[SET]
Ho-Oh @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Ground / Flying
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spe or 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird
- Earthquake / Substitute
- Recover
[SET COMMENTS]
Earthquake pressures Miraidon, one of Ho-Oh's most common switch-ins, and gives it a way to hit Tera Fire users like Necrozma-DM, Koraidon, and Calyrex-I. Substitute is an option to take advantage of Gliscor and gives Ho-Oh a chance to freely throw out its powerful STAB attacks. Tera Ground synergizes with Earthquake and makes Ho-Oh a reliable check to Miraidon by guaranteeing that Earthquake KOs it with an Adamant nature. Tera Flying powers up Brave Bird, letting it 2HKO opposing defensive Ho-Oh. 152 Speed EVs with a neutral nature allow Ho-Oh to outspeed maximum Speed neutral-natured Necrozma-DM. The alternate EV spread with maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature allows Ho-Oh to get the jump on defensive Arceus formes, giving it the ability to 2HKO them with Tera Flying Brave Bird.
Koraidon is an excellent partner for pivoting in Ho-Oh and setting sun, while Ho-Oh pressures opposing Ho-Oh and Arceus-Fairy as well as helping Koraidon break through Gliscor and Kyogre. Since this Ho-Oh variant has far less bulk than a defensive one, it appreciates secondary Koraidon checks such as Kyogre and Arceus-Fairy, both of which can paralyze Eternatus, opposing Arceus formes, and Ho-Oh with Thunder Wave. Kyogre is also a solid partner for helping Ho-Oh check Calyrex-I, which this set cannot do well. Although it does not enjoy eating sun-boosted Sacred Fires, Miraidon can pivot into Ho-Oh and force it out. As such, partners such as Ting-Lu, Gliscor, and Arceus-Ground pair well with Ho-Oh. In particular, Ting-Lu and Gliscor can set Spikes for Ho-Oh, letting it pressure Arceus-Water more easily. Arceus-Water and Kyogre are fantastic partners for taking advantage of Ho-Oh forcing Necrozma-DM, Arceus, and Calyrex-I to Terastallize into the Fire typing while helping Ho-Oh check Koraidon. Ho-Oh can also lure in Miraidon, Terastallize into the Ground typing, and defeat Miraidon for them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Flame Charge is an option on offensive Ho-Oh that prevents Zacian-C, Miraidon, and fast Arceus formes from revenge killing it, but this option is generally not preferred compared to the utility of Recover, Earthquake, and Substitute.
Checks and Counters
====
**Miraidon**: Miraidon resists both of Ho-Oh's STAB moves and can use it as a chance to set up or throw out powerful STAB attacks. However, it has to watch out for Earthquake, and Heavy-Duty Boots variants are checked by Tera Grass and Tera Ground Ho-Oh.
**Water-types**: Arceus-Water can pivot into Ho-Oh throughout the entire game, threaten it out with Judgment, and heal any damage from it. However, Arceus-Water must be wary of Sacred Fire burns in conjunction with entry hazards, limiting how easily it can enter the field against Ho-Oh. Kyogre can pivot into Sacred Fire and force Ho-Oh out, but it must be wary of Brave Bird. Dondozo is a niche Pokemon found on stall structures that is able to pivot into and outlast Ho-Oh with Rest and its natural bulk. All of the aforementioned Pokemon must be cautious of maximum Speed Jolly offensive Ho-Oh, which can outspeed and threaten to both 2HKO Arceus-Water and Kyogre and 3HKO Dondozo with Tera Flying Brave Bird.
**Knock Off Users**: Ho-Oh must be wary of switching into Pokemon that have access to Knock Off, such as Necrozma-DM and Gliscor. However, if Stealth Rock is not on your side of the field or can be removed easily, then Ho-Oh can freely pivot into Knock Off users. Additionally, Ho-Oh can get past the issue of Stealth Rock by Terastallizing into another typing besides Flying.
**Eternatus**: Eternatus can switch into any of Ho-Oh's attacks and threaten it with Toxic or Meteor Beam. Furthermore, its access to Recover lets it pivot in throughout the game. However, Earthquake chips Eternatus heavily, and offensive Ho-Oh can power through it with Brave Bird.
**Arceus-Ground**: Arceus-Ground can pivot into Ho-Oh if it has physical bulk investment. Furthermore, its access to reliable recovery along with a strong Rock-type attack in Power Gem or Stone Edge means that Ho-Oh cannot freely enter in on it without scouting its coverage move. However, Sacred Fire burns and hazards can make it much more difficult for Arceus-Ground to pivot into Ho-Oh.
**Rock-type Coverage Moves**: Ho-Oh must watch out for Rock-type coverage moves specifically aimed for it. This includes Power Gem from Flutter Mane as well as Rock Slide and Rock Tomb from both Groudon and Landorus-T. Eternatus, Lunala, and Necrozma-DW can slot Meteor Beam in order to surprise Ho-Oh as well.
**Tera Fire Pokemon**: Pokemon that are pressured by Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire often opt for Tera Fire, such as Necrozma-DM, Calyrex-Ice, and Arceus. These Pokemon can use Ho-Oh as setup fodder after Terastallizing, and Arceus can use Taunt to prevent phazing.
**Giratina**: Giratina’s massive physical bulk lets it pivot into any of Ho-Oh's attacks and use Defog or Rest freely.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/manaphy.50695/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Ho-Oh @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Ground / Flying
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spe or 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird
- Earthquake / Substitute
- Recover
[SET COMMENTS]
Earthquake pressures Miraidon, one of Ho-Oh's most common switch-ins, and gives it a way to hit Tera Fire users like Necrozma-DM, Koraidon, and Calyrex-I. Substitute is an option to take advantage of Gliscor and gives Ho-Oh a chance to freely throw out its powerful STAB attacks. Tera Ground synergizes with Earthquake and makes Ho-Oh a reliable check to Miraidon by guaranteeing that Earthquake KOs it with an Adamant nature. Tera Flying powers up Brave Bird, letting it 2HKO opposing defensive Ho-Oh. 152 Speed EVs with a neutral nature allow Ho-Oh to outspeed maximum Speed neutral-natured Necrozma-DM. The alternate EV spread with maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature allows Ho-Oh to get the jump on defensive Arceus formes, giving it the ability to 2HKO them with Tera Flying Brave Bird.
Koraidon is an excellent partner for pivoting in Ho-Oh and setting sun, while Ho-Oh pressures opposing Ho-Oh and Arceus-Fairy as well as helping Koraidon break through Gliscor and Kyogre. Since this Ho-Oh variant has far less bulk than a defensive one, it appreciates secondary Koraidon checks such as Kyogre and Arceus-Fairy, both of which can paralyze Eternatus, opposing Arceus formes, and Ho-Oh with Thunder Wave. Kyogre is also a solid partner for helping Ho-Oh check Calyrex-I, which this set cannot do well. Although it does not enjoy eating sun-boosted Sacred Fires, Miraidon can pivot into Ho-Oh and force it out. As such, partners such as Ting-Lu, Gliscor, and Arceus-Ground pair well with Ho-Oh. In particular, Ting-Lu and Gliscor can set Spikes for Ho-Oh, letting it pressure Arceus-Water more easily. Arceus-Water and Kyogre are fantastic partners for taking advantage of Ho-Oh forcing Necrozma-DM, Arceus, and Calyrex-I to Terastallize into the Fire typing while helping Ho-Oh check Koraidon. Ho-Oh can also lure in Miraidon, Terastallize into the Ground typing, and defeat Miraidon for them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Flame Charge is an option on offensive Ho-Oh that prevents Zacian-C, Miraidon, and fast Arceus formes from revenge killing it, but this option is generally not preferred compared to the utility of Recover, Earthquake, and Substitute.
Checks and Counters
====
**Miraidon**: Miraidon resists both of Ho-Oh's STAB moves and can use it as a chance to set up or throw out powerful STAB attacks. However, it has to watch out for Earthquake, and Heavy-Duty Boots variants are checked by Tera Grass and Tera Ground Ho-Oh.
**Water-types**: Arceus-Water can pivot into Ho-Oh throughout the entire game, threaten it out with Judgment, and heal any damage from it. However, Arceus-Water must be wary of Sacred Fire burns in conjunction with entry hazards, limiting how easily it can enter the field against Ho-Oh. Kyogre can pivot into Sacred Fire and force Ho-Oh out, but it must be wary of Brave Bird. Dondozo is a niche Pokemon found on stall structures that is able to pivot into and outlast Ho-Oh with Rest and its natural bulk. All of the aforementioned Pokemon must be cautious of maximum Speed Jolly offensive Ho-Oh, which can outspeed and threaten to both 2HKO Arceus-Water and Kyogre and 3HKO Dondozo with Tera Flying Brave Bird.
**Knock Off Users**: Ho-Oh must be wary of switching into Pokemon that have access to Knock Off, such as Necrozma-DM and Gliscor. However, if Stealth Rock is not on your side of the field or can be removed easily, then Ho-Oh can freely pivot into Knock Off users. Additionally, Ho-Oh can get past the issue of Stealth Rock by Terastallizing into another typing besides Flying.
**Eternatus**: Eternatus can switch into any of Ho-Oh's attacks and threaten it with Toxic or Meteor Beam. Furthermore, its access to Recover lets it pivot in throughout the game. However, Earthquake chips Eternatus heavily, and offensive Ho-Oh can power through it with Brave Bird.
**Arceus-Ground**: Arceus-Ground can pivot into Ho-Oh if it has physical bulk investment. Furthermore, its access to reliable recovery along with a strong Rock-type attack in Power Gem or Stone Edge means that Ho-Oh cannot freely enter in on it without scouting its coverage move. However, Sacred Fire burns and hazards can make it much more difficult for Arceus-Ground to pivot into Ho-Oh.
**Rock-type Coverage Moves**: Ho-Oh must watch out for Rock-type coverage moves specifically aimed for it. This includes Power Gem from Flutter Mane as well as Rock Slide and Rock Tomb from both Groudon and Landorus-T. Eternatus, Lunala, and Necrozma-DW can slot Meteor Beam in order to surprise Ho-Oh as well.
**Tera Fire Pokemon**: Pokemon that are pressured by Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire often opt for Tera Fire, such as Necrozma-DM, Calyrex-Ice, and Arceus. These Pokemon can use Ho-Oh as setup fodder after Terastallizing, and Arceus can use Taunt to prevent phazing.
**Giratina**: Giratina’s massive physical bulk lets it pivot into any of Ho-Oh's attacks and use Defog or Rest freely.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/manaphy.50695/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Last edited:
