QC: Bouff / Kreme / Amaroq
GP: Kris
[OVERVIEW]
* Hippowdon has great 108 / 118 / 72 bulk and a solid defensive typing that together allow it to check prominent threats such as Bisharp and Raikou.
* Its bulk allows it to make good use of support options such as Stealth Rock, and it even has access to reliable recovery in Slack Off.
* Sand Stream 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 weak to common offensive types in Water, Grass, and Ice.
* Being a really passive Stealth Rock user forces Hippowdon 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 to keep Hippowdon from getting worn down throughout the course of the match.
* Toxic wears down foes, especially those that Hippowdon can't do much damage to with Earthquake, such as opposing Hippowdon and Latias.
* Whirlwind is used to phaze opposing setup sweepers, such as Scizor, as well as racking up residual damage in conjunction with Stealth Rock and Sand Stream.
Set Details
========
* 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 live a +2 Fightinium Z Close Combat from Cobalion and taking hits like +2 Knock Off from Life Orb Bisharp.
* Sand Stream is useful for wearing the opponent's team down; however, use Sand Force if the sand cripples your team's recovery, such as with Synthesis on Tsareena.
Usage Tips
========
* Hippowdon mainly focuses on support in setting up Stealth Rock, chipping away at the opponent's team when combined with Sand Stream and either Toxic or Whirlwind.
* Hippowdon 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.
* Understanding Hippowdon's limits is essential; while it is a great 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, which diminishes its longevity, so Pokemon that can provide entry hazard removal for Hippowdon such as Forretress, Starmie, Togekiss, and Latias are appreciated as partners. Grounded Poison-types are also useful to absorb Toxic Spikes, as Hippowdon does not like getting poisoned.
* Bulky Grass-types such as Amoonguss and Celebi make 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 entry hazard removal, as hazards can wear down Hippowdon fast. 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 Clefable and Togekiss support Hippowdon very well, as it typically does not like dealing with status conditions, so being able to remove those helps a lot with its longevity.
* Mega Aerodactyl and Hippowdon have really good synergy with each other, 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.
* Sand Rush Stoutland loves Hippowdon's sand support, turning it into a really fast and powerful physical attacker.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* A fully physically defensive spread can be run to better take on physical attackers such as Bisharp, Cobalion, and Bewear, but ensure that Hippowdon's teammates can handle Raikou if you're using this.
* Stone Edge can hit Pokemon that are immune to Earthquake. However, its practical use doesn't extend much beyond that of getting super effective damage on Mega Aerodactyl.
* Fire Fang can be used to 2HKO most variants of Scizor and do a decent amount of damage to opposing Forretress.
* Smooth Rock is an item option if you want to support Sand Rush Stoutland better, but otherwise it's suboptimal, as it makes certain 3HKOs potential 2HKOs.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Common Grass-types such as Celebi can easily switch into Hippowdon and force it out with their Grass-type STAB moves. Celebi doesn't mind switching into Toxic either, as it can easily cure that through 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 and Keldeo do not appreciate taking an Earthquake while switching in.
**Special Wallbreakers**: Hippowdon has decent mixed wall capabilities, but it's still not able to stand up to powerful hits from wallbreakers such as Hydreigon, Alakazam, and Kyurem. All of these 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 and Clefable that don't mind taking a Toxic due to Magic Guard.
**Physical Walls**: Hippowdon can't do much to Pokemon like Clefable and Gliscor aside from using Whirlwind to phaze them, as Earthquake either can't touch them or doesn't do nearly enough.
**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, it's also immune to Earthquake and can Taunt Hippowdon, preventing it from setting up Stealth Rock or using Slack Off.
Last edited:
