Was just scrolling through the app today when a shiny Sandshrew popped up near my local pizza spot. Nearly dropped my phone scrambling to tap it – that bright green skin looked wild against the regular sand color. Grabbed it quick, but man, the stats? Total letdown. Two stars. One weak to water type attack and the other barely decent. Felt like winning a scratch-off ticket just to find out it’s worth two bucks.
Evolve or Not?
Stared at that “EVOLVE” button for like five minutes straight. Checked Sandslash’s moves first – dude learns Earthquake and Rock Slide, which ain’t bad for gym battles. But my shiny’s IVs? Trash. CP after evolving would max around 2200. Wasted 50 candies anyway because the flex factor got me. Green Sandslash does look sick spinning in the profile.
Battle Testing Disaster
Tried throwing it in Ultra League yesterday. First match against a Blaziken? Melted faster than ice cream in July. Mud Shot takes forever to charge moves, and when Earthquake finally launched? Opponent switched to a damn Swampert. One-shot KO. Second match against a Venusaur – Poison Jab barely scratched it. Results:
- 0 wins in 5 Ultra League matches
- Fainted 3 times needing revives
- Wasted 20 minutes realizing this thing’s useless in PvP
Gym Defense? Nope
Stuck it in a gym near the gas station yesterday. Got home, cracked open a soda, boom – notification says it’s already knocked out. Lasted 37 minutes. My regular Blissey holds that spot for 8 hours minimum. This shiny rat ain’t scaring nobody except maybe newbie players.
Final Take
Unless you’re collecting shinies or wanna flex in AR photos, hard pass. Costs too much stardust for garbage performance. Reminds me of that shiny Magikarp I evolved years ago – looked cool flopping around but got wrecked in every battle. Some Pokémon just shouldn’t leave the collection screen. Waste of candy and a phone battery.
