Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Sandshrew
Say it: SAND-shroo
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Sandshrew is the Mouse Pokémon — Ground before Sandslash. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Sandslash — not a finished raid attacker. Ground helps against Electric, Fire, Poison, Rock, and Steel; Water, Grass, and Ice hit Ground hard. Catch Sandshrew from the wild, eggs, or events, then evolve. Alolan Sandshrew is Ice / Steel — see that form.
Say it: SAND-shroo
Sandshrew (#027) is a Ground Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the Kanto baby stage of Sandslash. Trainers almost never power Sandshrew for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Sandslash. Against Sandshrew, lead with Water, Grass, or Ice. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Sandshrew is a Ground-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0027. Use the Ground type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Do not sink Stardust into Sandshrew. Keep high-IV copies for Sandslash. Shadow Sandshrew is the same — evolve toward Shadow Sandslash after Frustration removal.
Type matchups
- Ground moves hit Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel hard.
When Sandshrew is your opponent, Water, Grass, Ice hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 126
- Defense
- 120
- Stamina
- 137
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Primal Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse — Primal lobby boost
- 2. Shadow Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 3. Mega Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 4. Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 5. Shadow Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 6. Shadow Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 7. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 8. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 9. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 10. Samurott · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 12. Empoleon · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 2. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 3. Vaporeon · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Tail
- 4. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 5. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 6. Clawitzer · beats Water
Water Gun + Crabhammer
- 7. Floatzel · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Jet
- 8. Seismitoad · beats Water
Mud Shot + Hydro Pump
- 9. Carracosta · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Pump
- 10. Blastoise · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Wailord · beats Water
Water Gun + Surf
- 12. Golisopod · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Jet
Recommended moves
Sandshrew’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Sandslash — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.
Fast
- Mud Shot · Standard
Ground energy
- Scratch · Standard
Normal filler
- Sand Attack · Standard
Ground alternate
Charged
- Dig · Standard
Ground nuke
- Rock Slide · Standard
Rock coverage
- Sand Tomb · Standard
Ground / bait
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- scratch
- mud shot
- sand attack
Charged
- dig
- rock slide
- sand tomb
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #233 of 954 · CP 1426
Mud Shot + Rock Slide
- Ultra League · rank #657 of 747 · CP 1426
Mud Shot + Rock Slide
- Master League · rank #624 of 1023 · CP 1426
Mud Shot + Rock Slide
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.