Scorching Sands

Ground

Scorching Sands is a Charged Attack of type Ground in Pokémon GO. In Gym and Raid battles, it deals 90 damage and it costs 50 energy. In GO Battle League, Scorching Sands deals 80 damage and costs 50 energy. Explore its damage and energy stats in battles, its effectiveness against various Pokémon types, and see which Pokémon wield it best.

Scorching Sands effectiveness against other Pokémon types

NormalFightingFlyingPoisonGroundRockBugGhostSteelFireWaterGrassElectricPsychicIceDragonDarkFairy
Ground×1.0×1.0×0.4×1.6×1.0×1.6×0.6×1.0×1.6×1.6×1.0×0.6×1.6×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.0

Scorching Sands Adventure Effects

Scorching Sands has no Adventure Effects.

Scorching Sands in Gym and Raid Battles

Gym and Raid Battles Stats

CategoryCharged Attack
TypeGround
Power90
Energy50
Animation Duration3.0s
Damage Window1.4s - 2.3s
DPS30 Damage per second
DPE1.8 Damage per Energy

Similar moves in Gym and Raid Battles

GroundDig100504.5s22.22
GroundEarthquake1401003.5s40
GroundDrill Run85503.0s28.33
GroundBone Club40331.5s26.67
GroundBulldoze80503.5s22.86
GroundMud Bomb60332.5s24
GroundSand Tomb60334.0s15
GroundPrecipice Blades1201001.5s80
GroundEarth Power100503.5s28.57
GroundFissure9001253.0s3,000.33

Scorching Sands in Trainer Battles

Trainer Battles Stats

CategoryCharged Attack
TypeGround
Power80
Energy50
DPE1.6 Damage per Energy
TagsGeneralDebuff

Special effects

Special effectsSpecial

Scorching Sands has a 10.0% chance to:

  • Decrease Target's Attack by 20.0%

Similar moves in Trainer Battles

GroundDigGeneral1.47050
GroundEarthquakeNuke1.8512065
GroundDrill RunSpam / Bait1.757040
GroundBone ClubSpam / Bait1.575535
GroundBulldozeHigh EnergyDebuff
Special effectsSpecial

Bulldoze has a 100.0% chance to:

  • Decrease Target's Defense by 20.0%
1.458055
GroundMud BombGeneral1.446545
GroundSand TombGeneralDebuff
Special effectsSpecial

Sand Tomb has a 100.0% chance to:

  • Decrease Target's Defense by 20.0%
1.225545
GroundPrecipice BladesNuke2.1713060
GroundEarth PowerGeneralDebuff
Special effectsSpecial

Earth Power has a 10.0% chance to:

  • Decrease Target's Defense by 20.0%
1.89050
GroundFissureGeneral—0

Strongest Pokémon with Scorching Sands

1.Shadow Excadrill (Shadow)Shadow ExcadrillSteelMetal ClawGroundScorching Sands15.3918.13244.9956s59
2.Shadow Entei (Shadow)Shadow EnteiFireFire SpinGroundScorching Sands13.515.39263.191,087s54
3.ExcadrillExcadrillSteelMetal ClawGroundScorching Sands13.4715.46250.691,090s57
4.Shadow Hippowdon (Shadow)Shadow HippowdonGroundSand AttackGroundScorching Sands13.1214.89263.921,118s54
5.Shadow Magmortar (Shadow)Shadow MagmortarFireFire SpinGroundScorching Sands12.915.38193.851,142s74
6.Mega Camerupt (Mega)Mega CameruptFireIncinerateGroundScorching Sands12.514.41227.781,174s63
7.Shadow Flygon (Shadow)Shadow FlygonDragonDragon TailGroundScorching Sands12.4814.88188.21,180s76
8.Shadow Arcanine (Shadow)Shadow ArcanineFireFire FangGroundScorching Sands12.3414.5201.061,192s71
9.EnteiEnteiFireFire SpinGroundScorching Sands11.5812.94265.431,264s54
10.HippowdonHippowdonGroundSand AttackGroundScorching Sands11.2812.55266.91,298s54

Best Great League Pokémon with Scorching Sands

Great League

Best Ultra League Pokémon with Scorching Sands

Ultra League

Best Master League Pokémon with Scorching Sands

Master League
165.EnteiEntei67.9FireFire SpinFireFlame ChargeGroundScorching Sands
188.Shadow Entei (Shadow)Shadow Entei64.7FireFire SpinFireFlame ChargeGroundScorching Sands

Mega and Primal Pokémon that boost Scorching Sands

All Pokémon that can learn Scorching Sands

28SandslashSandslashGroundScorching SandsReleasedStandard learnset
28Shadow Sandslash (Shadow)Shadow SandslashGroundScorching SandsReleasedStandard learnset
38NinetalesNinetalesGroundScorching SandsReleasedStandard learnset
38Shadow Ninetales (Shadow)Shadow NinetalesGroundScorching SandsReleasedStandard learnset
59ArcanineArcanineGroundScorching SandsReleasedStandard learnset
59Shadow Arcanine (Shadow)Shadow ArcanineGroundScorching SandsReleasedStandard learnset
78RapidashRapidashGroundScorching SandsReleasedStandard learnset
78Shadow Rapidash (Shadow)Shadow RapidashGroundScorching SandsReleasedStandard learnset
126MagmarMagmarGroundScorching SandsReleasedStandard learnset
126Shadow Magmar (Shadow)Shadow MagmarGroundScorching SandsReleasedStandard learnset

Scorching Sands FAQ

How does Scorching Sands compare with other moves of the same type?

In raids, Scorching Sands has lower move-only DPS compared with Precipice Blades: 30 versus 80. This compares damage during the attack animation, not a Pokémon’s complete moveset.

In Trainer Battles, Scorching Sands deals less damage per energy compared with Precipice Blades (1.6 versus 2.17 DPE), and costs less energy (50 versus 60). Higher DPE uses energy more efficiently; a lower cost lets you reach the attack sooner.

Alternatives have the same type and attack category and at least one released Pokémon that learns them. The raid comparison uses the alternative with the highest move-only DPS; the PvP comparison uses the highest DPT for Fast Attacks or DPE for Charged Attacks. Stats alone do not account for buffs, debuffs, typing, or the other moves a Pokémon can learn.

How are the best PvP users selected?

These tables show Pokémon whose recommended moveset in our imported PvPoke rankings includes this move as the Fast Attack or either Charged Attack. The rank is their position in the full league ranking, not just among users of this move. Both recommended Charged Attacks are shown. Being able to learn the move does not automatically make a Pokémon a recommended user.

How are the strongest Pokémon with Scorching Sands ranked?

Pokémon are ranked by eDPS (effective DPS), which accounts for damage, survivability, and time lost when rejoining. The default ranking uses Level 40 attackers and average raid boss weaknesses. Every moveset includes this attack. TTW estimates the time to win, and faints estimates how many attackers faint during the battle. Changing the settings can change the order.

How are tiers assigned?

Tiers group attackers by similar scores, emphasizing differences near the top. We use eight groups, labelled SS, S, A, B, C, D, E and F, when there are enough distinct scores; otherwise, fewer tiers are used. Group sizes are determined by the scores, not fixed rank cutoffs. Tiers update with the simulation settings and stay the same when you sort or change pages.

How do opponent choice and rejoin time affect the rankings?

Scores attackers against the configured T4+ raid boss pool, including Mega, Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Outgoing damage reflects how effective each move type is against the bosses; incoming damage reflects the attacker’s resistances to their moves. Per-type rankings use bosses weak to that type. Types without super-effective matchups use the full pool. Unavailable Pokémon are excluded from the boss pool.

The dummy boss uses neutral effectiveness (1.0×) for every move, with incoming damage based on Defense alone. This can favor attackers whose moves the raid pool resists, or whose weaknesses make them take more damage in raids. The dummy has a fixed 25,000 HP, regardless of raid tier.

Time to return after a team of six faints. Applies to eDPS and estimated battle time.

How do Mega and Primal Pokémon boost Scorching Sands?

The Pokémon in the Mega and Primal section above boost other Trainers’ Scorching Sands damage by 30% (1.3×) in Raid Battles. The boost follows the attack’s type, not the attacking Pokémon’s type.

Standard Mega Pokémon must be on the battlefield. Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, and Mega Rayquaza provide their boost while in the current battle party, including after fainting. Multiple Mega or Primal boosts do not stack; the strongest applicable boost is used.

Explore all Mega and Primal type boosts

Does the ranking include Mega and Primal boosts to teammates?

No. The Mega Level setting adjusts the attacker’s own bonuses. Damage boosts provided to teammates are not included in this ranking.

What does the complete learnset list include?

It includes all Pokémon and forms that have access to Scorching Sands, whether they have been released in Pokémon GO or not.

What do legacy and exclusive moves mean?

Legacy moves were once available to a Pokémon but can no longer be learned through standard methods, such as a regular TM. Legacy and exclusive moves may require an event, an Elite TM, or another special method to obtain. Some legacy moves cannot be taught with an Elite TM.