Generation 4 was a golden era of new Ground types. From the newest Water/Ground type Gastrodon and its resilience, to Gliscor with its excellent defensive typing and offensive support options, the bruiser Mamoswine, and of course the infamous Garchomp that even got itself banned for a time. Hippowdon is also another awesome Ground type released that generation, and I found it amusing you could only catch its pre-evolution in that small cave just south of Veilstone City. Touting amazing defensive stats and typing, not to mention access to recovery, support moves like Whirlwind and Stealth Rock, not to mention excellent offensive options, Hippowdon was actually my go to option when Garchomp got the ban hammer back then. Even now this sand hippo continues to be a threat that should not be underestimated.
Accursed Hippo
Ability: Sand Stream
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Careful (+Sp.Def. -Sp.Att.)
EVs: (HP 252) (Def. 4) (Sp.Def. 252)
Moves:
Curse
Slack Off
Earthquake
Stone Edge/Crunch/Body Press/Elemental Fangs
Set Details:
I like boosting sets, so let's start there with a tank build. Curse boosts Hippowdon's offensive output as well as its physical defense making it difficult to take down by physical attacks. Slack Off keeps the sand hippo healthy allowing you to stay in the match and net further boosts and is mandatory for any defensive Pokemon. Earthquake is obviously the main STAB, but the secondary coverage move is a hard choice. Stone Edge has excellent coverage with Earthquake, but Crunch offers all around great neutral coverage. Body Press benefits from the defensive boost, and each of the elemental fangs offers coverage against popular threats. Fire Fang punishes the Bug/Steels and Ferrothorns, Ice Fang gives Dragon types a nasty surprise, and Thunder Fang is useful for handling the copious amounts of Water types, especially Gyarados and Pelipper. Leftovers gives extra recovery, and nature plus EVs are poured into special defense and HP since Curse already has you covered on the physical defense side. Sand Stream is your go-to ability that allows you to whittle away at your opponent's health and break Focus Sash and Sturdy users, but be weary that your non-Ground/Rock/Steel teammates will have to deal with the sandstorm too.
Darude Sandstorm
Ability: Sand Stream
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Careful (+Sp.Def. -Sp.Att.)
EVs: (HP 252) (Def. 4) (Sp.Def. 252)
Moves:
Stealth Rock
Whirlwind
Earthquake
Slack Off/Basically any of the coverage moves from the last set
Set Details:
This set is intended to abuse Stealth Rock as much as possible all while phazing the opponent. Set up Stealth Rock and then proceed to repeatedly force the opponent out with Whirlwind allowing Stealth Rock to chip away at their Pokemon's health in tangent with the Sandstorm set by Sand Stream. Earthquake is still your optimum offensive option, and Slack Off keeps Hippowdon healthy for the sake of match longevity. Though if you want you could opt for an extra offensive move mentioned in the above set instead. Once again the item is Leftovers, and nature and EVs are put in HP and special defense.
Assault Hippo
Ability: Sand Stream
Item: Assault Vest
Nature: Careful (+Sp.Def. -Sp.Att.)
EVs: (HP 252) (Def. 4) (Sp.Def. 252)
Moves:
Earthquake
Stone Edge
Fire Fang
Crunch/Body Press/Ice Fang/Thunder Fang
Set Details:
An all-out offensive tank set with Assault Vest support. Earthquake is main STAB, Stone Edge offers the best coverage, Fire Fang is anti-Ferrothron and Bug/Steel repellent, Crunch is good neutral coverage, Body Press synergizes well, Ice Fang counters Dragon types, and Thunder Fang is for Gyarados.
Much like the real life hippopotamus, do not underestimate this bruiser or it can and will massacre you, leaving your team crushed under like a very unfortunate watermelon:
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