Transfer-only with Pressure and Sacred Fire's 50% burn chance, Ho-Oh is an S-Tier offensive threat in Ruby & Sapphire. Import from Colosseum/XD.
Ability 1PressureAbility 1Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
680HP106Attack130Defense90Speed90Sp.Def154Sp.Atk110
Weak to
Mixed
Wall
90Speed · Above Avg

Is Ho-Oh Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Not native to Hoenn. Trade from Colosseum. AbilityPressure for PP drain. Ho-Oh's offensive power is enormous and Fire/Flying handles Sidney, Glacia, and Steven's Skarmory. Import-only but devastating if you get one in.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadBGGEGGEGGGSEGRoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8Ho OhTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Bad

Roxanne's Pokemon outpace and outclass Ho-Oh here.

Avoid
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Avoid
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

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

You Win
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Good

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

Easy KO
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
You Win
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
You Win
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

Ho-Oh trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Good

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

Even
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
You Win
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Even
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Good

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

You Win
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
Easy KO
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
You Win
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Ho-Oh trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

Even
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Good

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

You Win
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Easy KO
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Easy KO
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
You Win
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Even
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Easy KO
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Easy KO
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
You Win
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
You Win
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
You Win
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Strong

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

Easy KO
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Easy KO
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
You Win
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Ho-Oh trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Even
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Even
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Good

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

You Win
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
You Win
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
You Win
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
You Win
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
You Win
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Even
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

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 Ruby & Sapphire

There is no Tin Tower in Hoenn for Ho-Oh to perch on, so it never appears in Ruby or Sapphire. Trade it over from Johto, where a catch rate of 3 turned the fight into a marathon.

How to Get Shiny Ho-Oh in Ruby & Sapphire

Because no Hoenn encounter holds Ho-oh, a shiny of the rainbow bird has to be traded in from another game that offers it. See every game where Shiny Ho-Oh can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Ho-Oh in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Ho-Oh in Ruby & Sapphire 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 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

B
Armaldo
Armaldo
RockBug
B
Rhydon
Rhydon
GroundRock
B
Walrein
Walrein
IceWater
C
Cradily
Cradily
RockGrass
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

RS Ho-Oh Best Moveset

MoveSacred Fire carries a 50% burn chance, crippling physical attackers on contact. 130 Attack and 110 Sp. Atk hit hard from both sides while AbilityPressure stalls PP. MoveRecover sustains and MoveEarthquake handles Rock types. Held ItemLeftovers adds recovery. Offensive legendary with built-in burn disruption.

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
C——20Normal
Lv 11
Safeguard
D——25Normal
Lv 22
Gust
C6010035Flying
Lv 33
Recover
B——20Normal
Lv 44
Fire Blast
B180855Fire
Lv 55
Sunny Day
C——5Fire
Lv 66
Swift
—60—20Normal
Lv 77
Sacred Fire
B150955Fire
Lv 88
Ancient Power
C601005Rock
Lv 99
Future Sight
—12010010Psychic

TM Moves

All 35 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40C90—20Flying
TM04
Calm MindPrize for defeating Tate & Lizanot until badge 7
A——20Psychic
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM26
EarthquakeSeafloor Cavernnot until badge 7
A10010010Ground
TM42C7010020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLilycove Department Storebadge 5
B180855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
B14210015Fire
HM05
FlashGranite Cavebadge 1
——7020Normal
HM02
FlyRoute 119badge 5
B1059515Flying
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 123badge 5
C751005Grass
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
B150905Normal
TM16
Light ScreenLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C——30Psychic
TM50B210905Fire
TM17C——10Normal
TM29
PsychicMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
C9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM33C——20Psychic
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6Route 114badge 3
C——20Normal
HM06
Rock SmashMauville Citybadge 2
D2010015Fighting
TM20D——25Normal
TM37
SandstormRoute 111badge 4
D——10Rock
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM30
Shadow BallMt. Pyrebadge 5
B8010015Ghost
TM34C60—20Electric
TM22
Solar BeamSafari Zonebadge 5
B12010010Grass
TM47
Steel WingGranite Cavebadge 1
C709025Steel
HM04
StrengthRusturf Tunnelbadge 3
—8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM25C1207010Electric
TM24
ThunderboltMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
C9510015Electric
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
A—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Ho-Oh doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Ho-Oh can't learn any Tutor moves

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

HO-OH’s feathers glow in seven colors depending on the angle at which they are struck by light. These feathers are said to bring happiness to the bearers. This POKéMON is said to live at the foot of a rainbow.

Pokemon Ruby / Pokemon Sapphire

Ho-Oh Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • No. Ho-Oh isn't catchable in Ruby & Sapphire. Obtain it through event distribution in Emerald, FireRed, or LeafGreen, then trade it over.

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

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