Sandstorm (move)

If you were looking for the twenty-first round in the Black & White arc of the Pokémon Adventures manga, see ABW21.

Sandstorm すなあらし Sandstorm

File:Sandstorm.png

Battles Type  Rock Category  Status PP  10 (max. 16) Power  — Accuracy  —% Priority  0 Does not make contact Not affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Not affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally All: Affects all Pokémon on the field

Availability Introduced  Generation II TM37 in Generation II TM37 in Generation III TM37 in Generation IV TM37 in Generation V

Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jam  0   Scrambles the order of appeals on the next turn.

Super Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  2 ♥♥ Prevents the Voltage from going up in the same turn.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Tough Appeal  0   Jamming  0

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

Sandstorm (Japanese: すなあらし Sandstorm) is a non-damaging Rock-type move introduced in Generation II. It has been TM37 since Generation II.

Effect

Generation II

When this move is used a sandstorm will brew. This effect will last for 5 turns. This clears any other weather effect and is usable when the weather is sandstorm.

While Sandstorm is in effect, all Pokémon who are not of the Steel-, Rock-, or Ground-types will be damaged ¹/₁₆ of their maximum HP at the end of each turn. Pokémon in the semi-invulnerable turn of Dig will also not take damage from Sandstorm, regardless of type.

Generation III

In addition to all effects from previous Generation, Pokémon with the Sand Stream Ability invoke a semi-permanent sandstorm when entering battle. Pokémon with the Sand Veil Ability increase their evasion by 1 stage (25%) and are immune to Sandstorm's damaging effect. Moonlight and Morning Sun only restore ¼ of the user's maximum HP. Dive will also prevent damage from Sandstorm during the semi-invulnerable turn.

Additionally, Weather Ball becomes Rock-type. This move now fails when used while sandstorm is in effect.

Generation IV

In addition to all effects from Generation III, all Rock-type Pokémon will have their Special Defense raised by 50% for the duration of the sandstorm. Synthesis also restores only ¼ of the user's maximum HP. Also, if a Smooth Rock is held when Sandstorm is used, its duration is lengthened from 5 to 8 turns.

Generation V

Additionally, Pokémon with the Sand Rush Ability have their Speed doubled, while Pokémon with Sand Force get a power boost of 30% for their Rock-, Ground- and Steel-type moves. Both of these Abilities grant an immunity to Sandstorm's damaging effect.

Description

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: XD description

Games Description An attack that creates a sandstorm. The effect causes damage to both combatants. Inflicts damage every turn. RSE Causes a sandstorm that rages for several turns.* Causes a sandstorm that hits the foe over several turns.* FRLG A 5-turn sandstorm that damages all types except Rock, Ground and Steel. Causes a sandstorm that rages for several turns. A five-turn sandstorm is summoned to hurt all combatants except the Rock, Ground, and Steel types.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Type		Level
					I		II		III		IV		V		VI
027		Sandshrew	Ground		Ground	45			53			37				37	42	'
028		Sandslash	Ground		Ground	52			62			52				52	42	'
095		Onix	Rock	Ground	36			33	34	22				25	52	'
208		Steelix	Steel	Ground	36			33	34	22				25	52	'
246		Larvitar	Rock	Ground	8			8			5				5			'
247		Pupitar	Rock	Ground	--, 8			--, 8			--, 5				--, 5			'
248		Tyranitar	Rock	Dark	--, 8			--, 8			--, 5				--, 5			'
299		Nosepass	Rock		Rock				31			37				37	36	'
328		Trapinch	Ground		Ground				49			49				49	44	'
329		Vibrava	Ground	Dragon				49			49				49	44	'
330		Flygon	Ground	Dragon				53			49				49	44	'
331		Cacnea	Grass		Grass				45			53				53			'
332		Cacturne	Grass	Dark				53			65				65			'
343		Baltoy	Ground	Psychic				31			37				34	41	'
344		Claydol	Ground	Psychic				31			40				34	47	'
443		Gible	Dragon	Ground							13				13			'
444		Gabite	Dragon	Ground							13				13			'
445		Garchomp	Dragon	Ground							--, 13				--, 13			'
476		Probopass	Rock	Steel							37				37	36	'
524		Roggenrola	Rock		Rock											33			'
525		Boldore	Rock		Rock											42			'
526		Gigalith	Rock		Rock											42			'
529		Drilbur	Ground		Ground											40			'
530		Excadrill	Ground	Steel											49			'
551		Sandile	Ground	Dark											40			'
552		Krokorok	Ground	Dark											44			'
553		Krookodile	Ground	Dark											48			'
645		Landorus	Ground	Flying											61			'
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		Type		Machine
					I [[|]]		II TM37		III TM37		IV TM37		V TM37		VI TM08
006		Charizard	Fire	Flying	✔												✔
027		Sandshrew	Ground		Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
028		Sandslash	Ground		Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
031		Nidoqueen	Poison	Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
034		Nidoking	Poison	Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
050		Diglett	Ground		Ground							✔				✔		✔
051		Dugtrio	Ground		Ground							✔				✔		✔
074		Geodude	Rock	Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
075		Graveler	Rock	Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
076		Golem	Rock	Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
095		Onix	Rock	Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
104		Cubone	Ground		Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
105		Marowak	Ground		Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
106		Hitmonlee	Fighting		Fighting	✔												✔
108		Lickitung	Normal		Normal	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
111		Rhyhorn	Ground	Rock	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
112		Rhydon	Ground	Rock	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
113		Chansey	Normal		Normal	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
115		Kangaskhan	Normal		Normal	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
128		Tauros	Normal		Normal				✔			✔				✔		✔
130		Gyarados	Water	Flying	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
138		Omanyte	Rock	Water	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
139		Omastar	Rock	Water	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
140		Kabuto	Rock	Water	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
141		Kabutops	Rock	Water	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
142		Aerodactyl	Rock	Flying	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
144		Articuno	Ice	Flying	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
145		Zapdos	Electric	Flying	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
146		Moltres	Fire	Flying	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
149		Dragonite	Dragon	Flying	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
150		Mewtwo	Psychic		Psychic				✔			✔				✔		✔
151		Mew	Psychic		Psychic	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
185		Sudowoodo	Rock		Rock	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
194		Wooper	Water	Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
195		Quagsire	Water	Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
204		Pineco	Bug		Bug				✔			✔				✔		✔
205		Forretress	Bug	Steel	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
207		Gligar	Ground	Flying	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
208		Steelix	Steel	Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
212		Scizor	Bug	Steel	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
213		Shuckle	Bug	Rock	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
219		Magcargo	Fire	Rock				✔			✔				✔		✔
220		Swinub	Ice	Ground				✔			✔				✔		✔
221		Piloswine	Ice	Ground				✔			✔				✔		✔
222		Corsola	Water	Rock	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
227		Skarmory	Steel	Flying	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
231		Phanpy	Ground		Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
232		Donphan	Ground		Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
237		Hitmontop	Fighting		Fighting				✔			✔				✔		✔
241		Miltank	Normal		Normal	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
242		Blissey	Normal		Normal	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
243		Raikou	Electric		Electric	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
244		Entei	Fire		Fire	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
245		Suicune	Water		Water	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
246		Larvitar	Rock	Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
247		Pupitar	Rock	Ground	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
248		Tyranitar	Rock	Dark	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
249		Lugia	Psychic	Flying	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
250		Ho-Oh	Fire	Flying	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
251		Celebi	Psychic	Grass	✔			✔			✔				✔		✔
290		Nincada	Bug	Ground				✔			✔				✔		✔
291		Ninjask	Bug	Flying				✔			✔				✔		✔
292		Shedinja	Bug	Ghost				✔			✔				✔		✔
299		Nosepass	Rock		Rock				✔			✔				✔		✔
303		Mawile	Steel		Steel				✔			✔				✔		✔
304		Aron	Steel	Rock				✔			✔				✔		✔
305		Lairon	Steel	Rock				✔			✔				✔		✔
306		Aggron	Steel	Rock				✔			✔				✔		✔
322		Numel	Fire	Ground				✔			✔				✔		✔
323		Camerupt	Fire	Ground				✔			✔				✔		✔
328		Trapinch	Ground		Ground				✔			✔				✔		✔
329		Vibrava	Ground	Dragon				✔			✔				✔		✔
330		Flygon	Ground	Dragon				✔			✔				✔		✔
331		Cacnea	Grass		Grass				✔			✔				✔		✔
332		Cacturne	Grass	Dark				✔			✔				✔		✔
337		Lunatone	Rock	Psychic				✔			✔				✔		✔
338		Solrock	Rock	Psychic				✔			✔				✔		✔
339		Barboach	Water	Ground				✔			✔				✔		✔
340		Whiscash	Water	Ground				✔			✔				✔		✔
343		Baltoy	Ground	Psychic				✔			✔				✔		✔
344		Claydol	Ground	Psychic				✔			✔				✔		✔
345		Lileep	Rock	Grass				✔			✔				✔		✔
346		Cradily	Rock	Grass				✔			✔				✔		✔
347		Anorith	Rock	Bug				✔			✔				✔		✔
348		Armaldo	Rock	Bug				✔			✔				✔		✔
351		Castform	Normal		Normal				✔			✔				✔		✔
359		Absol	Dark		Dark				✔			✔				✔		✔
369		Relicanth	Rock	Water				✔			✔				✔		✔
375		Metang	Steel	Psychic				✔			✔				✔		✔
376		Metagross	Steel	Psychic				✔			✔				✔		✔
377		Regirock	Rock		Rock				✔			✔				✔		✔
379		Registeel	Steel		Steel				✔			✔				✔		✔
380		Latias	Dragon	Psychic				✔			✔				✔		✔
381		Latios	Dragon	Psychic				✔			✔				✔		✔
383		Groudon	Ground		Ground				✔			✔				✔		✔
384		Rayquaza	Dragon	Flying				✔			✔				✔		✔
385		Jirachi	Steel	Psychic				✔			✔				✔		✔
389		Torterra	Grass	Ground							✔				✔		✔
408		Cranidos	Rock		Rock							✔				✔		✔
409		Rampardos	Rock		Rock							✔				✔		✔
410		Shieldon	Rock	Steel							✔				✔		✔
411		Bastiodon	Rock	Steel							✔				✔		✔
413		Wormadam	Bug	Ground							✔				✔		✔
423		Gastrodon	Water	Ground							✔				✔		✔
436		Bronzor	Steel	Psychic							✔				✔		✔
437		Bronzong	Steel	Psychic							✔				✔		✔
438		Bonsly	Rock		Rock							✔				✔		✔
443		Gible	Dragon	Ground							✔				✔		✔
444		Gabite	Dragon	Ground							✔				✔		✔
445		Garchomp	Dragon	Ground							✔				✔		✔
446		Munchlax	Normal		Normal							✔				✔		✔
449		Hippopotas	Ground		Ground							✔				✔		✔
450		Hippowdon	Ground		Ground							✔				✔		✔
463		Lickilicky	Normal		Normal							✔				✔		✔
464		Rhyperior	Ground	Rock							✔				✔		✔
472		Gliscor	Ground	Flying							✔				✔		✔
473		Mamoswine	Ice	Ground							✔				✔		✔
476		Probopass	Rock	Steel							✔				✔		✔
480		Uxie	Psychic		Psychic							✔				✔		✔
481		Mesprit	Psychic		Psychic							✔				✔		✔
482		Azelf	Psychic		Psychic							✔				✔		✔
483		Dialga	Steel	Dragon							✔				✔		✔
484		Palkia	Water	Dragon							✔				✔		✔
493		Arceus	Normal		Normal							✔				✔		✔
524		Roggenrola	Rock		Rock											✔		✔
525		Boldore	Rock		Rock											✔		✔
526		Gigalith	Rock		Rock											✔		✔
529		Drilbur	Ground		Ground											✔		✔
530		Excadrill	Ground	Steel											✔		✔
551		Sandile	Ground	Dark											✔		✔
552		Krokorok	Ground	Dark											✔		✔
553		Krookodile	Ground	Dark											✔		✔
557		Dwebble	Bug	Rock											✔		✔
558		Crustle	Bug	Rock											✔		✔
564		Tirtouga	Water	Rock											✔		✔
565		Carracosta	Water	Rock											✔		✔
566		Archen	Rock	Flying											✔		✔
567		Archeops	Rock	Flying											✔		✔
598		Ferrothorn	Grass	Steel											✔		✔
599		Klink	Steel		Steel											✔		✔
600		Klang	Steel		Steel											✔		✔
601		Klinklang	Steel		Steel											✔		✔
617		Accelgor	Bug		Bug											✔		✔
618		Stunfisk	Ground	Electric											✔		✔
624		Pawniard	Dark	Steel											✔		✔
625		Bisharp	Dark	Steel											✔		✔
632		Durant	Bug	Steel											✔		✔
638		Cobalion	Steel	Fighting											✔		✔
639		Terrakion	Rock	Fighting											✔		✔
645		Landorus	Ground	Flying											✔		✔
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 the anime

Roggenrola Pupitar Registeel Gible
The user releases sand at the opponent
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Sandslash crosses its arms and spins around counter-clockwise, whipping up a sandstorm.
Jenaro's Sandslash	Hi Ho Silver... Away!		Debut
	Pupitar's eyes flash blue, and it whips up a sandstorm from its body.
Ritchie's Cruise	The Mystery is History		None
Rico's Pupitar	A Poached Ego!		None
	Steelix lifts its head straight up and spins around, creating a sand tornado, or the rocks with the giant spikes on Steelix's upper-body spin rapidly and sand is released from them, or Steelix floats into the air and starts rapidly spinning around in circles. It then fires a sandstorm at the opponent from its body.
Jasmine's Steelix	Nerves of Steelix!		None
Hun's Steelix	The Legend of Thunder!		None
Harrison's Steelix	Playing with Fire!		None
A wild Steelix	All Torkoal, No Play		None
	Onix releases a sandstorm from its body.
Brock's Onix	Entei at Your Own Risk		None
	Nosepass's nose glows light blue and a sandstorm whips up, or Nosepass spins around, releasing a spiraling sand tornado from its body at the opponent.
Roxanne's Nosepass	A Winner by a Nosepass		None
Alan's Nosepass	Nosing 'Round the Mountain!		None
A Coordinator's Nosepass	Battling the Generation Gap!		None
	Camerupt blows air out of its nose, making dirt from the ground come up and creating a sandstorm.
Vicky Winstrate's Camerupt	Candid Camerupt!		None
	Cacnea spins on one foot, releasing a tornado of sand and sending it at the opponent, or Cacnea waves its arms in circles and a sandstorm comes off its body, blowing the opponent away.
James's Cacnea	ZigZag Zangoose!		None
	Magcargo goes into its shell and spins around quickly, making a sandstorm appear.
Flannery's Mag	Going, Going, Yawn		None
	Aggron swings its arms so one of them is in the air and its body becomes surrounded by a spiral of sand that knocks back the opponent, or Aggron stomps on the ground, kicking up dirt and sending a sand cyclone at the opponent.
A wild Aggron	Pikachu's Summer Festival		None
A mirage Aggron	The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon		None
	Solrock releases a sandstorm from its body.
Tate's Solrock	It's Still Rocket Roll to Me!		None
	Flygon flaps its wings and releases a tornado of sand at the opponent.
Drew's Flygon	Rhapsody in Drew		None
	Donphan slams its trunk into the ground, then brings it up quickly, creating a sand tornado from the dirt it kicks up.
Tyson's Donphan	At the End of the Fray		None
	Claydol spins around quickly near the ground and whips up a sandstorm.
Spenser's Claydol	Ka Boom with a View!		None
	Munchlax releases a sandstorm from its body.
May's Munchlax	King and Queen for a Day!		Used via Metronome
	Geodude lifts its arms from the ground up and creates a sandstorm.
Brock's Geodude	Grating Spaces!		None
	Registeel waves its arms and creates a sand tornado that it launches at the opponent.
Brandon's Registeel	Overjoyed!		None
	Larvitar points the horn on its head at the opponent and waves it around in circles, making a sand tornado come out and push the opponent back, or Larvitar jumps into the air, glowing several different colors and then stomps down onto the ground, causing sand to swirl out from under it in all directions.
A Larvitar Matt was Pokésitting	Pinch Healing!		None
Chris's Larvitar	The Mystery of the Missing Cubchoo!		None
	Ninjask flaps its wings fast and creates a huge sandstorm.
Brandon's Ninjask	Pace - The Final Frontier!		None
	Sandshrew jumps and lands on the ground, kicking up dirt. Then, it motions its hands towards the opponent, releasing a sandstorm at them.
Mira's Sandshrew	Sandshrew's Locker!		None
	Gliscor flaps its wings and releases a sandstorm from them at the opponent.
Paul's Gliscor	Riding the Winds of Change!		None
	Hippopotas blows out of its nose, creating a sandstorm and sending it at the opponent.
A wild Hippopotas	Sleight of Sand!		None
	Graveler waves its arms from the ground up and releases a sandstorm at the opponent.
J's client's henchman's Graveler	Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 2		None
	Golem waves its arms from the ground up and releases a sandstorm at the opponent.
J's client's henchman's Golem	Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 2		None
	Wormadam closes its arms, then opens them quickly, and a sandstorm appears and spirals around Wormadam's body.
Ursula's Wormadam	Another One Gabites the Dust!		None
	Rhyperior waves one of its arms to the side, creating a tornado of sand to appear around the opponent.
Palmer's Rhyperior	Challenging a Towering Figure!		None
	Gible waves one arm to kick up sand, then waves the other to create the sandstorm, or Gible repeatedly waves its arms and a sandstorm comes out of them.
Khoury's Gible	A Rivalry to Gible on!		None
	Gabite calls out and a giant sand twister appears and surrounds its body.
Ursula's Gabite	Opposites Interact!		None
	Roggenrola flips around and spins its body. A spiral of sand appears around its body and a large tornado of sand then appears around its body, causing a sandstorm to appear over the battlefield, or Roggenrola stands on the tip of one of its feet and starts to spin quickly. As it does it floats in the air and releases a sandstorm from its body at the opponent, or Roggenrola lowers its head slightly and a tornado of sand appears around its body. The tornado then shoots out and hits the opponent, or Roggenrola jumps into the air, glowing several different colors and then stomps down onto the ground, causing sand to swirl out from under it in all directions.
Ash's Roggenrola	Gotta Catch A Roggenrola!		None
	Both of Krokorok's forearms glow sparkling white, and it jumps high into the air. It then puts its arms together at its side and brings them forward, firing a shining golden beam from its hands at the ground. The beam sinks into the ground, leaving behind a ring of magenta and dark purple with golden light in the middle. After a bit, the glow fades, and a giant twister of sand comes out of the ground where the beam hit it, knocking the opponent back. The tornado then breaks apart, releasing a gust of wind with sand inside it all around the battlefield. During the battle, bursts of wind with sand in it comes out of the area and spreads throughout the battlefield, hitting the opponent.
Clay's Krokorok	Battling the King of the Mines!		None
	Boldore jumps into the air, glowing several different colors and then stomps down onto the ground, causing sand to swirl out from under it in all directions.
Ash's Boldore	Rocking the Virbank Gym! (Part 1)		None

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Tyranitar Claydol
The user releases a powerful sandstorm from its body.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Tyranitar releases a powerful sandstorm from its body.
Lance's Tyranitar	Tyranitar War		Debut
	A powerful sandstorm appears behind Bronzor's body and sand blows onto the battlefield.
Mars's Bronzor	Belligerent Bronzor		None
	Claydol spins its body quickly, kicking up a powerful sandstorm around it.
Buck's Claydol	VS. Ivysaur		None

In other generations

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, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 沙雹 Shābáo Dutch Zandstorm Finnish Hiekkamyrsky French Tempêtesable German Sandsturm Greek Αμμοθύελλα Hindi रेतीला तूफ़ान Rayteela Toofan Indonesian Badai Pasir Italian Terrempesta Korean 모래바람 Morae Baram Polish Piaskowa Burza Portuguese Tempestade de Areia Romanian Furtună de Deșert Furtuna de Nisip Serbian Peščana Oluja Spanish Torm. Arena

Moves that cause weather conditions
Sandstorm • Rain Dance • Sunny Day • Hail • Snowscape

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.