DEXERTOSandygast and its evolution Palossand are available in Pokemon Go, but how exactly do you catch them? Check out how to get the Alolan sand monsters and learn whether or not they can be Shiny.
Known as the Sand Heap Pokemon in the Pokedex, Sandygast first appeared in Sun & Moon’s Alola region and made its Pokemon Go debut alongside its evolution – Palossand – during the 2023 Water Festival.
This slightly bizarre creature is remembered for its Ghost/Ground-type combination, balanced stats, and strong move pool. So, if you’re still in the search for one, here’s all you need to know about Sandygast, including its Shiny availability and its evolution requirements.
How to get Sandygast in Pokemon Go
There are different methods players can use to get themselves a Sandygast in Niantic’s game. Currently, these are the ones available:
- As a wild encounter (increased spawns during the May 13 Spotlight Hour)
- As a reward for completing Research tasks
Previously, Sandygast could be found as a Tier 1 Raid boss. However, its appearance in Raid battles is tied to random rotations set by Niantic, and currently, the Sand Heap Pokemon is not being featured.
If you’re struggling to find one, you can use Incense to boost the number of spawns in your radius. You can also check the ‘Nearby’ feature to see if there are any Sandygast in your area.
How to evolve Sandygast into Palossand in Pokemon Go
Sandygast is part of a two-member family, meaning it only has one evolution. This is great news for completionists, as the amount of Candy to register both creatures in the Pokedex can easily be obtained.
To evolve Sandygast into Palossand, players will need to collect 50 Candy. Luckily for them, there are no special evolution items or Buddy tasks required for this evolution process to be triggered.
DEXERTOIf you’re struggling to collect enough Candy, focus on catching as many as you can out in the wild while using Pinap Berries to increase the amount of Candy you receive per catch. Then, you can transfer your extra Sandygast to Professor Willow in exchange for a few more.
You can also set the Pokemon as your Buddy and take it for long walks, or trade your Rare Candy for more Sandygast Candy.
Sandygast stats, moves, resistances & weaknesses
As a dual Ghost/Ground-type Pokemon, Sandygast has the following stats:
| ATTACK | DEFENSE | STAMINA | CP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | 118 | 146 | 1394 |
Fast Moves
- Mud Shot (Ground/STAB)
- Astonish (Ghost/STAB)
- Sand Attack (Ground/STAB)
Charged Moves
- Shadow Ball (Ghost/STAB)
- Sand Tomb (Ground/STAB)
- Earth Power (Ground/STAB)
- Scorching Sands (Ground/STAB)
Resistances
Weaknesses
Can Sandygast be Shiny?
Yes, Sandygast can be Shiny in Pokemon Go, as this special variation was added to the game not so long ago, during the Holiday Part 1 event in December 2024.
If you come across a Shiny Sandygast, you won’t have any trouble recognizing it, as its regular beige color will change to gray, with black details, leaving the Pokemon looking sleek.
Subsequently, those who evolve a Shiny Sandygast into a Shiny Palossand will obtain a gray and black sand castle that looks quite unique.
It’s worth noting, though, that the odds of finding a Shiny Pokemon are very low, as there’s no special technique or method to secure an encounter.
The only thing trainers can do to increase their chances is to hunt as many Sandygast as they can until they come across what they’re looking for. Remember to take advantage of the Sandygast Spotlight Hour to do so.
That’s everything you need to know about how to get Sandygast in Pokemon Go. Don’t forget to check out the latest Pokemon Go events, including the current Community Day and Spotlight Hours.
