[OVERVIEW]
Hippowdon's phenomenal bulk coupled with a solid typing and access to some good support moves in Stealth Rock, Whirlwind, and Slack Off allow it to act as a really good blanket check to some common threats such as Mega Pinsir, Zygarde, Mega Mawile, and Bisharp. Its decent ability Sand Stream makes it a good Pokemon to use in sand-based archetypes, as it allows Hippowdon to support its offensive teammates by weakening opposing Pokemon and breaking Focus Sashes with the chip damage. Sand Stream can also help to reduce the effectiveness of rain teams and Mega Charizard Y. Unfortunately, Hippowdon's Ground typing makes it weak to Grass-, Water-, and Ice-type attacks, which are used by very common Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu, Greninja, and Weavile. Hippowdon is also very passive; it's easily shut down by Taunt and can become setup fodder if it doesn't pack Whirlwind.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Whirlwind
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is one of the best options on Hippowdon because of its staying power and ability to switch in on plenty of threats. Earthquake is Hippowdon's most reliable attack, as it offers good power and can hit Tapu Koko, Mega Mawile, and Nihilego hard. Slack Off provides reliable recovery for Hippowdon that, combined with its bulk, makes it hard to wear down. Whirlwind phazes foes and prevents Hippowdon from becoming setup fodder, and it works well in tandem with Stealth Rock. Stone Edge is an alternative to Whirlwind that hits the common Flying-types that would wall Hippowdon otherwise, such as Zapdos, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Charizard Y. Toxic can be used over Whirlwind to cripple Pokemon that Hippowdon can't touch and wear down opposing defensive Pokemon, such as Landorus-T, Tangrowth, Rotom-W, and Zapdos. Ice Fang is an option to deal with the likes of Salamence, Garchomp, Dragonite, Landorus-T, and Zygarde, but it comes with the drawback of having to drop either Whirlwind or Stealth Rock, which makes Hippowdon not able to perform as well as it should.
Set Details
========
An EV spread of 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD ensures Hippowdon will avoid getting 2HKOed by Life Orb Thundurus's Hidden Power Ice, Moonblast from Choice Scarf or stallbreaker Tapu Lele, Modest Magnezone's Flash Cannon, and Giga Drain from Autotomize Celesteela while having enough physical bulk to tank a Earthquake from +2 Adamant Landorus-T, Close Combat from +2 Terrakion, and Return from +2 Mega Pinsir. This spread also allows Hippowdon to avoid being OHKOed by +1 Volcarona's Fire Blast. Hippowdon can phaze Celesteela and Landorus-T or deal huge damage to other foes with Earthquake and Stone Edge. Leftovers provides Hippowdon with a source of passive recovery, which allows it to avoid being 2HKOed in some situations. Smooth Rock can also be used to maximize the duration of sand and support Excadrill more effectively. Run Sand Force if Mega Venusaur is one of Hippowdon's teammates, as Synthesis recover less when sand is present. An EV spread of 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 SpD is an option to handle physical attackers more easily while still being able to check Life Orb Tapu Koko and Life Orb Latios.
Usage Tips
========
Hippowdon can function as a catch-all check for physical attackers that don't have super effective move for it, such as Tyranitar, all-out attacker Mega Mawile, Salamence, Zygarde, and Mega Charizard X. It can also check some special attackers such as unboosted Shift Gear Magearna, Tapu Koko, and Zapdos. Due to its low Speed stat, Hippowdon will often move last, so be sure to keep it healthy with Slack Off to check opposing Pokemon. Hippowdon can switch into Mega Charizard Y to disrupt its Solar Beam and into Mega Venusaur to cripple it and reduce Synthesis recovery only if its needed. Hippowdon can set up Stealth Rock many times throughout the match, so it doesn't need to worry about opposing entry hazard removers unless Stealth Rock being set up is necessary to win. Don't let Hippowdon be burned or poisoned, as it will interfere with its ability to check threats.
Team Options
========
Excadrill is a good teammate due to Hippowdon activating its ability; Excadrill can also remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin and outspeed Pokemon that threaten Hippowdon such as Tapu Lele, Keldeo, and Kyurem-B with sand and beat them. Mega Garchomp also benefits from the sand, which boosts its Ground- and Rock-type moves. Grounded Poison-types such as Toxapex, Amoonguss, and Gengar can remove Toxic Spikes for Hippowdon, as well as being able to check Grass-type decently. Teammates that can take Ice-, Water-, and Grass-types are appreciated. Pokemon such as Toxapex, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn can decently check threats such as Ash-Greninja, Kyurem-B, and Tangrowth and set up Toxic Spikes and Spikes. Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth can handle almost any Water-type in the tier without trouble. Heatran is an effective lure for Water-types, as it can trap them with Magma Storm and beat them with Bloom Doom. It can also threaten most Grass- and Ice-types with its Fire-type STAB moves.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock Slide can be used instead of Stone Edge for more accuracy, but it doesn't ensure an OHKO on Mega Pinsir. Rocky Helmet can be used over Leftovers to punishes physical attackers, but the passive recovery is generally preferred. A specially defensive spread and a Careful nature can be used to handle special attackers such Magnezone, Gengar, Autotomize Celesteela, Latios, Magearna, and Mega Charizard Y, but Hippowdon won't be able to check physical threats well, and it's outclassed in this role by Pokemon such as Jirachi, Celesteela, Chansey and Toxapex.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Wallbreakers**: While Hippowdon has great physical bulk, its average Special Defense makes it vulnerable against special attackers such as Mega Charizard Y, Tapu Lele, Gengar, Keldeo, and Mega Alakazam despite it not being weak to their STAB moves.
**Z-Moves Users**: Strong Z-Move users such as Supersonic Skystrike Landorus-T, Devastating Drake Garchomp, and Inferno Overdrive Volcarona are the best ways to break through Hippowdon.
**Grass-types**: Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu, Tangrowth, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur can wall Hippowdon and force it out, as they tank Earthquake easily and can shrug off its common coverage moves. They can also cripple Hippowdon with a super effective STAB move.
**Water-types**: Water-types threaten Hippowdon with their super effective STAB attacks. Offensive Pokemon such as Manaphy, Greninja, and Keldeo can easily OKHO it but don't like taking a Earthquake, while more bulky Water-types such as Tapu Fini and Rotom-W don't fear Earthquake and still threaten Hippowdon.
**Ice-type Attacks**: Ice-types such as Mamoswine, Weavile, and Kyurem-B are able to either do considerable damage to Hippowdon or OHKO it with their STAB attacks, although they cannot switch safely on Earthquake and don't like switching while Stealth Rock is set up. Other Pokemon that carry Ice-type include Protean Greninja and Magearna.
**Offensive Pressure**: Excessive offensive pressure such as having it switch into U-turn repeatedly when entry hazards are present can easily wear down Hippowdon and put it in range of offensive threats such as Earth Plate Landorus-T and Swords Dance Garchomp.
**Residual Damage**: Hippowdon is easily worn down by status ailments such as burn and poison, as well as entry hazards, especially Toxic Spikes, which makes it unable check some threats effectively.
Hippowdon's phenomenal bulk coupled with a solid typing and access to some good support moves in Stealth Rock, Whirlwind, and Slack Off allow it to act as a really good blanket check to some common threats such as Mega Pinsir, Zygarde, Mega Mawile, and Bisharp. Its decent ability Sand Stream makes it a good Pokemon to use in sand-based archetypes, as it allows Hippowdon to support its offensive teammates by weakening opposing Pokemon and breaking Focus Sashes with the chip damage. Sand Stream can also help to reduce the effectiveness of rain teams and Mega Charizard Y. Unfortunately, Hippowdon's Ground typing makes it weak to Grass-, Water-, and Ice-type attacks, which are used by very common Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu, Greninja, and Weavile. Hippowdon is also very passive; it's easily shut down by Taunt and can become setup fodder if it doesn't pack Whirlwind.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Whirlwind
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is one of the best options on Hippowdon because of its staying power and ability to switch in on plenty of threats. Earthquake is Hippowdon's most reliable attack, as it offers good power and can hit Tapu Koko, Mega Mawile, and Nihilego hard. Slack Off provides reliable recovery for Hippowdon that, combined with its bulk, makes it hard to wear down. Whirlwind phazes foes and prevents Hippowdon from becoming setup fodder, and it works well in tandem with Stealth Rock. Stone Edge is an alternative to Whirlwind that hits the common Flying-types that would wall Hippowdon otherwise, such as Zapdos, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Charizard Y. Toxic can be used over Whirlwind to cripple Pokemon that Hippowdon can't touch and wear down opposing defensive Pokemon, such as Landorus-T, Tangrowth, Rotom-W, and Zapdos. Ice Fang is an option to deal with the likes of Salamence, Garchomp, Dragonite, Landorus-T, and Zygarde, but it comes with the drawback of having to drop either Whirlwind or Stealth Rock, which makes Hippowdon not able to perform as well as it should.
Set Details
========
An EV spread of 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD ensures Hippowdon will avoid getting 2HKOed by Life Orb Thundurus's Hidden Power Ice, Moonblast from Choice Scarf or stallbreaker Tapu Lele, Modest Magnezone's Flash Cannon, and Giga Drain from Autotomize Celesteela while having enough physical bulk to tank a Earthquake from +2 Adamant Landorus-T, Close Combat from +2 Terrakion, and Return from +2 Mega Pinsir. This spread also allows Hippowdon to avoid being OHKOed by +1 Volcarona's Fire Blast. Hippowdon can phaze Celesteela and Landorus-T or deal huge damage to other foes with Earthquake and Stone Edge. Leftovers provides Hippowdon with a source of passive recovery, which allows it to avoid being 2HKOed in some situations. Smooth Rock can also be used to maximize the duration of sand and support Excadrill more effectively. Run Sand Force if Mega Venusaur is one of Hippowdon's teammates, as Synthesis recover less when sand is present. An EV spread of 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 SpD is an option to handle physical attackers more easily while still being able to check Life Orb Tapu Koko and Life Orb Latios.
Usage Tips
========
Hippowdon can function as a catch-all check for physical attackers that don't have super effective move for it, such as Tyranitar, all-out attacker Mega Mawile, Salamence, Zygarde, and Mega Charizard X. It can also check some special attackers such as unboosted Shift Gear Magearna, Tapu Koko, and Zapdos. Due to its low Speed stat, Hippowdon will often move last, so be sure to keep it healthy with Slack Off to check opposing Pokemon. Hippowdon can switch into Mega Charizard Y to disrupt its Solar Beam and into Mega Venusaur to cripple it and reduce Synthesis recovery only if its needed. Hippowdon can set up Stealth Rock many times throughout the match, so it doesn't need to worry about opposing entry hazard removers unless Stealth Rock being set up is necessary to win. Don't let Hippowdon be burned or poisoned, as it will interfere with its ability to check threats.
Team Options
========
Excadrill is a good teammate due to Hippowdon activating its ability; Excadrill can also remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin and outspeed Pokemon that threaten Hippowdon such as Tapu Lele, Keldeo, and Kyurem-B with sand and beat them. Mega Garchomp also benefits from the sand, which boosts its Ground- and Rock-type moves. Grounded Poison-types such as Toxapex, Amoonguss, and Gengar can remove Toxic Spikes for Hippowdon, as well as being able to check Grass-type decently. Teammates that can take Ice-, Water-, and Grass-types are appreciated. Pokemon such as Toxapex, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn can decently check threats such as Ash-Greninja, Kyurem-B, and Tangrowth and set up Toxic Spikes and Spikes. Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth can handle almost any Water-type in the tier without trouble. Heatran is an effective lure for Water-types, as it can trap them with Magma Storm and beat them with Bloom Doom. It can also threaten most Grass- and Ice-types with its Fire-type STAB moves.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock Slide can be used instead of Stone Edge for more accuracy, but it doesn't ensure an OHKO on Mega Pinsir. Rocky Helmet can be used over Leftovers to punishes physical attackers, but the passive recovery is generally preferred. A specially defensive spread and a Careful nature can be used to handle special attackers such Magnezone, Gengar, Autotomize Celesteela, Latios, Magearna, and Mega Charizard Y, but Hippowdon won't be able to check physical threats well, and it's outclassed in this role by Pokemon such as Jirachi, Celesteela, Chansey and Toxapex.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Wallbreakers**: While Hippowdon has great physical bulk, its average Special Defense makes it vulnerable against special attackers such as Mega Charizard Y, Tapu Lele, Gengar, Keldeo, and Mega Alakazam despite it not being weak to their STAB moves.
**Z-Moves Users**: Strong Z-Move users such as Supersonic Skystrike Landorus-T, Devastating Drake Garchomp, and Inferno Overdrive Volcarona are the best ways to break through Hippowdon.
**Grass-types**: Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu, Tangrowth, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur can wall Hippowdon and force it out, as they tank Earthquake easily and can shrug off its common coverage moves. They can also cripple Hippowdon with a super effective STAB move.
**Water-types**: Water-types threaten Hippowdon with their super effective STAB attacks. Offensive Pokemon such as Manaphy, Greninja, and Keldeo can easily OKHO it but don't like taking a Earthquake, while more bulky Water-types such as Tapu Fini and Rotom-W don't fear Earthquake and still threaten Hippowdon.
**Ice-type Attacks**: Ice-types such as Mamoswine, Weavile, and Kyurem-B are able to either do considerable damage to Hippowdon or OHKO it with their STAB attacks, although they cannot switch safely on Earthquake and don't like switching while Stealth Rock is set up. Other Pokemon that carry Ice-type include Protean Greninja and Magearna.
**Offensive Pressure**: Excessive offensive pressure such as having it switch into U-turn repeatedly when entry hazards are present can easily wear down Hippowdon and put it in range of offensive threats such as Earth Plate Landorus-T and Swords Dance Garchomp.
**Residual Damage**: Hippowdon is easily worn down by status ailments such as burn and poison, as well as entry hazards, especially Toxic Spikes, which makes it unable check some threats effectively.
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