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Hippowdon (Analysis)
- Thread starter Snorlaxe
- Start date
It should be an option but the pp of stone edge puts me off on defensive poke like hippo. You might wanna go rockslide.
Er, this isn't really intended as a full GP check, but I saw you still had some translation terms instead of official terms (Landlos) that need to be fixed.
Deletions
Additions/Corrections
(Comments)
That's all I really noticed.
Deletions
Additions/Corrections
(Comments)
[Overview]
<p>Though Hippowdon's gains in the transition to the 5th generation were few, it is still a stellar defensive and support Pokemon. Despite the multitude of powerful physical threats introduced, Hippowdon's titanic Defense and HP stats, along with its access to recovery in Slack Off, allow it to keep up with—and often beat—said threats. Aside from being an excellent defensive pivot, Hippowdon can also set up a permanent sandstorm with its Sand Stream ability, allowing it to effectively support several key Pokemon who were introduced this generation, such as Excadrill and Landorus. Though Hippowdon faces a lot of competition from Tyranitar for the role of a sandstorm summoner, they each serve different purposes on a team, so don't make the mistake of confusing the two. Overall, Hippowdon's exceptional bulk allows it to truly shine this generation; underestimate it at your peril!</p>
[SET]
name: Physical Wall
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Ice Fang / Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Hippowdon's excellent HP and Defense stats allow it to serve as a great physical wall. Despite the fact that Hippowdon and Tyranitar are both capable of setting up a permanent sandstorm, and thus face compete with each other for a team slot, Hippowdon is a much more defensive Pokemon, while Tyranitar is significantly more offensive. Additionally, Hippowdon has access to instant recovery in the form of Slack Off, which is a tremendous asset for a wall.</p>
<p>Earthquake allows Hippowdon to deal decent damage to any Pokemon who does not resist it; it also allows Hippowdon to OHKO the fearsome and popular Excadrill, who fails to OHKO Hippowdon with even a Swords Dance-boosted Earthquake. Stealth Rock is very useful, as it is capable of turning many potential 2HKOs into OHKOs for Hippowdon's teammates, making it a great form of support. In the final moveslot, there are two good potential choices. Ice Fang is the primary option for its ability to bash Garchomp and Salamence switch-ins. Additionally, Ice Fang allows Hippowdon to scratch Balloon Excadrill, who otherwise has an easy time with Hippowdon. However, Roar is a worthy option as well, capable of scouting the opposing team while racking up residual damage from Stealth Rock.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>In the final moveslot, Hippowdon can use Toxic to poison switch-ins, or Stone Edge to deal respectable damage to Flying-types such as Gyarados and Togekiss. Keep in mind that by using one of the aforementioned moves, Hippowdon loses out on the utility provided by Ice Fang or Roar, making it a less valuable defensive pivot. This set's EV spread is extremely straightforward: 252 HP EVs give Hippowdon wonderful overall bulk, while 252 Defense EVs with an Impish nature maximize Hippowdon's already excellent physical defense. While an alternate spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD is somewhat viable, Hippowdon's main niche is its ability to sponge hits from the various powerful physical attackers of this generation, so utilizing a specially defensive EV spread diminishes its capacity to fulfill its niche.</p>
<p>A Rapid Spinner is an excellent teammate for Hippowdon, as Spikes—and by extension, Toxic Spikes—severely hurts its tanking abilities. Excadrill is a great choice as it also benefits from Hippowdon's sandstorm. Starmie is a good teammate as well, capable of checking Gyarados, who can dent Hippowdon with its STAB Waterfall. Hippowdon struggles with powerful special attacks such as Choice Specs Latios's Draco Meteor. (see next comment) As such, a special wall who is capable of sponging these powerful hits, like Blissey, is a great teammate. Any Pokemon who benefits from sandstorm support, such as Landorus, Garchomp, or the aforementioned Excadrill, are great teammates; thanks to Hippowdon's sandstorm, these Pokemon are significantly powered up, making them top-notch partners. Any Pokemon with a powerful special attack, like Reuniclus's Psychic, will give Hippowdon a hard time. (didn't you just say the same thing a few sentences back, with a different pokemon & attack as an example, and already mentioning the need for a special wall? put all this in one place.) In particular, special STAB Water- and Grass-types will quickly demolish Hippowdon.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Though Hippowdon does have a few other tricks up its sleeve, these tricks are actually generally poor options due to the fact that they are better utilized by other Pokemon. A Choice Band set could potentially be viable, but even with the Choice Band boost, Garchomp, Landlos Landorus, and even the bulky Gliscor are all more able-bodied better suited to fulfilling the role of an offensive Ground-type. A Curse set may see some use, but it is easily phazed out by Pokemon such as Skarmory, and any Pokemon with a powerful special STAB attack will be able to make quick work of a Curse Hippowdon, even with maximum Special Defense investment. Yawn can be used as a potential support move, but is often outclassed as a phazing move by Roar. Outside of the above, Hippowdon doesn't have many other potential options; its movepool is fairly shallow, so when using Hippowdon, you should almost always attempt to play to its strengths as a physical wall.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>While very few physical attackers can beat Hippowdon, there are numerous special attackers who are capable of posing a tremendous threat to the hippopotamus. Any Pokemon with a super effective special attack, such as Vaporeon and Shaymin, is able to quickly dispose of Hippowdon. Additionally, even special attackers who don't pack a super effective move will often be able to crush Hippowdon. For instance, Choice Specs Hydreigon's Draco Meteor is a surefire OHKO on Hippowdon, while moves such as Heatran's Fire Blast will also deal shattering damage. Taunt users are capable of shutting down Hippowdon with extreme ease, leaving it almost completely useless. Taunt Skarmory in particular is able to neuter Hippowdon entirely, and can proceed to set up Spikes against it without a care in the world. In general, any special attacker who can take an Earthquake or two and attack back will be able to trounce Hippowdon one-on-one.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Hippowdon's Dream World ability is Sand Strength Force, which increases the power of its Ground- and Rock-type moves in a sandstorm. For Hippowdon, such moves are essentially limited to Earthquake and Stone Edge. While Sand Strength Force is an excellent ability, it is quite redundant on Hipppowdon, as one of Hippowdon's major selling points is the ability to provide sandstorm support for threatening Pokemon such as Excadrill and Landorus. If you're running Hippowdon on a team where sandstorm is largely a hindrance, then feel free to use Sand Strength Force; however, keep in mind that Sand Stream is a better ability in almost every other situation.</p>
<p>Though Hippowdon's gains in the transition to the 5th generation were few, it is still a stellar defensive and support Pokemon. Despite the multitude of powerful physical threats introduced, Hippowdon's titanic Defense and HP stats, along with its access to recovery in Slack Off, allow it to keep up with—and often beat—said threats. Aside from being an excellent defensive pivot, Hippowdon can also set up a permanent sandstorm with its Sand Stream ability, allowing it to effectively support several key Pokemon who were introduced this generation, such as Excadrill and Landorus. Though Hippowdon faces a lot of competition from Tyranitar for the role of a sandstorm summoner, they each serve different purposes on a team, so don't make the mistake of confusing the two. Overall, Hippowdon's exceptional bulk allows it to truly shine this generation; underestimate it at your peril!</p>
[SET]
name: Physical Wall
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Ice Fang / Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Hippowdon's excellent HP and Defense stats allow it to serve as a great physical wall. Despite the fact that Hippowdon and Tyranitar are both capable of setting up a permanent sandstorm, and thus face compete with each other for a team slot, Hippowdon is a much more defensive Pokemon, while Tyranitar is significantly more offensive. Additionally, Hippowdon has access to instant recovery in the form of Slack Off, which is a tremendous asset for a wall.</p>
<p>Earthquake allows Hippowdon to deal decent damage to any Pokemon who does not resist it; it also allows Hippowdon to OHKO the fearsome and popular Excadrill, who fails to OHKO Hippowdon with even a Swords Dance-boosted Earthquake. Stealth Rock is very useful, as it is capable of turning many potential 2HKOs into OHKOs for Hippowdon's teammates, making it a great form of support. In the final moveslot, there are two good potential choices. Ice Fang is the primary option for its ability to bash Garchomp and Salamence switch-ins. Additionally, Ice Fang allows Hippowdon to scratch Balloon Excadrill, who otherwise has an easy time with Hippowdon. However, Roar is a worthy option as well, capable of scouting the opposing team while racking up residual damage from Stealth Rock.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>In the final moveslot, Hippowdon can use Toxic to poison switch-ins, or Stone Edge to deal respectable damage to Flying-types such as Gyarados and Togekiss. Keep in mind that by using one of the aforementioned moves, Hippowdon loses out on the utility provided by Ice Fang or Roar, making it a less valuable defensive pivot. This set's EV spread is extremely straightforward: 252 HP EVs give Hippowdon wonderful overall bulk, while 252 Defense EVs with an Impish nature maximize Hippowdon's already excellent physical defense. While an alternate spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD is somewhat viable, Hippowdon's main niche is its ability to sponge hits from the various powerful physical attackers of this generation, so utilizing a specially defensive EV spread diminishes its capacity to fulfill its niche.</p>
<p>A Rapid Spinner is an excellent teammate for Hippowdon, as Spikes—and by extension, Toxic Spikes—severely hurts its tanking abilities. Excadrill is a great choice as it also benefits from Hippowdon's sandstorm. Starmie is a good teammate as well, capable of checking Gyarados, who can dent Hippowdon with its STAB Waterfall. Hippowdon struggles with powerful special attacks such as Choice Specs Latios's Draco Meteor. (see next comment) As such, a special wall who is capable of sponging these powerful hits, like Blissey, is a great teammate. Any Pokemon who benefits from sandstorm support, such as Landorus, Garchomp, or the aforementioned Excadrill, are great teammates; thanks to Hippowdon's sandstorm, these Pokemon are significantly powered up, making them top-notch partners. Any Pokemon with a powerful special attack, like Reuniclus's Psychic, will give Hippowdon a hard time. (didn't you just say the same thing a few sentences back, with a different pokemon & attack as an example, and already mentioning the need for a special wall? put all this in one place.) In particular, special STAB Water- and Grass-types will quickly demolish Hippowdon.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Though Hippowdon does have a few other tricks up its sleeve, these tricks are actually generally poor options due to the fact that they are better utilized by other Pokemon. A Choice Band set could potentially be viable, but even with the Choice Band boost, Garchomp, Landlos Landorus, and even the bulky Gliscor are all more able-bodied better suited to fulfilling the role of an offensive Ground-type. A Curse set may see some use, but it is easily phazed out by Pokemon such as Skarmory, and any Pokemon with a powerful special STAB attack will be able to make quick work of a Curse Hippowdon, even with maximum Special Defense investment. Yawn can be used as a potential support move, but is often outclassed as a phazing move by Roar. Outside of the above, Hippowdon doesn't have many other potential options; its movepool is fairly shallow, so when using Hippowdon, you should almost always attempt to play to its strengths as a physical wall.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>While very few physical attackers can beat Hippowdon, there are numerous special attackers who are capable of posing a tremendous threat to the hippopotamus. Any Pokemon with a super effective special attack, such as Vaporeon and Shaymin, is able to quickly dispose of Hippowdon. Additionally, even special attackers who don't pack a super effective move will often be able to crush Hippowdon. For instance, Choice Specs Hydreigon's Draco Meteor is a surefire OHKO on Hippowdon, while moves such as Heatran's Fire Blast will also deal shattering damage. Taunt users are capable of shutting down Hippowdon with extreme ease, leaving it almost completely useless. Taunt Skarmory in particular is able to neuter Hippowdon entirely, and can proceed to set up Spikes against it without a care in the world. In general, any special attacker who can take an Earthquake or two and attack back will be able to trounce Hippowdon one-on-one.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Hippowdon's Dream World ability is Sand Strength Force, which increases the power of its Ground- and Rock-type moves in a sandstorm. For Hippowdon, such moves are essentially limited to Earthquake and Stone Edge. While Sand Strength Force is an excellent ability, it is quite redundant on Hipppowdon, as one of Hippowdon's major selling points is the ability to provide sandstorm support for threatening Pokemon such as Excadrill and Landorus. If you're running Hippowdon on a team where sandstorm is largely a hindrance, then feel free to use Sand Strength Force; however, keep in mind that Sand Stream is a better ability in almost every other situation.</p>
That's all I really noticed.
StealthRock?
how can Hippowdon get Stealth Rock???...for he cant learn it, TM it, breed it, or learn from Hippopotas....also...perhaps Whirlwind (over Roar to bypass Soundproof), Fire Fang, Stone Edge, and Crunch should be considered.
how can Hippowdon get Stealth Rock???...for he cant learn it, TM it, breed it, or learn from Hippopotas....also...perhaps Whirlwind (over Roar to bypass Soundproof), Fire Fang, Stone Edge, and Crunch should be considered.
Stealth Rock was from 4th gen TM. Whirlwind would be mentioned but missing out on SR is kind of a big deal so it is not mentioned.
I guess on another tangent... When DW Hippopatas is released would a CB set with Sand Force be possible? It has the bulk and power to pull it off I think. Ice Fang and Crunch as filler like moves.
I guess on another tangent... When DW Hippopatas is released would a CB set with Sand Force be possible? It has the bulk and power to pull it off I think. Ice Fang and Crunch as filler like moves.
Hippowdon learns Stealth Rock from 4th gen and transfers over to 5th gen from the Pokeshifter.
Edit: Ninja'd.
Edit: Ninja'd.
uploaded