Sandslash (Pokémon)

← #027: Sandshrew

Pokémon

#029: Nidoran♀ →

Sandslash サンドパン Sandpan #028
Artwork from FR/LG
Type Ground ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Mouse Pokémon
Ability Sand Veil Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #028 Johto #049 Hoenn #113 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 3'03" Imperial 1.0 m Metric 3'03"/1.0 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 65.0 lbs. Imperial 29.5 kg Metric 65.0 lbs./29.5 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Yellow	Catch rate 90 (11.8%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Ground group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 2 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 163 Battle Exp.: 1631*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Sandslash (Japanese: サンドパン Sandpan) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

It evolves from Sandshrew starting at level 22.

Biology

Physiology

Sandslash is a ground-dwelling rodent notable for its offensive and defensive capabilities. Its body is mostly covered in sharp quills formed from its tough, dry hide. It can curl into a large ball to protect its underbelly, and in this position it can roll to attack or escape. Its primary weapon is the large claws on its paws, which can be used to slash at enemies but which also useful for burrowing quickly and can sometimes be poisoned. Its claws and spikes can both break off and are shed regularly, but grow back quickly.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Sandslash are able to roll themselves into sharp balls of spikes, which can be used to both attack and defend themselves. In this ball form Sandslash can protect themselves from heatstroke, and can even kick up a dust storm. Sandslash is also adept at climbing trees, and is prone to ambush its enemies from above.

Like most evolved Pokémon, Sandslash can generate a Hyper Beam.

Behavior

In the wild, Sandslash are more offensive than their pre-evolution, Sandshrew, but are still mostly defensive by nature. They spend much of their time hidden underground in their burrows and will kick up sand or curl into a ball to escape predators.

When needed, they can perform a variety of techniques to attack enemies, including slashing at them, rolling at them while curled up, and even climbing trees and attacking from above.

Habitat

File:Roughterrain.gif

Rough-terrain Pokémon

They are adapted to dry, arid areas. Thus, they can mostly be found in deserts and grasslands, and sometimes in river valleys or the upper levels of caves as well. Wherever they are, they live underground in burrows.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Sandslash do not require a lot of water, due to a very efficient system of staying hydrated with minimal moisture. They hunt for prey in the wild.

In the anime

File:Sandslash anime.JPG

A Trainer and his Sandslash

Major appearances

In Good 'Quil Hunting, a Pokémon Trainer named 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'd keep the Cyndaquil. Koji used a Sandslash against Ash's Cyndaquil and lost.

In Bulbasaur... the Ambassador, several Sandslash helped dig a new lake for the Template:Type2 Pokémon at Professor Oak's Lab.

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness, Sandslash was a member of Team Razor Wind, along with Scyther and Zangoose. The trio of clawed Pokémon were first seen being blasted out of the Wigglytuff Guild. Team Razor Wind overheard that Team Poképals were assigned with the task of traveling to the Labyrinth Cave to get a Gabite Scale for an ailing Shinx, and decided to attempt beating the Poképals. Unfortunately for Team Razor Wind, Gabite beat them up.

Minor appearances

Sandslash first appeared in To Master the Onixpected. It was stuck underneath the rocky skin of a giant Onix and causing so much pain, that the Rock Snake Pokémon was on a rampage. Bruno helped to get the Sandslash out.

A Sandslash owned by Corey was one of the Pokémon that was captured and cloned by Mewtwo in Mewtwo Strikes Back. When Team Rocket saw this Pokémon being cloned, it was mistaken for its pre-evolution, Sandshrew. The Sandslash clone was seen again in Mewtwo Returns.

Sandslash also made a cameo in Numero Uno Articuno as a Pokémon belonging to Noland.

In Gymbaliar! a Sandslash was under the ownership of a boy Trainer battling Jessie for "a Badge". It lost to Jessie's (then) Croagunk.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP071 Sandslash Ash's Pokédex Sandslash, the Mouse Pokémon. The evolved form of Sandshrew. It attacks opponents with the quills on its back.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP008 Sandslash Dawn's Pokédex Sandslash, the Mouse Pokémon. When it runs at full speed, it sends up a thick cloud of sand in order to hide itself.

