QC: Amaroq / dodmen / Kreme
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / CryoGyro
[OVERVIEW]
Hippowdon's great bulk and solid defensive typing allow it to act as a great wall, checking prominent threats such as Cobalion and Raikou. Its bulk also allows it to make good use of support options such as Stealth Rock, and it even has access to reliable recovery in Slack Off. Additionally, its Sand Stream ability can be used to support teammates and wear down the opponent's team. However, Hippowdon is held back by its low Speed, forcing it to typically take an attack before being able to do anything. It is also weak to common offensive types in Water, Grass, and Ice. Finally, being a really passive Stealth Rock user, Hippowdon is forced to rely on Whirlwind in order to not become setup fodder.
[SET]
name: Mixed Wall
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Toxic / Whirlwind
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Stream / Sand Force
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a great support move, and Hippowdon is reliable at setting it up due to its great natural bulk. Earthquake gives Hippowdon a reliable STAB move in order to not be completely passive. Slack Off is important for keeping Hippowdon from getting worn down throughout the course of the match. Toxic is used to wear down foes, especially those that Hippowdon can't do much damage to with Earthquake, such as opposing Hippowdon and Latias. Whirlwind is an option to phaze opposing setup sweepers, such as Scizor and Buzzwole, as well as racking up residual damage in conjunction with Stealth Rock and Sand Stream. However, running Whirlwind over Toxic leaves Hippowdon unable to do anything against most entry hazard removers like Latias and Mantine.
Set Details
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Leftovers provides passive recovery, which is really handy for a defensive Pokemon like Hippowdon. The given EV spread with an Impish nature allows Hippowdon to avoid getting 2HKOed by Choice Specs Raikou's Hidden Power Ice while retaining enough physical bulk to always survive a +2 All-Out Pummeling from Cobalion. A Careful nature can be run instead to better take on special attackers, such as by always surviving a Choice Specs-boosted Energy Ball from Xurkitree, though Hippowdon still goes down to Grass Knot, and by not being 2HKOed by Mega Pidgeot's Hurricane. A fully physically defensive spread is also an option to better take on threats like Terrakion and Bewear; for example, it enables Hippowdon to avoid a 2HKO from Choice Band Terrakion's Close Combat after Leftovers recovery and Choice Band Bewear's Return. Sand Stream is the preferred ability on Hippowdon to wear the opponent's team down. It's also useful for canceling out opposing weather such as Alolan Ninetales's hail and Ninetales's sun, especially since Hippowdon tends to be slower than most other weather setters. However, use Sand Force if the sand cripples your team in ways like hindering certain recovery moves, such as Synthesis on Tsareena, or teammates being particularly troubled by the residual damage.
Usage Tips
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Hippowdon mainly focuses on support in setting up Stealth Rock to chip away at the opponent's team when combined with Sand Stream and either Toxic or Whirlwind. It is able to check most physical attackers that can't hit it super effectively, so feel free to switch it into these Pokemon. Slack Off should be used often throughout the match to keep Hippowdon healthy. This is especially due to its low Speed, forcing it to usually take a hit or two before being able to fire off a move of its own. Finally, understanding Hippowdon's limits is essential; while it is a good mixed wall, it does not enjoy switching into and taking hits from strong wallbreakers such as Hydreigon and Chandelure.
Team Options
========
Hippowdon gets easily worn down by Spikes, so Pokemon that can provide entry hazard removal for it such as Forretress, Starmie, Togekiss, and Latias are appreciated as partners. Grounded Poison-types are also useful for absorbing Toxic Spikes, as Hippowdon does not like getting poisoned. Bulky Grass-types such as Amoonguss and Celebi make for good partners, as they are able to switch into the Water- and Grass-type attacks that Hippowdon is weak to with ease. Celebi is particularly good, as with Natural Cure, it takes on status moves that Hippowdon typically doesn't like taking like Toxic and Will-O-Wisp. Water-types can take on the Ice- and Water-type attacks that target Hippowdon, with examples being Suicune, Slowbro, and Mantine. Mantine also provides the much-needed entry hazard removal. However, it's worth noting that the latter two Water-types are just as susceptible to status as Hippowdon is. In return, Hippowdon can switch into any Electric-type attacks that threaten them. Clerics such as Sylveon and Togekiss support Hippowdon very well, being able to remove status, which helps a lot with its longevity. Mega Aerodactyl and Hippowdon have really good synergy, with Sand Stream giving the former a boost in Special Defense. Hippowdon also takes on the Electric- and Rock-type moves that trouble Mega Aerodactyl. Finally, Sand Rush Stoutland loves Hippowdon's sand support, turning it into a really fast and powerful physical attacker.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Stone Edge is an option to hit Pokemon that are immune to Earthquake; however, its practical use doesn't extend much beyond getting super effective damage on Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Pidgeot. It's worth noting, though, that Stone Edge has the benefit of never missing against Mega Pidgeot thanks to No Guard. Stone Edge does deal with Talonflame as well, although playing smartly with Toxic can also beat it as long as it doesn't get to +4 Attack. Fire Fang can be used to 2HKO most variants of Scizor and do decent damage to opposing Forretress. Smooth Rock is an item option if you want to support Sand Rush Stoutland better, but it's suboptimal otherwise, as it makes certain former 3HKOs on Hippowdon potential 2HKOs.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Common Grass-types such as Celebi and Mega Sceptile can easily switch into Hippowdon and force it out with their Grass-type STAB moves. Celebi doesn't mind switching into Toxic either thanks to Natural Cure.
**Water-types**: Many Water-types are able to threaten Hippowdon with their STAB moves. All of them bar Suicune have to be wary of getting worn down by Toxic, though, and frailer ones such as Primarina do not appreciate taking an Earthquake while switching in.
**Special Wallbreakers**: Hippowdon has decent mixed walling capabilities, but it's still not able to stand up to powerful hits from wallbreakers such as Hydreigon and Kyurem. They can easily 2HKO or OHKO Hippowdon.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Aside from phazing them, bulky setup sweepers can easily exploit Hippowdon's passiveness to set up on it for free. This is especially so for Pokemon like Reuniclus that don't mind taking a Toxic due to Magic Guard.
**Physical Walls**: Hippowdon can't do much to Pokemon like Gliscor aside from using Whirlwind to phaze them, as Earthquake either can't touch them or doesn't do nearly enough damage.
**Status**: Hippowdon can be worn down by Toxic with no way of getting rid of the status by itself, making it far easier for any physical attacker to break through it. Gliscor is a good example because it's not only able to poison Hippowdon, but it's also immune to Earthquake and can use Taunt on Hippowdon, preventing it from setting up Stealth Rock or using Slack Off.
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