Sand Tomb (Japanese: すなじごく Sand Hell) is a damage-dealing Ground-type move introduced in Generation III. It was TM49 in Pokémon Sword and Shield, and is TM176 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Sand Tomb
すなじごく Sand Hell
Type  Ground
Category  Physical
PP  15 (max. 24)
Power  35
Accuracy  85%
Priority  0
Range
Opponent Opponent Opponent
Self Ally Ally
Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation III
Condition  Clever
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
Jam  0  
Temporarily stops the crowd from growing excited.
Condition  Clever
Appeal  0  
Earn a higher score the later the Pokémon performs.
Condition  Clever
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
Jamming  0  
Temporarily stops the crowd from growing excited.

Effect

Generation III

Sand Tomb inflicts 1/16 of the target's maximum HP as damage for two to five turns upon use, in addition to the damage dealt when it is used. When successful, the text "<Pokémon> was trapped by SAND TOMB!" appears. It also traps the target, preventing switching and escape. If the user switches out, the target will be freed. If a trapped Pokémon uses Rapid Spin, it will be freed. If a wild Pokémon uses Sand Tomb on the player's Pokémon, the player may escape if the affected Pokémon has Run Away or is holding a Smoke Ball. However, these do not allow the player to switch the Pokémon out.

Sand Tomb has a power of 15 and an accuracy of 70.

Sand Tomb can be used as the second move of a Pokémon Contest combination, with the user gaining 3 bonus appeal points if Sandstorm was used in the previous turn.

Generation IV

In Generation IV, if the user of Sand Tomb is holding a Grip Claw, the duration will always be 5 turns. Also, if an affected Pokémon is holding a Shed Shell, it can switch out.

Generation V

Sand Tomb's power and accuracy were increased to 35 and 85 respectively, and now lasts four to five turns. If a Binding Band is held by the user, the damage done at the end of each turn will increase from 1/16 of the target's maximum HP to 1/8. If the user of Sand Tomb is holding a Grip Claw, the duration will be 7 turns. The text was also altered to, "<Pokémon> became trapped by Sand Tomb!"

Generation VI onwards

The end turn damage of Sand Tomb is increased from 1/16 to 1/8 of the target's maximum HP. If the user is holding a Binding Band, the end turn damage of Sand Tomb will increase to 1/6 of the target's maximum HP. Ghost-type Pokémon cannot be trapped by Sand Tomb.

Sand Tomb can also be used as part of a Contest Spectacular combination, with the user gaining an extra three appeal points if the move Sandstorm was used in the prior turn.

Generation IX

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Category  Physical
Accuracy  100%
Standard Plus Move
Power  20  24
Cooldown  7s
Move wind-up time  10 frames
Effect duration  —s
Additional effect
 —
 —
 —
None

Description

Games Description
RSE Traps and hurts the foe in quicksand for 2 to 5 turns.
ColoXD Traps and hurts target in a whirlpool for 2 to 5 turns.
FRLG The foe is trapped inside a painful sandstorm for two to five turns.
DPPtHGSSPBR The user traps the foe inside a harshly raging sandstorm for two to five turns.
BWB2W2
XYORAS
SMUSUMPE
SwShBDSPLA
The user traps the target inside a harshly raging sandstorm for four to five turns.
SV The user traps the target inside a harshly raging sandstorm that inflicts damage for four to five turns.
ZA The user summons a raging sandstorm to surround targets. Opponents within the sandstorm will take continual damage.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
0027 Sandshrew Field Field 45 27 27BW
23B2W2
23 23
0028 Sandslash Field Field 52 33 33BW
23B2W2
23XY
24ORAS
24 31 31 31
0051 Dugtrio Field Field 26 26 26 26 1, Evo. 1, Evo. 1, Evo. Evo.
0051 Dugtrio
Dugtrio
Alolan Form

Field Field 1, Evo. 1, Evo. Evo.
0095 Onix
Mineral Mineral 49RSE
52FRLG
41DP
46PtHGSS
54BW
37B2W2
37 37 28 28 28
0208 Steelix
Mineral Mineral 28 28 28
0227 Skarmory
Flying Flying 16
0246 Larvitar
Monster Monster 12
0247 Pupitar
Monster Monster 12
0248 Tyranitar
Monster Monster 12
0259 Marshtomp
Monster Water 1 Rem.
0260 Swampert
Monster Water 1 1
0328 Trapinch Bug Dragon 25 25 25BW
10B2W2
10XY
12ORAS
12 16 16 16
0329 Vibrava
Bug Dragon 1, 25 1, 25 1, 25BW
1, 10B2W2
1, 10XY
12ORAS
12 16 16 16
0330 Flygon
Bug Dragon 1, 25 1, 25 1, 25BW
1, 10B2W2
1, 10XY
12ORAS
12 16 16 16
0383 Groudon No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1
0443 Gible
Monster Dragon 19 19 19 19 1 1 1 1
0444 Gabite
Monster Dragon 19 19 19 19 1 1 1 1
0445 Garchomp
Monster Dragon 19 19 19 19 1 1 1 1
0449 Hippopotas Field Field 25 25 25 25 12 12 12 12
0450 Hippowdon Field Field 25 25 25 25 12 12 12 12
0529 Drilbur Field Field 13
0530 Excadrill
Field Field 13
0551 Sandile
Field Field 13 13 13 9 9 9
0552 Krokorok
Field Field 13 13 13 9 9 9
0553 Krookodile
Field Field 13 13 13 9 9 9
0645 Landorus
Landorus
All forms

No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1
0769 Sandygast
Amorphous Amorphous 14 10 10 10
0770 Palossand
Amorphous Amorphous 14 1 1 10
0843 Silicobra Field Dragon 50 50
0844 Sandaconda Field Dragon 51 51
0867 Runerigus
Mineral Amorphous 1
1003 Ting-Lu
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 TM

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Compatibility
0027 Sandshrew Field Field
0028 Sandslash Field Field
0031 Nidoqueen
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0034 Nidoking
Monster Field
0050 Diglett Field Field
0050 Diglett
Diglett
Alolan Form

Field Field
0051 Dugtrio Field Field
0051 Dugtrio
Dugtrio
Alolan Form

Field Field
0095 Onix
Mineral Mineral
0151 Mew No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0185 Sudowoodo Mineral Mineral
0204 Pineco Bug Bug
0205 Forretress
Bug Bug
0207 Gligar
Bug Bug
0208 Steelix
Mineral Mineral
0212 Scizor
Bug Bug
0213 Shuckle
Bug Bug
0219 Magcargo
Amorphous Amorphous
0220 Swinub
Field Field
0221 Piloswine
Field Field
0227 Skarmory
Flying Flying
0231 Phanpy Field Field
0232 Donphan Field Field
0246 Larvitar
Monster Monster
0247 Pupitar
Monster Monster
0248 Tyranitar
Monster Monster
0259 Marshtomp
Monster Water 1
0260 Swampert
Monster Water 1
0299 Nosepass Mineral Mineral
0305 Lairon
Monster Monster
0306 Aggron
Monster Monster
0328 Trapinch Bug Dragon
0329 Vibrava
Bug Dragon
0330 Flygon
Bug Dragon
0337 Lunatone
Mineral Mineral
0338 Solrock
Mineral Mineral
0340 Whiscash
Water 2 Water 2
0343 Baltoy
Mineral Mineral
0344 Claydol
Mineral Mineral
0377 Regirock No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0379 Registeel No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0383 Groudon No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0387 Turtwig Monster Grass
0388 Grotle Monster Grass
0389 Torterra
Monster Grass
0410 Shieldon
Monster Monster
0411 Bastiodon
Monster Monster
0423 Gastrodon
Gastrodon
All forms

Water 1 Amorphous
0438 Bonsly No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0443 Gible
Monster Dragon
0444 Gabite
Monster Dragon
0445 Garchomp
Monster Dragon
0449 Hippopotas Field Field
0450 Hippowdon Field Field
0452 Drapion
Bug Water 3
0472 Gliscor
Bug Bug
0473 Mamoswine
Field Field
0476 Probopass
Mineral Mineral
0524 Roggenrola Mineral Mineral
0525 Boldore Mineral Mineral
0526 Gigalith Mineral Mineral
0529 Drilbur Field Field
0530 Excadrill
Field Field
0551 Sandile
Field Field
0552 Krokorok
Field Field
0553 Krookodile
Field Field
0557 Dwebble
Bug Mineral
0558 Crustle
Bug Mineral
0645 Landorus
Landorus
All forms

