[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to its amazing stats, typing, and access to Regenerator, Ho-Oh cements itself as one of the best Pokemon in Anything Goes, making it a very good addition on balance and bulky offense teams. Ho-Oh is able to reliably check the tier's threatening Physical Attackers such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Koraidon, Necrozma-DM, and Calyrex-I. Although, Ho-Oh has its own weaknesses as well. Special attackers such as Miraidon and Kyogre are able to threaten it out with Electro Drift and Origin Pulse respectively. Ho-Oh also dislikes switching into Arceus-Fairy because most sets like to carry Power Gem to 2HKO Ho-Oh. Pokemon like Arceus-Ground and Zacian-C like to run Stone Edge and Wild charge respectively to be able to counter Ho-Oh. As Ho-Oh is always tasked to deal with Scale Shot Koraidon, it could get overwhelmed over the course of a game with being forced to check so many Physical Attackers. Calyrex-I and Extreme Killer Arceus in particular like to run Tera Fire, gaining a burn immunity from Sacred Fire and being able to setup on Ho-Oh. Regardless of all these threats and weaknesses, every team must have adequate Ho-Oh counterplay.
[SET]
Defensive Pivot (Ho-Oh) @ Heavy-Duty-Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Fairy / Grass
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpDef
Impish Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird
- Recover
- Whirlwind
Sacred Fire allows Ho-Oh to threaten out and burn Physical attackers like Extreme Killer Arceus and Koraidon, and is able to deal reliable damage to the likes of Ting-Lu and Arceus-Fairy under Sun. Brave Bird allows Ho-Oh to OHKO Koraidon with minimal chip, 2HKO Calyrex-S and deal reliable damage to Ting-Lu, bulky Arceus formes and Eternatus. Whirlwind helps Ho-Oh punish setup threats that like to run Tera Fire, such as Koraidon, Extreme Killer Arceus and Calyrex-I. In general, Whirlwind also allows Ho-Oh to phase opposing Pokemon when entry hazards such as Spikes and Toxic Spikes are on the opponent's field. Tera Fairy is primarily used to counter Scale Shot Koraidon from running wild and it lets Ho-Oh act as a soft check to Miraidon, albeit at the cost of becoming weak to Necrozma-DM and Zacian-C's Steel-type STABs, and it removes its resistance to Fire-type moves, notably opposing Ho-Oh's Sacred fire and Koraidon's Flare Blitz, as well as its burn immunity. Alternatively, Ho-Oh can opt to run Tera Grass which allows it to check Miraidon, Kyogre, and Arceus-Ground in a pinch. Tera Grass really improves Ho-Oh's matchup against Calm Mind Arceus-Fairy, removing Ho-Oh's 4x Rock-type weakness.
Ho-Oh is a fantastic addition to balance and bulky offense teams. Ho-Oh struggles with Miraidon and Kyogre, hence it appreciates teammates such as Ting-Lu which is able to switch in on Miraidon's Electro Drift, and Eternatus which can take on Kyogre and Toxic it. Koraidon and Extreme Killer Arceus are able to overwhelm Ho-Oh in the long run, so to share this responsibility, Ho-Oh appreciates Arceus-Fairy helping it check the aforementioned threats thanks to Judgment and Will-O-Wisp. Landorus-T with Rocky Helmet is another option to pair with Ho-Oh for the same reason, although seen more on offensive structures. Ho-Oh struggles with Eternatus being able to reliably recover itself and being able to status it with Toxic and setup Toxic Spikes, so Ho-Oh appreciates Necrozma-DM to absorb Eternatus's Toxic and threaten it out. Setup sweepers like Koraidon, Dragon Dance Arceus-Ground, Swords Dance Arceus, and many more can overwhelm Ho-Oh and force it out. So to revenge kill these aforementioned setup swepers, Ho-Oh likes teammates in Choice Scarf users like Calyrex-S and Koraidon which are able to revenge kill these setup sweepers. Ho-Oh also struggles with Calyrex-S in a one-on one situation when on low-HP, making teammates like Ting-Lu and Arceus who are able to force Calyrex-S out with Payback and Shadow Claw respectively very good choices. Additionally, Arceus-Water is able to reliably switch in on Ho-Oh's STABs and is able to threaten it out with Judgment. Miraidon is able to take on Arceus-Water and is able to threaten it out with Electro Drift, making it a good teammate for Ho-Oh. Although, Miraidon must be vary of Arceus-Water burning it with Will-O-Wisp, reducing its longevity.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adhi.631210/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ho-Oh can opt to run a more niche option in Imprison to prevent bulky Arceus formes and Eternatus from using Recover, albeit at the cost of losing Whirlwind to stop setup sweepers and losing its ability to phaze foes. Imprison Ho-Oh also likes using a faster EVs spread to use Imprison before Arceus formes attempt to Recover, at the cost of its bulk. Ho-Oh can run Choice Band, boosting its STABs power to notable levels, 2HKOing bulky Arceus formes, Eternatus, and Ting-Lu with Brave Bird. Although, this completely removes its defensive capabilities, with Ho-Oh no longer being able to check the likes of Extreme Killer Arceus, Koraidon, and opposing Ho-Oh. Furthermore, it makes Stealth Rock a glaring weakness on Ho-Oh's field, derailing its longevity, especially due to the lack of great hazards removal options.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Miraidon**: Thanks to Miraidon resisting both of Ho-Oh's STABs and forcing Ho-Oh out on a one-on one situation because of Electro Drift. However, Miraidon is not able to switch in freely on Ho-Oh because of Sacred Fire threatening a burn and Earthquake threatening to 2HKO it.
**Arceus-Ground**: Arceus-Ground is able to pivot in on Ho-Oh if it is carrying a defensive set. Due to Arceus-Ground having reliable recovery and access to Power Gem or Stone Edge, Ho-Oh cannot enter the field without scouting it priorly. Furthermore, Arceus-Ground often likes to run Dragon Dance in conjunction with Stone Edge to OHKO Ho-Oh.
**Eternatus**: Eternatus is able to switch into Ho-Oh's attacks and is able to force it out with Toxic or Meteor Beam. Furthermore, it uses this opportunity to setup Toxic Spikes. Although, Eternatus must be vary of Ho-Oh's Earthquake, which is able to 2HKO Eternatus. Lastly, Offensive variants of Ho-Oh are able to brute force through it thanks to Brave Bird and Tera Flying which further bolsters Brave Bird's power.
**Tera Fire users**: Setup users such as Necrozma-DM, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Calyrex-I often like to carry Tera Fire to block Sacred Fire's burn and setup on Ho-Oh, with Arceus opting to run Taunt occasionally to stop Ho-Oh from using Whirlwind.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Arceus-Water, Kyogre, and Dondozo can be problematic to Ho-Oh. Arceus-Water can safely switch in on Ho-Oh's attacks and has a reliable recovery option in Recover and is able to threaten Ho-Oh out with Judgment. Although, Arceus-Water must be careful of Sacred Fire burns when used simultaneously with entry hazards, notably Spikes and Toxic Spikes, hampering its ability to check Ho-Oh throughout the game. Kyogre can switch in on Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire and is able to force it out, but it must be careful of Brave Bird, which is able to 2HKO it. Although not usually seen on most of the teams, Dondozo is a staple on stall teams. Thanks to its amazing bulk and access to Rest, Dondozo is able to safely pivot in on Ho-Oh and check it. Although, Ho-Oh is able to brute force its way through Dondozo with either a Choice Band or an Offensive set with Tera Flying.
**Gliscor**: Mostly seen on stall archetypes, Gliscor is able to absorb Ho-Oh's STABs, doesn't fear burn and heal itself with Protect and its ability, Poison Heal. Furthermore, Gliscor can use Knock Off to remove Ho-Oh's Heavy-Duty Boots, which destroys Ho-Oh's longevity if Stealth Rocks are up. Although, Ho-Oh can use an Offensive set paired with Substitute and Tera Flying to absorb Gliscor's Knock Off and beat it with Tera Flying Brave Bird. Not as common, Ho-Oh can use a Choice Band set to 2HKO Gliscor.
**Calyrex-S**: Calyrex-S is able to take on a low-HP Ho-Oh and beat it with Tera Ghost and Astral Barrage. Furthermore, Calyrex-S occasionally likes to run Choice Specs to brute force its way through Ho-Oh with Astral Barrage, 2HKOing it. If not, Calyrex-S can use Trick to derail Ho-Oh's longevity, locking it down to one move.
