Do you have what it takes to beat Ho-Oh?
For Pokémon Go Fest 2021, Niantic is bringing back every Legendary Raid for one day only. On Sunday, July 18, Ho-Oh will return to Raids, alongside dozens of other Legenday Pokémon. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to win this fight and add Ho-Oh to your roster. And be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon Journey!
Who is Ho-Oh in Pokémon Go?
The mascot of Pokémon Gold and Lugia's polar opposite, Ho-Oh is a Fire and Flying type Legendary Pokémon and the master of the Legendary Beasts, Entei, Raikou, and Suicune. Ho-Oh was also one of the very first Legendary Pokémon to appear in the show, showing up in the very first episode after Ash faced off against a flock of Spearow to protect Pikachu.
In Pokémon Go, Ho-Oh is a powerful Flying type that just had its Shadow variant released. Although Ho-Oh has been available a number of times, the extra Candy and XL Candy mean it's worth adding a few more to your collection if possible to power up Shadow Ho-Oh.
What are the best counters for Ho-Oh in Pokémon Go?
As a Fire and Flying type, Ho-Oh takes double damage from Electric and Water, and it takes quad damage from Rock. It has a very wide range of move types including Fire, Flying, Grass, Psychic, Steel, and Fighting. However, a lot has changed since the last time the Rainbow Pokémon featured in Raids. With the introduction of Mega Evolution and the rebalance of Shadow Pokémon, there are a number of solid strategies for taking out this Legendary Pokémon.
Rampardos
A Rock type Fossil Pokémon from Gen IV, Rampardos is the best possible counter for Ho-Oh. Its first stage, Cranidos has been featured in events and Eggs, and it only requires 50 Candies to evolve, so many players have an abundance of candy for powering it up. As a Rock type, it resists Fire and Flying type moves, but takes double damage from Fighting, Grass, and Steel attacks. The moveset you're looking for is Smack Down and Rock Slide.
Terrakion
One of the Legendary Swords of Justice, Terrakion is a great counter for Ho-Oh. It's a Rock and Fighting type, so weak to most of Ho-Oh's possible moves (Fighting, Psychic, Steel, and Grass) and only resistant to it's Fire type attack. However, it's had fairly widespread availability now. If you're bringing Terrakion to face Ho-Oh, you'll want it to know Smack Down and Rock Slide.
Rhyperior
The Sinnoh Stone evolution of the Gen I Rhyhorn, Rhyperior is a Ground and Rock type. Like Rampardos, it brings resistences to Flying and Fire, and weaknesses to Fighting, Steel, and Grass. Unfortunately, it's weakness to Grass is a quad weakness, so a Solar Beam Ho-Oh will require dodging. On the plus side, Rhyperior was featured in a Community Day and Rhyhorn has been around since day one, so most trainers have a few fully powered up. Smack Down and Rock Wrecker is the moveset you'll want your Rhyperior to know; however, if you don't have a Rhyperior from Community Day or the Elite TMs to spare, Stone Edge can also work for the Charged move.
Tyranitar
The Rock and Dark type Tyranitar from Gen II has had widespread availability, having been the star of a Community Day, featured in Raids, and even as a Shadow Pokémon. Most players have a few fully powered up Tyranitar, if not an entire team. It's resistant to Flying, Fire, and Psychic, but weak against Steel, Grass, and Fighting. Its weakness to Fighting is a quad weakness too. Still, if you're bringing Tyranitar to this Raid, you'll want it to know Smack Down and Stone Edge.
Mega Ampharos
If you're planning on an Electric based offensive or just happen to have the extra Mega Energy, Mega Ampharos is great for going up against Ho-Oh. As an Electric and Dragon type, it has no weaknesses Ho-Oh can exploit and it resists Flying, Fire, Grass, and Steel type damage. If you can coordinate with your Raid party, it will also boost other Electric types on the field. Volt Switch and Power Gem are the best moves for your Mega Ampharos to know in this fight.
Aerodactyl
The Gen I fossil Pokémon, Aerodactyl is a Rock and Flying type that most players have. It's been around since the start and has been featured in events, Eggs, and Raids, so most players have at least one or two fully powered up. It's resistant to Flying and Fire, and the only notable weakness it brings is Steel. It is one of the only counters that isn't weak to Solar Beam, although you might still want to dodge to make it last longer. Rock Throw and Rock Slide is the moveset you'll want your Aerodactyl to know.
Landorus (Incarnate forme)
Another Legendary Pokémon, Incarnate forme Landorus performs very well in this Raid. It has been available more often than its Therian forme and it has better moves as well. As a Ground and Flying type, It's one of the only counters that isn't weak to any of Ho-Oh's attacks, and it resists Fighting type attacks as well. If you're bringing Landorus to this Raid, you'll want it to know Rock Throw and Rock Slide.
Gigalith
A pure Rock type from Gen V, Gigalith is relatively new to Pokémon Go, but its first stage, Roggenrola has been featured in events and it benefits from Trade Evolution, leaving plenty of Candy leftover for powering up. It's resistant to Fire and Flying, but weak to Fighting, Steel, and Grass, so dodging is important, especially when Ho-Oh knows Solar Beam. Smack Down and Rock Slide is the moveset you'll want for this Raid.
Omastar
Another fossil from Gen I, Omastar doesn't perform quite as well as Aerodactyl, but as a Rock and Water type, it takes half damage from Flying type moves and only a quarter damage from Fire type moves. It's weak to Fighting and Solar Beam absolutely shreds Omastar to bits, so moveset and dodging are especially important. However, Omastar are abundant, with its first stage, Omanyte having been featured in many, many events, and being a Shadow Pokémon. If you're bringing Omastar to this fight, you'll want Rock Throw and Rock Slide for its moves.
Alolan Golem
The Gen VII regional variant of Golem makes a great counter for Ho-Oh. The Alolan Golem outperforms the Kantonian original, resisting Flying types better, taking only double damage from Grass, and not being weak to Steel. However, it's not quite as abundant as the Kantonian version. Regardless which Golem you bring, you'll want it to know Rock Throw and Stone Edge to deal maximum damage.
Back ups?
Although most players will be able to make a team of the best counters, if you're finding a gap in your team, there are plenty of back ups who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you're dodging and any of the following could be a decent back up:
- Zekrom with Charge Beam and Wild Charge
- Aggron with Smack Down and Stone Edge
- Golem with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
- Regirock with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
- Crustle with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Archeops with Wing Attack and Ancient Power
- Mega Gyarados with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
- Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Ancient Power
- Melmetal with Thunder Shock and Rock Slide
- Mega Blastoise with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
- Lunatone with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Solrock with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Therian forme Thundurus with Volt Switch and Thunderbolt
- Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Ancient Power
- Darmanitan with Tackle and Rock Slide
- Mega Manectric with Charge Beam and Wild Charge
- Raikou with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Hippowdon with Thunder Fang and Weather Ball
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf
- Sudowoodo with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Carracosta with Rock Throw and Ancient Power
- Moltres with Wing Attack and Ancient Power
- Empoleon with Waterfall and Hydro Cannon
Shadow Pokémon?
The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events or with Elite TMs, it's possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this Raid:
- Shadow Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
- Shadow Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Shadow Omastar with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Shadow Aggron with Smack Down and Stone Edge
- Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Ancient Power
- Shadow Raikou with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Shadow Moltres with Wing Attack and Ancient Power
- Shadow Magnezone with Spark and Wild Charge
- Shadow Ho-Oh with Hidden Power and Brave Bird
- Shadow Gyarados with Waterfall and Aqua Tail
Note: Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Aerodactyl, and Shadow Omastar outperform everything but Rampardos. Shadow Zapdos also perform on par with the other best counters. If you are able to coordinate the use of Mega Blastoise, it will boost other Water type counters making Shadow Gyarados far more competitive.
How many players does it take to beat Ho-Oh in Pokémon Go?
Ho-Oh Raids are highly dependent on Ho-Oh's moveset. Most of the good counters are weak to Solar Beam, and even when not weak to it, this move hits very hard. If you're going up against a Solar Beam Ho-Oh, you will probably need a larger group. Still, with the best counters, high level Trainers can duo this Raid. If you are lacking the best counters or are a lower level, you'll want at least four players.
The following Weather conditions can impact this Raid:
- Sunny/Clear Weather will boost Ho-Oh's Fire and Grass type moves.
- Windy Weather will boost its Flying and Psychic type moves.
- Cloudy Weather will boost its Fighting type attack.
- Snow will boost its Steel type attack.
- Partly Cloudy Weather will boost your Rock type counters.
- Rain will boost you Water and Electric type counters.
Questions about taking on Ho-Oh in Pokémon Go?
Do you have any questions about taking on Ho-Oh in Pokémon Go? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to check out our Complete Pokédex, as well as our many Pokémon Go guides so you can be the very best, like no one ever was!
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