Competitive Information for Hippowdon [Sword/Shield]
Ground
Abilities:
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Hippowdon? These builds have been optimized for Pokemon competing in Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs have been specifically calibrated to deal the most amount of damage to the largest group of potentially common opponents and typing threats for the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
IncineroarTapu FiniTogekissDragapultCelesteelaExcadrillDracovishDracozoltWhimsicottKartana
Hippowdon is an outstanding Ground-typed Pokemon. It's a usual sight to see Hippowdon out in the 8th generation battlefield. Hippowdon is typically seen in the UU tier (Underused). Hippowdon is weak to Grass, Ice, and Water-typed attacks.
Item: Misty Seed / Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
EVs: 252 Hp / 172 Def / 84 SpD
Moveset:
- High Horsepower
- Body Press
- Curse
- Slack Off
Double Wall Hippowdon (Popular/Trending)
Hippowdon is pretty popular Double Wall for single battles. It's goal is to have enough defenses and bulk to take both physical and special hits. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Hippowdon last longer regaining it's vitality every turn. Sand Stream changes the weather to a Sandstorm when Hippowdon is sent out onto the field. This damages all Pokemon every turn while the Sandstorm remains active unless they are Rock-, Steel- or Ground-typed. Sandstorm also raises the Special Defense of all Rock-type Pokémon by 50%. With a Misty Seed equipped to it, if the terrain is misty terrain, raises Hippowdon's sp. Def by 1 stage then the Misty Seed gets consumed.
◆ Body Press is a physical 80-base power Fighting-type move (uses Hippowdon's defense stat as attack in damage calculation).
◆ Curse is a status move (curses if ghost, else -1 spe, +1 atk, +1 def).
◆ Slack Off is a status move (heals your Hippowdon by 50% of its max hp).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is10a1c2
Item: Misty Seed / Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Moveset:
- Scorching Sands
- Curse
- Slack Off
- Yawn
Physical Tank Hippowdon (Popular/Trending)
Hippowdon is pretty popular Physical Tank for single battles. It's meant to take a considerable amount of physical hits while dealing some decent damage. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Hippowdon last longer regaining it's stamina every turn. Sand Stream changes the weather to a Sandstorm when Hippowdon is sent out onto the field. This damages all Pokemon every turn while the Sandstorm remains active unless they are Rock-, Steel- or Ground-typed. Sandstorm also raises the Special Defense of all Rock-type Pokémon by 50%. With a Misty Seed equipped to it, if the terrain is misty terrain, raises Hippowdon's sp. Def by 1 stage then the Misty Seed gets consumed.
◆ Curse is a status move (curses if ghost, else -1 spe, +1 atk, +1 def).
◆ Slack Off is a status move (heals your Hippowdon by 50% of its max hp).
◆ Yawn is a status move (puts the target to sleep after 1 turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is11a1c2
Item: Eject Pack / Choice Band
Ability: Sand Force
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 124 Hp / 252 Atk / 132 SpD
Moveset:
- Earthquake / High Horsepower
- Rock Slide / Double-Edge
- Superpower / Body Press
- Iron Head
Physical Sweeper Hippowdon (Sand Force)
Hippowdon is an astounding Physical Sweeper for single battles. This moveset is designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Choice Band will increase the damage of Hippowdon's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Sand Force, Hippowdon's ground/rock/steel attacks do 1.3x in sandstorm; immunity to it. Rock Slide was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Eject Pack equipped to it, if Hippowdon's stat stages are lowered, it switches to a chosen ally then the Eject Pack gets consumed.
◆ High Horsepower is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Ground-type move that deals a large amount of damage.
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Hippowdon's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Body Press is a physical 80-base power Fighting-type move (uses Hippowdon's defense stat as attack in damage calculation).
◆ Iron Head is a physical 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is12a1c2
Item: Smooth Rock / Eject Pack
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 124 Hp / 252 Atk / 132 SpD
Moveset:
- Earthquake / High Horsepower
- Superpower / Body Press
- Iron Head / Rock Slide
- Crunch
Physical Sweeper Hippowdon (Sand Stream)
Hippowdon is a spectacular Physical Sweeper for single battles. It was designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Sand Stream changes the weather to a Sandstorm when Hippowdon is sent out onto the field. This damages all Pokemon every turn while the Sandstorm remains active unless they are Rock-, Steel- or Ground-typed. Sandstorm also raises the Special Defense of all Rock-type Pokémon by 50%. Equipping Smooth Rock helps extend sandstorm weather effects this Pokemon creates from 5 turns to 8 instead. Iron Head or Rock Slide are added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Eject Pack equipped to it, if Hippowdon's stat stages are lowered, it switches to a chosen ally then the Eject Pack gets consumed.
◆ High Horsepower is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Ground-type move that deals a hefty amount of damage.
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Hippowdon's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Body Press is a physical 80-base power Fighting-type move (uses Hippowdon's defense stat as attack in damage calculation).
◆ Iron Head is a physical 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Crunch is a physical 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is13a1c2
Item: Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 126 Atk / 132 Def
Moveset:
- Stone Edge
- Fire Fang / Slack Off
- Crunch / Ice Fang
- Earthquake
Hippowdon Physical Wall (Choice Bander)
Hippowdon is popular Physical Wall for single battles. It's meant to take a substantial amount of physical hits while dealing some decent damage. Choice Band will increase the damage of Hippowdon's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. Sand Stream changes the weather to a Sandstorm when Hippowdon is sent out onto the field. This damages all Pokemon every turn while the Sandstorm remains active unless they are Rock-, Steel- or Ground-typed. Sandstorm also raises the Special Defense of all Rock-type Pokémon by 50%.
◆ Fire Fang is a physical 65-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn. 10% chance to flinch).
◆ Slack Off is a status move (heals your Hippowdon by 50% of its max hp).
◆ Crunch is a physical 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Ice Fang is a physical 65-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze. 10% chance to flinch).
◆ Earthquake is a physical STAB-boosted 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is14a1c2
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Careful (+SpD, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Moveset:
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- Substitute / Rock Slide
- Roar
Hippowdon Physical Tank (Mixed Bag)
Hippowdon is popular Physical Tank for single battles. It attempts to take a decent amount of physical hits while dealing some decent damage. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Hippowdon last longer regaining it's health points every turn. Sand Stream changes the weather to a Sandstorm when Hippowdon is sent out onto the field. This damages all Pokemon every turn while the Sandstorm remains active unless they are Rock-, Steel- or Ground-typed. Sandstorm also raises the Special Defense of all Rock-type Pokémon by 50%.
◆ Stone Edge is a physical 100-base power Rock-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Substitute is a status move (Hippowdon takes 1/4 its max hp to put in a substitute).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Roar is a status move (forces the target to switch to a random ally).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is15a1c2
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Hippowdon? These builds have been optimized for Sword/Shield Double Battles. They have movesets and EVs specifically calibrated to generally work best versus multiple Pokemon at once as well as helping to support other team members and allys in the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
IncineroarTapu FiniTogekissDragapultCelesteelaExcadrillDracovishDracozoltWhimsicottKartana
Item: Eject Pack / Choice Band
Ability: Sand Force
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 124 Hp / 252 Atk / 132 SpD
Moveset:
- Earthquake / High Horsepower
- Rock Slide / Rock Tomb
- Iron Head / Double-Edge
- Superpower / Body Press
Doubles Physical Sweeper Hippowdon (Sand Force)
Hippowdon is an interesting Physical Sweeper for double battles. It attempts to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Choice Band will increase the damage of Hippowdon's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Sand Force, Hippowdon's ground/rock/steel attacks do 1.3x in sandstorm; immunity to it. Iron Head was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Eject Pack equipped to it, if Hippowdon's stat stages are lowered, it switches to a chosen ally then the Eject Pack gets consumed.
◆ High Horsepower is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Ground-type move that deals a good amount of damage.
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Rock Tomb is a physical 60-base power Rock-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
◆ Iron Head is a physical 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Hippowdon's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Body Press is a physical 80-base power Fighting-type move (uses Hippowdon's defense stat as attack in damage calculation).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/id10a1c2
Item: Smooth Rock / Eject Pack
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 124 Hp / 252 Atk / 132 SpD
Moveset:
- Earthquake / High Horsepower
- Rock Slide
- Superpower / Body Press
- Iron Head / Double-Edge
Doubles Physical Sweeper Hippowdon (Sand Stream)
Hippowdon is a phenomenal Physical Sweeper for double battles. It is meant to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Sand Stream changes the weather to a Sandstorm when Hippowdon is sent out onto the field. This damages all Pokemon every turn while the Sandstorm remains active unless they are Rock-, Steel- or Ground-typed. Sandstorm also raises the Special Defense of all Rock-type Pokémon by 50%. Equipping Smooth Rock helps extend sandstorm weather effects this Pokemon creates from 5 turns to 8 instead. Iron Head was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Eject Pack equipped to it, if Hippowdon's stat stages are lowered, it switches to a chosen ally then the Eject Pack gets consumed.
◆ High Horsepower is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Ground-type move that deals a hefty amount of damage.
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Hippowdon's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Body Press is a physical 80-base power Fighting-type move (uses Hippowdon's defense stat as attack in damage calculation).
◆ Iron Head is a physical 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/id11a1c2
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Hippowdon learn? Here is the list of moves this Pokemon can learn in this selected generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by move type, category, accuracy, and power. Bolded moves will gain the same-type attack bonus (STAB) if this Pokemon uses them.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Hippowdon can perform in Sword/Shield. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive SS Move and Ability Combos for Hippowdon
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Yawn + Protect
- Moves: Stockpile + Spit up
- Moves: Stockpile + Swallow
- Moves: Body Press + Curse
- Moves: Body Press + Stockpile
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect
- Moves that inflict status: Yawn, Scorching Sands, Toxic
Moves that boost Hippowdon's stats
- Amnesia
- Curse
- Stockpile
Most notable and possible best moves for Hippowdon
- Body Press
- Curse
- Earthquake
- High Horsepower
- Muddy Water
- Protect
- Rest
- Rock Slide
- Scorching Sands
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Yawn
Common Effort Values for Hippowdon in Sword and Shield
- Relaxed Nature ( 252/0/172/0/84/0 )
- Relaxed Nature ( 244/4/172/0/84/0 )
- Optimize Hippowdon's EV spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Related Videos
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Here are the best movesets for Hippowdon. Top rated Hippowdon Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Hippowdon builds Sword/Shield. Hippowdon movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Hippowdon Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Hippowdon in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution