[SET]
Defensive (Hippowdon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
[SET COMMENTS]
Hippowdon is a capable defensive Ground-type that utilizes its impressive mixed bulk and useful utility movepool to stand in the way of Pokemon such as Tapu Koko, Volcarona, and Zamazenta. While it does compete with other defensive Ground-types that generally offer more utility and are less passive, Hippowdon carves a niche for itself thanks to its ability to check both Mega Charizard Y and Mega Diancie, something no other Ground-type is capable of doing. Toxic allows Hippowdon to force progress onto Pokemon such as Zapdos, Moltres, and Tornadus-T while also preventing foes such as Volcarona and Dragonite from safely setting up on it. Hippowdon is a decent Stealth Rock setter, as hazard removal options such as Great Tusk, Terapagos, and the aforementioned Zapdos and Tornadus-T don't love taking on Hippowdon 1 on 1. Slack Off is necessary to keep Hippowdon healthy and let it switch into threats such as Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko repeatedly. Leftovers is the preferred item to maximize recovery and reduce Hippowdon's reliance on Slack Off as much as possible. Maximum special defense investment and a Careful nature is required so Hippowdon can check Mega Diancie and Volcarona to the best of its abilities. Sand Stream allows Hippowdon to set Sandstorm, which allows it to slowly chip down the opposition and notably allows it to comfortably switch into Mega Charizard Y by virtue of taking away the Sun that it relies on to wallbreak.
Hippowdon has stiff competition for a teamslot from its fellow bulky Ground-types. Gliscor, Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Ting-Lu are all less passive and have useful secondary typings, while the former three are also significantly faster than Hippowdon. Teams considering Hippowdon must utilize its unique strengths lest it be outclassed. These teams are often bulky balance teams that appreciate the unique defensive role compression that Hippowdon offers and can compensate for its passivity and low speed. The ability to switch into Mega Diancie with relative impunity is a significant point in Hippowdon's favor; it notably frees up teams to run Steel-types that do not appreciate switching into Mega Diancie. Melmetal, Mega Scizor, Heatran, and Skarmory are all Steel-types that must take great care switching into Mega Diancie if they are capable of doing so at all, so Hippowdon makes for a great partner for them. Hippowdon also has good synergy well with bulky Dragon-types that can check dangerous Grass- and Water-types, like Ogerpon-W, Urshifu-R, and Serperior. Dragonite, Mega Latios, and Raging Bolt are good partners as a result; they also take pressure off of Hippowdon to check Fire-types like Heatran and Volcarona. Bulky Grass-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur are also good partners for a similar reason, although they certainly dislike the aforementioned Fire-types. Hippowdon does resist Stealth Rock, but its weakness to Spikes necessitates hazard removal on its team. Terapagos, Tornadus-T, and Zapdos are options that Hippowdon's team can employ to help out in this regard. Unlike many of the tier's other Ground-types, Hippowdon's poor Speed also makes it a very shaky Gholdengo answer. Other answers to it, such as Moltres, Hisuian Samurott, or Kingambit are therefore very useful teammates. Hippowdon's passivity into Gliscor is another major obstacle, so a teammate that does well into Gliscor, such as Skarmory, Urshifu-R, or Kyurem is a good partner.
[SET CREDITS]
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