Ho-Oh Raid Guide: Counters, Movesets & Strategies

Hey guys! Are you ready to take on the legendary Ho-Oh? This majestic Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon is a powerhouse in raids, and we're here to give you the ultimate guide to conquering it. This comprehensive guide will give you insights into Ho-Oh's strengths and weaknesses, optimal counter strategies, and tips to make your raid successful. So, gather your squad, prepare your best Pokémon, and let's dive into the world of Ho-Oh raids!

Understanding Ho-Oh: Stats, Strengths, and Weaknesses

Before you jump into battle, it's crucial to understand your opponent. Ho-Oh, known as the Rainbow Pokémon, is a dual-type Fire and Flying legendary Pokémon. This combination gives it a unique set of strengths and weaknesses that you can exploit. First, let’s delve into the base stats of Ho-Oh. With impressive Attack and Special Defense stats, Ho-Oh can dish out significant damage while withstanding special attacks effectively. Its HP stat is also substantial, making it a resilient opponent in raids. However, its Defense stat is relatively lower, which is a key weakness to consider when selecting your raid team.

As a Fire- and Flying-type, Ho-Oh has several resistances. It is resistant to Fire, Grass, Bug, Steel, and Fairy-type moves, making these types less effective in battle. It also boasts a double resistance to Grass-type attacks, significantly reducing the damage taken from these moves. This information is essential for strategizing your team composition and avoiding moves that will do minimal damage. Knowing the resistances of Ho-Oh allows you to focus on types that will deal significant damage, maximizing your raid efficiency. Avoiding moves that Ho-Oh resists will save you valuable time and resources, helping you complete the raid more effectively.

On the flip side, Ho-Oh is vulnerable to certain types of attacks. It is weak to Water, and Electric-type moves. But its biggest weakness is to Rock-type moves, dealing 4x damage due to its dual typing. This vulnerability to Rock-type moves is your primary advantage when battling Ho-Oh. As such, focusing on powerful Rock-type Pokémon and moves is paramount for a successful raid. Water and Electric-type Pokémon can also be effective, but Rock-types will be your MVP. Understanding these weaknesses is critical for building a team that can quickly deplete Ho-Oh’s HP and secure your victory. Ignoring these vulnerabilities would be a grave tactical error, significantly reducing your chances of winning.

To summarize, understanding Ho-Oh’s stats, resistances, and weaknesses is the cornerstone of your raid strategy. By leveraging its weaknesses and avoiding its strengths, you can assemble a team that is optimized for success. So, let's move on to building the perfect counter team to take down this legendary Pokémon.

Top Pokémon Counters for Ho-Oh

Now that you understand Ho-Oh's strengths and weaknesses, it's time to assemble your dream team of counters. Focusing on Pokémon with Rock-type attacks is your best bet, given Ho-Oh's double weakness to this type. But remember, a diverse team with Water and Electric-types can also contribute significantly. Let’s break down the top Pokémon counters for Ho-Oh, ensuring you're well-equipped for battle.

Rock-type Pokémon are your MVPs in this raid, so leading with these will give you a significant advantage. Rampardos, with its high Attack stat and Rock-type moves like Smack Down and Rock Slide, is a top-tier choice. Its raw power can quickly deplete Ho-Oh's health. Next, Rhyperior, equipped with Smack Down and Rock Wrecker, is another excellent option. Its high CP and strong Rock-type moves make it a formidable opponent. Tyranitar, featuring Smack Down and Stone Edge, is a classic Rock-type choice that consistently performs well in raids. Its dual Dark-type can also provide some coverage against other potential moves Ho-Oh might have. These Rock-type titans are essential for any serious attempt to defeat Ho-Oh.

Beyond the Rock-type behemoths, several other Pokémon can be valuable assets in your raid team. Water-type Pokémon like Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf are extremely effective. Kyogre's high Special Attack and Water-type moves make it a potent counter. Electric-type Pokémon like Raikou with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge can also deal significant damage. Raikou’s quick attacks and high DPS are perfect for wearing down Ho-Oh. These Water and Electric-type options offer a good balance and can help fill gaps in your team. They provide diverse offensive capabilities that complement your Rock-type attackers.

In addition to the top counters, consider some honorable mentions that can still contribute to your raid. Terrakion, another powerful Rock-type, with Smack Down and Rock Slide, is a strong choice. Golem, a reliable Rock-type with Rock Throw and Stone Edge, offers a budget-friendly option. Omastar, with Rock Throw and Rock Slide, can surprise with its speed and damage output. These Pokémon might not be the absolute best, but they can still play a crucial role in your team composition, especially if you have invested resources in them.

Ultimately, the best team composition will depend on your available Pokémon and resources. Prioritize Rock-types like Rampardos, Rhyperior, and Tyranitar. Supplement them with Water-types like Kyogre and Electric-types like Raikou. And don't forget the honorable mentions that can fill in the gaps. With a well-balanced team and strategic play, you'll be well on your way to defeating Ho-Oh. Next, let’s discuss the most effective movesets and battle strategies to maximize your damage output during the raid.

Effective Movesets and Battle Strategies

Choosing the right Pokémon is only half the battle; equipping them with the most effective movesets and implementing smart battle strategies is crucial for a successful Ho-Oh raid. Let’s dive into the best movesets for your top counters and some tactical tips to maximize your damage output and survivability.

For your Rock-type MVPs, the movesets are fairly straightforward. Rampardos should ideally have Smack Down as its Fast Move and Rock Slide as its Charged Move. This combination provides a high Damage Per Second (DPS) output, making Rampardos a powerhouse against Ho-Oh. Rhyperior shines with Smack Down for its Fast Move and Rock Wrecker for its Charged Move. Rock Wrecker is a powerful, exclusive move that can deal massive damage. Tyranitar benefits most from Smack Down as its Fast Move and Stone Edge as its Charged Move. This classic Rock-type moveset is reliable and effective.

When it comes to Water-types, Kyogre should be equipped with Waterfall as its Fast Move and Surf as its Charged Move. Waterfall provides solid Water-type damage, while Surf is a fast-charging move that allows Kyogre to attack frequently. For Electric-types, Raikou excels with Thunder Shock as its Fast Move and Wild Charge as its Charged Move. Thunder Shock is a fast-energy-generating move, and Wild Charge delivers a strong Electric-type punch. These movesets will ensure your Pokémon are dealing the maximum possible damage to Ho-Oh.

Beyond the movesets, battle strategies play a significant role in your success. First and foremost, dodging is crucial. Ho-Oh has powerful Charged Moves that can quickly knock out your Pokémon. Pay attention to the visual cues and dodge promptly to keep your team alive longer. This will not only increase your overall damage output but also conserve valuable healing items. Next, understand Ho-Oh's movesets. Ho-Oh can have moves like Fire Blast, Brave Bird, and Solar Beam. Knowing these moves allows you to anticipate and mitigate their impact. If Ho-Oh has Solar Beam, be extra cautious with Water-types, as this move can one-shot them.

Another key strategy is to utilize the weather to your advantage. Sunny weather boosts Fire-type moves, so if Ho-Oh has Fire-type moves, be extra careful. However, Sunny weather also boosts Rock-type moves, making your Rock-type attackers even more potent. Rainy weather boosts Water and Electric-type moves, benefiting your Kyogre and Raikou. Partly Cloudy weather boosts Rock-type moves, further enhancing your Rock-type attackers. Understanding how weather affects move types can give you a tactical edge in the raid. Lastly, communicate with your raid group. Coordinate your attacks and strategize together to maximize your collective damage output. A well-coordinated team is far more effective than a group of individuals acting independently.

In summary, the right movesets and battle strategies are essential for taking down Ho-Oh. Equip your Pokémon with their best moves, prioritize dodging, understand Ho-Oh's movesets, utilize weather boosts, and coordinate with your team. With these strategies in place, you’ll be well-prepared to conquer the Rainbow Pokémon. Next, let’s explore the optimal group size and how to effectively coordinate with other trainers for a smooth and successful raid.

Optimal Group Size and Coordination

Taking down a legendary Pokémon like Ho-Oh requires not just powerful Pokémon but also a well-coordinated team. The optimal group size and effective communication are critical factors in ensuring a successful raid. Let’s discuss how to assemble the right group and coordinate your efforts to maximize your chances of victory.

For Ho-Oh raids, the optimal group size typically ranges from 4 to 6 high-level trainers with strong counters. While it’s possible to defeat Ho-Oh with fewer trainers, it requires exceptionally strong Pokémon and perfect execution. Larger groups, while providing more firepower, can sometimes suffer from coordination issues and reduced individual rewards. So, aiming for a balanced group size allows for efficient damage output without sacrificing coordination. If you have access to a larger group, consider splitting into smaller teams to ensure everyone gets the most out of the raid.

Coordination is paramount in any raid, and Ho-Oh is no exception. Before the raid begins, communicate with your team about your battle strategy. Discuss who will be using which Pokémon, and how you will handle dodging and rejoining the battle. Apps and messaging platforms can be invaluable for real-time communication during the raid. Designate a leader who can make quick decisions and guide the team if necessary. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and can react effectively to changing circumstances.

One key aspect of coordination is staggering your Charged Moves. If multiple trainers use their Charged Moves simultaneously, there can be significant lag, causing wasted damage. Coordinate with your team to use Charged Moves at slightly different times to maintain a steady flow of damage. This maximizes the overall damage output and prevents any lost opportunities. Dodging is another area where coordination can make a big difference. Communicate if you see Ho-Oh charging a powerful move, so others can prepare to dodge as well. This can prevent multiple Pokémon from being knocked out at once, keeping your team in the battle longer.

Using remote raid passes adds another layer to group coordination. Make sure everyone in the raid group is ready and has a stable internet connection before starting the raid. This prevents any delays or disconnections that can jeopardize the raid. Host or join remote raid groups through online communities or social media platforms to find additional trainers. These communities often have established protocols for coordination and can help you quickly assemble a strong team.

In addition to in-raid strategies, pre-raid preparation is essential for smooth coordination. Ensure that all trainers have revived potions and healing items on hand to keep their Pokémon in fighting condition. Remind everyone to join the raid lobby a few minutes early to avoid any last-minute scrambling. Sharing Pokémon information and movesets within the group can also help trainers optimize their teams and fill any gaps in the lineup. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your raid group is well-prepared and coordinated for a successful Ho-Oh battle.

In conclusion, the optimal group size and effective coordination are vital for conquering Ho-Oh. Aim for a group of 4 to 6 high-level trainers, communicate your battle strategy, stagger your Charged Moves, and prepare in advance. With a well-coordinated team, you'll be well-equipped to take down the Rainbow Pokémon and claim your rewards. Next, let's discuss the rewards you can earn from defeating Ho-Oh and the strategies for catching it.

Rewards and Catching Ho-Oh

Congratulations, you've defeated Ho-Oh! Now comes the exciting part: reaping the rewards and attempting to catch this legendary Pokémon. Let’s explore the various rewards you can earn from a Ho-Oh raid and the best strategies for increasing your chances of a successful catch.

Defeating Ho-Oh in a raid yields a variety of valuable rewards. You’ll receive a significant amount of XP, which helps you level up your trainer. You'll also earn Stardust, a crucial resource for powering up your Pokémon. In addition to XP and Stardust, you’ll receive various items, including Rare Candies, Golden Razz Berries, and Technical Machines (TMs). Rare Candies can be used to feed any Pokémon, making them incredibly valuable for powering up rare or legendary Pokémon. Golden Razz Berries significantly increase your chances of catching the raid boss. TMs allow you to change your Pokémon's movesets, helping you optimize them for battle.

The number of Premier Balls you receive is determined by several factors, including your damage contribution, team contribution, gym control, and friendship level with other trainers in the raid. Dealing more damage to Ho-Oh will earn you more Premier Balls. Raiding with friends will also increase the number of balls you receive. Gym control, if your team controls the gym where the raid is taking place, can provide additional balls. These extra Premier Balls are crucial for maximizing your catch attempts, so aim to optimize these factors whenever possible.

Now, let’s talk about catching Ho-Oh. Once you’ve defeated Ho-Oh, you’ll have a limited number of Premier Balls to catch it. The catch rate for legendary Pokémon is typically low, so employing the right techniques is essential. Use Golden Razz Berries on every throw to maximize your chances of success. These berries significantly increase the catch rate, making them your best tool for securing Ho-Oh.

Master the art of the Curveball Throw. Throwing a Curveball increases the catch rate, but it requires practice to consistently execute. Aim for Great or Excellent Throws. These throws provide additional catch bonuses, further improving your odds. Wait for Ho-Oh to finish its attack animation before throwing your Premier Ball. Throwing at the right moment ensures that your ball will connect without being deflected. Be patient and persistent. It may take several attempts to catch Ho-Oh, so don’t get discouraged if it breaks out of the ball initially.

