Sandslash
Ground-type, Generation 1. No raid or PvP ranking; stat total 538.
Best moveset
- Highest damage
- Metal Claw Earthquake
Same-type attack bonus on Earthquake. Earthquake costs 100 energy for 140 power.
Type effectiveness
Damage Sandslash takes from each attacking type
Base stats
- Stat total
- 538
- Buddy distance
- 3.0 km per candy
- Second charged move
- 50,000 Dust + 50 Candy
- 100% IV at Lv 20
- 1,356 CP
Sandslash moves
3 fast · 5 charged
Fast moves
| Move | Type | PWR | EN | DUR | DPS | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Claw Best | Steel | 6 | 5 | 0.5s | 12 | 10 |
| Mud Shot STAB | Ground | 4 | 6 | 0.5s | 8 | 12 |
| Sand Attack STAB | Ground | 4 | 7 | 0.5s | 8 | 14 |
Charged moves
| Move | Type | PWR | EN | DUR | DPS | DPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulldoze STAB | Ground | 80 | 50 | 3.5s | 22.9 | 1.60 |
| Earthquake Best STAB | Ground | 140 | 100 | 3.5s | 40 | 1.40 |
| Rock Tomb | Rock | 65 | 50 | 3.0s | 21.7 | 1.30 |
| Scorching Sands STAB | Ground | 90 | 50 | 3.0s | 30 | 1.80 |
| Night Slash Elite | Dark | 45 | 33 | 2.0s | 22.5 | 1.36 |
Fast moves
| Move | Type | PWR | EN | Turns | DPT | EPT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Claw | Steel | 5 | 7 | 1 | 5.00 | 7.00 |
| Mud Shot | Ground | 3 | 9 | 1 | 3.00 | 9.00 |
| Sand Attack | Ground | 2 | 4 | — | — | — |
Charged moves
| Move | Type | PWR | EN | DPE | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulldoze | Ground | 45 | 45 | 1.00 | Buff / debuff |
| Earthquake | Ground | 120 | 65 | 1.85 | — |
| Rock Tomb | Rock | 75 | 50 | 1.50 | Buff / debuff |
| Scorching Sands | Ground | 80 | 50 | 1.60 | Buff / debuff |
| Night Slash | Dark | 50 | 35 | 1.43 | Buff / debuff |
Moveset analysis
The highest-damage fast move is Metal Claw (12 DPS); Sand Attack builds energy fastest (14 EPS). Night Slash is an Elite TM move and cannot be taught with a regular Charged TM.
Evolution
Family
Raids
- Status
- Sandslash is not in the current raid rotation
Best counters against Sandslash
How to get Sandslash
- Evolve from
- Sandshrew · 50 Candy
- Team GO Rocket
- Shadow Sandslash knows Frustration — swap it with a Charged TM
- Purification
- 3,000 Dust + 3 Candy → Return
- Trading
- Can be traded between trainers
Catch CP
| Source | Level | Min CP | Max CP (100% IV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Catch | Lv 1–30 | 59 | 2,052 |
| Wild (Weather Boost) | Lv 1–35 | 59 | 2,221 |
| Raid Catch | Lv 20 | 1,320 | 1,390 |
| Raid (Weather Boost) | Lv 25 | 1,642 | 1,729 |
| Egg Hatch | Lv 20 | 1,320 | 1,390 |
| Research Encounter | Lv 15 | 998 | 1,051 |
| GO Battle League | Lv 20 | 1,320 | 1,390 |
Is Sandslash good in Pokemon GO?
| Power up | Stardust | Candy | XL Candy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lv 20 → 40 | 135,000 | 15 | — |
Sandslash has no raid or PvP ranking right now. Keep a high-IV one for the Pokedex and for future move updates or limited-format cups, and spend your Stardust elsewhere.
- Attack is its highest stat (182), so it hits harder than it survives — a glass-cannon raid slot rather than a gym defender.
- A second charged move costs 50,000 Dust and 50 Candy, and with 5 charged moves to pick from it is the single biggest PvP upgrade you can buy.
- Shadow Sandslash deals 20% more damage and takes 20% more: better for raids, riskier in PvP.
- Its moves get a damage boost in Sunny weather — worth timing raids around.
CP by level
Maximum CP with perfect 15/15/15 IVs at every level
| Level | Max CP |
|---|---|
| Lv 1 | 33 |
| Lv 2 | 105 |
| Lv 3 | 176 |
| Lv 4 | 248 |
| Lv 5 | 320 |
| Lv 6 | 391 |
| Lv 7 | 463 |
| Lv 8 | 535 |
| Lv 9 | 606 |
| Lv 10 | 678 |
| Lv 11 | 746 |
| Lv 12 | 814 |
| Lv 13 | 882 |
| Level | Max CP |
|---|---|
| Lv 14 | 949 |
| Lv 15 | 1,017 |
| Lv 16 | 1,085 |
| Lv 17 | 1,153 |
| Lv 18 | 1,221 |
| Lv 19 | 1,288 |
| Lv 20 | 1,356 |
| Lv 21 | 1,424 |
| Lv 22 | 1,492 |
| Lv 23 | 1,560 |
| Lv 24 | 1,628 |
| Lv 25 | 1,696 |
| Lv 26 | 1,763 |
| Level | Max CP |
|---|---|
| Lv 27 | 1,831 |
| Lv 28 | 1,899 |
| Lv 29 | 1,967 |
| Lv 30 | 2,035 |
| Lv 31 | 2,069 |
| Lv 32 | 2,103 |
| Lv 33 | 2,137 |
| Lv 34 | 2,170 |
| Lv 35 | 2,204 |
| Lv 36 | 2,238 |
| Lv 37 | 2,272 |
| Lv 38 | 2,306 |
| Lv 39 | 2,340 |
| Level | Max CP |
|---|---|
| Lv 40 | 2,374 |
| Lv 41 | 2,404 |
| Lv 42 | 2,434 |
| Lv 43 | 2,465 |
| Lv 44 | 2,496 |
| Lv 45 | 2,527 |
| Lv 46 | 2,558 |
| Lv 47 | 2,589 |
| Lv 48 | 2,620 |
| Lv 49 | 2,652 |
| Lv 50 | 2,684 |
Pokedex info
- Pokedex number
- #0028
- Height
- 1.00 m
- Weight
- 29.50 kg
- Family forms
- 6 released forms
- Game ID
- V0028_POKEMON_SANDSLASH
FAQ
What is the best moveset for Sandslash in Pokemon GO?
Sandslash's best moveset is Metal Claw (fast) with Earthquake (charged). Use a Fast TM or Charged TM to reroll onto it.
What are Sandslash's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Sandslash takes super effective damage from Grass, Ice, Water-type moves. It resists Electric, Poison, Rock, so avoid those types against it.
What is Sandslash's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Sandslash reaches 2,684 CP at level 50 with XL Candy, or 2,374 CP at level 40. Level 50 needs XL Candy, which only unlocks at Trainer Level 31 and comes from catching, hatching, transferring and walking.
What CP is a 100% IV Sandslash?
A perfect 15/15/15 Sandslash shows 1,356 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches) and 1,696 CP at level 25 (weather boosted). Seeing that exact number on the catch screen means it is a hundo — favourite it before you transfer anything.
Is Shadow Sandslash better than regular Sandslash?
Shadow Sandslash deals 20% more damage and takes 20% more. For raids the trade is worth it; for PvP the lost bulk often is not. It arrives knowing Frustration, which should be replaced with a Charged TM during a Team GO Rocket event before you power it up.
How do you get Sandslash in Pokemon GO?
Evolve it from Sandshrew (50 Candy). It can be traded between trainers.
Can Sandslash be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Shiny Sandslash depends on whether Niantic has released the form. Check the events page for Community Days and event weekends, which is when shiny rates are boosted.