Ho-Oh Raid Guide: Weaknesses, Counters, And How To Catch It

Hey guys! Get ready to spread your wings because the legendary Ho-Oh, the Rainbow Pokémon, is back in raids! This majestic Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon from the Johto region is a powerful addition to any team, and this guide will give you the lowdown on how to catch it. We'll cover everything from its weaknesses and best counters to ideal move sets and weather boosts. So, buckle up, trainers, and let's dive into the world of Ho-Oh! Preparing for a Ho-Oh raid requires a strategic approach, as this legendary Pokémon boasts a dual Fire and Flying typing, making it vulnerable to specific types of attacks. To effectively counter Ho-Oh, trainers should prioritize assembling a team with Pokémon that have high Attack stats and utilize Rock-type moves, which exploit Ho-Oh's double weakness. Some of the top counters include Rhyperior, Rampardos, Tyranitar, and Terrakion, all of which can inflict significant damage with their Rock-type attacks. Additionally, Pokémon with Water and Electric-type moves can also be effective, although they will not deal as much damage as Rock-type moves. It's crucial to consider the weather conditions when planning your raid, as certain weather boosts can enhance the power of specific move types. For instance, Sunny weather will boost Fire-type moves, while Rainy weather will boost Water and Electric-type moves. By carefully selecting your team and taking advantage of weather boosts, you can increase your chances of successfully defeating and catching Ho-Oh. Coordination with your raid group is also essential, ensuring that everyone is aware of the strategy and their roles in the battle. With a well-coordinated team and the right counters, you'll be well-prepared to take on this legendary challenge.

Understanding Ho-Oh's Strengths and Weaknesses

Before we jump into the battle, let's understand what makes Ho-Oh tick. This magnificent bird is a Fire- and Flying-type, which means it's got some serious strengths but also some key weaknesses that we can exploit. Knowing these weaknesses is your first step towards victory! Ho-Oh, as a dual Fire and Flying-type Pokémon, presents a unique set of strengths and weaknesses that trainers need to understand to effectively counter it in raids. Its Fire typing grants it resistance to Fire, Grass, Bug, Steel, and Fairy-type moves, making these attacks less effective against it. Additionally, its Flying typing provides resistance to Ground-type moves, further limiting the types of attacks that can deal significant damage. However, Ho-Oh's dual typing also exposes it to several vulnerabilities, most notably a double weakness to Rock-type moves. This means that Rock-type attacks will inflict four times the usual damage, making Pokémon with strong Rock-type moves essential for any team looking to take down Ho-Oh. Additionally, Ho-Oh is weak to Water and Electric-type moves, although these weaknesses are less pronounced than its vulnerability to Rock-type attacks. When planning a raid against Ho-Oh, trainers should prioritize Pokémon with Rock-type moves, such as Rhyperior, Rampardos, Tyranitar, and Terrakion. These Pokémon can exploit Ho-Oh's double weakness and inflict substantial damage. Water and Electric-type Pokémon can also contribute to the battle, but they should be considered secondary options compared to Rock-types. Understanding Ho-Oh's strengths and weaknesses is crucial for assembling an effective team and developing a winning strategy. By focusing on its vulnerabilities and utilizing the right Pokémon, trainers can increase their chances of successfully defeating and capturing this legendary Pokémon. Coordination with your raid group and adapting to the specific move set of the Ho-Oh you are facing will also play a significant role in your success.

Key Weaknesses:

  • Rock (double weakness!): This is your primary attack type. Rock moves will deal 4x damage to Ho-Oh. So, if you are looking for the key to defeat him, Rock type will be the best solution!
  • Water: Deals normal super effective damage.
  • Electric: Deals normal super effective damage.

Resistances:

  • Fire
  • Grass
  • Bug
  • Steel
  • Fairy
  • Ground

Top Counters for Ho-Oh Raids

Alright, now that we know what Ho-Oh is weak against, let's build our dream team! Here are some of the best Pokémon to bring to a Ho-Oh raid, focusing on those Rock-type attackers that can really pack a punch. Remember, having a diverse team with high CP and ideal movesets is key to success. Assembling the ideal team to counter Ho-Oh in raids requires careful consideration of Pokémon types, movesets, and stats. Given Ho-Oh's double weakness to Rock-type moves, Pokémon with powerful Rock-type attacks are the most effective counters. Rhyperior, with its high Attack stat and access to moves like Smack Down and Rock Wrecker, is a top choice. Rampardos, another Rock-type powerhouse, can also inflict significant damage with moves like Smack Down and Rock Slide. Tyranitar, a Dark and Rock-type Pokémon, offers a versatile option with its strong Attack stat and access to both Smack Down and Stone Edge. Terrakion, a Rock and Fighting-type legendary, is another excellent counter with its high Attack and access to Rock Slide. In addition to Rock-type Pokémon, Water and Electric-types can also be effective, although they will not deal as much damage due to Ho-Oh's weaker vulnerabilities to these types. Kyogre, a Water-type legendary, can be a strong option with its high Attack stat and moves like Waterfall and Surf. Raikou, an Electric-type legendary, can also contribute with moves like Thunder Shock and Wild Charge. When selecting your team, it's crucial to consider the specific moveset of the Ho-Oh you are facing. If Ho-Oh has Fire-type moves, Water-types may be less effective due to the type disadvantage. Similarly, if Ho-Oh has Grass-type moves, Electric-types may be at a disadvantage. By diversifying your team and having a mix of Rock, Water, and Electric-type Pokémon, you can adapt to different situations and maximize your chances of success. Coordination with your raid group is also essential, ensuring that everyone is aware of the strategy and their roles in the battle. With a well-coordinated team and the right counters, you'll be well-prepared to take on Ho-Oh and add this legendary Pokémon to your collection.

Top Rock-Type Counters:

  • Rhyperior: Smack Down and Rock Wrecker (Community Day move – highly recommended!)
  • Rampardos: Smack Down and Rock Slide
  • Tyranitar: Smack Down and Stone Edge
  • Terrakion: Smack Down and Rock Slide

Other Strong Counters:

  • Kyogre (Water): Waterfall and Surf
  • Raikou (Electric): Thunder Shock and Wild Charge

Ho-Oh's Moveset: Be Prepared!

Knowing what moves Ho-Oh can throw at you is just as important as knowing your own team's strengths. Ho-Oh has a variety of Fast and Charged Moves, some of which can be super effective against your counters. Let's break them down: Ho-Oh, as a legendary Pokémon, boasts a diverse moveset that can pose a significant challenge to trainers in raids. Understanding its potential attacks is crucial for planning an effective strategy and selecting the right team. Ho-Oh's Fast Moves include Incinerate, Fire Spin, and Extrasensory. Incinerate is a powerful Fire-type move that can inflict substantial damage, while Fire Spin is a slightly weaker but faster Fire-type option. Extrasensory is a Psychic-type move that can provide coverage against Pokémon that resist Fire-type attacks. When facing Ho-Oh, it's important to be aware of these Fast Moves and how they might affect your team. If you're using Water-type Pokémon, be cautious of Fire-type moves like Incinerate, which can quickly deplete their health. Similarly, if you're relying on Rock-type Pokémon, Extrasensory can be a threat due to their Psychic-type vulnerability. Ho-Oh's Charged Moves are even more varied and can significantly impact the battle. These include Brave Bird, Fire Blast, Sacred Fire, Solar Beam, and Earthquake. Brave Bird is a powerful Flying-type move that can deal immense damage, but it also lowers Ho-Oh's Defense stat, making it more vulnerable to subsequent attacks. Fire Blast is a strong Fire-type move that can inflict massive damage, while Sacred Fire is a signature Fire-type move that has a chance to burn the target. Solar Beam is a powerful Grass-type move that requires a charge-up turn before use, but it can devastate Water-type Pokémon. Earthquake is a Ground-type move that can catch unsuspecting trainers off guard, especially those relying on Electric-type Pokémon. To effectively counter Ho-Oh's Charged Moves, it's essential to have a diverse team that can withstand different types of attacks. Rock-type Pokémon are generally resistant to Fire-type moves, while Water-type Pokémon can resist Fire and Flying-type moves. Electric-type Pokémon are immune to Ground-type moves, providing an advantage against Earthquake. By carefully selecting your team and being aware of Ho-Oh's potential moveset, you can minimize the damage taken and maximize your chances of success in the raid. Coordination with your raid group and adapting to the specific moveset of the Ho-Oh you are facing will also play a crucial role in your victory.

Fast Moves:

  • Incinerate (Fire)
  • Fire Spin (Fire)
  • Extrasensory (Psychic)

Charged Moves:

  • Brave Bird (Flying)
  • Fire Blast (Fire)
  • Sacred Fire (Fire) – Legacy Move
  • Solar Beam (Grass)
  • Earthquake (Ground)

Weather Boosts: Use Them to Your Advantage!

