Ubers Ho-Oh

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Manaphy

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:Ho-Oh:
[Overview]

Heavy-Duty Boots rids Ho-Oh of its most crippling flaw, its Stealth Rock weakness, making it a critical defensive Pokemon in the metagame. Thanks to Regenerator, its huge Special Defense, and good defensive typing, Ho-Oh is an important glue Pokemon for teambuilding, as it compresses a myriad of roles into one. Ho-Oh is able to check Xerneas lacking Ingrain, Marshadow without a Rock-type move, and be great backup check to Calyrex-S. It is able to consistently switch into Necrozma-DM, the most common Stealth Rock setter in the tier, and use Defog, giving its team good entry hazard control. Offensively, Ho-Oh is no slouch either, as the Choice Band set is underprepared for and is able to punch serious holes into the vast majority of teams. Ho-Oh has become such a metagame-defining force that it's often specifically prepared for in teambuilding; Ho-Oh’s massive weakness to Rock-type attacks can be easy to exploit, and it must constantly be on the lookout for Knock Off and Toxic users.

[SET]

name: Defensive
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Defog
move 3: Toxic / Thunder Wave / Brave Bird
move 4: Whirlwind / Brave Bird
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Regenerator
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 208 Def / 52 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

This is the standard Ho-Oh set. Sacred Fire is a great STAB attack, and it has an impressive 50% burn chance. However, you should be careful about using it, as its PP is low—and even lower against Eternatus switch-ins. Ho-Oh is a great user of Defog, as it is able to repeatedly come into Necrozma-DM. Toxic is a good option to stall out Pokemon that don’t particularly mind burns or are immune to them, such as Yveltal and opposing Ho-Oh. Thunder Wave is a great option for Eternatus, which is a very common switch-in that is immune to Toxic and not bothered by burns. Whirlwind is to phaze Xerneas, although it also has its uses for other setup sweepers such as Zygarde-C, Cosmic Power Eternatus, and Calyrex-S. However, you need to watch out for Ingrain Xerneas. Brave Bird is a strong secondary STAB option that hits Fire-resistant Pokemon like Eternatus and Kyogre much harder, and it helps with Sacred Fire's low PP. The given EV spread allows Ho-Oh to always survive a +2 Xerneas's Thunder, with the leftover EVs put into Defense to better deal with physical attackers such as Marshadow. If you run Thunder Wave, a spread of 248 HP / 192 Def / 52 SpD / 16 Spe should be used to let Ho-Oh outspeed Choice Specs Calyrex-S after paralysis.

Smart switching is the key to using this set, both in terms of Regenerator recovery and scouting for status or Rock-type coverage moves. Marshadow, Xerneas, and Calyrex-S are too threatening to leave Ho-Oh as your only check to them. Choice Band Marshadow can 2HKO with Poltergeist or Spectral Thief, while Xerneas can threaten to KO Ho-Oh with a boosted Thunder if Ho-Oh has taken damage, or use Ingrain to prevent Ho-Oh from phazing it. Choice Specs Calyrex-S will 2HKO Ho-Oh outright. As such, Pokemon such as Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, Zarude, Buzzwole, Lunala, and Tangrowth make good defensive partners. Necrozma-DM can provide a solid defense against Ice-Types, Offensive Eternatus, and Xerneas, as well as give Stealth Rock and status support, while Yveltal will keep Calyrex-S at bay. Lunala, Buzzwole, and Tangrowth also offer good defense against Groudon, Zekrom, and Zygarde-C, while the latter two offer a good pivot against Marshadow. Eternatus and Blissey are excellent teammates for their ability to switch into Kyogre. All of the aforementioned Pokemon appreciate Ho-Oh's ability to serve as a backup check to the tier's biggest sweepers, as well as Defog. Zarude in particular likes Ho-Oh’s ability to Defog, as Zarude often replaces Yveltal on teams, and in return, Zarude can role compress a Calyrex-S check and Ground-type check into one. Ho-Oh can consistently switch into entry hazard setters such as Necrozma-DM and Ferrothorn and force them out, even if they hit it with Knock Off. However, if Ho-Oh hard switches into these Pokemon every time, it can becomd predictable and be taken advantage of by double switches. Ho-Oh must be wary of alternative setters of Stealth Rock, such as Groudon and Tyranitar. Having a secondary Defog user, such as Yveltal, can be useful for providing more security against such Pokemon, as well as against Sticky Web and other offensive playstyles, depending on your team structure. Alternatively, Ho-Oh can be used to free up moveslots on Pokemon such as Yveltal and Necrozma-DM, who now don’t need to run Defog or check Xerneas, respectively.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Whirlwind / Flare Blitz / Defog
item: Choice Band
ability: Regenerator
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 208 Atk / 52 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

Choice Band Ho-Oh is one of the best wallbreakers in the tier, with most teams having to resort to offensive pressure, soft checks, and status to try to stop it. Brave Bird does massive damage to anything that resists Sacred Fire, and its recoil is minimized thanks to Regenerator. Earthquake rounds out Ho-Oh's coverage and is its strongest option against Eternatus and Zekrom. The last move is flexible. Whirlwind is generally preferred, as it gives Ho-Oh more defensive utility in phazing opposing Ho-Oh and Zygarde-C in a pinch. Flare Blitz does massive damage and is stronger than Sacred Fire; it also makes up for Sacred Fire’s low PP. Defog can be used in emergency situations to clear away Stealth Rock. The given EVs allow Ho-Oh to survive a +2 Xerneas Thunder, with the remaining EVs put into Attack to maximize Ho-Oh’s power. 16 Attacks EVs can be moved to Speed to make Ho-Oh faster than a paralyzed Calyrex-S. It's not advisable to go much faster than this, though, because Choice Band Ho-Oh functions best as an offensive tank, and it would rather not lose significant breaking power or the ability to check special threats.

While this set is immensely strong, the major flaw is its vulnerability to Stealth Rock. Because of this, Choice Band Ho-Oh is usually a Pokemon that teams specifically build around. At least two Defog users are recommended: Yveltal, Lunala, Xerneas, Giratina, and Corviknight are good possible partners. Xatu is notable for having Magic Bounce and being able to switch into Stealth Rock setters such as Necrozma-DM repeatedly. Additionally, teammates that can lure and break through defensive Zygarde-C are appreciated. Groudon is a good partner for this, and it can also provide sun to make Ho-Oh even stronger and to lower Thunder's accuracy. Teammates that like Eternatus being gone, such as Marshadow, synergize well, as this set often breaks through Eternatus.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Curse sets are an option, but they generally just get statused or phazed. They are also easy to revenge kill due to their lowered Speed. Roost provides a more consistent source of recovery, although it is generally not needed thanks to Heavy-Duty Boots and Regenerator.
Pressure is an option in combination with Roost to PP stall opposing Pokemon, but the opportunity cost of not having Regenerator is a severe detriment. Life Orb sets can be used similarly to how the Choice Band set is used, with the freedom to choose moves. Do note that, even with Regenerator, Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil can add up quickly.

Checks and Counters
====

**Rock-type Moves**: Rock-type moves are often thrown on sets for the sole purpose of taking out Ho-Oh. Meteor Beam Eternatus, Rock Tomb Marshadow, Power Gem Dialga, and Stone Edge Necrozma-DM are a few examples of Pokemon you need to keep in mind when using Ho-Oh.

**Eternatus**: Eternatus doesn’t mind burns and can stall out defensive sets. Physically defensive sets can typically stomach Choice Band Ho-Oh, but specially defensive sets have to be extremely careful around it.

**Zygarde-C**: Defensive Zygarde-C with Rest will take anything Ho-Oh throws at it and status it in return. However, offensive Zygarde-C sets must be wary of status or a Choice Band Brave Bird on the switch.

**Kyogre**: Kyogre can come in on Sacred Fire or Defog and then proceed to use its strong attacks.

**Zekrom**: Zekrom hates status from Ho-Oh, but it is resistant to Ho-Oh’s STAB attacks and can threaten it with a powerful Bolt Strike.

**Knock Off + Stealth Rock**: Ho-Oh is limited if Stealth Rock has been set up, as it then needs to be wary of Knock Off from Pokemon like Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, Ferrothorn, and Tangrowth. Certain Stealth Rock setters, such as Groudon and Tyranitar, do not mind Ho-Oh switching in. Stealth Rock heavily limits Choice Band Ho-Oh.

**Toxic**: While the threat of Toxic is lowered thanks to Regenerator, its damage can add up, especially in late-game scenarios. The residual damage can prevent Ho-Oh from checking threats it otherwise could. Eternatus, Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, and opposing Ho-Oh all can badly poison Ho-Oh.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Manaphy, 50695]]
- Quality checked by: [[Fc, 511624], [Minority, 222996]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Muk, 33374]
 
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Fc

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:Ho-Oh:
[Overview]

  • Ho-Oh is one of the best Defensive mons in the tier, and is a great role compression Pokémon for many teams
  • Provides a check to many Physical and Special threats in one slot, including Zacian-Hero, Xerneas, Eternatus lacking Meteor Beam, and an important back-up check and pivot to Calyrex-SR
  • Regenerator in combination with Heavy-Duty Boots gives Ho-Oh incredible longevity
  • One of the best Defoggers in the tier thanks to it’s ability to consistently switch into NDM and Ferrothorn, although it fears Knock Off from both
  • Can spread status easily
  • Choice Band set is one of the best breakers in the entire tier
  • Ho-Oh is extremely vulnerable to Rock-moves and is thus easy to lure.
  • Highly threatened by Knock Off and Toxic
[SET]

name: Defensive
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Defog
move 3: Toxic / Thunder Wave / Brave Bird
move 4: Whirlwind / Brave Bird
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Regenerator
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

  • Sacred Fire is great STAB + burn chance
  • Defog is for valuable team support
  • Toxic is a good option to stall out things that don’t particularly mind burns or are immune to them, such as Yveltal or opposing Ho-Oh
  • Thunder Wave is a great option for Eternatus, who is a very common switch-in and immune to Toxic and doesn’t mind burns
  • Whirlwind is so that you can phaze out Xerneas, although it also has it’s uses for other set-up sweepers such as Zygarde and Calyrex-Shadow Rider. Need to watch out for Ingrain Xerneas.
  • Brave Bird is a good, strong secondary STAB option. Also notable since Sacred Fire has low PP.
  • If running Thunder Wave, a spread of 248 HP / 108 Def / 136 SpD / 16 Spe should be run to outspeed a Specs Calyrex-SR after paralysis.
  • (Mention what the current ev spread does as well, if there's any relevant calcs that the defense benchmarks hit)
  • Smart switching is the key to using this set, both in terms of Regenerator recovery, and by scouting for status or Rock-type coverage moves
(separate paragraphs here)
  • Zacian-Hero, Xerneas, Calyrex-SR are too strong of threats to leave Ho-Oh as your only check to them. Zacian-Hero can OHKO Ho-Oh with Wild Charge, while Xerneas can threaten to kill with a boosted Thunder, or use Ingrain to prevent Ho-Oh from phazing. Specs Calyrex-SR can often threaten to 2HKO.
  • As such, partners such as Yveltal, Necrozma-Dusk Mane, Lunala, and Tangrowth make good defensive partners. (maybe expand on yveltal in particular, how ho-oh can absorb trick and scout so yvel has an easier time beating caly and also free up yvel from having to run defog since ho-oh covers that)
  • Lunala and Tangrowth also offer good defense against the Ground-type sweepers.
  • Eternatus and Blissey are excellent teammates to switch into Kyogre. Blissey can also double for checking Xerneas.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Whirlwind / Flare Blitz / Defog
item: Choice Band
ability: Regenerator
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 208 Atk / 52 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

