Hippopotas (#0449) – Stats, Moves, Evolution & Competitive Sets

Base stats

HP68128–175246–340

Atk7269–136134–267

Def7874–143144–280

SpA3838–9972–192

SpD4242–10380–201

Spe3233–9262–179

Total330Higher than 26% of all Pokémon

Ranges: 0 IV/EV with a hindering nature to 31 IV/252 EV with a helpful nature. EV yield: 1 Def.

Stat calculatorChampions Stat Points & Stat Alignment, or EVs, IVs & nature

Speed tiers

Speed at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions (base 32). Scarf and Tailwind use the Max+ value.

Max+92Max84No SP52Min46Scarf138Tailwind184

At max Speed, Hippopotas outspeeds 7 of the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC.

Others at their most common Speed investment in Champions VGC (Reg M-C · Doubles, Sep 2026); Pokémon holding a Mega Stone are shown as their Mega.

Type matchups

Weak to

Grass2×Ice2×Water2×

Resists

Poison½×Rock½×

Immune to

Electric0×

Takes normal damage from 12 types

NormalFightingFlyingGroundBugGhostSteelFirePsychicDragonDarkFairy

Abilities

Sand Stream
Summons a sandstorm that lasts indefinitely upon entering battle.
Sand ForceHidden ability
Strengthens Rock, Ground, and Steel moves to 1.3× their power during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.

Competitive

SV SinglesLC

0.37% of teams · rank #70 · Singles, first stages at Lv 5 · 1630+ rating · 7,479 battles · Sep 2026

Most common build

Item: Smooth Rock
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Careful
EVs: 52 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 180 SpD
Tera Type: Fighting

Slack Off
Stealth Rock
Earthquake
Body Press

Each part is the most used on its own, so not every team runs this exact set.

Usage by rating

All players1.26%
Rated 1500+0.97%
Rated 1630+0.37%
Rated 1760+0.04%

Usage by month

Oct 20250.37%

Moves

Slack Off92.7%
Stealth Rock88.7%
Earthquake84.6%
Body Press42%
Ice Fang29.7%
Roar18.1%
Yawn17.6%
Whirlwind12.8%
Protect10.9%
High Horsepower1.1%

Items

Smooth Rock58.5%
Eviolite37.4%
Rocky Helmet4%
Muscle Band0.1%
Leftovers0%
Assault Vest0%

Abilities

100%

EV spreads

Careful 52 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 180 SpD36.1%
Impish 180 Atk / 212 Def / 100 SpD12.9%
Careful 132 HP / 20 Atk / 132 Def / 180 SpD / 20 Spe12.3%
Impish 132 HP / 212 Def / 100 SpD / 20 Spe10.7%
Careful 100 Atk / 212 Def / 180 SpD9.7%

Tera types

Fighting41.4%
Ground31.1%
Ghost16.2%
Grass9.7%

Common teammates

Vullaby70.9%
Diglett-Alola66%
Drilbur41%
Elekid31.4%
Sandshrew29.1%
Foongus24.9%
Mienfoo23.8%
Gothita22.7%

Evolution

#0449HippopotasGround
1. Level 34#0450HippowdonGround

Moves

Game Sort Type

Level up 15

1Sand AttackLowers the target’s accuracy by one stage.GroundStatus—100%15

1TackleInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.NormalPhys40100%35

4BiteHas a 30% chance to make the target flinch.DarkPhys60100%25

8YawnTarget sleeps at the end of the next turn.NormalStatus——10

12Sand TombPrevents the target from fleeing and inflicts damage for 2-5 turns.GroundPhys3585%15

16DigUser digs underground, dodging all attacks, and hits next turn.GroundPhys80100%10

20CrunchHas a 20% chance to lower the target’s Defense by one stage.DarkPhys80100%15

24SandstormChanges the weather to a sandstorm for five turns.RockStatus——10

28Take DownUser receives 1/4 the damage it inflicts in recoil.NormalPhys9085%20

32RoarImmediately ends wild battles. Forces trainers to switch Pokémon.NormalStatus——20

36RestUser sleeps for two turns, completely healing itself.PsychicStatus——5

40EarthquakeInflicts regular damage and can hit Dig users.GroundPhys100100%10

44Double-EdgeUser receives 1/3 the damage inflicted in recoil.NormalPhys120100%15

48FissureCauses a one-hit KO.GroundPhys—30%5

52Slack OffHeals the user by half its max HP.NormalStatus——5

TM / HM / TR 36

TM01Take DownUser receives 1/4 the damage it inflicts in recoil.NormalPhys9085%20

TM05Mud-SlapHas a 100% chance to lower the target’s accuracy by one stage.GroundSpec20100%10

TM07ProtectPrevents any moves from hitting the user this turn.NormalStatus——10

TM08Fire FangHas a 10% chance to burn the target and a chance to make the target flinch.FirePhys6595%15

TM09Thunder FangHas a 10% chance to paralyze the target and a chance to make the target flinch.ElectricPhys6595%15

TM10Ice FangHas a 10% chance to freeze the target and a chance to make the target flinch.IcePhys6595%15

TM25FacadePower doubles if user is burned, paralyzed, or poisoned.NormalPhys70100%20

TM28BulldozeHas a 100% chance to lower the target’s Speed by one stage.GroundPhys60100%20

TM35Mud ShotHas a 100% chance to lower the target’s Speed by one stage.GroundSpec5595%15

TM36Rock TombHas a 100% chance to lower the target’s Speed by one stage.RockPhys6095%15

TM47EndurePrevents the user’s HP from lowering below 1 this turn.NormalStatus——10

TM49Sunny DayChanges the weather to sunny for five turns.FireStatus——5

TM51SandstormChanges the weather to a sandstorm for five turns.RockStatus——10

TM55DigUser digs underground, dodging all attacks, and hits next turn.GroundPhys80100%10

TM66Body SlamHas a 30% chance to paralyze the target.NormalPhys85100%15

TM70Sleep TalkRandomly uses one of the user’s other three moves. Only works if the user is sleeping.NormalStatus——10

TM84Stomping TantrumHas double power if the user’s last move failed.GroundPhys75100%10

TM85RestUser sleeps for two turns, completely healing itself.PsychicStatus——5

TM86Rock SlideHas a 30% chance to make the target flinch.RockPhys7590%10

TM89Body PressDamage is calculated using the user's Defense stat as its Attack, including stat stage changes.FightingPhys80100%10

TM103SubstituteTransfers 1/4 of the user’s max HP into a doll, protecting the user from further damage or status changes until it breaks.NormalStatus——10

TM108CrunchHas a 20% chance to lower the target’s Defense by one stage.DarkPhys80100%15

TM116Stealth RockCauses damage when opposing Pokémon switch in.RockStatus——20

TM128AmnesiaRaises the user’s Special Defense by two stages.PsychicStatus——20

TM130Helping HandAlly’s next move inflicts half more damage.NormalStatus——20

TM133Earth PowerHas a 10% chance to lower the target’s Special Defense by one stage.GroundSpec90100%10

TM149EarthquakeInflicts regular damage and can hit Dig users.GroundPhys100100%10

TM150Stone EdgeHas an increased chance for a critical hit.RockPhys10080%5

TM171Tera BlastIf the user has Terastallized, it unleashes energy of its Tera Type. This move inflicts damage using the Attack or Sp. Atk stat—whichever is higher for the user.NormalSpec80100%10

TM172RoarImmediately ends wild battles. Forces trainers to switch Pokémon.NormalStatus——20

TM176Sand TombPrevents the target from fleeing and inflicts damage for 2-5 turns.GroundPhys3585%15

TM186High HorsepowerInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.GroundPhys9595%10

TM204Double-EdgeUser receives 1/3 the damage inflicted in recoil.NormalPhys120100%15

TM209Muddy WaterHas a 30% chance to lower the target’s accuracy by one stage.WaterSpec9085%10

TM215Scorching SandsHas a 30% chance to burn the target.GroundSpec70100%10

TM224CurseGhosts pay half their max HP to hurt the target every turn. Others decrease Speed but raise Attack and Defense.GhostStatus——10

Egg moves 5

EggCurseGhosts pay half their max HP to hurt the target every turn. Others decrease Speed but raise Attack and Defense.GhostStatus——10

EggSpit UpPower is 100 times the amount of energy Stockpiled.NormalSpec—100%10

EggStockpileStores energy up to three times for use with Spit Up and Swallow.NormalStatus——20

EggSwallowRecovers 1/4 HP after one Stockpile, 1/2 HP after two Stockpiles, or full HP after three Stockpiles.NormalStatus——10

EggWhirlwindImmediately ends wild battles. Forces trainers to switch Pokémon.NormalStatus——20

Pokédex entries

Category: Hippo Pokémon
Debut: Sinnoh · Diamond & Pearl
Color: Brown
Shape
Habitat: —
Pal Park area: Field

Original Sinnoh#122Extended Sinnoh#122Coastal Kalos#048Galar#314Hisui#107Paldea#265Lumiose#118

Though large and languid, Hippopotas is difficult to detect due to its tendency to burrow into and lurk beneath the soil. When agitated or excited, it expels sand from its nostrils.
Legends: Arceus
This Pokémon is active during the day and passes the cold desert nights burrowed snugly into the sand.
Shield
It moves through the sands with its mouth open, swallowing sand along with its prey. It gets rid of the sand by spouting it from its nose.
Sword
It shuts its nostrils tight then travels through sand as if walking. They form colonies of around 10.
Black 2 · White 2
It shrouds itself in sand to ward off germs. It travels easily through the sands of the desert.
HeartGold · SoulSilver
It shuts its nostrils tight then travels through sand as if walking. They form colonies of around ten.
Platinum · Black · White
It enshrouds itself with sand to protect itself from germs. It does not enjoy getting wet.
Pearl · Y · Alpha Sapphire
It lives in arid places. Instead of perspiration, it expels grainy sand from its body.
Diamond · X · Omega Ruby

Names around the world

Japanese: ヒポポタス
Japanese (romaji): Hippopotas
Korean: 히포포타스
Chinese (Traditional): 沙河馬
Chinese (Simplified): 沙河马
French: Hippopotas
German: Hippopotas
Spanish: Hippopotas
Italian: Hippopotas

Sprites

Tap any sprite to show it on the Pokédex above. ▶ marks official animations; Gen VIII–IX models are large, so they load only when you tap them.

Official artwork

3D models

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII · animated models

Generation IX · animated models

Training

EV yield: 1 Def
Catch rate: 140 ≈18.3% with a Poké Ball at full HP
Base friendship: 70
Base experience: 66
Growth rate: Slow

Breeding

Egg groups: Field
Gender: ♂ 50%♀ 50%
Hatch time: 30 egg cycles ≈7,905 steps (Gen IV–VII)

Males and females look different

HOME 3D model

Where to find

Shield 5 areas

Dusty BowlWalking in the overworld · Lv 42–60
Dusty Bowl (Max Den C)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Dusty Bowl (Max Den H)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Giant's Mirror (Area 2)Walking in the overworld · Lv 42–60
Route 6Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 28–30

Sword 5 areas

Dusty BowlWalking in the overworld · Lv 42–60
Dusty Bowl (Max Den C)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Dusty Bowl (Max Den H)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Giant's Mirror (Area 2)Walking in the overworld · Lv 42–60
Route 6Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 28–30

Y 1 area

Road 9Walking on rough terrain · Lv 15–17

X 1 area

Road 9Walking on rough terrain · Lv 15–17

SoulSilver 1 area

Safari Zone DesertWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 43

HeartGold 1 area

Safari Zone DesertWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 43

Platinum 3 areas

Maniac Tunnel (26+ different Unown caught)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 24–26
Ruin Maniac Cave (0–9 different Unown caught)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 22–24
Ruin Maniac Cave (10–25 different Unown caught)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 23–25

Pearl 3 areas

Maniac Tunnel (26+ different Unown caught)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 22–25
Ruin Maniac Cave (0–9 different Unown caught)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 22–23
Ruin Maniac Cave (10–25 different Unown caught)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 22–24

Diamond 3 areas

Maniac Tunnel (26+ different Unown caught)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 22–25
Ruin Maniac Cave (0–9 different Unown caught)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 22–23
Ruin Maniac Cave (10–25 different Unown caught)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 22–24