Hippopotas
[Overview]
<p>As the only Pokemon in the UU tier that has access to the Sand Stream ability, Hippopotas fills an important role. With Sand Stream, it is capable of setting up permanent sandstorm, which many Pokemon benefit from, from Rock-types to Pokemon with certain abilities. Hippopotas also received a gift in the form of Eviolite in BW, which boosts its Defense to massive levels while also giving it a respectable Special Defense stat. While its main job is to set up a permanent sandstorm, Hippopotas can also support its team ably with its bulk and access to support moves such as Stealth Rock, Toxic, Roar, and Yawn, as well as a reliable recovery move in Slack Off. However, Hippopotas is completely shut down by Taunt, as its minuscule Attack stat prevents it from dealing any significant damage, even with STAB Earthquake. Its Ground typing also hands it weaknesses to common Water-, Grass-, and Ice-type attacks, which are often special. These flaws won't stop Hippopotas from doing its main job though, which is that of setting up permanent sandstorm.</p>
[SET]
name: UU Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Toxic / Roar
move 4: Earthquake
item: Eviolite
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>As stated before, Hippopotas's main job is to get permanent sandstorm up, so it's best to lead with it. Stealth Rock gives Hippopotas something to do in the first turn, supporting its team with an entry hazard. Slack Off keeps Hippopotas healthy, should it be needed again during the battle; for example, if the sandstorm disappears, you can be sure to bring it back later in the match. Toxic and Roar give Hippopotas more options with which to support its teammates. The former spreads status, making it harder for the opponent to switch a counter in unless they have a cleric waiting in the ranks. Roar, however, helps in getting rid of the opponent's stat boosts and racking up hazard damage; it is the better choice for offensive teams, as it keeps you from losing momentum, while stall-oriented teams appreciate Toxic more. Earthquake gives Hippopoats a means of attacking, should it fall prey to Taunt.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Bulldoze is a usable move over Earthquake for Hippopotas to support its team even more by lowering the opponent's Speed stat. Yawn works in a similar way to Roar, as it can force switches. With the above EVs, an Impish nature, and the Eviolite, Hippopotas also has stats that are similar to Hippowdon with the same EVs and nature (340 HP / 420 Def / 182 SpD vs. 420 HP / 368 Def / 181 SpD).</p>
<p>Of course, teammates that benefit from sandstorm are ideal. Stoutland benefits from sandstorm thanks to its Sand Rush ability, which doubles its Speed stat. Cacturne loves playing in sandstorm too, as it can abuse the evasion boosts it gets from its Sand Veil ability. Rock-types such as Omastar, Regirock, Cradily, and Rhyperior also benefit from sandstorm, as it will raise their Special Defense. If you feel your team needs Toxic Spikes support, Nidoqueen makes an excellent choice, as she is immune to sandstorm. Omastar can also set up Toxic Spikes, as well as Spikes. Also, if Wish and cleric support in terms of Aromatherapy is needed, Clefable makes a better choice than Chansey, as Magic Guard protects it from sandstorm damage.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Crunch hits Celebi, and other Grass-types for that matter, harder than Earthquake, but Hippopotas's Attack stat isn't high enough to do any sigificant damage. The only exceptions are Roserade and the rare Ferroseed and Cradily, who are neutral to Earthquake. Rock Slide can hit Flying-types that are immune to Earthquake harder than Crunch. Whirlwind is an option over Roar if you are afraid of Soundproof Pokemon, but it is illegal with Stealth Rock. Stockpile and Curse are options to boost Hippopotas's defenses, and the latter boosts its Attack as well, adding more sting to its attacks, but its tiny offensive movepool makes this a terrible choice. Hippopotas also got access to Rest and Sleep Talk for instant recovery, but it must sacrifice one useful move.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Suicune takes little damage from Hippopotas's moves, shrugs off Toxic with Rest, and hits back with super effective Water-type moves. Though it will need to watch out for Toxic,Abomasnow resists Earthquake, eliminates sandstorm with permanent hail, and hits Hippopotas hard with super effective STAB moves. Celebi checks Hippopotas very well, too, as it resists Earthquake, doesn't bother about Toxic thanks to Natural Cure, and wrecks Hippopotas with its STAB Grass-type moves. Slowbro and Gorebyss laugh at all of Hipopotas's attacks, and can put it in its place with their STAB attacks, while hitting hard with Scald. Xatu completely walls Hippopotas thanks to its Magic Bounce ability and immunity to Ground-type moves. Hippopotas is also setup bait for walls and Pokemon which set up entry hazards, such as Mew, Deoxys-D, Blastoise, and Roserade. These Pokemon can shut Hippopotas with Taunt, cripple it with status, or set up entry hazards all day long, while it can't do much back. Toxic using Hippopotas can be a nuisance for the aforementioned Pokemon, but they will get their job done. If Hippopotas lacks Roar, setup sweepers such as Azelf, Mismagius, Venomoth, and Raikou will set up on Hippopotas with impunity.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Hippopotas gets Sand Force as its Dream World ability. While Sand Force isn't a bad ability by itself, it doesn't help Hippopotas in the slightest. Hippopotas's main job is to set up permanent sandstorm, not to take advantage of it itself, as no other Pokemon is capable of this in the tier.</p>
