[OVERVIEW]
Ho-Oh's uniquely incredible stat spread, iconic typing, and signature move, Sacred Fire, allows it to fill the role of one of Uber's premier tanks. While a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock is the biggest hindrance a Pokemon can have, its newfound access to Regenerator helps offset this issue while making Ho-Oh seemingly unkillable without Stealth Rock. This defensive profile allows it to take on huge threats of the metagame such as Darkrai, Giratina-O, Genesect, many special attacking Arceus forms, and switch into the very difficult to check Draco Meteor. Offensively, the combination of Sacred Fire and Brave Bird is incredibly hard to switch into, only being resisted by Rock-types, Zekrom, and Heatran, which cannot risk switching into an Earthquake. With proper support against Stealth Rock, Ho-Oh can fit itself on a huge variety of teams, fulfilling one of the many roles it excels at.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Choice Band
ability: Regenerator
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Ho-Oh's great 130 Attack and very spammable STAB's make Choice Band a natural fit, turning Ho-Oh's numerous opportunities to switch in into huge damage and more often than not, outright KOes. Sacred Fire is a no drawback and quite powerful STAB, made even more difficult for Dragon- and Water-types to switch into thanks to a brutal chance to burn. In sun this move is capable of ridiculous feats of power, such as potentially OHKOing Latios and Arceus-Ghost after Stealth Rock. Brave Bird complements Fire-type STAB well, OHKOing even max HP Kyogre after Stealth Rock and chunking even Pokemon that resist it like Dialga and Tyranitar. Earthquake rounds out Ho-Oh's STAB attacks perfectly, hitting the few Rock-, Steel-, and Electric-types that may risk pivoting into Ho-Oh. This three move coverage is so effective, Ho-Oh is easily able to afford Sleep Talk in the last slot becoming by far the tier's best Darkrai check as well as absorbing sleep from the occasional other users such as Accelgor or Lilligant. An Adamant nature with Max Speed is used to creep the numerous base 90 Speed legendaries while granting nuclear strength, but opting for Jolly is valid as well. Regenerator is a perfect ability to offset Brave Bird recoil, allows Ho-Oh to pivot into attacks with much less fear, and can keep Ho-Oh alive for an additional switch in case Stealth Rock is set against it.
Choice Band Ho-Oh trades longevity and bulk for raw wallbreaking power, so very offensive teams or balance teams that can reliably keep Stealth Rock off the field are ideal for it. Groudon is an ideal partner for it, providing the sun that it appreciates so much, setting Stealth Rock reliably, and spreading Thunder Waves that allow Ho-Oh to outrun various Groudon checks, such as Latios and Latias. Deoxys-Speed sets the tempo for Ho-Oh, denying Stealth Rock with the fastest Taunt in the game while getting up Stealth Rock from the getgo. One could even use Magic Coat to block opposing Deoxys-Speed attempting to speed tie. Magic Bounce support from Xatu and Espeon alongside Groudon form the famous core, "Magic Sun," fully leaning into the devastation that Ho-Oh wreaks when the opponent can never set Stealth Rock at any point and Drought is active. On more balanced teams, Ho-Oh will appreciate reliable Rapid Spin users such as Excadrill, Forretress, and Tentacruel, although the numerous spinblockers in the tier will necessitate additional anti-hazard support. Groudon, Arceus-Fighting, and Genesect are regularly checked by Ghost-types, which can collectively wear them down as a team for the Rapid Spin user.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monai.482455/
Ho-Oh's uniquely incredible stat spread, iconic typing, and signature move, Sacred Fire, allows it to fill the role of one of Uber's premier tanks. While a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock is the biggest hindrance a Pokemon can have, its newfound access to Regenerator helps offset this issue while making Ho-Oh seemingly unkillable without Stealth Rock. This defensive profile allows it to take on huge threats of the metagame such as Darkrai, Giratina-O, Genesect, many special attacking Arceus forms, and switch into the very difficult to check Draco Meteor. Offensively, the combination of Sacred Fire and Brave Bird is incredibly hard to switch into, only being resisted by Rock-types, Zekrom, and Heatran, which cannot risk switching into an Earthquake. With proper support against Stealth Rock, Ho-Oh can fit itself on a huge variety of teams, fulfilling one of the many roles it excels at.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Choice Band
ability: Regenerator
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Ho-Oh's great 130 Attack and very spammable STAB's make Choice Band a natural fit, turning Ho-Oh's numerous opportunities to switch in into huge damage and more often than not, outright KOes. Sacred Fire is a no drawback and quite powerful STAB, made even more difficult for Dragon- and Water-types to switch into thanks to a brutal chance to burn. In sun this move is capable of ridiculous feats of power, such as potentially OHKOing Latios and Arceus-Ghost after Stealth Rock. Brave Bird complements Fire-type STAB well, OHKOing even max HP Kyogre after Stealth Rock and chunking even Pokemon that resist it like Dialga and Tyranitar. Earthquake rounds out Ho-Oh's STAB attacks perfectly, hitting the few Rock-, Steel-, and Electric-types that may risk pivoting into Ho-Oh. This three move coverage is so effective, Ho-Oh is easily able to afford Sleep Talk in the last slot becoming by far the tier's best Darkrai check as well as absorbing sleep from the occasional other users such as Accelgor or Lilligant. An Adamant nature with Max Speed is used to creep the numerous base 90 Speed legendaries while granting nuclear strength, but opting for Jolly is valid as well. Regenerator is a perfect ability to offset Brave Bird recoil, allows Ho-Oh to pivot into attacks with much less fear, and can keep Ho-Oh alive for an additional switch in case Stealth Rock is set against it.
Choice Band Ho-Oh trades longevity and bulk for raw wallbreaking power, so very offensive teams or balance teams that can reliably keep Stealth Rock off the field are ideal for it. Groudon is an ideal partner for it, providing the sun that it appreciates so much, setting Stealth Rock reliably, and spreading Thunder Waves that allow Ho-Oh to outrun various Groudon checks, such as Latios and Latias. Deoxys-Speed sets the tempo for Ho-Oh, denying Stealth Rock with the fastest Taunt in the game while getting up Stealth Rock from the getgo. One could even use Magic Coat to block opposing Deoxys-Speed attempting to speed tie. Magic Bounce support from Xatu and Espeon alongside Groudon form the famous core, "Magic Sun," fully leaning into the devastation that Ho-Oh wreaks when the opponent can never set Stealth Rock at any point and Drought is active. On more balanced teams, Ho-Oh will appreciate reliable Rapid Spin users such as Excadrill, Forretress, and Tentacruel, although the numerous spinblockers in the tier will necessitate additional anti-hazard support. Groudon, Arceus-Fighting, and Genesect are regularly checked by Ghost-types, which can collectively wear them down as a team for the Rapid Spin user.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monai.482455/
Last edited:
