Sandshrew
#48 in the HeartGold & SoulSilver Pokédex • Mouse Pokémon
Sandshrew
#48 in the HeartGold & SoulSilver Pokédex • Mouse Pokémon
Stats
Min
Max
HP
50
210
304
Attack
75
139
273
Defense
85
157
295
Sp. Atk
20
40
152
Sp. Def
30
58
174
Speed
40
76
196
Total
300
Ranges are for Level 100. Max assumes a beneficial nature, 252 EVs, and 31 IVs; min assumes a hindering nature, 0 EVs, and 0 IVs.
Growth
| Pokédexes | Updated Johto #48 |
|---|---|
| EV yield | 1 Def |
| Catch rate | 255 |
| Base Exp. | 60 |
Eggs
| Egg Groups | |
|---|---|
| Gender | 50% male 50% female |
| Egg cycles | 20 (5,120 steps) |
Lore

HeartGold
If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.

SoulSilver
Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
Evolution
| Pokémon | Requires | Evolution |
|---|---|---|
![]() Sandshrew #48 | Use Ice Stone | ![]() Sandslash #49 |
Encounters
| Location | Method | Level | Chance | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Union Cave Union Cave (1F) | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 6 | 20% | - |
Union Cave Union Cave (1F) | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 6 | 10% | Radio off |
Union Cave Union Cave (B1F) | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 8 | 20% | - |
Union Cave Union Cave (B1F) | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 8 | 10% | Radio off |
Mt. Moon Mount Moon (1F) | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 8 | 10% | Radio off |
Mt. Moon Mount Moon (1F) | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 8 | 10% | Radio off |
Mt. Moon Mount Moon (2F) | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 8 | 10% | Radio off |
Mt. Moon Mount Moon (2F) | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 8 | 10% | Radio off |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 15 | 10% | In the morning |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 15 | 10% | At night |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 15 | 10% | During the day |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 15 | 10% | During the day |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 15 | 10% | In the morning |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 16 | 10% | During the day |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 16 | 10% | In the morning |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 16 | 10% | At night |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 17 | 10% | In the morning |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 17 | 10% | At night |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 17 | 10% | During the day |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 17 | 10% | At night |
| Location | Method | Level | Chance | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 15 | 10% | In the morning |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 15 | 10% | At night |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 15 | 10% | During the day |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 15 | 10% | During the day |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 15 | 10% | In the morning |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 16 | 10% | During the day |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 16 | 10% | In the morning |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 16 | 10% | At night |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 17 | 10% | In the morning |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 17 | 10% | At night |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 17 | 10% | During the day |
Johto Safari Zone Safari Zone Desert | Walking in tall grass or a cave | 17 | 10% | At night |
Goldenrod City Goldenrod City Game Corner | Receive as a gift | 15 | 100% | Have at least 700 coins in your Coin Case |
Held Items
Moves
| Class | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Scratch | ![]() | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 | Hard, pointed, and sharp claws rake the foe to inflict damage. |
| 3 | Defense Curl | ![]() | Status | - | - | 40 | The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat. |
| 7 | Sand Attack | ![]() | Status | - | 100 | 15 | Sand is hurled in the foe’s face, reducing its accuracy. |
| 9 | Poison Sting | ![]() | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 | The foe is stabbed with a poisonous barb of some sort. It may also poison the target. |
| 13 | Rapid Spin | ![]() | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 | A spin attack that can also eliminate such moves as Bind, Wrap, Leech Seed, and Spikes. |
| 15 | Swift | ![]() | Special | 60 | - | 20 | Star-shaped rays are shot at the foe. This attack never misses. |
| 19 | Fury Swipes | ![]() | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 | The foe is raked with sharp claws or scythes for two to five times in quick succession. |
| 21 | Rollout | ![]() | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 | The user continually rolls into the foe over five turns. It becomes stronger each time it hits. |
