Stats & Training
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
Type-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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Ice |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Rock |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
 Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x92-110%KO Giga Drain 2x57-68% Mega Drain 2x35-42% Absorb 2x19-23% | ||
 Wingull Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Wingull builds →Water Pulse 2x35-42% Water Gun 2x25-30% | ||
 Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x103-122%KO Magical Leaf 2x54-65% Mega Drain 2x38-46% Absorb 2x22-27% | ||
 Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 2x73-87% Water Gun 2x28-34% Mega Drain 2x28-34% Absorb 2x15-19% | ||
 Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 2x73-87% Razor Leaf 2x28-34% Mega Drain 2x28-34% Absorb 2x15-19% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x85-100%KO Giga Drain 2x55-65% Mega Drain 2x30-35% Absorb 2x16-19% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Wingull builds →Water Pulse 2x32-39% Water Gun 2x24-29% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x96-113%KO Magical Leaf 2x48-58% Mega Drain 2x35-42% Absorb 2x18-23% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 2x68-81% Bubble Beam 2x38-45% Water Gun 2x24-29% Mega Drain 2x24-29% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 2x68-81% Razor Leaf 2x27-32% Mega Drain 2x24-29% Absorb 2x13-16% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x83-99% Giga Drain 2x54-64% Mega Drain 2x29-35% Absorb 2x17-20% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Wingull builds →Water Pulse 2x32-38% Water Gun 2x21-26% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x96-114%KO Magical Leaf 2x50-58% Mega Drain 2x34-41% Absorb 2x19-23% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 2x64-76% Bubble Beam 2x37-44% Water Gun 2x24-29% Mega Drain 2x24-29% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 2x64-76% Razor Leaf 2x24-29% Mega Drain 2x24-29% Absorb 2x15-17% | ||
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Pelipper builds →Water Pulse 2x47-56% Water Gun 2x32-38% Whirlpool 2x28-34% | ||
 Cramorant Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Cramorant builds →Dive 2x40-47% Water Gun 2x30-36% Whirlpool 2x26-31% | ||
 Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x101-119%KO Petal Blizzard 2x46-54% Giga Drain 2x64-76% Mega Drain 2x36-43% | ||
 Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 2x81-96% Leaf Tornado 2x46-54% Magical Leaf 2x42-49% Razor Leaf 2x21-25% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x97-114%KO Giga Drain 2x63-74% Magical Leaf 2x49-58% Mega Drain 2x34-40% | ||
Pelipper Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Pelipper builds →Water Pulse 2x48-57% Water Gun 2x32-38% Whirlpool 2x28-34% | ||
Cramorant Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Cramorant builds →Dive 2x40-47% Water Gun 2x30-36% Whirlpool 2x27-32% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x103-121%KO Petal Blizzard 2x45-53% Giga Drain 2x65-77% Mega Drain 2x36-43% | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 2x83-98% Leaf Tornado 2x45-53% Magical Leaf 2x43-51% Razor Leaf 2x20-23% | ||
 Shiinotic GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Shiinotic builds →Solar Beam 2x90-106%KO Giga Drain 2x57-68% Mega Drain 2x32-38% Absorb 2x18-21% | ||
Pelipper Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Pelipper builds →Water Pulse 2x46-54% Water Gun 2x31-37% Whirlpool 2x28-33% | ||
Cramorant Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Cramorant builds →Dive 2x37-45% Water Gun 2x29-35% Whirlpool 2x26-31% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x100-118%KO Petal Blizzard 2x43-50% Giga Drain 2x64-75% Mega Drain 2x34-41% | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 2x80-95% Leaf Tornado 2x44-52% Magical Leaf 2x41-48% Razor Leaf 2x19-23% | ||
Shiinotic GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Shiinotic builds →Solar Beam 2x87-103%KO Giga Drain 2x55-66% Mega Drain 2x31-37% Absorb 2x16-19% | ||
Pelipper Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Pelipper builds →Water Pulse 2x47-56% Icy Wind 2x28-33% Water Gun 2x31-37% Whirlpool 2x28-33% | ||
 Dhelmise GhostGrass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Dhelmise builds →Solar Beam 2x85-100%KO Giga Drain 2x53-63% Mega Drain 2x30-35% Whirlpool 2x17-21% | ||
 Mantine Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Mantine builds →Dive 2x23-28% Bubble Beam 2x44-52% Water Pulse 2x41-48% Icy Wind 2x25-30% | ||
Cramorant Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Cramorant builds →Dive 2x39-46% Icy Wind 2x26-31% Water Gun 2x30-35% Whirlpool 2x27-31% | ||
 Delibird Ice | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Delibird builds →Avalanche 2x22-26% Icy Wind 2x33-39% Icicle Spear 2x10-13% | ||
Pelipper Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Pelipper builds →Water Pulse 2x48-56% Icy Wind 2x29-34% Water Gun 2x32-38% Whirlpool 2x29-34% | ||
 Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Golisopod builds →Liquidation 2x56-66% Dive 2x53-63% Razor Shell 2x49-58% Icy Wind 2x20-24% | ||
Mantine Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Mantine builds →Hydro Pump 2x74-87% Dive 2x23-27% Bubble Beam 2x45-53% Water Pulse 2x41-49% | ||
Cramorant Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Cramorant builds →Dive 2x39-46% Icy Wind 2x27-32% Water Gun 2x30-36% Whirlpool 2x26-31% | ||
Delibird Ice | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Delibird builds →Avalanche 2x22-26% Icy Wind 2x33-39% Icicle Spear 2x10-12% | ||
 | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemAir Balloon NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Zeraora builds →Drain Punch14-16% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Tapu Koko builds →Dazzling Gleam25-30% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Torkoal builds →Eruption49-57% Flamethrower29-35% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityOvercoat ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Hippowdon View Mandibuzz builds →U Turn7-8% | ||
Sword & Shield Evolution
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Hippowdon to get Hippopotas eggs easily using 152 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Curse, Spit Up, Stockpile and 2 more.
Sword & Shield Hippowdon Best Moveset
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
Hippowdon best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Wall Moveset
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Yawn
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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
How to Get Hippowdon in Sword & Shield
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 HippopotasRoute 6SwordGrass Lv.28-30 Route10%MidAll WeatherRoute 6ShieldGrass Lv.28-30 Route10%MidAll WeatherDusty BowlShieldOverworld Lv.42-4760%LateSandstormDusty BowlSwordOverworld Lv.42-4760%LateSandstormDusty BowlShieldOverworld Lv.42-4755%LateIntense SunDusty BowlSwordOverworld Lv.42-4755%LateIntense Sun
Step 2Hippowdon ✓Giant's MirrorSwordGrass Lv.26-2830%MidSandstormGiant's MirrorShieldGrass Lv.26-2830%MidSandstormRoute 8ShieldGrass Lv.38-40 Route8%LateAll WeatherRoute 8SwordGrass Lv.38-40 Route8%LateAll WeatherLake of OutrageShieldGrass Lv.50-52 Water25%PostSandstormLake of OutrageSwordGrass Lv.50-52 Water25%PostSandstormor evolve from Hippopotas (Step 1)
Hippowdon Guide
In Sword & Shield, 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. Slack Off with Leftovers is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, 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.
In Sword & Shield, 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.
In Sword & Shield, the best way to handle Hippowdon: Status moves (Toxic, Will-O-Wisp) wear it down. Setup sweepers can use it as a boost opportunity. Special attackers bypass its physical bulk.
Game Availability
Hippowdon first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 14 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves