[SET]
name: Physical Wall
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Toxic / Body Press / Whirlwind
move 4: Whirlwind / Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Dauntless Shield
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 204 Def / 52 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Hippowdon is a sturdy physical wall that can check some of the metagame's premier physical attackers like Terrakion, Zygarde-10%, and Kommo-o. Its bulk and Dauntless Shield allow it to tank powerful attacks, like Terrakion's Close Combat and Garchomp's Earthquake, while Slack Off allows it to stay healthy throughout the match to repeatedly check these dangerous attackers. It can also deter setup thanks to Whirlwind and Toxic, which can force out an opposing setup sweeper or put them on a timer; notably, Hippowdown can tank any one hit from BellyBurden Kommo-o at +6 and force it out with Whirlwind. Earthquake is often Hippowdon's only attacking move and notably allows it to beat Tapu Koko. Body Press is another attacking option that provides solid coverage alongside Earthquake, notably hitting Zarude and Ferrothorn, which may try and switch in, but it usually comes at the expense of Toxic. For another option, Hippowdon is a serviceable Stealth Rock setter, but it does not threaten any of the common Defoggers and generally prefers its other utility moves. Leftovers is the preferred item to provide passive recovery and help reduce the chances of a 2HKO from Terrakion and Tapu Koko, but Rocky Helmet is an option to punish opposing attackers, especially U-turn pivots. The given EV spread allows Hippowdon to avoid the 2HKO from both Terrakion's Close Combat and Tapu Koko's Dazzling Gleam after Stealth Rock.
Hippowdon fits well on balance and bulky teams that want solid answers to Terrakion, Zygarde-10%, Kommo-o, and Calm Mind Tapu Koko; it pairs well with teammates that are forced out by these threats, like Tapu Lele, Zapdos, and Heatran. It pairs well a special wall like Blissey or Assault Vest Jirachi, as each can cover for the other's lower defensive stat; Blissey and Jirachi especially appreciate Hippowdon's ability to shut down Calm Mind Tapu Koko for them, as it is able to set up on both of them. Hippowdon is unable to check Grass-type attackers, namely Zarude, Tapu Bulu, and Dhelmise, so Corviknight, defensive Kommo-o, and Mandibuzz make excellent teammates. Hippowdon also struggles with Water-type attackers, most commonly Barraskewda, so a Desolate Land teammate like Heatran or bulky switch-in like Tapu Fini makes a great partner. Hippowdon is often unable to damage Talonflame, requiring a reliable switch-in such as Primordial Sea Zapdos. While Hippowdon does not particularly fear Stealth Rock, Spikes or Toxic Spikes can turn several key 3HKOs into 2HKOs, so a reliable Defogger like Corviknight is advised.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hippowdown can run a Wandering Spirit set to disrupt the opposing team, especially their Regenerator pivots, but this is generally better left to Corviknight due to its better typing. Unaware is a viable option to check setup sweepers without Whirlwind. Curse is also an option to make Hippowdon less passive and power up both Earthquake and Body Press, but it comes at the expense of a utility option.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Attackers**: Zarude, Dhelmise, and Tapu Bulu are all able to hit Hippowdon with their STAB attacks and overwhelm it; they also resist Earthquake, and all but Zarude resist or are immune to Body Press as well.
**Special Attackers**: With the exception of Tapu Koko, most special attackers are able to easily overwhelm Hippowdon's lower Special Defense and 2HKO it.
**Water-types**: Barraskewda, Swampert, and Primarina are all able to threaten Hippowdon with their STAB attacks; even worse, they can force it out with Flip Turn to generate momentum.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[UT, 523866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Osake, 524664], [The Number Man, 475804]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
name: Physical Wall
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Toxic / Body Press / Whirlwind
move 4: Whirlwind / Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Dauntless Shield
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 204 Def / 52 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Hippowdon is a sturdy physical wall that can check some of the metagame's premier physical attackers like Terrakion, Zygarde-10%, and Kommo-o. Its bulk and Dauntless Shield allow it to tank powerful attacks, like Terrakion's Close Combat and Garchomp's Earthquake, while Slack Off allows it to stay healthy throughout the match to repeatedly check these dangerous attackers. It can also deter setup thanks to Whirlwind and Toxic, which can force out an opposing setup sweeper or put them on a timer; notably, Hippowdown can tank any one hit from BellyBurden Kommo-o at +6 and force it out with Whirlwind. Earthquake is often Hippowdon's only attacking move and notably allows it to beat Tapu Koko. Body Press is another attacking option that provides solid coverage alongside Earthquake, notably hitting Zarude and Ferrothorn, which may try and switch in, but it usually comes at the expense of Toxic. For another option, Hippowdon is a serviceable Stealth Rock setter, but it does not threaten any of the common Defoggers and generally prefers its other utility moves. Leftovers is the preferred item to provide passive recovery and help reduce the chances of a 2HKO from Terrakion and Tapu Koko, but Rocky Helmet is an option to punish opposing attackers, especially U-turn pivots. The given EV spread allows Hippowdon to avoid the 2HKO from both Terrakion's Close Combat and Tapu Koko's Dazzling Gleam after Stealth Rock.
Hippowdon fits well on balance and bulky teams that want solid answers to Terrakion, Zygarde-10%, Kommo-o, and Calm Mind Tapu Koko; it pairs well with teammates that are forced out by these threats, like Tapu Lele, Zapdos, and Heatran. It pairs well a special wall like Blissey or Assault Vest Jirachi, as each can cover for the other's lower defensive stat; Blissey and Jirachi especially appreciate Hippowdon's ability to shut down Calm Mind Tapu Koko for them, as it is able to set up on both of them. Hippowdon is unable to check Grass-type attackers, namely Zarude, Tapu Bulu, and Dhelmise, so Corviknight, defensive Kommo-o, and Mandibuzz make excellent teammates. Hippowdon also struggles with Water-type attackers, most commonly Barraskewda, so a Desolate Land teammate like Heatran or bulky switch-in like Tapu Fini makes a great partner. Hippowdon is often unable to damage Talonflame, requiring a reliable switch-in such as Primordial Sea Zapdos. While Hippowdon does not particularly fear Stealth Rock, Spikes or Toxic Spikes can turn several key 3HKOs into 2HKOs, so a reliable Defogger like Corviknight is advised.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hippowdown can run a Wandering Spirit set to disrupt the opposing team, especially their Regenerator pivots, but this is generally better left to Corviknight due to its better typing. Unaware is a viable option to check setup sweepers without Whirlwind. Curse is also an option to make Hippowdon less passive and power up both Earthquake and Body Press, but it comes at the expense of a utility option.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Attackers**: Zarude, Dhelmise, and Tapu Bulu are all able to hit Hippowdon with their STAB attacks and overwhelm it; they also resist Earthquake, and all but Zarude resist or are immune to Body Press as well.
**Special Attackers**: With the exception of Tapu Koko, most special attackers are able to easily overwhelm Hippowdon's lower Special Defense and 2HKO it.
**Water-types**: Barraskewda, Swampert, and Primarina are all able to threaten Hippowdon with their STAB attacks; even worse, they can force it out with Flip Turn to generate momentum.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[UT, 523866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Osake, 524664], [The Number Man, 475804]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
Last edited:
