Sandy Shocks, the Paradox Pokémon. No records exist of this Pokémon being caught. Data is lacking, but the Pokémon's traits match up with a creature shown in an expedition journal. It slightly resembles a Magneton that lived for 10,000 years and was featured in an article in a paranormal magazine.

Overview

The paradox form of Magneton, Sandy Shocks sheds its Steel typing and fully embraces its Electric type heritage becoming a swift special attacker. While this may seem to be a downside for Sandy Shocks given how it is now directly competing with the sea of other swift Electric types, Sandy Shocks also trades out its Steel typing for a Ground typing, where being a swift Special Attacker is a rare attribute indeed. Sandy Shocks makes the use of these attributes to great effect, with many of Earth Power’s preferred targets like Skeledirge, Metagross, Cobalion, and Magnezone having weaker Special Defense and the Flying types that could switch in to Earth Power want nothing to do with Sandy Shock’s Electric STAB. Sandy Shocks also benefits from its base typings in the support moves that it receives. Stealth Rocks and Spikes access makes Sandy Shocks a textbook offensive hazard setter, Thunder Wave is potent speed control and STAB Volt Switch off a base 121 Special Attack is considerable damage and repositioning in a single move. All these options ensure that Sandy Shocks can make progress even when it can’t pick up a knockout.

Sandy Shocks missing out on a knockout is distressingly common sadly. Sandy Shocks lacks coverage outside of STAB save for precisely Power Gem and Flash Cannon, leaving Grass types like Sinistcha, Hydrapple, non Wellspring Ogerpon, and Rillaboom, safe and easy switch-ins to Sandy Shocks, to say nothing of Tera Grass users as well as Gliscor, Landorus-Therian and Thundurus-Therian who are immune to both of Sandy Shocks’ STABs. Add in an inability to boost up outside of Protosynthesis and Charge Beam, and Sandy Shocks struggles greatly in muscling past specially bulky Pokémon like Blissey, Ting-Lu, and Assault Vest Hatterene. Electric-Ground is rather flawed defensively as well, with decidedly low value resistances in Flying, Steel and Poison contrasting common Water, Grass, Ice and Ground weaknesses, meaning just about everything is carrying coverage for Sandy Shocks. While 85/95/85 defenses are not exactly frail, with Sandy Shock’s many resistances, it is reliably at least 2HKOd by a large swath of Pokémon and with the speed creep of the 9th generation base 101 Speed still falls short of many offensive threats. While Sandy Shocks’ attributes prevent it from competing against Electric types, it does not change the fact that this generation has been inundated with excellent Ground types, that not only directly threaten Sandy Shocks, but offer a similar defensive profile, making it even harder to justify Sandy Shocks on a team. This does not change the fact that no Pokémon can do what Sandy Shocks does, for better or worse and has enabled it to make a name for itself amidst a wave of power creep.
Positives
Base 121 Special Attack is potent, allowing Sandy Shocks to hit rather hard.
Rare Special Attacking Ground type allows Sandy Shocks to get the most out of Earth Power and Electric STAB does account for some of Ground’s worst matchups.
Fantastic support movepool with hazards Speed control and pivoting giving Sandy Shocks some amazing flexibility.
Base 101 Speed allows Sandy Shocks outspeed every defensive staple and a few offensive ones.

Negatives
Ground Electric is a mediocre typing with unimpressive resistances and common weaknesses.
Very limited coverage outside of STABs makes it easy for Grass types to wall Sandy Shocks.
Limited ability to boost outside of Protosynthesis makes it hard for Sandy Shocks to get past walls.

Movesets

Iron Sand Shocker

-Earth Power
-Thunderbolt
-Tera Blast
-Charge Beam
Ability: Protosynthesis
Item: Booster Energy
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe
Timid Nature

This Sandy Shocks set acts as a general attacker, taking advantage of the wide coverage between its STABs and the coverage from Tera Blast to threaten every in its path. Earth Power is Sandy Shocks’ claim to fame and it is a good one, boasting the strongest Earth Powers in Scarlet and Violet until the Teal Mask DLC and still the third strongest after that. STAB Earth Power coming off a good Special Attack is rare and given how many Steel types boast better Defense than Special, it is invaluable for Sandy Shocks to cleave through the likes of Metagross, Cobalion, and Magnezone to just name a few. Thunderbolt compliments Earth Power nicely, punishing most Flying types that try to pivot into Earth Power, such as Mandibuzz, Skarmory, Iron Jugulis, and Galarian Zapdos. Its coverage against Water types also cannot be discounted, lessening one of Sandy Shock’s weaknesses through offensive pressure. Tera Blast fills the coverage gaps of Ground and Electric, making it difficult to pivot around Sandy Shocks thanks to type matchup. The last move on the set is up to personal preference. Charge Beam is recommended as a finisher in this case, allowing Sandy Shocks to fish for a Special Attack boost while removing a weakened opponent, making it even harder to withstand subsequent attacks.

