scorching Sands and Tera Blast. It keeps six egg moves: Counter, Flail, Hone Claws, Metal Claw, Mud-Slap and Night Slash. There are no move tutors.
By level-up
| SV | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 |
| 1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Sand Attack | Ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 9 | Rollout | Rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| 12 | Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| 15 | Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 50 | 100 | 40 |
| 18 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| 21 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| 26 | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| 31 | Sand Tomb | Ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| 36 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 41 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| 46 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| 51 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 56 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 61 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM001 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| TM004 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM005 | Mud-Slap | Ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| TM007 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM012 | Low Kick | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM018 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| TM025 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM027 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| TM028 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| TM031 | Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 |
| TM032 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| TM035 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| TM036 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| TM043 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM047 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM049 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM051 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM055 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM057 | False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| TM058 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM061 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM066 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| TM070 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM083 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| TM084 | Stomping Tantrum | Ground | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| TM085 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM086 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM088 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM090 | Spikes | Ground | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM095 | Leech Life | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM102 | Gunk Shot | Poison | Physical | 120 | 80 | 5 |
| TM103 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM105 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM106 | Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 |
| TM116 | Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM128 | Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM133 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM149 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM150 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 |
| TM152 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM158 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM163 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM171 | Tera Blast | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM176 | Sand Tomb | Ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| TM179 | Smack Down | Rock | Physical | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| TM180 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| TM181 | Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| TM183 | Super Fang | Normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM186 | High Horsepower | Ground | Physical | 95 | 95 | 10 |
| TM192 | Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| TM204 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| TM205 | Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| TM215 | Scorching Sands | Ground | Special | 70 | 100 | 10 |
| TM221 | Throat Chop | Dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM224 | Curse | Ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Zangoose, Lucario, Lycanroc (Midnight Form), Lycanroc (Dusk Form), Mudbray, Mudsdale, Scorbunny, Raboot, Cinderace, Skwovet, Greedent, Annihilape |
| Flail | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | Dunsparce, Dudunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Phanpy, Slakoth, Slaking, Zangoose, Cubchoo, Beartic, Komala, Cetoddle, Cetitan |
| Hone Claws | Dark | Status | — | — | 15 | Galarian Meowth, Perrserker, Sneasel, Weavile, Hisuian Sneasel, Sneasler, Zangoose, Drilbur, Excadrill, Sandile, Krokorok, Krookodile, Zorua, Hisuian Zorua, Zoroark, Hisuian Zoroark, Mienfoo, Mienshao, Sprigatito, Floragato, Meowscarada, Maschiff, Mabosstiff |
| Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 | Alolan Sandshrew, Alolan Sandslash, Alolan Diglett, Alolan Dugtrio, Galarian Meowth, Perrserker, Sneasel, Weavile, Zangoose, Prinplup, Empoleon, Lucario, Drilbur, Excadrill |
| Mud-Slap | Ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 | Diglett, Alolan Diglett, Dugtrio, Alolan Dugtrio, Dunsparce, Dudunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Yungoos, Gumshoos, Mudbray, Mudsdale, Orthworm |
| Night Slash | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | Dugtrio, Alolan Dugtrio, Alolan Meowth, Alolan Persian, Zangoose, Stunky, Skuntank, Weavile, Zoroark, Meowscarada |
Event moves
| Move | Event |
|---|---|
| Rock Slide | Wild Tera Pokémon (Reveler's Road) |
| Thief | Wild Tera Pokémon (Reveler's Road) |
Alolan SandslashIceSteel
Alolan Sandslash starts with Icicle Crash, Metal Claw, Slash and Swords Dance and learns Icicle Spear on evolving; its fifteen other old level-up moves, from Powder Snow and Mist to Iron Head and Snowscape (which replaces Hail), are now only available from the Move Reminder. It can use 56 TMs, including Ice Spinner, Flash Cannon, Steel Beam, Triple Axel and Icicle Spear, and has eight egg moves, among them Ice Shard and, from Glaceon, Mirror Coat.
By level-up
| SV | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Icicle Crash | Ice | Physical | 85 | 90 | 10 |
| 1 | Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 |
| 1 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 1 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| Rem. | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| Rem. | Mist | Ice | Status | — | — | 30 |
| Rem. | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| Rem. | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| Rem. | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| Rem. | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| Rem. | Powder Snow | Ice | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| Rem. | Rollout | Rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| Rem. | Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| Rem. | Rapid Spin | Normal | Physical | 50 | 100 | 40 |
| Rem. | Iron Defense | Steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| Rem. | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| Rem. | Metal Burst | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| Rem. | Iron Head | Steel | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| Rem. | Snowscape | Ice | Status | — | — | 10 |
| Evo. | Icicle Spear | Ice | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM001 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| TM004 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM007 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM012 | Low Kick | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM018 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| TM025 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM027 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| TM028 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| TM031 | Metal Claw | Steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 |
| TM032 | Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| TM034 | Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| TM036 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| TM043 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM046 | Avalanche | Ice | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| TM047 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM052 | Snowscape | Ice | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM055 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM057 | False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| TM058 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM061 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM066 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| TM069 | Ice Punch | Ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM070 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM083 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| TM085 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM086 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM088 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM090 | Spikes | Ground | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM093 | Flash Cannon | Steel | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM095 | Leech Life | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM099 | Iron Head | Steel | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM103 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM104 | Iron Defense | Steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM105 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM106 | Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 |
| TM116 | Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM124 | Ice Spinner | Ice | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM128 | Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM135 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM143 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| TM149 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM152 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM158 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM163 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM170 | Steel Beam | Steel | Special | 140 | 95 | 5 |
| TM171 | Tera Blast | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM180 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| TM181 | Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| TM183 | Super Fang | Normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM187 | Icicle Spear | Ice | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
| TM192 | Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| TM204 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| TM205 | Endeavor | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| TM212 | Triple Axel | Ice | Physical | 20 | 90 | 10 |
| TM221 | Throat Chop | Dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM224 | Curse | Ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Zangoose, Lucario, Lycanroc (Midnight Form), Lycanroc (Dusk Form), Mudbray, Mudsdale, Scorbunny, Raboot, Cinderace, Skwovet, Greedent, Annihilape |
| Crush Claw | Normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 | Sandslash, Zangoose, Drilbur, Excadrill, Lycanroc (Dusk Form) |
| Curse | Ghost | Status | — | — | 10 | Numel, Camerupt, Torkoal, Zangoose, Hisuian Zorua, Hisuian Zoroark |
| Flail | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | Dunsparce, Dudunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Phanpy, Slakoth, Slaking, Zangoose, Cubchoo, Beartic, Komala, Cetoddle, Cetitan |
| Hone Claws | Dark | Status | — | — | 15 | Galarian Meowth, Perrserker, Sneasel, Weavile, Hisuian Sneasel, Sneasler, Zangoose, Drilbur, Excadrill, Sandile, Krokorok, Krookodile, Zorua, Hisuian Zorua, Zoroark, Hisuian Zoroark, Mienfoo, Mienshao, Sprigatito, Floragato, Meowscarada, Maschiff, Mabosstiff |
| Ice Shard | Ice | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 | Alolan Vulpix, Alolan Ninetales, Seel, Dewgong, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Weavile, Glaceon, Cetoddle, Cetitan |
| Mirror Coat | Psychic | Special | — | 100 | 20 | Glaceon |
| Night Slash | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | Dugtrio, Alolan Dugtrio, Alolan Meowth, Alolan Persian, Zangoose, Stunky, Skuntank, Weavile, Zoroark, Meowscarada |
04On screen
Sandslash in the anime
Debut EP033The Flame Pokémon-athon! · First major role M01Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back · Its appearances on screen, and 5 other trainers who raised one.
Sandslash has been part of the scenery since the anime's first year, raking up dust on the Laramie Ranch (EP033), getting itself wedged inside a rampaging Onix until Bruno pulled it free (EP071) and being copied in Mewtwo's cloning lab (M01). It has never joined Ash's team, but it has given him a few prickly afternoons: Koji's Sandslash played dirty against Cyndaquil on the day Ash caught it (EP141), and Jenaro's showed off the anime's first Sandstorm at Team Rocket's expense (EP219).
The frosty Alolan form arrived in style, when a giant Alolan Sandshrew on Mount Lanakila evolved with an Ice Stone and handed Lillie an Icium Z (SM080). The biggest role so far, though, belongs to Ann in Pokémon Horizons: her Sandshrew came back from the time skip as a Sandslash and has since drilled and spun its way through a Double Battle at Blueberry Academy and the showdown in Laqua.
Other trainers’ Sandslash
First seen: HZ021The Lonely Hatenna
Evolved: HZ090Eyes to the Skies Once Again (Part One)
Ann, Liko's bubbly roommate at Indigo Academy, first showed off her newly caught Sandshrew on a video call to Liko (HZ021). When the story leapt forward in time, it had evolved off screen and was back as a Sandslash (HZ090), fighting alongside Samurott as Ann headed to Blueberry Academy as an exchange student. There it bored in with Drill Run and spun itself free of Plusle's Grass Knot with Rapid Spin in a Double Battle against Lacey's Plusle and Minun (HZ115), and helped Ann and Liko clear a Blueberry Quest mission to find Ditto Blocks (HZ118). In Laqua it threw up clouds of sand to help calm Pokémon driven wild by the Laquium mist, but was knocked out as the chaos grew (HZ134).
- HZ115Welcome to Blueberry Academy! · vs Plusle and Minun (Double Battle, with Samurott) Unknown
- HZ134One Step Closer · vs rampaging wild Pokémon in Laqua Lost
First seen: M01Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back
Corey was one of the few Trainers who made it to New Island, flying in on his Pidgeot with a team that included a Sandslash. Like the other Trainers' Pokémon, it was taken by Mewtwo and copied in the cloning lab, where Team Rocket, spying on the process, mistook it for a Sandshrew. The resulting Sandslash clone was seen again in Mewtwo Returns, and Corey's Sandslash plays the same part in the CGI remake Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution (M22).
First seen: EP141Good 'Quil Hunting
Koji was hunting the same wild Cyndaquil as Ash, and his Sandslash played rough from the start: a Sand-Attack in the face sent Ash slithering back down a slope, and Poison Sting hit the cornered fire mouse. Once Ash had caught Cyndaquil, Koji demanded a one-on-one battle for it. Sandslash seemed in control with Fury Swipes, Slash and Swift while Cyndaquil's flame refused to light, but chasing its nimble opponent wore it down, and when a lunging Fury Swipes left its claws stuck in a tree trunk, Cyndaquil dropped onto its head with a winning Tackle (EP141). A sore loser, Koji then tried to net Cyndaquil, only to be chased off by its first Flamethrower.
- EP141Good 'Quil Hunting · vs Cyndaquil Lost
First seen: EP219Hi Ho Silver… Away!
Jenaro crafts Silver Wing pins and sculptures from the stone of Silver Rock Isle, and his Sandslash is his loyal companion. Brock nursed it through a high fever, and once it was back on its feet it whipped up a Sandstorm that turned Arbok's Poison Sting and Weezing's Smokescreen straight back on Team Rocket, then drove the trio back to their balloon with Swift (EP219). It even gave its owner an encouraging poke as he finally worked up the nerve to propose to his friend Ariene.
- EP219Hi Ho Silver… Away! · vs Jessie's Arbok and James's Weezing Won
First seen: JN052How Are You Gonna Keep 'Em Off of the Farm?
When Pelipper dropped off Team Rocket's Rocket Prize Master on a farm, the machine dispensed a Drilbur and a Sandslash to take on Ash and Goh. Sandslash tunnelled into an underground duel with Goh's newly caught Dugtrio using Drill Run, but once the Rocket pair were forced back to the surface, Pikachu struck both with Quick Attack and Dugtrio's Sand Tomb sent them, and the trio, blasting off (JN052).
- JN052How Are You Gonna Keep 'Em Off of the Farm? · vs Goh's Dugtrio and Ash's Pikachu Lost
Ash & Sandslash
Ash has never had a Sandslash on his team, but the species keeps crossing his path. He watched Bruno pull one out from between the rocky segments of a rampaging Onix and scanned it with his Pokédex (EP071), and on the day he caught Cyndaquil his new partner's very first battle was against Koji's Sandslash, won with a Tackle to the head (EP141). In Journeys, Pikachu and Goh's brand-new Dugtrio blasted off a Sandslash that Team Rocket had pulled from their Rocket Prize Master (JN052).
Featured episodes
- EP033The Flame Pokémon-athon!Sandslash's debut: a group of them belong to the Laramie Ranch, and one competing in the Big P Pokémon Race is knocked out on the downhill stretch by an Electrode's Explosion.
- EP071To Master the Onixpected!A wild Onix goes on a painful rampage until Bruno climbs onto its head and finds the culprit: a Sandslash wedged between its rocky segments. He pulls it free and lets it go, Ash scans it with his Pokédex, and the grateful Onix joins Bruno's team.
- EP225Bulbasaur… the Ambassador!Bulbasaur recruits three Sandslash and a crew of Poliwhirl to dig a new lake for the Grass types at Professor Oak's Laboratory: the Poliwhirl soften the bedrock with Water Gun, the Sandslash Dig, and they scramble out just before spring water floods the pit.
- DP008Gymbaliar!At Team Rocket's fake Powerzone Gym, a Trainer's Sandslash tries Slash and Sand Attack on Croagunk, which dodges both and knocks it out with Poison Jab; the Trainer then hands over its Poké Ball, believing the 'Gym' will train it. Dawn's Pokédex gives its first reading on Sandslash.
- SM080Not Caving Under Pressure!Deep in an ice cave near Mount Lanakila, an outsized Alolan Sandshrew teams up with Lillie and Snowy to drive off a Tyranitar with Rapid Spin and Metal Claw. Afterwards it nudges an Ice Stone Charjabug has dug up, evolves into Alolan Sandslash, and returns with an Icium Z as a thank-you present for Lillie.
- SM125A Timeless Encounter!In a flashback to Professor Kukui's childhood, when he watched Hala's battles, an Ace Trainer's Alolan Sandslash battles Hala's Makuhita and is defeated. Alolan Sandslash is also the episode's Who's That Pokémon? in the dub.
More appearances
- EP047A Chansey Operation An injured Sandslash is brought in for treatment.
- EP108Pokémon Double Trouble A Sandslash is working out at the Kumquat Gym.
- EP204Right On, Rhydon! Pietra puts her Sandslash to work on her digging project.
- DP140Historical Mystery Tour! Barry runs into several Sandslash in Xatu's Forest.
- SM129Battle Royal 151! A Trainer's Alolan Sandslash enters the Battle Royal preliminary round of the Manalo Conference and is knocked out by Kiawe's Turtonator.
- HZ118Liko and Hattrem, Bonded by Happiness! Ann's Sandslash and Samurott help her and Liko complete a Blueberry Quest mission to find Ditto Blocks.
Beyond the main series
Anime gallery
Anime trivia
- Sandslash's first anime Pokédex entry came from Ash's Pokédex in To Master the Onixpected! (EP071); the next, from Dawn's Pokédex, did not arrive until Gymbaliar! (DP008), eight years later.
- Jenaro's Sandslash was the first Pokémon in the anime to use Sandstorm, turning Team Rocket's attacks back on them in Hi Ho Silver… Away! (EP219).
- In Mewtwo Strikes Back, Team Rocket stumble on Mewtwo's cloning lab and mistake Corey's Sandslash for a Sandshrew.
- Alolan Sandslash debuted as a giant: the oversized Alolan Sandshrew that led its group on Mount Lanakila evolved by nudging an Ice Stone, then gave Lillie an Icium Z (SM080).
- Alolan Sandslash was the dub's Who's That Pokémon? in A Timeless Encounter! (SM125); Japanese viewers got Trevenant instead.
- Ann's Sandshrew evolved off screen during the Pokémon Horizons time skip; in Japanese, Ann's Sandslash is voiced by Arisa Shida.
- In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness special, the Sandslash of Team Razor Wind is voiced by Tom Wayland in English and Chikara Ōsaka in Japanese.
“Sandslash, the Mouse Pokémon. The evolved form of Sandshrew. It attacks opponents with the quills on its back.”
Ash's Pokédex (Dexter) · EP071
05On the big screen
Sandslash in the movies
3 films and 3 specials featuring Sandslash.
Sandslash was there on the very first day of Pokémon cinema. In Mewtwo Strikes Back, Corey brings one to New Island, only for Mewtwo to capture it and grow a clone, and both Sandslash return in the CGI remake two decades later – with the clone reappearing in the TV sequel Mewtwo Returns. In The Power of One a Sandslash is among the Pokémon that sense the chaos Lawrence III unleashes on the weather. Its liveliest screen role, though, came in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon specials, as the third claw of Team Razor Wind: a squabbling crew who get blasted out of Wigglytuff's Guild, try to beat the rookies to a Gabite Scale and end up flattened by Gabite instead.
Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back
M01 · 1998
Corey's Sandslash and Mewtwo's clone of it
Sandslash's biggest film role came right at the start. Corey, the confident Trainer who flies to New Island on his Pidgeot, has a Sandslash on his team, and Mewtwo captures and clones it along with the rest of the challengers' Pokémon. When Team Rocket spot the cloning, they call the Sandslash a Sandshrew, one of three Pokémon the English dub gets wrong by name in the film.
Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One
M02 · 1999
A Sandslash
When the collector Lawrence III goes after the legendary birds and throws the world's weather out of balance, a Sandslash is one of the Pokémon that senses something is wrong. It's a fleeting moment rather than a part.
Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution
M22 · 2019
Corey's Sandslash and its clone
The CGI remake of the first film brings Corey's Sandslash back in the same role, now with spines and claws rendered in full 3D. Once again it is captured on New Island and Mewtwo makes a clone of it.
TV specials
- Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns (2000)
The clone Sandslash born on New Island is back for this TV sequel to the first film. It is one of the cloned Pokémon now living in hiding with Mewtwo on Mount Quena. - Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness (2007)
Sandslash's juiciest special role is as one third of Team Razor Wind, a trio of sharp-clawed explorers completed by Zangoose and Scyther. They are first seen being blasted out of Wigglytuff's Guild by Wigglytuff's Hyper Voice after squabbling over a mission reward. Deciding that the rookies of Team Poképals are too green to fetch the Gabite Scale needed to cure a sick Shinx, they race off to Labyrinth Cave to grab it themselves, and are later found deeper inside, beaten up by Gabite. In English the Sandslash is voiced by Tom Wayland. - Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky – Beyond Time & Darkness (2009)
Team Razor Wind, Sandslash included, return for the second Mystery Dungeon special, which tied in with Explorers of Sky.
06Trading Card Game · every card
Sandslash in the Pokémon TCG
32 cards since 1999, oldest first. Tap any card to see it full size.
Sandslash first rolled into the card game in Japan's Mystery of the Fossils in June 1997 and reached English players in Fossil in October 1999, a sturdy Stage 1 with Slash and Fury Swipes. It has been a regular ever since: two Brock's Sandslash for the Gym sets, Team Rocket's Dark Sandslash, a Fighting/Metal Sandslash δ, and a steady stream of Fighting-type Stage 1s from Skyridge right through to Mega Evolution. Spikes are its signature, with Needles, Needle Ball, Spike Armor, Poison Payback and Spike Rend all getting an outing, while Earthquake and Swift keep turning up for the big hits. Alolan Sandslash swapped sand for snow in Guardians Rising in 2017. It is usually Water type, sometimes Metal, and in 2020 it gave the family its only big-rule card so far, Alolan Sandslash-GX. There's still no Sandslash ex, V or VMAX.
The art has come a long way too. Ken Sugimori drew the Fossil original and Brock's first Sandslash, Atsuko Nishida handled Brock's second, and the e-Card and EX years brought Miki Tanaka, Kouki Saitou, Masakazu Fukuda and Mitsuhiro Arita. Later sets passed the spikes to Kagemaru Himeno, Yukiko Baba, BERUBURI and Naoki Saito. The Alolan cards began with TOKIYA's two pieces and took in Anesaki Dynamic, kirisAki and Hasuno before 5ban Graphics gave the GX its glossy CGI look, and the modern era belongs to Shigenori Negishi, Kyoko Umemoto, kodama, Nisota Niso and imoniii. Pokémon TCG Pocket has been a greatest-hits album, bringing back the Skyridge, HeartGold & SoulSilver, Fusion Strike and Cosmic Eclipse art and adding MAHOU's brand-new Shiny Sandslash.
Cards to know
- Fossil 41/62 — Sandslash's TCG debut, drawn by Ken Sugimori, and a famous misprint: a handful of Unlimited copies came out with a trail of seven to ten tiny black dots after the word Weakness.
- Gym Heroes 23/132 (Brock's Sandslash) — Brock's own spiky partner, whose Needles can paralyse and poison in one jab; in Japan it was only ever found in Brock's Gym deck.
- EX Team Rocket Returns 18/109 (Dark Sandslash) — Team Rocket's Sandslash is Fighting and Darkness at once, and its Poison Payback poisons anything that dares to hit it, even as it goes down.
- EX Delta Species 27/113 (Sandslash δ) — A Fighting/Metal Sandslash in 2005, eleven years before Alolan Sandslash made Steel official; its Delta Storm chips a damage counter off every opposing Pokémon-ex between turns.
- SM Black Star Promos SM236 (Alolan Sandslash-GX) — The only Sandslash Pokémon-GX: 200 HP of icy spikes that punish every hit, with a Spiky Storm-GX that blasts each damaged opposing Pokémon for 100.
- Skyridge 93/144 — Miki Tanaka's e-Reader Sandslash came back two decades later as the namesake card of Pokémon TCG Pocket's Sandslash Deck.
Every English-language card
Promo cards
Japan-exclusive cards
Pokémon TCG Pocket
Digital card games
- Pokémon Trading Card Game (Game Boy Color): Sandslash from Fossil (Ken Sugimori), card B26, found in the Evolution booster pack.
- Pokémon Card GB2 (Japan only): the same Fossil Sandslash, card B33, in the Legendary Power pack.
- Pokémon Card GB2 (Japan only): Keiji Kinebuchi's vending-machine Sandslash with Sand Veil and Rolling Needle, card F29 (Uncommon), in the Sky Flying Pokémon pack.
- Pokémon Trading Card Game Online: in the 2012–13 Pokémon League Driftveil Gym Season, online reward codes unlocked two Boundaries Crossed Sandslash, along with a Rocky Helmet and four Fighting Energy.
The artists behind the cards
- Ken Sugimori — 2 artworks (Fossil 41, reprinted in Legendary Collection and playable in both Game Boy TCG games; Brock's Sandslash in Gym Heroes)
- Atsuko Nishida — 2 (Brock's Sandslash in Gym Challenge; Mysterious Treasures 61)
- TOKIYA — 2 (Alolan Sandslash in Guardians Rising and its Prerelease promo SM18)
- Miki Tanaka — 1 (Skyridge 93, reused for TCG Pocket's Genetic Apex)
- Yukiko Baba — 1 (HeartGold & SoulSilver 29, reused for TCG Pocket's Fantastical Parade)
- Kyoko Umemoto — 1 (Fusion Strike 132, reused for TCG Pocket's Mega Rising)
- Hasuno — 1 (Alolan Sandslash in Cosmic Eclipse, reused for TCG Pocket's Celestial Guardians)
- Shigenori Negishi — 1 (Unbroken Bonds 84, reprinted in Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic)
- One artwork each: Keiji Kinebuchi (Japan's vending-machine Sandslash), Kouki Saitou, Masakazu Fukuda (Dark Sandslash), Mitsuhiro Arita (Sandslash δ), Kagemaru Himeno, BERUBURI, Naoki Saito, kodama, Nisota Niso, imoniii and aoki (Storm Emeralda) for Sandslash; Anesaki Dynamic, kirisAki and 5ban Graphics (Alolan Sandslash-GX) for Alolan Sandslash; MAHOU drew the Shiny Sandslash for TCG Pocket's Crimson Blaze
07On the page & beyond
Sandslash in manga, books & other media
From the earliest manga to story books and songs.
On the page, Sandslash's big moment belongs to Pokémon Adventures, where a chapter called Sandslash Surprise has Gold and Silver ambushed on the Whirl Islands by a rolling pack of them, all hiding from a frenzied Lugia. Its debut in the same series is quieter but sharper: a Sandslash glimpsed in Viridian Forest tells Bill the woods still haven't healed from Team Rocket's experiments. Elsewhere it is stolen by Mewtwo in the 1998 film manga, turns up at Giovanni's hair salon in Anakubo's Pocket Monsters and even gets a chapter called Sandslash's Love in Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪, while Alolan Sandslash makes its manga debut on Mount Lanakila in the Sun & Moon chapter. Away from comics, it's a Pokérap name-check, a face in the animation of a Pokémon Horizons opening and a star of Pokécology's guide to how Pokémon really live.
Manga
Books
Other media
More from the page
08Did you know?
Sandslash trivia
Name origins, design secrets and the facts that make Sandslash such a fan favourite.
What’s in a name?
Sandslash is a beautifully blunt name: 'sand' for the deserts it calls home and 'slash' for the claws it fights with. Its Japanese name, Sandpan, keeps the same 'sand' and adds the 'pan' of pangolin, the scaly mammal it most resembles. While Red and Green were still in development, its English name was briefly 'Sandstorm' before Sandslash won out. Other languages reach for other animals: the French Sablaireau is a sandy badger, the Korean Koji blends hedgehog and mole, and the Chinese 穿山王 makes it nothing less than the king of the pangolins.
Design origins
Sandslash looks like a blend of nature's great curl-up specialists, the armour-plated pangolin and the spiny echidna – and, just as Sandslash has been seen napping buried in the dirt with only its spines showing, real echidnas dig themselves in to sleep with nothing but their quills poking out. It may also borrow from the yamaoroshi, a Japanese yōkai linked to the radish grater and sometimes pictured as a porcupine-like creature; its name is also the word for a cold wind blowing down off the mountains. Alolan Sandslash leans into that icy side, perhaps with a nod to the barbegazi, big-footed gnomes of Alpine folklore who love winter sports and burrow through the snow, while its long, hooked claws look a lot like ice axes. No individual designer has been credited for Sandslash.
Names around the world
| Language | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | サンドパン Sandpan | From 'sand' and pangolin |
| French | Sablaireau | From sable (sand) and blaireau (badger) |
| German | Sandamer | From Sand and armadillo, and a play on the saying 'wie Sand am Meer' (like sand by the sea – countless) |
| Spanish | Sandslash | Same as the English name |
| Italian | Sandslash | Same as the English name |
| Brazilian Portuguese | Sandslash | Same as the English name |
| Korean | 고지 Koji | From 고슴도치 goseumdochi (hedgehog) and 두더지 dudeoji (mole) |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 穿山王 Chuānshānwáng | From 穿山甲 (pangolin) and 王 wáng (king) |
| Chinese (Cantonese) | 穿山王 Chyūnsāanwòhng | From 穿山甲 (pangolin) and 王 wòhng (king) |
| Russian | Сэндслэш Sendslesh | Transcription of the English name |
| Hebrew | סנדסלאש Sendslash | Transcription of the English name |
| Hindi | सैंडस्लैश Sandslash | Transcription of the English name |
| Thai | แซนด์แพน | Transcription of the Japanese name |
| Lithuanian | Žvyrius | From žvyras (gravel) |
Did you know?
- While Red and Green were in development, Sandslash's English name was 'Sandstorm'.
- Its Emerald Pokédex entry says it curls up to avoid heatstroke on hot days – the real pangolins and echidnas it resembles tend to do the opposite.
- Alolan Sandslash and Alolan Sandshrew are the only Pokémon with the Ice/Steel type combination.
- Alolan Sandslash is a mirror image of Alolan Ninetales: both are blue, part-Ice Alolan forms of yellow Generation I Pokémon, both have Snow Cloak, both are in the Field Egg Group, and both evolve with an Ice Stone where their Kantonian forms evolve another way.
- The two icy Alolan forms are split between versions, too: Alolan Sandshrew and Sandslash are found in Moon and Ultra Moon, Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales in Sun and Ultra Sun.
- Sandslash and Sandshrew share the Mouse Pokémon category with Pikachu and Raichu – despite looking far more like pangolins than mice.
- In Pokémon Yellow, the rival Blue's Champion team changes depending on what his Eevee became, but a level 61 Sandslash is part of all three versions.
- In Mewtwo Strikes Back, Team Rocket mistake Corey's Sandslash for a Sandshrew – shortly before Mewtwo captures and clones it.
- In Bulbasaur… the Ambassador!, three Sandslash dig a brand-new lake at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
- In Good 'Quil Hunting, a Trainer named Koji battles Ash with his Sandslash over a Cyndaquil – and loses.
- In Not Caving Under Pressure!, an Alolan Sandshrew evolves into Alolan Sandslash after touching an Ice Stone, helps Lillie take on a Tyranitar and thanks her with an Icium Z.
- In Journeys, James got a Sandslash out of the Rocket Prize Master, but it was beaten by Goh's Dugtrio.
- In Pokémon Horizons, Ann's Sandshrew is revealed to have evolved into a Sandslash in Eyes to the Skies Once Again (Part One).
- The Pokémon anime once showed Alolan Sandslash spinning so fast that it looked curled into a ball, even though the games say it rarely curls up.
- Its Ultra Sun Pokédex entry says its broken claws and spikes can be carved into ploughs for tilling farm fields.
- Ultra Moon reveals that plenty of Sandslash simply wedge themselves into trees and go straight to sleep.
- In Pokémon GO, Sandshrew Community Day (13 March 2022) gave Sandslash the exclusive move Night Slash and Alolan Sandslash Shadow Claw.
- Its German name, Sandamer, plays on the saying 'wie Sand am Meer' – 'like sand by the sea', meaning countless.
09Quizzes, archive & further reading
More Sandslash
Test yourself
Professor Oak's Kanto Quiz: BeginnerProfessor Oak has a few questions before you set foot in the tall grass. How well do you know the region where it all began?Take the quiz →
Who's That Pokémon? Kanto: BeginnerIt's the classic challenge! Can you name these original 151 Pokémon from their silhouettes alone?Take the quiz →
Indigo League Anime: IntermediateGrab your cap and set off on Ash's very first adventure. How much do you remember from the Indigo League days?Take the quiz →
Pokémon Horizons Anime: BeginnerAll aboard for a brand-new adventure! See how well you know Liko, Roy and the crew of Pokémon Horizons: The Series.Take the quiz →
Mewtwo Strikes Back: BeginnerThe film that brought Pokémon to cinemas everywhere! How well do you remember Pokémon: The First Movie?Take the quiz →
Pokémon TCG: IntermediateShuffle up and draw! From the very first booster packs to the digital age, how well do you know the Pokémon Trading Card Game?Take the quiz →From the archive: Gengar’s Online Pokédex
Before this page, Pokémon Dungeon was home to Gengar’s Online Pokédex, the classic fan Pokédex for Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver & Crystal by Curtis Alumbaugh (Gengar) with Ian Alumbaugh (Haunter). Its Sandslash entry is preserved in full, with its original art, moves and locations.
Further reading
Pokémon and all related names, artwork, sprites, screenshots and card images are © Nintendo, Creatures Inc., GAME FREAK inc. and The Pokémon Company, used here for fan commentary. Images via the Bulbagarden Archives. Page updated 24 October 2026.