QC: Rowan / OP / Nineage
GP: TDP / Haund
[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to incredible physical bulk complemented by a reliable recovery move in Slack Off, Hippopotas is capable of checking a huge variety of physical attackers in Little Cup including, but not limited to, Choice Scarf Doduo and Rufflet, Timburr, non-Life Orb Pawniard, and Archen. Because of this, it can function as a great Stealth Rock setter, capable of setting it up on many threats in the metagame. Hippopotas also has a decent Attack stat as well as access to Whirlwind, which together mean that it isn't setup bait. Its ability Sand Stream allows Hippopotas to remove sun or hail, making it a decent check to teams that are built around those weathers. However, it has a low Special Defense stat that, in combination with a less-than-ideal defensive typing, can easily be taken advantage of, as it leaves Hippopotas open to common Grass- and Water-type moves. Its usual lack of a move to threaten Flying-types also means that it often can't fight back against some of the threats it walls. Hippopotas also has a bad matchup against two of the most common hazard removers, Staryu and Vullaby, meaning it is often unable to keep Stealth Rock set.
[SET]
name: Physical Wall
move 1: Slack Off
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Whirlwind / Rock Tomb
item: Eviolite
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Careful
evs: 132 HP / 20 Atk / 132 Def / 180 SpD / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Slack Off is Hippopotas's most reliable form of recovery and greatly increases its longevity. Stealth Rock wears down the opponent's team over time, and Hippopotas is capable of setting it up on a multitude of threats. Earthquake is Hippopotas's best STAB move and allows it to deal significant damage to many of its foes. Whirlwind is used to prevent foes from setting up on Hippopotas and wears them down thanks to Stealth Rock and Sand Stream, while Rock Tomb is an option to hit Flying-types and lower the Speed of switch-ins; however, replacing Whirlwind means that foes can set up on Hippopotas and it's usually too slow to take advantage of the Speed drop itself, meaning it needs to switch into a teammate for the team to benefit.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is the item of choice, as it greatly increases Hippopotas's bulk and gives it longevity in combination with Slack Off. The Special Defense EVs with a Careful nature maximize Hippopotas's low Special Defense, meaning it will not be as easily KOed by special hits. This notably gives Hippopotas a good chance to avoid the 2HKO from Magnemite's Flash Cannon and Foongus's Giga Drain. The Defense EVs allow Hippopotas to hit an Eviolite number, while the HP EVs maximize Hippopotas bulk. The Attack and Speed EVs split what remains to give one point to each. The Speed EVs also allow Hippopotas to outspeed Spritzee and Speed tie with Timburr. An alternative EV spread of 132 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 100 SpD / 20 Spe with an Impish nature can be used to maximize Hippopotas's physical bulk in order to better take on physical attackers such as Ponyta and Pawniard, but this leaves Hippopotas even easier to beat with special attacks, notably losing to Magnemite. Sand Stream is the ability of choice, as it allows Hippopotas to remove an opponent's weather and thus serve as a decent check to sun and hail teams.
Usage Tips
========
Hippopotas should be used as a check to the opponent's physical attackers. It should be switched in to take a hit and proceed to use Slack Off to recover the damage it has taken or, if it is not threatened, use the opportunity to set up Stealth Rock. If Hippopotas switches in while a foe sets up, it should immediately use Whirlwind, as it will often be unable to avoid a 2HKO from a boosted move. Be careful of switching into Knock Off users; even though Hippopotas will usually take the hit quite easily, it does not appreciate losing its Eviolite, as this greatly lowers its bulk. Scouting for sets before switching Hippopotas in can be very useful; it is able to take hits from many bulky physical attackers and physical Choice Scarf users, but many Life Orb users will be able to 2HKO it. For example, Life Orb Doduo can 2HKO Hippopotas with Brave Bird, but it usually won't if it is holding a Choice Scarf. Always try to avoid taking special hits; Hippopotas will usually be OHKOed or 2HKOed by powerful special attackers. Lastly, if Rock Tomb is run, be wary of using it when the opponent has a Snivy or Pawniard. Both of these gain stat boosts when hit by the move, thanks to their respective abilities Contrary and Defiant, and this can make them very big threats to Hippopotas's team.