No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0660 Diggersby
Field Field
0703 Carbink
Fairy Mineral
0719 Diancie
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0749 Mudbray Field Field
0750 Mudsdale Field Field
0769 Sandygast
Amorphous Amorphous
0770 Palossand
Amorphous Amorphous
0834 Drednaw
Monster Water 1
0837 Rolycoly Mineral Mineral
0838 Carkol
Mineral Mineral
0839 Coalossal
Mineral Mineral
0843 Silicobra Field Dragon
0844 Sandaconda Field Dragon
0867 Runerigus
Mineral Amorphous
0874 Stonjourner Mineral Mineral
0968 Orthworm Field Field
0969 Glimmet
Mineral Mineral
0970 Glimmora
Mineral Mineral
0989 Sandy Shocks
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0995 Iron Thorns
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
1003 Ting-Lu
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
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
0185 Sudowoodo Mineral Mineral
0204 Pineco Bug Bug
0207 Gligar
Bug Bug
0213 Shuckle
Bug Bug
0387 Turtwig Monster Grass
0438 Bonsly Mineral Mineral
0443 Gible
Monster Dragon
0449 Hippopotas Field Field
0557 Dwebble
Bug Mineral
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 Mystery Dungeon series

In the Rescue Team, Explorers, and Adventure Squad series, Sand Tomb deals damage and can inflict the Constriction status condition on the enemy. With this, the Pokémon cannot move (though it may attack), cannot switch places with the team leader, and loses 5 HP every two turns (for 4-6 turns).

From Gates to Infinity, it instead can cause the Sand Tomb status condition which causes the enemy to lose 3 HP at the end of every 2 turns (lasting 6 turns).

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDRB 4 - 17 - 73% - Front Enemy No
MDTDS 4 - 17 - 73% - Front Enemy No
BSL 4 - 17 - 73% - Front Enemy No
MDGtI 3 99 17 50 95% 98% Front Enemy No
SMD 3 99 17 40 95% 98% Front Enemy No
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, Sand Tomb is a Charged Attack that has been available since February 16, 2017.

 Sand Tomb
Charged Attack
Gyms & Raids
Power 60
Energy cost 33
Duration 4 seconds
Damage window 1.7 - 4 seconds
Trainer Battles
Power 25
Energy cost 40
Secondary effect 1 Opponent Defense
Effect chance 100%
Max Battles
Power Level 1: 250
Level 2: 300
Level 3: 350
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility
SandshrewNidokingOnixPinecoForretressTrapinchVibravaFlygonTorterraGarchompGliscorKrookodileSandygastPalossandRunerigus
By Elite Charged TM
By GO Snapshot
Smeargle
Smeargle
As Shadow Pokémon
As Purified Pokémon
Formerly eligible
None

Updates

Gyms & Raids
  • December 11, 2019
    • Power: 80 → 60
    • Energy cost: 50 → 33
Trainer Battles
  • December 11, 2019
    • Power: 80 → 25
    • Energy cost: 60 → 40
    • Secondary effect added
  • March 3, 2026
    • Power: 25 → 40

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Sand Tomb
Attack power 12.51031
Charge time 0.86 seconds
Range type Circular (ranged)
Number of hits 3
Number of projectiles 1
Critical hit rate 1.5%
Additional effect None

Pokémon Masters EX

Name Category Move gauge cost MP
(uses)
Base power Max power Accuracy Target Effect tag Description Playable sync pair(s)
Sand Tomb Physical 2 38 45 85% An opponent Leaves the target trapped. Bertha & Hippowdon
Roxanne (Fall 2023) & Runerigus
Arc Suit Cynthia & Garchomp
Scottie/Bettie & Sandshrew/SandslashEgg (Tech role only)

Description

Games Description
MDRB Inflicts damage on the target. It may also cause constriction, making the foe incapable of movement.
MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target. It may also afflict the targeted enemy with a Constriction status, making it incapable of movement.
BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる しかも いっていのかくりつで しめつけじょうたいに かえて いどうできなくする
MDGtI It damages an enemy. It could also cause the Sand Tomb status condition. (With the Sand Tomb status, the enemy can't move and keeps taking damage.)
SMD It could trap an enemy, make it unable to move, and keep damaging the enemy.


In animation

Pokémon animated series


Vibrava

Gabite

Krookodile

Dugtrio
The user traps the foe inside a harshly raging sandstorm.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
Dugtrio Dugtrio digs underground, and a huge hole opens up in the ground that sucks in the opponent. Dugtrio appears in the middle of the hole.
Katie's Dugtrio Shocks and Bonds Debut
Laxton's Dugtrio How Are You Gonna Keep 'Em Off of the Farm? None
Vibrava Vibrava's eyes glow light blue and the opponent's legs becomes surrounded by a sand tornado. When the tornado fades, the opponent's legs become trapped in sand.
Brianna's Vibrava Spontaneous Combusken! None
Hippopotas Hippopotas releases a geyser of sand from the hole on its back, flooding the area with sand and trapping the opponent.
Hippopotas (recurring) Mass Hip-Po-Sis! None
Hippowdon Hippowdon releases sand out of the holes on its back and digs into the ground.
A Hippowdon Jessie used briefly One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team! None
Gabite Gabite waves its arms to one side, kicking up sand. Then, it waves its arms to the other side and a cyclone of sand is fired at the opponent. When the sand reaches the opponent, it spins around it like a tornado, or Gabite crouches down and medium sized sand dunes rise out of the ground and around Gabite.
A wild Gabite Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness None
Ursula's Gabite Yes in Dee Dee, It's Dawn! None
Krookodile Krookodile creates wisps of sand that surround the opponent which then turn into a swirling sand vortex which encompasses the opponent.
Nanu's Krookodile Tough Guy Trials! None
Sandaconda Sandaconda forms a whirlwind of sand that surrounds the opponent.
Lyla's Sandaconda Chasing to the Finish! None
Runerigus Runerigus forms a whirlwind of sand that surrounds the opponent.
Sterling's Runerigus Chasing to the Finish! None
Steelix Steelix releases a shockwave from its body. Then, the opponents are surrounded by a pink aura, and a huge hole opens up in the ground beneath them, sucking them in.
Two wild Steelix Following Traces of Laquium Affected by Laquium

Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer


Palossand


The user traps the foe inside a harshly raging sandstorm.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
Palossand Palossand traps the opponent in a tornado of sand.
Acerola's Palossand Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer None

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

Trivia

  • Its Japanese name, すなじごく Suna Jigoku (Sand Hell), is likely referring to the sand pit traps dug by antlions.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 流沙地獄 Làuhsā Deihyuhk
Mandarin 流沙地獄 / 流沙地狱 Liúshā Dìyù *
流沙深渊 Liúshā Shēnyuān *
Dutch Zandtombe
Finnish Hiekkahauta
French Tourbi-Sable
German Sandgrab
Greek Αμμόλακος Ammólakos
Hindi रेत का मकबरा Rayt Ka Maqbara
Indonesian Neraka Pasir*
Jebakan Pasir
Italian Sabbiotomba
Korean 모래지옥 Morae Jiok
Polish Piaskowy Grób
Portuguese Brazil Fosso de Areia (games, SM074–present, TCG, manga)
Tumba de Areia (early animated series)[specify]
Portugal Sepultura de Areia
Russian Песчаная Могила Peschanaya Mogila
Serbian Peščana Grobnica
Spanish Latin America Tumba de Arena (games, AG128DP091, JN052–present)
Bucle Arena (DP161SM077)
Spain Bucle Arena
Thai สุสานทรายดูด Susan Saidut
Turkish Kum Mezar
Vietnamese Địa Ngục Cát


Variations of the move Fire Spin
ClampSand Tomb
Fire SpinWhirlpool
Generation VIII TMs
SwSh
0001020304050607080910111213141516171819
2021222324252627282930313233343536373839
4041424344454647484950515253545556575859
6061626364656667686970717273747576777879
8081828384858687888990919293949596979899
BDSP
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920
2122232425262728293031323334353637383940
4142434445464748495051525354555657585960
6162636465666768697071727374757677787980
81828384858687888990919293949596979899100
Generation VIII TRs (SwSh)
0001020304050607080910111213141516171819
2021222324252627282930313233343536373839
4041424344454647484950515253545556575859
6061626364656667686970717273747576777879
8081828384858687888990919293949596979899
Generation IX TMs
SV
001002003004005006007008009010011012013014015016017018019
020021022023024025026027028029030031032033034035036037038
039040041042043044045046047048049050051052053054055056057
058059060061062063064065066067068069070071072073074075076
077078079080081082083084085086087088089090091092093094095
096097098099100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114
115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133
134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152
153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171
Added in SV 2.0.1
172173174175176177178179180181182183184185186
187188189190191192193194195196197198199200201
Added in SV 3.0.0
202203204205206207208209210211212213214215
216217218219220221222223224225226227228229
ZA
001002003004005006007008009010011012013014015016017018019
020021022023024025026027028029030031032033034035036037038
039040041042043044045046047048049050051052053054055056057
058059060061062063064065066067068069070071072073074075076
077078079080081082083084085086087088089090091092093094095
096097098099100101102103104105106107
Added in ZA 2.0.0
108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126
127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145
146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160
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.