Overview:
Unlike all the weather setters, Hippowdon is the single most durable weather inducer thanks to its titanic bulk, the ability to heal in the sand, and access to Slack Off. Due to Hippowdon's titanic defense stat, it can take on a specially defensive set while being able to check most physical pokemon in the tier such as Garchomp, Terrakion, and Excadrill. The added special bulk helps Hippowdon hold off the many monstrous special attacks from the likes of Alakazam, Tornadus, Thundurus-T, Latios, and Reuniclus. This also helps in the weather war department as a specially defensive Hippowdon can endlessly come in on a defensive Ninetales or Politoed and change the weather while in turn not being easily worn down thanks to Slack Off and resetting weather with Sand Stream. Many players turn towards Hippowdon as their sand setter over Tyranitar thanks to Hippowdon not being able to be worn down easily However, there are some glaring flaws to Hippowdon. Due to Tyranitar’s gigantic presence in the tier and that sand teams are going towards a path that doesn't suit Hippowdon, Hippowdons usage has been dwindling. Also is less than impressive special defense stat and weakness to common Special Attacking types such as Water, Grass, and Ice alongside the numerous other special attacks, force Hippowdon to force out quickly or be forced to heal, allowing threats to come in for free.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Whirlwind
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Careful / Sassy
Evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is Hippowdon's main choice of attack, which smacks Pokemon that Hippowdon is tasked to check such as Terrakion alongside other offensive Pokemon that come in on it. Slack Off is necessary as Hippowdon’s recovery moves to keep it lasting as long as possible in the weather wars that dominate the tier. With Hippowdon possessing amazing bulk and a reliable recovery move, it makes it a reliable Stealth Rock setter. Whirlwind allows Hippowdon to not be set up fodder for Pokemon such as Dragonite, Thundurus-T, and Latios while also having the side benefit from racking up entry hazard damage.
Set Details
========
Leftovers are necessary to keep Hippowdon as healthy as possible. Its huge defense stat lets Hippowdon take on a specially defensive set while still being able to check physical Pokemon such as Garchomp, Dragonite, Terrakion, and Landorus-T. The specially defensive set helps Hippowdon take on the myriad of Special Attackers in the tier such as Alakazam, Reuniclus, Latios, Tornadus, and Thundurus-T and then Slack Off the damage. It also allows Hippowdon to come in on defensive versions of Ninetales and Politoed with relative ease, helping out in the weather wars. An alternate spread is 252 HP/ 72 Def and 184 SpDef with an Impish Nature. Max HP is so Hippowdon can be a constant tank. 84 defense and an Impish Nature is to help Hippowdon chew physical threats such as +2 Terrakion Close Combat and +2 Garchomp Outrage. The remaining EVs go into special defense to help Hippowdon's ability to check Latios and Alakazam.
Team Options
========
Because of Hippowdon’s relatively low special defense, anything that can sponge Special Attacks is a great partner for it. Rotom-Wash is a great partner for Hippowdon as it resists the Water and Ice attacks in the tier from the likes of Keldeo and can Volt Switch Hippowdon in safely. Specially defensive Grass-types such as Ferrothorn and Celebi are also great partners for Hippowdon. Rotom-Wash and Celebi can also take on physical Pokemon that Mamoswine is unable to check such as Gyarados, Mamoswine, and Breloom as Rotom-Wash handles the first 2 pokemon and Celebi counters Breloom. specially defensive Jirachi is a great teammate alongside Hippowdon as it can take on the multitude of Psychic and Dragon types thanks to its typing and bulk. An added benefit is that Jirachi is also able to heal Hippowdon thanks to Wish. Finally, Rapid Spin support helps Hippowdon as the common entry hazards are easily thrown on the field. Excadrill is a perfect option for this as not only can it remove spikes, it can also pose an offensive threat.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Fang has the benefit of hitting Pokemon that Earthquake can’t such as Dragonite, Landorus-T, Latios, and Gliscor. This can be exploited by Pokemon such as Keldeo, Rotom-Wash, Skarm, and Ferrothorn, as they are able to come in and either pose an offensive threat or set up entry hazards. Toxic is useful as it helps cripple Rotom-Wash, Latios, Politoed, and Keldeo who easily can come in on Hippowdon. However, Pokemon such as Gliscor, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn come in for free as all of them are immune to Toxic and the first two are immune to Earthquake as well.
Checks and Counters
===================
Xatu: Xatu is by far the best counter to Hippowdon. Only scared of Ice Fang, Xatu is immune to Earthquake and can toss back Stealth Rock, Toxic, and Whirlwind thanks to Magic Bounce. However, Xatu takes chip damage from Stealth Rock and residual damage from Sandstorm.
Ice-Types: Ice Type moves from Pokemon like Mamoswine and Kyurem-Black and pokemon with Ice-type coverage can use Hippowdon as a way to launch their powerful attacks. At low health Cloyster is able to pick off a weakened Hippowdon thanks to Ice Shard.
Water-Types: Water Attacks from Keldeo, Politoed, and Rotom-Wash scare Hippowdon if facing each other. Hippowdown especially does not appreciate taking a burn from a rouge scald causing it to get chipped faster.
Grass-Types: Breloom is able to threaten Hippowdon with a chance to OHKO thanks to Bullet Seed. Substitute Varients of Breloom can Substitute up on Hippowdon for free and launch some brutal attacks. Ferrothorn can come into Hippowdon and threaten to Knock Off its Leftovers or threaten a chance to 2HKO with Power Whip. Celebi in turn is also able to come into Hippowdon and can force it out with Giga Drain. It is also able to heal off Toxic thanks to Natural Cure.
Residual Damage: Hippowdon is vulnerable to residual damage forcing it to constantly heal up allowing threats to come in on the free turn. It is also crippled from Burn and Toxic from Politoed, Jellicent, Rotom-Wash, and Tentacruel.
Special Attackers: Strong special attacking Pokemon such as Alakazam, Latios, and Reuniclus can easily break through Hippowdon due to its low special defense. Dawning upon a specially defensive set helps with this issue, but it still stings.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ibby0034, 443287]]
- Quality checked by: [[name, id], [name, id]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, id], [name, id]]
Unlike all the weather setters, Hippowdon is the single most durable weather inducer thanks to its titanic bulk, the ability to heal in the sand, and access to Slack Off. Due to Hippowdon's titanic defense stat, it can take on a specially defensive set while being able to check most physical pokemon in the tier such as Garchomp, Terrakion, and Excadrill. The added special bulk helps Hippowdon hold off the many monstrous special attacks from the likes of Alakazam, Tornadus, Thundurus-T, Latios, and Reuniclus. This also helps in the weather war department as a specially defensive Hippowdon can endlessly come in on a defensive Ninetales or Politoed and change the weather while in turn not being easily worn down thanks to Slack Off and resetting weather with Sand Stream. Many players turn towards Hippowdon as their sand setter over Tyranitar thanks to Hippowdon not being able to be worn down easily However, there are some glaring flaws to Hippowdon. Due to Tyranitar’s gigantic presence in the tier and that sand teams are going towards a path that doesn't suit Hippowdon, Hippowdons usage has been dwindling. Also is less than impressive special defense stat and weakness to common Special Attacking types such as Water, Grass, and Ice alongside the numerous other special attacks, force Hippowdon to force out quickly or be forced to heal, allowing threats to come in for free.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Whirlwind
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Careful / Sassy
Evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is Hippowdon's main choice of attack, which smacks Pokemon that Hippowdon is tasked to check such as Terrakion alongside other offensive Pokemon that come in on it. Slack Off is necessary as Hippowdon’s recovery moves to keep it lasting as long as possible in the weather wars that dominate the tier. With Hippowdon possessing amazing bulk and a reliable recovery move, it makes it a reliable Stealth Rock setter. Whirlwind allows Hippowdon to not be set up fodder for Pokemon such as Dragonite, Thundurus-T, and Latios while also having the side benefit from racking up entry hazard damage.
Set Details
========
Leftovers are necessary to keep Hippowdon as healthy as possible. Its huge defense stat lets Hippowdon take on a specially defensive set while still being able to check physical Pokemon such as Garchomp, Dragonite, Terrakion, and Landorus-T. The specially defensive set helps Hippowdon take on the myriad of Special Attackers in the tier such as Alakazam, Reuniclus, Latios, Tornadus, and Thundurus-T and then Slack Off the damage. It also allows Hippowdon to come in on defensive versions of Ninetales and Politoed with relative ease, helping out in the weather wars. An alternate spread is 252 HP/ 72 Def and 184 SpDef with an Impish Nature. Max HP is so Hippowdon can be a constant tank. 84 defense and an Impish Nature is to help Hippowdon chew physical threats such as +2 Terrakion Close Combat and +2 Garchomp Outrage. The remaining EVs go into special defense to help Hippowdon's ability to check Latios and Alakazam.
Team Options
========
Because of Hippowdon’s relatively low special defense, anything that can sponge Special Attacks is a great partner for it. Rotom-Wash is a great partner for Hippowdon as it resists the Water and Ice attacks in the tier from the likes of Keldeo and can Volt Switch Hippowdon in safely. Specially defensive Grass-types such as Ferrothorn and Celebi are also great partners for Hippowdon. Rotom-Wash and Celebi can also take on physical Pokemon that Mamoswine is unable to check such as Gyarados, Mamoswine, and Breloom as Rotom-Wash handles the first 2 pokemon and Celebi counters Breloom. specially defensive Jirachi is a great teammate alongside Hippowdon as it can take on the multitude of Psychic and Dragon types thanks to its typing and bulk. An added benefit is that Jirachi is also able to heal Hippowdon thanks to Wish. Finally, Rapid Spin support helps Hippowdon as the common entry hazards are easily thrown on the field. Excadrill is a perfect option for this as not only can it remove spikes, it can also pose an offensive threat.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Fang has the benefit of hitting Pokemon that Earthquake can’t such as Dragonite, Landorus-T, Latios, and Gliscor. This can be exploited by Pokemon such as Keldeo, Rotom-Wash, Skarm, and Ferrothorn, as they are able to come in and either pose an offensive threat or set up entry hazards. Toxic is useful as it helps cripple Rotom-Wash, Latios, Politoed, and Keldeo who easily can come in on Hippowdon. However, Pokemon such as Gliscor, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn come in for free as all of them are immune to Toxic and the first two are immune to Earthquake as well.
Checks and Counters
===================
Xatu: Xatu is by far the best counter to Hippowdon. Only scared of Ice Fang, Xatu is immune to Earthquake and can toss back Stealth Rock, Toxic, and Whirlwind thanks to Magic Bounce. However, Xatu takes chip damage from Stealth Rock and residual damage from Sandstorm.
Ice-Types: Ice Type moves from Pokemon like Mamoswine and Kyurem-Black and pokemon with Ice-type coverage can use Hippowdon as a way to launch their powerful attacks. At low health Cloyster is able to pick off a weakened Hippowdon thanks to Ice Shard.
Water-Types: Water Attacks from Keldeo, Politoed, and Rotom-Wash scare Hippowdon if facing each other. Hippowdown especially does not appreciate taking a burn from a rouge scald causing it to get chipped faster.
Grass-Types: Breloom is able to threaten Hippowdon with a chance to OHKO thanks to Bullet Seed. Substitute Varients of Breloom can Substitute up on Hippowdon for free and launch some brutal attacks. Ferrothorn can come into Hippowdon and threaten to Knock Off its Leftovers or threaten a chance to 2HKO with Power Whip. Celebi in turn is also able to come into Hippowdon and can force it out with Giga Drain. It is also able to heal off Toxic thanks to Natural Cure.
Residual Damage: Hippowdon is vulnerable to residual damage forcing it to constantly heal up allowing threats to come in on the free turn. It is also crippled from Burn and Toxic from Politoed, Jellicent, Rotom-Wash, and Tentacruel.
Special Attackers: Strong special attacking Pokemon such as Alakazam, Latios, and Reuniclus can easily break through Hippowdon due to its low special defense. Dawning upon a specially defensive set helps with this issue, but it still stings.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ibby0034, 443287]]
- Quality checked by: [[name, id], [name, id]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, id], [name, id]]
Last edited:
