Sacred Fire's 50% burn chance and massive Sp.Def make Ho-Oh an S-Tier offensive wall in Diamond & Pearl. Pressure drains PP, but Stealth Rock strips 50% HP per switch.
Ability 1PressureAbility 1Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
680HP106Attack130Defense90Speed90Sp.Def154Sp.Atk110
Weak to
Physical
Wallbreaker
90Speed · Above Avg

Is Ho-Oh Good in Diamond & Pearl Playthrough?

Transfer-only Fire/Flying legendary from Johto. AbilityPressure doubles PP consumption. If imported into Fire-starved Sinnoh, Ho-Oh handles Gardenia, Aaron, Byron, Candice, and most of the E4. A legendary Fire import in a region desperate for Fire coverage.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGSSGGGSGSGGGGGGGRoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2MayleneGym 3Crasher WakeGym 4FantinaGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8Ho OhTradeAaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4MarsBossJupiterBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Good

Ho-Oh has the type edge here and should clean up Roark's team.

You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Even
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
You Win
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Strong

Ho-Oh resists most of Gardenia's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Cherubi
Lv 19
Grass
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotLeech SeedGrowthSafeguard
Easy KO
Turtwig
Lv 19
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafWithdrawReflect
You Win
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Maylene
Gym 3
Strong

Ho-Oh resists most of Maylene's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Meditite
Lv 27
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionMeditateDetect
Easy KO
Machoke
Lv 27
Fighting
Guts
Brick BreakRock TombLeerForesight
Easy KO
Lucario
Lv 30
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 4
Good

Ho-Oh has the type edge here and should clean up Crasher Wake's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 27
WaterFlying
Intimidate
BrineDragon RageBiteSwagger
Easy KO
Quagsire
Lv 27
WaterGround
Damp
Mud BombSlamMud SportTail Whip
Even
Floatzel
Lv 30
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangPursuitSwift
Fantina
Gym 5
Good

Ho-Oh has the type edge here and should clean up Fantina's team.

Easy KO
Drifblim
Lv 32
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Ominous WindGustAstonishMinimize
You Win
Gengar
Lv 34
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawPoison JabSpiteConfuse Ray
You Win
Mismagius
Lv 36
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Byron
Gym 6
Good

Ho-Oh has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.

Easy KO
Bronzor
Lv 36
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Flash CannonExtrasensoryConfuse RayHypnosis
Easy KO
Steelix
Lv 36
SteelGround
Rock Head
Gyro BallIce FangDragon BreathSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 39
RockSteel
Sturdy
Flash CannonAncient PowerIron DefenseRest
Candice
Gym 7
Strong

Ho-Oh resists most of Candice's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Snover
Lv 38
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheRazor LeafIngrainLeer
Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 38
DarkIce
Inner Focus
AvalancheSlashFeint AttackTaunt
Easy KO
Medicham
Lv 40
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Ice PunchForce PalmDetectBulk Up
Easy KO
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerGrass WhistleSwagger
Volkner
Gym 8
Good

Ho-Oh has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.

You Win
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamBrick BreakThunder WaveLight Screen
You Win
Ambipom
Lv 47
Normal
Technician
Shock WaveAgilityNasty PlotBaton Pass
You Win
Octillery
Lv 47
Water
Suction Cups
Charge BeamOctazookaAurora BeamBullet Seed
Even
Luxray
Lv 49
Electric
Rivalry
Charge BeamThunder FangCrunchThunder Wave
Aaron
Elite Four
Strong

Ho-Oh resists most of Aaron's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Dustox
Lv 53
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ToxicBug BuzzDouble TeamLight Screen
Easy KO
Beautifly
Lv 53
BugFlying
Swarm
Energy BallBug BuzzPsychicShadow Ball
Easy KO
Vespiquen
Lv 54
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Easy KO
Heracross
Lv 54
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
You Win
Drapion
Lv 57
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Good

Ho-Oh has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.

Easy KO
Quagsire
Lv 55
WaterGround
Damp
DigDouble TeamProtectSandstorm
Even
Sudowoodo
Lv 56
Rock
Sturdy
EarthquakeSucker PunchHammer ArmSandstorm
You Win
Golem
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeGyro BallBrick BreakSandstorm
You Win
Whiscash
Lv 55
WaterGround
Oblivious
FissureAqua TailZen HeadbuttRock Slide
You Win
Hippowdon
Lv 59
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchCurse
Flint
Elite Four
Good

Ho-Oh has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.

You Win
Rapidash
Lv 58
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
You Win
Steelix
Lv 57
SteelGround
Rock Head
Fire FangRock TombScreechSunny Day
Easy KO
Drifblim
Lv 58
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Will O WispOminous WindDouble TeamBaton Pass
You Win
Lopunny
Lv 57
Normal
Cute Charm
Fire PunchCharmMirror CoatSunny Day
Even
Infernape
Lv 61
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Lucian
Elite Four
Good

Ho-Oh has the type edge here and should clean up Lucian's team.

You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 59
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Girafarig
Lv 59
NormalPsychic
Inner Focus
PsychicShadow BallDouble HitCrunch
Easy KO
Medicham
Lv 60
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchFire PunchThunder PunchIce Punch
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 60
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
You Win
Bronzong
Lv 63
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Mars
Commander
Good

Ho-Oh has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

You Win
Golbat
Lv 37
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
Easy KO
Bronzor
Lv 37
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
Even
Purugly
Lv 39
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Jupiter
Commander
Good

Ho-Oh has the type edge here and should clean up Jupiter's team.

Easy KO
Zubat
Lv 18
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 20
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Saturn
Commander
Good

Ho-Oh has the type edge here and should clean up Saturn's team.

You Win
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShock WaveRecoverEmbargo
Easy KO
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Toxicroak
Lv 40
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorSwagger
Cynthia
Champion
Good

Ho-Oh has the type edge here and should clean up Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 61
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindEmbargo
Easy KO
Roserade
Lv 60
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombShadow BallExtrasensory
You Win
Gastrodon
Lv 60
WaterGround
Sticky Hold
Muddy WaterEarthquakeStone EdgeSludge Bomb
Easy KO
Lucario
Lv 63
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereDragon PulsePsychicEarthquake
Even
Milotic
Lv 63
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatAqua Ring
Risky
Garchomp
Lv 66
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeBrick BreakGiga Impact

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
FireFlying
Tier
S

Ho Oh cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Ho Oh locations

How to Get Ho-Oh in Diamond & Pearl

Ho-Oh has no Sinnoh encounter, sitting outside the base Diamond and Pearl roster. Migrating one forward from a Gen 3 cartridge through Pal Park is the single way to add the rainbow bird.

How to Get Shiny Ho-Oh in Diamond & Pearl

Ho-Oh has no home in these games, so its shiny comes from a HeartGold or SoulSilver catch brought across by Pal Park. See every game where Shiny Ho-Oh can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Ho-Oh in Diamond & PearlNormal
Shiny Ho-Oh in Diamond & Pearl Shiny
Color ShiftRedtoYellow
Shiny TierS Tier Shiny

Shiny Ho-Oh Evolution

Does Not Evolve
Ho-Oh does not evolve
Single-stage PokemonView Full Evolution Chart

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 IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

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

Rhydon
Rhydon
GroundRock
C
Kabutops
Kabutops
RockWater
C
Armaldo
Armaldo
RockBug
C
C
Solrock
Solrock
RockPsychic
C

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

DP Ho-Oh Best Moveset

130 Attack and 154 Sp. Def make Ho-Oh a physical powerhouse that also absorbs special hits better than almost anything else. Fire/Flying typing costs 50% HP to MoveStealth Rock per switch, which is the one thing keeping the moveset in check. Without hazards, nothing survives the physical Fire attacks.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Pressure
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Ho-Oh

Ho-Oh best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Sacred FireSTAB
  • Brave BirdSTAB
  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • RoostRecovery

Recommended Teammates

Moves List

Hard to wall, honestly. Ho Oh threatens 10 types beyond its own STAB, with Normal and Rock standing out. Pair that with Sky Attack and Overheat and switchins need to think twice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Whirlwind-6
D——20Normal
Lv 9
Safeguard
D——25Normal
Lv 15
Gust
C6010035Flying
Lv 23
Recover
A——10Normal
Lv 29
Fire Blast
B180855Fire
Lv 37
Sunny Day
C——5Fire
Lv 43
Swift
—60—20Normal
Lv 51
Natural Gift
D—10015Normal
Lv 57
Ancient Power
C601005Rock
Lv 65
Extrasensory
C8010030Psychic
Lv 71
Punishment
D—1005Dark
Lv 79
Future Sight
B12010010Psychic
Lv 85
Sacred Fire
B150955Fire
Lv 93
Calm Mind
C——20Psychic
Lv 99
Sky Attack
B210905Flying

TM Moves

44 of 49 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40
Aerial AceRoute 213badge 2
C90—20Flying
TM04
Calm MindExchange Service Corner building in the Battle Park, entered through the Fight Area gatehouse
C——20Psychic
TM57
Charge BeamPrize for defeating Volknernot until badge 8
D509010Electric
HM05
DefogGreat Marshbadge 3
D——15Flying
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM85
Dream EaterValor Lakefrontnot until badge 7
C10010015Psychic
TM26B10010010Ground
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
C7010020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLake Veritybadge 2
B180855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
B14210015Fire
TM70
FlashVeilstone Department Storebadge 1
D—10020Normal
HM02
FlyInside the Galactic Warehouse in Veilstone Citybadge 3
B1359515Flying
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 209badge 5
C6010010Grass
TM68
Giga ImpactVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
B150905Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Corner
C6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamVeilstone Department Storebadge 2
B150905Normal
TM16
Light ScreenVeilstone Department Storebadge 2
C——30Psychic
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 2
D—10015Normal
TM50B210905Fire
TM88
PluckFloaroma Townbadge 1
C9010020Flying
TM17
Protect+4Veilstone Department Storebadge 2
C——10Normal
TM77
Psych UpRoute 211badge 4
———10Normal
TM29
PsychicVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C9010010Psychic
TM33
ReflectVeilstone Department Storebadge 2
C——20Psychic
TM44
RestVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6Route 213not until badge 7
C——20Normal
HM06
Rock SmashOreburgh Gate
D4010015Fighting
TM51
RoostRoute 210badge 2
A——10Flying
TM20
SafeguardVeilstone Department Storebadge 2
D——25Normal
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM30
Shadow BallRoute 210badge 4
C8010015Ghost
TM34
Shock WaveRoute 215badge 2
C60—20Electric
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
A——10Normal
TM22
Solar BeamVeilstone Department Storebadge 2
B12010010Grass
TM47
Steel WingRoute 209badge 2
C709025Steel
HM04
StrengthLost Towerbadge 2
C8010015Normal
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerTM in Mr Backlot office in the Pokémon Mansion on Route 212badge 2
——9015Normal
TM25
ThunderLake Valorbadge 2
C1207010Electric
TM73
Thunder WaveExchange Service Corner building in the Battle Park, entered through the Fight Area gatehouse
C—10020Electric
TM24
ThunderboltVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C9510015Electric
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 2
C—8510Poison
TM61
Will-O-WispExchange Service Corner building in the Battle Park, entered through the Fight Area gatehouse
C—7515Fire

Egg Moves

Ho-Oh doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Ho-Oh can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 3
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
———10Normal

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

Its feathers are in seven colors. It is said that anyone seeing it is promised eternal happiness.

Pokemon Diamond / Pokemon Pearl

Ho-Oh Diamond & Pearl Guide

  • No. Ho-Oh isn't catchable in Diamond & Pearl. Find it in HeartGold or SoulSilver, then trade it over.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, Ho-Oh plays as a wallbreaker. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, Ho-Oh pairs best with Groudon, Dialga, and Giratina Origin. Groudon has Good synergy and covers what Ho-Oh can't handle on its own.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, Adamant is the go-to nature for Ho-Oh. That's +Attack / -Sp. Atk. Pair it with 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe EVs. Fits the wallbreaker role.

Game Availability

First obtainable in Gold & Silver, Ho Oh has been featured in 17 titles across 8 generations. Legendary status means a single encounter per playthrough in most games.

Explore

Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Want to tell us more?
What was most useful?
What could be improved?
Thanks for your feedback