Ultimate Ho-Oh Counters Guide Pokemon GO 2026

After countless Ho-Oh raids since its debut in 2017, I’ve learned that conquering this majestic Fire/Flying legendary requires more than just throwing your strongest Pokemon at it. Ho-Oh’s dual typing makes it vulnerable to Rock (double damage), Electric, and Water-type moves, with Rock-type attackers dealing an impressive 256% damage thanks to the double weakness. Whether you’re a veteran trainer or just starting your legendary raid journey, I’ll share the strategies that have consistently helped me secure victories against this 50,064 CP raid boss.

In my experience raiding Ho-Oh throughout various events, I’ve discovered that success depends on three critical factors: selecting the right counters, optimizing for weather conditions, and coordinating with your raid group effectively. The Rainbow Pokemon’s impressive 244 defense stat means you’ll need every advantage you can get, especially when dealing with other challenging legendary Pokemon like those featured in our comprehensive Pokemon GO guides.

Counter Category	Best Options	Effectiveness Rating
Mega Evolutions	Mega Diancie, Mega Tyranitar, Mega Aerodactyl	S-Tier (Highest DPS)
Shadow Pokemon	Shadow Rhyperior, Shadow Rampardos, Shadow Tyranitar	A-Tier (20% damage boost)
Budget Options	Golem, Gigalith, Regirock	B-Tier (Accessible)

Understanding Ho-Oh’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Before diving into specific counters, let me explain why Ho-Oh can be such a challenging raid boss. With a maximum CP of 4,367 and balanced stats (239 Attack, 244 Defense, 214 Stamina), Ho-Oh isn’t just tanky – it hits back hard. I’ve seen unprepared raid groups wipe multiple times, especially when facing Ho-Oh with Solar Beam, which can obliterate Rock-type counters in one hit.

The key weakness I always exploit is Ho-Oh’s double vulnerability to Rock-type moves. This 256% damage multiplier is why Rock-type attackers dominate my counter recommendations. Electric and Water types deal standard super-effective damage (160%), making them solid secondary options when my Rock arsenal is depleted. Understanding these type effectiveness mechanics is crucial for any Pokemon GO trainer, similar to the strategies needed for capturing rare Pokemon variants.

Top Tier Ho-Oh Counters – The Elite Squad

Mega Evolutions: Maximum Firepower

In my hundreds of Ho-Oh raids, Mega Diancie has proven to be the absolute best counter available in March 2026. With Rock Throw and Rock Slide, it delivers devastating DPS while providing a 30% damage boost to all other Rock-type attackers in your raid group. I always coordinate with my raid team to ensure someone brings a Mega Rock-type for this crucial bonus.

Mega Tyranitar follows closely behind with Smack Down and Stone Edge. What I love about Mega Tyranitar is its bulk – it can survive longer than glass cannons like Rampardos, allowing for more consistent damage output. During partly cloudy weather, I’ve seen Mega Tyranitar absolutely demolish Ho-Oh’s health bar.

Mega Aerodactyl rounds out my top three Mega choices. While it doesn’t pack quite the same punch as Diancie or Tyranitar, its Rock Throw and Rock Slide combination still delivers excellent DPS. I particularly recommend it for trainers who haven’t invested heavily in Diancie or Tyranitar, especially those still building their legendary collection through events and Lucky trading strategies.

Shadow Pokemon: The Glass Cannons

Shadow Pokemon’s 20% damage boost makes them incredibly powerful, though they take 20% more damage in return. Shadow Rhyperior with Smack Down and Rock Wrecker is my go-to Shadow counter. I’ve powered up mine to level 50, and it consistently performs admirably even without weather boost.

Shadow Rampardos is the definition of a glass cannon – it has the highest non-Mega DPS against Ho-Oh but will faint quickly. I typically use it in larger raid groups where survivability isn’t as critical. For smaller groups, I lean toward Shadow Tyranitar, which offers better balance between damage and durability.

Budget-Friendly Alternatives for Free-to-Play Trainers

Not everyone has access to elite Shadow or Mega Pokemon, and I completely understand that. Throughout my Pokemon GO journey, I’ve helped many free-to-play trainers build effective Ho-Oh counter teams without breaking the bank.

