[Overview]
<p>As weather plays a dominant role in the Little Cup metagame, weather-starters like Hippopotas are extremely important, as they are able to both set up the field for a teammate to sweep and prevent an opponent from sweeping. Being the only Pokemon in Little Cup to automatically start sandstorm, Hippopotas plays a crucial role in the metagame, balancing other forms of weather while simultaneously assisting Pokemon like Drilbur in sweeping. Aside from providing sandstorm support, Hippopotas is also capable of many other things such as providing Stealth Rock support as well as becoming a notable defensive threat by utilizing moves such as Toxic, Protect, Slack Off, and Roar.</p>
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Crunch / Rock Slide
move 4: Slack Off / Roar
nature: Impish
item: Evolite
evs: 132 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 100 SpD / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Just like in DPP, Hippopotas will continue to be a "Staple Lead" for any Little Cup team revolving around the effects of sandstorm. Hippopotas is also able to provide Stealth Rock support, thus making it a more useful lead. Earthquake is used mainly because it provides Hippopotas with a strong and reliable STAB attack, while Crunch and/or Rock Slide can be used for coverage purposes. However, aside from these attacking options, there are few other moves that also work nicely on this set. Slack Off can be used to increase Hippopotas's longevity in a battle, while Roar can be used to deal with troublesome match-ups or to simply scout the opponent's team and deal a bit of residual damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>An Impish nature combined with the given EVs maximizes Hippopotas's defensive prowess while also supplementing its rather average offensive power. Evolite is recommended on this particular set as it helps Hippopotas survive for a much longer period of time in a battle, and restart sandstorm or lay down Stealth Rock. Roar is an exceptional move which can be used on the set to deal with unfavorable match-ups or in conjunction with additional entry hazards provided by Pokemon such as Ferroseed. Alternatively, Leftovers can be used for similar reasons, although Leftovers will only be useful if you have opted not to use Slack Off on the set. Lastly, Protect is an option with Leftovers, as it will allow Hippopotas to heal off some damage while potentially racking up more passive damage on the opponent.</p>
<p>Being the only Pokemon in Little Cup which can start sandstorm automatically, Hippopotas can be a valuable asset to many sandstorm-orientated sweepers, one of the more notable ones being Drilbur. Also, as it can provide Stealth Rock support, non-sandstorm sweepers like Totodile and Dratini are also great teammates for the baby sand-hippo. Also, packing Pokemon on your team which can handle Chinchou and Mantyke would go a long way in keeping Hippopotas healthy throughout a battle, as they can easily take down Hippopotas with their STAB, super effective attacks. Lileep is a prime example of this, being immune to their Water-type attacks courtesy of Storm Drain and can tank special attacks all day long with its sky-high Special Defense and a sandstorm boost.</p>
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Toxic
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stealth Rock / Protect / Roar
nature: Impish
item: Evolite
evs: 212 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 20 SpD / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set attempts to use Hippopotas's physical bulk to try and "stall-out" opponents through a combination of Toxic and Slack Off, slowly wearing them down. Earthquake is used on this set as an attacking option as it helps Hippopotas to defeat Pokemon already weakened without having to stall them out with Slack Off. Stealth Rock gives this set a supporting aspect. In addition to helping Hippopotas weaken opponents' Pokemon, it also assists Hippopotas's teammates when they are attempting a sweep. However, Protect can be used to enhance the stalling strategy associated with this set, while Roar can be used in conjunction with entry hazard support to rack up damage additional damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread and nature maximize Hippopotas's defensive capabilities while slightly increasing Hippopotas's power. Evolite is highly recommended as it increases its durability and longevity in a battle, making it more effective in slowly wearing down an opponent. Pokemon such as Ferroseed make excellent partners for Hippopotas as the entry hazards they provide are invaluable, hastening the process of stalling an opponent’s Pokemon. Also, as with the Lead set, Grass- or Water-type Pokemon are huge problems for Hippopotas as they are able to land STAB, super effective attacks on Hippopotas's weaker Special Defense.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>If necessary, more EVs can be invested into Special Defense, although even with maximum Special Defense, Hippopotas will still have trouble with the likes of Frillish and Chinchou. Aside from the recommended sets, Hippopotas doesn't have many other options. Offensively or defensively orientated, a Curse set can be used, but is not recommended as even with boosts from Curse, Hippopotas's Special Defense will remain static, meaning it will still be easily exploited by special attackers. A Choice Band set can be used to some success, but due to Hippopotas's meager offensive stats, Choice Band Hippopotas will almost always find itself being outclassed. In terms of other moves Hippopotas can use, Superpower can be used to deal with Ferroseed, expecting to set up free layers of entry hazards on Hippopotas.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Water- or Grass-types are the best possible switch-ins to Hippopotas, since they can hit Hippopotas super effectively on its weaker Special Defense with their STAB attacks. Lileep is one of the best possible switch-ins to Hippopotas, as it is not 3HKOed by Earthquake and only fears Toxic. It can also hit back with its STAB Energy Ball and Recover off any damage. Ferroseed is in the same boat as Lileep, but trades a boost to Special Defense for an immunity to Toxic. Water-types such as Slowpoke and Frillish are also great checks to Hippopotas, as they do not take too much damage from Crunch and have the chance to burn Hippopotas with Scald. Toxic is another strong option to deal with Hippopotas, as its staying power is severly limited.</p>
<p>As weather plays a dominant role in the Little Cup metagame, weather-starters like Hippopotas are extremely important, as they are able to both set up the field for a teammate to sweep and prevent an opponent from sweeping. Being the only Pokemon in Little Cup to automatically start sandstorm, Hippopotas plays a crucial role in the metagame, balancing other forms of weather while simultaneously assisting Pokemon like Drilbur in sweeping. Aside from providing sandstorm support, Hippopotas is also capable of many other things such as providing Stealth Rock support as well as becoming a notable defensive threat by utilizing moves such as Toxic, Protect, Slack Off, and Roar.</p>
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Crunch / Rock Slide
move 4: Slack Off / Roar
nature: Impish
item: Evolite
evs: 132 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 100 SpD / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Just like in DPP, Hippopotas will continue to be a "Staple Lead" for any Little Cup team revolving around the effects of sandstorm. Hippopotas is also able to provide Stealth Rock support, thus making it a more useful lead. Earthquake is used mainly because it provides Hippopotas with a strong and reliable STAB attack, while Crunch and/or Rock Slide can be used for coverage purposes. However, aside from these attacking options, there are few other moves that also work nicely on this set. Slack Off can be used to increase Hippopotas's longevity in a battle, while Roar can be used to deal with troublesome match-ups or to simply scout the opponent's team and deal a bit of residual damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>An Impish nature combined with the given EVs maximizes Hippopotas's defensive prowess while also supplementing its rather average offensive power. Evolite is recommended on this particular set as it helps Hippopotas survive for a much longer period of time in a battle, and restart sandstorm or lay down Stealth Rock. Roar is an exceptional move which can be used on the set to deal with unfavorable match-ups or in conjunction with additional entry hazards provided by Pokemon such as Ferroseed. Alternatively, Leftovers can be used for similar reasons, although Leftovers will only be useful if you have opted not to use Slack Off on the set. Lastly, Protect is an option with Leftovers, as it will allow Hippopotas to heal off some damage while potentially racking up more passive damage on the opponent.</p>
<p>Being the only Pokemon in Little Cup which can start sandstorm automatically, Hippopotas can be a valuable asset to many sandstorm-orientated sweepers, one of the more notable ones being Drilbur. Also, as it can provide Stealth Rock support, non-sandstorm sweepers like Totodile and Dratini are also great teammates for the baby sand-hippo. Also, packing Pokemon on your team which can handle Chinchou and Mantyke would go a long way in keeping Hippopotas healthy throughout a battle, as they can easily take down Hippopotas with their STAB, super effective attacks. Lileep is a prime example of this, being immune to their Water-type attacks courtesy of Storm Drain and can tank special attacks all day long with its sky-high Special Defense and a sandstorm boost.</p>
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Toxic
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stealth Rock / Protect / Roar
nature: Impish
item: Evolite
evs: 212 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 20 SpD / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set attempts to use Hippopotas's physical bulk to try and "stall-out" opponents through a combination of Toxic and Slack Off, slowly wearing them down. Earthquake is used on this set as an attacking option as it helps Hippopotas to defeat Pokemon already weakened without having to stall them out with Slack Off. Stealth Rock gives this set a supporting aspect. In addition to helping Hippopotas weaken opponents' Pokemon, it also assists Hippopotas's teammates when they are attempting a sweep. However, Protect can be used to enhance the stalling strategy associated with this set, while Roar can be used in conjunction with entry hazard support to rack up damage additional damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread and nature maximize Hippopotas's defensive capabilities while slightly increasing Hippopotas's power. Evolite is highly recommended as it increases its durability and longevity in a battle, making it more effective in slowly wearing down an opponent. Pokemon such as Ferroseed make excellent partners for Hippopotas as the entry hazards they provide are invaluable, hastening the process of stalling an opponent’s Pokemon. Also, as with the Lead set, Grass- or Water-type Pokemon are huge problems for Hippopotas as they are able to land STAB, super effective attacks on Hippopotas's weaker Special Defense.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>If necessary, more EVs can be invested into Special Defense, although even with maximum Special Defense, Hippopotas will still have trouble with the likes of Frillish and Chinchou. Aside from the recommended sets, Hippopotas doesn't have many other options. Offensively or defensively orientated, a Curse set can be used, but is not recommended as even with boosts from Curse, Hippopotas's Special Defense will remain static, meaning it will still be easily exploited by special attackers. A Choice Band set can be used to some success, but due to Hippopotas's meager offensive stats, Choice Band Hippopotas will almost always find itself being outclassed. In terms of other moves Hippopotas can use, Superpower can be used to deal with Ferroseed, expecting to set up free layers of entry hazards on Hippopotas.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Water- or Grass-types are the best possible switch-ins to Hippopotas, since they can hit Hippopotas super effectively on its weaker Special Defense with their STAB attacks. Lileep is one of the best possible switch-ins to Hippopotas, as it is not 3HKOed by Earthquake and only fears Toxic. It can also hit back with its STAB Energy Ball and Recover off any damage. Ferroseed is in the same boat as Lileep, but trades a boost to Special Defense for an immunity to Toxic. Water-types such as Slowpoke and Frillish are also great checks to Hippopotas, as they do not take too much damage from Crunch and have the chance to burn Hippopotas with Scald. Toxic is another strong option to deal with Hippopotas, as its staying power is severly limited.</p>
