Don't use this:
Donphan @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
Why it's bad:
Donphan isn't that bad in uu, but it isn't fit enough for the ou metagame. With it's lack of recovery moves, and being unable to stall, donphan is simply outclassed by different tanks/spinners. Although it is decently bulky, it isn't a good hazard remover due to it's low speed. There are even pokemon in uu that can do it's job better, and a bulky, slow spinner isn't the best thing to have in the oras ou metagame. Excadrill does a way better job at being a spinner. Not to mention that it can't stall whatsoever because of it's lack of recovery. Donphan would be better if it got recovery and possibly some form of boosting move that can boost it's mediocre spdef stat such as stockpile, but it just isn't fit for the oras ou metagame.
Use this:
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
- Slack Off
Why it's good:
Hippowdon's amazing ability sand stream can help widdle down pokemon and make some parters stronger such as excadrill and tyranitar. Hippowdon also gets access to slack off, so it is able to reliably recover while watching the opponent struggle to take you down. Another important note is that Hippowdon gets stockpile, which is an odd move to run on it but it boosts it lackluster special defense. Even though stockpile Hippo isn't very common, it's still worth mentioning. Hippowdon has a better base hp, and overall has a better niche in the ou metagame then Donphan does due to it's access to slack off.
Donphan @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
Why it's bad:
Donphan isn't that bad in uu, but it isn't fit enough for the ou metagame. With it's lack of recovery moves, and being unable to stall, donphan is simply outclassed by different tanks/spinners. Although it is decently bulky, it isn't a good hazard remover due to it's low speed. There are even pokemon in uu that can do it's job better, and a bulky, slow spinner isn't the best thing to have in the oras ou metagame. Excadrill does a way better job at being a spinner. Not to mention that it can't stall whatsoever because of it's lack of recovery. Donphan would be better if it got recovery and possibly some form of boosting move that can boost it's mediocre spdef stat such as stockpile, but it just isn't fit for the oras ou metagame.
Use this:
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
- Slack Off
Why it's good:
Hippowdon's amazing ability sand stream can help widdle down pokemon and make some parters stronger such as excadrill and tyranitar. Hippowdon also gets access to slack off, so it is able to reliably recover while watching the opponent struggle to take you down. Another important note is that Hippowdon gets stockpile, which is an odd move to run on it but it boosts it lackluster special defense. Even though stockpile Hippo isn't very common, it's still worth mentioning. Hippowdon has a better base hp, and overall has a better niche in the ou metagame then Donphan does due to it's access to slack off.
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