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Hippowdon (Life Orb Tank)

I had considered making that the main option and editing the OP, but I haven't playtested that yet because I'm lazy. Once I do, I'll have a better feel for it as well.
 
I don't really see the advantage of this over Landorus. Yeah cool, it tanks a hit. But it has no recovery and its really slow. The only reason I would use this over Landorus is that this set beats Terrakion if you're at full health.
 
This set is mainly for surprise value, so I honestly think it's viable. I prefer Sandstream as the ability though, provides more utility
 
that's why i think Sandstream is the better ability. If used as a lead, as it often is, Hippowdon can unleash a very powerful attack right off the bat. Also if someone sees Ttar and Hippowdon on the same team, they're gonna know something is up.
 
Sorry, I haven't updated the OP recently. I am going to change this to a LO + Slack Off set, so it isn't outclassed by Landorus. It has infinitely more survivability, while retaining most of the same power. You still get the 2HKO on standard Ferrothorn with Sand Force Earthquake. You still beat most of the same stuff; Landorus HP Ice does only about 30%.

I'm thinking about running Superpower over Ice Fang. If you can still get the 2HKO on Gliscor with Sand Force Stone Edge, then Superpower will definitely be superior. Actually, LO Sand Force Stone Edge only does ~30-40%.

I guess you could run Sand Stream, but that would decrease the set's effectiveness. It'll certainly get an AC mention, but Hippowdon is something you build a team around, not really something you use just for Sandstorm, since Tyranitar will almost always be superior.

EDIT: The OP has been updated with the new set.
 
Superpower can be used over Ice Fang, however you lose the ability to beat Gliscor
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You can't have Superpower + Slack Off + Sand Force on the same set. :(

DW Hippo comes with Superpower, but Slack Off is an egg move (Superpower can't be passed on via breeding).
 
I almost forgot. I got a few games in last night on PO, and while it wasn't stellar it got the job done. Its one of the few offensive Pokemon that can tango with Terrakion, which is definitely something. I also liked how it could lure out Pokemon like Ferrothorn or Gliscor and do massive damage to them) Its a pity it can't use SR.

QC APPROVED (1/3)
 
I'm going to suggest 28 Speed EVs. This allows Hippo to out speed 0 Spe neutral Chansey, Azumarill, Donphan and Tangrowth without sacrificing too much bulk. Azumarril will always Aqua Jet, but out speeding Tangrowth and Donphan is great since they're common switch ins and you can hit them with Ice Fang.
 
Brizznetz said:
I'm going to suggest 28 Speed EVs. This allows Hippo to out speed 0 Spe neutral Chansey, Azumarill, Donphan and Tangrowth without sacrificing too much bulk. Azumarril will always Aqua Jet, but out speeding Tangrowth and Donphan is great since they're common switch ins and you can hit them with Ice Fang.
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I think that is a great idea, and added.
 
I would really recommend at least mentioning Leftovers. There's a good reason you never see pokemon like Swampert, Snorlax, or Gastrodon running Life Orb, the recoil damage undermines their ability to handle attacks by stacking LO damage with the opponents attack. These pokemon are built to tank multiple hits and not running Leftovers really undermines their ability to do so.
 
yee said:
I would really recommend at least mentioning Leftovers. There's a good reason you never see pokemon like Swampert, Snorlax, or Gastrodon running Life Orb, the recoil damage undermines their ability to handle attacks by stacking LO damage with the opponents attack. These pokemon are built to tank multiple hits and not running Leftovers really undermines their ability to do so.
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Agreed. Honestly, I think that Leftovers should be the main option. The main argument for this sets effectiveness is its ability to take hits. Hippowdon isn't going to doing much of that if it's switching in and out of resisted hits, while taking Life Orb damage, and likely taking entry hazard damage as well. Sure, you have Slack Off, but it's only going to be used after Hippowdon has taking a heavy hit or two, and at that point, it's likely that your opponent will be able to take down Hippowdon.
 
If Bronzong is noted to be a problem for this set, and albeit it isn't seen much in OU anymore, would making Fire Fang an option over Ice Fang be a way to deter this? You lose out on the effectiveness of beating Gliscor, as Stone Edge becomes a 3HKO (33%HP - 39%HP), and Landorus will become a 2HKO (62%HP - 73%HP). It'll allow Hippowdon to OHKO Ferrothorn (81%HP - 96%HP) with Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes, and can 3HKO Physically Defensive Skarmory (31%HP - 37%HP) with Stealth Rock damage as the Tin Bird decides to set up, with the potential Burn only making matters easier.

Might try it out.
 
Fire Fang kind of seems cool, but it's really only good on Ferro since Skarmory and Bronzor laugh at it. I think Ice Fang is better for dragons, though.
 
