While most trainers evolve Hippopotas into Hippowdon immediately, the unevolved form can still contribute in the right matchup. Electric moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively. Known as the Hippo Pokemon. The stat spread favors raw physical power.
Nothing fancy in Hippopotas's spread. It leans physical with Defense out front. And you'll get 1 Defense EV per KO for it. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
It lives in arid places. Instead of perspiration, it expels grainy sand from its body.
It enshrouds itself with sand to protect itself from germs. It does not enjoy getting wet.
Hippopotas Weakness
AvgWater, Grass, and Ice-type moves hit Hippopotas for super-effective damage. The upside? Electric-type moves can't touch it at all. Hippopotas's physical bulk (base 78 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Hippopotas is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Hippowdon. Check the evolution method below. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are slow to hatch. The evolved forms gain up to 195 total stats over Hippopotas.
How to Evolve
Breed Hippopotas easily with 131 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Body Slam, Curse, Sand Tomb and 4 more to offspring.
The physical wall spread is where Hippopotas earns its spot. Focus Sash for a guaranteed survive from full HP, Bold nature for the right lean, and the moveset handles sustain. Sand Stream does the rest without needing a move slot.
Best Build
Best Hippopotas Moveset
- Sand Attack
- Yawn
- Mud Slap
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Don't skip the egg moves. Hippopotas picks up Body Slam and Curse only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Earthquake and Sand Tomb while Normal and Dark coverage and more adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Hippopotas starts showing up in mid-game routes at decent spawn rates across 6 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations
6 spots to find Hippopotas at Lv. 22-25 via walking. Not all of them exist in both Diamond and Pearl versions, so filter by your copy below.
At 330 BST, Hippopotas is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Hippowdon before bringing it to any serious fight.
Hippopotas evolves into Hippowdon at level 34. Hippopotas is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Hippopotas gets Sand Stream and Sand Force. But Sand Stream is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Hippopotas is leaning toward the physical side (base 72 Attack). But the speed tells the real story — base 32 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.
Hippopotas appears in 14 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Debuting in Diamond & Pearl, Hippopotas appears in 14 games across 6 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A