Sandslash

The Mouse Pokémon
#028 - Sandslash
Pre-Evolve	Sandshrew
Debut	Pokémon: Red Version Pokémon: Green Version
Species Info
Type	+
Height	1.0 m (3'03")
Weight	29.5 kg (65.0 lbs.)
Color	Yellow
Gender Ratio	1♂ : 1♀
Ability	Sand Veil
Hidden Ability
Egg Group	Ground
Icon		Sprite
		File:028sprite.png
Footprint
30px
Base Statistics
Hit Points	75	Speed	65
Attack	100	Sp. Attack	45
Defense	110	Sp. Defense	55
Training Info
Catch Rate	090	Hatch Steps	5,120
Base Exp.	163	Effort Points	Def
Happiness	70		Def
To Lv.100	Normal

Kanto #	Johto #	Hoenn #	Sinnoh #
< 028 >	< 049 >	< 113 >
Unova #	Johto (IV) #

Sandslash is the evolved form of Sandshrew that was featured in the first generation Pokémon games.

Information

Sandshrew evolves into Sandslash at Level 2. From this evolution, Sandslash gains the advantages of sharp claws and brown spines along its back. It is skilled at slashing enemies with its claws, which can grow bac in a day if broken. It can also curl up into a spiny ball when threatened and will roll around in this form to either attack or escape. These tough spikes on its back are actually hardened sections of its hide. Once a year, they break off and are replaced by new ones which grow beneath the old ones. One common strategy they use to combine these new attributes is to make its foe flinch by attacking it with its spines and then ferociously tear into it with its claws.

Sandslash will also themselves by running around at top speed to produce a blinding dust storm. It can also dig at an incredible pace, with its claws and spike regrowing within a day if they snap off. They are adept tree climbers, and they often drop down from trees while curled in a ball to attack their opponents from above. It also curls up into a ball to protect itself from heatstroke during high temperatures.

Gen		Game	Pokédex entry
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.
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.
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.
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

Appearances

Mainstream Games

In Pokémon: Blue and LeafGreen], Sandslash appear uncommonly on Route 23. They also are found at Cerulean Cave in Blue as well as Yellow, or at Victory Road in LeafGreen.

In Gold and HeartGold, few Sandslash appeared at Route 26, Route 27 and Mt. Moon. In Crystal, they appeared at Route 26 and Victory Road. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, Sandslash also could be found in the Desert area of the Safari Zone.

They could also be found through the dual slot method in Diamond, Pearl and Platinum, appearing at Route 226 with LeafGreen in the GBA slot after achieving the National Pokédex.

Other Games

In Pokémon Snap, Sandslash appeared and could be photographed in the Valley area. In Pokémon Pinball and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, it could only be acquired through evolution. Sandslash appeared in Pokémon Puzzle League as part of Giovanni's roster. It also appeared in Pokémon Stadium, Pokémon Stadium 2, Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.

In Pokémon Trozei!, Sandslash could be found at Endless Level 3, Endless Level 20, Forever Level 52 and Mr. Who's Den. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Teams, Sandslash could only be obtained through evolution, while in Explorers of Time and Darkness it could be found at the first ten basement floors of Quicksand Cave, the first ten basement floors of Quicksand Pit and the first nine floors of Shimmer Desert. A non-playable Sandslash also appeared as part of Team Razor Wind in Explorers of Time and Darkness.

Sandslash appeared in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, where it could be caught at Hippowdon Temple. In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, it appeared at Daybreak Ruins, Forest Temple and Light Temple. In Pokémon Rumble, Sandslash was found at Rocky Cave.

Other Appearances

In Other Media

• Sandslash has made various appearances throughout the Pokémon anime series, first being shown when one was stuck in an Onix and causing it pain until Bruno saved it. Ash also defeated trainer's Sandslash with his freshly-caught Cyndaqui on one occasion. The Sandslash from Team Razor Wind also appeared in the '"Explorers of Time and Darkness anime special.
• In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Sandslash were only featured in one chapter of the Gold/Silver/Crystal arc where Gold and Silver encountered a swarm of them migrating in ball form due to the coming threat of Lugia.

Trivia

• Its name is a simple combination of "sand" and "slash".