Sand Tomb (move)

Sand Tomb すなじごく Sand Hell

Battles Type  Ground Category  Physical PP  15 (max. 24) Power  35 Accuracy  85% Priority  0 Does not make contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation III TM49 in Pokémon Sword and Shield TM176 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jam  0   Temporarily stops the crowd from growing excited.

Super Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  0   Earn a higher score the later the Pokémon performs.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Clever Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jamming  0   Temporarily stops the crowd from growing excited.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Sand Tomb (Japanese: すなじごく Sand Hell) is a damage-dealing Ground-type move introduced in Generation III. It was TM49 in Pokémon Sword and Shield, and is TM176 in Generation IX.

Effect

Generation III

Sand Tomb inflicts 1/16 of the target's maximum HP as damage for two to five turns upon use, in addition to the damage dealt when it is used. When successful, the text "<Pokémon> was trapped by SAND TOMB!" appears. It also traps the target, preventing switching and escape. If the user switches out, the target will be freed. If a trapped Pokémon uses Rapid Spin, it will be freed. If a wild Pokémon uses Sand Tomb on the player's Pokémon, the player may escape if the affected Pokémon has Run Away or is holding a Smoke Ball. However, these do not allow the player to switch the Pokémon out.

Sand Tomb has a power of 15 and an accuracy of 70.

Sand Tomb can be used as the second move of a Pokémon Contest combination, with the user gaining 3 bonus appeal points if Sandstorm was used in the previous turn.

Generation IV

In Generation IV, if the user of Sand Tomb is holding a Grip Claw, the duration will always be 5 turns. Also, if an affected Pokémon is holding a Shed Shell, it can switch out.

Generation V

Sand Tomb's power and accuracy were increased to 35 and 85 respectively, and now lasts four to five turns. If a Binding Band is held by the user, the damage done at the end of each turn will increase from 1/16 of the target's maximum HP to 1/8. If the user of Sand Tomb is holding a Grip Claw, the duration will be 7 turns. The text was also altered to, "<Pokémon> became trapped by Sand Tomb!"

Generation VI onwards

The end turn damage of Sand Tomb is increased from 1/16 to 1/8 of the target's maximum HP. If the user is holding a Binding Band, the end turn damage of Sand Tomb will increase to 1/6 of the target's maximum HP. Ghost-type Pokémon cannot be trapped by Sand Tomb.

Sand Tomb can also be used as part of a Contest Spectacular combination, with the user gaining an extra three appeal points if the move Sandstorm was used in the prior turn.

Description

Games Description RSE Traps and hurts the foe in quicksand for 2 to 5 turns. ColoXD Traps and hurts target in a whirlpool for 2 to 5 turns. FRLG The foe is trapped inside a painful sandstorm for two to five turns. DPPtHGSSPBR The user traps the foe inside a harshly raging sandstorm for two to five turns. BWB2W2 XYORAS SMUSUMPE SwShBDSPLA The user traps the target inside a harshly raging sandstorm for four to five turns. SV The user traps the target inside a harshly raging sandstorm that inflicts damage for four to five turns.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII		IX
										SMUSUM	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0027		Sandshrew		Field		Field	45	27	27BW 23B2W2	23	23	−	−	−
0028		Sandslash		Field		Field	52	33	33BW 23B2W2	23XY 24ORAS	24	31	31	31
0051		Dugtrio		Field		Field	26	26	26	26	1, Evo.	1, Evo.	1, Evo.	Evo.
0051		Dugtrio Alolan Form		Field		Field					1, Evo.	1, Evo.		Evo.
0095		Onix		Mineral		Mineral	49RSE 52FRLG	41DP 46PtHGSS	54BW 37B2W2	37	37	28	28
0208		Steelix		Mineral		Mineral	−	−	−	−	−	28	28
0328		Trapinch		Bug	Dragon	25	25	25BW 10B2W2	10XY 12ORAS	12	16	16	16
0329		Vibrava		Bug	Dragon	1, 25	1, 25	1, 25BW 1, 10B2W2	1, 10XY 12ORAS	12	16	16	16
0330		Flygon		Bug	Dragon	1, 25	1, 25	1, 25BW 1, 10B2W2	1, 10XY 12ORAS	12	16	16	16
0443		Gible		Monster	Dragon		19	19	19	19	1	1	1
0444		Gabite		Monster	Dragon		19	19	19	19	1	1	1
0445		Garchomp		Monster	Dragon		19	19	19	19	1	1	1
0449		Hippopotas		Field		Field		25	25	25	25	12	12	12
0450		Hippowdon		Field		Field		25	25	25	25	12	12	12
0551		Sandile		Field		Field			13	13	13	9		9
0552		Krokorok		Field		Field			13	13	13	9		9
0553		Krookodile		Field		Field			13	13	13	9		9
0645		Landorus All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			−	−	−	1		1
0769		Sandygast		Amorphous		Amorphous					14	10		10
0770		Palossand		Amorphous		Amorphous					14	1		1
0843		Silicobra		Field	Dragon						50		50
0844		Sandaconda		Field	Dragon						51		51
1003		Ting-Lu		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered								1
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By TM

