Hippowdon's Ground typing gives it an immunity to Electric. Only 3 weaknesses on top of that — it has plenty of safe switch-in opportunities. Sand Stream adds more value on top. Built to hit on the physical side. Been around since Gen 4.
Hippowdon's spread favors physical bulk over offense. Defense leads the defensive side, Speed eats the cost. Yields 2 Defense EVs per defeat. Slow 1.25M XP grind to level.
It is surprisingly quick to anger. It holds its mouth agape as a display of its strength.
It brandishes its gaping mouth in a display of fearsome strength. It raises vast quantities of sand while attacking.
Hippowdon Weakness
AvgType-wise, Hippowdon takes extra damage from Water, Grass, and Ice. Electric moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. Hippowdon's physical bulk (base 118 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
Hippowdon is the evolved form of Hippopotas. Breeding produces Hippopotas eggs, and they're slow to hatch. Evolving from Hippopotas gave Hippowdon the biggest boost in HP (+40), bringing the total to 525 stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Hippowdon to get Hippopotas eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
The build centers on Stealth Rock and survivability. Rocky Helmet means chip damage on every physical hit received, and max HP and Defense EVs give Hippowdon the bulk to set up repeatedly. Sand Stream adds another layer of staying power. Slack Off keeps it healthy between hits.
Best Build
Best Hippowdon Moveset
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
Recommended Teammates
TMs define Hippowdon's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Earthquake and High Horsepower, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 9 types. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
TMs define Hippowdon's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Earthquake and Earth Power, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 8 types. That's where the options open up.
Hippowdon's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from High Horsepower and Earth Power, and coverage across 9 types keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
The egg pool carries weight here. Body Slam and Curse aren't available any other way for Hippowdon, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Earthquake and Dig for solid options.
A few locations for Hippowdon with moderate rates across late-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Hippowdon in Scarlet & Violet
To get Hippowdon, start by catching Hippopotas through walking encounters at Lv. 20-53. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch HippopotasEFFORTLESSAsado Desert - DesertVioletOverworldLv.20-3836%MidDesertEFFORTLESSAsado Desert - DesertScarletOverworldLv.20-3836%MidDesert
Step 2Hippowdon ✓MODERATEAsado Desert - DesertVioletOverworldLv.34-538%LateDesertMODERATEAsado Desert - DesertScarletOverworldLv.34-538%LateDesertor evolve from Hippopotas (Step 1)
Hippowdon isn't available in the wild in Legends: Z-A. Start by transferring Hippopotas from Diamond, Platinum, or Scarlet. The evolution path from Hippopotas to Hippowdon is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Hippowdon in Legends: Z-A
- Step 1Obtain Hippopotas
Catch in the wild in:
Then trade to Legends: Z-A to continue the evolution chain.
Also found in:
- Step 2Hippowdon ✓
Hippowdon appears at decent spawn rates across 3 spots in mid-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Hippowdon in Legends: Arceus
Hippopotas is your first catch on the way to Hippowdon. You'll find walking encounters from walking across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch HippopotasEASYCelestica TrailGrassUncommonRouteEASYScarlet BogGrassUncommonSwampEASYSludge MoundGrassUncommon
Step 2Hippowdon ✓EASYCelestica TrailGrassUncommonRouteEASYScarlet BogGrassUncommonSwampEASYSludge MoundGrassUncommonor evolve from Hippopotas (Step 1)
decent spawn rates for Hippowdon across 4 locations in endgame routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Hippowdon in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The path to Hippowdon starts with Hippopotas at Lv. 22-54 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch HippopotasEASYRuin Maniac Tunnel - 26 Unown caughtShining PearlGrassLv.22-2520%MidCaveEASYRuin Maniac Tunnel - 26 Unown caughtBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.22-2520%MidCaveMODERATERuin Maniac Tunnel - 10-25 Unown caughtShining PearlGrassLv.22-2410%MidCaveMODERATERuin Maniac Tunnel - 10-25 Unown caughtBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.22-2410%MidCaveBig Bluff CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires DefogBig Bluff CavernShining PearlGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires DefogRocky CaveShining PearlGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires DefogRocky CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires DefogSandsear CaveShining PearlGrassLv.25-29MidDesertRequires DefogSandsear CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.25-29MidDesertRequires DefogCHALLENGINGRuin Maniac Tunnel - 0-9 Unown caughtBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.22-235%MidCaveCHALLENGINGRuin Maniac Tunnel - 0-9 Unown caughtShining PearlGrassLv.22-235%MidCave
Step 2Hippowdon ✓EASYRoute 228Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.52-5420%PostRouteMorning/dayEASYRoute 228Shining PearlGrassLv.52-5420%PostRouteMorning/dayMODERATERoute 228Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.5410%PostRouteNightMODERATERoute 228Shining PearlGrassLv.5410%PostRouteNightor evolve from Hippopotas (Step 1)
Don't let Hippowdon's 525 base stat total fool you. Sand Stream is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as a tank.
Hippopotas evolves into Hippowdon at level 34. Hippowdon is the fully evolved form. At 525 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Run Sand Stream on Hippowdon. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Hippowdon also gets Sand Force, but they don't compare.
Hippowdon fills the tank role. It's a physical attacker with base 112 Attack. Base 47 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.
Hippowdon appears in 14 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Hippowdon first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 14 games across 6 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
- 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