Pokémon counters guide

Best Counters for Sandile

Find practical counter Pokémon, attacking types, and defensive matchup notes for Sandile.

GroundDark
Sandile Pokémon sprite

Sandile

#0551

Quick answer

Sandile is best pressured by Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy-type attacks at 2x damage. Because there is no 4x weakness, defensive safety, Speed, and raw stats matter more.

Best move types

Water×2Grass×2Ice×2Fighting×2

Top weaknesses (6)

Water×2Grass×2Ice×2Fighting×2Bug×2Fairy×2

Type matchup table

Water type iconWater2x
Grass type iconGrass2x
Ice type iconIce2x
Fighting type iconFighting2x
Bug type iconBug2x
Fairy type iconFairy2x
Normal type iconNormal1x
Fire type iconFire1x
Ground type iconGround1x
Flying type iconFlying1x
Dragon type iconDragon1x
Steel type iconSteel1x
Poison type iconPoison0.5x
Rock type iconRock0.5x
Ghost type iconGhost0.5x
Dark type iconDark0.5x
Electric type iconElectric0x
Psychic type iconPsychic0x

Recommended practical counters

Flamigo Pokémon sprite

Flamigo

#0973

Resists both STABsBudget option
FlyingFighting
  • Deals 2x damage with Fighting-type attacks
  • Has STAB Fighting-type attacks
  • Is immune to the target's Ground 0x STAB attacks
  • Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
Best typeFighting×2

Safe into Ground 0x, Dark 0.5x

115 offense · 90 Speed

Baxcalibur Pokémon sprite

Baxcalibur

#0998

Strong physical attacker
DragonIce
  • Deals 2x damage with Ice-type attacks
  • Has STAB Ice-type attacks
  • Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
  • Solid mixed bulk improves switch-in safety
Best typeIce×2

Mostly neutral switch-in

145 offense · 87 Speed

Strong theoretical counters

Best move types to use

Water×2Grass×2Ice×2Fighting×2Bug×2Fairy×2

Move availability depends on game version and learnset data, so this page recommends move types rather than guaranteed moves.

Water type pageGrass type pageIce type pageFighting type pageBug type page

Counter notes for Sandile

  • Sandile is a Ground / Dark Pokémon with 65 base Speed and stronger physical attack (72 Attack). Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy attacks all work offensively, but safer counters are usually the ones that reduce risk from its own STAB types.
  • Sandile has several 2x weaknesses rather than a single 4x weakness, so the best counters are the ones that can hit it super-effectively while also reducing the risk from Ground / Dark STAB.
  • Known abilities include Intimidate, Moxie, and Anger Point. This page does not assume ability-specific battle effects, so verify the format before relying on a single counter.
  • Avoid counters that are weak to Ground / Dark unless they are fast enough to pressure immediately or bulky enough to survive the exchange.
  • Sandile does not need a separate alternate-form note for the standard National Dex matchup shown here.

What not to use

Electric×0Psychic×0Poison×0.5Rock×0.5Ghost×0.5Dark×0.5

These attacking types are resisted or blocked by the defender's typing, so they are usually lower-priority choices unless they provide a special battle role.

Battle caveats

  • This ranking uses modern Gen 6+ type matchups, STAB value, defensive switch-in safety, and base stats.
  • Abilities, held items, Terastallization, weather, terrain, and format rules can change real battle outcomes.
  • Coverage moves can punish obvious counters, so treat this as type-based guidance rather than a full matchup simulator.
  • Move availability depends on game version and learnset data; this page recommends attacking types rather than guaranteed moves.

Related pages

Sandile weakness chartSandile PokédexGround / Dark countersWater type pageGrass type pageIce type pagePokémon type chartSpeed tiers

FAQ

What is the best counter for Sandile?

Sandile is best countered by Pokémon that can use Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy (2x) attacks while avoiding bad defensive matchups into Ground / Dark STAB attacks. Because there is no 4x weakness, Speed, bulk, and offensive stats matter more when choosing the actual Pokémon.

What type is best against Sandile?

Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy are the strongest attacking types against Sandile, dealing 2x damage under the modern Gen 6+ type chart.

How many useful attacking types hit Sandile super-effectively?

Sandile has 6 super-effective attacking options: Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. Use the highest multiplier first, then choose a Pokémon that is not exposed to Ground / Dark STAB attacks.

Are abilities included in this counter ranking?

No. The ranking uses base typing and base stats. Abilities, items, Terastallization, weather, terrain, and special move rules can change the real matchup.

Does Terastallization change Sandile counters?

Yes. Terastallization can replace the defensive typing used here, so the recommended counter types may change completely in formats where Tera is active.

What should I avoid using against Sandile?

Avoid relying on Electric, Psychic, Poison, Rock, and Ghost attacks unless they have a special role or unusually high power.

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