  • Choice Band is one of the best breakers in the tier, with little to no counters on the majority of teams.
  • Sacred Fire is your standard STAB + burn chance
  • Brave Bird does massive damage to anything that doesn’t resist it, plus it’s recoil is minimized thanks to Regenerator
  • Earthquake rounds out Ho-Ohs coverage, and is your strongest option against Eternatus.
  • The last move is flexible. Whirlwind is generally preferred as it gives Ho-Oh more defensive utility in phazing out Ho-Oh and Zygarde in a pinch.
  • Flare Blitz does massive damage and is stronger than Sacred Fire. It also makes up for Sacred Fire’s low PP.
  • Defog can be used in emergency situations to clear away Stealth Rock
  • Also expand on ev spread here, how it covers for xern and also why it doesn't need speed as it's a tank instead of a fast cleaner
(separate paragraphs here)
  • The flaw of this set is it’s vulnerability to Stealth Rock. Because of this, it is recommended to have at least 2 defog users as teammates. Yveltal, Lunala, Xerneas and Corviknight are good possible partners. Add a mention of Xatu, helping cb ho-oh is like the only thing it's good at
  • Teammates that can lure and break through Defensive Zygarde are appreciated. Groudon is a good partner for this, and it can also provide Sun to make Ho-Oh even stronger and to avoid Thunders.
  • Teammates who appreciate Eternatus being gone are also good teammates, as this set often breaks through Eternatus.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

  • Curse sets are an option, but generally just get statused or phazed out.
  • Roost can be used to have a more consistent source of recovery.
  • Pressure is an option in combination with Roost to PP stall opponents. (yeah idk about this one, if you aren't regen ho-oh doesn't check nearly enough things for it to be worth, making even like lugia better at this fairly bad niche)
  • Life Orb sets can be used similar to how the Choice Band set is used, and has the freedom to choose moves. Do note that even with Regenerator, Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil can add up quickly.
Checks and Counters
====


**Rock-Type Moves**: Rock-types can often be thrown on sets with the sole purpose of taking out Ho-Oh. Meteor Beam Eternatus, Rock Tomb Marshadow, Power Gem Dialga, and Stone Edge Necrozma-Dusk Mane are a few example of Pokémon you need to keep in mind when using Ho-Oh. (added Marshadow since it's more relevant in the meta than things like dialga and still mainly used just to snipe Ho-oh)

**Eternatus**: Eternatus doesn’t mind burns and can stall out Defensive sets.

**Zygarde - Complete**: Defensive sets with Rest will eat anything Ho-Oh throws at it and status you in return.

**Kyogre**: Kyogre can come in on Sacred Fire or Defog and then proceed to put out strong attacks.

**Knock Off + Stealth Rock**: Ho-Oh is extremely limited if Stealth Rock is managed to be set-up.

**Toxic**: While this is minimized thanks to Regenerator, the damage from Toxic can add up, especially in end-game scenarios. The residual damage can prevent Ho-Oh from checking things it normally could.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Manaphy, 50695]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]
QC 1/2
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Minority

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Brave Bird is a good, strong secondary STAB option, and it helps with Sacred Fire’s low PP.
You may want to specify what Ho-Oh actually accomplishes by having BB, as in what it actually achieves when Ho-Oh primary purpose is support (Defog and status). It's obvious as the writer, but it isn't communicated in the analysis.

In the second paragraph of the first set you need to at least briefly comment on Ho-Oh's position in the hazard metagame. Several Pokemon that Ho-Oh is expected to switch into (Necrozma-DM, Ferrothorn) explicitly run Knock Off to eliminate Ho-Oh's boots, and there are SR setters that Ho-Oh cannot switch into. Subsequently comment on team options for accounting for this.

Choice Band is one of the best breakers in the tier, with little to no counters on the majority of teams.
The sentiment of this set opener is true, but the language is a bit misleading. Offense teams are naturally structured to just trade or better vs. CB Ho-Oh, and any decent defensive team runs several soft-checks in tandem to keep CB Ho-Oh somewhat in line. While yes, there isn't really many singular ironclad reactive CB Ho-Oh checks, rather teams check this threat through other means. Update this opener to eloquently describe this phenomena.

You mention paralysis spreaders in the first paragraph of the CB set, but when it comes to partners you don't actually list any. Also, is webs worthwhile for CB Ho-Oh?

Curse sets are an option, but generally just get statused or phazed out.
You might be able to add that most teams can just outright RK it since it's slow and its weaknesses are prevalent.

Roost can be used to have a more consistent source of recovery.
There needs to be a bit explanation on why (here in gen 8) Ho-Oh can afford to pass up recovery since its been a staple of Ho-Oh in the past and is generally extremely important for a defensive Pokemon.

When discussing Knock Off and Toxic in Check and Counters, explicitly list the users of these moves that can realistically punish Ho-Oh, and at the very least a shortlist of the most notable ones.


QC: 2/2
 

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RA = Remove apostrophe, RC = remove comma, AP = Add period, RH = remove hyphen







:Ho-Oh:
[Overview]

With the addition of Heavy-Duty Boots, Ho-Oh has essentially lost it’s its most crippling flaw, and it has thus become a critical defensive Pokemon (remove accent) in the metagame. Thanks to Regenerator, its (RA) huge Special Defense, and good defensive typing, Ho-Oh is an important glue Pokemon (accent) for teambuilding, as it compresses a myriad of roles into one. It’s Ho-Oh is able to check Zacian-Hero using any move but Wild Charge, Xerneas using any move but Ingrain, and it’s is a great back-up check to Calyrex-Shadow Rider. Ho-Oh is able to consistently switch into Necrozma-Dusk Mane Necrozma-DM, the most common Stealth Rock setter in the tier, and Defog, giving its (RA) team good hazard control. Offensively, Ho-Oh is no slouch either, as the Choice Band set is underprepared for (RC) and is able to punch serious holes into the vast majority of teams. Ho-Oh has become such a metagame-defining force that it’s it's often specifically prepared for in teambuilding; Ho-Oh's massive weakness to Rock-type attacks can be easy to exploit, and Ho-Oh it must constantly be on the look out for Knock Off and Toxic users.

[SET]

name: Defensive
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Defog
move 3: Toxic / Thunder Wave / Brave Bird
move 4: Whirlwind / Brave Bird
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Regenerator
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 208 Def / 52 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

This is the standard Ho-Oh set. Sacred Fire is a great STAB attack, and it has an impressive 50% burn chance. However, you should be careful about using it, as it’s its PP is low and even lower against Eternatus switch-ins. Defog is for the valuable team support, and Ho-Oh is a great user of it, being able to repeatedly come into Necrozma-Dusk Mane Necrozma-DM. Toxic is a good option to stall out things Pokemon that don’t don't particularly mind burns or are immune to them, such as Yveltal or opposing Ho-Oh. (AP) Thunder Wave is a great option for Eternatus, who which is a very common switch-in, (comma) and immune to Toxic, (comma) and doesn’t doesn't mind burns. Whirlwind is so that you can phaze out Xerneas, although it also has it’s its uses for other setup (RH) sweepers such as Zygarde and Calyrex-Shadow Rider. However, you need to watch out for Ingrain Xerneas. Brave Bird is a good, strong secondary STAB option, hitting resistances to Fire-type attacks Fire-resistant Pokemon like Eternatus and Kyogre much harder, and it helps with Sacred Fire’s Fire's low PP. The given EV spread is to always live a +2 Xerneas's Thunder, with the rest put into Defense to better deal with physical attackers such as Zacian-Hero. If you run Thunder Wave, a spread of 248 HP / 192 Def / 52 SpD / 16 Spe should be run to outspeed a Choice Specs Calyrex-Shadow Rider after paralysis.

Smart switching is the key to using this set, both in terms of Regenerator recovery, and by scouting for status or Rock-type coverage moves. Zacian-Hero, Xerneas, and Calyrex-SR are too strong of threats to leave Ho-Oh as your only check to them. Zacian-Hero can OHKO Ho-Oh with Wild Charge a majority of the time, while Xerneas can threaten to kill KO it with a boosted Thunder if Ho-Oh has any damage, or use Ingrain to prevent Ho-Oh from phazing. Choice Specs Calyrex-SR will 2HKO Ho-Oh outright. As such, partners such as Yveltal, Necrozma-Dusk Mane Necrozma-DM, Lunala, and Tangrowth make good defensive partners. Necrozma-Dusk Mane Necrozma-DM can provide a solid defense against Zacian-Hero in combination with Ho-Oh, while Yveltal will keep Calyrex-Shadow Rider Calyrex-S at bay. Lunala and Tangrowth also offer good defense against the Ground-type sweepers. Eternatus and Blissey are excellent teammates for being able to switch into Kyogre. All of the aforementioned Pokemon (no accent) appreciate Ho-Oh’s Ho-Oh's ability to provide a back-up check to the tier’s tier's biggest sweepers, as well as Defog. Ho-Oh will be able to consistently switch into hazard setters such as Necrozma-Dusk Mane Necrozma-DM and Ferrothorn and force them out, so even if Ho-Oh has it's its item knocked off by those threats, it usually doesn't mind. However, if Ho-Oh hard switches into those Pokemon every time, it can become predictable and taken advantage of by double switches. Ho-Oh must be wary of alternative setters of Stealth Rock, such as Groudon or Dialga. Having a secondary Defog user, such as Yveltal, could be useful for providing more security versus for such Pokemon, as well as against Sticky Webs and other offensive teams, depending on your team structure.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Whirlwind / Flare Blitz / Defog
item: Choice Band
ability: Regenerator
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 208 Atk / 52 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

Choice Band Ho-Oh is one of the best wallbreakers in the tier, with most teams having to resort to offensive pressure, soft checks, and status to try to stop it. Sacred Fire is your standard STAB attack, while (spacing) Brave Bird does massive damage to anything that doesn’t doesn't resist it, plus it’s its recoil is minimized thanks to Regenerator. Earthquake rounds out Ho-Oh's (apostophe) coverage, and is your strongest option against Eternatus. The last move is flexible. Whirlwind is generally preferred, (AC) as it gives Ho-Oh more defensive utility in phazing out opposing Ho-Oh and Zygarde in a pinch. Flare Blitz does massive damage and is stronger than Sacred Fire; it also makes up for Sacred Fire's low PP. Defog can be used in emergency situations to clear away Stealth Rock. The given EVs (no apostrophe) allow Ho-Oh to live a +2 Xerneas's Thunder, with the remaining put into Attack to maximize Ho-Oh's power. Speed investment could be useful, such as pairing this Ho-Oh with paralysis spreaders like Necrozma-Dusk Mane Necrozma-DM and Groudon. You can use 16 Speed EVs taken out of Attack to outspeed a paralyzed Calyrex-Shadow Rider Calyrex-S. It is It's not advisable to go much faster than this (RC) because Choice Band Ho-Oh functions the best as an offensive tank, and it will lose significant breaking power or the ability to check special threats.

While this set is immensely strong, the major flaw of this set is it’s vulnerability to Stealth Rock. Because of this, Choice Band Ho-Oh is usually a Pokémon that teams specifically build around. It is recommended to have at least 2 two Defog users for teammates. Yveltal, Lunala, Xerneas, (comma) and Corviknight are good possible partners. Xatu is notable for having Magic Bounce, being able to switch into Stealth Rock setters such as Necrozma-Dusk Mane Necrozma-DM repeatedly. Additionally, teammates that can lure and break through defensive Zygarde are appreciated. Groudon is a good partner for this, and it can also provide sun to make Ho-Oh even stronger and to avoid lower Thunder's accuracy. Teammates who that like Eternatus being gone, such as Marshadow or Xerneas, synergize well, as this set often breaks through Eternatus.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Curse sets are an option (RC) but generally just get statused or phazed out. They are also easy to revenge kill due to their low Speed.
Roost can be used to have a more consistent source of recovery, although it is generally not needed thanks to Heavy-Duty Boots and Regenerator. Pressure is an option in combination with Roost to PP stall opponents opposing Pokemon, however but the opportunity cost of not having Regenerator is a severe detriment. Life Orb sets can be used similar to how the Choice Band set is used, and has the freedom to choose moves. Do note that even with Regenerator, Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil can add up quickly.

Checks and Counters
====

**Rock-type Moves**: Rock-types can often be thrown on sets with the sole purpose of taking out Ho-Oh. Meteor Beam Eternatus, Rock Tomb Marshadow, Power Gem Dialga, and Stone Edge Necrozma-Dusk Mane Necrozma-DM are a few examples of Pokemon you need to keep in mind when using Ho-Oh.

**Eternatus**: Eternatus doesn't mind burns and can stall out defensive sets. Physically defensive sets can typically stomach Choice Band Ho-Oh, but Specially Defensive specially defensive sets have to be extremely careful around it.

**Zygarde - Complete Zygarde-C**: Defensive sets with Rest will eat take anything Ho-Oh throws at it and status you it in return. However, offensive Zygarde sets must be wary of status on the switch-in.

**Kyogre**: Kyogre can come in on Sacred Fire or Defog and then proceed to put out strong attacks.

**Knock Off + Stealth Rock**: Ho-Oh is extremely limited if Stealth Rocks have managed to be set-up been setup. This is even more-so the case with Choice Band Ho-Oh. Ho-Oh needs to be wary of Knock Off from Pokemon like Yveltal, Necrozma-Dusk Mane Necrozma-DM, Ferrothorn, and Tangrowth. Certain Stealth Rock setters do not mind Ho-Oh switching in, such as Groudon or Dialga.

**Toxic**: While this is minimized thanks to Regenerator, the damage from Toxic can add up, especially in end-game scenarios. The residual damage can prevent Ho-Oh from checking things it normally could. Eternatus, Yveltal, Necrozma-Dusk Mane Necrozma-DM, and opposing Ho-Oh all can badly poison Ho-Oh.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Manaphy, 50695]]
- Quality checked by: [[Fc, 511624], [Minority, 222996]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]
 

Adeleine

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[Overview]

With the addition of Heavy-Duty Boots, Ho-Oh has essentially lost its most crippling flaw, and it has thus become Heavy-Duty Boots rids Ho-Oh of its most crippling flaw, its Stealth Rock weakness, making it a critical defensive Pokemon in the metagame. Thanks to Regenerator, its huge Special Defense, and good defensive typing, Ho-Oh is an important glue Pokemon for teambuilding, as it compresses a myriad of roles into one. Ho-Oh is able to check Zacian using any move but Wild Charge, check Xerneas using any move but lacking (I imagine this makes sense? if you mean some specific sorts of interactions, though, lmk) Ingrain, and it’s be a great backup (collapsed hyphen) check to Calyrex-S. Ho-Oh It is able to consistently switch into Necrozma-DM, the most common Stealth Rock setter in the tier, and use Defog, giving its team good hazard control. Offensively, Ho-Oh is no slouch either, as the Choice Band set is underprepared for and is able to punch serious holes into the vast majority of teams. Ho-Oh has become such a metagame-defining force that it's often specifically prepared for in teambuilding; Ho-Oh’s massive weakness to Rock-type attacks can be easy to exploit, and it must constantly be on the lookout (was "look out") for Knock Off and Toxic users.