Tera Types:
Sandy Shocks gets very little from its typing defensively, namely a Stealth Rock resistance and Immunity to Electric in exchange for 4 very common weaknesses. Add in very limited coverage options and Sandy Shocks is a very Tera hungry Pokémon. Tera Ice is a very popular option for Sandy Shocks purely for the near perfect coverage that Ice+Electric+Ground STABs provide, hitting pretty much every Pokémon for neutral damage and most for super effective. Tera Flying is a more defensive option; while Tera Flying Tera Blast is great in dealing with Grass types both offensively and defensively, the immunity to Ground is invaluable in allowing Sandy Shocks to turn the tables on most Ground types. If using a set that sets Entry Hazards, Tera Ghost is the recommended option so that Sandy Shocks can avoid having its progress undone by Rapid Spin.

EVs and Items:
Standard sweeper array of Max Special Attack and Speed are recommended here, for Sandy Shocks to outspeed as many targets as possible and deal as much damage as possible. Timid Nature is preferred given how without the speed boosting nature, Sandy Shocks can be outran by Pokémon in the base 90 range like Hydreigon, Kyurem and Landorus-Therian as well as base 100s like Manaphy and Salamence. The given EVs means a Special Attack boost from Booster Energy, which is invaluable for Sandy Shocks in giving it more stopping power from the word go. If wanting a Speed boost from Protosynthesis, one would need to drop Special Attack EVs to 208, so that Special Attack is below speed. Alternatively, if one wants power without only having one shot with Sandy Shocks while maintaining move flexibility, Life Orb is a solid option. If wanting pure stopping power, Choice Specs is viable as well, though it should not be paired with Charge Beam. If running Volt Switch, Heavy-Duty Boots is a strong recommendation allowing Sandy Shocks to pivot freely..

Partners:
: Grass types are a major issue for Sandy Shocks even with super effective Terastalizations, given how freely they switch into its STABs and thus allies that can handle them are greatly appreciated. Lokix does a lot for Sandy Shocks, its First impressions slamming Grass types and the STAB resisting Latios hard, while forming a strong VoltTurn core if Sandy Shocks is running Volt Switch. The priority nature of First Impression and Sucker Punch also helps dispatch faster Pokémon that Sandy Shocks can struggle with. Latios is also a strong partner in general, able to pivot into any of Sandy Shock’s weaknesses except Ice and ability to rip chunks out of opponents with Draco Meteor makes it easy for Sandy Shocks to get knock outs later. Latios in turn loves Sandy Shocks obliteration of the Steel types that pivot into its STABs. Galarian Zapdos is another U-Turn user that makes excellent use of its Ground immunity and Grass resistance as a good pivot option for Sandy Shocks, while drawing in Flying attacks that Sandy Shocks can take advantage of. It being a physical attacker to Sandy Shocks’ special also allows Galarian Zapdos to draw in physical walls like Skarmory, and Toxapex that Sandy Shocks can use as easy entry. Naturally speedy attackers also work well, often drawing in an opposing team’s Choice Scarf users for revenge, allowing one to compromise them before Booster Energy Sandy Shocks comes out. Weavile is an excellent example, its Knock Offs are fantastic at softening foes up for Sandy Shocks to mop up later and can easily revenge KO Grass types earlier in the match.

Other Options:
Volt Switch is a strong option on any non-Booster Energy set, allowing Sandy Shocks to repeatedly pivot out against expected counter switches while dealing not inconsiderable chip damage. Spikes and Stealth Rocks are great options for dealing chip damage if one does not expect to get a knockout with Sandy Shocks, helping setup future knockouts. Power Gem is a non-Tera option to handle Thundurus-Therian who is otherwise immune to both of Sandy Shocks’ STABs. Thunder Wave is a potent speed control option that can catch naturally faster Pokémon on the switch in, or enable an opening for a teammate.

Doubles and VGC Options

Sandy Shocks has not been able to leverage its unique traits nearly as well in VGC. As a Special Ground typed attacker, Sandy Shocks finds itself wholly outclassed by Landorus-Incarnate, who boasts the same base speed, but much more power thanks to Sheer Force as well as potent coverage options like Sludge Bomb and Psychic as well as Sandsear Storm for spread options. On the front as an Electric typed Protosynthesis abuser, Sandy Shocks is outclassed by Raging Bolt who boasts far better bulk, power, coverage thanks to Dragon STAB and effective speed thanks to the priority of Thunderclap. It is to the point that both were found on the runner up to 2025 World Championships team as opposed to Sandy Shocks speaks volumes to the overall utility they provide. Sandy Shocks must compare itself to such attackers for its utility is limited, only having speed control with Electroweb and synergies with Gravity to its name. This gets worse when one considers how horrible Sandy Shocks’ matchup into Grass types is, given how every team in VGC is packing a Grass type support piece. Whether that be Rillaboom and its priority Grassy Glides, Amoonguss, Brute Bonnet and the naturally faster Ogerpons with their redirection as well as the naturally faster Whimsicott and its bag of tricks, there is a hard wall to Sandy Shocks on just about every team. It is to the point that Sandy Shocks needs Terastalization to handle these threats when the most prominent Sun setters are also very Tera-reliant placing Sandy Shocks in a difficult position. Of course, the fact that Sandy Shocks is being compared to staples does speak to the role compression it can provide in a pinch.

Solar Powered Magnet

-Earth Power
-Thunderbolt
-Volt Switch
-Protect
Ability: Protosynthesis
Item: Life Orb
Tera Type: Water
EVs and Nature:
180 HP /252 Atk / 76 Spe
Jolly Nature

Based on the Sandy Shocks from Sam Pletcher’s NAIC 2024 team, this Sandy Shocks takes advantage of Koraidon’s Sun to launch powerful Ground and Electric STABs at the opposition. Earth Power is again the star of the show, maiming Tera Fire Calyrex-Ice Rider, Assault Vest Iron Hands and Assault Vest Raging Bolt as well as OHKOing Incineroar, and Zamazenta Crowned. Thunderbolt is secondary STAB, excellent into Urshifu-Rapid whose Aqua Jets will be blunted by the Sun as well as all but threaten an OHKO on Kyogre when the latter has won the weather war. Hitting Tera Water Calyrex-Ice Rider hard is a nice bonus as well. Thunderbolt’s value increases dramatically in matchups where Electric Terrain is active, granting Sandy Shocks a sizeable damage boost, which, while not enough to knock out even frail Grass types like Whimsicott, will deal serious damage to anything that doesn’t resist. Volt Switch, allows Sandy Shocks to play similarly to Miraidon on a Koraidon team, dealing severe damage while switching out. This has plenty of utility, allowing Weather and Terrain setters to cycle their abilities as well as Intimidate users like Incineroar while still making progress towards the end goal. Protect rounds out the set as the best move in Doubles for its ability to block Fake Out, punish focus fire attempts, scout for Terastalization, stall for allied setup, stall out unfavorable field conditions and more. Its utility cannot be denied.

Standard special attacker EVs max Special Attack and Speed. In this instance, the extra power from Protosynthesis is needed along with Life Orb for guaranteeing OHKOs on Zamazenta-Crowned and Calyrex-Ice Rider as well as compromise Assault Vest users in a way that forces them to Terastalize. If running Electroweb for Speed control, dropping down to 208 Special Attack EVs for the Speed Boost is more prudent so Sandy Shocks can get the jump on the super-fast superstars of the format like the Raidons and Calyrex-Ice Rider. Tera Water is recommended for improving Sandy Shocks matchup into Water and Ice types like Kyogre, Urshifu-Rapid, Chien-Pao and Calyrex-Ice Rider, allowing it to survive otherwise lethal blows and pick up knockouts when needed.

Preferred Partners:
This Sandy Shocks set is meant to work in the Sun for the damage multiplier between that and Life Orb to expediently remove foes as well as reduce Sandy Shocks weakness to Water attacks. Koraidon is the Pokémon this set is meant to work with and Koraidon appreciates Sandy Shock’s good matchup into common Tera types for Calyrex-Ice Rider as well as its ability to threaten non-Tera Grass versions of Zamazenta-Crowned and to a lesser extent Kyogre. Groudon, while somewhat redundant with Sandy Shocks, benefits much the same way, but loves Gravity Sandy Shocks for fixing all the issues with Precipice Blades. In formats where restricted Pokémon are not allowed, Torkoal and Ninetales can be used to similar effect, appreciating Sandy Shocks good matchup into Water types. All these Pokémon (except Groudon) having a good matchup into the Grass types that Sandy Shocks struggles with is another clear bonus. Flutter Mane is another solid partner, also benefitting from the Sun and loving Sandy Shocks ability to threaten the Fire, Steel and Poison types that resist its Fairy STABs. Flutter Mane is also a source of speed control with Icy Wind, freeing up a moveslot for Sandy Shocks and allowing it to handle the faster threats in VGC. While Incineroar and Rillaboom work well with any Pokémon, special attention should be called to Volt Switch Sandy Shocks who can easily get them back in to retrigger their abilities. Incineroar’s positive matchup in Grass types is another nice bonus. Electroweb is STAB spread speed control and given Sandy Shock’s power, not inconsiderable chip damage either. Gravity is a niche move but pairs well with Earth Power, Groudon to hit normally immune Flyers as well as fix Electroweb’s accuracy.

Countering Sandy Shocks

While Sandy Shocks boasts impressive power, speed and disruption, its minimalist coverage and common weaknesses do hold it back.

Grass types are consistently an issue for Sandy Shocks, able to pivot into either of its STABs and immediately threaten Sandy Shocks with their own STABs for super effective damage. Hydrapple, Rillaboom, Sinistcha, Zarude, Serperior, Ogerpon, and Meowscarada can all pivot in, be 3HKO’d at best by Flash Cannon and 1-2HKO Sandy Shocks back. They are far from the only ones that no sell Sandy Shocks STABs. Flying Ground types like Gliscor and Landorus are completely immune to Sandy Shocks STABs and can pivot in laughably easily. The Lati twins and Hydreigon also can pivot in without much issue thanks to Levitate and threaten with their own STABs. Thundurus-Therian is also immune to both STABs thanks to Volt Absorb, only having to worry about the rare Power Gem.

Ground types are also solid switch ins to Sandy Shocks in general, being able to block escape attempts with Volt Switch or crippling with Thunder Wave on top of Sandy Shocks’ vicious Electric STAB. while bearing their own Super effective STABs. Gastrodon is especially notable thanks to its good Special Defense and Recover allowing it to soak up Earth Powers with ease. Ting-Lu, Hippowdon, Ursaluna, defensive Garchomp, and Swampert also fit this bill if healthy.

Flying types are a bit more contentious given their Electric weakness, but the ability to pivot into Sandy Shocks’ Earth Power is an opening. Specs Enamorus can come in on an Earth Power, then outspeed and OHKO with its own Earth Power, as can Specs/Tera Ground Iron Jugulis. Salamence is 2HKO’d by Thunderbolt, but can pivot in and dispatch a half health Sandy Shocks with Earthquake or Draco Meteor. Levitate and Air Balloon users can also work, though the latter users either need to be immune to Electric (like Excadrill) or certain that a Ground attack is coming their way to not have the balloon prematurely burst.

However, all of this can go out the door if Sandy Shocks Terastalizes into Ice, forcing one to rely on sheer bulk to survive Sandy Shocks’ assault. Perennial Special Sponge Blissey unsurprisingly works well in surviving everything Sandy Shocks throws at it. Assault Vest users like Hoopa-Unbound, Kyurem, Hatterene and Slither Wing can also tank attacks for a 3HKO at best on the latter while threatening Sandy Shocks either via its new Fighting weakness or just through sheer power. Ting-Lu also has the sheer special bulk to only be 3HKOd by a Life Orb Tera Ice Tera Blast, though that is a heavy cost in of itself.

However, given Sandy Shocks tendencies to use Volt Switch and run, offensive checks may be more prudent, though this can be complicated by Sandy Shocks’ good speed. Meowscarada, Weavile, Keldeo, Ogerpon, Walking Wake, Greninja, Serperior, Specs Latios, Specs Darkrai, Iron Treads, and offensive Garchomp all outspeed and OHKO Sandy Shocks.

Anime Appearences

Sandy Shocks has made an appearance in the anime. During it, one bumped into Roy and challenged him to a battle # -English Episode Name- -Jp. Episode Name- Pics 80 Total-lie Awesome Pokémon in Area Zero! Oni-Awesome Pokémon in Area Zero?! Pics