**Garganacl**: Like Gliscor, Garganacl is mostly seen on stall archetypes. Garganacl is able to threaten Ho-Oh out with Salt Cure. Garganacl is able to safely switch in on Ho-Ohs STABs and thanks to Purifying Salt, Sacred Fire is not able to burn Garganacl, increasing its longevity.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adhi.631210/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Thanks to its amazing stats, typing, and access to Regenerator, Ho-Oh cements itself as one of the best Pokemon in Anything Goes, making it a very good addition on balance and bulky offense teams. Ho-Oh is able to reliably check the tier's threatening Physical Attackers such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Koraidon, Necrozma-DM, and Calyrex-I. Although, Ho-Oh has its own weaknesses as well. Special attackers such as Miraidon and Kyogre are able to threaten it out with Electro Drift and Origin Pulse respectively. Ho-Oh also dislikes switching into Arceus-Fairy because most sets like to carry Power Gem to 2HKO Ho-Oh. Pokemon like Arceus-Ground and Zacian-C like to run Stone Edge and Wild charge respectively to be able to counter Ho-Oh. As Ho-Oh is always tasked to deal with Scale Shot Koraidon, it could get overwhelmed over the course of a game with being forced to check so many Physical Attackers. Calyrex-I and Extreme Killer Arceus in particular like to run Tera Fire, gaining a burn immunity from Sacred Fire and being able to setup on Ho-Oh. Regardless of all these threats and weaknesses, every team must have adequate Ho-Oh counterplay.
[SET]
Defensive Pivot (Ho-Oh) @ Heavy-Duty-Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Fairy / Grass
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpDef
Impish Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird
- Recover
- Whirlwind
Sacred Fire allows Ho-Oh to threaten out and burn Physical attackers like Extreme Killer Arceus and Koraidon, and is able to deal reliable damage to the likes of Ting-Lu and Arceus-Fairy under Sun. Brave Bird allows Ho-Oh to OHKO Koraidon with minimal chip, 2HKO Calyrex-S and deal reliable damage to Ting-Lu, bulky Arceus formes and Eternatus. Whirlwind helps Ho-Oh punish setup threats that like to run Tera Fire, such as Koraidon, Extreme Killer Arceus and Calyrex-I. In general, Whirlwind also allows Ho-Oh to phase opposing Pokemon when entry hazards such as Spikes and Toxic Spikes are on the opponent's field. Tera Fairy is primarily used to counter Scale Shot Koraidon from running wild and it lets Ho-Oh act as a soft check to Miraidon, albeit at the cost of becoming weak to Necrozma-DM and Zacian-C's Steel-type STABs, and it removes its resistance to Fire-type moves, notably opposing Ho-Oh's Sacred fire and Koraidon's Flare Blitz, as well as its burn immunity. Alternatively, Ho-Oh can opt to run Tera Grass which allows it to check Miraidon, Kyogre, and Arceus-Ground in a pinch. Tera Grass really improves Ho-Oh's matchup against Calm Mind Arceus-Fairy, removing Ho-Oh's 4x Rock-type weakness.
Ho-Oh is a fantastic addition to balance and bulky offense teams. Ho-Oh struggles with Miraidon and Kyogre, hence it appreciates teammates such as Ting-Lu which is able to switch in on Miraidon's Electro Drift, and Eternatus which can take on Kyogre and Toxic it. Koraidon and Extreme Killer Arceus are able to overwhelm Ho-Oh in the long run, so to share this responsibility, Ho-Oh appreciates Arceus-Fairy helping it check the aforementioned threats thanks to Judgment and Will-O-Wisp. Landorus-T with Rocky Helmet is another option to pair with Ho-Oh for the same reason, although seen more on offensive structures. Ho-Oh struggles with Eternatus being able to reliably recover itself and being able to status it with Toxic and setup Toxic Spikes, so Ho-Oh appreciates Necrozma-DM to absorb Eternatus's Toxic and threaten it out. Setup sweepers like Koraidon, Dragon Dance Arceus-Ground, Swords Dance Arceus, and many more can overwhelm Ho-Oh and force it out. So to revenge kill these aforementioned setup swepers, Ho-Oh likes teammates in Choice Scarf users like Calyrex-S and Koraidon which are able to revenge kill these setup sweepers. Ho-Oh also struggles with Calyrex-S in a one-on one situation when on low-HP, making teammates like Ting-Lu and Arceus who are able to force Calyrex-S out with Payback and Shadow Claw respectively very good choices. Additionally, Arceus-Water is able to reliably switch in on Ho-Oh's STABs and is able to threaten it out with Judgment. Miraidon is able to take on Arceus-Water and is able to threaten it out with Electro Drift, making it a good teammate for Ho-Oh. Although, Miraidon must be vary of Arceus-Water burning it with Will-O-Wisp, reducing its longevity.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adhi.631210/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ho-Oh can opt to run a more niche option in Imprison to prevent bulky Arceus formes and Eternatus from using Recover, albeit at the cost of losing Whirlwind to stop setup sweepers and losing its ability to phaze foes. Imprison Ho-Oh also likes using a faster EVs spread to use Imprison before Arceus formes attempt to Recover, at the cost of its bulk. Ho-Oh can run Choice Band, boosting its STABs power to notable levels, 2HKOing bulky Arceus formes, Eternatus, and Ting-Lu with Brave Bird. Although, this completely removes its defensive capabilities, with Ho-Oh no longer being able to check the likes of Extreme Killer Arceus, Koraidon, and opposing Ho-Oh. Furthermore, it makes Stealth Rock a glaring weakness on Ho-Oh's field, derailing its longevity, especially due to the lack of great hazards removal options.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Miraidon**: Thanks to Miraidon resisting both of Ho-Oh's STABs and forcing Ho-Oh out on a one-on one situation because of Electro Drift. However, Miraidon is not able to switch in freely on Ho-Oh because of Sacred Fire threatening a burn and Earthquake threatening to 2HKO it.
**Arceus-Ground**: Arceus-Ground is able to pivot in on Ho-Oh if it is carrying a defensive set. Due to Arceus-Ground having reliable recovery and access to Power Gem or Stone Edge, Ho-Oh cannot enter the field without scouting it priorly. Furthermore, Arceus-Ground often likes to run Dragon Dance in conjunction with Stone Edge to OHKO Ho-Oh.
**Eternatus**: Eternatus is able to switch into Ho-Oh's attacks and is able to force it out with Toxic or Meteor Beam. Furthermore, it uses this opportunity to setup Toxic Spikes. Although, Eternatus must be vary of Ho-Oh's Earthquake, which is able to 2HKO Eternatus. Lastly, Offensive variants of Ho-Oh are able to brute force through it thanks to Brave Bird and Tera Flying which further bolsters Brave Bird's power.
**Tera Fire users**: Setup users such as Necrozma-DM, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Calyrex-I often like to carry Tera Fire to block Sacred Fire's burn and setup on Ho-Oh, with Arceus opting to run Taunt occasionally to stop Ho-Oh from using Whirlwind.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Arceus-Water, Kyogre, and Dondozo can be problematic to Ho-Oh. Arceus-Water can safely switch in on Ho-Oh's attacks and has a reliable recovery option in Recover and is able to threaten Ho-Oh out with Judgment. Although, Arceus-Water must be careful of Sacred Fire burns when used simultaneously with entry hazards, notably Spikes and Toxic Spikes, hampering its ability to check Ho-Oh throughout the game. Kyogre can switch in on Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire and is able to force it out, but it must be careful of Brave Bird, which is able to 2HKO it. Although not usually seen on most of the teams, Dondozo is a staple on stall teams. Thanks to its amazing bulk and access to Rest, Dondozo is able to safely pivot in on Ho-Oh and check it. Although, Ho-Oh is able to brute force its way through Dondozo with either a Choice Band or an Offensive set with Tera Flying.
**Gliscor**: Mostly seen on stall archetypes, Gliscor is able to absorb Ho-Oh's STABs, doesn't fear burn and heal itself with Protect and its ability, Poison Heal. Furthermore, Gliscor can use Knock Off to remove Ho-Oh's Heavy-Duty Boots, which destroys Ho-Oh's longevity if Stealth Rocks are up. Although, Ho-Oh can use an Offensive set paired with Substitute and Tera Flying to absorb Gliscor's Knock Off and beat it with Tera Flying Brave Bird. Not as common, Ho-Oh can use a Choice Band set to 2HKO Gliscor.
**Calyrex-S**: Calyrex-S is able to take on a low-HP Ho-Oh and beat it with Tera Ghost and Astral Barrage. Furthermore, Calyrex-S occasionally likes to run Choice Specs to brute force its way through Ho-Oh with Astral Barrage, 2HKOing it. If not, Calyrex-S can use Trick to derail Ho-Oh's longevity, locking it down to one move.
**Garganacl**: Like Gliscor, Garganacl is mostly seen on stall archetypes. Garganacl is able to threaten Ho-Oh out with Salt Cure. Garganacl is able to safely switch in on Ho-Ohs STABs and thanks to Purifying Salt, Sacred Fire is not able to burn Garganacl, increasing its longevity.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adhi.631210/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Last edited:
