How to Evolve Lillipup

Lillipup follows a straightforward, two-stage evolution line based entirely on leveling up. It evolves into Herdier at level 16. To reach its final stage, Stoutland, Herdier must reach level 32. Neither evolution requires an Evolution Stone, trading, or specific time-of-day mechanics.

Lillipup belongs to the Medium Slow experience group. Reaching level 16 requires exactly 3,375 EXP points, which usually occurs before challenging the second gym in most playthroughs. Pushing Herdier to level 32 for Stoutland requires 34,952 EXP points.

Players can accelerate this process by battling higher-level opponents using the Exp. Share or by feeding the Pokémon Rare Candies. Delaying evolution past level 16 by pressing 'B' allows Lillipup to learn moves like Crunch at level 24, slightly earlier than Herdier (level 29), but sacrifices immediate base stat gains.

Stoutland earns a 6.5/10 in competitive formats, functioning primarily as a Sand Rush sweeper or a bulky Intimidate pivot in lower tiers (PU/NU). When a Sandstorm is active, Sand Rush doubles Stoutland's base 80 Speed. An Adamant nature with 252 Speed EVs reaches 259 Speed, which doubles to 518 under Sandstorm, outpacing base 100 Speed Choice Scarf users like Flygon or Victini.

As a wallbreaker, Stoutland relies on its base 110 Attack paired with a Choice Band. While Excadrill usually dominates the Sand Rush role in higher tiers due to its superior Steel/Ground typing and access to Swords Dance, Stoutland carves a niche by firing off massive Normal-type STAB attacks. Double-Edge hits with 180 Base Power after STAB, applying immense pressure to any target lacking a Rock, Steel, or Ghost typing.

However, pure Normal typing provides zero defensive resistances and only one immunity (Ghost). This leaves Stoutland vulnerable to common priority moves like Mach Punch, which bypasses its Sand Rush speed advantage. Pokedex.me is an unofficial fan-site, but competitive usage data confirms Stoutland requires heavy team support to function effectively against modern defensive cores.

Running Stoutland requires understanding its specific mechanical advantages and limitations. Its utility heavily depends on its ability slot and the surrounding team composition.

• Pro: Intimidate Utility. If Lillipup has Vital Spirit, it gains Intimidate upon evolving into Herdier. This drops the opponent's Attack by one stage on switch-in, creating setup opportunities or forcing switches against physical attackers.
• Pro: High Base Power STAB. Return (102 BP at maximum happiness) offers consistent, recoil-free damage, while Double-Edge secures OHKOs on neutral targets at the cost of 33% recoil damage.
• Con: Predictable Coverage. Ghost-types completely wall its primary STAB. Stoutland must lock itself into Crunch to hit them, giving the opponent a free turn to pivot into a Dark-resistant wall.
• Con: Over-reliance on Weather. Without Sandstorm active, base 80 Speed leaves Stoutland outsped by the majority of offensive threats in the metagame, severely limiting its sweeping potential.

For a Sand Rush sweeper build, an Adamant nature (+Attack, -Special Attack) is strictly optimal. Jolly (+Speed, -Special Attack) is generally unnecessary, as Sand Rush already pushes Stoutland's Speed far beyond the unboosted metagame. The standard EV spread is 252 Attack, 252 Speed, and 4 Defense.

Choice Band is the mandatory held item for this set to maximize wallbreaking power. If locking into a single move is too detrimental for your team composition, a Silk Scarf or Life Orb serves as a viable alternative. Life Orb boosts all coverage moves by 30%, but combining Life Orb recoil (10%) with Double-Edge recoil and potential Sandstorm chip damage (if Stoutland loses Sand Rush to an ability-changing move) will drain its HP rapidly.

For an Intimidate pivot build, a Careful nature (+Special Defense, -Special Attack) with 252 HP and 252 Special Defense EVs maximizes its mixed bulk. This allows Stoutland to sponge special hits while Intimidate artificially bolsters its physical defense.

Stoutland's movepool is shallow but contains the exact tools needed for its role. Return and Double-Edge act as the mandatory STAB options. Superpower provides crucial 120 BP coverage against the Rock and Steel types that resist Normal attacks, though it drops Stoutland's Attack and Defense by one stage after use.

Crunch is necessary to hit Ghost-types like Jellicent or Cofagrigus. Play Rough offers a 90 BP option against Fighting and Dark types, with a 10% chance to lower the target's Attack. On defensive sets, Yawn forces switches by threatening sleep, while Roar phases out opposing setup sweepers that try to use Stoutland as setup fodder.

Damage calculations highlight Stoutland's raw power: a Choice Band Adamant Double-Edge guarantees a 2HKO on physically defensive Skarmory after Stealth Rock damage. However, the recoil taken from attacking such high-HP targets limits Stoutland to three or four attacks per match before fainting.

In standard playthroughs of Generation 5 and beyond, capturing a Lillipup early provides immense utility outside of combat. Lillipup possesses the Pickup ability, which gives it a 10% chance to generate an item after winning a battle, even if it did not participate.

At levels 1-10, Lillipup can find Potions and Antidotes. If kept unevolved until level 21, its Pickup table upgrades, allowing it to find Rare Candies and Sun Stones. Players often catch a team of multiple Lillipup specifically to farm these items while grinding other party members.

Once Lillipup evolves into Herdier, Pickup is permanently replaced by Intimidate or Sand Rush. While you lose the item farming capability, gaining Intimidate before the second gym trivializes early-game physical attackers, effectively nullifying threats like Lenora's Watchog in Black and White.

Stoutland cannot function independently in competitive environments. Sand Rush variants require a dedicated Sand Stream setter. Tyranitar and Hippowdon are the premier choices, automatically summoning a Sandstorm for 5 turns (or 8 with a Smooth Rock) upon entering the field.

Entry hazard support is non-negotiable. Stealth Rock and Spikes, provided by teammates like Skarmory, Ferrothorn, or Garchomp, break Focus Sashes and Sturdy abilities. This chip damage puts bulky targets into range of Stoutland's Choice Band STAB attacks.

Because Stoutland invites Fighting-type attacks, pairing it with a Ghost-type teammate is highly recommended. Gengar, Dragapult, or Skeledirge can switch into predicted Close Combats or Mach Punches with impunity, absorbing the hit and gaining momentum for the team.