#0027
Sandshrew
Mouse Pokémon
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.
Details
Height0.6 m
Weight12.0 kg
Gender50.0% ♂ · 50.0% ♀
Catch rate255(43.9%)Easy catch
Base friendship70Standard
Hatch time20 cycles · ~5,355 steps
Growth ratemedium
Base EXP60
Base stats
HP
50
Attack
75
Defense
85
Sp. Atk
20
Sp. Def
30
Speed
40
Total
300
Base Stat Total
Competitive movesets
Smogon UniversityBattle-ready sets by tier, straight from Smogon. Pick a generation and format — a “/” means either option works in that slot.
Source: Smogon (via pkmn) · Data snapshot: Jul 31, 2026 · 18,880 rows
Where to find Sandshrew
Wild encounter locations across the games. Availability may also include trades, evolution, gifts, and events not listed here.
Silver
Crystal
Emerald
XD: Gale of Darkness
Diamond
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold
SoulSilver
Black 2
White 2
Omega Ruby
Alpha Sapphire
Ultra Moon
Let's Go Pikachu
Sword
Shield
Evolution
Notable moves
The strongest damaging moves Sandshrew can learn — same-type (STAB) moves get a 1.5× power bonus in battle.
Moves
| 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 |
Breeding & egg moves
Sandshrew can inherit these egg moves by breeding with a compatible parent that knows the move and shares an egg group.
Sprites & renders
25 sprites & renders for Sandshrew.
Across the games
More Ground-type Pokémon
Others that share this Pokémon's primary type.
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Zygarde
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Great Tusk
GroundFighting
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Sandy Shocks
ElectricGround
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Community notes
No reader notes on Sandshrew yet.
Cite this page
“Sandshrew”. Pokémonism. Retrieved [date] from pokemonism.com/pokedex/sandshrew.
Species data from PokéAPI.