Sandslash is a bipedal, ground-dwelling pholidotePokémon. 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 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 they live 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 is mostly found in deserts.
In the Alolaregion, 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 exposing only its spines. 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 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.[1] 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. They can also be found in the Polar Biome of Blueberry Academy's Terarium, where Alola's island life is simulated.
Alolan Sandslash's ice-covered steel quills and distinctive claws
In an attempt to hide itself, it will run around at top speed to kick up a blinding dust storm. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) If it digs at an incredible pace, it may snap off its spikes and claws. They grow back in a day. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
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.
Thanks to its huge claws, this Pokémon can move through snow as though it were swimming. The ice spikes on its back are even sharper than its claws, and they protect it from just about anything.
In Mewtwo Strikes Back, Corey's Sandslash was captured and cloned by Mewtwo. When Team Rocket saw it being cloned, it was mistaken for its pre-evolved form, Sandshrew. The Sandslash clone was seen again in Mewtwo Returns. Corey's Sandslash reappeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, a remake of Mewtwo Strikes Back, where it played the same role.
In Good 'Quil Hunting, Koji used a Sandslash in a battle against Ash to determine who would keep a Cyndaquil. Despite its exceptional power and agility, Sandslash ultimately lost to Cyndaquil.
Sandslash debuted in The Flame Pokémon-athon!, where many of them were at the Laramie Ranch. One was later seen among the Pokémon participating in the Big P Pokémon Race.
In To Master the Onixpected, a Sandslash 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 and its pre-evolved form both share their category with Rattata, Raticate, Pikachu, Raichu, Pawmi, and Pawmo. They are all known as the Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate were originally called the Rat Pokémon prior to Generation III.
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 venomous.
Alolan Sandslash's hooked claws combined with its ability to ice climb seem to be inspired by ice axes.
Name origin
Sandslash may be a combination of sand and slash.
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.
Alolan Sandslash's ice-covered steel quills and distinctive claws
Alolan Sandslash curled up in a ball, only shown in Pokémon the Series
Berry (100%)
Soft Sand (5%)
Quick Claw (5%)
Grip Claw (5%)
For other sprites and images, please see Sandslash images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
