#0027

Sandshrew

Mouse Pokémon

Ground

Game version

AppearanceStandard

Height: 0.6 m
Weight: 12.0 kg

Alternate forms (2)

Sandshrew Sandshrew Alola

Training & breeding details

Gender50.0% ♂ · 50.0% ♀

Catch rate255(43.9%)Easy catch

Base friendship70Standard

Hatch time20 cycles · ~5,355 steps

Growth ratemedium

Base EXP60

It burrows into the ground to create its nest. If hard stones impede its tunneling, it uses its sharp claws to shatter them and then carries on digging.

In Pokémon GO · 1261 max CP 5 TCG Pocket cards

Base stats

Attack

Defense

Sp. Atk

Sp. Def

Speed

Total

300

Base Stat Total

Abilities

Sand Veil

Increases evasion to 1.25× during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.

Sand RushHidden

Doubles Speed during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.

Egg groups: Field

On this page

Type defenses

Damage taken from each attacking type.

Competitive movesets

Smogon University

Battle-ready sets by tier, straight from Smogon. Pick a generation and format — a “/” means either option works in that slot.

Generation

Sand Sweeper

Moves

Item

Eviolite

AbilitySand Rush

NatureAdamant+Atk/−SpA

TeraBug

EV spread

Atk▲236

Def76

Spe196

Source: Smogon (via pkmn) · Updated: Oct 6, 2026

Where to find Sandshrew

Recorded encounter locations across the games. Orre includes Snags, gifts and trades; evolution and other acquisition methods may not appear here.

Blue

Route 10 Route 11 Route 23 Route 4 Route 8 Route 9

Yellow

Mt. Moon Route 3 Route 4

Gold

Silver

Crystal

Ruby

Sapphire

Emerald

Mirage Tower Route 111

LeafGreen

Route 10 Route 11 Route 23 Route 4 Route 8 Route 9

XD: Gale of Darkness

Diamond

Pearl

Platinum

HeartGold

Johto Safari Zone Mt. Moon Union Cave

SoulSilver

Goldenrod City Johto Safari Zone

Black 2

Desert Resort Relic Castle

White 2

Desert Resort Relic Castle

Friend Safari

Omega Ruby

Route 111

Alpha Sapphire

Route 111

Moon

Mount Lanakila Route 14 Tapu Village

Ultra Moon

Mount Lanakila Route 14 Tapu Village

Let's Go Pikachu

Celadon City Route 3 Route 4

Isle of Armor (Sword)

Challenge Beach Courageous Cavern Fields of Honor Potbottom Desert Stepping-Stone Sea Warm-Up Tunnel

Isle of Armor (Shield)

Challenge Beach Courageous Cavern Fields of Honor Potbottom Desert Stepping-Stone Sea Warm-Up Tunnel

Green Japan

Route 10 Route 11 Route 23 Route 4 Route 8 Route 9

Evolution

#0027Sandshrew

Lv. 22

#0028Sandslash

All Pokémon evolution families

Notable moves

The strongest damaging moves Sandshrew can learn — same-type (STAB) moves get a 1.5× power bonus in battle.

Moves

Find a move20 of 20

Scroll across the table for type, power, accuracy and PP →

Lv.	Move & effect	Type	Class	Power	Acc.	PP
1	Defense Curl Raises user’s Defense by one stage.	Normal	Status	—	—	40
1	Scratch Inflicts regular damage with no additional effect.	Normal	Physical	40	100	35
9	Rollout Power doubles every turn this move is used in succession after the first, resetting after five turns.	Rock	Physical	30	90	20
10	Sand Attack Lowers the target’s accuracy by one stage.	Ground	Status	—	100	15
12	Fury Cutter Power doubles every turn this move is used in succession after the first, maxing out after five turns.	Bug	Physical	40	95	20
14	Magnitude Power varies randomly from 10 to 150.	Ground	Physical	—	100	30
15	Rapid Spin Frees the user from binding moves, removes Leech Seed, and blows away Spikes.	Normal	Physical	50	100	40
17	Slash Has an increased chance for a critical hit.	Normal	Physical	70	100	20
18	Bulldoze Has a chance to lower the target’s Speed by one stage.	Ground	Physical	60	100	20
23	Sand Tomb Prevents the target from fleeing and inflicts damage for 2-5 turns.	Ground	Physical	35	85	15
24	Poison Sting Has a chance to poison the target.	Poison	Physical	15	100	35
24	Protect Prevents any moves from hitting the user this turn.	Normal	Status	—	—	10
27	Agility Raises the user’s Speed by two stages.	Psychic	Status	—	—	30
31	Swift Never misses.	Normal	Special	60	—	20
33	Dig User digs underground, dodging all attacks, and hits next turn.	Ground	Physical	80	100	10
36	Gyro Ball Power raises when the user has lower Speed, up to a maximum of 150.	Steel	Physical	—	100	5
38	Fury Swipes Hits 2-5 times in one turn.	Normal	Physical	18	80	15
39	Swords Dance Raises the user’s Attack by two stages.	Normal	Status	—	—	20
42	Sandstorm Changes the weather to a sandstorm for five turns.	Rock	Status	—	—	10
45	Earthquake Inflicts regular damage and can hit Dig users.	Ground	Physical	100	100	10