Hoppip are typically seen as a pokemon which drift on the wind without a care in the world, allowing it to take them wherever it may. The truth is not so kind; Hoppip drift because they have no choice, being too light to resist or even to steer themselves, and far too often meet with an early grave when blown out to sea. And although Hoppip may lack the roots of other grass pokemon, they form families and befriend one another and develop metaphorical attachments all the same, only to lose everything to a strong breeze or gale.
There are two ways for Hoppip to resist the terrifying pull of the wind. The first is through evolution, for Skiploom and Jumpfluff are more able to steer themselves, more able to ride currents instead of being tossed by them. Hoppip, however, are not powerful pokemon, and evolution must come after a long journey. The second is called combination, or also the Hoppip cloud. In order to avoid being blown away, groups of Hoppip cluster by linking leaves together, and are able to slow what would otherwise be a long and devastating journey. The wind still picks them up, however, and the vast, slowly steered cloud breaks through power lines and tree branches, only stopping when it collides with a building, tree, or other object large enough to stop them. At this point, the Hoppip cloud disperses in chaos, often breaking windows or clogging up air vents, or at times simply hitting people in the face.
Although the damage they cause is more mild annoyance than natural disaster, many Hoppip still refuse to join these clouds. This is an excuse, however, for there are always those who will make any argument to avoid being tied down too closely to the boring and familiar.
