Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP)

Hippowdon Best Moveset and Build

Pokemon BDSP Hippowdon Best BuildHippowdon's massive defenses allow it to be one of the most resilient tanks in the game. Read on to find out the best build, the best moveset, basic information, stats and recommended partners for Hippowdon in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP).

Hippowdon - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset Build for Ranked Battle

Hippowdon Best Builds and Movesets

Mixed Wall

Pokemon Ability Item Moves
Pokemon BDSP HippowdonHippowdon Sand Stream Leftovers Earthquake
Yawn
Stealth Rock
Ice Fang
Nature / EVsImpish 252 HP / 108 Def / 148 SpD
Final Stats215 HP / 132 Atk / 167 Def / 111 SpD / 67 Spe

Hippowdon's impressive defenses makes it one of the best Pokemon to tank hits. With reliable recovery in Sitrus Berry, this Pokemon becomes very difficult to take down.

Its naturally high Attack stat allows it to trade blows with more focused attackers. Ice Fang lets it hit Gliscor, Garchomp, Dragonite, Salamence, and other Pokemon that are 4x weak to Ice for super-effective damage.

Yawn also has great synergy with Stealth Rock, because a drowzy opponent will want to switch out, letting Hippowdon set up Stealth Rock or force the opponent to fall asleep by staying active. Using Yawn repeatedly is also not a bad option because it forces the opponent to make the tough decision of whether or not they want the active Pokemon to stay in and get an attack off, switch out and take Stealth Rock chip damage, or have another Pokemon switch into another Yawn.

This Hippowdon set can comfortably take Draco Meteors and Ice Beams, being 2HKO'd by a Latios with Choice Specs. It can also take a Waterfall from Azumarill, as well as a +5 Aqua Jet after a Belly Drum.

Physical Wall

Pokemon Ability Item Moves
Pokemon BDSP HippowdonHippowdon Sand Stream Sitrus Berry Earthquake
Ice Fang
Yawn
Slack Off
Nature / EVsImpish 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Final Stats 215 HP / 132 Atk / 187 Def / 93 SpD / 67 Spe

This set bolsters Hippowdon's already impressive defenses even further with maxed out HP and Defense EVs.

A Physically defensive Hippowdon can more effectively go one-on-one with other focused Physical attackers like the aforementioned Gliscor, Garchomp, Dragonite, and Salamence and trade damage favorably with its Ice Fang.

Using Hippowdon

Being one of the best tanks available, it is important to keep Hippowdon as healthy as possible. Its Sand Stream Ability paired with its amazing defenses and recovery lets it wear down and outlast opposing Pokemon. Hippowdon appreciates teammates that can deal with the likes of Breloom, Gyarados, and Mamoswine.

Hippowdon is a great choice to send out against Physical Attackers because of Yawn and Ice Fang. By using Yawn when anticipating a switch, Hippowdon can afford to stay in the Active spot even if it is in a disadvantageous matchup.

Deciding which coverage move to pick between Ice Fang and Thunder Fang depends on your team composition and if Hippowdon's teammates can deal with specific threats.

Other Viable Moves

Thunder Fang Thunder Fang allows Hippowdon hit Water Pokemon that it might not be able to damage meaningfully.
Fire Fang Fire Fang allows Hippowdon hit Steel-type Pokemon like Bronzong who might be immune to Ground-type attacks if it is running Levitate as its Ability.
Whirlwind Whirlwind forcibly switches an opponent out of the active spot. This is good for denying an opponent's set up move.

Hippowdon Basic Information

Hippowdon - Type

Hippowdon
Heavyweight Pokémon
Pokemon - Hippowdon
Type 1 Type 2
Ground Type Pokemon -

Hippowdon Weaknesses and Resistances

Type
Takes 4x damage
-
Takes 2x damage
Pokemon Water Type Icon Pokemon Grass Type Icon Pokemon Ice Type Icon
Takes 0.5x damage
Pokemon Poison Type Icon Pokemon Rock Type Icon
Takes 1/4x damage
-
Takes 0x damage
Pokemon Electric Type Icon

Hippowdon Abilities

Name Description
Sand Stream The Pokemon summons a sandstorm in battle.

Hippowdon Hidden Ability

Name Description
Sand Force Boosts certain moves'power in sandstorm.

Hippowdon Base Stats

HP
108
Atk
112
Def
118
Sp. Atk
68
Sp. Def
72
Speed
47
Total Base Stats
525

Hippowdon Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Weaknesses
✔︎ Huge HP and Defense stats.
✔︎ Can boost its own Special Defense and deal chip damage in a Sandstorm.
✔︎ Reliable recovery move in Slack Off.
✖︎ Very weak to offensive Water or Grass-type Pokemon.
✖︎ Horrible Speed stat.

Hippowdon's Massive Defenses

Hippowdon's Defense stat, coupled with the Special Defense boost it gets from the Sandstorm it naturally sets up with Sand Stream lets it tank most unboosted hits. This makes Hippowdon an excellent option for defensive switches.

Its defenses also lets it switch in and support its team by setting up Stealth Rock.

Wear Down Opponents with Hippowdon

Because of its defenses, it is able to take full advantage of Slack Off and Leftovers. Its Sand Stream Ability deals chip damage to Pokemon who are not Ground, Rock, or Steel-types, and can even break Focus Sashes. Hippowdon can wear down most opponents especially if they cannot hit it for super-effective damage.

Counter Hippowdon with Status Conditions

Pokemon Description
Pokemon BDSP BreloomBreloom Ranking:★★★★★
・Can threaten Hippowdon with a super-effective Grass-type move.
・Can Spore Hippowdon and then either set up or switch out.

Overwhelm Hippowdon with Damage

Pokemon BDSP SuicuneSuicune Ranking:★★★★★
・Can shrug off Hippowdon's damage output barring a Thunder Fang.
・Can set up Calm Minds with little resistance from Hippowdon.
Pokemon BDSP GyaradosGyarados Ranking:★★★★★
・Is not afraid of Hippowdon's offense, besides Thunder Fang.
・Can set up Dragon Dance and threaten Hippowdon with massive damage.

Best Natures for Hippowdon

Best Natures
Impish
(Def↑ Sp. Atk↓)
Careful
(Sp. Def↑ Sp. Atk↓)

What are Natures?

Best Partners for Hippowdon

Clefable

Pokemon Ability Item Moves
Pokemon BDSP ClefableClefable Unaware Babiri Berry Moonblast
Calm Mind
Flamethrower
Moonlight
Nature / EVsBold 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Final Stats202 HP / 137 Def / 115 SpA / 111 SpD / 80 Spe

Hippowdon struggles against set-up sweepers that can eventually overcome its great defenses such as Garchomp and Suicune, with the latter threatening Hippowdon with STAB Water-type moves.

This makes Unaware Clefable a great partner since its Ability lets it ignore an opponent's stat boosts while boosting its own stats with Calm Mind. It also has a great recovery move in Moonlight, as well as Fire and Fairy coverage in Flamethrower and Moonblast.

Pokemon Ability Item Moves
Pokemon BDSP ClefableClefable Magic Guard Life Orb Moonblast
Ice Beam
Flamethrower
Moonlight
Nature / EVsModest 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Final Stats202 HP / 93 Def / 161 SpA / 111 SpD / 80 Spe

Hippowdown doesn't appreciate status conditions that deal residual damage, such as burns from Will-O-Wisp or Poison from Toxic since the damage hampers its healing.

This makes Magic Guard Clefable a great partner since its Ability ignores the residual damage from these moves, as well as Life Orb's recoil damage. An offensive Clefable can also surprise Hippowdon's usual counters with its great selection of coverage moves.

Scizor

Pokemon Ability Item Moves
Pokemon BDSP ScizorScizor Technician Lum Berry Bullet Punch
X-Scissor
Swords Dance
Roost
Nature / EVsAdamant 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Final Stats177 HP / 200 Atk / 120 Def / 101 SpD / 85 Spe

Scizor is a great offensive Pokemon to pair with Hippowdon. Its respectable bulk and immunity to Sandstorm lets it comfortably wear down opposing Pokemon with its Technician-boosted Attacks while healing with Roost when necessary.

Lum Berry lets it soak up a Spore from Breloom and it can retaliate with Bullet Punch, which can 2HKO it if it decides to stay in battle.

Latios

Pokemon Ability Item Moves
Pokemon BDSP LatiosLatios Levitate Life Orb Draco Meteor
Ice Beam
Psychic
Energy Ball
Nature / EVsTimid 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Final Stats154 HP / 101 Def / 182 SpA / 130 SpD / 178 Spe

Latios is another great offensive Pokemon, with its typing and respectable Special Defense stat letting it easily shrug off Water and Grass-type moves that Hippowdon is weak to.

The Eon Pokemon also has a positive matchup against Garchomp and Gliscor. Not only is Latios faster, it can potentially knock them out with STAB Draco Meteor or Ice Beam.

Pokemon BDSP Related Guides

Pokemon BDSP - Tier List Focus Banner

Tier List and Movesets for Competitive Battle

Strategies for Individual Pokemon

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