Sandslash is a bipedal, ground-dwelling pholidote Pokémon. Although Sandslash is usually bipedal, it can run on all fours. Most of its underside is light yellow with a white underbelly. It has a narrow muzzle, almond-shaped blue eyes, and a thick tail. Its back is mostly covered in sharp, brown quills formed from its tough, dry hide. It has two large claws on its paws and feet. These claws are its primary weapons and are used for slashing, but can also be used for burrowing. Its claws and spikes can both break off, but they grow back quickly and are shed regularly. Sandslash's broken parts can be used to carve plows for tilling farm fields. The claws can become harder and smoother if it lives in drier areas.
Sandslash can curl into a large ball, which allows it to roll to attack or escape, protect itself from heatstroke, and guard its belly. Sandslash is also adept at climbing trees and is prone to ambush its enemies from above. It also climbs trees to rest during the night, and to slash Berries to feed the Sandshrew waiting below. Sandslash can mostly be found in deserts.
Forms
Sandslash has a regional form: Alolan Sandslash.
In the Alola region, Sandslash has an icy blue hide and steel quills covered in ice. These quills stand taller than a regular Sandslash's quills and resemble icicles. Unlike its Kantonian variant, Alolan Sandslash is rarely seen curling up into a ball, perhaps made difficult by its thick hide and icy spine. Instead, this Pokémon uses its hide for camouflage in the snow while leaving only its spines exposed. Its body emits cold air, which sharpens its quills. Its forepaws are larger than its counterpart, and its claws are longer, thinner, and hooked at the tips. Formerly used for climbing trees, they now allow it to scale icebergs without even slipping.
Despite the weight of its ice-covered body, Alolan Sandslash can move swiftly by carving a path in the snow with its claws. It can move faster than any other Pokémon while in the snowy mountains. This Pokémon tends to live in the deeper parts of snowy mountains, where climbing is forbidden. However, the sprays of snow it kicks up are popular shots for photographers.[1] People also climb up the mountains it lives in, to see Sandslash's icy spikes sparkle during the light of dawn. Stabs from Alolan Sandslash's spikes can cause both deep wounds and severe frostbite. They can also be found in the Polar Biome of Blueberry Academy's Terarium, where Alola's island life is simulated.
Alolan Sandslash's ice-covered steel quills and distinctive claws
Alolan Sandslash curled up in a ball, only shown in the anime
Evolution
Sandslash evolves from Sandshrew.
Alolan Sandslash evolves from Alolan Sandshrew.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Main series
Alolan Sandslash in the anime
Major appearances
In Mewtwo Strikes Back, Corey's Sandslash was captured and cloned by Mewtwo. When Team Rocket saw it being cloned, it was mistaken for its pre-evolved form, Sandshrew. The Sandslash clone was seen again in Mewtwo Returns. Corey's Sandslash reappeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, a remake of Mewtwo Strikes Back, where it played the same role.
In Good 'Quil Hunting, Koji used a Sandslash in a battle against Ash to determine who would keep a Cyndaquil. Despite its exceptional power and agility, Sandslash ultimately lost to Cyndaquil.
In Bulbasaur... the Ambassador!, three Sandslash helped dig a new lake for the Grass-type Pokémon at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness, a Sandslash was a member of Team Razor Wind, along with Scyther and Zangoose. The trio of clawed Pokémon were first seen being blasted out of Wigglytuff's Guild. Team Razor Wind overheard that Team Poképals were assigned with the task of traveling to the Labyrinth Cave to get a Gabite Scale for an ailing Shinx, and decided to attempt beating Team Poképals. Unfortunately for Team Razor Wind, Gabite beat them up. It reappeared alongside its team in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness.
In Not Caving Under Pressure!, an Alolan Sandslash evolved from an Alolan Sandshrew after touching an Ice Stone. It gave Lillie an Icium Z as thanks for helping it battle a Tyranitar that was threatening a home it shared with several other Alolan Sandshrew at Mount Lanakila.
In How Are You Gonna Keep 'Em Off of the Farm?, James pulled a Sandslash from the Rocket Prize Master to battle Ash and Goh, only for it to be defeated by Goh's newly caught Dugtrio.
Minor appearances
Sandslash debuted in The Flame Pokémon-athon!, where many of them were at the Laramie Ranch. One was later seen among the Pokémon participating in the Big P Pokémon Race.
In A Chansey Operation, an injured Sandslash was brought to the clinic.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Sandslash was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
In To Master the Onixpected, a Sandslash was stuck between the rocky body segments of a giant Onix and causing so much pain that the Rock Snake Pokémon rampaged until Bruno freed it.
In Round One - Begin!, a Trainer's Sandslash competed in the Indigo Plateau Conference.
In The Power of One, a Sandslash sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
A wild Sandslash appeared in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.
In Pokémon Double Trouble, a Sandslash was working out at the Kumquat Gym.
In Tricks of the Trade, a Sandslash was at the Pokémon Swap Meet in Palmpona.
In Right On, Rhydon!, Pietra uses a Sandslash for her digging project.
A Sandslash appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest.
A Sandslash appeared in Hi Ho Silver...Away!, under the ownership of Jenaro.
A Sandslash appeared in The Legend of Thunder!.
In Will the Real Oak Please Stand Up?, a Sandslash appeared in Nurse Joy's poem.
A Sandslash appeared in Gone Corphishin'.
A Sandslash made a brief cameo in Destiny Deoxys.
In Numero Uno Articuno, Noland's Sandslash was among the Pokémon residing at the Battle Factory.
A Sandslash appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
In Gymbaliar!, a male Trainer used a Sandslash to battle a wild Croagunk while it was under Jessie's command.
A Sandslash made a brief cameo in Giratina and the Sky Warrior.
Multiple Sandslash made a cameo in Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
In Historical Mystery Tour!, Barry encountered multiple Sandslash in Xatu's Forest.
A Trainer's Sandslash appeared in Curtain Up, Unova League!.
In Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, a Sandslash was a resident of Allearth Forest.
A Trainer's Sandslash appeared in a flashback in Alola to New Adventure!.
A Sandslash appeared in I Choose You!.
In The Power of Us, a Sandslash participated in the effort to put out a fire.
In A Timeless Encounter!, an Ace Trainer's Sandslash battled Hala and his Makuhita in a flashback, but was defeated.
In Battle Royal 151!, a Trainer's Alolan Sandslash competed in the Battle Royal preliminary round of the Manalo Conference but was defeated by Turtonator.
A Sandslash appeared in This Could be the Start of Something Big!.
A Trainer's Sandslash appeared in A Squad's Worth of Passion!.
Pokédex entries
| Episode
|
Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| EP071
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Sandslash
|
Ash's Pokédex
|
Sandslash, the Mouse Pokémon. The evolved form of Sandshrew. It attacks opponents with the quills on its back.
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|
| Episode
|
Pokémon
|
Source
|
Entry
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| DP008
|
Sandslash
|
Dawn's Pokédex
|
Sandslash, the Mouse Pokémon. When it runs at full speed, it sends up a thick cloud of sand in order to hide itself.
|
|
Pokémon Origins
In File 1: Red, a Sandslash was one of the Pokémon seen in Professor Oak's introduction.
A Sandslash appeared in a flashback in File 2: Cubone.
Pokémon Evolutions
A Sandslash appeared in The Discovery, under the ownership of a Youngster. It was used to challenge Green to a battle and lost almost immediately.
Ash & Pikachu
Similar to her anime counterpart, Pietra owns a Sandslash. It appeared in The Grand Rhydon Plan.
Pokémon Adventures
Sandslash debuted in Sea Sea Seadra, where it and a wild Weezing appeared behind Bill, still showing the ecology in Viridian Forest hasn't changed back to normal in two years.
In A Flaaffy Kerfuffle, a Sandslash appeared as one of the Pokémon in Professor Oak's fantasy when he explains that Trainers should only have six Pokémon with them.
Sandslash's most predominant appearance was in Sandslash Surprise. While trying to find out their location, Gold and Silver are attacked by a swarm of spiky balls, which are revealed to be Sandslash fleeing from the wrath of Lugia.
A Sandslash was seen as one of the Pokémon used by Team Magma, which first appeared in What Would You Do for a Whismur?.
A Sandslash appeared in Pinsir Changes.
A Sandslash appeared in a flashback in Charizard Transforms.
Two Alolan Sandslash debuted in the Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc, where it was seen on Mount Lanakila.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Giovanni was revealed to own a Sandslash in Pokémon Hair Salon Opens!!, where he used it in his hair salon.
Berry (100%)
Soft Sand (5%)
Quick Claw (5%)
Grip Claw (5%)
For other sprites and images, please see Sandslash images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
