Sand Rush doubles the holder’s Speed while a sandstorm is active. Like ChlorophyllChlorophyllabilityDoubles this Pokémon's Speed under harsh sunlight.Click to read more → under sun, no action is needed — the boost applies automatically as long as sand is up.
In practice
Excadrill is the primary Sand Rush user in Pokémon Champions Reg M-A. Its base 88 Speed becomes effective base 176 under sand — faster than every Pokémon in the format without Speed control. Combined with Earthquake and Iron Head, Excadrill becomes an instant sweeper the moment Tyranitar switches in.
Sand Rush also provides immunity to sandstorm chip damage — Sand Rush Pokémon take no passive damage from their own weather.
Sand Rush vs Swift Swim vs Chlorophyll
All three abilities double Speed under their respective weather:
| Ability | Weather | Key user |
|---|---|---|
| Sand Rush | Sandstorm | Excadrill |
| Swift SwimSwift SwimabilityAn ability that doubles the Pokémon's Speed stat while rain is active on the field.Click to read more → | Rain | Basculegion, Ludicolo |
| Chlorophyll | Sun | Venusaur |
All three have the same conditional: the Speed boost disappears the moment an opposing weather setter switches in and overwrites the field condition.
Team building implications
Sand Rush teams need to protect their setter (Tyranitar) from weather-overwriting threats — primarily Pelipper and Torkoal. The standard answer is to lead Tyranitar + IncineroarIncineroarpokemonThe most-used Pokémon in Reg M-A. Defines doubles tempo with Fake Out, Intimidate on every switch, and Parting Shot pivots.Click to read more → and Fake OutFake OutmoveA +3 priority Normal-type move that does small damage and forces the target to flinch — only usable on the user's first turn out.Click to read more → any opposing weather setter trying to overwrite sand before Excadrill can attack.