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.
Stones can get stuck in the ports on their bodies. Dwebble help dislodge such stones, so Hippowdon look after these Pokémon.
When roused to violence by its rage, it spews out the quantities of sand it has swallowed and whips up a sandstorm.
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 138 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Curse, Spit Up, Stockpile and 2 more.
The build centers on Stealth Rock and survivability. Leftovers means passive recovery each turn, and max HP and Sp. Def 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
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
The egg pool carries weight here. Curse and Spit Up aren't available any other way for Hippowdon, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Earthquake and High Horsepower for solid options.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Hippowdon starts showing up in mid-game routes at high spawn rates across 6 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Hippowdon in Sword & Shield
Hippopotas is your first catch on the way to Hippowdon. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 26-52 across 12 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch HippopotasMODERATERoute 6SwordGrassLv.28-3010%MidRouteAll WeatherMODERATERoute 6ShieldGrassLv.28-3010%MidRouteAll WeatherEFFORTLESSDusty BowlShieldOverworldLv.42-4760%LateSandstormEFFORTLESSDusty BowlSwordOverworldLv.42-4760%LateSandstormEFFORTLESSDusty BowlShieldOverworldLv.42-4755%LateIntense SunEFFORTLESSDusty BowlSwordOverworldLv.42-4755%LateIntense Sun
Step 2Hippowdon ✓EFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorSwordGrassLv.26-2830%MidSandstormEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorShieldGrassLv.26-2830%MidSandstormMODERATERoute 8ShieldGrassLv.38-408%LateRouteAll WeatherMODERATERoute 8SwordGrassLv.38-408%LateRouteAll WeatherEASYLake of OutrageShieldGrassLv.50-5225%PostWaterSandstormEASYLake of OutrageSwordGrassLv.50-5225%PostWaterSandstormor 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 A-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