[SET]

name: Defensive
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Defog
move 3: Toxic / Thunder Wave / Brave Bird
move 4: Whirlwind / Brave Bird
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Regenerator
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 208 Def / 52 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

This is the standard Ho-Oh set. Sacred Fire is a great STAB attack, and it has an impressive 50% burn chance. However, you should be careful about using it, as its PP is low—and even lower against Eternatus switch-ins. Defog is for the valuable team support, and Ho-Oh is a great user of it Defog, being able to repeatedly come into Necrozma-DM. Toxic is a good option to stall out Pokemon that don’t particularly mind burns or are immune to them, such as Yveltal or and opposing Ho-Oh. Thunder Wave is a great option for Eternatus, which is a very common switch-in, immune to Toxic, and doesn't mind not bothered by burns. Whirlwind is so that you can to phaze Xerneas, although it also has its uses for other setup sweepers such as Zygarde-C and Calyrex-S. However, you need to watch out for Ingrain Xerneas. Brave Bird is a good, strong secondary STAB option, hitting Fire-resistant Pokemon like Eternatus and Kyogre much harder, and it helps with Sacred Fire's low PP. The given EV spread is to always live a +2 Xerneas's Thunder, with the rest put into Defense to better deal with physical attackers such as Zacian. If you run Thunder Wave, use a spread of 248 HP / 192 Def / 52 SpD / 16 Spe should be run to outspeed a Choice Specs Calyrex-S after paralysis.

Smart switching is the key to using this set, both in terms of Regenerator recovery (RC) and by scouting for status or Rock-type coverage moves. Zacian, Xerneas, and Calyrex-S are too strong of threats to leave Ho-Oh as your only check to them. Zacian can OHKO Ho-Oh with Wild Charge a majority of the time, while Xerneas can threaten to KO it with a boosted Thunder if Ho-Oh has any damage (RC) or use Ingrain to prevent Ho-Oh from phazing. Choice Specs Calyrex-S will 2HKO Ho-Oh outright. As such, partners Pokemon such as Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, Lunala, and Tangrowth make good defensive partners. Necrozma-Dusk Mane Necrozma-DM can provide a solid defense against Zacian in combination with Ho-Oh, while Yveltal will keep Calyrex-S at bay. Lunala and Tangrowth also offer good defense against the Ground-type sweepers (youve only mentioned zyg-c, and only then a while back. pls specify which ground-type sweepers). Eternatus and Blissey are excellent teammates for being able to switch into Kyogre. All of the aforementioned Pokemon appreciate Ho-Oh's ability to provide a backup (collapsed hyphen) check to the tier's biggest sweepers, as well as Defog. Ho-Oh will be able to can consistently switch into entry hazard setters such as Necrozma-DM and Ferrothorn and force them out, so even if Ho-Oh has its item knocked off by those threats, it usually doesn't mind even if they hit it with Knock Off. However, if Ho-Oh hard switches into those Pokemon every time, it can become predictable and taken advantage of by double switches. Ho-Oh must be wary of alternative setters of Stealth Rock, such as Groudon or and Dialga. Having a secondary Defog user, such as Yveltal, could be useful for providing more security for against such Pokemon, as well as against Sticky Web and other offensive teams playstyles, depending on your team structure.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Whirlwind / Flare Blitz / Defog
item: Choice Band
ability: Regenerator
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 208 Atk / 52 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

Choice Band Ho-Oh is one of the best wallbreakers in the tier, with most teams having to resort to offensive pressure, soft checks, and status to try to stop it. Sacred Fire is your standard STAB attack, while Brave Bird does massive damage to anything that doesn't resist it Sacred Fire, plus its recoil is minimized thanks to Regenerator. Earthquake rounds out Ho-Oh's coverage (RC) and is your strongest option against Eternatus. The last move is flexible. Whirlwind is generally preferred, (AC) as it gives Ho-Oh more defensive utility in phazing opposing Ho-Oh and Zygarde-C in a pinch. Flare Blitz does massive damage and is stronger than Sacred Fire; it also makes up for Sacred Fire’s low PP. Defog can be used in emergency situations to clear away Stealth Rock. The given EVs allow Ho-Oh to live a +2 Xerneas Thunder, with the remaining EVs put into Attack to maximize Ho-Oh’s power. Speed investment could be useful, such as pairing this Ho-Oh with paralysis spreaders like Necrozma-DM and Groudon. You can use 16 Speed EVs taken out of Attack to outspeed a paralyzed Calyrex-S paralyzed by a teammate like Necrozma-DM or Groudon. It's not advisable to go much faster than this, though, because Choice Band Ho-Oh functions the best as an offensive tank, and it will lose significant breaking power or the ability to check special threats.

While this set is immensely strong, the major flaw of this set is it's its major flaw is its vulnerability to Stealth Rock. Because of this, Choice Band Ho-Oh is usually a Pokemon (removed E accent) that teams specifically build around. It is recommended to have at least two defog users for teammates. At leat two Defog users are recommended: Yveltal, Lunala, Xerneas, and Corviknight are good possible partners. Xatu is notable for having Magic Bounce (RC) and being able to switch into Stealth Rock setters such as Necrozma-DM repeatedly. Additionally, teammates that can lure in and break through defensive Zygarde-C are appreciated. Groudon is a good partner for this, and it can also provide sun to make Ho-Oh even stronger and to lower Thunder's accuracy. Teammates that like Eternatus being gone, such as Marshadow or and Xerneas, synergize well, as this set often breaks through Eternatus.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options (condensed this section into one paragraph. if it should stay separated for whatever formatting reason, lmk or just re-separate it)
====

Curse sets are an option, but they generally just get statused or phazed. They are also easy to revenge kill due to their low Speed. Roost can be used to have provides a more consistent source of recovery, although it is generally not needed thanks to Heavy-Duty Boots and Regenerator. Pressure is an option in combination with Roost to PP stall opposing Pokemon, but the opportunity cost of not having Regenerator is a severe detriment. Life Orb sets can be used similarly to how the Choice Band set is used (RC) and has the freedom to choose moves. Do note that, (AC) even with Regenerator, Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil can add up quickly.

Checks and Counters
====

**Rock-type Moves**: Rock-type moves can often be thrown on sets with the sole purpose of taking out Ho-Oh. Meteor Beam Eternatus, Rock Tomb Marshadow, Power Gem Dialga, and Stone Edge Necrozma-DM are a few examples of Pokemon (removed E accent) you need to keep in mind when using Ho-Oh.

**Eternatus**: Eternatus doesn’t mind burns and can stall out defensive sets. Physically defensive sets can typically stomach Choice Band Ho-Oh, but specially defensive sets have to be extremely careful around it.

**Zygarde-C**: Defensive Zygarde-C sets with Rest will take anything Ho-Oh throws at it and status it in return. However, offensive Zygarde sets must be wary of status on the switch-in.

**Kyogre**: Kyogre can come in on Sacred Fire or Defog and then proceed to put out strong attacks.

**Knock Off + Stealth Rock**: Ho-Oh is extremely limited if Stealth Rock have been set-up. This is even more-so the case with Choice Band Ho-Oh. Ho-Oh needs has been set up, needing to be wary of Knock Off from Pokemon like Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, Ferrothorn, and Tangrowth. Certain Stealth Rock setters do not mind Ho-Oh switching in, such as Groudon or and Dialga. Stealth Rock extremely limits Choice Band Ho-Oh. (if something about this section's changes doesn't make sense, lmk)

**Toxic**: While this is minimized the threat of Toxic is lowered thanks to Regenerator, the damage from Toxic its damage can add up, especially in end-game scenarios. The residual damage can prevent Ho-Oh from checking things threats it normally could. Eternatus, Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, (AC) and opposing Ho-Oh all can badly poison Ho-Oh.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Manaphy, 50695]]
- Quality checked by: [[Fc, 511624], [Minority, 222996]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [username2, userid2]

pyra.gif
1/2
 
GP 2/2
[Overview]

Heavy-Duty Boots rids Ho-Oh of its most crippling flaw, its Stealth Rock weakness, making it a critical defensive Pokemon in the metagame. Thanks to Regenerator, its huge Special Defense, and good defensive typing, Ho-Oh is an important glue Pokemon for teambuilding, as it compresses a myriad of roles into one. Ho-Oh is able to check Zacian using any move but Wild Charge, check Xerneas lacking Ingrain, and be a great backup check to Calyrex-S. It is able to consistently switch into Necrozma-DM, the most common Stealth Rock setter in the tier, and use Defog, giving its team good entry hazard control. Offensively, Ho-Oh is no slouch either, as the Choice Band set is underprepared for and is able to punch serious holes into the vast majority of teams. Ho-Oh has become such a metagame-defining force that it's often specifically prepared for in teambuilding; Ho-Oh’s massive weakness to Rock-type attacks can be easy to exploit, and it must constantly be on the lookout for Knock Off and Toxic users.

[SET]

name: Defensive
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Defog
move 3: Toxic / Thunder Wave / Brave Bird
move 4: Whirlwind / Brave Bird
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Regenerator
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 208 Def / 52 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

This is the standard Ho-Oh set. Sacred Fire is a great STAB attack, and it has an impressive 50% burn chance. However, you should be careful about using it, as its PP is low—and even lower against Eternatus switch-ins. Ho-Oh is a great user of Defog, beingas it is able to repeatedly come into Necrozma-DM. Toxic is a good option to stall out Pokemon that don’t particularly mind burns or are immune to them, such as Yveltal and opposing Ho-Oh. Thunder Wave is a great option for Eternatus, which is a very common switch-in, that is immune to Toxic, and not bothered by burns. Whirlwind is to phaze Xerneas, although it also has its uses for other setup sweepers such as Zygarde-C and Calyrex-S. However, you need to watch out for Ingrain Xerneas. Brave Bird is a good, strong secondary STAB option, that hittings Fire-resistant Pokemon like Eternatus and Kyogre much harder, and it helps with Sacred Fire's low PP. The given EV spread iallows Ho-Oh to always lsurvive a +2 Xerneas's Thunder, with the restleftover EVs put into dDefense to better deal with physical attackers such as Zacian. If you run Thunder Wave, use a spread of 248 HP / 192 Def / 52 SpD / 16 Spe should be used to let Ho-Oh outspeed Choice Specs Calyrex-S after paralysis.

Smart switching is the key to using this set, both in terms of Regenerator recovery and scouting for status or Rock-type coverage moves. Zacian, Xerneas, and Calyrex-S are too strong of threatsening to leave Ho-Oh as your only check to them. Zacian can OHKO Ho-Oh with Wild Charge a majority of the time, while Xerneas can threaten to KO itHo-Oh with a boosted Thunder if Ho-Oh has taken any damage, or use Ingrain to prevent Ho-Oh from phazing it. Choice Specs Calyrex-S will 2HKO Ho-Oh outright. As such, Pokemon such as Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, Lunala, and Tangrowth make good defensive partners. Necrozma-DM can provide a solid defense against Zacian in combination with Ho-Oh, while Yveltal will keep Calyrex-S at bay. Lunala and Tangrowth also offer good defense against Groudon and Zygarde-C. Eternatus and Blissey are excellent teammates for beingtheir ableility to switch into Kyogre. All of the aforementioned Pokemon appreciate Ho-Oh's ability to providserve as a backup check to the tier's biggest sweepers, as well as Defog. Ho-Oh can consistently switch into entry hazard setters such as Necrozma-DM and Ferrothorn and force them out, even if they hit it with Knock Off. However, if Ho-Oh hard switches into thoese Pokemon every time, it can become predictable and be taken advantage of by double switches. Ho-Oh must be wary of alternative setters of Stealth Rock, such as Groudon and Dialga. Having a secondary Defog user, such as Yveltal, couldan be useful for providing more security against such Pokemon, as well as against Sticky Web and other offensive playstyles, depending on your team structure.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Whirlwind / Flare Blitz / Defog
item: Choice Band
ability: Regenerator
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 208 Atk / 52 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

Choice Band Ho-Oh is one of the best wallbreakers in the tier, with most teams having to resort to offensive pressure, soft checks, and status to try to stop it. Brave Bird does massive damage to anything that resists Sacred Fire, plusand its recoil is minimized thanks to Regenerator. Earthquake rounds out Ho-Oh's coverage and is yourits strongest option against Eternatus. The last move is flexible. Whirlwind is generally preferred, as it gives Ho-Oh more defensive utility in phazing opposing Ho-Oh and Zygarde-C in a pinch. Flare Blitz does massive damage and is stronger than Sacred Fire; it also makes up for Sacred Fire’s low PP. Defog can be used in emergency situations to clear away Stealth Rock. The given EVs allow Ho-Oh to lsurvive a +2 Xerneas Thunder, with the remaining EVs put into Attack to maximize Ho-Oh’s power. You16 Attack EVs can use 16 be moved into Speed EVs tto maken out of Attack to outspeed a Calyrex-SR Ho-Oh faster than paralyzed by a teammate such as Necrozma-DM or GroudonCalyrex-S. It's not advisable to go much faster than this, though, because Choice Band Ho-Oh functions best as an offensive tank, and it willould rather not lose significant breaking power or the ability to check special threats.

While this set is immensely strong, the major flaw is its vulnerability to Stealth Rock. Because of this, Choice Band Ho-Oh is usually a Pokemon that teams specifically build around. At least two dDefog users are recommended: Yveltal, Lunala, Xerneas, and Corviknight are good possible partners. Xatu is notable for having Magic Bounce and being able to switch into Stealth Rock setters such as Necrozma-DM repeatedly. Additionally, teammates that can lure and break through defensive Zygarde-C are appreciated. Groudon is a good partner for this, and it can also provide sun to make Ho-Oh even stronger and to lower Thunder's accuracy. Teammates that like Eternatus being gone, such as Marshadow and Xerneas, synergize well, as this set often breaks through Eternatus.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Curse sets are an option, but they generally just get statused or phazed. They are also easy to revenge kill due to their lowered Speed. Roost provides a more consistent source of recovery, although it is generally not needed thanks to Heavy-Duty Boots and Regenerator.
Pressure is an option in combination with Roost to PP stall opposing Pokemon, but the opportunity cost of not having Regenerator is a severe detriment. Life Orb sets can be used similarly to how the Choice Band set is used and has, with the freedom to choose moves. Do note that, even with Regenerator, Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil can add up quickly.

Checks and Counters
====

**Rock-type Moves**: Rock-types moves canare often be thrown onto sets withfor the sole purpose of taking out Ho-Oh. Meteor Beam Eternatus, Rock Tomb Marshadow, Power Gem Dialga, and Stone Edge Necrozma-DM are a few examples of Pokemon you need to keep in mind when using Ho-Oh.

**Eternatus**: Eternatus doesn’t mind burns and can stall out defensive sets. Physically defensive sets can typically stomach Choice Band Ho-Oh, but specially defensive sets have to be extremely careful around it.

**Zygarde-C**: Defensive Zygarde-C with Rest will take anything Ho-Oh throws at it and status it in return. However, offensive Zygarde-C sets must be wary of status on the switch.

**Kyogre**: Kyogre can come in on Sacred Fire or Defog and then proceed to put outuse its strong attacks.

**Knock Off + Stealth Rock**: Ho-Oh is limited if Stealth Rock has been set- up, as it then needings to be wary of Knock Off from Pokemon like Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, Ferrothorn, and Tangrowth. Certain Stealth Rock setters, such as Groudon and Dialga, do not mind Ho-Oh switching in, such as Groudon and Dialga. Stealth Rock extremeheavily limits Choice Band Ho-Oh.

**Toxic**: While the threat of Toxic is lowered thanks to Regenerator, its damage can add up, especially in latend-game scenarios. The residual damage can prevent Ho-Oh from checking threats it normallyotherwise could. Eternatus, Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, and opposing Ho-Oh all can badly poison Ho-Oh.
 
Last edited:

Manaphy

Throughout heaven and earth, I alone am family guy
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I have implemented the above QC checks; I also have changed some of the Zacian mentions above since it got banned and have replaced most of them with Marshadow. I’ve also changed some mon mentions, such as adding Zekrom as a check, replacing Dialga with Tyranitar as a Stealth Rock setter, mentioning CP Etern as a Whirlwind target, and mentioning Buzzwole and Zarude as good partners. So I think this should be finished!
 
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