Ho-Oh Raid Guide: Counters, Strategies, And Catching Tips
Hey Pokémon trainers! Are you ready to add the majestic Ho-Oh to your collection? This legendary Pokémon, known for its vibrant rainbow plumage and incredible Fire- and Flying-type moves, is a powerhouse in battles and a stunning addition to any Pokédex. If you're looking to take down Ho-Oh in a raid, you've come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know, from its weaknesses and counters to the best strategies for securing your victory and catching this legendary bird.
Understanding Ho-Oh: Stats, Weaknesses, and Strengths
Before diving into the raid, let's get to know our fiery friend a bit better. Ho-Oh is a dual-type Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon, making it strong against Grass, Bug, Steel, and Fairy-type moves. This means you'll want to avoid bringing Pokémon of these types to the battle. However, Ho-Oh's dual typing also makes it vulnerable to certain attacks. Its primary weaknesses are Rock-type moves, which deal a whopping 256% damage, making them your best bet for quickly depleting its health bar. Water- and Electric-type moves are also effective, dealing 160% damage, so they can be excellent secondary options if you don't have a full team of Rock-type attackers.
Ho-Oh boasts impressive stats, particularly in its Attack and Special Defense. This means it can dish out significant damage with its Fire- and Flying-type moves while also being resistant to Special Attacks. However, its Defense stat is relatively lower, which is another reason why Rock-type Physical moves are so effective. Understanding these strengths and weaknesses is crucial for assembling a raid team that can withstand Ho-Oh's attacks and exploit its vulnerabilities.
Here's a quick rundown of Ho-Oh's key characteristics:
- Type: Fire/Flying
- Weaknesses: Rock (256%), Water (160%), Electric (160%)
- Resistances: Grass (39%), Bug (39%), Steel (39%), Fairy (39%), Fire (63%)
- Stats: High Attack and Special Defense, moderate HP, and lower Defense
Knowing these details will help you make informed decisions about which Pokémon to bring to the raid and which moves to use in battle. Remember, a well-prepared team is the key to success!
Top Pokémon Counters for Ho-Oh Raids
Now that we understand Ho-Oh's strengths and weaknesses, let's talk about the Pokémon that can truly shine in this raid. Building an effective raid team means choosing Pokémon with the right types, movesets, and stats to exploit Ho-Oh's vulnerabilities. Rock-type Pokémon are your best friends in this battle, as they can deal significant damage with their powerful Rock-type attacks. Here are some of the top counters to consider:
- Rampardos: This Rock-type powerhouse is arguably the best counter to Ho-Oh, boasting the highest Attack stat of all Rock-type Pokémon. With moves like Smack Down and Rock Slide, Rampardos can quickly whittle down Ho-Oh's health. Its pure Rock typing also means it resists Ho-Oh's Fire-type attacks, adding to its survivability.
- Rhyperior: Rhyperior is another excellent Rock-type choice, with high Attack and Defense stats. Its Rock Wrecker Charged Attack is particularly devastating. While it's also part Ground-type, which makes it doubly weak to Water-type moves, its overall bulk and damage output make it a valuable asset.
- Tyranitar: This Dark/Rock-type Pokémon is a classic raid counter, known for its high Attack and solid bulk. Smack Down and Stone Edge are its go-to moves for dealing Rock-type damage. Tyranitar's Dark typing also provides some resistance to Psychic-type moves, which can be useful in certain raid scenarios.
- Terrakion: As a Legendary Rock/Fighting-type Pokémon, Terrakion brings a lot to the table with its high Attack and Speed. Smack Down and Rock Slide are its recommended moves for this raid. Its Fighting typing does make it a bit more vulnerable to Flying-type moves, but its offensive power more than makes up for it.
- Aerodactyl (Mega Aerodactyl): This Rock/Flying-type Mega Evolution can unleash incredible Rock-type damage with Rock Throw and Rock Slide. Mega Aerodactyl's high Speed also allows it to attack frequently, making it a strong choice for dealing consistent damage.
- Gigalith: This pure Rock-type Pokémon is a more accessible option for trainers who may not have the Legendary or Mega Pokémon listed above. Smack Down and Rock Slide are its optimal moves, and its decent bulk allows it to withstand some hits.
In addition to these top-tier counters, there are other Pokémon that can contribute to the raid. Water- and Electric-type Pokémon can also deal significant damage, although not as much as Rock types. Pokémon like Mega Blastoise, Raikou, and Zapdos can be valuable additions to your team if you need some type diversity.
Remember, the best team is one that balances damage output with survivability. It's better to have a team of Pokémon that can consistently deal damage throughout the raid than a team that faints quickly, even if they deal a lot of damage initially. Consider your own Pokémon collection and choose the ones that will perform best in this battle.
Building Your Raid Team: Movesets and Strategies
Choosing the right Pokémon is only half the battle. To truly maximize your effectiveness in a Ho-Oh raid, you need to pay attention to the movesets your Pokémon are using. The ideal moveset for each Pokémon will depend on their type and stats, but generally, you'll want to prioritize Rock-type moves for your Rock-type attackers. For Water- and Electric-type Pokémon, focus on moves of their respective types.
Here are some specific movesets to aim for:
- Rampardos: Smack Down (Fast Move) and Rock Slide (Charged Move)
- Rhyperior: Smack Down (Fast Move) and Rock Wrecker (Charged Move)
- Tyranitar: Smack Down (Fast Move) and Stone Edge (Charged Move)
- Terrakion: Smack Down (Fast Move) and Rock Slide (Charged Move)
- Mega Aerodactyl: Rock Throw (Fast Move) and Rock Slide (Charged Move)
- Gigalith: Smack Down (Fast Move) and Rock Slide (Charged Move)
In addition to movesets, your battle strategy is crucial. Here are some tips to keep in mind during the raid:
- Dodge Charged Attacks: Ho-Oh has powerful Charged Attacks that can quickly knock out your Pokémon. Pay attention to the visual cues and dodge by swiping left or right when Ho-Oh is about to use its Charged Move. This will significantly increase your team's survivability.
- Coordinate with Your Team: If you're raiding with a group, coordinate your attacks to maximize damage output. Try to have a mix of attackers to cover different scenarios, and communicate about when to use Charged Attacks to avoid wasting energy.
- Use Weather Boosts: Weather conditions in the game can boost the power of certain types of moves. If the weather is Sunny or Partly Cloudy, Rock-type moves will be boosted, making your Rock-type attackers even more effective. Similarly, Rainy weather will boost Water-type moves, and Windy weather will boost Flying-type moves.
- Mega Evolve Strategically: If you have a Mega Pokémon, choose the right time to Mega Evolve it. Mega Pokémon provide significant stat boosts to themselves and other Pokémon of the same type in the raid, so using them strategically can give you a major advantage.
- Re-lobby Quickly: If your team faints, don't hesitate to re-lobby and rejoin the battle. You can rejoin multiple times during the raid timer, so don't give up if your first attempt doesn't go as planned.
By combining the right Pokémon, movesets, and strategies, you can significantly increase your chances of defeating Ho-Oh and adding this legendary Pokémon to your collection. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if you don't succeed on your first try. Keep refining your team and strategy, and you'll eventually emerge victorious.
Finding and Joining Ho-Oh Raids
Now that you're armed with the knowledge to defeat Ho-Oh, the next step is finding a raid. Ho-Oh raids typically appear in five-star raids, which are the highest tier of raids in Pokémon GO. These raids require a team of trainers to take down, so you'll need to either join a local raid group or use remote raid passes to participate in raids happening elsewhere.
Here are some ways to find and join Ho-Oh raids:
- Local Raids: Keep an eye on gyms near you for raid eggs, which indicate an upcoming raid. Five-star raid eggs will hatch into powerful Pokémon like Ho-Oh. You can also use the in-game map to see if there are any active raids nearby.
- Remote Raids: Remote raid passes allow you to join raids that are happening anywhere in the world. You can purchase remote raid passes from the in-game shop. To join a remote raid, you'll need to be invited by a friend who is physically present at the raid or join a raid through online communities.
- Online Communities: There are many online communities dedicated to Pokémon GO raids, such as Discord servers, Reddit forums, and Facebook groups. These communities are a great way to find and coordinate raids with other trainers. You can often find trainers hosting remote raids and inviting others to join.
- Pokémon GO Raid Apps: Several apps are designed to help trainers find and join raids. These apps typically allow you to filter raids by Pokémon and location, making it easy to find a Ho-Oh raid near you.
When joining a raid, it's important to be respectful of other trainers and follow the group's guidelines. Communicate effectively, coordinate your attacks, and be patient. Raids can be challenging, but with a good team and a solid strategy, you can conquer even the toughest challenges.
Catching Ho-Oh: Tips and Tricks
Congratulations! You've defeated Ho-Oh in a raid. Now comes the exciting part: catching it. Catching a legendary Pokémon can be tricky, but with the right techniques, you can significantly increase your chances of success. Here are some tips and tricks to help you catch Ho-Oh:
- Use Golden Razz Berries: Golden Razz Berries are the best berries for increasing your catch rate. Feed Ho-Oh a Golden Razz Berry before each throw to maximize your chances of catching it.
- Throw Curveballs: Curveballs have a higher catch rate than straight throws. Practice throwing curveballs by spinning the Poké Ball before you throw it. Aim for the center of the target circle to increase your chances of a successful catch.
- Aim for Excellent Throws: Excellent throws have the highest catch rate. To get an Excellent throw, wait for the target circle to shrink to its smallest size before throwing the Poké Ball. This requires timing and precision, but it's worth the effort.
- Use Circle-Lock Technique: The Circle-Lock Technique involves setting the target circle to a small size and then waiting for Ho-Oh to attack. As it finishes its attack animation, throw a curveball into the center of the circle. This technique can help you consistently land Great or Excellent throws.
- Be Patient: Catching a legendary Pokémon can take multiple attempts. Don't get discouraged if Ho-Oh breaks out of the Poké Ball a few times. Keep using Golden Razz Berries, throwing curveballs, and aiming for Excellent throws, and eventually, you'll catch it.
Remember, every throw counts, so take your time and focus on making accurate throws. With persistence and the right techniques, you'll be able to add Ho-Oh to your Pokédex.
Conclusion: Adding Ho-Oh to Your Collection
Ho-Oh is a legendary Pokémon that's well worth the effort to catch. With its powerful moves and stunning appearance, it's a valuable addition to any trainer's team. By understanding its weaknesses, building an effective raid team, and using the right catching techniques, you can successfully defeat and catch Ho-Oh in Pokémon GO.
So, gather your friends, prepare your team, and get ready to take on this legendary challenge. With a little practice and a lot of determination, you'll soon be soaring through the skies with Ho-Oh by your side. Happy raiding, trainers, and may the odds be ever in your favor!