Our next entry is the pre-evolution of the mighty Hippowdon, the sand-loving Hippopotas. This 1st Edition card from the Diamond & Pearl era set Shining Darkness is a charming and thematically vital member of the “Friends of Geopik.”
Card Details
- Pokémon Name: Hippopotas (ヒポポタス)
- Set: Shining Darkness (DP2)
- –Year: 2007
- Card Number: 054-090
- Rarity/Edition: Common (1st Edition)
- Artist: kawayoo
- National Pokédex No.: 449
Card Text & Attacks
- Type: Ground
- HP: 70
Attack 1:
- Japanese: つきとばす
- Romaji: Tsukitobasu
- English: Push Away
- Cost: [Colourless]
- Damage: 10
- Effect: Switch the Defending Pokémon with 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. Your opponent chooses the new Active Pokémon.
Attack 2:
- Japanese: がむしゃら
- Romaji: Gamushara
- English: Reckless Charge
- Cost: [Fighting][Colourless][Colourless]
- Damage: 30+
- Effect: Flip 2 coins. This attack does 30 damage plus 20 more damage for each heads.
- Weakness: Water +10
- Resistance: Electric -20
- Retreat Cost: [Colourless][Colourless]
Pokédex Entry:
- Species: カバポケモン (Kaba Pokémon) – Hippo Pokémon
- Height: 0.8m
- Weight: 49.5Kg
Collector’s Notes
This Hippopotas is a 1st Edition Common card from Shining Darkness (DP2), one of the earliest sets in the Diamond & Pearl TCG series from 2007. Its 1st Edition stamp marks it as an original from that era, providing a wonderful snapshot of a classic Ground-type Pokémon.
The artwork by kawayoo is soft and has a lovely, gentle quality. kawayoo is known for a distinctive painterly style that gives his subjects a unique texture and depth. This illustration shows Hippopotas looking curious and a little timid in a lush, green environment near the sand it loves. The contrast between the vibrant foliage and the sandy ground highlights the two parts of its world.
Hippopotas is a crucial member of the Friends of Geopik collection. As a pure Ground-type, its entire life is connected to the earth. In the Pokémon world, Hippopotas is known for covering itself in sand to protect its skin from drying out. It’s a fantastic example of a creature that has perfectly adapted to a specific geological environment—in this case, arid, sandy regions. This card represents the first stage of a life dedicated to mastering the element of sand, a key component of sedimentary geology.
