[OVERVIEW]
Ho-Oh's amazing typing and access to Regenerator make it a staple in the Ubers tier, capable of taking on many meta-defining Pokemon such as Koraidon, Zacian-C, Necrozma-DM, and Eternatus. Ho-Oh can safely scout opposing threats, while Sacred Fire makes it difficult for most physical attackers to pivot around it. Furthermore, Ho-Oh's can Terastallize and become incredibly difficult to break throughout the course of a game. However, Ho-Oh does have its flaws. Ho-Oh's best check is itself, so a lot of structures have an easy pivot into it. Ho-Oh's prominence means that even Pokemon that it would typically answer, like Arceus-Fairy and Zacian-C, pack coverage to get past it. Kyogre and Arceus-Water are also meta-defining Pokemon that can force out Ho-Oh with their powerful Water-type attacks. Physical attackers that Terastallize into a Fire-type can use it as setup fodder, though they have to be wary of Whirlwind. Finally, although Ho-Oh does check Koraidon, it has to be wary of Swords Dance variants OHKOing it with a high roll Scale Shot or Wild Charge.
[SET]
Defensive (Ho-Oh) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Fairy / Grass / Dark
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird
- Whirlwind
- Recover
[SET COMMENTS]
Whirlwind lets Ho-Oh phaze various setup sweepers such as Koraidon, Arceus formes, and Necrozma-DM while giving Ho-Oh some utility into Tera Fire Pokemon. Ho-Oh's use of Terastallization is very flexible and depends on what its teammates need it to cover. Tera Fairy blocks Scale Shot from Koraidon while letting Ho-Oh better take on most of the metagame but weakens the matchup into Zacian-C, Life Orb Eternatus, and Necrozma-DM. Tera Grass flips Ho-Oh's matchup into Arceus-Water, Kyogre, Arceus-Electric, and Arceus-Ground, but it gives Ho-Oh glaring weakness to Koraidon and opposing Eternatus. Tera Dark is a more niche option for Meteor Beam and Choice Specs Lunala, but it generally is not preferred for the weakness to Koraidon and opposing Arceus-Fairy.
Ho-Oh is commonly found on non-hyper offense teams as a soft check to many defining threats such as Koraidon, Eternatus, Zacian-C, Necrozma-DM, and Arceus-Fairy. Ho-Oh isn't able to fully wall these Pokemon, though, so teammates such as Arceus-Fairy, Kyogre, and Arceus-Water are appreciated to alleviate Ho-Oh's burden. Ho-Oh can struggle into Water-types such as Kyogre and Arceus-Water, so partners such as Eternatus and Kyogre can pressure them. Kyogre in particular is an excellent partner for being able to break through opposing Water-types and Eternatus while punishing any Tera Fire Pokemon that Ho-Oh forces. One must be wary of Kyogre weakening Sacred Fire, though. Koraidon also appreciates Ho-Oh taking on Arceus-Fairy, Zacian-C, and opposing Ho-Oh while setting sun to make Sacred Fire more threatening. Ho-Oh also pairs fantastically with entry hazard setters such as Groudon, Ting-Lu, and Gliscor, all of which can set up Spikes that work well with Ho-Oh's Whirlwind while taking pressure off of Ho-Oh to cover Koraidon, Zacian-C, Lunala, Eternatus, and opposing Ho-Oh.
[SET]
Offensive (Ho-Oh) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Flying / Fairy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird
- Substitute / Earthquake
- Recover
[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute lets Ho-Oh take advantage of the Pokemon it naturally pivots into, such as Arceus-Fairy, Gliscor, and Landorus-T, and lets Ho-Oh heavily punish balanced and stall structures. Earthquake is an option to break through Tera Fire Pokemon, such as Arceus and Koraidon, and Tyranitar, though Substitute is generally more consistent. Tera Flying allows Ho-Oh to 2HKO opposing Ho-Oh with Brave Bird, giving Ho-Oh much more power into fatter teams. Tera Fairy blocks Scale Shot, which would generally allow Koraidon to immediately revenge kill a Ho-Oh under Substitute. A Jolly nature alongside maximum Speed investment allows Ho-Oh to outspeed slow Arceus formes, but an Adamant nature has better breaking power against faster Arceus formes and Eternatus.
