Introduced in generation eight, with the Pokemon Sword and Shield games, Sandaconda is a monotype ground Pokemon. It is the second stage evolution of its two stage evolution line and evolves from Silicobra once it reaches the level threshold. Sandaconda is classified by the Pokedex as the “Sand Snake Pokemon” which is likely a reference to its general design. This guide will showcase Sandaconda’s capabilities in battle, its appearances in the anime, as well as other general facts about Sandaconda.
About Sandaconda
As a generation eight Pokemon, Sandaconda would appear in the Pokemon Journeys season of the anime. However, it has yet to be featured in an episode but in the episode Sobbing Sobble!, a trainer named Goh attempts to catch a Silicobra. Sandaconda is the second evolution of its two stage evolution line and evolves from Silicobra at level 25. The Pokedex mentions that Sandaconda can spray over 220 pounds of sand from its nose.
| First appearance in anime | Pokemon Journeys: The Series Sobbing Sobble! (As Silicobra) |
| First appearance in game | Pokemon Sword and Shield |
| Region | Galar |
| Evolution | Final evolution of Silicobra, not known to evolve into any other Pokemon |
| 1st Evo level | 36 |
| 2nd Evo level | N/A |
| Pokedex Entry | When it contracts its body, over 220 pounds of sand sprays from its nose. If it ever runs out of sand, it becomes disheartened. |
Sandaconda Base Stats
| HP | 72 |
| ATTACK | 107 |
| DEFENCE | 125 |
| SP. ATTACK | 65 |
| SP. DEFENCE | 70 |
| SPEED | 71 |
| TOTAL | 510 |
Appearance
Sandaconda is a white, green, and black colored Pokemon that resembles a boa constrictor or an anaconda. Its huge body seems coiled over itself resulting in a spiral-like shape. It has a prominent nose with two jagged fangs. In its Gigantamax form, Sandaconda appears to be a tornado or a dust devil. The white from the base of its body makes up the smaller end of the cone, and the dark green circle is replaced with swirling dust. On top of its body are its two large nostrils. Sandaconda is an enormous Pokemon at 12 feet and 6 inches, or 3.8 meters, tall.
Behavior
Much of Sandaconda’s survival depends on the sand sac surrounding its head. This pouch can store up to 220 pounds of sand and it is also elastic and sharp pincers have trouble dealing any damage. When Sandaconda is threatened, it can blast its opponent with all of the sand in its pouch. The Pokedex does mention that Sandaconda feels disheartened if it ever runs out of sand. Its Gigantamax form is essentially a natural disaster as it resembles a massive tornado capable of moving over a million tons of sand.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Sandaconda has a good mix of physical attack and defense. However, its smaller health pool, slow speed and mediocre special stats leaves it with many openings. It can activate the sandstorm weather effect handily and its physical defense can have it survive some surprising hits. As a monotype ground Pokemon, Sandaconda takes 2x damage from water, grass, and ice type moves. It is immune to electric type moves, and is also resistant to poison and rock type moves.
Best Moveset
In competitive play, Sandaconda is rated highly as a powerful Pokemon even though it’s just a little too slow and not quite bulky enough. However, in the correct match up, Sandaconda can deal considerable damage to your opponent’s team. With Leftovers, as a held item, and Shed Skin to cure yourself of status effects, Sandaconda can prove to be very capable. Consider running Coil, Stone Edge/Rock Slide, Earthquake, and Rest. Coil can snowball Sandaconda out of control, Stone Edge/Rock Slide are interchangeable as Sandaconda’s rock type move, Earthquake with its high base damage and STAB make it an obvious choice, and Rest can keep your Sandaconda alive in some cases.
| Coil | Stone Edge/Rock Slide |
| Earthquake | Rest |
How to Catch Sandaconda in Pokemon Go?
Unfortunately, Sandaconda is not currently available for capture in Pokemon Go. The developers have begun to release generation seven Pokemon with Meltan and Melmetal, but they will likely finish releasing generation six Pokemon before they move on to generation seven. This means that Sandaconda is likely far from being available soon. Until it is released we will not know if its pre-evolution will hatch from eggs, how many candies it will require for evolution, or if any of its evolution line will be featured as raid bosses. When Sandaconda is released, it will have boosted spawns near parks, farmlands, woodland, quarries, parking lots, and hiking trails.
Trivia
- The inspiration for Sandaconda’s design is likely based on an anaconda. It does have some resemblance to desert snakes like the sidewinder.
- The name Sandaconda is a combination of the words sand and anaconda.
FAQ
What is Sandaconda?
This Pokemon seems to be an anaconda mixed with an affinity for sand. It seems resilient with its body wrapped around itself, and it is capable of surviving harsh environments like deserts. Sandaconda is also likely based on sidewinders. This desert snake appears to be swimming over the tops of sand dunes, but its coiling motions are what propels it.
Is a Sandaconda rare?
Sandaconda is not version exclusive and appears in multiple locations throughout the games. On the routes where it appears, it has a higher than average encounter rate and can be found fairly early in the game. There is not much about Sandaconda that makes it rare or exclusive.
What is Sandaconda’s Weakness?
Since Sandaconda is a ground type Pokemon, you will want to use water, grass, or ice type moves to deal the most damage to it. More specifically, you will want to use special attacking moves as Sandaconda’s physical defense is stellar. Avoid using electric, poison, and rock type moves and you should get through Sandaconda with ease.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you now know just about everything there is to know about this “Sand Snake Pokemon”. While Sandaconda has not made the largest impact on competitive play, it can still prove to be a formidable Pokemon. It deals a large amount of damage and is capable of taking physical hits. With its abilities Shed Skin having a chance to cure any status effect, increase its evasiveness with Sand Veil, or even setting up sandstorms, there is a lot of versatility that could be found with this Pokemon. Reserve a slot on your team for Sandaconda if you want a mixed offensive and defensive ground type Pokemon on your team.
