Sandile

Using Sandile in a Playthrough

Sandile evolves into Krokorok at level 29 and Krookodile at level 40, producing a Ground/Dark physical attacker with excellent offensive typing, base 117 Attack, and base 92 Speed. Krookodile's Defense was base 70 in Generation V and increased to 80 from Generation VI onward, slightly improving its ability to use Intimidate as a physical pivot. Earthquake and Crunch or later Knock Off form strong STAB, while Rock Slide or Stone Edge, Brick Break or Close Combat in later games, Gunk Shot, Stealth Rock, Taunt, and other coverage let it function as a breaker or utility attacker. Intimidate lowers opposing Attack on entry and is the safer all-purpose ability, while Moxie raises Krookodile's Attack after it scores a knockout and can quickly turn one KO into a sweep; Anger Point can maximize Attack after a critical hit but is much less predictable. Ground/Dark also gives complete Electric and Psychic immunities, although Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Bug, and later Fairy attacks are super effective. Jolly is usually ideal because base 92 Speed sits in a valuable but crowded range, while Adamant maximizes damage when the extra Speed is unnecessary.

Sandile in Competitive Pokémon

Krookodile was a strong BW UU Pokemon and a common VGC 2011 choice because Intimidate, Moxie, Ground/Dark STAB, and base 92 Speed let it compress several roles into one slot. Choice Scarf sets were particularly effective: Earthquake and Crunch provided strong coverage, and Moxie could turn a revenge kill into a late-game sweep as Krookodile accumulated Attack boosts. Pursuit historically gave it an additional niche against Psychic- and Ghost-types, while later generations added stronger Knock Off, Stealth Rock, Taunt, and improved physical coverage. Its Defense increase from 70 to 80 after Generation V strengthened Intimidate utility sets, and modern SV Krookodile remains a strong RU progress-maker that can set hazards, remove items, and threaten sweeps with Choice items. Lack of reliable recovery and a large collection of common weaknesses keep it from functioning as a true wall, but few Ground-types have maintained such a consistent combination of offense, utility, and two premium immunities.

Sandile in Nuzlockes

Krookodile is a very strong Nuzlocke Pokemon because both Intimidate and Moxie are useful without complicated setup. Intimidate immediately reduces physical damage when Krookodile enters and is generally the safest ability, while Moxie can let it snowball through teams once the first knockout is secured. Electric and Psychic immunities provide completely safe switches against known moves, but Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Bug, and later Fairy coverage can be dangerous and the line's special bulk is only average. Earthquake and Crunch are accurate, powerful attacks that do not cause recoil or stat drops, making them particularly friendly to permadeath play. Jolly Krookodile is often safer than Adamant when the extra Speed prevents a retaliation, and Anger Point should be regarded as an occasional bonus rather than a strategy worth deliberately triggering with a critical hit.

Sandile lives almost entirely in deserts and usually buries most of its body beneath the sand, leaving only its eyes and snout exposed. A dark membrane shields its eyes from blowing sand and harsh sunlight. Moving just beneath the hot surface also helps regulate Sandile's body temperature. In Alola, the warm climate allows the species to survive outside strictly desert habitats.