Hippowdon
[SET]
name: Life Orb Tank
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Ice Fang
move 4: Slack Off
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Sand Force
nature: Adamant
evs: 228 HP / 252 Atk / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Another take on Hippowdon sees it functioning as a bulky tank, capable of both taking many physical attacks and dealing significant damage in return. Hippowdon's Attack is significantly boosted by both Sand Force and Life Orb, which makes it a fantastic lure for physical walls, as it is capable of beating both Gliscor and Ferrothorn. This allows common sandstorm sweepers, such as Terrakion and Landorus, to sweep. Factoring in Sand Force, Earthquake becomes a 130 Base Power STAB move, while also having perfect accuracy and no drawbacks. Along with Stone Edge, it has great coverage on nearly everything in the tier. Under sandstorm, only the most physically bulky of Pokemon will be able to take repeated hits from either move. Ice Fang is essential for breaking down Gliscor, as it takes little from Stone Edge and can Toxic Hippowdon and wear it down slowly. It also hits most Dragon-types for greater damage than Stone Edge and gets a clean OHKO on Landorus. Slack Off is a great asset for Hippowdon, since it mitigates hazard damage as well as Life Orb recoil, preventing a premature death.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Life Orb is the primary item choice, as with it, Ferrothorn is 2HKOed with Earthquake, and Gliscor is too with Ice Fang. However, Leftovers is also a viable option to bluff a defensive set, allowing the opponent to remain unsuspecting until it is too late. Maximum Attack investment with an Adamant nature allows Hippowdon to hit as hard as possible on different threats. 28 Speed EVs allow you to outrun 0 Speed Chansey, Donphan, and Tangrowth, allowing you to hit them hard with either Earthquake or Ice Fang before they can strike. Fire Fang is another option to hit Ferrothorn, Forretress, and Scizor harder than Earthquake; however, it is not recommended as none of them like taking Life Orb Sand Force Earthquakes, and they can't beat Hippowdon anyway. Also, a Sand Force-boosted Stone Edge will always do the same amount of damage to Skarmory as a super-effective Fire Fang. Another option to be considered is Sand Stream, freeing up a spot on your team for something other than Tyranitar. However, you should never run both Sand Stream and Leftovers, because Hippowdon becomes very weak and you're better off using the defensive set at that point.</p>
<p>Tyranitar is a teammate you should always have when using this set, as it provides permanent Sandstorm and activates Sand Force. It can also set up Stealth Rock, which is very beneficial, as it allows Leftovers Hippowdon to always 2HKO Gliscor. Ferrothorn is another great partner, as it possesses both great synergy and the ability to lay down more hazards. It is best to pair Hippowdon up with something that can take advantage of Gliscor and Ferrothorn's absence; Terrakion and Landorus are the most notable Pokemon here. This set also appreciates paralysis support; Celebi is a good choice, as it has decent synergy.</p>
<p>Hippowdon is best dealt with by either Skarmory or Bronzong. Skarmory can take a Stone Edge, set up Spikes, and phaze. However, it must be careful when Roosting, as it will take heavy damage from Earthquake. Bronzong takes little from Hippowdon's attacks; however, it can't do much back, as its Hidden Power Ice doesn't do nearly enough. Defensive Rotom-W can switch in to anything bar Stone Edge, and can use either Will-O-Wisp to cripple it for the rest of the match or Hydro Pump to demolish it. You can also exploit the fact that Hippowdon takes damage from all forms of entry hazards. While it has recovery, it is rather slow so it can be hit hard before it has a chance to use Slack Off.</p>
