Sand Attack (move)

Sand Attack
すなかけ Sand Attack
Sand Attack IX.png
Type  Ground
Category  Status
PP  15 (max. 24)
Power  —
Accuracy  100%
Priority  0
Range
Opponent Opponent Opponent
Self Ally Ally
Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation I
Condition  Cute
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Jam  1
Startles the Pokémon that has the judge's attention.
Condition  Cute
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Prevents the Voltage from going down in the same turn.
Condition  Cute
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
Jamming  0  
Makes audience expect little of other contestants.

Sand Attack (Japanese: すなかけ Sand Attack), formatted as Sand-Attack prior to Pokémon X and Y, is a non-damaging Ground-type move introduced in Generation I. Prior to Generation II, it was a Normal-type move.

Effect

Generation I

Sand Attack decreases the target's accuracy stat by one stage. Sand Attack is a Normal-type move in this generation, but it is not affected by immunities to Normal-type.

In the Generation I core series games, when an in-game opponent uses Sand Attack, the move has a 25% chance to fail.

Generation II onwards

Sand Attack is now a Ground-type move, but it is not affected by immunities to the Ground type.

In the Generation II core series games, when an in-game opponent outside of the Battle Tower uses Sand Attack, the move has a 25% chance to fail.

Generation III onwards

Sand Attack can be used as the first move of a Pokémon Contest combination, causing Mud-Slap to score double the normal appeal if used in the next turn. It can also be used to finish a combination, with the user gaining 2 bonus appeal points if Mud-Slap or Sandstorm was used in the previous turn. It is also part of a Contest Spectacular combination, with the user gaining an three extra appeal points if Sandstorm was used in the prior turn.

If powered up by a Groundium Z into Z-Sand Attack, the user's evasiveness is raised by one stage.

Description

Games Description
StadStad2 An attack in which sand is used to blind the target and reduce its attack accuracy.
GSC Reduces accuracy by throwing sand.
RSE Reduces the foe's accuracy by hurling sand in its face.
FRLG A lot of sand is hurled in the foe's face, reducing its accuracy.
ColoXD Lowers accuracy of target by hurling sand in its face.
DPPtHGSSPBR Sand is hurled in the foe's face, reducing its accuracy.
BWB2W2 Sand is hurled in the target's face, reducing its accuracy.
XYORAS
SMUSUMPE
SwShBDSPLA
Sand is hurled in the target's face, reducing the target's accuracy.
SV Sand is hurled in the target's face, lowering the target's accuracy.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
0016 Pidgey NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 3 5
0017 Pidgeotto NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1, 3 1, 5
0018 Pidgeot NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1, 3 1, 5
0027 Sandshrew GroundIC Big.png Field Field 10 11 11 7 7BW
3B2W2
3 3 8 6 6 6
0028 Sandslash GroundIC Big.png Field Field 1, 10 1, 11 1, 11 1, 7 1, 7BW
1, 3B2W2
1, 3 1, 3 1, 8 1 1 1
0050 Diglett GroundIC Big.png Field Field 24 25 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1
0050 Diglett
Diglett
Alolan Form
GroundIC Big.png
SteelIC Big.png
Field Field 1 4 1 1
0051 Dugtrio GroundIC Big.png Field Field 24 25 1 1 1 1 1 1, 4 1 1 1
0051 Dugtrio
Dugtrio
Alolan Form
GroundIC Big.png
SteelIC Big.png
Field Field 1 1, 4 1 1
0074 Geodude RockIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png
Mineral Mineral 3
0075 Graveler RockIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png
Mineral Mineral 1,3
0076 Golem RockIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png
Mineral Mineral 1,3
0083 Farfetch'd NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Field 1 7 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0083 Farfetch'd
Farfetch'd
Galarian Form
FightingIC Big.png Flying Field 1
0111 Rhyhorn GroundIC Big.png
RockIC Big.png
Monster Field 1
0112 Rhydon GroundIC Big.png
RockIC Big.png
Monster Field 1
0133 Eevee NormalIC Big.png Field Field 1RGB
8Y
8 8 8 8BW
5B2W2
5 5 14 5 5 5
0134 Vaporeon WaterIC Big.png Field Field 1RGB
8Y
8 8 8 8BW
5B2W2
5 5 1, 14 5 5 5
0135 Jolteon ElectricIC Big.png Field Field 1RGB
8Y
8 8 8 8BW
5B2W2
5 5 1, 14 5 5 5
0136 Flareon FireIC Big.png Field Field 1RGB
8Y
8 8 8 8BW
5B2W2
5 5 1, 14 5 5 5
0138 Omanyte RockIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png
Water 1 Water 3 10 10
0139 Omastar RockIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png
Water 1 Water 3 1 1
0140 Kabuto RockIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png
Water 1 Water 3 28 31 21 21 21 21 36 10 10
0141 Kabutops RockIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png
Water 1 Water 3 28 31 21 21 21 21 36 1 1
0190 Aipom NormalIC Big.png Field Field 6 6 4 4 4 4 4 4
0196 Espeon PsychicIC Big.png Field Field 8 8 8 8BW
5B2W2
5 5 5 5 5
0197 Umbreon DarkIC Big.png Field Field 8 8 8 8BW
5B2W2
5 5 5 5 5
0207 Gligar GroundIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Bug Bug 6 6 5 5BW
4B2W2
4 4 4 4
0227 Skarmory SteelIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 13 10 7DP
6PtHGSS
6 6 6 4 4 4
0234 Stantler NormalIC Big.png Field Field 31 31RSE
27FRLG
16 16 16 16 16 16
0255 Torchic FireIC Big.png Field Field 19 19 19 19XY
10ORAS
10 15 15 15
0256 Combusken FireIC Big.png
FightingIC Big.png
Field Field 21 21 21 21XY
1, 10ORAS
1, 10 15 15 15
0257 Blaziken FireIC Big.png
FightingIC Big.png
Field Field 21 21 21 21XY
1, 10ORAS
1, 10 15 15 15
0261 Poochyena DarkIC Big.png Field Field 9 9 9 9XY
7ORAS
7 7 7
0262 Mightyena DarkIC Big.png Field Field 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9XY
1, 7ORAS
1, 7 1, 7 1
0263 Zigzagoon NormalIC Big.png Field Field 13 13 13 13XY
7ORAS
7 3 3
0263 Zigzagoon
Zigzagoon
Galarian Form
DarkIC Big.png
NormalIC Big.png
Field Field 3
0264 Linoone NormalIC Big.png Field Field 13 13 13 13XY
1, 7ORAS
1, 7 1 1
0264 Linoone
Linoone
Galarian Form
DarkIC Big.png
NormalIC Big.png
Field Field 1
0290 Nincada BugIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png
Bug Bug 9 9 9 9 9 1 1
0291 Ninjask BugIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Bug Bug 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1 1
0292 Shedinja BugIC Big.png
GhostIC Big.png
Mineral Mineral 9 9 9 9 1, 9 1 1
0296 Makuhita FightingIC Big.png Human-Like Human-Like 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
0297 Hariyama FightingIC Big.png Human-Like Human-Like 1, 4 1, 4 1, 4 1, 4 1, 4 1, 4 1
0328 Trapinch GroundIC Big.png Bug Dragon 9 9 9BW
4B2W2
4XY
1ORAS
1 1 1 1
0329 Vibrava GroundIC Big.png
DragonIC Big.png
Bug Dragon 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9BW
1, 4B2W2
1, 4XY
1ORAS
1 1 1 1
0330 Flygon GroundIC Big.png
DragonIC Big.png
Bug Dragon 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9BW
1, 4B2W2
1, 4XY
1ORAS
1 1 1 1
0331 Cacnea GrassIC Big.png Grass Human-Like 17 17 17 17XY
13ORAS
13 13 13
0332 Cacturne GrassIC Big.png
DarkIC Big.png
Grass Human-Like 17 17 17 17XY
13ORAS
13 13 13
0424 Ambipom NormalIC Big.png Field Field 1, 4 1, 4 1, 4 1, 4 1, 4 1
0443 Gible DragonIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png
Monster Dragon 3 3 3 3 6 6 6
0444 Gabite DragonIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png
Monster Dragon 1, 3 1, 3 1, 3 1, 3 1 1 1
0445 Garchomp DragonIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png
Monster Dragon 1, 3 1, 3 1, 3 1, 3 1 1 1
0449 Hippopotas GroundIC Big.png Field Field 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0450 Hippowdon GroundIC Big.png Field Field 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0470 Leafeon GrassIC Big.png Field Field 8 8BW
5B2W2
5 5 5 5 5
0471 Glaceon IceIC Big.png Field Field 8 8BW
5B2W2
5 5 5 5 5
0472 Gliscor GroundIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Bug Bug 1, 5 1, 5BW
1, 4B2W2
1, 4 1, 4 1, 4 1
0504 Patrat NormalIC Big.png Field Field 13 13 13
0505 Watchog NormalIC Big.png Field Field 13 13 13
0509 Purrloin DarkIC Big.png Field Field 10 10 10 4
0510 Liepard DarkIC Big.png Field Field 1, 10 1, 10 1, 10 1
0524 Roggenrola RockIC Big.png Mineral Mineral 7 7 7 1
0525 Boldore RockIC Big.png Mineral Mineral 1, 7 1, 7 1, 7 1
0526 Gigalith RockIC Big.png Mineral Mineral 1, 7 1, 7 1, 7 1
0551 Sandile GroundIC Big.png
DarkIC Big.png
Field Field 7 7 7 3 3
0552 Krokorok GroundIC Big.png
DarkIC Big.png
Field Field 1, 7 1, 7 1, 7 1 1
0553 Krookodile GroundIC Big.png
DarkIC Big.png
Field Field 1, 7 1, 7 1, 7 1 1
0557 Dwebble BugIC Big.png
RockIC Big.png
Bug Mineral 11 11 11 1
0558 Crustle BugIC Big.png
RockIC Big.png
Bug Mineral 1, 11 1, 11 1, 11 1
0559 Scraggy DarkIC Big.png
FightingIC Big.png
Field Dragon 5 5 5 12 12
0560 Scrafty DarkIC Big.png
FightingIC Big.png
Field Dragon 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 12 12
0585 Deerling
Deerling
All forms
NormalIC Big.png
GrassIC Big.png
Field Field 7 7 7 7
0586 Sawsbuck
Sawsbuck
All forms
NormalIC Big.png
GrassIC Big.png
Field Field 1, 7 1, 7 1, 7 1
0632 Durant BugIC Big.png
SteelIC Big.png
Bug Bug 1 1 1 1
0676 Furfrou
Furfrou
All forms
NormalIC Big.png Field Field 5 5
0688 Binacle RockIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png
Water 3 Water 3 1 1
0689 Barbaracle RockIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png
Water 3 Water 3 1 1
0700 Sylveon FairyIC Big.png Field Field 5 5 5 5
0734 Yungoos NormalIC Big.png Field Field 10 10
0735 Gumshoos NormalIC Big.png Field Field 1, 10 1
0744 Rockruff RockIC Big.png Field Field 4 4 4
0745 Lycanroc
Lycanroc
Midday Form
RockIC Big.png Field Field 1, 4 1 1
0745 Lycanroc
Lycanroc
Midnight Form
RockIC Big.png Field Field 1, 4 1 1
0745 Lycanroc
Lycanroc
Dusk Form
RockIC Big.png Field Field 1, 4USUM 1 1
0767 Wimpod BugIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png
Bug Water 3 1 1
0768 Golisopod BugIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png
Bug Water 3 1 1
0769 Sandygast GhostIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png
Amorphous Amorphous 9 20 20
0770 Palossand GhostIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png
Amorphous Amorphous 1, 9 20 20
0843 Silicobra GroundIC Big.png Field Dragon 1 1
0844 Sandaconda GroundIC Big.png Field Dragon 1 1
0862 Obstagoon DarkIC Big.png
NormalIC Big.png
Field Field 1
0865 Sirfetch'd FightingIC Big.png Flying Field 1
0899 Wyrdeer NormalIC Big.png
PsychicIC Big.png
Field Field 16
0953 Rellor BugIC Big.png Bug Bug 4
0954 Rabsca BugIC Big.png
PsychicIC Big.png
Bug Bug 4
0960 Wiglett WaterIC Big.png Water 3 Water 3 1
0961 Wugtrio WaterIC Big.png Water 3 Water 3 1
0992 Iron Hands FightingIC Big.png
ElectricIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By breeding

