[Skeleton] Hippowdon

Discussion in 'NU Analyses' started by Weavile, Sep 2, 2014.

  1. Weavile

    Weavile Phoenix

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    General:
    - Faaaaaaaaaaaaat
    - Pretty big attack
    - One of the most reliable all round sponges in the metagame
    - Can pack the superior phazing move.
    - Sand has neat perks.
    - Decent offensive movepool

    Defensive:
    Hippowdon (M) @ Leftovers / Smooth Rock
    Trait: Sand Stream
    EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef or EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
    Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk) or Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
    - Earthquake
    - Stealth Rock / Toxic
    - Whirlwind
    - Slack Off

    - Two different EV spreads check two different sets of mon, without physical investment Hippowdon is still solid but won't be standing up to the upper end of physical attackers like LO Druddigon.
    - EQ is powerful enough to threaten frailer mon straight up, while Whirlwind is for preventing bulkier sweepers like SD Feraligatr or Virizion from setting up on you.
    - Slack Off is recovery.
    - Toxic and burns can be problematic so Heal Bell support is always good.
    - Most reliable weather setter in the metagame, naturally it's great support for Stoutland and even Sandslash.
    - If used on a sand-based team Leftovers can be replaced with Smooth Rock for longer sand. But the Leftovers are too valuable to pass on if your team isn't somewhat heavily reliant on sand.
    - If you already have SR on your team (if you're using Hippo it should be your SR setter, but if you're that intent on your other garbage SR user) Toxic can be used to spread the love around the opposing team.

    OO:
    - Sand Tomb on an offensively EV'd set can make for some interesting trapping shenanigans
    - Assault Vest is an option but Slack Off is sorely missed as are rocks.
    - Has Curse but is too weak to too many good special attackers to use it to sweep.
    - Stockpile with Rest and Whirlwind can be super annoying but is destroyed by all Taunters.
    - Can make an acceptable surprise Choice Band user.

    C&C:
    - Bulky grass types such as Amoongus and Vileplume don't mind eating up anything non-offensive Hippowdon can throw and hitting back with SE Giga Drains.
    - Bulky waters like Milotic, Jellicent and Vaporeon
    - All sets of Virizion.
    - Strong Neutral or better special attacks in general are to be avoided if physically defensive, even if specially defensive attacks from the likes of Specs Magneton or Typhlosion are still to be avoided.
    - Even physically defensive should avoid the strongest Choice Banders like Sawk or Druddigon when they're firing off their STABs.
    - Xatu hard walls defensive sets, unless they opt to waste a move slot on Crunch or Stone Edge.
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2014