Sand Force
Gen VDuring a sandstorm, this Pokémon's Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-type moves have 1.3× their base power. This Pokémon does not take sandstorm damage, regardless of type.
Sand Force in Battle
Sand Force transforms Pokemon into formidable offensive threats when sandstorm conditions are active on the battlefield. The ability provides a significant 1.3× power boost to all Rock-type, Ground-type, and Steel-type moves, turning already powerful attacks into devastating offensive tools. Additionally, Pokemon with Sand Force are completely immune to the gradual damage that sandstorms typically inflict each turn, allowing them to operate freely in these harsh conditions without concern for their health.
The competitive implications of Sand Force are substantial, particularly on sand-focused teams built around Pokemon like Tyranitar or Hippowdon that can reliably set up sandstorm conditions. Notable users like Excadrill become incredibly threatening with boosted Ground-type moves like Earthquake, while Landorus can leverage enhanced Ground-type coverage alongside its already impressive movepool. Gigalith and other Rock-types similarly benefit from the boost to their STAB attacks, making them more viable offensive options in sandstorm-centric strategies.
The ability's effectiveness is entirely dependent on maintaining sandstorm conditions, which creates interesting team-building considerations. Players must balance the need for consistent sand support with other team requirements, and opponents can potentially neutralize Sand Force users by changing the weather. Despite this dependency, the substantial power boost makes Sand Force a valuable ability for Pokemon that can reliably operate within sandstorm teams, particularly those with access to powerful physical attacks in the boosted types.
Pokemon With Sand Force (18)
| # ▲ | Name | Type | Other Abilities | Hidden? | HP | Atk | Def | SpA | SpD | Spe | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #050 | Diglett | HA | 10 | 55 | 25 | 35 | 45 | 95 | 265 | |||
| #050 | Alolan Diglett | HA | 10 | 55 | 30 | 35 | 45 | 90 | 265 | |||
| #051 | Dugtrio | HA | 35 | 100 | 50 | 50 | 70 | 120 | 425 | |||
| #051 | Alolan Dugtrio | HA | 35 | 100 | 60 | 50 | 70 | 110 | 425 | |||
| #299 | Nosepass | HA | 30 | 45 | 135 | 45 | 90 | 30 | 375 | |||
| #422 | Shellos | HA | 76 | 48 | 48 | 57 | 62 | 34 | 325 | |||
| #423 | Gastrodon | HA | 111 | 83 | 68 | 92 | 82 | 39 | 475 | |||
| #449 | Hippopotas | HA | 68 | 72 | 78 | 38 | 42 | 32 | 330 | |||
| #450 | Hippowdon | HA | 108 | 112 | 118 | 68 | 72 | 47 | 525 | |||
| #476 | Probopass | HA | 60 | 55 | 145 | 75 | 150 | 40 | 525 | |||
| #524 | Roggenrola | HA | 55 | 75 | 85 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 280 | |||
| #525 | Boldore | HA | 70 | 105 | 105 | 50 | 40 | 20 | 390 | |||
| #526 | Gigalith | HA | 85 | 135 | 130 | 60 | 80 | 25 | 515 | |||
| #529 | Drilbur | Regular | 60 | 85 | 40 | 30 | 45 | 68 | 328 | |||
| #530 | Excadrill | Regular | 110 | 135 | 60 | 50 | 65 | 88 | 508 | |||
| #645 | Landorus | Sheer Force (HA) | Regular | 89 | 125 | 90 | 115 | 80 | 101 | 600 | ||
| #10058 | Garchomp Mega | – | Regular | 108 | 170 | 115 | 120 | 95 | 92 | 700 | ||
| #10072 | Steelix Mega | – | Regular | 75 | 125 | 230 | 55 | 95 | 30 | 610 |