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Egg Move
0179 Mareep ElectricIC Big.png Monster Field
0347 Anorith RockIC Big.png
BugIC Big.png
Water 3 Water 3
0396 Starly NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0431 Glameow NormalIC Big.png Field Field
0451 Skorupi PoisonIC Big.png
BugIC Big.png
Bug Water 3
0506 Lillipup NormalIC Big.png Field Field
0522 Blitzle ElectricIC Big.png Field Field
0568 Trubbish PoisonIC Big.png Mineral Mineral
0688 Binacle RockIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png
Water 3 Water 3
0757 Salandit PoisonIC Big.png
FireIC Big.png
Monster Dragon
0813 Scorbunny FireIC Big.png Field Human-Like
0821 Rookidee FlyingIC Big.png Flying Flying
0835 Yamper ElectricIC Big.png Field Field
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


In other games

Pokémon GO

GO Ground.png Sand Attack
Fast Attack
Gyms & Raids
Power 4
Energy boost 7
Duration 0.5 seconds
Damage window 0.3-0.6 seconds
Sand Attack GO.png
Trainer Battles
Power 2
Energy boost 4
Turns 1
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility
SandshrewSandslashDiglett (Alolan form)Dugtrio (Alolan form)ZigzagoonLinooneTrapinchVibravaFlygonCacneaCacturneStarlyStaraviaStaraptorHippopotasHippowdonLillipupHerdierStoutlandFurfrouSandygastPalossand
By Elite Fast TM
By GO Snapshot
Smeargle
As Shadow Pokémon
As Purified Pokémon
Formerly eligible
None

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Sand Attack lowers the target's accuracy by one stage. This move is affected by Magic Coat.

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDRB - - 22 - 80% - Front Enemy Yes
MDTDS - - 20 - 80% - Front Enemy Yes
BSL - - 20 - 80% - Front Enemy Yes
MDGtI - - 15 50 75% 98% Front Enemy Yes
SMD - - 15 30 75% 98% Front Enemy Yes
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

Pokémon Rumble Rush

In Pokémon Rumble Rush, all status moves including Sand Attack could only be used by opposing Pokémon and could not be obtained on any caught Pokémon. Sand Attack could be seen as a move used by Boss Wimpod.

GroundIC RR.png Sand Attack
Charge time 0.98 seconds
Range type Arc (wide)
Target Enemy
Additional effect None
Sand Attack Rumble Rush.png

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, Sand Attack is Garchomp's first move as Gible. The user hurls sand toward a designated area, reducing enemy visibility and slowing them for 2s. The user's movement speed and basic attack speed are increased if an enemy is hit. After evolving into Gabite at level 5, the move is replaced by either Dig or Dragon Rush.

Description

Games Description
MDRB Lowers the target's Accuracy by one level.
MDTDS Reduces the target's accuracy by 1 level.
BSL てきポケモンの めいちゅうを 1だんかいさげる
MDGtI
SMD
It lowers the enemy's accuracy.


In animation

Pokémon animated series

Ash Pidgeotto Sand Attack.png
Pidgeotto
Evian Ninjask Sand-Attack.png
Ninjask
Ash Gliscor Sand Attack.png
Gliscor
Totem Gumshoos Sand Attack.png
Gumshoos
The user throws sand in the target's face, blinding them.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
Pidgey Pidgey flaps its wings, sending a cloud of sand at the opponent.
A wild Pidgey Pokémon - I Choose You! Debut
Pidgeotto Pidgeotto flaps its wings, sending a cloud of sand at the opponent.
Ash's Pidgeotto Challenge of the Samurai None
Sandslash Sandslash digs into the ground with its hind or front legs and flings dirt at the opponent.
Koji's Sandslash Good 'Quil Hunting None
Jenaro's Sandslash Hi Ho Silver... Away! None
A Trainer's Sandslash Gymbaliar! None
Aipom Aipom digs and throws dirt at the opponent.
Multiple wild Aipom A Hot Water Battle None
Eevee Eevee turns around and kicks dirt at the opponent with its hind legs, or Eevee stands on its hind legs and slams its front legs on the ground, sending a big cloud of sand at the opponent.
Sakura's Eevee Trouble's Brewing None
Virgil's Eevee Mewtwo — Prologue to Awakening None
Risa's Eevee The Power of Us None
Vaporeon Vaporeon turns around and kicks dirt at the opponent with its hind legs.
Sumomo's Vaporeon Trouble's Brewing None
Zigzagoon Zigzagoon kicks dirt at the opponent with its front paws.
Nicholai's Zigzagoon In the Knicker of Time! None
Ninjask Ninjask flies low to the ground and spins around, making a spiral of dirt appear and go into the air. The dirt falls down over the opponent; or, Ninjask flies at the ground while flying at the opponent and flings dirt at the opponent, blinding them.
Evian's Ninjask From Cradle to Save None
Brandon's Ninjask Pace - The Final Frontier! None
Hippopotas Hippopotas releases a stream of sand out of the hole on its back, or Hippopotas sprays sand from the hole on its back at the opponent, or Hippopotas releases a smog of sand from its nostrils at the opponent, or Hippopotas releases a stream of sand from its mouth at the opponent.
Hippopotas (recurring) Mass Hip-Po-Sis! None
A wild Hippopotas Hoopa and the Clash of Ages None
Umbreon Umbreon flips around in the air and lands with its back facing the opponent and kicks dirt at the opponent with its back legs.
Gary's Umbreon Ill-Will Hunting! None
Gligar Gligar throws sand at the opponent using its claws.
Ash's Gligar The Bells are Singing! None
Gliscor Gliscor uses its pincers or its tail and throws sand at the opponent.
Ash's Gliscor Dealing with Defensive Types! None
Skarmory Skarmory uses one of its wings to scoop dirt from the ground and fling it at the opponent.
Taylor's Skarmory Pursuing an Lofty Goal! None
Purrloin Purrloin throws sand at the opponent using its front legs.
Ricard Nouveau's Purrloin Clash of the Connoisseurs! None
Watchog Watchog throws sand at the opponent using its hands.
Halsey's Watchog The Pokémon Harbor Patrol! None
Glaceon Glaceon kicks dirt at the opponent with its front legs.
Virgil's Glaceon Mewtwo — Prologue to Awakening None
Leafeon Leafeon kicks dirt at the opponent with its front legs.
Virgil's Leafeon Mewtwo — Prologue to Awakening None
Sawsbuck Sawsbuck kicks sand at the opponent with its hind legs.
Two wild Sawsbuck Genesect and the Legend Awakened None
Deerling Deerling kicks sand at the opponent with its hind legs.
Two wild Deerling Genesect and the Legend Awakened None
Furfrou Furfrou jumps in the air and slams its two front legs onto the ground as it lands, creating a cloud of sand that is sent flying at the opponent.
Everett's Furfrou A League of His Own! None
Gumshoos Gumshoos throws sand at the opponent using its hands. The sand blinds the opponent and causes attacks to miss, and can deflect projectile attacks.
Totem Gumshoos To Top a Totem! None
Officer Jenny's Gumshoos To Top a Totem! None
Yungoos Yungoos throws sand at the opponent using its hands. The sand blinds the opponent and causes attacks to miss.
An ally Yungoos To Top a Totem! None
A Trainer's Yungoos A Little Rocket R & R! None


In the manga

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: appearance with Torchic using it in Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪

The Electric Tale of Pikachu


How I Became a Pokémon Card

  • In PW11, Diglett was mentioned to use Sand-Attack but it wasn't shown using the move.
  • In PW17, Giovanni's Diglett was mentioned to use Sand-Attack but it wasn't shown using the move.

Movie adaptations


Pokémon Adventures


Pocket Monsters BW: The Heroes of Fire and Thunder


Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure


Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team


Pokémon Pocket Monsters


In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 潑沙 Putsā *
飛沙拔擊 Fēisā Bahtgīk *
踢沙 Teksā *
Mandarin 潑沙 / 泼沙 Pōshā *
飛沙腳 / 飞沙脚 Fēishājiǎo *
起沙 Qǐshā *
The Czech Republic Flag.png Czech Písečný Útok
Denmark Flag.png Danish Sandangreb
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Zandaanval
Finland Flag.png Finnish Hiekkaisku
France Flag.png French Jet de Sable
Germany Flag.png German Sandwirbel
Greece Flag.png Greek Ρίψη Άμμου
India Flag.png Hindi रेतीला हमला Rayteela Hamla
Indonesia Flag.png Indonesian Serangan Pasir
Italy Flag.png Italian Turbosabbia
South Korea Flag.png Korean 모래뿌리기 Moraeppurigi
Norway Flag.png Norwegian Sandangrep
Poland Flag.png Polish Atak Piaskiem
Brazil Flag.png Brazilian Portuguese Ataque de Areia
Romania Flag.png Romanian Atacul cu Nisip
Serbia Flag.png Serbian Napad Peskom
Spanish CELAC Flag.png Latin America Ataque Arena (EP219, SM009–present)
Ataque de Arena (EP004EP183, AG156XY125)
Tormenta de Arena* (EP001)
Spain Flag.png Spain Ataque ArenaII+
Ataque-ArenaI
Sweden Flag.png Swedish Sandattack*
Sandanfall*
Turkey Flag.png Turkish Kum Saldırısı
Vietnam Flag.png Vietnamese Rải Cát



Variations of the move Flash
StatusIC HOME.png FlashSmokescreenSand Attack


Project Moves and Abilities logo.png This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.