Hey guys! Are you ready to catch one of the most legendary Pokémon in the Pokémon universe? We're talking about Ho-Oh, the Fire and Flying type Pokémon that's not only super powerful but also incredibly majestic. If you're aiming to add this Pokémon to your roster in Pokémon GO, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to successfully battle and catch Ho-Oh. We'll cover its weaknesses, the best counters, and strategies to ensure you maximize your chances of adding this legendary bird to your collection. So, let’s dive in and get you prepared for your next raid!
Understanding Ho-Oh: Stats and Weaknesses
Before jumping into a raid, it's crucial to understand your opponent. Ho-Oh is a dual-type Fire and Flying Pokémon, which gives it a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Knowing these will help you build the perfect team to take it down. Ho-Oh boasts impressive stats, making it a formidable opponent in raids. Its high Attack stat means it can dish out significant damage, while its solid Defense and HP ensure it can withstand a fair amount of punishment. However, like every Pokémon, Ho-Oh has its vulnerabilities. The most significant of these is its weakness to Rock-type moves, which do 4x damage due to its dual typing. This means that your Rock-type Pokémon will be your MVPs in this raid. Additionally, Ho-Oh is weak to Water and Electric-type moves, which do 2x damage. These can be used as secondary options if you don't have a full team of strong Rock-types. Conversely, Ho-Oh is resistant to Fire, Grass, Bug, Steel, and Fairy-type moves, so avoid using Pokémon with these types of attacks. Understanding these type matchups is the first step in formulating a winning strategy.
Key Weaknesses to Exploit:
- Rock (4x damage): This is your primary damage dealer against Ho-Oh.
- Water (2x damage): A solid secondary option if you have strong Water-types.
- Electric (2x damage): Another reliable choice, especially if you have Electric Pokémon with high attack stats.
Resistances to Avoid:
- Fire: Ho-Oh's Fire-type attacks will be boosted, and Fire moves will do reduced damage.
- Grass: Grass-type moves won't be very effective.
- Bug: Bug-type moves will also do minimal damage.
- Steel: Steer clear of Steel-type attacks.
- Fairy: Fairy-type moves will not be as effective against Ho-Oh.
Top Pokémon Counters for Ho-Oh Raids
Now that we've covered Ho-Oh's weaknesses, let's talk about the best Pokémon to bring to the raid. Building your team around Pokémon that can exploit Ho-Oh’s weaknesses is the key to success. Remember, Rock-type Pokémon are your stars here, but strong Water and Electric-types can also play a crucial role. Here’s a breakdown of some top counters, including both legendary and non-legendary options, so you can build a powerful team regardless of your current roster.
Rock-Type Powerhouses:
- Rampardos: This Rock-type beast is arguably the best counter against Ho-Oh. Its high Attack stat combined with Rock-type moves like Smack Down and Rock Slide makes it a formidable opponent. If you have a Rampardos with these moves, it should be your first choice.
- Rhyperior: Another excellent Rock-type option, Rhyperior has solid Attack and Defense stats. It can withstand a good amount of damage while dishing out significant Rock-type moves. Use Smack Down and Rock Wrecker for maximum impact.
- Tyranitar: A classic choice for Rock-type raids, Tyranitar is a reliable counter with strong Attack and a good move pool. Smack Down and Stone Edge are the moves you'll want on your Tyranitar.
- Terrakion: This Legendary Rock and Fighting-type Pokémon is a top-tier counter. Its combination of high Attack and Rock-type moves like Smack Down and Rock Slide makes it incredibly effective against Ho-Oh.
Water-Type Alternatives:
- Kyogre: If you have a Kyogre, this Legendary Water-type is a fantastic option. Its high Attack stat and Water-type moves like Waterfall and Surf can deal significant damage to Ho-Oh.
- Feraligatr: A solid non-legendary Water-type, Feraligatr can be a good choice if you don't have Kyogre. Use Waterfall and Hydro Cannon for optimal performance.
Electric-Type Support:
- Xurkitree: This Ultra Beast Electric-type Pokémon boasts an extremely high Attack stat, making it a top-tier Electric-type attacker. Thunder Shock and Discharge are its best moves against Ho-Oh.
- Zekrom: Another Legendary Electric-type, Zekrom has impressive Attack and powerful Electric-type moves like Charge Beam and Wild Charge. It's a great addition to any raid team.
- Magnezone: A reliable non-legendary Electric-type, Magnezone can deal consistent damage with moves like Spark and Wild Charge.
Remember, having a diverse team with a mix of these counters can help you adapt to different movesets that Ho-Oh might have. Focus on maximizing your damage output by using super effective moves and taking advantage of Ho-Oh’s weaknesses.
Building Your Raid Team: Strategies and Tips
Now that you know the top counters, let’s talk about building your raid team and some strategies to maximize your chances of success. A well-prepared team can make all the difference in a raid, so here are some key tips to keep in mind.
Team Composition:
- Prioritize Rock-types: As mentioned earlier, Rock-type Pokémon deal 4x damage to Ho-Oh, so they should be the backbone of your team. Aim for at least three to four strong Rock-types in your lineup.
- Include Water or Electric-types: If you don’t have enough Rock-types, supplement your team with strong Water or Electric-type Pokémon. These types deal 2x damage to Ho-Oh and can provide valuable support.
- Consider Move Sets: Ensure your Pokémon have the optimal move sets for the raid. Fast moves like Smack Down (Rock) and Waterfall (Water) paired with charged moves like Rock Wrecker (Rock) and Hydro Cannon (Water) will help you deal maximum damage.
- Balance Offense and Defense: While dealing damage is crucial, you also need Pokémon that can withstand Ho-Oh’s attacks. Pokémon with high Defense and HP stats can stay in the battle longer, giving you more opportunities to attack.
Raid Strategies:
- Mega Evolution Boost: If you have a Mega Pokémon that is Rock, Water, or Electric-type, consider using it to boost the damage output of your team. Mega Pokémon provide a damage boost to all Pokémon of the same type in the raid, making your team even more effective.
- Coordinate with Your Team: Raiding with friends or other trainers can increase your chances of success. Coordinate your Pokémon choices and strategies to ensure a balanced and effective team.
- Weather Boosts: Pay attention to the weather in the game. If the weather is Partly Cloudy, Rock-type Pokémon will receive a damage boost. If it’s Rainy, Water and Electric-type Pokémon will get a boost. Take advantage of these weather boosts to maximize your damage output.
- Dodging Attacks: While it’s tempting to continuously attack, dodging Ho-Oh’s charged moves can prevent your Pokémon from fainting quickly. Swipe left or right on the screen to dodge incoming attacks and keep your Pokémon in the battle longer.
Items to Bring:
- Potions and Revives: Make sure you have plenty of Potions and Revives to heal your Pokémon after the battle. You’ll likely need to revive and heal your team multiple times during the raid.
- Golden Razz Berries: Use Golden Razz Berries when trying to catch Ho-Oh after the raid. These berries significantly increase your chances of catching the Pokémon.
- Charged Attack: Use your charged attacks wisely to maximize damage output.
Catching Ho-Oh: Tips and Tricks
So, you’ve defeated Ho-Oh in the raid – congratulations! Now comes the next challenge: catching this legendary Pokémon. Catching a raid boss can be tricky, but with the right techniques and a bit of luck, you can add Ho-Oh to your collection. Here are some tips and tricks to help you secure the catch.
Maximize Your Catch Chances:
- Golden Razz Berries: Use Golden Razz Berries on every throw. These berries significantly increase your catch rate, making them essential for catching legendary Pokémon.
- Curveball Throws: Throwing a curveball increases your chances of catching the Pokémon. Practice throwing curveballs to consistently hit excellent or great throws.
- Excellent and Great Throws: Aim for excellent or great throws. These throws give you a significant catch bonus. Wait for Ho-Oh’s attack animation to finish, then time your throw to hit the center of the target circle when it’s at its smallest for an excellent throw.
- AR+ Mode: If you’re comfortable with AR+ mode, use it to get closer to Ho-Oh and improve your throw accuracy. However, be mindful of your surroundings and ensure you’re in a safe location.
Understanding Ho-Oh’s Behavior:
- Attack Patterns: Ho-Oh has specific attack patterns. Observe its attacks and learn the timing to throw your Poké Ball during the brief window of opportunity after an attack. This reduces the chances of Ho-Oh deflecting your throw.
- Movement: Ho-Oh moves around the screen, making it harder to hit. Be patient and wait for it to move back to the center before throwing your Poké Ball.
Post-Raid Considerations:
- IV Checking: After catching Ho-Oh, check its Individual Values (IVs) to see how strong it is. Pokémon with high IVs are more powerful in battles and raids.
- Move Sets: Check the move sets of your newly caught Ho-Oh. If it doesn’t have the optimal moves, you can use TMs (Technical Machines) to change its moves.
- Candy and Stardust: Be prepared to invest Candy and Stardust to power up your Ho-Oh. Powering up your Pokémon will increase its CP and make it more effective in battles and raids.
Ho-Oh Move Sets: What to Expect
Knowing Ho-Oh’s potential move sets can help you anticipate its attacks and plan your counters more effectively. Ho-Oh has a variety of fast and charged moves, and understanding these will give you an edge in battle. Here’s a breakdown of its possible move sets:
Fast Moves:
- Incinerate (Fire): A powerful Fire-type fast move that deals significant damage. If Ho-Oh has this move, avoid using Fire-type Pokémon in your team.
- Hidden Power (Normal): This move’s type is random, so it can be unpredictable. However, it’s generally less impactful than Incinerate.
- Extrasensory (Psychic): A Psychic-type fast move that can deal decent damage. Be mindful of this move if you’re using Fighting or Poison-type Pokémon.
Charged Moves:
- Brave Bird (Flying): A strong Flying-type charged move that deals massive damage but lowers Ho-Oh’s Defense. This can be a double-edged sword, as it makes Ho-Oh more vulnerable to your attacks.
- Fire Blast (Fire): A high-damage Fire-type charged move. If Ho-Oh uses this, be prepared for significant damage to your Pokémon.
- Sacred Fire (Fire): Ho-Oh's signature Fire-type charged move, dealing substantial damage and having a chance to inflict a burn on the target.
- Solar Beam (Grass): A powerful Grass-type charged move. This is less common but can still catch you off guard if you’re not prepared.
Adapting to Ho-Oh’s Moves:
- Type Matchups: Pay attention to the types of moves Ho-Oh is using and adjust your Pokémon accordingly. For example, if Ho-Oh has Incinerate, switch out any Fire-weak Pokémon.
- Dodging: Practice dodging Ho-Oh’s charged moves to minimize damage. This is especially important if Ho-Oh has Brave Bird or Fire Blast.
Finding Raids and Joining the Community
Now that you're equipped with all the knowledge you need to battle and catch Ho-Oh, the next step is finding raids. Here’s how you can locate Ho-Oh raids and connect with the Pokémon GO community to coordinate battles.
Finding Raids:
- In-Game Map: Keep an eye on the in-game map for raid eggs. A raid egg will hatch into a raid boss, and Ho-Oh can appear in 5-star raids.
- Gym Scanning: Check gyms regularly to see if a Ho-Oh raid is active. Raids typically last for 45 minutes, so you’ll need to act quickly once you find one.
- Remote Raid Passes: Use Remote Raid Passes to join raids that are not within your immediate vicinity. This allows you to participate in raids from the comfort of your home.
Joining the Community:
- Local Pokémon GO Groups: Join local Pokémon GO groups on social media platforms like Facebook, Discord, and Telegram. These groups are great for coordinating raids and sharing information.
- Raid Apps: Use raid apps like PokeGenie or Go Friend to find and join raids hosted by other players. These apps can help you connect with trainers from around the world.
- Pokémon GO Forums: Participate in discussions on Pokémon GO forums and online communities. This is a great way to learn new strategies and find raid partners.
Coordinating Raids:
- Communicate: Communicate with your raid group to coordinate your Pokémon choices and strategies.
- Timing: Plan your raid times to ensure everyone can participate. Coordinate to ensure everyone is ready to join the raid lobby at the same time.
- Invite Friends: Invite friends to join the raid to increase your chances of success. Raiding with friends is more fun and often more effective.
Conclusion: Adding Ho-Oh to Your Pokédex
Catching Ho-Oh in Pokémon GO is a rewarding achievement. This legendary bird is not only a powerful addition to your team but also a symbol of resilience and rebirth. By understanding Ho-Oh’s weaknesses, building a strong team of counters, and utilizing effective raid strategies, you can successfully battle and catch this magnificent Pokémon. Remember to use Golden Razz Berries, aim for excellent throws, and coordinate with your fellow trainers to maximize your chances of success. So, guys, get out there, find those raids, and add Ho-Oh to your Pokédex! Good luck, and happy catching!
