sandshrew-alola #10101
Type Matchups
Weak to (2x damage):
Resistant to (½x damage):
Immune to (0x damage):
sandshrew-alola
Generation I · #10101 — Mouse Pokémon
Alolan Sandshrew is the Ice/Steel regional variant of the classic Ground-type Sandshrew, first introduced in Generation I as Pokédex entry #27. This remarkable adaptation emerged in the harsh, frozen environment of the Alola region, where the traditional desert-dwelling Sandshrew evolved to survive in entirely different climatic conditions. Unlike its Ground-type ancestor, Alolan Sandshrew traded its sandy camouflage for a sleek, metallic appearance that allows it to thrive in snow and ice. With a base stat total of 300 points distributed across its six abilities, Alolan Sandshrew maintains the same HP and Speed as its original form while gaining increased Defense (90 versus 85) at the cost of Special Attack (10 versus 20). The Pokémon's dual typing grants it unique resistances and strategic advantages that make it a genuinely distinct evolution of the species concept.
Base Stats
Height
0.7m
Weight
40.0kg
Category
Mouse Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
yellow
Shape
upright
Habitat
rough-terrain
Abilities
Increases evasion to 1.25× during hail. Protects against hail damage.
During Hail, this Pokémon has double Speed.
Sandshrew-alola Biology & Physical Characteristics
Alolan Sandshrew possesses a fundamentally altered physical structure compared to its Kanto cousin, having evolved a body composed largely of steel and ice rather than hardened skin. Standing at 0.7 meters tall and weighing 40.0 kilograms, this variant is noticeably heavier and slightly taller than the original Sandshrew, reflecting the denser composition of its icy-metallic hide. Its form retains the characteristic bipedal rodent shape of the species, but where the original has a brick-patterned yellow hide, Alolan Sandshrew features a silvery-white coloration with what appears to be a crystalline or metallic sheen across its body. The Pokémon's claws remain a defining feature, but they are now hardened steel that cuts through ice with exceptional efficiency. Its small, pointed ears and almond-shaped eyes remain largely unchanged, though the overall aesthetic has shifted from desert mouse to arctic creature. The transformation represents a remarkable example of regional adaptation, demonstrating how Pokémon species can fundamentally alter their physiology to match their environment's demands.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Sandshrew-alola Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Alolan Sandshrew maintains the standard 50/50 male to female gender ratio consistent with its Kanto counterpart, ensuring balanced breeding potential for trainers seeking to propagate the species. The Pokémon's egg group classification as 'Field' places it alongside other terrestrial creatures, allowing it to breed with a diverse range of Pokémon species in that egg group. With a hatch counter of 20 cycles (approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps depending on game mechanics), Alolan Sandshrew requires moderate time investment for breeding projects, making it reasonably accessible for competitive breeders and collectors. The species exhibits a base happiness of 70, indicating that Alolan Sandshrew are relatively content creatures that bond well with their trainers, reaching maximum happiness and obedience relatively quickly compared to more temperamental legendary Pokémon. Female Alolan Sandshrew in breeding pairs have a standard 50% chance of producing female offspring, allowing breeders to work toward specific gender ratios in their teams if desired. The capture rate of 255 represents the highest possible catch rate in Pokémon games, meaning Alolan Sandshrew can be caught with a standard Poké Ball even at full health, making them accessible to trainers early in their Alola adventures despite their glacial native habitat.
Held Items
Sprites
Held Items
grip-claw
held-items
Held: Holder’s multi-turn trapping moves last 5 turns.
Cost: 4000
grip-claw
held-items
Held: Holder’s multi-turn trapping moves last 5 turns.
Cost: 4000
grip-claw
held-items
Held: Holder’s multi-turn trapping moves last 5 turns.
Cost: 4000
grip-claw
held-items
Held: Holder’s multi-turn trapping moves last 5 turns.
Cost: 4000
TMs & HMs
tm01
platinum
tm01
emerald
tm01
diamond pearl
tm01
firered leafgreen
tm01
ruby sapphire
tm01
black white
tm01
black 2 white 2
tm01
xd
tm01
colosseum
tm01
heartgold soulsilver
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm01
ultra sun ultra moon
tm01
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm01
sun moon
tm01
x y
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm03
yellow
tm03
crystal
tm03
gold silver
+682 more TMs/HMs
sandshrew-alola's Evolution Chain
Sandshrew-alola Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Alolan Sandshrew evolves into Alolan Sandslash when exposed to an Ice Stone, a thematic and logical progression that emphasizes the species' connection to frozen environments. This evolution method differs notably from the base Sandshrew's evolution, which occurs at level 22 without any held item or special stone required. The evolution into Alolan Sandslash transforms the Pokémon into a far more formidable Ice/Steel type with dramatically improved stats, particularly in Attack and Speed, reflecting the creature's adaptation to become a apex predator of Alola's frozen territories. The Ice Stone requirement mirrors the Pokémon's dependence on frozen conditions for survival, suggesting that exposure to concentrated ice energy catalyzes a radical transformation in the Sandshrew's physiology. Interestingly, Alolan Sandshrew can also be found in Blueberry Academy's Terarium, indicating that specimens of this regional form have been successfully preserved and studied outside their native Alola region, allowing trainers in other areas access to this unique variant. The evolution chain represents one of Pokémon's most successful examples of regional divergence, showing how the same base species can have completely different evolutionary pathways based on geographic location.
Where to Find
mount lanakila
alola
alola route 14
alola
tapu village
alola
celadon city
kanto
Sandshrew-alola Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Alolan Sandshrew inhabits the frozen mountain ranges and snow-covered terrain of the Alola region, specifically thriving in areas where traditional Sandshrew could never survive. These Pokémon are primarily nocturnal burrowers, using their steel claws to dig through ice and packed snow rather than desert sand, creating elaborate tunnel systems in mountainous regions. Unlike their desert-dwelling cousins that only emerge to hunt, Alolan Sandshrew are more active during nighttime hours when temperatures drop significantly, allowing them to maintain their body composition and hunt with greater efficiency. They are solitary creatures by nature, preferring to spend daylight hours curled protectively in their icy burrows. When threatened, Alolan Sandshrew employs the same defensive rolling technique as its original form, though its metallic hide provides significantly better protection. The Pokémon's hidden ability, Slush Rush, reveals its intimate connection with hail and frozen precipitation—during hail, these Pokémon can double their already modest Speed stat, making them formidable in weather-dependent encounters. Their primary diet consists of small Ice-type Pokémon and frozen invertebrates found in alpine regions.
Pokedex Entries
Generation I
Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food.
Its body is dry. When it gets cold at night, its hide is said to become coated with a fine dew.
Generation II
If it fell from a great height, this POKéMON could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
It prefers dry, sandy places because it uses the sand to protect itself when threatened.
Generation III
SANDSHREW’s body is configured to absorb water without waste, enabling it to survive in an arid desert. This POKéMON curls up to protect itself from its enemies.
SANDSHREW has a very dry hide that is extremely tough. The POKéMON can roll into a ball that repels any attack. At night, it burrows into the desert sand to sleep.
When it curls up in a ball, it can make any attack bounce off harmlessly. Its hide has turned tough and solid as a result of living in the desert.
It burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection.
Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for prey.
Generation IV
To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.
Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
Generation V
To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall.
It digs deep burrows to live in. When in danger, it rolls up its body to withstand attacks.
Generation VI
It burrows and lives underground. If threatened, it curls itself up into a ball for protection.
Disliking water, it lives in deep burrows in arid areas. It can roll itself instantly into a ball.
Sandshrew’s body is configured to absorb water without waste, enabling it to survive in an arid desert. This Pokémon curls up to protect itself from its enemies.
Sandshrew has a very dry hide that is extremely tough. The Pokémon can roll into a ball that repels any attack. At night, it burrows into the desert sand to sleep.
Generation VII
It can roll its body into a ball. It moves through the desert by rolling at high speeds.
It lives in areas of limited rainfall. When danger approaches, it curls up into a ball to protect its soft stomach.
It usually makes its home in deserts and arid zones, where rain does not fall. It digs holes to catch Bug-type Pokémon.
When its skin gets wrinkled from moisture, it heads for a volcano. It lies flat on a spot with a lot of geothermal heat and dries itself out.
Its body is dry. When it gets cold at night, its hide is said to become coated with a fine dew.
Generation VIII
It loves to bathe in the grit of dry, sandy areas. By sand bathing, the Pokémon rids itself of dirt and moisture clinging to its body.
It burrows into the ground to create its nest. If hard stones impede its tunneling, it uses its sharp claws to shatter them and then carries on digging.
Sandshrew-alola Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Sandshrew combines 'sand' with 'shrew,' a small rodent known for its sharp claws and burrowing habits, perfectly capturing the original form's desert ecology. The Alolan variant maintains this naming convention while its Ice/Steel typing reflects its complete environmental adaptation. The Japanese name 'Sand' (サンド) is more literal and universal across both forms, emphasizing the core identity of the species. The design of Alolan Sandshrew draws clear inspiration from pangolins, with its overlapping plated armor now reimagined as metallic scales that resemble frost or ice formations. The silvery-white coloration, pointed snout, and scaled appearance create a creature that feels at home in frozen landscapes while maintaining recognizable traits from the original form. The steel typing likely references the hardness and reflective quality of ice at extreme temperatures, where ice takes on a glass-like or metallic appearance. The regional variant's design philosophy exemplifies the creative approach Alola brought to Generation VII, showing that regional forms could be more than simple recolors—they could represent genuine evolutionary and ecological divergence resulting from millions of years of geographic isolation and environmental pressure.
Learnable Moves
Sandshrew-alola can learn 91 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| amnesia | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| aqua tail | water | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| aurora veil | ice | Status | — | — | 20 |
| avalanche | ice | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| bide | normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| blizzard | ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| brick break | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| bulldoze | ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| chip away | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| counter | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| covet | normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| crush claw | normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| defense curl | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| earthquake | ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| endeavor | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| flail | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| flash cannon | steel | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| fling | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| focus punch | fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| frost breath | ice | Special | 60 | 90 | 10 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury cutter | bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| fury swipes | normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| gyro ball | steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| hail | ice | Status | — | — | 10 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hone claws | dark | Status | — | — | 15 |
| ice ball | ice | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| ice beam | ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| ice punch | ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| ice shard | ice | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| ice spinner | ice | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| icicle crash | ice | Physical | 85 | 90 | 10 |
| icicle spear | ice | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
| icy wind | ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| iron head | steel | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| iron tail | steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| knock off | dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| leech life | bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| low kick | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| metal claw | steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 |
| mirror coat | psychic | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| mist | ice | Status | — | — | 30 |
| night slash | dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| poison jab | poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| powder snow | ice | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rapid spin | normal | Physical | 50 | 100 | 40 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| rollout | rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| safeguard | normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| scratch | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| seismic toss | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| shadow claw | ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| slash | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| snowscape | ice | Status | 0 | — | 10 |
| stealth rock | rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| steel beam | steel | Special | 140 | 95 | 5 |
| steel roller | steel | Physical | 130 | 100 | 5 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| super fang | normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swift | normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| swords dance | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| throat chop | dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| triple axel | ice | Physical | 20 | 90 | 10 |
| work up | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| x scissor | bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
Sandshrew-alola Competitive Battle Guide
Alolan Sandshrew's competitive viability centers on its dual Ice/Steel typing and its exceptional abilities that leverage weather control. With a base Attack stat of 75 and increased Defense of 90, this Pokémon functions best as a physical wall in competitive formats, though its Special Attack of merely 10 makes special moves almost completely non-viable. Snow Cloak as its standard ability provides a respectable 25% evasion boost during hail, though the hidden ability Slush Rush is generally considered superior in competitive play, doubling Speed during hail conditions and potentially allowing Alolan Sandshrew to outspeed many normally faster threats. Its Ice/Steel typing grants resistance to twelve different types including Grass, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Fairy, and notably Dragon, while providing immunity to poison through the Steel typing. However, the typing also introduces unfortunate vulnerabilities to Fire, Ground, and Fighting moves, the latter of which is particularly problematic given Fighting-type moves' prevalence in competitive environments. Strategic implementations often involve pairing Alolan Sandshrew with weather-setting teammates or using it in hail-based teams where its Speed advantage becomes dramatically more pronounced. While Alolan Sandshrew hasn't achieved dominant positions in competitive metagames compared to more powerful Ice-type alternatives, it remains a legitimate choice for innovative trainers building specialized weather teams or seeking defensive coverage that resists common competitive threats.
Commonly Asked Questions About Sandshrew-alola
What type is Sandshrew-alola?
Sandshrew-alola is a ice and steel type Pokemon.
What does Sandshrew-alola evolve into?
Sandshrew-alola does not evolve into any other Pokemon. It is the final form in its evolution line.
What are Sandshrew-alola's weaknesses?
Sandshrew-alola is weak to fighting, ground and fire type moves.
Where can I find Sandshrew-alola?
Sandshrew-alola can be found in mount lanakila (alola), alola route 14 (alola) and tapu village (alola) and 1 other locations.
Sandshrew-alola Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Alolan Sandshrew represents a pivotal moment in Pokémon's evolutionary design philosophy when the franchise introduced regional forms in Generation VII's Pokémon Sun and Moon. The introduction of these variants energized longtime fans by suggesting that familiar classic Pokémon could be radically reimagined through new lenses, spawning widespread discussion and speculation about which other Kanto Pokémon might receive regional treatment. The transformation from a humble desert rodent to an arctic predator captured players' imaginations and demonstrated that nostalgia for classic designs need not come at the expense of creative innovation. Alolan Sandshrew's popularity among casual players stems partly from its accessibility—as a Generation I Pokémon that remains catchable early in Alola's progression—combined with its visually striking metallic appearance that stands apart from both the original Sandshrew and the majority of other Ice-types. Fan communities embraced the regional variant enthusiastically, with Alolan Sandshrew and its evolution appearing frequently in fan art, competitive discussions, and casual playthroughs. The Pokémon's inclusion in later games' DLC content, including appearances in Pokémon Sword and Shield's expansions and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's Blueberry Academy, demonstrates enduring recognition by Game Freak that regional forms warrant continued representation and availability across game generations.
Where to Find Sandshrew-alola in Every Pokémon Game
Alolan Sandshrew was originally available in Pokémon Sun and Moon where it could be encountered in the snowy peaks of Mount Lanakila and surrounding frozen areas, with a Pokédex number of #251 in the regional Alola dex. The Pokémon remained available in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon with updated encounters and a shifted Pokédex number of #328 in the modified regional dex. Following its initial generation, Alolan Sandshrew has appeared in subsequent games with varying availability: it was included in Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee as a catchable Pokémon, maintaining its presence in the earliest games' remakes. The creature appeared in Pokémon Sword and Shield's DLC expansions, particularly The Isle of Armor where it was assigned local dex #168, and The Teal Mask where it held position #116, allowing competitive players on Nintendo Switch access to the variant. Most recently, Alolan Sandshrew was confirmed available in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's Blueberry Academy DLC, positioned as #155 in that area's local dex, indicating Game Freak's commitment to making regional forms accessible across modern titles. For players seeking Alolan Sandshrew in earlier generations or different formats, Pokémon Home's cloud storage system has enabled limited transfer capabilities between compatible titles, though traditional methods of obtaining specimens remain limited to games where the Pokémon is explicitly available in the wild or through in-game distributions.