Sandstorm (weather condition)

Sandstorm
砂あらし Sandstorm
Sandstorm IX Field.png
Sandstorm weather IX.png
Move Ability
Sandstorm
Max Rockfall
Sand Stream
Sand Spit

Sandstorm (Japanese: 砂あらし Sandstorm) is a type of weather introduced in battle in Generation II. It was introduced in the overworld in Generation III.

It will last for five turns if created using Sand Stream (Generation VI onwards) or Sandstorm, or eight if created while holding a Smooth Rock. If created using Sand Stream (prior to Generation VI) or encountered in the overworld, it will last until replaced. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Max Rockfall causes a sandstorm after dealing damage. The Ability Sand Spit, which also debuted in Sword and Shield, will create a Sandstorm if the Pokémon with the Ability is hit with a damaging move.

Description

 
The battle interface during a sandstorm in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Event Gen II Gen III Gen IV Gen V Gen VI Gen VII Gen VIII
If naturally occurring N/A "A sandstorm is raging." "A sandstorm brewed!" "A sandstorm kicked up!" "The sandstorm is raging!"
Sandstorm used "A Sandstorm brewed!" "A sandstorm brewed!" "A sandstorm kicked up!"
Sand Stream activated N/A "(Wild/Foe) <Pokémon>'s Sand Stream whipped up a sandstorm!" "(The wild/foe's) <Pokémon>'s Sand Stream whipped up a sandstorm!"
After turn is complete "The Sandstorm rages." "The sandstorm rages." (no text)
When damaging Pokémon "The Sandstorm hits (Enemy) <Pokémon>!" "(Wild/Foe) <Pokémon> is buffeted by the sandstorm!" "(The wild/foe's) <Pokémon> is buffeted by the Sandstorm!" "(The wild/foe's) <Pokémon> is buffeted by the sandstorm!" "(The wild/opposing) <Pokémon> is buffeted by the sandstorm!"' "(The wild/The opposing/Totem) <Pokémon> is buffeted by the sandstorm!"' "(The wild/The opposing/<Trainer>'s) <Pokémon> is buffeted by the sandstorm!"'
When sandstorm ends "The Sandstorm subsided." "The sandstorm subsided."

On the field

Main series

Game Region Location Conditions
RSEORAS Hoenn Route 111 Within the desert part
DPPtBDSP Sinnoh Route 228 Always
BWW2 Unova Route 4 Always
BWB2W2 Unova Desert Resort Always
B2W2 Unova Lentimas Town Sometimes
B2W2 Unova Reversal Mountain external Sometimes
SMUSUM Alola Haina Desert 5:00 PM - 9:59 AM

In Galar, there are different types of weather occurring in the Wild Area and the Isle of Armor. The type of weather will affect which wild Pokémon appear in the area. During Sandstorm overworld weather, the in-battle weather condition will be Sandstorm. There are nine types of weather in the Wild Area. It is the only weather condition to not occur in the Crown Tundra. For Sandstorm to occur in the Wild Area, there is a prerequisite to have first visited Hammerlocke.

Mystery Dungeon series

Game Dungeon Floors Notes
MDRB Uproar Forest 3 and 6 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDRB Howling Forest 3, 6, 9 and 13 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDRB Lightning Field 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDRB Mt. Faraway 4, 8, 10, 14, 17, 22,
24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34
and 36
Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDRB Northern Range 4, 8, 11 and 15 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDRB Pitfall Valley 3, 6, 10 and 15 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDRB Desert Region 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 14,
15 and 18
MDRB Wyvern Hill 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
and 28
Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDRB Purity Forest 15, 21, 24, 28, 32, 38,
43, 48, 52, 57, 61, 67,
81 and 89
Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDTDS Northern Desert 6, 10 and 11
MDTDS Lost Wilderness 4
MDTDS Shimmer Desert 3 and 9
MDTDS Mystery Jungle 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDTDS Zero Isle North 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,
35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60,
65, 70 and 74
Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDTDS Zero Isle East 10, 17, 26, 28 and 36 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDTDS Zero Isle West 9, 10, 17, 18, 26, 27,
35 and 36
Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDTDS Zero Isle South 15, 21, 24, 28, 32, 38,
43, 48, 52, 57, 61, 67,
81 and 89
Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
The weather on floors 21 and 24 might be overriden by Snow Warning hail
MDS Zero Isle Center 15, 21, 24 and 28 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDS Destiny Tower 15, 21, 24, 28, 32, 38,
43, 48, 52, 57, 61, 67,
81 and 89
Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
The weather on floors 21 and 24 might be overriden by Snow Warning hail
MDS Southeastern Islands 4, 8, 12, 15 and 24 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDS Inferno Cave 7, 15, 17, 24 and 28 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDS Star Cave 14 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDS Sky Peak Mountain Path Summit 2 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDS Fortune Ravine Pit Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead
MDS Southern Jungle 4, 7 and 10 Might be any of the other six weather conditions instead

Additionally, in the following dungeons, Pokémon with Sand Stream can spawn, causing sandstorms to occur and possibly override existing weather:

Effects

In battle

Outside of battle

From Pokémon Diamond and Pearl to Pokémon X and Y, Sweet Scent and Honey will fail if there is a sandstorm in the area, or if any other type of weather is present. In the Generation III games and from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire onward, Sweet Scent and Honey are unaffected by the weather.

Variations

Normal

Sand is whipped around by wind, making it difficult to see. Found in Hoenn on Route 111, in Sinnoh on Route 228, and in Unova inside the Desert Resort.

Light

Several sand particles are whipped diagonally across the screen. In Generation V, it is found on Route 4BWW2 and at the entrance to the Desert ResortBWB2W2.

Windstorm

This variation does not create sandstorm weather in battles where it occurs, but the overworld effect resembles a sandstorm. Found in Kalos on Route 13, bits of dust and debris are blown around by a strong wind from the west. Occasionally the wind abates, but whenever it is blowing, it hinders the player's movement westward.

In the anime

 
Sandstorm in the anime
Main article: Sandstorm (move) → In the anime
Main article: Max Rockfall (move) → In the anime
Main article: Sand Stream (Ability) → In the anime

In the manga

Main article: Sandstorm (move) → In the manga
Main article: Sand Stream (Ability) → In the manga

In other generations

In battle

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off games

Interface elements

In the overworld

Normal

 
Unused sandstorm weather in FRLG.

Light

Trivia

  • Some lines of unused sandstorm quotes appear within the code of the games. These appear to be weather-triggered quotes from previous games.
A sandstorm is raging.DPPtHGSS
The sandstorm rages.BWB2W2
The sandstorm is raging.XYORASSM

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 沙暴 Sābouh *
沙雹 Sābohk *
Mandarin 沙暴 Shābào *
沙雹 Shābáo *
  Czech Písečná bouře
  French Tempête de sable
  German Sandsturm
  Indonesian Badai pasir
  Italian Tempesta di sabbia
  Korean 모래바람 Molaebalam
  Malaysian Ribut pasir
  Polish Burza piaskowa
  Portuguese Tempestade de areia
  Spanish Tormenta de arena
  Thai พายุทราย Phayusai
  Vietnamese Bão cát


Weather conditions
Harsh sunlightRainSandstormHailSnowShadowy auraFog
Extremely harsh sunlightHeavy rainStrong winds