While most trainers evolve Hippopotas into Hippowdon immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Electric moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively. Known as the Hippo Pokemon.
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 shuts its nostrils tight, then travels through sand as if walking. They form colonies of around 10.
It shrouds itself in sand to ward off germs. It travels easily through the sands of the desert.
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.
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 195 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Curse, Spit Up, Stockpile and 2 more to offspring.
Lead with Hippopotas, set Stealth Rock, and keep pressure on. Sand Stream and Eviolite buy the time it needs, with a spread EV build EVs letting it take hits while controlling the hazard game. Slack Off keeps it healthy between hits.
Best Build
Best Hippopotas Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
- Ice Fang
Recommended Teammates
Don't skip the egg moves. Hippopotas picks up Curse and Spit Up only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Earthquake and High Horsepower while coverage across 8 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Hippopotas's scattered across 2 spots in mid-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Best Locations
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 a physical attacker with 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
