Sand Stream is Tyranitar’s signature ability. The moment Tyranitar switches in, permanent sandstorm begins.
What sandstorm does
- Deals 1/16 max HP damage per turn to every Pokémon not Rock-, Ground-, or Steel-type (your team is immune if you build around it)
- Tyranitar’s own Special Defense rises 50% in sand — making it nearly unkillable on the special side
- Sand RushSand RushabilityDoubles this Pokémon's Speed under sandstorm.Click to read more → doubles Speed for Pokémon with that ability (Excadrill)
- Solar Beam still requires two turns
Why it matters
Unlike rain and sun, sand is primarily a chip-damage engine rather than a damage amplifier. It wears down opponents over time for free while your Rock/Ground/Steel Pokémon take nothing. A sand + Excadrill core gets both passive chip and a fast Sand Rush sweeper from one Tyranitar switch-in.