In the manga

In Pokémon Special, Sandslash's most dominant appearance was in When Sandslash Gets Rowdy. While trying to find out their location, Gold and Silver are attacked by a swarm of spiky balls, which are revealed to be Sandslash migrating in response to the wrath of Lugia.

In the TCG

Main article: Sandslash (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon 2: Sandslash is one of the members of Team Razor Wind.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape. Blue Yellow It is skilled at slashing enemies with its claws. If broken, they start to grow back in a day. Stadium Curls into a ball of sharp spikes and rolls into enemies. It is also adept at slashing with its sharp claws.
Generation II Gold In an attempt to hide itself, it will run around at top speed to kick up a blinding dust storm. Silver If it digs at an incredible pace, it may snap off its spike and claws. They grow back in a day. Crystal Adept at climbing trees, it rolls into a spiny ball, then attacks its enemies from above. Stadium 2 In an attempt to hide itself, it will run around at top speed to kick up a blinding dust storm.
Generation III 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. 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. 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. FireRed It is adept at attacking with the spines on its back and its sharp claws while quickly scurrying about. LeafGreen Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape.
Generation IV Diamond It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage. Pearl It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage. Platinum It curls up, then rolls into foes with its back. Its sharp spines inflict severe damage. HeartGold {{{heartgolddex}}} SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Few Route 23, Cerulean Cave (Blue only) Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow Few Cerulean Cave
Generation II Gold Silver Few (Gold) None (Silver) Routes 26 and 27, Mt. Moon (Gold) Evolve Sandshrew (Silver) Crystal Uncommon Route 26 and Victory Road
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Evolve Sandshrew Emerald None Evolve Sandshrew FireRed LeafGreen Uncommon Route 23 and Victory Road (LeafGreen only) Colosseum None Trade XD None Evolve Sandshrew
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Dongle Route 228 (LeafGreen) Platinum Dongle Route 228 (LeafGreen) HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park Mountain Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	Valley
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire	Evolve from Sandshrew
Pokémon Trozei!	Endless Level 3 Endless Level 20 Forever Level 52 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Evolve from Sandshrew
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Quicksand Cave (B1-B10) Quicksand Pit (B1-B10) Shimmer Desert (1F-9F)
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia	Hippowdon Temple

Held items

Game	Items
Gold, Silver, and Crystal	Berry (trade from Generation I)
Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald	Quick Claw (5%)
FireRed and LeafGreen	Soft Sand (5%)
Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum	Quick Claw (5%)

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 75		135 - 182	260 - 354
Attack: 100		94 - 167	184 - 328
Defense: 110		103 - 178	202 - 350
Sp. Atk: 45		45 - 106	85 - 207
Sp. Def: 55		54 - 117	103 - 229
Speed: 65		63 - 128	121 - 251
Total: 450	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 55.

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | ground | style="background:#915121" |  ground 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 1 | style=" background:#FFF" | Sandslash | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By tutoring

|- style="background:#B88E6F" | colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an Evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available. |} |}

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Sandslash images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Sandslash's original name was "Sandstorm".
• Although being one of the few pure Ground-type pokémon in the first generations, Sandslash did not learn any damage-dealing Template:Type2 move via leveling up until Generation III.

Origin

Sandslash share various physical traits with both hedgehogs and pangolins.

Name origin

Sandslash's name is a combination of sand and slash, referring to its long claws. Its Japanese name may be a combination of sand and pangolin.

In other languages

• German: Sandamer - From Sand.
• French: Sablaireau - From sable (sand) and blaireau (badger).
• Korean: 고지 Koji
• Chinese (Hong Kong and Taiwan): 穿山王 Chuan Shan Wáng - A portmanteau of 穿山甲 Chuan Shan Jia (pangolin and 王 (king). Literally "king of going through mountains".

Notes

← #027: Sandshrew

Pokémon

#029: Nidoran♀ →

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.