| 25 | Fury Cutter | ![]() | Physical | 10 | 95 | 20 | The foe is slashed with scythes or claws. Its power increases if it hits in succession. |
| 27 | Sand Tomb | ![]() | Physical | 15 | 70 | 15 | The user traps the foe inside a harshly raging sandstorm for two to five turns. |
| 31 | Slash | ![]() | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | The foe is attacked with a slash of claws, etc. It has a high critical-hit ratio. |
| 33 | Gyro Ball | ![]() | Physical | - | 100 | 5 | The user tackles the foe with a high-speed spin. The slower the user, the greater the damage. |
| 37 | Sandstorm | ![]() | Status | - | - | 10 | A five-turn sand storm is summoned to hurt all combatant types except Rock, Ground, and Steel. |
Machines
| Class | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Focus Punch | ![]() | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 | The user focuses its mind before launching a punch. It will fail if the user is hit before it is used. |
| TM06 | Toxic | ![]() | Status | - | 85 | 10 | A move that leaves the target badly poisoned. Its poison damage worsens every turn. |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | ![]() | Special | 1 | 100 | 15 | A unique attack that varies in type and intensity depending on the Pokémon using it. |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | ![]() | Status | - | - | 5 | The user intensifies the sun for five turns, powering up Fire-type moves. |
| TM17 | Protect | ![]() | Status | - | - | 10 | It enables the user to evade all attacks. Its chance of failing rises if it is used in succession. |
| TM21 | Frustration | ![]() | Physical | - | 100 | 20 | A full-power attack that grows more powerful the less the user likes its Trainer. |
| TM23 | Iron Tail | ![]() | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | The foe is slammed with a steel-hard tail. It may also lower the target’s Defense stat. |
| TM26 | Earthquake | ![]() | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 | The user sets off an earthquake that hits all the Pokémon in the battle. |
| TM27 | Return | ![]() | Physical | - | 100 | 20 | A full-power attack that grows more powerful the more the user likes its Trainer. |
| TM28 | Dig | ![]() | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | The user burrows, then attacks on the second turn. It can also be used to exit dungeons. |
| TM31 | Brick Break | ![]() | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | The user attacks with tough fists, etc. It can also break any barrier such as Light Screen and Reflect. |
| TM32 | Double Team | ![]() | Status | - | - | 15 | By moving rapidly, the user makes illusory copies of itself to raise its evasiveness. |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | ![]() | Status | - | - | 10 | A five-turn sand storm is summoned to hurt all combatant types except Rock, Ground, and Steel. |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | ![]() | Physical | 50 | 80 | 10 | Boulders are hurled at the foe. It also lowers the foe’s Speed by preventing its movement. |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | ![]() | Physical | 60 | - | 20 | The user confounds the foe with speed, then slashes. The attack lands without fail. |
| TM42 | Facade | ![]() | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | An attack move that doubles its power if the user is poisoned, paralyzed, or has a burn. |
| TM43 | Secret Power | ![]() | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | The user attacks with a secret power. Its added effects vary depending on the user’s environment. |
| TM44 | Rest | ![]() | Status | - | - | 5 | The user goes to sleep for two turns. It fully restores the user’s HP and heals any status problem. |
| TM45 | Attract | ![]() | Status | - | 100 | 15 | If it is the opposite gender of the user, the foe becomes infatuated and less likely to attack. |
| TM46 | Thief | ![]() | Physical | 40 | 100 | 10 | The user attacks and steals the foe’s held item simultaneously. It can’t steal if the user holds an item. |
| TM56 | Fling | ![]() | Physical | - | 100 | 10 | The user flings its held item at the foe to attack. Its power and effects depend on the item. |
| TM58 | Endure | ![]() | Status | - | - | 10 | The user endures any attack with at least 1 HP. Its chance of failing rises if it is used in succession. |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | ![]() | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | The user slashes with a sharp claw made from shadows. It has a high critical-hit ratio. |
| TM74 | Gyro Ball | ![]() | Physical | - | 100 | 5 | The user tackles the foe with a high-speed spin. The slower the user, the greater the damage. |
| TM75 | Swords Dance | ![]() | Status | - | - | 30 | A frenetic dance to uplift the fighting spirit. It sharply raises the user’s Attack stat. |
| TM76 | Stealth Rock | ![]() | Status | - | - | 20 | The user lays a trap of levitating stones around the foe. The trap hurts foes that switch into battle. |
| TM78 | Captivate | ![]() | Status | - | 100 | 20 | If it is the opposite gender of the user, the foe is charmed into sharply lowering its Sp. Atk stat. |
| TM80 | Rock Slide | ![]() | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | Large boulders are hurled at the foe to inflict damage. It may also make the target flinch. |
| TM81 | X-Scissor | ![]() | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | The user slashes at the foe by crossing its scythes or claws as if they were a pair of scissors. |
| TM82 | Sleep Talk | ![]() | Status | - | - | 10 | While it is asleep, the user randomly uses one of the moves it knows. |
| TM83 | Natural Gift | ![]() | Physical | - | 100 | 15 | The user draws power to attack by using its held Berry. The Berry determines its type and power. |
| TM84 | Poison Jab | ![]() | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 | The foe is stabbed with a tentacle or arm steeped in poison. It may also poison the foe. |
| TM87 | Swagger | ![]() | Status | - | 90 | 15 | The user enrages the foe into confusion. However, it also sharply raises the foe’s Attack stat. |
| TM90 | Substitute | ![]() | Status | - | - | 10 | The user makes a copy of itself using some of its HP. The copy serves as the user’s decoy. |
| HM01 | Cut | ![]() | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 | The foe is cut with a scythe or a claw. It can also be used to cut down thin trees. |
| HM04 | Strength | ![]() | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | The foe is slugged with a punch thrown at maximum power. It can also be used to move boulders. |
| HM06 | Rock Smash | ![]() | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | The user hits with a punch that may lower the target’s Defense. It can also smash cracked boulders. |
| HM08 | Rock Climb | ![]() | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | A charging attack that may also leave the foe confused. It can also be used to scale rocky walls. |
Tutors
| Class | Description | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earth Power | ![]() | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | The user makes the ground under the foe erupt with power. It may also lower the target’s Sp. Def. |
| Fury Cutter | ![]() | Physical | 10 | 95 | 20 | The foe is slashed with scythes or claws. Its power increases if it hits in succession. |
| Headbutt | ![]() | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | The user attacks with its head. It may make the foe flinch. To find Pokémon, hit trees. |
| Knock Off | ![]() | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 | The user slaps down the foe’s held item, preventing the item from being used during the battle. |
| Mud-Slap | ![]() | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 | The user hurls mud in the foe’s face to inflict damage and lower its accuracy. |
| Rollout | ![]() | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 | The user continually rolls into the foe over five turns. It becomes stronger each time it hits. |
| Snore | ![]() | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | An attack that can be used only if the user is asleep. The harsh noise may also make the foe flinch. |
| Super Fang | ![]() | Physical | - | 90 | 10 | The user chomps hard on the foe with its sharp front fangs. It cuts the target’s HP to half. |
| Swift | ![]() | Special | 60 | - | 20 | Star-shaped rays are shot at the foe. This attack never misses. |
Breeding
| Class | Description | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counter | ![]() | Physical | - | 100 | 20 | A retaliation move that counters any physical attack, inflicting double the damage taken. |
| Crush Claw | ![]() | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 | The user slashes the foe with hard and sharp claws. It may also lower the target’s Defense. |
| Flail | ![]() | Physical | - | 100 | 15 | The user flails about aimlessly to attack. It becomes more powerful the less HP the user has. |
| Metal Claw | ![]() | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 | The foe is raked with steel claws. It may also raise the user’s Attack stat. |
| Mud Shot | ![]() | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | The user attacks by hurling a blob of mud at the foe. It also reduces the target’s Speed. |
| Night Slash | ![]() | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | The user slashes the foe the instant an opportunity arises. It has a high critical-hit ratio. |
| Rapid Spin | ![]() | Physical | 20 | 100 | 40 | A spin attack that can also eliminate such moves as Bind, Wrap, Leech Seed, and Spikes. |
| Rock Slide | ![]() | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | Large boulders are hurled at the foe to inflict damage. It may also make the target flinch. |
| Safeguard | ![]() | Status | - | - | 25 | The user creates a protective field that prevents status problems for five turns. |
| Swords Dance | ![]() | Status | - | - | 30 | A frenetic dance to uplift the fighting spirit. It sharply raises the user’s Attack stat. |
Traits
Sand Veil
Ability Slot 1
Boosts the Pokémon’s evasion in a sandstorm.
Increases evasion to 1.25× during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.









































Physical
Status
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