Sandslash Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Sandslash in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Sandslash
Sandslash is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Ground typing. The best counter is Primal Kyogre (Mega) with Waterfall and Origin Pulse, dealing 37.758 DPS.
Sandslash 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: Sandslash is weak to Grass, Ice, Water -type attacks. Avoid using Electric, Poison, Rock-type moves as Sandslash 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 Sandslash is Primal Kyogre (37.758 DPS), Mega Sceptile (35.077 DPS), and Shadow Kyogre (34.788 DPS).
Catching Sandslash: After defeating Sandslash, the catch encounter will have a CP between 1320 and 1390 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 1642-1729 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Sandslash from raids will have exactly 1390 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 Sandslash?
The best counter for Sandslash is Primal Kyogre with Waterfall and Origin Pulse, dealing 37.758 DPS. Other top options include Mega Sceptile (35.077 DPS) and Shadow Kyogre (34.788 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Sandslash?
Sandslash 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 Sandslash weak to?
Sandslash is weak to Grass, Ice, Water-type attacks. It resists Electric, Poison, Rock-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Sandslash be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Sandslash's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Sandslash from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Sandslash from raids will have 1390 CP at level 20, or 1729 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 1320. If you see 1390 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Sandslash worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Sandslash 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 Sandslash?
For the best moveset for Sandslash itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Sandslash 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 Sandslash without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Sandslash can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Kartana (32.667 DPS) and Kyurem (White) (31.143 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 Sandslash in raids?
Weather boost information for Sandslash 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.