Weather in Pokémon GO isn't just for show; it can significantly impact raid battles. Certain weather conditions boost specific types of Pokémon and their moves, giving you a serious advantage. For Ho-Oh, we need to pay attention to the following: Weather boosts in Pokémon GO can significantly impact raid battles, providing an advantage to both the raid boss and the trainers participating in the raid. Understanding how weather boosts work and how they affect Ho-Oh is crucial for planning an effective strategy and maximizing your chances of success. Ho-Oh, as a dual Fire and Flying-type Pokémon, is affected by several weather conditions. Sunny weather boosts Fire-type moves, making Ho-Oh's Fire-type attacks, such as Incinerate, Fire Spin, Fire Blast, and Sacred Fire, even more potent. This can pose a significant threat to trainers using Pokémon that are weak to Fire-type moves, such as Grass, Ice, Bug, and Steel-types. Windy weather boosts Flying-type moves, enhancing the power of Ho-Oh's Brave Bird. This can be particularly dangerous for Rock-type Pokémon, which are weak to Flying-type moves. However, Windy weather can also benefit trainers using Flying-type counters, such as Rayquaza and Moltres, by boosting their Flying-type attacks. Clear weather boosts Grass-type moves, which Ho-Oh can utilize with its Charged Move Solar Beam. While Solar Beam requires a charge-up turn before use, it can devastate Water-type Pokémon, making it essential to be cautious when using Water-types against Ho-Oh in Clear weather. Cloudy weather boosts Fairy, Fighting, and Poison-type moves, which are not directly relevant to Ho-Oh's moveset. However, this weather can still affect the performance of certain counters that rely on these move types. To effectively utilize weather boosts to your advantage, it's important to consider the weather conditions in your area when planning your raid. If the weather is Sunny, Windy, or Clear, you may need to adjust your team to account for the boosted moves. For instance, if the weather is Sunny, you might want to avoid using Water-type Pokémon or prioritize Pokémon that resist Fire-type moves. Conversely, if the weather is Windy, you might want to consider using Flying-type counters to take advantage of the boosted Flying-type moves. By paying attention to the weather conditions and adapting your strategy accordingly, you can increase your chances of successfully defeating and capturing Ho-Oh.

  • Sunny: Boosts Fire-type moves (Ho-Oh's Fire-type attacks will be stronger!).
  • Windy: Boosts Flying-type moves (Ho-Oh's Brave Bird will hit harder!).
  • Clear: Boosts Grass-type moves (Ho-Oh's Solar Beam will be more dangerous!).

Raid Details and Catching Ho-Oh

Okay, you've battled Ho-Oh and emerged victorious! Now comes the crucial part: catching it. Here's what you need to know about raid details and how to maximize your chances of adding Ho-Oh to your Pokédex: Capturing Ho-Oh after a successful raid requires a combination of skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. After defeating Ho-Oh, you'll be given a limited number of Premier Balls to catch it. The number of Premier Balls you receive depends on several factors, including your damage contribution to the raid, your team's performance, and your friendship level with other trainers in the raid. To maximize your chances of catching Ho-Oh, it's essential to use Golden Razz Berries. These berries significantly increase your catch rate, making it easier to secure the legendary Pokémon. Before each throw, feed Ho-Oh a Golden Razz Berry to boost your odds. Aim for Excellent Throws to further increase your catch rate. Excellent Throws require precise timing and aim, but they provide a substantial bonus to your catch probability. Practice your throwing technique and try to consistently hit Excellent Throws. Use curved throws by spinning the Poké Ball before throwing it. Curved throws have a slightly higher catch rate than straight throws, giving you another advantage. Be patient and persistent. Ho-Oh is a legendary Pokémon, and it may take several attempts to catch it. Don't get discouraged if you don't catch it on your first try. Keep using Golden Razz Berries, aiming for Excellent Throws, and utilizing curved throws, and you'll eventually succeed. Pay attention to Ho-Oh's attack patterns. Ho-Oh will often attack or move around, making it difficult to hit. Wait for it to settle down before throwing your Premier Ball to increase your accuracy. Consider the weather conditions. Weather boosts can affect Ho-Oh's catch rate. In Sunny or Windy weather, Ho-Oh may be more challenging to catch due to its boosted Fire or Flying-type moves. However, if the weather is favorable, such as Rainy or Cloudy, you may have a slightly easier time. Coordinate with your raid group. If you're raiding with friends or other trainers, coordinate your throws to maximize your chances of success. For instance, if someone is consistently hitting Excellent Throws, they can focus on throwing while others provide support. By following these tips and strategies, you can significantly increase your chances of capturing Ho-Oh and adding this legendary Pokémon to your collection.

Raid CP:

  • 50,061 CP

Catch CP Range:

  • 2221 to 2289 CP (Level 20, no weather boost)
  • 2776 to 2862 CP (Level 25, Sunny or Windy weather boost)

Important Tips for Catching:

  • Use Golden Razz Berries: These are your best friend for legendary catches.
  • Aim for Excellent Throws: Practice makes perfect! A smaller target circle means a higher catch rate.
  • Use Curveballs: Spin the ball before you throw for an extra catch bonus.
  • Be Patient: Ho-Oh can be a tough catch, so don't get discouraged if it breaks out a few times.

Shiny Ho-Oh: The Ultimate Prize

Of course, the holy grail for many trainers is the shiny Ho-Oh! This golden beauty is a rare and coveted prize. While there's no guaranteed way to get a shiny, participating in as many raids as possible will increase your chances. Remember, shiny encounters are random, so keep battling and keep the faith! The Shiny Ho-Oh, with its stunning golden plumage, is a highly sought-after prize for Pokémon GO trainers. Encountering a Shiny Ho-Oh is a matter of luck, as the odds of finding a shiny Pokémon in raids are typically around 1 in 20. This means that, on average, you would need to participate in 20 Ho-Oh raids to have a reasonable chance of encountering its shiny form. However, it's important to remember that these odds are just averages, and some trainers may encounter a Shiny Ho-Oh much sooner, while others may have to participate in many more raids before finding one. To maximize your chances of encountering a Shiny Ho-Oh, it's crucial to participate in as many raids as possible. The more raids you do, the higher your chances of finding the elusive golden bird. Coordinate with your friends and local Pokémon GO community to organize raids and increase your opportunities to battle Ho-Oh. Use your Daily Free Raid Pass and Premium Battle Passes wisely. Prioritize Ho-Oh raids to make the most of your resources and increase your chances of finding a Shiny Ho-Oh. Be patient and persistent. Finding a shiny Pokémon can be a challenging endeavor, and it may take multiple attempts before you encounter one. Don't get discouraged if you don't find a Shiny Ho-Oh right away. Keep participating in raids and remain optimistic, and eventually, your efforts will pay off. Remember that shiny Pokémon have no gameplay advantages over their regular counterparts. Shiny Pokémon are purely cosmetic variations, and they do not have higher stats or special abilities. However, the rarity and visual appeal of shiny Pokémon make them highly prized among collectors and enthusiasts. Encountering a Shiny Ho-Oh is a testament to your dedication and perseverance as a Pokémon GO trainer. It's a badge of honor that you can proudly display in your collection. So, keep raiding, keep battling, and keep the faith. The golden wings of Shiny Ho-Oh may be waiting for you just around the corner.

Final Thoughts: Soar to Victory!

Ho-Oh is a powerful and rewarding Pokémon to add to your team. By understanding its weaknesses, building a strong team of counters, and utilizing weather boosts, you can increase your chances of success in raids. And who knows, you might even snag a shiny Ho-Oh! Good luck, trainers, and happy raiding! Taking down Ho-Oh in Pokémon GO raids is a challenging but achievable task. This legendary Pokémon, with its dual Fire and Flying-typing, presents a unique set of strengths and weaknesses that trainers need to understand to effectively counter it. By assembling a team of powerful Rock-type Pokémon, such as Rhyperior, Rampardos, Tyranitar, and Terrakion, you can exploit Ho-Oh's double weakness and inflict significant damage. Water and Electric-type Pokémon can also contribute to the battle, providing additional coverage against Ho-Oh's diverse moveset. Understanding Ho-Oh's potential attacks, including its Fast Moves like Incinerate and Fire Spin, and its Charged Moves like Brave Bird, Fire Blast, Sacred Fire, Solar Beam, and Earthquake, is crucial for planning your strategy. Weather boosts can play a significant role in Ho-Oh raids, with Sunny weather boosting Fire-type moves, Windy weather boosting Flying-type moves, and Clear weather boosting Grass-type moves. By adapting your team and strategy to the weather conditions, you can gain a crucial advantage in the battle. Capturing Ho-Oh after a successful raid requires patience, skill, and a bit of luck. Using Golden Razz Berries, aiming for Excellent Throws, and utilizing curved throws can significantly increase your chances of catching the legendary Pokémon. The Shiny Ho-Oh, with its stunning golden plumage, is a highly coveted prize for Pokémon GO trainers. While encountering a Shiny Ho-Oh is a matter of luck, participating in as many raids as possible will increase your chances of finding this elusive variant. Ultimately, taking down Ho-Oh and adding it to your collection is a rewarding experience. This legendary Pokémon is a powerful addition to any team, and it represents a significant achievement for Pokémon GO trainers. So, gather your friends, assemble your team, and soar to victory against Ho-Oh!

Remember to use these friend codes for Ho-Oh raids:

  • 433001185686
  • 229145749187
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A seasoned journalist with more than five years of reporting across technology, business, and culture. Experienced in conducting expert interviews, crafting long-form features, and verifying claims through primary sources and public records. Committed to clear writing, rigorous fact-checking, and transparent citations to help readers make informed decisions.