Sir said:
Fire Fang kind of seems cool, but it's really only good on Ferro since Skarmory and Bronzor laugh at it. I think Ice Fang is better for dragons, though.
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Bronzong got no recovery outside of Lefties and can't do anything in return. Skarmory can`t use roost without risking to get hit by an SE Earthquake, wich means you can actually KO it with just a little prediction.
Ferro isn't really a reason to use Fire Fang though as LO + Iron barbs damage racks up so your often better off using EQ wich also 2HKOs.
I think it should get a Slash with Ice Fang as most things that Ice Fang deals with can also be dealth with Stone Edge outside of Gliscor (DNite gets OHKO'd by stone Edge after SR and Landorus can't do much back) though the additonal accuracy of ice fang is of course appreciated.
You basically trade the ability to handle gliscor and having an easier time with some other threads to be able to get past Bronzong/Skarmory.
I think that Fire Fang supports Landorus/Haxorus better while Terrakion appreciates Ice Fang to get past Gliscor.


28 Speed outruns no investment neutral Speed Chansey, Donphan, and Tangrowth, and the latter two are hit hard by Ice Fang
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Minor nitpick, but Donphan is actually hit harder with Sand Force EQ.

I also don't think Sand Stream is really an option for this set as it almost completly relies on Sand Force to get a much needed Power Boost and even though Hippo gets Slack Off having an LO weather starter isn't going to win a weather war that easily.
 
I also agree with some of the above posters in slashing Leftovers, as it is definitely useful when switching into attacks and bluffing a standard defensive set. Regarding Fire Fang, I think it is fine in AC where it is currently.

QC APPROVED (3/3)
 
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[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 taking large hits numerous physical attacks and while dealing significant damage in return. Hippowdon's good base Attack stat is boosted heavily by both Sand Force and a Life Orb, which lets makes it become a fantastic lure for other Sand sweepers such as Terrakion and Landorus, as it they are capable of beating both Gliscor and Ferrothorn. Earthquake becomes a 130 base power STAB move factoring in Sand Force, while also having perfect accuracy and no drawbacks. Along with Stone Edge, it gets great coverage on nearly everything in the tier. In the Sand, 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 you Hippowdon or and wear you it down. It Ice Fang also hits most Dragons for greater damage than Stone Edge, and gets a clean OHKO on Landorus. Slack Off is a great asset for Hippowdon, since it takes both Stealth Rock and Spikes damage, and the Life Orb recoil can accumulate, leading to a premature death.</p>


[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Life Orb is the primary option to 2HKO Ferrothorn with Earthquake, as well as Gliscor with Ice Fang. However, Leftovers is also a viable option to bluff a defensive set, leaving your opponent not suspecting anything until it's too late. Maximum Attack investment with and Adamant nature is to hit as hard as possible on different threats. 28 Speed EVs allows you Hippowdon to outrun Chansey, Donphan, and Tangrowth without any investment in speed, allowing you it to hit them hard with either Earthquake or Ice Fang. Fire Fang is another option to hit Ferrothorn, Forretress, and Scizor harder than Earthquake. However, none of them like taking Life Orb Sand Force Earthquakes anyway. It is generally not recommended because none of them beat you anyway. (kinda Redundant) Also, a Sand Force-boosted Stone Edge will always do the same amount of damage to Skarmory. Another option to be considered is Sand Stream, freeing up a spot on your team for something other than Tyranitar. However, you Hippowdon should never run both Sand Stream and Leftovers, because Hippowdon becomes very weak and you're its 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 Hippowdon to always 2HKO Gliscor if running Leftovers. Another great partner to set up hazards is Ferrothorn, as it has great synergy. It is best to pair Hippowdon up with something that can take advantage of Gliscor and Ferrothorn's absence, most notably Terrakion and Landorus. This set also appreciates paralysis support, mainly from Celebi as it has decent synergy.</p>

<p>Hippowdon is best dealt with either Skarmory or Bronzong. Skarmory can take a Stone Edge, and as well as can set up Spikes and phaze. However, it must be careful when Roosting, as it will take heavy damage from Earthquake. Bronzong can takes little of from any of Hippwodon's moves, 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 either use Will-O-Wisp to cripple it for the rest of the match, or use Hydro Pump to demolish it. You can also exploit 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>
 
TrollFreak said:
Hippowdon's good base Attack stat is boosted heavily by both Sand Force and a Life Orb, which lets makes it become a fantastic lure for other Sand sweepers such as Terrakion and Landorus, as it they are capable of beating both Gliscor and Ferrothorn.
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Sorry, my wording was a little unclear there. I meant to say that Hippowdon lures in both Ferrothorn and Gliscor, allowing Terrakion or Gliscor to sweep. Updating the OP now.
 
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