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Sandslash(JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a Ground-type Pokémon that made its first appearance in the first generation games Red and Blue. In Alola, it developed into a Ice and Steel Pokémon.

Physiology and Behaviour[]

Sandslash is a bipedal, ground-dwelling pholidote Pokémon. Although Sandslash is usually bipedal, it can run on all fours. Most of its underside is light yellow with a white underbelly. It has a narrow muzzle, almond-shaped blue eyes, and a thick tail. Its back is mostly covered in sharp, brown quills formed from its tough, dry hide. It has two large claws on its paws and feet. These claws are its primary weapons and are used for slashing, but can also be used for burrowing. Its claws and spikes can both break off, but they grow back quickly and are shed regularly. Sandslash's broken parts can be used to carve plows for tilling farm fields. The claws can become harder and smoother if it lives in drier areas.

Sandslash can curl into a large ball, which allows it to roll to attack or escape, protect itself from heatstroke, and guard its belly. Sandslash is also adept at climbing trees and is prone to ambush its enemies from above. It also climbs trees to rest during the night, and to slash Berries to feed the Sandshrew waiting below. Sandslash can mostly be found in deserts.

Alolan Sandslash[]

In the Alola region, Sandslash has an icy blue hide and steel quills covered in ice. These quills stand taller than a regular Sandslash's quills and resemble icicles. Unlike its Kantonian variant, Alolan Sandslash is rarely seen curling up into a ball, perhaps made difficult by its thick hide and icy spine. Instead, this Pokémon uses its hide for camouflage in the snow while leaving only its spines exposed. Its body emits cold air, which sharpens its quills. Its forepaws are larger than its counterpart, and its claws are longer, thinner, and hooked at the tips. Formerly used for climbing trees, they now allow it to scale icebergs without even slipping.

Despite the weight of its ice-covered body, Alolan Sandslash can move swiftly by carving a path in the snow with its claws. It can move faster than any other Pokémon while in the snowy mountains. This Pokémon tends to live in the deeper parts of snowy mountains, where climbing is forbidden. However, the sprays of snow it kicks up are popular shots for photographers. People also climb up the mountains it lives in, to see Sandslash's icy spikes sparkle during the light of dawn. Stabs from Alolan Sandslash's spikes can cause both deep wounds and severe frostbite.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

Other Pokémon games[]

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Trophy descriptions[]

In the anime[]

Origin and inspiration[]

In-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

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


Alola - Fleeing a volcanic eruption, it settled on a snowy mountain. As it races through the snowfields, it sends up a spray of snow.

Pokémon Moon Normal - It uses its claws to climb trees and then curls its body into a spiny ball, ready to drop onto any prey that appears.
Alola - This Pokémon’s steel spikes are sheathed in ice. Stabs from these spikes cause deep wounds and severe frostbite as well.


Game locations[]

Title Location(s)
Pokémon Blue
Route 23, Cerulean Cave
Pokémon Yellow
Cerulean Cave
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold
Routes 26 and 27, Mt. Moon
Pokémon Silver
Evolve Sandshrew
Pokémon Crystal
Route 26, Victory Road
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby
Evolve Sandshrew
Pokémon LeafGreen
Route 23, Victory Road
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond
Route 228 (LeafGreen)
Pokémon Pearl
Route 228 (LeafGreen)
Pokémon Platinum
Route 228 (LeafGreen)
Pokémon HeartGold
Routes 26 and 27, Mt. Moon, Safari Zone
Pokémon SoulSilver
Safari Zone
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black
Relic Castle
Pokémon White
Relic Castle
Pokémon Black 2
Route 15, Relic Castle
Pokémon White 2
Route 15, Relic Castle
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X
Route 18, Terminus Cave
Pokémon Y
Route 18, Terminus Cave
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun
Trade
Pokémon Moon
Evolve Sandshrew
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword
Forest of Focus, Potbottom Desert (Kantonian Form) Max Raid Battle: Challenge Beach, Courageous Cavern, Potbottom Desert (Kantonian Form)
Dynamax Adventure (Both Forms)
Pokémon Shield
Forest of Focus, Potbottom Desert (Kantonian Form) Max Raid Battle: Challenge Beach, Courageous Cavern, Potbottom Desert (Kantonian Form)
Dynamax Adventure (Both Forms)
Pokémon Shining Pearl
Grand Underground - Spacious Cave, Rocky Cave, Sandsear Cave, Big Bluff Cavern * (Kantonian)


Evolution[]

Kanto[]

Sandshrew
Reach level 22.
Sandslash
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Alola[]

Sandshrew
Use Ice Stone Ice Stone
Sandslash
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Base Stats[]

Kanto[]

Base Stats
HP 75
Attack 100
Defense 110
Sp. Attack 45
Sp. Defense 55
Speed 65
Total 450

Alola[]

Base Stats
HP 75
Attack 100
Defense 120
Sp. Attack 25
Sp. Defense 65
Speed 65
Total 450

Moveset[]

Main article: Sandslash/moveset

Gallery[]

Sprites[]

Sprites
Red Green
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Red Blue
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Yellow
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Gold
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Silver
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Crystal
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Ruby Sapphire
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Emerald
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Fire Leaf
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Diamond Pearl
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Platinum
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Heart Soul
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Black White
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Black 2 White 2
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X Y
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Pikachu Eevee
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Sword Shield
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Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
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Scarlet Violet
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Alolan[]

Renders
Sun Moon
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Pikachu Eevee
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Sword Shield
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Scarlet Violet
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Trivia[]

  • No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Alolan Sandslash and its Alolan pre-evolved form.
  • In the Pokémon Red and Blue beta, Sandslash's original name was "Sandstorm".
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