Sandstorm (weather condition)

Move	Ability
Sandstorm 砂あらし Sandstorm

Sandstorm	Sand Stream

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.

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
If naturally occurring	N/A	"A sandstorm is raging."	"A sandstorm brewed!"	"A sandstorm kicked up!"
Sandstorm used	"A Sandstorm brewed!"	"A sandstorm brewed!"	"A sandstorm brewed!"
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!"'
When sandstorm ends	"The Sandstorm subsided."	"The sandstorm subsided."

On the field

Game	Region	Location	Conditions
RS EORAS	Hoenn	Route 111	Within the desert part
DP Pt	Sinnoh	Route 228	Always
BWW2	Unova	Route 4	Always
BW B2W2	Unova	Desert Resort	Always
SM USUM	Alola	Haina Desert	5:00 PM - 9:59 AM

Effects

Sandstorm in the anime

In battle

At the end of each turn, damages each Pokémon for ¹/₁₆ (⅛ in Generation II) of its maximum HP, unless it is Rock-, Steel-, or Ground-type; has one of the Abilities Sand Force, Sand Rush, Sand Veil, Magic Guard, or Overcoat; or is holding Safety Goggles.
Activates the following Abilities: Sand Force, Sand Rush, Sand Veil.
From Generation IV onward, raises the Special Defense of all Rock-type Pokémon by 50%.
Changes Weather Ball to a Rock-type move and doubles its power.
From Generation III onward, halves the power of Solar Beam and Solar Blade.
Causes Shore Up to recover ⅔ of max HP instead of ½.
Causes Moonlight, Synthesis, and Morning Sun to recover ¼ of max HP (half the normal amount in Generation II).

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 4^BW^W2 and at the entrance to the Desert Resort^BW^B2W2.

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

Main article: Sandstorm (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

Generation I	RB Y	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	Stadium (Jap)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battle Revolution (alternative animation)	Battrio	Mystery Dungeon	PMD: Red and Blue	PMD: Time, Darkness, Sky	Rumble	Rumble Blast

Generation I	RB Y	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	Stadium (Jap)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battle Revolution (alternative animation)	Battrio	Mystery Dungeon	PMD: Red and Blue	PMD: Time, Darkness, Sky	Rumble	Rumble Blast

Side series games

Generation I	RB Y	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	Stadium (Jap)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battle Revolution (alternative animation)	Battrio	Mystery Dungeon	PMD: Red and Blue	PMD: Time, Darkness, Sky	Rumble	Rumble Blast

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RB Y	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	Stadium (Jap)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battle Revolution (alternative animation)	Battrio	Mystery Dungeon	PMD: Red and Blue	PMD: Time, Darkness, Sky	Rumble	Rumble Blast

Interface elements

Generation I	RB Y	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	BW	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	Stadium (Jap)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battle Revolution (alternative animation)	Battrio	Mystery Dungeon	PMD: Red and Blue	PMD: Time, Darkness, Sky	Rumble	Rumble Blast

In the overworld

Normal

Generation I	RB Y	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	Stadium (Jap)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battle Revolution (alternative animation)	Battrio	Mystery Dungeon	PMD: Red and Blue	PMD: Time, Darkness, Sky	Rumble	Rumble Blast

Generation I	RB Y	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	Stadium (Jap)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battle Revolution (alternative animation)	Battrio	Mystery Dungeon	PMD: Red and Blue	PMD: Time, Darkness, Sky	Rumble	Rumble Blast

Unused sandstorm weather in FRLG.

Light

Generation I	RB Y	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	Stadium (Jap)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battle Revolution (alternative animation)	Battrio	Mystery Dungeon	PMD: Red and Blue	PMD: Time, Darkness, Sky	Rumble	Rumble Blast

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.^XYORAS^SM

There is a typo in Pokémon X & Pokémon Y: The Official Kalos Region Pokédex & Postgame Adventure Guide that states that during the sandstorm weather condition, the Speed of Rock-type Pokémon goes up, rather than the Special Defense stat.

In other languages

Language		Title
Chinese	Cantonese	沙暴 Sābouh * 沙雹 Sābohk *
Chinese	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
Portuguese		Tempestade de areia
Spanish		Tormenta de arena
Thai		พายุทราย Phayusai
Vietnamese		Bão cát