Hippowdon
Fast
Charge
PvE Analysis
Hippowdown spent a lot of time as a devalued Ground Type, thanks primarily to its lack of a Ground Type Fast Move despite also sporting the full set of original Elemental Fangs and Bite instead. Well, now it's got a strong and very thematically relevant moveset in Sand Attack and Scorching Sands. Now this ruler of the land-hippo stands tall as... an okay Ground Type attacker.
Best PvE Offensive Moveset
Sand Attack + Scorching Sands | Best |
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- Sand Attack is Hippowdon's STAB Fast Move, and its overall best option.
- Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang, and Bite all fall behind.
- Scorching Sands is Hippowdon's preferred charged move on offense.
- Earth Power and Earthquake fall short.
- Stone Edge and Body Slam serve no offensive role.
- Weather Ball Rock is good, but lacks STAB.
Best PvE Defensive Moveset
Ice Fang, Fire Fang, or Thunder Fang + Body Slam or Weather Ball Rock |
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- Ice Fang and Fire Fang are preferable for hurting Grass attackers, while Thunder Fang is good vs Water attackers.
- Bite falls behind on defense, even when other fast moves would be resisted.
- Sand Attack is too weak to be good for Defense.
- Body Slam hits quickly and often, but its power leaves something to be desired.
- Weather Ball Rock is also a good option, especially given the raw power of many Flying Type attackers.
- Earth Power is the much stronger charged move, but it's quite easy to dodge.
- Scorching Sands isn't as strong as Earth Power, but it's more difficult to dodge.
- Stone Edge is hard to dodge, though its 1-bar status makes it pretty unwieldy. It's probably best to just stick with Weather Ball Rock if you want Rock coverage.
- Earthquake takes time to charge and can be seen coming from a mile away.
PvP Analysis
Sand Attack + Weather Ball Rock and Scorching Sands |
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Sand Attack is Hippowdon's preferred Fast Attack, benefiting from STAB and good energy generation. For the more niche options, any of the elemental Fangs can be chosen depending on the typing coverage preferred. Fire Fang is useful against Hippowdon's weakness to Grass and Ice-type Pokemon, in addition to popular Steel-types. Ice Fang is generally valued for its wide coverage, while Thunder Fang is preferable against common Water Pokemon. Bite lacks energy gains and typing synergy to be useful.
Weather Ball Rock has an incredibly cheap cost and offers valuable Rock-type coverage. Scorching Sands takes advantage of STAB and is less expensive energy-wise than Earthquake or Earth Power, which makes it more likely to be used before fainting while also giving a shot at debuffing the target's Attack. Body Slam is an excellent move due to its solid DPE and low cost, but Weather Ball Rock's coverage is often more valuable. Stone Edge is a decent move for coverage but demands too much energy for Hippowdon to use often.
Great League | |
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Hippowdon has well rounded stats and good moves, but it struggles to stand out in the crowded field of Ground-type options in the Great League, such as Swampert, Whiscash, Gligar, Galarian Stunfisk, and Clodsire. These Ground-type Pokemon possess a useful secondary typing to expand their coverage and resistances, and often possess even greater overall stat products. | |
Ultra League | |
Hippowdon's typing and moveset combinations leaves it rather lackluster in comparison to other contenders in Ultra League. Easy wins against most Steel-type Pokemon are somewhat overshadowed by losses against numerous other foes, including Giratina. Like in Great League, it continues to struggle to stand out against other Ground-type options Perhaps Hippowdon would be happier defending gyms instead of getting washed away in PvP. | |
Master League | |
Hippowdon possesses decent stats, but is largely overshadowed by the Legendary options in the Master League. Powerful Ground-type Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Groudon further directly outclass any potential role that Hippowdon may offer. However, Hippowdon can find its home in the Master Premier League, where its stats are more respectable and where it doesn't have to worry about direct competition from Ground-type Legendary Pokemon. |