Stats & Training
Sp. Def and Attack carry most of Ho-oh's stat budget. Defense's the obvious dump stat. Near-impossible to catch and yields 3 Sp. Def EVs. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
Legends claim this Pokémon flies the world’s skies continuously on its magnificent, seven-colored wings.
A legend says that its body glows in seven colors. A rainbow is said to form behind it when it flies.
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Rock |
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Electric |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Fighting, Steel |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x63-75% Rock Throw 4x55-66% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 4x80-94% Rock Throw 4x70-84% | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Lapras builds →Water Pulse 2x31-38% Water Gun 2x23-28% | ||
 Qwilfish WaterPoison | C | |
 Plusle Electric | D | |
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x58-69% Rock Throw 4x51-62% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 4x78-92% Rock Throw 4x72-85% | ||
Qwilfish WaterPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Qwilfish builds →Water Gun 2x15-19% Rollout 4x35-41% | ||
Plusle Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Plusle builds →Thunder 2x49-58% Thunderbolt 2x42-50% Spark 2x32-38% Charge Beam 2x26-31% | ||
 Minun Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Minun builds →Thunder 2x45-54% Thunderbolt 2x38-46% Spark 2x28-35% Charge Beam 2x22-27% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Tomb 4x91-107%KO Rock Throw 4x80-95% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x54-63% Rock Throw 4x47-57% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 4x80-95% Rock Throw 4x64-76% Rollout 4x42-51% Rock Blast 4x37-44% | ||
 Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Whiscash builds →Surf 2x37-44% Water Pulse 2x26-32% Rock Tomb 4x49-59% Water Gun 2x18-22% | ||
Qwilfish WaterPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Qwilfish builds →Surf 2x29-35% Water Gun 2x16-19% Rollout 4x32-38% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Tomb 4x88-103%KO Rock Throw 4x74-88% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 4x83-98% Rock Throw 4x70-83% Rollout 4x44-52% Rock Blast 4x39-47% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x53-62% Rock Throw 4x44-52% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Whiscash builds →Surf 2x33-39% Water Pulse 2x24-28% Rock Tomb 4x47-55% Water Gun 2x17-21% | ||
Qwilfish WaterPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Qwilfish builds →Surf 2x26-31% Water Gun 2x13-16% Whirlpool 2x13-16% Rollout 4x29-34% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 4x109-129%KO Rock Tomb 4x86-102%KO Rock Throw 4x74-88% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 4x86-102%KO Rock Throw 4x70-83% Rollout 4x47-55% Rock Blast 4x39-46% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x51-60% Rock Throw 4x43-51% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Whiscash builds →Surf 2x35-42% Water Pulse 2x23-28% Rock Tomb 4x49-58% Water Gun 2x17-21% | ||
Qwilfish WaterPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Qwilfish builds →Surf 2x27-32% Brine 2x22-25% Water Gun 2x13-16% Whirlpool 2x12-14% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 4x105-124%KO Rock Tomb 4x85-100%KO Rock Throw 4x72-86% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 4x81-95% Rock Throw 4x68-81% Rollout 4x44-52% Rock Blast 4x36-43% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x48-57% Rock Throw 4x44-52% | ||
 Electrode Electric | C | |
Obtain MethodTeam Rocket Hq Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Electrode builds →Thunder 2x40-48% Thunderbolt 2x34-40% Spark 2x28-33% Charge Beam 2x20-24% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Whiscash builds →Surf 2x34-40% Water Pulse 2x24-29% Rock Tomb 4x48-57% Water Gun 2x16-19% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 4x107-127%KO Rock Tomb 4x86-102%KO Rock Throw 4x73-86% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 4x83-98% Rock Throw 4x69-82% Rollout 4x45-53% Rock Blast 4x38-45% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x48-57% Rock Throw 4x41-49% | ||
Electrode Electric | C | |
Obtain MethodTeam Rocket Hq Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Electrode builds →Thunder 2x41-49% Thunderbolt 2x35-41% Spark 2x27-33% Charge Beam 2x20-24% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Whiscash builds →Aqua Tail 2x52-61% Surf 2x35-41% Waterfall 2x46-55% Water Pulse 2x24-29% | ||
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Zapdos's Thunderbolt hits Ho Oh for 46-54%. Gyarados threatens a KO with Waterfall (87-103%). Swampert deals 58-69% with Waterfall.
 Zapdos Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Zapdos builds →Thunderbolt 2x46-54% Heat Wave8-10% | ||
 Gyarados Water | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Gyarados builds →Waterfall 2x87-103%KO Ice Fang24-28% | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Swampert builds →Ice Beam11-13% Waterfall 2x58-69% | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Aerodactyl builds →Stone Edge 4x176-207%KO | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemLeftovers NatureBrave Moves
Damage vs Ho Oh View Rhyperior builds →Stone Edge 4x235-277%KO Megahorn12-14% | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution
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
Breeding
HeartGold & SoulSilver Ho-oh Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Hard to wall, honestly. Ho Oh threatens 12 types beyond its own STAB, with Normal and Psychic standing out. Pair that with Sky Attack and Overheat and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Ho-oh in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Ho-oh is a fixed encounter, not a random spawn. Walk up to it, interact, and the battle starts immediately. Head to Bell Tower when your team is ready for the fight.
Best Locations to Catch Ho-oh in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Ho-oh Guide
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Ho-oh is a Legendary Pokemon rated S-Tier. At 680 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a wallbreaker. Base 154 Sp. Def stands out.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Ho-oh's biggest threats include Aerodactyl (Rock), Gyarados (Water), and Raikou (Electric), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Aerodactyl is the most dangerous since Rock moves deal 4x damage. Ho-oh has enough bulk to absorb a hit, but don't push the matchup. Pivot to a teammate that resists.
Regenerator is what you want on Ho-oh. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Pressure) work on paper but Regenerator is what makes Ho-oh worth using. Regenerator synergizes with Ho-oh's base 154 Sp.Def, letting it soak special attacks as a pivot.
Base 90 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Ho-oh is a physical attacker with base 130 Attack. Defensively? Tanky enough to absorb a few hits. Best used as a wallbreaker.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Regenerator is the hidden ability. It heals for 1/3 max HP upon switching out. Worth hunting for if you want Ho-oh to compete at a higher level.
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.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves