The Sand Worm (サンドウォーム, Sandowōmu?), also known as the Sandworm or Sand W, is a recurring enemy in the Final Fantasy series, first appearing in the original Final Fantasy. It is the most commonly recurring worm, and typically found in desert regions. It is commonly associated with the earth element and capable of using the Earthquake ability.
Appearances[]
Final Fantasy[]
The Sand Worm, also known as the Sand W, appears as an enemy encountered in the Yahnikurm Desert and Citadel of Trials regions. It the Pixel Remaster release, it can also be found in the Flying Fortress. It is a rare enemy that appears in groups with low stats, but has access to the devastating Earthquake and can inflict Poison with its physical attacks.
Final Fantasy II[]
The Sand Worm appears as an enemy encountered after obtaining Ultima in the Great Desert and Kashuan. It is a dangerous foe to an underleveled party, using the powerful Earthquake X ability in addition to powerful physical attacks.
Final Fantasy III[]
The Sand Worm appears as an enemy encountered in the desert near Saronia and in the Dragon Spire. It is only mildly dangerous in the NES version, but is considerably more dangerous in the 3D remakes as its physical attacks now inflict Blind. It only has Potion as its drops and steal in the NES version, but later has Hi-Potion and the rare Phoenix Down.
Final Fantasy IV[]
The Sand Worm, also known as the SandWorm, appears as an enemy encountered in the desert around Kaipo and in the Antlion's Den. In the 2D versions, it is relatively weak, but is much more powerful in the 3D versions. It uses Whirlwind and can drop the rare Silver Apple. In the 3D versions, it is weak to both Fire-elemental and Ice-elemental attacks and absorbs Earth-elemental attacks.
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years[]
The Sand Worm returns as the first boss of the game, encountered in the Adamant Isle Grotto. It can later be encountered as an enemy in the Passage of the Eidolons, Impact Crater, and Damcyan and Kaipo regions. While the boss version is stronger than the other versions, the other two are near identical save for item drops. They all otherwise fight the same as in the previous game.
Final Fantasy IV -Interlude-[]
The Sand Worm returns as an enemy encoutnered near Kaipo, and is otherwise identical to its 2D version in the previous game. It is the first enemy that yields Silver Apples.
Final Fantasy V[]
The Sandworm appears as a boss encountered in the Desert of Shifting Sands. It appears and disappears in the holes on the battlefield and attacking a hole without the Sandworm will result in being countered by Gravity. The Sandworm is not powerful, only using Quicksand for meager damage and Sap to the party. It is exceptionally weak to Water-elemental attacks, and a single casting of Aqua Breath can defeat it.
Final Fantasy VI[]
Although sandworms do not appear as enemies, they are mentioned by Kefka Palazzo when cursing the Returners for evading his trap at Figaro.
Final Fantasy X[]
The Sand Worm appears as an enemy encountered in Bikanel. It is the strongest enemy in the area, boasting 45,000 HP and decent stats, and uses Swallow, Regurgitate, and Earthquake. The Sand Worm is a useful enemy as it can drop armor with HP +10% and Auto-Potion. Inflicting Poison on the Sand Worm makes it easier to defeat, or using Auron's Overdrive, Shooting Star. The Sand Worm always appears alone.
Final Fantasy X-2[]
The Sand Worm appears as an enemy encountered in Bikanel during chapters 3 and 5, as well as in floors 24–26 of Via Infinito. It is still a powerful enemy with high HP and Defense, while losing its previous abilities except for Earthquake. When Oversouled, Earthquake is upgraded to Rage of the Earth, dealing even more damage. It normally drops Mythril Bangles, but in Oversoul will instead drop the more valued Crystal Bangle. Sand Worms always appear alone.
Final Fantasy XI[]
The Sandworm appears as a family of amorphs comprised almost entirely of notorious monsters. The common Sandworm can spawn in several Shadowreign era regions at night. It is notable for its Doomvoid ability, which teleports all nearby players to a separate battlefield to fight a different notorious monster, after which the Sandworm dies. Defeating the Sandworm grants the "Sandworm Wrangler" title; however, doing so requires stunning Doomvoid and forgoing greater rewards from the battlefield notorious monster, as the Sandworm itself has no drops.
Final Fantasy XIV[]
The Sandworm appears as a mid-level enemy than can be encountered in the Sagolii Desert region of Southern Thanalan.
Final Fantasy XV[]
Sandworms do not appear, but the Burrower: Mad Pink Sandworm and Burrower: Green Sandworm appear as fishing lures. Their description notes sandworms to be imaginary creatures on which they are based.
Justice Monsters Five[]
Final Fantasy Type-0[]
The Sandworm appears as an enemy encountered in the Berith Desert.
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest[]
The Sand Worm appears as one of the stronger enemies encountered in the Bone Dungeon, having the highest HP of all enemies there. It has access to the abilities Scrunch, Poison Fluid, and Quicksand, and can be easily defeated with the usage of the Axe. It is also weak to Earth-elemental attacks.
The Final Fantasy Legend[]
The Sandworm appears as an enemy encountered on the first floor of the Tower, and a potential transformation for the party's monster units.
Final Fantasy Legend II[]
The SandWorm appears as an enemy encountered in the Central Shrine, and a potential transformation for the party's monster units.
Final Fantasy Dimensions[]
The Sand Worm appears as an enemy encountered in the Kaklim Desert.
Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia[]
The Sand Worm appears as a recurring boss.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy series[]
The Sand Worm appears as an enemy during various BMS and FMS throughout the series. It can appear in different colors aside from its default yellow form, including red, blue, green and grey.
Pictlogica Final Fantasy[]
The Sand Worms from Final Fantasy III and IV appear as enemies.
Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade[]
Final Fantasy All the Bravest[]
Final Fantasy Record Keeper[]
The Sand Worms from Final Fantasy IV, V, X, and World Wide Words appears as enemies.
Final Fantasy World Wide Words[]
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]
The Sand Worm appears as a boss encountered in the Shrine of Decay, Forgotten Walls, Floating Sands, and Colosseum.
Final Fantasy Portal App[]
Sandworm from Final Fantasy V appears as a 1-star card with 5/3/2/1 values.
World of Final Fantasy[]
The Sand Worm appears as an able enemy encountered in the Phantom Sands, Crystal Tower, Murkrift, Coliseum, and Hidden Dungeon. It can be transfigured with the Sea Worm.
Non-Final Fantasy appearances[]
Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable[]
The Sand Worm appears as a chance card, forcing the user to sell one of their houses for an extra 200G.