As the list of Pokemon grows, and the number of Pokemon types with it, keeping up with how each type interacts with one another can be challenging. Especially if you’re mainly playing Pokemon GO and haven’t kept up with mainline installments like Pokemon Sword & Shield. The good news is we’re here to help. In this guide we’re going to take a look at Ho-Oh specifically and highlight some counters for when you’re on offense.
More Pokemon:
- Pokemon Sword and Shield Type Chart – Pokemon Strengths and Weaknesses
- Pokemon Pearl Mascot Palkia Has Fur, Apparently
- Pokemon Fighting Type Guide – Weaknesses, Strengths, Counters
Pokemon GO Ho-Oh Counters
As any player can tell you, Ho-Oh is one of the best defenders available in Pokemon GO. That means you’ll need to come well equipped with a Pokemon to counter it. We have a few recommendations for you, so hopefully one of these is at your disposal.
- Hippowdon: Preferably with Thunder Fang/Ice Fang and Weather Ball.
- Manectric: With Charge Beam and Wild Charge.
- Tangrowth: With Infestation and Rock Slide.
- Kingdra: With Waterfall/Water Gun and Hydro Pump.
- Blaziken: Counter and Stone Edge. Not the end of the world if you have Fire Spin, but that’s less effective.
If you don’t have any of these, no worries, just take anyone with rock, electric, or water moves; rock being the deadliest of the three. Try to avoid any Pokemon that are bug, steel, grass, ice, or fighting as they’re weak to the most common Ho-Oh moves. So don’t go throwing out Bulbasaur, Tangela, or any other grassy friends as they’re likely to get charred to a crisp.
About Ho-Oh
Why is Ho-Oh so good? Well it is super resistant to ground, fire, steel, fighting, and fairy moves. It also has regular resistance to grass and bug moves. That’s a whole lot of damage reduction!
Keep an eye out for Incinerate and Brave Bird as this is commonly accepted as the best move combination whether the bird is on offense or defense. Ho-Oh is a great all around Pokemon.
If you’re trying to battle Ho-Oh in a raid, you may be able to solo a Level 1, but anything more than that and you’ll likely need anywhere from two to six helpers. So make sure to keep an eye on nearby raids and pop on by to see if anyone is around to help!
Catching it for yourself? You need to use the Premiere Balls you get from defeating it. Make sure to combine those with Golden Razz Berries before each throw to increase your odds. Without those, the catch rate is abysmal. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still hard to catch, but without those you’ll struggle. It may take you more than a few attempts to be successful so make sure to come equipped with lots of healing potions. Just make sure that Ho-Oh is even available in raid battles. The game cycles which Pokemon are available at any given time so keep an eye out for when the raid boss pool changes.
