Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Hippopotas
Say it: HI-ppo-po-ta-s
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Hippopotas is the Hippo Pokémon — Ground before Hippowdon. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Hippowdon — not a finished raid attacker. Ground helps against Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel; Water, Grass, and Ice hit Ground hard. Catch Hippopotas from the wild, eggs, or events, then evolve. Earth Power from Hippopotas Community Day belongs on Hippowdon.
Say it: HI-ppo-po-ta-s
Hippopotas (#449) is a Ground Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the pre-evolution of Hippowdon. Trainers almost never power Hippopotas for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Hippowdon (and Earth Power). Against Hippopotas, lead with Water, Grass, or Ice. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Hippopotas is a Ground-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0449. Use the Ground type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Do not sink Stardust into Hippopotas. Keep high-IV copies for Hippowdon. Shadow Hippopotas is the same — evolve toward Shadow Hippowdon.
Type matchups
- Ground moves hit Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel hard.
When Hippopotas is your opponent, Water, Grass, Ice hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 124
- Defense
- 118
- Stamina
- 169
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Primal Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse — Primal lobby boost
- 2. Shadow Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 3. Mega Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 4. Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 5. Shadow Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 6. Shadow Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 7. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 8. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 9. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 10. Samurott · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 12. Empoleon · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 2. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 3. Vaporeon · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Tail
- 4. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 5. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 6. Clawitzer · beats Water
Water Gun + Crabhammer
- 7. Floatzel · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Jet
- 8. Seismitoad · beats Water
Mud Shot + Hydro Pump
- 9. Carracosta · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Pump
- 10. Blastoise · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Wailord · beats Water
Water Gun + Surf
- 12. Golisopod · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Jet
Recommended moves
Hippopotas’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Hippowdon — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.
Fast
- Bite · Standard
Dark energy
- Tackle · Standard
Normal filler
- Sand Attack · Standard
Ground / utility
Charged
- Dig · Standard
Ground nuke
- Body Slam · Standard
Normal / bait
- Rock Tomb · Standard
Rock coverage
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- tackle
- bite
- sand attack
Charged
- dig
- rock tomb
- body slam
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #525 of 954 · CP 1499
Sand Attack + Body Slam
- Ultra League · rank #727 of 747 · CP 1535
Sand Attack + Body Slam
- Master League · rank #877 of 1023 · CP 1535
Sand Attack + Body Slam
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.