Team Options
========
Bulky pivots such as Chinchou and Foongus can take special hits for Hippopotas and help get it in for free to set up Stealth Rock. Both of these can also take on Water-types, which Hippopotas fears, while the former also deals with Ice-types and the latter with Grass-types. Spinblockers such as Pumpkaboo-XL and Honedge help keep Hippopotas's Stealth Rock on the field. Pumpkaboo-XL can also check Water- and Grass-types for Hippopotas, while Honedge can take Ice-type hits. Spikes setters such as Omanyte and Ferroseed pair well with Hippopotas, as the combination of Stealth Rock and Spikes can whittle down the opponent's team quickly. Ferroseed also takes on Water- and Grass-types for Hippopotas. Entry hazard removers such as Staryu and Vullaby help Hippopotas switch in more freely, as Hippopotas will be forced to use Slack Off more often if Spikes are on the field, which can make you lose momentum. Spritzee and Munchlax are good teammates for Hippopotas, as they both take on special attackers. The latter also takes on Ice-types thanks to Thick Fat, while Hippopotas takes on Steel-types for the former. Rock-types such as Archen and sand sweepers such as Drilbur and Alolan Diglett appreciate Hippopotas's sand to either get a Special Defense boost or potentially sweep an opponent's team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Smooth Rock is an option to give teammates such as Drilbur and Alolan Diglett more turns of sand and thus a better chance to sweep, but it will make Hippopotas miss out on the huge bulk boost from Eviolite. Toxic can be used over Whirlwind, as it allows Hippopotas to potentially stall out its foe; however, this will leave Hippopotas prone to being set up bait. Sand Force is an option over Sand Stream if the chip damage and reduced recovery from moves like Synthesis and Morning Sun are detrimental to Hippopotas's teammates. Since Hippopotas has a wide physical movepool, including Rock Slide, Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang, Superpower, and Crunch, a more offensive set can be used, but Hippopotas is too slow to properly utilize such a strategy. Lastly, a Curse set with Slack Off, Earthquake, and Rock Slide can be used, but Curse only boosts Hippopotas's Defense and not its weaker Special Defense, leaving it very vulnerable to special attacks and typically unable to accumulate enough boosts to sweep an opponent's team.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Attackers**: Hippopotas has a very low Special Defense stat, meaning powerful special attackers such as Abra, Snivy, and Chinchou can easily 2HKO or even OHKO it.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Snivy, Cottonee, or Foongus can all take Hippopotas's Earthquake with ease and proceed to force it out with their super effective STAB moves.
**Water-types**: Water-types can threaten Hippopotas and force it to switch out with their, often special, super effective STAB moves. Staryu, in particular, easily 2HKOes Hippopotas with Scald or even OHKOes with Hydro Pump and can also remove its Stealth Rock.
**Ground-immune Pokemon**: Since Hippopotas usually has Earthquake as its only offensive move, Pokemon that are immune to Ground like Vullaby, Gastly, and Bronzor will be able to switch in and remove its item with Knock Off, deal significant damage to it, or set up Stealth Rock.
**Knock Off**: Knock Off removes Hippopotas's Eviolite, allowing even weaker special attackers such as Spritzee and Foongus to easily break through it. Hippopotas also relies on its Eviolite to wall certain physical attackers such as Choice Scarf Doduo.
GP: TDP / Haund
[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to incredible physical bulk complemented by a reliable recovery move in Slack Off, Hippopotas is capable of checking a huge variety of physical attackers in Little Cup including, but not limited to, Choice Scarf Doduo and Rufflet, Timburr, non-Life Orb Pawniard, and Archen. Because of this, it can function as a great Stealth Rock setter, capable of setting it up on many threats in the metagame. Hippopotas also has a decent Attack stat as well as access to Whirlwind, which together mean that it isn't setup bait. Its ability Sand Stream allows Hippopotas to remove sun or hail, making it a decent check to teams that are built around those weathers. However, it has a low Special Defense stat that, in combination with a less-than-ideal defensive typing, can easily be taken advantage of, as it leaves Hippopotas open to common Grass- and Water-type moves. Its usual lack of a move to threaten Flying-types also means that it often can't fight back against some of the threats it walls. Hippopotas also has a bad matchup against two of the most common hazard removers, Staryu and Vullaby, meaning it is often unable to keep Stealth Rock set.
[SET]
name: Physical Wall
move 1: Slack Off
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Whirlwind / Rock Tomb
item: Eviolite
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Careful
evs: 132 HP / 20 Atk / 132 Def / 180 SpD / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Slack Off is Hippopotas's most reliable form of recovery and greatly increases its longevity. Stealth Rock wears down the opponent's team over time, and Hippopotas is capable of setting it up on a multitude of threats. Earthquake is Hippopotas's best STAB move and allows it to deal significant damage to many of its foes. Whirlwind is used to prevent foes from setting up on Hippopotas and wears them down thanks to Stealth Rock and Sand Stream, while Rock Tomb is an option to hit Flying-types and lower the Speed of switch-ins; however, replacing Whirlwind means that foes can set up on Hippopotas and it's usually too slow to take advantage of the Speed drop itself, meaning it needs to switch into a teammate for the team to benefit.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is the item of choice, as it greatly increases Hippopotas's bulk and gives it longevity in combination with Slack Off. The Special Defense EVs with a Careful nature maximize Hippopotas's low Special Defense, meaning it will not be as easily KOed by special hits. This notably gives Hippopotas a good chance to avoid the 2HKO from Magnemite's Flash Cannon and Foongus's Giga Drain. The Defense EVs allow Hippopotas to hit an Eviolite number, while the HP EVs maximize Hippopotas bulk. The Attack and Speed EVs split what remains to give one point to each. The Speed EVs also allow Hippopotas to outspeed Spritzee and Speed tie with Timburr. An alternative EV spread of 132 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 100 SpD / 20 Spe with an Impish nature can be used to maximize Hippopotas's physical bulk in order to better take on physical attackers such as Ponyta and Pawniard, but this leaves Hippopotas even easier to beat with special attacks, notably losing to Magnemite. Sand Stream is the ability of choice, as it allows Hippopotas to remove an opponent's weather and thus serve as a decent check to sun and hail teams.
Usage Tips
========
Hippopotas should be used as a check to the opponent's physical attackers. It should be switched in to take a hit and proceed to use Slack Off to recover the damage it has taken or, if it is not threatened, use the opportunity to set up Stealth Rock. If Hippopotas switches in while a foe sets up, it should immediately use Whirlwind, as it will often be unable to avoid a 2HKO from a boosted move. Be careful of switching into Knock Off users; even though Hippopotas will usually take the hit quite easily, it does not appreciate losing its Eviolite, as this greatly lowers its bulk. Scouting for sets before switching Hippopotas in can be very useful; it is able to take hits from many bulky physical attackers and physical Choice Scarf users, but many Life Orb users will be able to 2HKO it. For example, Life Orb Doduo can 2HKO Hippopotas with Brave Bird, but it usually won't if it is holding a Choice Scarf. Always try to avoid taking special hits; Hippopotas will usually be OHKOed or 2HKOed by powerful special attackers. Lastly, if Rock Tomb is run, be wary of using it when the opponent has a Snivy or Pawniard. Both of these gain stat boosts when hit by the move, thanks to their respective abilities Contrary and Defiant, and this can make them very big threats to Hippopotas's team.
Team Options
========
Bulky pivots such as Chinchou and Foongus can take special hits for Hippopotas and help get it in for free to set up Stealth Rock. Both of these can also take on Water-types, which Hippopotas fears, while the former also deals with Ice-types and the latter with Grass-types. Spinblockers such as Pumpkaboo-XL and Honedge help keep Hippopotas's Stealth Rock on the field. Pumpkaboo-XL can also check Water- and Grass-types for Hippopotas, while Honedge can take Ice-type hits. Spikes setters such as Omanyte and Ferroseed pair well with Hippopotas, as the combination of Stealth Rock and Spikes can whittle down the opponent's team quickly. Ferroseed also takes on Water- and Grass-types for Hippopotas. Entry hazard removers such as Staryu and Vullaby help Hippopotas switch in more freely, as Hippopotas will be forced to use Slack Off more often if Spikes are on the field, which can make you lose momentum. Spritzee and Munchlax are good teammates for Hippopotas, as they both take on special attackers. The latter also takes on Ice-types thanks to Thick Fat, while Hippopotas takes on Steel-types for the former. Rock-types such as Archen and sand sweepers such as Drilbur and Alolan Diglett appreciate Hippopotas's sand to either get a Special Defense boost or potentially sweep an opponent's team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Smooth Rock is an option to give teammates such as Drilbur and Alolan Diglett more turns of sand and thus a better chance to sweep, but it will make Hippopotas miss out on the huge bulk boost from Eviolite. Toxic can be used over Whirlwind, as it allows Hippopotas to potentially stall out its foe; however, this will leave Hippopotas prone to being set up bait. Sand Force is an option over Sand Stream if the chip damage and reduced recovery from moves like Synthesis and Morning Sun are detrimental to Hippopotas's teammates. Since Hippopotas has a wide physical movepool, including Rock Slide, Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang, Superpower, and Crunch, a more offensive set can be used, but Hippopotas is too slow to properly utilize such a strategy. Lastly, a Curse set with Slack Off, Earthquake, and Rock Slide can be used, but Curse only boosts Hippopotas's Defense and not its weaker Special Defense, leaving it very vulnerable to special attacks and typically unable to accumulate enough boosts to sweep an opponent's team.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Attackers**: Hippopotas has a very low Special Defense stat, meaning powerful special attackers such as Abra, Snivy, and Chinchou can easily 2HKO or even OHKO it.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Snivy, Cottonee, or Foongus can all take Hippopotas's Earthquake with ease and proceed to force it out with their super effective STAB moves.
**Water-types**: Water-types can threaten Hippopotas and force it to switch out with their, often special, super effective STAB moves. Staryu, in particular, easily 2HKOes Hippopotas with Scald or even OHKOes with Hydro Pump and can also remove its Stealth Rock.
**Ground-immune Pokemon**: Since Hippopotas usually has Earthquake as its only offensive move, Pokemon that are immune to Ground like Vullaby, Gastly, and Bronzor will be able to switch in and remove its item with Knock Off, deal significant damage to it, or set up Stealth Rock.
**Knock Off**: Knock Off removes Hippopotas's Eviolite, allowing even weaker special attackers such as Spritzee and Foongus to easily break through it. Hippopotas also relies on its Eviolite to wall certain physical attackers such as Choice Scarf Doduo.
Last edited:
