Piplup (Pokémon)

← #392: Infernape	Pokémon	#394: Prinplup →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Piplup (disambiguation).

Piplup ポッチャマ Pochama #393
Art by Ken Sugimori from Platinum
Type Water ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Penguin Pokémon
Abilities Torrent ----- Blue-Striped ----- Competitiveness Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,059,860
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #— Johto — Hoenn — Sinnoh #007 Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R-206 Oblivia R-083 N-001
Height 1'04" Imperial 0.4 m Metric 1'04"/0.4 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 11.5 lbs. Imperial 5.2 kg Metric 11.5 lbs./5.2 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Blue	Catch rate 45 (5.9%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 87.5% male, 12.5% female
Breeding Water 1 and Ground groups 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 1 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 66 Battle Exp.: 661*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Piplup (Japanese: ポッチャマ Pochama) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

It evolves into Prinplup starting at level 16, who evolves into Empoleon starting at level 36.

Along with Turtwig and Chimchar, it is one of the three starter Pokémon the player can choose at the beginning of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.

Biology

Physiology

Piplup bears semblance to a penguin chick. It has yellow feet and a light-blue body. There are two white spots on its chest that seem to resemble buttons on a suit. It also appears to have a blue cape. It has a circular, blue head with white circles around its eyes and a small, yellow beak. The light blue mark between its eyes above the beak resembles a small crown.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Piplup mainly know how to use Water attacks such as Bubble, but they can also learn pecking moves.

Behavior

Piplup have a large sense of self-pride. Because of this, a Piplup has a hard time accepting food from humans, and don't like it when someone tries to help them. Piplup is a poor walker, and often falls down. Its pride, however, makes it puff up its chest without a care. It is a skilled swimmer, diving for over ten minutes to hunt. In the anime, it can sometimes fly short distances, despite penguins not being able to fly.

Habitat

Piplup live along the sea shore in colder climates. However, Piplup are quite rare and they're usually given out by Professor Rowan to new Pokémon Trainers in the Sinnoh region.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Piplup dives for over ten minutes to hunt, presumably fish like its 'real-world' basis, the penguin.

In the anime

Piplup in the anime

Dawn began her journey in Sinnoh with a Piplup. In Following A Maiden's Voyage!, Piplup and the starter Chimchar got into a fight over their food, with Piplup causing chaos by using BubbleBeam on the interior of Professor Rowan's lab in pursuit of Chimchar. The two escape, and Dawn is given the task of finding them. She finds Piplup, and the two narrowly escape an Ariados attack. Back at Rowan's lab, Chimchar having been found by Rowan's Staraptor, Dawn chooses Piplup.

As the Diamond & Pearl series continued, Dawn kept Piplup out of its Poké Ball more and more often, much like Ash does with his Pikachu.

Kenny and Barry also both had a Piplup at one point, which evolved into a Prinplup and a Empoleon respectively before their first appearances.

Tyler, a rookie Trainer that appears in The Thief That Keeps on Thieving!, has a Piplup which appears to be female. He uses it to try capturing a Yanma.

A Piplup, who used to be a human, is also one of the two main members of Team Poképals in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP003 Piplup Ash's Pokédex Piplup, the Penguin Pokémon. It's very proud, and its thick down protects it from the cold. DP143 Piplup Lyra's Pokédex Piplup, the Penguin Pokémon. Although not the most sure-footed, it is proud nonetheless, getting right back up after a fall with head held high.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Much like her anime counterpart, Platinum of Pokémon Adventures began her journey with a Piplup. Unlike Dawn's, however, it eventually evolved into a Prinplup, and later, into an Empoleon.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

Hareta randomly selects Piplup to battle the enraged Onix in the first chapter. After their first encounter with Onix, Hareta chooses Piplup as his first Pokémon. Piplup is originally disobedient to Hareta, but listens to him in order to defeat the Onix in their second battle.

In the TCG

Main article: Piplup (TCG)

Other appearances

Piplup in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

On being released from a Poké Ball, Piplup slides along the stage using Surf. Anyone caught in it will be pushed until Piplup disappears, or pushes the character off the stage. Piplup will keep using Surf even when off the stage.

Game data

NPC appearances

• In PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure Piplup is one of Pikachu's best friends. He is found keeping a trapped Wynaut company in the Beach Zone after falling through the mysterious tunnel. Once the Wynaut is safe, he takes a Pikachu shaped hot air balloon back to the Meeting Place where he mends it. He later accompanies Pikachu to the Sky Pavilion along with Chikorita and Charmander where he meets Mew.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation I Red {{{redbluedex}}} Blue Yellow {{{yellowdex}}} Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II Gold {{{golddex}}} Silver {{{silverdex}}} Crystal {{{crystaldex}}} Stadium 2 Unknown
Generation III Ruby {{{rubydex}}} Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald {{{emeralddex}}} FireRed {{{firereddex}}} LeafGreen {{{leafgreendex}}}
Generation IV Diamond Because it is very proud, it hates accepting food from people. Its thick down guards it from cold. Pearl It lives along shores in northern countries. A skilled swimmer, it dives for over 10 minutes to hunt. Platinum A poor walker, it often falls down. However, its strong pride makes it puff up its chest without a care. HeartGold It doesn't like to be taken care of. It's difficult to bond with since it won't listen to its Trainer. SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black あるくのは　にがてで　こけたりするが　ポッチャマの　プライドは　たかく　きにせず　どうどうと　むねを　はる。 White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation I Red Blue None Trade Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Trade
Generation II Gold Silver None Trade Crystal None Trade
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen None Trade Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl One Starter Pokémon from Professor Rowan's briefcase near Lake Verity Platinum One Starter Pokémon from Professor Rowan's briefcase on Route 201 HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park None Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Starter Pokémon Blizzard Island (1F-20F) Crevice Cave (B1-B10) Lower Crevice Cave (B1-B4) Mt. Avalanche (B1-B19)
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia	Hia Valley
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs	Hinder Cape
Pokémon Rumble	Bright Beach
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure	Beach Zone, Meeting Place *

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 53		113 - 160	216 - 310
Attack: 51		50 - 113	96 - 221
Defense: 53		52 - 115	99 - 225
Sp. Atk: 61		59 - 124	114 - 243
Sp. Def: 56		54 - 118	105 - 232
Speed: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Total: 314	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 4/5 ★★★★☆	Power 3/4 ★★★☆
Skill 2/3 ★★☆	Stamina 2/3 ★★☆
Jump 3/5 ★★★☆☆	Total 14/20 ★★☆☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Pound Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35 044 Growl Normal Status 0000— 100100% 40 088 Bubble Water Special 02020 100100% 30 1111 Water Sport Water Status 0000— ——% 15 1515 Peck Flying Physical 03535 100100% 35 1818 BubbleBeam Water Special 06565 100100% 20 2222 Bide Normal Physical 0000— ——% 10 2525 Fury Attack Normal Physical 01515 08585% 20 2929 Brine Water Special 06565 100100% 10 3232 Whirlpool Water Special 03535 08585% 15 3636 Mist Ice Status 0000— ——% 30 3939 Drill Peck Flying Physical 08080 100100% 20 4343 Hydro Pump Water Special 120120 08080% 5