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Compatibility
						VIII	IX
						SwSh TM49	SV TM176
0027		Sandshrew		Field		Field	✔	✔
0028		Sandslash		Field		Field	✔	✔
0031		Nidoqueen		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0034		Nidoking		Monster	Field	✔
0050		Diglett		Field		Field	−	✔
0050		Diglett Alolan Form		Field		Field	−	✔
0051		Dugtrio		Field		Field	✔	✔
0051		Dugtrio Alolan Form		Field		Field	✔	✔
0095		Onix		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0185		Sudowoodo		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0204		Pineco		Bug		Bug		✔
0205		Forretress		Bug		Bug		✔
0207		Gligar		Bug		Bug		✔
0208		Steelix		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0212		Scizor		Bug		Bug	✔	−
0213		Shuckle		Bug		Bug	✔
0219		Magcargo		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔
0220		Swinub		Field		Field	✔	✔
0221		Piloswine		Field		Field	✔	✔
0227		Skarmory		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0231		Phanpy		Field		Field		✔
0232		Donphan		Field		Field		✔
0246		Larvitar		Monster		Monster	✔	✔
0247		Pupitar		Monster		Monster	✔	✔
0248		Tyranitar		Monster		Monster	✔	✔
0259		Marshtomp		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔
0260		Swampert		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔
0299		Nosepass		Mineral		Mineral		✔
0305		Lairon		Monster		Monster	✔
0306		Aggron		Monster		Monster	✔
0328		Trapinch		Bug	Dragon	✔	✔
0329		Vibrava		Bug	Dragon	✔	✔
0330		Flygon		Bug	Dragon	✔	✔
0337		Lunatone		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0338		Solrock		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0340		Whiscash		Water 2		Water 2	✔	✔
0343		Baltoy		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0344		Claydol		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0377		Regirock		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0379		Registeel		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0383		Groudon		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	−	✔
0387		Turtwig		Monster	Grass		✔
0388		Grotle		Monster	Grass		✔
0389		Torterra		Monster	Grass		✔
0410		Shieldon		Monster		Monster		✔
0411		Bastiodon		Monster		Monster		✔
0423		Gastrodon All forms		Water 1	Amorphous	✔	✔
0438		Bonsly		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0443		Gible		Monster	Dragon	✔	✔
0444		Gabite		Monster	Dragon	✔	✔
0445		Garchomp		Monster	Dragon	✔	✔
0449		Hippopotas		Field		Field	✔	✔
0450		Hippowdon		Field		Field	✔	✔
0452		Drapion		Bug	Water 3	✔
0472		Gliscor		Bug		Bug		✔
0473		Mamoswine		Field		Field	✔	✔
0476		Probopass		Mineral		Mineral		✔
0524		Roggenrola		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0525		Boldore		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0526		Gigalith		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0529		Drilbur		Field		Field	✔	✔
0530		Excadrill		Field		Field	✔	✔
0551		Sandile		Field		Field	✔	✔
0552		Krokorok		Field		Field	✔	✔
0553		Krookodile		Field		Field	✔	✔
0557		Dwebble		Bug	Mineral	✔
0558		Crustle		Bug	Mineral	✔
0645		Landorus All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0660		Diggersby		Field		Field	✔
0703		Carbink		Fairy	Mineral	✔	✔
0719		Diancie		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0749		Mudbray		Field		Field	✔	✔
0750		Mudsdale		Field		Field	✔	✔
0769		Sandygast		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0770		Palossand		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0834		Drednaw		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔
0837		Rolycoly		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0838		Carkol		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0839		Coalossal		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0843		Silicobra		Field	Dragon	✔	✔
0844		Sandaconda		Field	Dragon	✔	✔
0867		Runerigus		Mineral	Amorphous	✔
0874		Stonjourner		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0968		Orthworm		Field		Field		✔
0969		Glimmet		Mineral		Mineral		✔
0970		Glimmora		Mineral		Mineral		✔
0989		Sandy Shocks		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
0995		Iron Thorns		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
1003		Ting-Lu		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Egg Move
						III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
										SMUSUM	BDSP	SV
0185		Sudowoodo		Mineral		Mineral	−	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	−
0204		Pineco		Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0207		Gligar		Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	−
0213		Shuckle		Bug		Bug	−	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0387		Turtwig		Monster	Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	−
0438		Bonsly		Mineral		Mineral		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	−
0443		Gible		Monster	Dragon		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	−
0449		Hippopotas		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	−
0557		Dwebble		Bug	Mineral			✔	✔	✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In the Rescue Team, Explorers, and Adventure Squad series, Sand Tomb deals damage and can inflict the Constriction status condition on the enemy. With this, the Pokémon cannot move (though it may attack), cannot switch places with the team leader, and loses 5 HP every two turns (for 4-6 turns).

From Gates to Infinity, it instead can cause the Sand Tomb status condition which causes the enemy to lose 3 HP at the end of every 2 turns (lasting 6 turns).

Game Base Power Max Power Base PP Max PP Base Accuracy Max Accuracy Range Target Cuts corners MDRB 4 - 17 - 73% - Front Enemy No MDTDS 4 - 17 - 73% - Front Enemy No BSL 4 - 17 - 73% - Front Enemy No MDGtI 3 99 17 50 95% 98% Front Enemy No SMD 3 99 17 40 95% 98% Front Enemy No With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games: MD Rescue Team = Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. MD Time and Darkness = Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. MD Sky = Pokémon Platinum. MD Adventure Squad = ??. MD Gates to Infinity = Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. Super Mystery Dungeon = Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. MD Rescue Team DX = Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, Sand Tomb is a Charged Attack that has been available since February 16, 2017.

Sand Tomb
Charged Attack
Gyms & Raids Power 60 Energy cost 33 Duration 4 seconds Damage window 1.7 - 4 seconds
Trainer Battles Power 25 Energy cost 40 Secondary effect 1 Opponent Defense Effect chance 100%
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility By Elite Charged TM By GO Snapshot As Shadow Pokémon As Purified Pokémon Formerly eligible None

Updates

Gyms & Raids

• December 11, 2019
  • Power: 80 → 60
  • Energy cost: 50 → 33

Trainer Battles

• December 11, 2019
  • Power: 80 → 25
  • Energy cost: 60 → 40
  • Secondary effect added

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Sand Tomb

★
Attack power	12.51031
Charge time	0.86 seconds
Range type	Circular (ranged)
Number of hits	3
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	1.5%
Additional effect	None

Pokémon Masters EX

Name	Category	Move gauge cost	MP (uses)	Base power	Max power	Accuracy	Target	Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair(s)
Sand Tomb	Physical	2	—	38	45	85%	An opponent	—	Leaves the target trapped.	Bertha & Hippowdon Roxanne (Fall 2023) & Runerigus Arc Suit Cynthia & Garchomp Scottie/Bettie & Sandshrew/SandslashEgg (Tech role only)

Description

Games Description MDRB Inflicts damage on the target. It may also cause constriction, making the foe incapable of movement. MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target. It may also afflict the targeted enemy with a Constriction status, making it incapable of movement. BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる しかも いっていのかくりつで しめつけじょうたいに かえて いどうできなくする MDGtI It damages an enemy. It could also cause the Sand Tomb status condition. (With the Sand Tomb status, the enemy can't move and keeps taking damage.) SMD It could trap an enemy, make it unable to move, and keep damaging the enemy.

In the anime

Main series

Vibrava Gabite Krookodile Dugtrio
The user traps the foe inside a harshly raging sandstorm.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Dugtrio digs underground, and a huge hole opens up in the ground that sucks in the opponent. Dugtrio appears in the middle of the hole.
Katie's Dugtrio	Shocks and Bonds		Debut
Laxton's Dugtrio	How Are You Gonna Keep 'Em Off of the Farm?		None
	Vibrava's eyes glow light blue and the opponent's legs becomes surrounded by a sand tornado. When the tornado fades, the opponent's legs become trapped in sand.
Brianna's Vibrava	Spontaneous Combusken!		None
	Hippopotas releases a geyser of sand from the hole on its back, flooding the area with sand and trapping the opponent.
Hippopotas (recurring)	Mass Hip-Po-Sis!		None
	Hippowdon releases sand out of the holes on its back and digs into the ground.
A Hippowdon Jessie used briefly	One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!		None
	Gabite waves its arms to one side, kicking up sand. Then, it waves its arms to the other side and a cyclone of sand is fired at the opponent. When the sand reaches the opponent, it spins around it like a tornado, or Gabite crouches down and medium sized sand dunes rise out of the ground and around Gabite.
A wild Gabite	Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness		None
Ursula's Gabite	Yes in Dee Dee, It's Dawn!		None
	Krookodile creates wisps of sand that surround the opponent which then turn into a swirling sand vortex which encompasses the opponent.
Nanu's Krookodile	Tough Guy Trials!		None
	Sandaconda forms a whirlwind of sand that surrounds the opponent.
Lyla's Sandaconda	Chasing to the Finish!		None
	Runerigus forms a whirlwind of sand that surrounds the opponent.
Sterling's Runerigus	Chasing to the Finish!		None

Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer

Palossand
The user traps the foe inside a harshly raging sandstorm.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Palossand traps the opponent in a tornado of sand.
Acerola's Palossand	Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer		None

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Hippopotas Flygon Krokorok
The user releases large amounts of sand at the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Flygon waves its wings, kicking up dirt around the opponent, causing their vision to be obscured.
Wally's Flygon	Rayquaza Redemption I		Debut
	Hippopotas releases two streams of sand from its nostrils at the opponent.
Leonardo's Hippopotas	Bombastic Bibarel & Heroic Hippopotas		None
	Krokorok sends a stream of sand flying at the opponent.
Clay's Krokorok	Mine Mayhem		None

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Side series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• Its Japanese name, すなじごく Suna Jigoku (Sand Hell), is likely referring to the sand pit traps dug by antlions.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 流沙地獄 Làuhsā Deihyuhk Mandarin 流沙地獄 / 流沙地狱 Liúshā Dìyù * 流沙深渊 Liúshā Shēnyuān * Dutch Zandtombe Finnish Hiekkahauta French Tourbi-Sable German Sandgrab Greek Αμμόλακος Hindi रेत का मकबरा Rayt Ka Maqbara Indonesian Jebakan Pasir Italian Sabbiotomba Korean 모래지옥 Morae Jiok Polish Piaskowy Grób Portuguese Brazil Fosso de Areia (games, SM074-present, TCG, manga) Tumba de Areia (early anime) Portugal Sepultura de Areia Serbian Peščana Grobnica Spanish Latin America Tumba de Arena (AG128-DP091) Trampa de Arena (DP145) Bucle Arena (DP161) Spain Bucle Arena Thai สุสานทรายดูด Vietnamese Địa Ngục Cát

Variations of the move Fire Spin
Clamp • Sand Tomb Fire Spin • Whirlpool

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