Sandslash
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sandslash | |
|---|---|
 National Sandshrew - Sandslash (#28) - Nidoran♀ Johto Sandshrew - Sandslash (#49) - Ekans Hoenn Sandshrew - Sandslash (#113) - Spinda |
|
| Japanese name | サンドパン - Sandopan |
| Stage | Stage 1 |
| Evolves from | Sandshrew |
| Evolves to | None |
| Generation | First |
| Species | Mouse Pokémon |
| Type | Ground |
| Height | 3ft 3in (1.0 m) |
| Weight | 65 lb (29.5 kg) |
| Ability | Sand Veil |
Sandslash (サンドパン Sandopan?) are one of the 493 fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the multi-billion-dollar[1] Pokémon media franchise—a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards, and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri. The purpose of Sandslash in the games, anime, and manga, as with all other Pokémon, is to battle both wild Pokémon—untamed creatures encountered while the player passes through various environments—and tamed Pokémon owned by Pokémon trainers.[2]
The name Sandslash originates from the words sand and slash. Its name in Japanese means "Sandstorm". Its name in the beta versions of the games was "Sandstorm".
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[edit] Biological Characteristics
Sandslash is a moderately large, bipedal porcupine or pangolin-like creature with hard yellow skin, lengthy claws, and a back loaded with an assemblage of large brown spikes. These spikes are hardened sections of Sandslash’s hide that grow to form a natural self-defense. Each spike remains on Sandslash for one year, after which it falls off and a new spike grows in its place. Many people have noted that Sandslash bears a resemblence to Sonic the Hedgehog.
Sandslash is a resilient creature that lives in desert areas, particularly areas close to dry forests. It is commonly seen either climbing up trees or digging into the dusty ground, both activities which it is suited for thanks to its claws. However, though its claws are strong, they are not indestructible; they occasionally snap when Sandslash digs at an incredibly fast pace. The claws will have started to grow back by the next day, though. The most notable behavior that Sandslash performs to cope with its environment is its method of curling up its body to become in essence a ball covered with large spikes, much like the hedgehog, armadillo, or pangolin . Sandslash rolls up so that the spikes shade its inner body from the sun and therefore prevent heatstroke that can result from the scorching heat that accompanies daytime in the desert.
Sandslash is a fully-armed predator when dealing with other Pokémon in the desert areas that form its natural environment. When attacked, Sandslash rolls up into its spherical guise and its spikes arrange to form its defense, after which the Pokémon will either roll away to escape or roll towards the opponent to attack. When trying to flee in this manner, Sandslash exerts specific force on the ground to kick up small-but-blinding dust clouds in its wake, hoping to discourage other Pokémon from following it. When attacking in this manner, though, Sandslash proves itself adept at making the opponent flinch with the spikes of its rolling body just before uncoiling itself and hacking with its claws. It prefers attacking from higher elevations when targeting prey.
[edit] In the Pokémon video games
Sandslash is generally obtained by evolving a Sandshrew at level 22. However, it can also be found in the wild in a fair number of locations. In Pokémon Blue and Pokémon Yellow it is found in the Cerulean Cave/Unknown Dungeon, as well as Route 23 on Blue. In Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Crystal, it can be found on Route 26, as well as Route 27 and Mt. Moon on Gold, and Victory Road on Crystal. In the LeafGreen version for GBA, it is found on Route 23 and Victory Road.
Sandslash has very good defense and attack stats, average HP, and lesser speed, special defense, and special attack. It can learn Slash, Sandstorm, and Defense Curl by leveling up, Rollout from the Emerald move tutor (to combo with Defense Curl), Counter, Rock Slide, and Swords Dance both as egg moves and as moves available from in-game-tutors, Metal Claw and Flail as egg moves, and Iron Tail, Earthquake, Brick Break, Aerial Ace, and Dig as TM (Technical Machine) moves. Since Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Sandslash can learn Crush Claw as an egg move if bred with a Zangoose that knows Crush Claw. Sandslash’s Ground-type gives a STAB (or Same-Type Attack Bonus) to its already powerful Earthquake move along with its attack stat but leaves Sandslash succeptible to Water, Grass, and Ice-type moves. And Sandslash’s Sand Veil ability increases its evasion while a Sandstorm is in effect. All of the above adds up to a solid Pokémon to train when battling in-game trainers, but it is not commonly seen in hardcore competitive play because its strengths cannot be exploited as much as the strengths of many other fully-evolved Pokémon.
Wild Sandslash in the Gold and Crystal versions have a 5% chance of holding the Quick Claw item, a generally sought-after item in competitive play. In the Leafgreen version, however, Sandslash has a 5% chance of holding the Soft Sand item. In both cases one can use the Thief (or Covet in Ruby and Sapphire) move to acquire these items.
A Sandslash is also found in the Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Snap in the Valley Course. It will burrow underground before a close-up picture can be taken, so to drive it out of the ground one must knock two nearby Geodude hanging from the cliffs off and to the ground. This will cause a Graveler to fall down as well, and the force of that landing will cause the Sandslash to resurface.
[edit] In the Pokémon anime
Just like its pre-evolved form Sandshrew, Sandslash doesn't appear that much in the anime. Only a few trainers that have crossed Ash's way have it.
Mewtwo also cloned a Sandslash in Pokémon: The First Movie.
[edit] In other media
Sandslash's most notable appearance is in chapter 145 of Pokémon Adventures, which is in volume 12. In it, Gold and Silver are attacked by a number of spike balls that turn out to be Sandslash. A wild Sandslash is also seen in chapter 43, which makes Bill remember Team Rocket's previous plots, and another is owned by Team Magma in chapter 219.
Sandslash has appeared on seven trading cards, always as a Ground Pokémon, and they were in Fossil, Gym Heroes(as Brock's Sandslash), , Gym Challenge (as Brock's Sandslash), Skyridge, EX Sandstorm, EX Team Rocket Returns (as a dual Dark/Ground type Dark Sandslash) and EX Delta Species (as a dual Steel/Ground type). In Fossil, Gym Challenge (as Brock's Sandslash), and Legendary (as a reprint of the Fossil Sandslash) it is uncommon, and in Skyridge it is common. In Gym Heroes (as Brock's Sandslash), EX Sandstorm, and EX Team Rocket Returns (as Dark Sandslash), it is a rare card.
[edit] References
- The following games and their instruction manuals: Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue; Pokémon Yellow; Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2; Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal; Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald; Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen; Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
- Publications
- Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9.
- Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-930206-15-1.
- Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed & Pokémon LeafGreen Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 1-930206-50-X
- Mylonas, Eric. Pokémon Pokédex Collector’s Edition: Prima’s Official Pokémon Guide. Prima Games, September 21 2004. ISBN 0-7615-4761-4
- Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Emerald Version Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., April 2005. ISBN 1-930206-58-5
[edit] External links
- Official Pokémon website
- Bulbapedia (a Pokémon-centric Wiki)’s article about Sandslash as a species
- Serebii.net’s 4th Gen Pokédex entry for Sandslash
- Pokémon Dungeon Pokédex entry, full of statistics analysis
- PsyPoke - Sandslash Pokédex entry and Usage Overview
- WikiKnowledge.net’s entry for Sandslash Previously hosted by Wikibooks