Offensive Ho-Oh is generally found on bulky offense structures as a wallbreaker that punishes structures built around Ho-Oh, Kyogre, Landorus-T, and Arceus-Fairy. Koraidon and Zacian-C generally appreciate Ho-Oh's ability to break these structures, with Koraidon setting sun to boost Ho-Oh's Sacred Fires. In exchange, Zacian-C can share the burden of checking opposing Arceus-Fairy and Koraidon, since Ho-Oh is no longer defensively inclined. Ho-Oh can struggle to break through Arceus-Water and Arceus-Electric, but this can be alleviated by pairing Ho-Oh with entry hazard setters such as Ting-Lu, Groudon, Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Toxic Spikes Eternatus. Since Ho-Oh is quite frail without investment, the aforementioned defensive Pokemon can cover various threats for it.
[SET]
Choice Scarf (Ho-Oh) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Fire / Flying
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird
- Earthquake
- Flare Blitz / Dual Wingbeat
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf Ho-Oh acts as one of the tier's premier revenge killing options. Ho-Oh's typing allows it to easily pivot into Zacian-C and Koraidon to force them out with a fast attack. Earthquake hits Tera Fire Pokemon such as Arceus and Koraidon, as well as Tyranitar. Flare Blitz lets Ho-Oh OHKO Zacian-C from full health while being able to 2HKO defensive Arceus formes that don't resist the move in sun. Dual Wingbeat prevents Focus Sash Ribombee from getting Sticky Web up while OHKOing Deoxys-A. Tera Fire allows Ho-Oh to eat a Wild Charge from Trailblaze Zacian-C while letting it consistently 2HKO defensive Arceus formes in sun. Tera Flying Brave Bird 2HKOes opposing defensive Ho-Oh while maintaining Ho-Oh's immunities to Webs and Spikes.
Choice Scarf Ho-Oh's 4x Stealth Rock weakness mandates a form of entry hazard removal on its teams. As such, at least one of Hatterene, Terapagos, or Giratina-O are required with it. Hatterene and Terapagos pair best with Ho-Oh, as Hatterene alleviates the burden of checking defensive Arceus formes and Koraidon, while Terapagos can act as a one-time check to sweepers that get a Speed boost off such as Trailblaze Zacian and Trick Room Necrozma-DM. As such, the core of Choice Scarf Ho-Oh and hazard removal is the best way to limit opposing Sticky Web teams. Since Ho-Oh can no longer check Lunala consistently, partners such as Kingambit, Crunch Zacian-C, and Knock Off Necrozma-DM are appreciated. Since Choice Scarf Ho-Oh cannot outlast a lot of defensive structures due to temporary removal, wallbreakers such as Scale Shot Koraidon, Zacian-C, and Double-Edge Arceus are good partners. Koraidon in particular sets sun for Ho-Oh, but all three Pokemon are able to power through defensive Arceus formes and opposing Ho-Oh.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Choice Band Ho-Oh is a viable alternative set that utilizes Ho-Oh's strong Brave Bird to threaten an OHKO on Kyogre and 2HKO on Arceus formes, but it is very susceptible to offense teams while also lacking offensive Ho-Oh's longevity or Choice Scarf Ho-Oh's revenge capabilities. Tera Fire is an alternate Tera type on Heavy-Duty Boots Ho-Oh sets to continually check Zacian-C while maintaining defensive utility into opposing Ho-Oh and Arceus-Fairy. Imprison is another option over Whirlwind to restrain Ho-Oh's best check in itself and block Recover from Arceus formes and Eternatus.
Checks and Counters
====
**Water-types**: Arceus-Water and Kyogre resist Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire while being able to threaten it out with a powerful STAB attack. Arceus-Water in particular can check Ho-Oh long-term due to its access to reliable recovery, though it can be overwhelmed by offensive Ho-Oh with entry hazards up. Kyogre threatens an OHKO on Ho-Oh and sets up rain, which lets Arceus formes pivot into it easily, though Brave Bird deals a sizable chunk to Kyogre. Dondozo can also check Ho-Oh long-term due to Rest and Curse, but it must be wary of Tera Flying Ho-Oh being able to power through it.
**Tera Fire Pokemon**: Tera Fire Arceus formes can utilize Taunt to entirely wall Ho-Oh. Pokemon such as Zacian-C, Necrozma-DM, Calyrex-I, and Koraidon can Terastallize to set up on it easier, but must all be wary of phazing.
**Eternatus**: HP-invested Eternatus can freely pivot into Ho-Oh and threaten it out with Toxic while having reliable recovery. Offensive variants of Eternatus can either threaten to KO Ho -Oh with Meteor Beam or fish for Sludge Bomb poison, though these aren't consistent solutions. Additionally, offensive Ho-Oh can power through Eternatus with Brave Bird and Earthquake, and if Eternatus is ever paralyzed, then Ho-Oh can break through it regardless of set.
**Rock-type Coverage Moves**: Since Ho-Oh is so common, there are many Pokemon that opt for Rock-type moves to threaten it out. This includes Stone Edge from Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Necrozma-DM; Meteor Beam from Lunala and Eternatus; and Power Gem from Calm Mind Arceus formes and Flutter Mane.
**Rock-type Pokemon**: Although rare, Rock-type Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Garganacl, Arceus-Rock, and Tera Rock Clefable are occasionally used and counter all non-Earthquake Ho-Oh sets.
**Knock Off Users**: Necrozma-DM, Gliscor, and Tyranitar can cripple all Ho-Oh sets by using Knock Off to make it vulnerable to Stealth Rock. However, Necrozma-DM cannot pivot into Ho-Oh freely, and Gliscor is fodder for Substitute Ho-Oh.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aberforth.249382/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Ho-Oh's amazing typing and access to Regenerator make it a staple in the Ubers tier, capable of taking on many meta-defining Pokemon such as Koraidon, Zacian-C, Necrozma-DM, and Eternatus. Ho-Oh can safely scout opposing threats, while Sacred Fire makes it difficult for most physical attackers to pivot around it. Furthermore, Ho-Oh's can Terastallize and become incredibly difficult to break throughout the course of a game. However, Ho-Oh does have its flaws. Ho-Oh's best check is itself, so a lot of structures have an easy pivot into it. Ho-Oh's prominence means that even Pokemon that it would typically answer, like Arceus-Fairy and Zacian-C, pack coverage to get past it. Kyogre and Arceus-Water are also meta-defining Pokemon that can force out Ho-Oh with their powerful Water-type attacks. Physical attackers that Terastallize into a Fire-type can use it as setup fodder, though they have to be wary of Whirlwind. Finally, although Ho-Oh does check Koraidon, it has to be wary of Swords Dance variants OHKOing it with a high roll Scale Shot or Wild Charge.
[SET]
Defensive (Ho-Oh) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Fairy / Grass / Dark
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird
- Whirlwind
- Recover
[SET COMMENTS]
Whirlwind lets Ho-Oh phaze various setup sweepers such as Koraidon, Arceus formes, and Necrozma-DM while giving Ho-Oh some utility into Tera Fire Pokemon. Ho-Oh's use of Terastallization is very flexible and depends on what its teammates need it to cover. Tera Fairy blocks Scale Shot from Koraidon while letting Ho-Oh better take on most of the metagame but weakens the matchup into Zacian-C, Life Orb Eternatus, and Necrozma-DM. Tera Grass flips Ho-Oh's matchup into Arceus-Water, Kyogre, Arceus-Electric, and Arceus-Ground, but it gives Ho-Oh glaring weakness to Koraidon and opposing Eternatus. Tera Dark is a more niche option for Meteor Beam and Choice Specs Lunala, but it generally is not preferred for the weakness to Koraidon and opposing Arceus-Fairy.
Ho-Oh is commonly found on non-hyper offense teams as a soft check to many defining threats such as Koraidon, Eternatus, Zacian-C, Necrozma-DM, and Arceus-Fairy. Ho-Oh isn't able to fully wall these Pokemon, though, so teammates such as Arceus-Fairy, Kyogre, and Arceus-Water are appreciated to alleviate Ho-Oh's burden. Ho-Oh can struggle into Water-types such as Kyogre and Arceus-Water, so partners such as Eternatus and Kyogre can pressure them. Kyogre in particular is an excellent partner for being able to break through opposing Water-types and Eternatus while punishing any Tera Fire Pokemon that Ho-Oh forces. One must be wary of Kyogre weakening Sacred Fire, though. Koraidon also appreciates Ho-Oh taking on Arceus-Fairy, Zacian-C, and opposing Ho-Oh while setting sun to make Sacred Fire more threatening. Ho-Oh also pairs fantastically with entry hazard setters such as Groudon, Ting-Lu, and Gliscor, all of which can set up Spikes that work well with Ho-Oh's Whirlwind while taking pressure off of Ho-Oh to cover Koraidon, Zacian-C, Lunala, Eternatus, and opposing Ho-Oh.
[SET]
Offensive (Ho-Oh) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Flying / Fairy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird
- Substitute / Earthquake
- Recover
[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute lets Ho-Oh take advantage of the Pokemon it naturally pivots into, such as Arceus-Fairy, Gliscor, and Landorus-T, and lets Ho-Oh heavily punish balanced and stall structures. Earthquake is an option to break through Tera Fire Pokemon, such as Arceus and Koraidon, and Tyranitar, though Substitute is generally more consistent. Tera Flying allows Ho-Oh to 2HKO opposing Ho-Oh with Brave Bird, giving Ho-Oh much more power into fatter teams. Tera Fairy blocks Scale Shot, which would generally allow Koraidon to immediately revenge kill a Ho-Oh under Substitute. A Jolly nature alongside maximum Speed investment allows Ho-Oh to outspeed slow Arceus formes, but an Adamant nature has better breaking power against faster Arceus formes and Eternatus.
Offensive Ho-Oh is generally found on bulky offense structures as a wallbreaker that punishes structures built around Ho-Oh, Kyogre, Landorus-T, and Arceus-Fairy. Koraidon and Zacian-C generally appreciate Ho-Oh's ability to break these structures, with Koraidon setting sun to boost Ho-Oh's Sacred Fires. In exchange, Zacian-C can share the burden of checking opposing Arceus-Fairy and Koraidon, since Ho-Oh is no longer defensively inclined. Ho-Oh can struggle to break through Arceus-Water and Arceus-Electric, but this can be alleviated by pairing Ho-Oh with entry hazard setters such as Ting-Lu, Groudon, Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Toxic Spikes Eternatus. Since Ho-Oh is quite frail without investment, the aforementioned defensive Pokemon can cover various threats for it.
[SET]
Choice Scarf (Ho-Oh) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Fire / Flying
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird
- Earthquake
- Flare Blitz / Dual Wingbeat
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf Ho-Oh acts as one of the tier's premier revenge killing options. Ho-Oh's typing allows it to easily pivot into Zacian-C and Koraidon to force them out with a fast attack. Earthquake hits Tera Fire Pokemon such as Arceus and Koraidon, as well as Tyranitar. Flare Blitz lets Ho-Oh OHKO Zacian-C from full health while being able to 2HKO defensive Arceus formes that don't resist the move in sun. Dual Wingbeat prevents Focus Sash Ribombee from getting Sticky Web up while OHKOing Deoxys-A. Tera Fire allows Ho-Oh to eat a Wild Charge from Trailblaze Zacian-C while letting it consistently 2HKO defensive Arceus formes in sun. Tera Flying Brave Bird 2HKOes opposing defensive Ho-Oh while maintaining Ho-Oh's immunities to Webs and Spikes.
