[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to Ho-Oh's amazing stats, typing, and access to Regenerator, it cements itself as one of the best Pokemon in AG, making it a very good addition to balance and bulky offense teams. Ho-Oh is able to reliably check threatening physical attackers such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Koraidon, Necrozma-DM, Calyrex-I, and Kingambit. Although, special attackers such as Miraidon and Kyogre are able to threaten Ho-Oh out with Electro Drift and Origin Pulse, respectively. Ho-Oh also dislikes switching into Arceus-Fairy because most sets carry Power Gem to heavily chip it. Additionally, Pokemon like Arceus-Ground and Zacian-C like to run Stone Edge and Wild Charge, respectively, to be able to counter Ho-Oh. As Ho-Oh is always tasked to deal with Koraidon, it can get overwhelmed over the course of a game because it is forced to check so many physical attackers. Extreme Killer Arceus, Dragon Dance Arceus-Ground, Calyrex-I, and Necrozma-DM in particular like to run Tera Fire, gaining an immunity to burn from Sacred Fire and being able to set up on Ho-Oh.
[SET]
Defensive Pivot (Ho-Oh) @ Heavy-Duty-Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Fairy / Grass
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird
- Recover
- Whirlwind
[SET COMMENTS]
Sacred Fire allows Ho-Oh to threaten out and burn physical attackers like Extreme Killer Arceus and Koraidon, and it is able to deal reliable damage to the likes of Ting-Lu and Arceus-Fairy under sun. Brave Bird allows Ho-Oh to OHKO Koraidon with minimal chip damage, 2HKO Calyrex-S, and deal reliable damage to Ting-Lu, bulky Arceus formes, and Eternatus. Whirlwind helps Ho-Oh phaze setup threats that like to run Tera Fire, such as Koraidon, Extreme Killer Arceus, Necrozma-DM, Calyrex-I, and Kingambit, and rack up entry hazard damage on opposing Pokemon. Tera Fairy is primarily used to stop Scale Shot Koraidon from running wild and block Choice Scarf Koraidon's Outrage from 2HKOing Ho-Oh. Although, this comes at the cost of making Ho-Oh weak to Necrozma-DM's and Zacian-C's Steel-type STAB moves, removing its burn immunity, and removing its resistance to Fire-type moves, notably from opposing Ho-Oh and Koraidon. Alternatively, Ho-Oh can opt to run Tera Grass, which allows it to check Miraidon, Kyogre, and Arceus-Ground in a pinch. Tera Grass also significantly improves Ho-Oh's matchup against Calm Mind Arceus-Fairy, removing its 4x Rock weakness.
Ho-Oh is a fantastic addition to balance and bulky offense teams. Ho-Oh struggles with Miraidon and Kyogre, hence it appreciates teammates such as Ting-Lu, which is able to switch in on Miraidon's Electro Drift, and Eternatus, which can take on Kyogre and poison it. Koraidon and Extreme Killer Arceus are able to overwhelm Ho-Oh in the long run, so it appreciates Arceus-Fairy helping it check these threats. Landorus-T with Rocky Helmet is another option to pair with Ho-Oh for the same reason, although it is seen more on offensive structures. Ho-Oh struggles with Eternatus being able to reliably recover its HP, status Ho-Oh with Toxic, and set up Toxic Spikes, so Ho-Oh appreciates Necrozma-DM absorbing Eternatus's Toxic and threatening it out. Setup sweepers like Koraidon, Dragon Dance Arceus-Ground, and Swords Dance Arceus can overwhelm Ho-Oh and force it out, so it likes Choice Scarf users such as Calyrex-S and Koraidon, which are able to revenge kill these foes. Ho-Oh also struggles with Calyrex-S one-on-one when on low HP, making teammates like Ting-Lu and Arceus, which are able to force Calyrex-S out, very good choices. Additionally, Arceus-Water is able to reliably switch in on Ho-Oh's STAB moves and threaten it out with Judgment. Miraidon can take on Arceus-Water and threaten it out with Electro Drift, although Miraidon must be wary of Arceus-Water burning it with Will-O-Wisp, reducing its longevity.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adhi.631210/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/swas.487990/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rose.511181/
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ho-Oh can opt to run a more niche option in Imprison to prevent bulky Arceus formes and Eternatus from using Recover, albeit at the cost of losing Whirlwind to stop setup sweepers and phaze foes. Imprison Ho-Oh also likes running a faster EV spread to use Imprison before Arceus formes can use Recover, at the cost of its bulk. Ho-Oh can run Choice Band, boosting its STAB moves' power to notable levels, 2HKOing bulky Arceus formes, Eternatus, and Ting-Lu with Brave Bird. Although, this completely removes its defensive capabilities, with it no longer being able to check the likes of Extreme Killer Arceus, Koraidon, and opposing Ho-Oh. Furthermore, it makes Stealth Rock a glaring weakness, derailing Ho-Oh's longevity, especially due to the lack of great entry hazard removal options. Tera Steel lets Ho-Oh take on non-Low Kick Tera Steel Koraidon and reliably check Calm Mind Arceus-Fairy, turning Power Gem into a resistance and allowing Ho-Oh to phaze it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Miraidon**: Miraidon resists both of Ho-Oh's STAB moves and forces it out with Electro Drift. However, Miraidon is not able to switch in freely on Ho-Oh because of Sacred Fire threatening a burn and Earthquake threatening to 2HKO it.
**Eternatus**: Eternatus is able to switch into Ho-Oh's attacks and force it out with Toxic or Meteor Beam. Furthermore, it can use this opportunity to set up Toxic Spikes. Although, Eternatus must be wary of Ho-Oh's Earthquake, which is able to 2HKO it. Lastly, offensive variants of Ho-Oh are able to brute force through Eternatus thanks to Brave Bird and Tera Flying.
**Tera Fire Users**: Setup Pokemon such as Necrozma-DM, Extreme Killer Arceus, Arceus-Ground, Calyrex-I, and Kingambit often like to carry Tera Fire to block Sacred Fire's burn and set up on Ho-Oh, with Arceus opting to run Taunt occasionally to stop Ho-Oh from using Whirlwind.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Arceus-Water, Kyogre, and Dondozo can be problematic to Ho-Oh. Arceus-Water can safely switch in on Ho-Oh's attacks, has a reliable recovery option in Recover, and is able to threaten Ho-Oh out with Judgment. Although, Arceus-Water must be careful of the combination of a Sacred Fire burn and entry hazards hampering its ability to check Ho-Oh throughout a game. Kyogre can switch in on Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire and force Ho-Oh out, but it must be careful of Brave Bird, which is able to 2HKO it. Although not usually seen, Dondozo is a staple on stall teams. Thanks to Dondozo's amazing bulk and access to Rest, it is able to safely switch in on Ho-Oh and check it. Although, Ho-Oh can brute force its way through Dondozo with either Choice Band or an offensive set with Tera Flying.
**Gliscor**: Mostly seen on stall archetypes, Gliscor is able to absorb Ho-Oh's STAB moves, doesn't fear burn, and can heal itself with Protect and Poison Heal. Furthermore, Gliscor can use Knock Off to remove Ho-Oh's Heavy-Duty Boots, which destroys its longevity if Stealth Rock is up. However, Ho-Oh can use an offensive set paired with Substitute and Tera Flying to absorb Gliscor's Knock Off and beat it with Brave Bird. Additionally, although not as common, Ho-Oh can use a Choice Band set to 2HKO Gliscor.
**Calyrex-S**: Calyrex-S is able to take on a low HP Ho-Oh with Tera Ghost. Furthermore, Calyrex-S occasionally likes to run Choice Specs to brute force its way through Ho-Oh with Astral Barrage, 2HKOing it. Alternatively, Calyrex-S can use Trick to derail Ho-Oh's longevity, removing its Heavy-Duty Boots and locking it down to one single move.