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Piplup Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Piplup Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM07	Hail	Ice	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM13	Ice Beam	Ice	Special	09595	100}}100%	10
	TM14	Blizzard	Ice	Special	120120	070}}70%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM28	Dig	Ground	Physical	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM31	Brick Break	Fighting	Physical	07575	100}}100%	15
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM39	Rock Tomb	Rock	Physical	05050	080}}80%	10
	TM40	Aerial Ace	Flying	Physical	06060	—}}—%	20
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM48	Canon	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM49	Echo Voice	Normal	Special	04040	100}}100%	15
	TM55	Boiling Water	Water	Special	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM56	Fling	Dark	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	10
	TM60	Postpone	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM86	Grass Knot	Grass	Special	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM88	Pluck	Flying	Physical	06060	100}}100%	20
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	HM01	Cut	Normal	Physical	05050	095}}95%	30
	HM03	Surf	Water	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	HM05	Waterfall	Water	Physical	08080	100}}100%	15
	HM06	Dive	Water	Physical	08080	100}}100%	10
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Piplup Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Piplup Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	Agility	Psychic	Status	—	—%	30
	Aqua Ring	Water	Status	—	—%	20
	Bide	Normal	Physical	—	—%	10
	Double Hit	Normal	Physical	35	90%	10
	FeatherDance	Flying	Status	—	100%	15
	Flail	Normal	Physical	—	100%	15
	Hydro Pump	Water	Special	120	80%	5
	Icy Wind	Ice	Special	55	95%	15
	Mud-Slap	Ground	Special	20	100%	10
	Mud Sport	Ground	Status	—	—%	15
	Snore	Normal	Special	40	100%	15
	Supersonic	Normal	Status	—	55%	20
	Yawn	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Piplup in Generation V Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Piplup in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Piplup Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Piplup Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game				Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
B	W	B2	W2	Water Oath	Water	Special	50	100%	10
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Piplup can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Piplup cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Piplup Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Piplup Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!  N/A  Not available
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 0% Friend Area: Beau Plains Phrases 51%-100% HP My HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP My HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP My HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up. Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: F
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Water  Poké Assist: ( Water ) Field move: None Browser entry   It spits water to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Water  ( Water ) Past ( Normal ) (Soak ×1) Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   It attacks by spitting bubbles that make Pokémon Slowed.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: Piplup is your best friend. He followed you through the Mysterious Tunnel. He landed in the Beach Zone. He wishes he could fly.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved Piplup  Water

Level 16 →

First Evolution Prinplup  Water

Level 36 →

Second Evolution Empoleon  Water  Steel

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation II.
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation III.
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Piplup images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Piplup is the only Water-type starter Pokémon that cannot learn Water Gun.
• Piplup is the second starter Pokémon based on a bird, the first being Torchic. Coincidentally, neither evolve into a Template:Type2, as both are based on flightless birds.
  • Although Piplup and Torchic are clearly based on birds, they are not in the Flying egg group. They share this trait with Delibird.
    • Coincidentally, Piplup and Delibird are both based on penguins.
• Piplup is the most selected Sinnoh starter in the anime. It has been the starter of Dawn, Kenny, and Tyler.
• Piplup and its evolution family are the only Pokémon that learn Drill Peck that are not part Template:Type2.
  • They are also the only ones that were not introduced in Generation I to learn Drill Peck by level up.

Origin

Piplup is based on a baby penguin or a Blue penguin. However, the light blue crown-shaped marking above it's beak may refer to an Emperor Penguin, or a baby Emperor Penguin.

Name origin

Piplup may be derived from "Pip", a stage of growth in baby birds immediately before they hatch from the eggshell, and possibly "plop" or "plup", the sound of hitting the water or 'plip plop', the sound of falling rain in puddles. Pochama may be derived from 坊っちゃま botchama, meaning child, with the P perhaps coming from penguin. It may also be based on ぽちゃぽちゃ pochapocha, which means either splashing in water or having a plump appearance. Alternatively, it may be derived from おぼっちゃま obotchama, a term that refers to children with wealthy parents.

In other languages

• German: Plinfa - From plip (the sound of something small hitting a water surface) and infant.
• French: Tiplouf - From petit (little) and plouf (the sound of something falling into the water).
• Korean: 팽도리 Paengdori
• Chinese (Taiwan): 波加曼 Bō Jiā Màn - Transliteration of its Japanese name. 波 also means wave.

Related articles

• Dawn's Piplup
• Platinum's Piplup

External links

• Piplup on the Super Smash Bros. Dojo

Notes

First partner trios

Kanto

Bulbasaur

Charmander

Squirtle

Johto

Chikorita

Cyndaquil

Totodile

Hoenn

Treecko

Torchic

Mudkip

Sinnoh

Turtwig

Chimchar

Piplup

Unova

Snivy

Tepig

Oshawott

Kalos

Chespin

Fennekin

Froakie

Alola

Rowlet

Litten

Popplio

Galar

Grookey

Scorbunny

Sobble

Paldea

Sprigatito

Fuecoco

Quaxly

See also: List of the player's first Pokémon • Pikachu (Yellow) • Partner Pokémon (LGPE) • Hisui first partner Pokémon

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Pokémon

#394: Prinplup →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.