Choice Scarf Ho-Oh's 4x Stealth Rock weakness mandates a form of entry hazard removal on its teams. As such, at least one of Hatterene, Terapagos, or Giratina-O are required with it. Hatterene and Terapagos pair best with Ho-Oh, as Hatterene alleviates the burden of checking defensive Arceus formes and Koraidon, while Terapagos can act as a one-time check to sweepers that get a Speed boost off such as Trailblaze Zacian and Trick Room Necrozma-DM. As such, the core of Choice Scarf Ho-Oh and hazard removal is the best way to limit opposing Sticky Web teams. Since Ho-Oh can no longer check Lunala consistently, partners such as Kingambit, Crunch Zacian-C, and Knock Off Necrozma-DM are appreciated. Since Choice Scarf Ho-Oh cannot outlast a lot of defensive structures due to temporary removal, wallbreakers such as Scale Shot Koraidon, Zacian-C, and Double-Edge Arceus are good partners. Koraidon in particular sets sun for Ho-Oh, but all three Pokemon are able to power through defensive Arceus formes and opposing Ho-Oh.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Choice Band Ho-Oh is a viable alternative set that utilizes Ho-Oh's strong Brave Bird to threaten an OHKO on Kyogre and 2HKO on Arceus formes, but it is very susceptible to offense teams while also lacking offensive Ho-Oh's longevity or Choice Scarf Ho-Oh's revenge capabilities. Tera Fire is an alternate Tera type on Heavy-Duty Boots Ho-Oh sets to continually check Zacian-C while maintaining defensive utility into opposing Ho-Oh and Arceus-Fairy. Imprison is another option over Whirlwind to restrain Ho-Oh's best check in itself and block Recover from Arceus formes and Eternatus.
Checks and Counters
====
**Water-types**: Arceus-Water and Kyogre resist Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire while being able to threaten it out with a powerful STAB attack. Arceus-Water in particular can check Ho-Oh long-term due to its access to reliable recovery, though it can be overwhelmed by offensive Ho-Oh with entry hazards up. Kyogre threatens an OHKO on Ho-Oh and sets up rain, which lets Arceus formes pivot into it easily, though Brave Bird deals a sizable chunk to Kyogre. Dondozo can also check Ho-Oh long-term due to Rest and Curse, but it must be wary of Tera Flying Ho-Oh being able to power through it.
**Tera Fire Pokemon**: Tera Fire Arceus formes can utilize Taunt to entirely wall Ho-Oh. Pokemon such as Zacian-C, Necrozma-DM, Calyrex-I, and Koraidon can Terastallize to set up on it easier, but must all be wary of phazing.
**Eternatus**: HP-invested Eternatus can freely pivot into Ho-Oh and threaten it out with Toxic while having reliable recovery. Offensive variants of Eternatus can either threaten to KO Ho -Oh with Meteor Beam or fish for Sludge Bomb poison, though these aren't consistent solutions. Additionally, offensive Ho-Oh can power through Eternatus with Brave Bird and Earthquake, and if Eternatus is ever paralyzed, then Ho-Oh can break through it regardless of set.
**Rock-type Coverage Moves**: Since Ho-Oh is so common, there are many Pokemon that opt for Rock-type moves to threaten it out. This includes Stone Edge from Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Necrozma-DM; Meteor Beam from Lunala and Eternatus; and Power Gem from Calm Mind Arceus formes and Flutter Mane.
**Rock-type Pokemon**: Although rare, Rock-type Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Garganacl, Arceus-Rock, and Tera Rock Clefable are occasionally used and counter all non-Earthquake Ho-Oh sets.
**Knock Off Users**: Necrozma-DM, Gliscor, and Tyranitar can cripple all Ho-Oh sets by using Knock Off to make it vulnerable to Stealth Rock. However, Necrozma-DM cannot pivot into Ho-Oh freely, and Gliscor is fodder for Substitute Ho-Oh.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aberforth.249382/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Last edited:
