Pokemon Black and White spotlight: Basurao, Sandile, Darumakka and their evolutions
Continuing our journey through the Unova Pokedex with three unique evolutionary lines
Sandile
#057 Unova / #551 National
Type: Ground/Dark
Species classification: Desert Croc Pokemon
Abilities:
Intimidate – Lowers opponents Attack one level; decreases encounter rate with lower-level wild Pokemon
Moxie – Boosts attack by one stage each time user directly KOs an opponent
Dream World ability: Anger Point – Boosts attack stat to maximum level if user receives a critical hit
Location found (Black/White): Route 4, Resort Desert, Ancient Castle
Wild hold items: None
Egg groups: Ground
Capture rate: 180
Gender ratio: 50/50
Effort values: 1 Attack
Evolution family: Sandile > Warubiru at level 29 > Warubiaru at level 40
Warubiru
#058 Unova / #552 National
Type: Ground/Dark
Species classification: Desert Croc Pokemon
Abilities:
Intimidate – Lowers opponents Attack one level; decreases encounter rate with lower-level wild Pokemon
Moxie – Boosts attack by one stage each time user directly KOs an opponent
Dream World ability: Anger Point – Boosts attack stat to maximum level if user receives a critical hit
Location found (Black/White): Ancient Castle
Wild hold items: None
Egg groups: Ground
Capture rate: 90
Gender ratio: 50/50
Effort values: 2 Attack
Evolution family: Sandile > Warubiru at level 29 > Warubiaru at level 40
Warubiaru
#059 Unova / #553 National
Type: Ground/Dark
Species classification: Menace Pokemon
Abilities:
Intimidate – Lowers opponents Attack one level; decreases encounter rate with lower-level wild Pokemon
Moxie – Boosts attack by one stage each time user directly KOs an opponent
Dream World ability: Anger Point – Boosts attack stat to maximum level if user receives a critical hit
Location found (Black/White): Evolve Warubiru
Egg groups: Ground
Gender ratio: 50/50
Experience at lvl 100: 1,059,860
Base stats: 95 HP / 117 Atk / 70 Def / 65 SAtk / 70 SDef / 92 Spd / 509 Total
Effort values: 3 Attack
Evolution family: Sandile > Warubiru at level 29 > Warubiaru at level 40
We're in an awkward in-between stage right now where a handful of the English-language localizations have been announced, but the majority of Pokemon still haven't had their English names officiallyrevealed (although there is an allegedly leaked full list of all new Pokemon nameshere). Sandile is especially caught in the middle, with his first stage officially named, but no word on what his two evolutions will be called (although according to that unofficial list, their names will probably be Krokorok and Krookodile).
But whatever its official name may be, Warubiaru/Krooodile(?) holds his own in battle. He's going to be especially fun to experiment with because his typing is unique – no other evolutionary family has the Ground/Dark combo. And it's an excellent combo at that, with two immunities, Electric and Psychic, and four good resistances, Rock, Poison, Ghost and Dark (a double resistance to Tyrannitar should indeed be a boon). The downside to his typing is that it does leave Waribiaru vulnerable with five types, but at least he doesn't suffer any double weaknesses.
As for moveset, you have a ton of options (again, because of Warubiaru's typing), but Earthquake and Crunch are no-brainers for heavy-hitting STAB attacks.
Next page: The one and only Darmanitan and its prevolution Darumakka
Sign up to the 12DOVE Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more