Understanding Ho-Oh’s catch circle is crucial for making accurate throws. The size and color of the circle indicate the difficulty of the catch. A smaller, green circle indicates a higher chance of success, while a larger, red circle indicates a lower chance. Aim your throws to land inside the circle when it’s at its smallest for the best results. Pay attention to Ho-Oh’s movements and adjust your throws accordingly. Ho-Oh may move from side to side or attack, so timing your throws is key to hitting your target.

In addition to individual techniques, consider strategies that involve the raid group. If multiple trainers are having trouble catching Ho-Oh, coordinate your throws. Throw your Premier Balls at slightly different times to avoid overwhelming the game’s servers, which can sometimes lead to glitches or missed throws. This can also create a visual distraction for Ho-Oh, making it slightly easier to catch. Celebrate your success and share your tips with others. Raiding is a community activity, and helping each other catch these legendary Pokémon makes the experience even more rewarding.

In conclusion, defeating Ho-Oh in a raid offers valuable rewards, including XP, Stardust, Rare Candies, and Golden Razz Berries. Maximize your Premier Balls by contributing damage, raiding with friends, and controlling the gym. Use Golden Razz Berries, master the Curveball Throw, and aim for Great or Excellent Throws to increase your chances of catching Ho-Oh. With the right strategies and a bit of patience, you’ll be well on your way to adding this legendary Pokémon to your collection. Now, let's summarize the key takeaways from this guide to help you conquer Ho-Oh raids!

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Ho-Oh Raids

Alright guys, we've covered a lot of ground in this guide, and you're now equipped with the knowledge to dominate Ho-Oh raids! Let's recap the key takeaways to ensure you're fully prepared to take on the Rainbow Pokémon.

First, understand Ho-Oh’s strengths and weaknesses. Ho-Oh is a Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon, making it doubly weak to Rock-type moves. Focus on using Rock-type Pokémon as your primary attackers. Supplement them with Water- and Electric-type Pokémon for a well-rounded team. Knowing Ho-Oh’s resistances—Fire, Grass, Bug, Steel, and Fairy—will help you avoid ineffective moves and maximize your damage output. This fundamental understanding of Ho-Oh’s typing is the foundation of your raid strategy.

Next, assemble a powerful team of counters. Rampardos, Rhyperior, and Tyranitar are your Rock-type MVPs. Kyogre and Raikou are excellent choices for Water- and Electric-type damage. Don’t forget honorable mentions like Terrakion and Golem, which can also contribute significantly. Equipping your Pokémon with the best movesets is crucial. Rampardos should have Smack Down and Rock Slide, Rhyperior should have Smack Down and Rock Wrecker, and Tyranitar should use Smack Down and Stone Edge. Kyogre benefits from Waterfall and Surf, while Raikou excels with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge. These movesets will ensure your Pokémon are dealing maximum damage.

Effective battle strategies are essential for success. Prioritize dodging to keep your Pokémon alive longer. Understand Ho-Oh's movesets, such as Fire Blast, Brave Bird, and Solar Beam, to anticipate and mitigate their impact. Utilize weather boosts to your advantage. Sunny weather boosts Rock-type moves, while Rainy weather enhances Water and Electric-type attacks. Communicate with your raid group to coordinate attacks and strategize together. Stagger your Charged Moves to avoid lag and maximize damage output.

The optimal group size for Ho-Oh raids is typically 4 to 6 high-level trainers. Coordinate with your team before the raid to discuss strategies and assign roles. Use apps or messaging platforms for real-time communication during the raid. If using remote raid passes, ensure everyone has a stable internet connection. Pre-raid preparation, including having enough healing items and arriving early, is crucial for a smooth start. By following these coordination tips, you'll be well-prepared to tackle Ho-Oh with your team.

Finally, maximize your rewards and catching potential. Defeating Ho-Oh yields valuable rewards like XP, Stardust, Rare Candies, and Golden Razz Berries. Earn more Premier Balls by dealing damage, raiding with friends, and controlling the gym. Use Golden Razz Berries on every throw to increase your catch rate. Master the Curveball Throw and aim for Great or Excellent Throws. Be patient and persistent, as it may take several attempts to catch Ho-Oh. Understanding the catch circle and timing your throws are crucial for success. Celebrate your victory and share your tips with others to build a stronger raiding community.

With these key takeaways in mind, you're now fully prepared to conquer Ho-Oh raids. Gather your team, strategize effectively, and go out there and catch the Rainbow Pokémon! Good luck, and happy raiding, trainers!