Mixed
Wall
90Speed · Above Avg

Is Ho-oh Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Fire/Flying counterpart to Lugia. AbilityPressure doubles PP consumption. Balanced massive stats across the board. On original GBA cartridges Ho-Oh was trade-only, since the MysticTicket was locked behind in-person Nintendo events. On the 2026 Switch re-release the ticket auto-drops after Hall of Fame, making Ho-Oh a standard postgame legendary. If caught, Ho-Oh handles everything that isn't Water or Rock — Lugia defends, Ho-Oh attacks.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSGSSSSSSSSSGGBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8Ho OhCatchableLoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Strong

Ho-oh resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Good

Ho-oh has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.

Easy KO
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
You Win
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Strong

Ho-oh resists most of Lt. Surge's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
Easy KO
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
You Win
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Strong

Ho-oh resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Easy KO
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Strong

Ho-oh resists most of Koga's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Easy KO
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
Easy KO
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Easy KO
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Strong

Ho-oh resists most of Sabrina's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
Easy KO
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
Easy KO
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Easy KO
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Strong

Ho-oh resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Easy KO
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Strong

Ho-oh resists most of Giovanni's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Easy KO
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
Easy KO
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Strong

Ho-oh resists most of Lorelei's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
Easy KO
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Easy KO
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
You Win
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Strong

Ho-oh resists most of Bruno's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Easy KO
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Easy KO
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
Easy KO
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Strong

Ho-oh resists most of Agatha's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
Easy KO
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
Easy KO
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Easy KO
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Good

Ho-oh has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Good

Ho-oh has the type edge here and should clean up Terry's team.

Easy KO
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
You Win
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Even
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
Easy KO
Exeggutor
Lv 73
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Giga DrainPsychicSleep PowderLight Screen
Even
Blastoise
Lv 75
Water
Torrent
Hydro PumpIce BeamEarthquakeRain Dance
Catchable
Post-game only
Type
FireFlying
Tier
S

Catch Ho Oh on Navel Rock (interact, Lv 70, limited). Requires MysticTicket event item. Switch FRLG (2026 re-release): the Mystic Ticket is auto-given after entering the Hall of Fame, so Navel Rock is directly accessible. Original GBA: ticket was a Mystery Gift event in 2003-2005, no longer distributed.. Static encounter at the top of Navel Rock (requires MysticTicket event item)

View Ho Oh locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 70)
    • LV 70FireFire Blast16585%5
  • After Lt. Surge
    • HM02FlyingFly13595%15
  • After Erika
    • TM35FireFlamethrower135100%15
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
  • After Giovanni
    • TM50FireOverheat19590%5
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • LV 77FireSacred Fire15095%5
  • Post-Game
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
    • LV 99PsychicFuture Sight120100%10

How to Get Ho-oh in FireRed & LeafGreen

At the top of Navel Rock, Ho-Oh waits for MysticTicket holders. Level 70, catch rate 3, single encounter. Both legends share the same event-gated island, just on different floors. On original GBA cartridges the MysticTicket was only handed out at Nintendo promotional events (Pokemon Rocks America 2004, Toys R Us 2005). On the 2026 Nintendo Switch re-release the ticket auto-drops into your Bag the first time you enter the Hall of Fame with a Pokemon that hasn't already earned a Champion Ribbon, making Ho-Oh obtainable in normal play.

1 location to catch Ho-oh

Badge 8
Post-Game

How to Get Ho-oh in FireRed & LeafGreen

Navel Rock - Summit
Lv.70Interact with Pokemon
Limited
Event: MysticTicket
Switch FRLG (2026 re-release): the Mystic Ticket is auto-given after entering the Hall of Fame, so Navel Rock is directly accessible. Original GBA: ticket was a Mystery Gift event in 2003-2005, no longer distributed.
HOME TRANSFER
Not Tradeable
Pokemon HOME compat for Switch FRLG is one-way out (deposit-only), so transferring Ho-Oh INTO FRLG via HOME is impossible by design. Use the in-game catch on Navel Rock (Mystic Ticket auto-given on first Hall of Fame) instead.
CARTRIDGE TRADE
Not Tradeable
Cartridge Trade requires a GBA Link Cable, which Switch hardware does not support — this path cannot be used on Switch FireRed/LeafGreen. Original GBA context: Ho-Oh is found at Navel Rock in Pokemon Emerald after the Mystic Ticket event. Trade Ho-Oh from Emerald to FireRed/LeafGreen via GBA link cable.
SPINOFF GAME
from Pokemon Colosseum
Available
Pokemon Colosseum (GameCube) features Ho-Oh as a Shadow Pokemon obtained from the bonus Mt. Battle reward after completing the main story. Purify Ho-Oh and trade it to FireRed/LeafGreen via the GameCube-to-GBA link cable.
ORIGINAL GBA EVENT
Discontinued
Mystic Ticket was distributed via Mystery Gift events in 2004-2005, granting direct access to Navel Rock in FireRed/LeafGreen where Ho-Oh can be caught. The event ended; existing tickets remain valid but no new ones are distributed.

Ho-oh Weakness

Type-wise, Ho Oh takes extra damage from Rock, Water, and Electric. Watch out for Rock attacks, those deal 4x damage. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Ho Oh's special bulk (base 154 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Ho Oh Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Rock
2x (Weak)Water, Electric
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Fighting, Steel
0.25x (Resist)Grass, Bug
0x (Immune)Ground
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Ho Oh Weak Against

Good
3Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score+2
4xCritical
¼xResist
0xImmune

What is Ho Oh Strong Against

5Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Ho-oh

Ho-oh Evolutions

No breeding, no evolution. Ho Oh is a Fire/Flying legendary with 680 base stat total that you obtain once and build around. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Ho-oh
#250Ho-oh
Does not evolve

Breeding

Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

FRLG Ho-oh Best Moveset

130 Attack at 154 Sp. Def with Fire/Flying TermStab from both sides. AbilityPressure doubles PP drain. All Fire moves use the Special stat from 110 Sp. Atk, and MoveSacred Fire (physical despite Fire being special) gives Ho-Oh a unique 50%% burn chance physical Fire option. The moveset mixes physical and special at legendary power.

Best Build

Experimental
Support
Ability
Pressure
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Ho-oh
Timid+SPE

Ho-oh best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Support Moveset

  • Sacred FireSTAB
  • RecoverRecovery
  • Shadow Ball
  • ToxicUtility

Moves List

TMs carry this one. Ho Oh learns Overheat and Fire Blast naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Rock and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Whirlwind-6
C20Normal
Lv 11
Safeguard
D25Normal
Lv 22
Gust
C6010035Flying
Lv 33
Recover
B20Normal
Lv 44
Fire Blast
B180855Fire
Lv 55
Sunny Day
C5Fire
Lv 66
Swift
6020Normal
Lv 77
Sacred Fire
B150955Fire
Lv 88
Ancient Power
C601005Rock
Lv 99
Future Sight
12010010Psychic

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
C9020Flying
TM04
Calm Mind
A20Psychic
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
A10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
B180855Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
B14210015Fire
HM05
Flash
7020Normal
HM02
Fly
B1059515Flying
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM19
Giga Drain
C751005Grass
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM16
Light Screen
C30Psychic
TM50
Overheat
B210905Fire
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM29
Psychic
C9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM33
Reflect
C20Psychic
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6
C20Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D2010015Fighting
TM20
Safeguard
D25Normal
TM37
Sandstorm
D10Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM30
Shadow Ball
B8010015Ghost
TM34
Shock Wave
C6020Electric
TM22
Solar Beam
B12010010Grass
TM47
Steel Wing
C709025Steel
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM25
Thunder
C1207010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
C9510015Electric
TM06
Toxic
A8510Poison

Egg Moves

Ho-oh doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Tutor
Dream Eater
10010015Psychic
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal
Tutor
Thunder Wave
C10020Electric

Base Stats

Base Stats
Legend
HP106
B
Attack130
A
Defense90
B
Sp. Atk110
B
Sp. Def154
S
Speed90
B
Total680
Details
Catch Rate
Legendary3 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height3.8 m
Weight199.0 kg
Base XP306
Abilities
Pressure
Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+3Spe
Strong Special Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

A legend says that its body glows in seven colors. A rainbow is said to form behind it when it flies.

Legends claim this POKéMON flies the world’s skies continuously on its magnificent seven-colored wings.

Ho-oh FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Ho-oh is a static encounter at Navel Rock in FireRed & LeafGreen. Ho-oh appears at level 70. Prerequisite: Requires MysticTicket event item. Switch FRLG (2026 re-release): the Mystic Ticket is auto-given after entering the Hall of Fame, so Navel Rock is directly accessible. Original GBA: ticket was a Mystery Gift event in 2003-2005, no longer distributed. Save before the encounter. These one-shot Pokemon don't respawn if you knock them out or run out of Poke Balls.

  • Yes. Ho-oh is not available during the main story. It can only be obtained after entering the Hall of Fame. Enter the Hall of Fame to trigger the event-ticket distribution. Switch re-release auto-awards the Mystic Ticket (Lugia/Ho-Oh on Navel Rock) and Aurora Ticket (Deoxys on Birth Island); original GBA required the discontinued 2004-2005 Mystery Gift events.

Game Availability

First obtainable in Gold & Silver, Ho Oh has been featured in 17 titles across 9 generations. Legendary status means a single encounter per playthrough in most games.

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