Introduced in generation two, with the Pokemon Gold and Silver games, Hitmontop is a monotype fighting Pokemon. It is one of the final evolutions of Tyrogue and will evolve upon fulfilling certain special conditions. Hitmontop is classified as the “Handstand Pokemon” which might be a nod to its fighting style. This guide will showcase Hitmontop’s capabilities in battle, its appearances in the anime, as well as other general facts about Hitmontop.
About Hitmontop
As a generation two Pokemon, Hitmontop first appeared in the original series in the episode Two Hits and a Miss. It is also unique as it was introduced in conjunction with its pre-evolution, connecting both Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan into the same evolution line. In order for Tyrogue to evolve into Hitmontop, you will need your Tyrogue to evolve with equal attack and defense stats. The Pokedex states that Hitmontop is faster on its head than on its legs and offers a unique blend of offensive and defensive capabilities.
| First appearance in anime | Pokemon the Original Series Two Hits and a Miss |
| First appearance in game | Pokemon Gold and Silver |
| Region | Johto |
| Evolution | One of Tyrogue’s final evolutions |
| 1st Evo level | 20, when Tyrogue’s attack and defense stats are equal |
| 2nd Evo level | N/A |
| Pokedex Entry | Hitmontop spins on its head at high speeds, all the while delivering kicks. This technique is a remarkable mix of both offense and defense at the same time. The Pokémon travels faster spinning than it does walking. |
Hitmontop Base Stats
| HP | 50 |
| ATTACK | 95 |
| DEFENCE | 95 |
| SP. ATTACK | 35 |
| SP. DEFENCE | 110 |
| SPEED | 70 |
| TOTAL | 455 |
Appearance
Hitmontop is a bipedal, somewhat humanoid Pokemon that has a single spike on top of its head which it uses to spin while throwing out kicks. It has brown skin and what appears to be a wrestler’s jersey on its body in blue. Its tail also has a pointed spike at the end while both of its arms end in hands with no digits. Its has large blue feet with claws both on the front and back, with it a fairly average sized Pokemon at 4 feet and 7 inches, or 1.4 meters, tall.
Behavior
To go in line with Tyrogue’s evolution conditions, Hitmontop is supposed to represent a balance of offensive and defensive qualities. While spinning on its head, it is difficult to hit while it can launch lightning fast kicks. It is also faster while it is spinning on its head rather than walking, which implies that it prefers spinning to standing. It was only recently that Hitmontop’s idle animation was changed from sitting on its spike to standing on its legs.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Hitmontop has a surprising amount of defensive stats but unfortunately, it does not have a high enough health pool to support it. While its physical attack is respectable, its speed stat leaves a lot to be desired and thus it can be difficult to utilize Hitmontop’s stat distribution. As a fighting type, Hitmontop is 2x weak to flying, psychic, and fairy type moves. It is immune to no types, but is resistant to rock, bug, and dark type moves.
Best Moveset
Hitmontop managed to reach the middle of competitive brackets upon its introduction. It remained there for a couple of generations, but has recently plummeted to the bottom. In order to succeed with Hitmontop, you will want to utilize a defensive line-up. Use a Leftovers, as a held item, to supplant its weak health pool and consider running Rapid Spin, Close Combat, Foresight, and Toxic. Rapid Spin can remove many problematic hazards from your side of the field, Close Combat benefits from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), Foresight can help you cover ghost type Pokemon, and Toxic can give you inevitability in an extended battle.
| Rapid Spin | Close Combat |
| Foresight | Toxic |
How to Catch Hitmontop in Pokemon Go
If you would like to obtain a Hitmontop in Pokemon Go, the easiest way would be to find one in a tier two raid in Pokemon Gyms. While Tyrogue is the base evolution, it is fairly rare to encounter in the wild. You can try hatching a Tyrogue from 5 km eggs, but you will need to keep a close eye on its IVs. If its highest stat is not health, then it won’t evolve into Hitmontop. You will need 25 candies and for Tyrogue’s highest stat to be in health for it to evolve into Hitmontop. Therefore, it is much simpler to find a Hitmontop from tier two gym raids.
Trivia
- Despite the other final evolutions referencing famous people, Hitmontop does not reference any celebrity.
- The design for Hitmontop is based on a spinning top as well as the style of dance/acrobatics:Capoeira.
- The name Hitmontop is a combination of the words hit, monster, and top.
Video
FAQ
How do I get Tyrogue to evolve into Hitmontop?
If you are playing in the mainline games, you will need your Tyrogue’s attack and defense stats to match. You will need to pay special attention to the EVs of your opponents to ensure you get the evolution you want. You can also change these stats one at a time through use of proteins or irons. If you are playing Pokemon Go, you will need to ensure that your Tyrogue has its highest stat as health.
What is the easiest way to get Hitmontop?
In almost every instance of the mainline games, you will need to evolve your Tyrogue. Keep an eye on its stats and make sure that its physical attack and defense are identical before it reaches level 20. Once it does, make sure that the stat gains from hitting level 20 are identical for attack and defense. In Pokemon Go, it is easiest to find a tier two raid featuring Hitmontop.
What is 237 in the Pokedex?
Hitmontop is the 237th Pokemon in the Pokedex. The Pokedex will label every Pokemon with a number typically sequentially with its evolutions. However, Pokemon that were released in a prior generation will gain priority over sequential order with evolutions. Therefore, you can use this number to remind yourself which generation a Pokemon was released in.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you now know just about everything there is to know about this “Handstand Pokemon”. While Hitmontop’s relevance in competitive play is short-lived, it is still a unique Pokemon that was introduced. Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan were standalone Pokemon prior to generation two, but the introduction of Hitmontop and Tyrogue showcased one of the most unique evolution lines in the franchise. Reserve a slot on your team for Hitmontop to have a reliable defensive Pokemon on your team.
