Sandslash

Author: Bryan Lance

Sandslash is a ground-dwelling, bipedal, fighting-type Pokemon. Just like its first evolutionary form Sandshrew, this Pokemon also chooses to walk on all four of its legs most of the time. Sandslash is usually found in desert areas. This Pokemon has a back that is full of brown quills and a belly that’s white. Just like Sandshrew, Sandslash’s hide is very rough and very tough. It uses its quill covered back as a form of protection against other Pokemon. If it happens to break one of its quills off, it is able to grow it back. Sandslash has blue, oval-shaped eyes, a long muzzle, and a long, thick tail.

The desert Sandslash is a little over 3ft tall, and they weigh around 65lbs. The Alolan Sandslash is almost 4ft tall and they weigh over 120lbs. They have four paws, each of which has two very long and very sharp claws on it. This Pokemon uses its long claws to burrow into the ground, but will also use them against other Pokemon. Just like Sandshrew, Sandlash will also roll itself into a ball to protect itself. But Sandslash has a back full of sharp quills, so this Pokemon will roll itself into a ball and roll at its enemies, hitting them with the sharp quills. Sandslash has been known to climb very high trees and ambush its enemies from above.

The Alolan Sandslash from the Alola region has a blue-colored hide and its back and quills are covered in a thick layer of ice. These quills are much larger than its desert counterpart and have a close resemblance to giant icicles. This ice-covered Pokemon also has larger paws and larger claws than the desert version. Instead of using its sharp claws to climb trees, Alolan Sandslash uses its claws to climb icebergs. Although it is much larger than the desert Pokemon, Alolan Sandslash uses its sharp claws to help in maneuver on slippery ice. These Pokemon are usually found deep in the mountains.

Sandslash’s Abilities

One of the abilities that Sandslash uses in battle is an ability called Sand Veil. When Sand Veil is used in battle, Sandslash’s Evasion gets boosted during a Sandstorm. Another ability that is used by Sandslash is an ability called Sand Rush. When Sand Rush is used, Sandslash’s speed will be doubled during a Sandstorm.

One of the abilities that are used by Alolan Sandslash is an ability called Snow Cloak. When Snow Cloak is used in battle, Alolan Sandslash’s Evasion will be boosted during a Hailstorm. Another ability that is used by Alolan Sandslah is an ability called Slush Rush. When Slush Rush is used in battle, Alolan Sandslash’s speed will be doubled during a Hailstorm.

Major Appearances

Sandslash made its first appearance in the first-ever Pokemon movie called Mewtwo Strikes Back. The movie was first released in Japan on July 18, 1998, and ten in the United States on November 12, 1999. In the movie, a Sandslash who belonged to a pokemon trainer named Corey was one of the Pokemon captured and cloned by Mewtwo. Team Rocket saw the Pokemon and thought that it was a Sandshrew that was being cloned.

A Sandslash appeared in the episode Good Quil Hunting. The episode was first released in Japan on March 30, 2000, and then in the United States on March 3, 2001. In the episode, a trainer named Koji told Ash about a place that was perfect for catching Cyndaquil. Ash went to the location and caught a Cyndaquil. Once he did, Koji challenged him to a Pokemon Battle, the winner would get to keep the captured Cyndaquil. Koji used a Sandslash in the battle but Ash won the battle using the Cyndaquil he just caught.

Three Sandslash appeared in the episode Bulbasaur... the Ambassador. The episode was first released in Japan on November 22, 2001, and in the United States on September 23, 2002. In the episode, the three Sandslash helped a Bulbasaur dig a new lake at Professor Oak’s Laboratory.

An Alolan Sandslash appeared in the episode Not Caving Under Pressure. The episode was first released in Japan on June 28, 2018, and then in the United States on November 24, 2018. In the episode, the Alolan Sandslash evolved from an Alolan Sandshrew after it came into contact with an Ice Stone. The Pokemon gifted a Pokemon trainer by the name of Lillie an Icium Z for helping it in a battle against a Tyranitar that was trying to destroy its home.

Sandslash Pokemon Cards

Sandslash has been featured on 17 different Pokemon cards since the game's release. Sandslash’s first card was a card in the Fossil expansion. The card has Sandslash with 70 HP and the abilities Slash and Fury Swipes. When the ability Slash is used in battle, you deal out 20 damage to your opponents Pokemon. When you use the ability Fury Swipes in battle, you get to flip three coins. The attack deals out 20 damage, times the number of times the coin lands on heads.

In the Extended Sheet 3 expansion, Sandslash has 70 HP and the abilities Sand Veil and Rolling Needle. When you use the ability Sand Veil in battle, you get to flip a coin. If the coin lands on heads, all damage done to Sandslash on your opponents next turn will be prevented. When you use the ability Rolling Needle in battle, you deal out 40 damage to your opponents Pokemon. You also get to flip three coins. The attack will do an additional 10 points for every time the coin lands on heads. Sandslash will also deal out 10 damage to itself every time the coin lands on heads.

An Alolan Sandslash is featured on a card in the Guardians Rising expansion. The card has Alolan Sandslash with 110 HP and the abilities Slush Rush and Smash Turn. When you use the ability Slush Rush in battle, before you attack, you are allowed to draw one card. When you use the ability Smash Turn in battle, you deal out 50 damage to your opponents Pokemon and then you get to switch out Alolan Sandslash with one of your benched Pokemon.

An Alolan Sandslash is featured on a card in the Ultra Prism expansion. This card has Alolan Sandslash with 120 HP and the abilities Spike Armor and Frost Breath. When you use the ability Spike Armor in battle, during your opponents turn, if they attack Alolan Sandslash, you get to put 6 damage counters on their Pokemon. When you use the ability Frost Breath in battle, you deal out 90 damage to your opponents Pokemon.

If you take the time to level up Sandshrew and evolve it into Sandslash, you can have yourself a very strong Pokemon. And if you are able to turn your Sandslash into an Alolan Sandslash, you can have yourself a really tough Pokemon. These Pokemon are as loyal as they are strong and are great to have on your team.