Sandshrew Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Sandshrew in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Sandshrew
Sandshrew is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Ground typing. The best counter is Primal Kyogre (Mega) with Waterfall and Origin Pulse, dealing 54.242 DPS.
Sandshrew can be defeated by a minimum of 2 trainers using optimal counters at level 40+. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win, especially if your team isn't fully powered up.
Type strategy: Sandshrew is weak to Grass, Ice, Water -type attacks. Avoid using Electric, Poison, Rock-type moves as Sandshrew resists them. Focus your team on the highest DPS counters from the list below — even budget options without Shadow or Mega forms perform well in larger groups.
Top 3 counters: The strongest lineup against Sandshrew is Primal Kyogre (54.242 DPS), Mega Sceptile (50.615 DPS), and Shadow Kyogre (49.818 DPS).
Catching Sandshrew: After defeating Sandshrew, the catch encounter will have a CP between 687 and 738 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 855-919 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Sandshrew from raids will have exactly 738 CP — look for that number! Use Golden Razz Berries and Excellent curveball throws to maximize your catch rate.
Quick Stats
Weak To
Best Counters
Budget Counters (No Shadow / No Mega)
Catch CP
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best counters for Sandshrew?
The best counter for Sandshrew is Primal Kyogre with Waterfall and Origin Pulse, dealing 54.242 DPS. Other top options include Mega Sceptile (50.615 DPS) and Shadow Kyogre (49.818 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Sandshrew?
Sandshrew can be defeated by a minimum of 2 high-level trainers with optimal counters. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win. In public lobbies, 5-6 is a safe number.
What is Sandshrew weak to?
Sandshrew is weak to Grass, Ice, Water-type attacks. It resists Electric, Poison, Rock-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Sandshrew be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Sandshrew's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Sandshrew from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Sandshrew from raids will have 738 CP at level 20, or 919 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 687. If you see 738 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Sandshrew worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Sandshrew is a lower-tier raid boss that can be soloed or defeated easily with 1-2 trainers. It's useful for farming candy, earning XP, and potentially getting a high-IV specimen. Worth doing when convenient, but doesn't require spending Premium Passes.
What is the best moveset for Sandshrew?
For the best moveset for Sandshrew itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Sandshrew stats page which includes optimal fast and charged move combinations for both PvE raids and PvP GO Battle League, along with DPS calculations and PvP rankings.
Can I beat Sandshrew without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Sandshrew can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Kartana (46.800 DPS) and Kyurem (White) (45.048 DPS). You may need 5-6 trainers instead of the minimum 2 when using budget teams. Check the Budget Counters section above for the full F2P-friendly list.
What weather boosts Sandshrew in raids?
Weather boost information for Sandshrew is not currently available. Ground-type Pokemon are typically boosted in specific weather conditions. When weather boosted, the raid is harder but the catch encounter is level 25 with higher CP.