Ho-Oh has appeared in the popular mobile game Pokémon Go, and trainers are looking for the best ways to counter and take down the second Legendary Bird from the Johto Region.
Like the Legendary Dogs of Johto, Suicune, Entei and Raikou, Ho-Oh can be countered with a team of Pokémon that can resist its Fire-type attacks.
Reddit user RyanoftheDay created a neat graphic that shows off the Pokémon that would do best against Ho-Oh, depending on the moveset of the Fire and Flying-type Legendary. The moves Ho-Oh learns are Fire Blast, Extrasensory and Solar Beam, so you’ll want to counter those with Pokémon capable of resisting while also dealing as much damage as possible.
The Ho-Oh counter graphic breaks the team down into two parts, one where Ho-Oh doesn’t have Solar Beam, and the other when it does.
If the Ho-Oh you encounter in Pokémon Go doesn’t have Solar Beam, you’ll want to bring Omastar with any combination of attacks, except Mud Shot. Ho-Oh’s Flying typing will negate the Ground-type attack.
Golem, with its array of Rock-type attacks (which are four times effective against Ho-Oh), is your best bet. As long as Ho-Oh doesn’t have Solar Beam, Golem will survive a long time tanking the Legendary’s attacks. Tyranitar is another good option that can survive a lot of hits while also dealing massive damage, if it has Stone Edge. Vaporeon's bulk is always good to tank Ho-Oh, and its Water-type attacks will deal much-needed damage to it.
If Ho-Oh does have Solar Beam, you’ll want to avoid using Omastar and switch in other Flying types, like Zapdos and Dragonite, who can tank that move. Zapdos’ power and access to Electric-type attacks can help take down Ho-Oh. While Golem is four times weak to Solar Beam, it can still deal a lot of damage if you play it right.
Be sure to check out the graphic over on reddit for all of the strategies.
Ho-Oh will appear in Pokémon Go until Dec. 12.
What team are you bringing to the Ho-Oh raids? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
