Ho-Oh Guide: Best Moveset, Counters & Pokemon GO Tips

Ho-Oh is a popular Fire/Flying-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 3,863, Ho-Oh is a solid choice for Ultra League battles and various raid encounters.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Ho-Oh in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Ho-Oh Base Stats & Overview

Ho-Oh (#250) is a Fire/Flying-type Pokemon from Generation 2. As a Legendary Pokemon, Ho-Oh is extremely rare and powerful, typically only available through special raid events or research breakthroughs.

Base Stats
Attack	239
Defense	244
Stamina	214
Total Stats	697
Max CP	3,863
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 239 Attack, 244 Defense, and 214 Stamina, Ho-Oh has a total stat product of 697. Its impressive Defense stat makes it a bulky option that can take hits while dealing consistent damage.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Ho-Oh

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Ho-Oh’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Ho-Oh for raids, gym battles, or PvP.

Best Raid & Gym Moveset

For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Fire/Flying-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.

Best PvP Moveset

In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.

🎯 Ho-Oh Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Ho-Oh effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Fire/Flying-type Pokemon, Ho-Oh has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Ho-Oh is weak to: Water, Rock, Electric, Ice-type moves. When battling against Ho-Oh, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Water – Deals increased damage
• Rock – Deals increased damage
• Electric – Deals increased damage
• Ice – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Ho-Oh resists: Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy, Fighting, Ground-type moves. This means Ho-Oh takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Fire – Reduced damage
• Grass – Reduced damage
• Ice – Reduced damage
• Bug – Reduced damage
• Steel – Reduced damage
• Fairy – Reduced damage
• Fighting – Reduced damage
• Ground – Reduced damage

🏆 Ho-Oh PvP Analysis

Ho-Oh can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:

Great League (1500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 3,863, Ho-Oh would need to be under-leveled for Great League. Check if the stats at 1500 CP are competitive before investing resources.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

Ho-Oh can be used in Ultra League but won’t reach its full stat potential due to the 2500 CP cap.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Ho-Oh can hold its own in Master League with proper support, though it may struggle against the top-tier threats like Dialga, Giratina, and Mewtwo.

⚔️ Ho-Oh Raid Guide

Ho-Oh appears as a Tier 5 Legendary raid boss during special events. Here’s what you need to know to defeat and catch it:

Raid Boss Stats

• Tier: 5 (Legendary)
• Recommended Trainers: 4-6 with optimal counters
• Boss CP: ~50,000+
• Catch CP Range: 2,000 – 2,500 (weather boosted: 2,500 – 2,800)

Tips for Defeating Ho-Oh

1. Use Pokemon with moves that exploit Ho-Oh’s weaknesses
2. Dodge charged moves when possible to preserve your Pokemon
3. Coordinate with your raid group for maximum efficiency
4. Use a weather boost when possible for stronger attackers

🎯 Best Counters for Ho-Oh

Whether you’re battling Ho-Oh in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Ho-Oh:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Ho-Oh’s weaknesses to Water, Rock, Electric, Ice-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Kyogre	Water	Best Water attacker with Waterfall + Hydro Pump
Swampert	Water/Ground	Mud Shot + Hydro Cannon is devastating
Gyarados	Water/Flying	Accessible and powerful Water attacker
Rampardos	Rock	Highest Rock DPS but glass cannon
Rhyperior	Ground/Rock	Bulky Rock attacker with Rock Wrecker
Tyranitar	Rock/Dark	Smack Down + Stone Edge

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Ho-Oh
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Ho-Oh may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Ho-Oh in Pokemon GO

Ho-Oh is a Legendary Pokemon and can be obtained through:

• Tier 5 Raids: Ho-Oh appears in 5-star raids during special events
• GO Battle League: Occasionally available as a reward at Rank 20+
• Special Research: May be featured in special research storylines
• Trading: Trade with friends who have a spare Ho-Oh

Keep an eye on official Pokemon GO announcements for when Ho-Oh will be available!

Ho-Oh Evolution

Check the Pokédex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Ho-Oh

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Ho-Oh’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Ho-Oh with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.

For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:

• Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
• Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
• Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap

2. Power Up Priority

Before investing Stardust and Candy into Ho-Oh, consider:

• Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
• Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
• Are there better alternatives for the same role?
• Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?

3. Team Composition

Ho-Oh works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Fire/Flying type weak to Water, Rock, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Ho-Oh spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
• When battling: Weather that boosts Fire moves increases your damage output
• When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather

📚 Ho-Oh in the Pokemon Franchise

Ho-Oh first appeared in Generation 2 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Ho-Oh’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Ho-Oh was introduced as part of the Generation 2 Pokemon rollout. It became available to catch after Niantic released the Generation 2 Pokemon update.

📊 How Ho-Oh Compares

Let’s see how Ho-Oh stacks up against other Fire-type Pokemon:

Stat	Ho-Oh	Type Average	Rating
Attack	239	~180	⭐⭐⭐
Defense	244	~160	⭐⭐⭐
Stamina	214	~170	⭐⭐⭐
Max CP	3,863	~2,500	⭐⭐⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Ho-Oh is a powerful Fire/Flying-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 3,863 and solid base stats (239/244/214), it stands as one of the premier options for high-level content including Master League PvP and Legendary raids.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Ho-Oh’s weaknesses
• Take advantage of weather boosts when possible

For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.

Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.

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