[OVERVIEW]
Ho-Oh is one of the bulkiest attackers in the metagame, with good defenses further backed by Regenerator and a decent defensive typing. Its access to a powerful Max Airstream allows it to tear teams apart quickly while hardly taking damage in return. Because of the power and Speed boost of its Max Airstream, it boasts positive matchups against many common threats such as Zacian-C, Venusaur, and Calyrex-I. Ho-Oh often finds itself in situations where it is the last Pokemon standingand is still able to win. However, its lack of ways to boost its damage output outside of Weakness Policy often leaves it crippled by Intimidate. By nature of its type combination, it also greatly fears metagame staples like Kyogre, Regieleki, and Landorus-T, all of which carry powerful super effective attacks to hit Ho-Oh.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Earthquake / Recover
move 4: Protect / Recover
item: Weakness Policy / Life Orb
ability: Regenerator
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Sacred Fire is very useful to hit various Steel-types like Zacian-C, Kartana, and Solgaleo. Its ability to frequently burn other physical attackers like Groudon and Landorus-T is extremely useful for preserving Ho-Oh's longevity.
* Brave Bird hits Kyogre incredibly hard while also allowing Ho-Oh to boost its speed with Max Airstream, outspeeding Calyrex-S and Zacian-C after one boost.
* Earthquake is useful for chunking Incineroar and Regieleki as well as boosting Ho-Oh's already massive Special Defense with Max Quake. Recover is an alternative option to Protect, allowing Ho-Oh to stall out opposing Dynamax turns or heal quickly after gaining Speed boosts through Max Airstream.
* Due to Ho-Oh's weaknesses to common Electric-, Rock-, and Water-type attacks, it makes an excellent user of Weakness Policy, the only real option it has to boost its Attack. Life Orb can provide a smaller boost instantly, but this comes at the cost of Ho-Oh's HP and doesn't do much to make it more threatening against its poor matchups.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ho-Oh can also make use of a bulkier set centered around outlasting its foes. However, these sets have significantly less offensive pressure and often require the support of teammates like Raichu. Safety Goggles can be used to turn Ho-Oh into a complete counter to Amoonguss and Venusaur, and resistance berries such as Passho or Wacan can temporarily keep it safe from Kyogre or Thundurus. Iron Head is a possible niche option solely for boosting Ho-Oh's Defense with Max Steelspike.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[zeefable, 501951]]
- Quality checked by: [[Netherious, 300598], [Piley, 493619]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
Ho-Oh is one of the bulkiest attackers in the metagame, with good defenses further backed by Regenerator and a decent defensive typing. Its access to a powerful Max Airstream allows it to tear teams apart quickly while hardly taking damage in return. Because of the power and Speed boost of its Max Airstream, it boasts positive matchups against many common threats such as Zacian-C, Venusaur, and Calyrex-I. Ho-Oh often finds itself in situations where it is the last Pokemon standingand is still able to win. However, its lack of ways to boost its damage output outside of Weakness Policy often leaves it crippled by Intimidate. By nature of its type combination, it also greatly fears metagame staples like Kyogre, Regieleki, and Landorus-T, all of which carry powerful super effective attacks to hit Ho-Oh.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Sacred Fire
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Earthquake / Recover
move 4: Protect / Recover
item: Weakness Policy / Life Orb
ability: Regenerator
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Sacred Fire is very useful to hit various Steel-types like Zacian-C, Kartana, and Solgaleo. Its ability to frequently burn other physical attackers like Groudon and Landorus-T is extremely useful for preserving Ho-Oh's longevity.
* Brave Bird hits Kyogre incredibly hard while also allowing Ho-Oh to boost its speed with Max Airstream, outspeeding Calyrex-S and Zacian-C after one boost.
* Earthquake is useful for chunking Incineroar and Regieleki as well as boosting Ho-Oh's already massive Special Defense with Max Quake. Recover is an alternative option to Protect, allowing Ho-Oh to stall out opposing Dynamax turns or heal quickly after gaining Speed boosts through Max Airstream.
* Due to Ho-Oh's weaknesses to common Electric-, Rock-, and Water-type attacks, it makes an excellent user of Weakness Policy, the only real option it has to boost its Attack. Life Orb can provide a smaller boost instantly, but this comes at the cost of Ho-Oh's HP and doesn't do much to make it more threatening against its poor matchups.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ho-Oh can also make use of a bulkier set centered around outlasting its foes. However, these sets have significantly less offensive pressure and often require the support of teammates like Raichu. Safety Goggles can be used to turn Ho-Oh into a complete counter to Amoonguss and Venusaur, and resistance berries such as Passho or Wacan can temporarily keep it safe from Kyogre or Thundurus. Iron Head is a possible niche option solely for boosting Ho-Oh's Defense with Max Steelspike.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[zeefable, 501951]]
- Quality checked by: [[Netherious, 300598], [Piley, 493619]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
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