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{{Availability/Entry2|v=MD Time|v2=MD Darkness|link=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness|area=[[Quicksand Cave]] (B1F-B10F, Quicksand Pit B1F-B10F), [[Shimmer Desert]] (1F-9F)}}
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 and are shed regularly, but grow back quickly. It 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. Sandslash can mostly be found in deserts.
In the Alola region, Sandslash has an icy blue hide and quills covered in ice. These quills stand taller than a regular Sandslash's quills and resemble icicles. This Pokémon uses its hide for camouflage in the snow, while leaving only its spines exposed. Its body emmits 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 scale an iceberg. Despite the weight of its ice-covered body, Alolan Sandslash is able to move swiftly by carving a path in the snow with its claws. 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.[1]
In the anime
Sandslash in the animeAlolan Sandslash in the anime
In the main series
Major appearances
A Sandslash owned by Corey was one of the Pokémon captured and cloned by Mewtwo in Mewtwo Strikes Back. When Team Rocket saw it being cloned, it was mistaken for its pre-evolution, Sandshrew. The Sandslash clone was seen again in Mewtwo Returns.
In Good 'Quil Hunting, Koji informed Ash about a place that was good for catching Cyndaquil. After Ash captured a Cyndaquil, the Trainer challenged Ash to a 1-on-1 Pokémon battle to determine who would keep the Cyndaquil. Koji used a Sandslash against Ash's Cyndaquil and lost.
Alolan Sandslash debuted in Not Caving Under Pressure!, where it evolved from an Alolan Sandshrew after touching an Ice Stone. It gave Lillie an Icium Z as thanks for helping it battle a Tyranitar that was threatening a home it shared with several other Alolan Sandshrew at Mount Lanakila.
Minor appearances
Multiple Sandslash debuted in The Flame Pokémon-athon!, where they were seen at the Laramie Ranch. One was later seen among the Pokémon participating in the Big P Pokémon Race.
A Sandslash appeared in A Chansey Operation as one of the injured Pokémon brought to the clinic.
A Sandslash appeared in To Master the Onixpected. It was stuck between the rocky body segments of a giant Onix and causing so much pain that the Rock Snake Pokémon rampaged until Bruno freed it.
In A Flaaffy Kerfuffle, a Sandslash appeared as one of the Pokémon in Professor Oak's fantasy when he explains that Trainers should only have six Pokémon with them.
Sandslash's most predominant appearance was in Sandslash Surprise. While trying to find out their location, Gold and Silver are attacked by a swarm of spiky balls, which are revealed to be Sandslash fleeing from the wrath of Lugia.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sandslash and its pre-evolution share their category with Rattata, Raticate, Pikachu, and Raichu. They are all known as the Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate have also been called the Rat Pokémon.
They all have at least one family member with a regional variant in Alola.
Sandslash shares various physical traits with the pangolin. It also draws from hedgehogs, porcupines, and echidnas due to its coloration and having spikes instead of scales. Both Sandshrew and Sandslash are mentioned to have poisonous claws, similar to how some species of the shrew are poisonous.
Name origin
Sandslash is a combination of sand and slash, referring to its long claws.
Sandpan may be a combination of sand and pangolin.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
Soft Sand (5%)
Quick Claw (5%)
For other sprites and images, please see Sandslash images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