**Garganacl**: Like Gliscor, Garganacl is mostly seen on stall archetypes. Garganacl is able to threaten Ho-Oh out with Salt Cure, safely switch in on its STAB moves, and avoid Sacred Fire burns thanks to Purifying Salt, increasing its longevity. Although, Garganacl must be vary of Earthquake, (comma) as it deals reliable damage to it.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adhi.631210/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/swas.487990/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rose.511181/
Thanks to Ho-Oh's amazing stats, typing, and access to Regenerator, it cements itself as one of the best Pokemon in AG, making it a very good addition to balance and bulky offense teams. Ho-Oh is able to reliably check threatening physical attackers such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Koraidon, Necrozma-DM, Calyrex-I, and Kingambit. Although, special attackers such as Miraidon and Kyogre are able to threaten Ho-Oh out with Electro Drift and Origin Pulse, respectively. Ho-Oh also dislikes switching into Arceus-Fairy because most sets carry Power Gem to heavily chip it. Additionally, Pokemon like Arceus-Ground and Zacian-C like to run Stone Edge and Wild Charge, respectively, to be able to counter Ho-Oh. As Ho-Oh is always tasked to deal with Koraidon, it can get overwhelmed over the course of a game because it is forced to check so many physical attackers. Extreme Killer Arceus, Dragon Dance Arceus-Ground, Calyrex-I, and Necrozma-DM in particular like to run Tera Fire, gaining an immunity to burn from Sacred Fire and being able to set up on Ho-Oh.
[SET]
Defensive Pivot (Ho-Oh) @ Heavy-Duty-Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Fairy / Grass
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird
- Recover
- Whirlwind
[SET COMMENTS]
Sacred Fire allows Ho-Oh to threaten out and burn physical attackers like Extreme Killer Arceus and Koraidon, and it is able to deal reliable damage to the likes of Ting-Lu and Arceus-Fairy under sun. Brave Bird allows Ho-Oh to OHKO Koraidon with minimal chip damage, 2HKO Calyrex-S, and deal reliable damage to Ting-Lu, bulky Arceus formes, and Eternatus. Whirlwind helps Ho-Oh phaze setup threats that like to run Tera Fire, such as Koraidon, Extreme Killer Arceus, Necrozma-DM, Calyrex-I, and Kingambit, and rack up entry hazard damage on opposing Pokemon. Tera Fairy is primarily used to stop Scale Shot Koraidon from running wild and block Choice Scarf Koraidon's Outrage from 2HKOing Ho-Oh. Although, this comes at the cost of making Ho-Oh weak to Necrozma-DM's and Zacian-C's Steel-type STAB moves, removing its burn immunity, and removing its resistance to Fire-type moves, notably from opposing Ho-Oh and Koraidon. Alternatively, Ho-Oh can opt to run Tera Grass, which allows it to check Miraidon, Kyogre, and Arceus-Ground in a pinch. Tera Grass also significantly improves Ho-Oh's matchup against Calm Mind Arceus-Fairy, removing its 4x Rock weakness.
Ho-Oh is a fantastic addition to balance and bulky offense teams. Ho-Oh struggles with Miraidon and Kyogre, hence it appreciates teammates such as Ting-Lu, which is able to switch in on Miraidon's Electro Drift, and Eternatus, which can take on Kyogre and poison it. Koraidon and Extreme Killer Arceus are able to overwhelm Ho-Oh in the long run, so it appreciates Arceus-Fairy helping it check these threats. Landorus-T with Rocky Helmet is another option to pair with Ho-Oh for the same reason, although it is seen more on offensive structures. Ho-Oh struggles with Eternatus being able to reliably recover its HP, status Ho-Oh with Toxic, and set up Toxic Spikes, so Ho-Oh appreciates Necrozma-DM absorbing Eternatus's Toxic and threatening it out. Setup sweepers like Koraidon, Dragon Dance Arceus-Ground, and Swords Dance Arceus can overwhelm Ho-Oh and force it out, so it likes Choice Scarf users such as Calyrex-S and Koraidon, which are able to revenge kill these foes. Ho-Oh also struggles with Calyrex-S one-on-one when on low HP, making teammates like Ting-Lu and Arceus, which are able to force Calyrex-S out, very good choices. Additionally, Arceus-Water is able to reliably switch in on Ho-Oh's STAB moves and threaten it out with Judgment. Miraidon can take on Arceus-Water and threaten it out with Electro Drift, although Miraidon must be wary of Arceus-Water burning it with Will-O-Wisp, reducing its longevity.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adhi.631210/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/swas.487990/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rose.511181/
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ho-Oh can opt to run a more niche option in Imprison to prevent bulky Arceus formes and Eternatus from using Recover, albeit at the cost of losing Whirlwind to stop setup sweepers and phaze foes. Imprison Ho-Oh also likes running a faster EV spread to use Imprison before Arceus formes can use Recover, at the cost of its bulk. Ho-Oh can run Choice Band, boosting its STAB moves' power to notable levels, 2HKOing bulky Arceus formes, Eternatus, and Ting-Lu with Brave Bird. Although, this completely removes its defensive capabilities, with it no longer being able to check the likes of Extreme Killer Arceus, Koraidon, and opposing Ho-Oh. Furthermore, it makes Stealth Rock a glaring weakness, derailing Ho-Oh's longevity, especially due to the lack of great entry hazard removal options. Tera Steel lets Ho-Oh take on non-Low Kick Tera Steel Koraidon and reliably check Calm Mind Arceus-Fairy, turning Power Gem into a resistance and allowing Ho-Oh to phaze it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Miraidon**: Miraidon resists both of Ho-Oh's STAB moves and forces it out with Electro Drift. However, Miraidon is not able to switch in freely on Ho-Oh because of Sacred Fire threatening a burn and Earthquake threatening to 2HKO it.
**Eternatus**: Eternatus is able to switch into Ho-Oh's attacks and force it out with Toxic or Meteor Beam. Furthermore, it can use this opportunity to set up Toxic Spikes. Although, Eternatus must be wary of Ho-Oh's Earthquake, which is able to 2HKO it. Lastly, offensive variants of Ho-Oh are able to brute force through Eternatus thanks to Brave Bird and Tera Flying.
**Tera Fire Users**: Setup Pokemon such as Necrozma-DM, Extreme Killer Arceus, Arceus-Ground, Calyrex-I, and Kingambit often like to carry Tera Fire to block Sacred Fire's burn and set up on Ho-Oh, with Arceus opting to run Taunt occasionally to stop Ho-Oh from using Whirlwind.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Arceus-Water, Kyogre, and Dondozo can be problematic to Ho-Oh. Arceus-Water can safely switch in on Ho-Oh's attacks, has a reliable recovery option in Recover, and is able to threaten Ho-Oh out with Judgment. Although, Arceus-Water must be careful of the combination of a Sacred Fire burn and entry hazards hampering its ability to check Ho-Oh throughout a game. Kyogre can switch in on Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire and force Ho-Oh out, but it must be careful of Brave Bird, which is able to 2HKO it. Although not usually seen, Dondozo is a staple on stall teams. Thanks to Dondozo's amazing bulk and access to Rest, it is able to safely switch in on Ho-Oh and check it. Although, Ho-Oh can brute force its way through Dondozo with either Choice Band or an offensive set with Tera Flying.
**Gliscor**: Mostly seen on stall archetypes, Gliscor is able to absorb Ho-Oh's STAB moves, doesn't fear burn, and can heal itself with Protect and Poison Heal. Furthermore, Gliscor can use Knock Off to remove Ho-Oh's Heavy-Duty Boots, which destroys its longevity if Stealth Rock is up. However, Ho-Oh can use an offensive set paired with Substitute and Tera Flying to absorb Gliscor's Knock Off and beat it with Brave Bird. Additionally, although not as common, Ho-Oh can use a Choice Band set to 2HKO Gliscor.
**Calyrex-S**: Calyrex-S is able to take on a low HP Ho-Oh with Tera Ghost. Furthermore, Calyrex-S occasionally likes to run Choice Specs to brute force its way through Ho-Oh with Astral Barrage, 2HKOing it. Alternatively, Calyrex-S can use Trick to derail Ho-Oh's longevity, removing its Heavy-Duty Boots and locking it down to one single move.
**Garganacl**: Like Gliscor, Garganacl is mostly seen on stall archetypes. Garganacl is able to threaten Ho-Oh out with Salt Cure, safely switch in on its STAB moves, and avoid Sacred Fire burns thanks to Purifying Salt, increasing its longevity. Although, Garganacl must be vary of Earthquake, (comma) as it deals reliable damage to it.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adhi.631210/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/swas.487990/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rose.511181/
Last edited:
