Shadow Hippowdon
Attack
Defense
Stamina
Best Movesets
Analysis
Shadow Hippowdon is actually a pretty solid Ground Type. It's definitely a ways behind many of the titans of this absolutely destructive type, but it's also not the worse thanks to finally getting access to a full Ground Type moveset in March of 2024. It's not really worth much investment, but there are definitely worse Ground Types out there!
Offense
- Sand Attack is Shadow Hippowdon's STAB Fast Move, and its overall best option.
- Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang, and Bite all fall behind.
- Scorching Sands is Shadow 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.
Defense
- Ice Fang and Fire Fang are preferable for hurting Grass attackers, while Thunder Fang is good vs Water attackers.
- Bite is the worst on defense, even when other fast moves would be resisted.
- Body Slam hits quickly and often, but its power leaves something to be desired.
- Weather Ball Rock is a decent option on defense, but its typing might not be as valuable.
- 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.
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.
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.