Rhyperior (non-Shadow) remains an excellent choice that’s accessible to most trainers. Community Day moves like Rock Wrecker make it even better, but even with Stone Edge, it performs admirably. I recommend powering up at least two to level 35 minimum – they’re worth the investment for multiple raid bosses.

Golem might seem outdated, but don’t underestimate this classic Rock-type. With Rock Throw and Stone Edge, it provides solid damage output and is incredibly easy to obtain. I’ve successfully used teams of level 30 Golems in Ho-Oh raids when resources were tight.

Gigalith is another budget option I frequently recommend. It’s tankier than Golem and learns the excellent Smack Down and Rock Slide combination. During the occasional Roggenrola Community Day events, I always stock up on these reliable counters, much like how I prepare for other special events by following our Community Day preparation guides.

Weather Boost Optimization Strategy

Weather conditions dramatically impact raid battles, and I always check the in-game weather before starting a Ho-Oh raid. During partly cloudy weather, Rock-type moves receive a 20% damage boost, turning already powerful counters into absolute monsters. I’ve completed Ho-Oh raids with just three trainers during partly cloudy conditions using optimized Rock teams.

Rainy weather boosts Electric and Water types, making Pokemon like Raikou, Zekrom, and Kyogre viable alternatives. While they don’t match Rock-type DPS, the weather boost helps close the gap. Sunny weather is actually detrimental, as it boosts Ho-Oh’s Fire-type moves, making the raid significantly harder.

Team Composition by Raid Group Size

Through extensive raiding experience, I’ve developed different team strategies based on group size:

Solo/Duo Attempts (Not Recommended)

Ho-Oh cannot be soloed and is extremely difficult to duo, even with perfect counters. I’ve only seen successful duos with level 50 Shadow Rampardos teams in partly cloudy weather with best friend bonus.

3-4 Trainers (Expert Level)

This requires high-level counters (40+) and good coordination. My recommended team:

• Lead with Mega Diancie or Mega Tyranitar
• Follow with Shadow Rhyperior and Shadow Rampardos
• Back up with regular Rhyperior and Tyranitar
• Ensure everyone has best friend bonus activated

5-7 Trainers (Comfortable)

This is my preferred group size for Ho-Oh raids. It provides comfortable clearing with room for error. I typically run:

• One Mega Evolution for the group bonus
• Mix of Shadow and regular Rock-types
• Level 30-35 counters are sufficient

8+ Trainers (Casual)

Large groups can succeed with almost any decent counters. I focus on maximizing damage for better reward bundles rather than pure survivability.

Friendship Bonus Impact – The Hidden Multiplier

One aspect I rarely see discussed in Ho-Oh guides is the friendship bonus impact. When raiding with best friends, you receive a 10% attack boost that stacks with weather and other bonuses. I always coordinate with my regular raid group to maintain best friend status – this bonus has made the difference between success and failure in smaller groups.

For great friends (5% bonus) and ultra friends (7% bonus), the impact is less dramatic but still valuable. I recommend building friendship with local raiders specifically for challenging legendary raids like Ho-Oh, similar to the community building strategies that help with special event Pokemon.

Catching Ho-Oh – Post-Battle Strategy

After defeating Ho-Oh, the real challenge begins. With a base catch rate of just 2%, securing this legendary requires skill and patience. Ho-Oh’s catch CP ranges from 2,050-2,207 (normal) and 2,563-2,759 (weather boosted for sunny/windy conditions).

My catching technique, refined over hundreds of legendary encounters:

1. Always use Golden Razz Berries – The 2.5x catch rate multiplier is essential
2. Wait for the attack animation – Ho-Oh moves frequently; throw immediately after it attacks
3. Master the circle lock technique – Set your circle size to excellent, wait for attack, then throw
4. Prioritize curve balls – The 1.7x multiplier significantly improves catch odds
5. Stay patient – I typically land 10-12 excellent curves before catching Ho-Oh

Advanced Strategies and Pro Tips

After years of raiding, I’ve picked up numerous tricks that consistently improve my Ho-Oh raid performance:

Dodging Strategy: While generally not recommended for DPS optimization, I sometimes dodge Ho-Oh’s Solar Beam with my Mega Evolution to maintain the group damage bonus longer. This requires precise timing but can save a crucial relobby.

Battle Party Presets: I maintain three Ho-Oh battle parties: “Ho-Oh Mega” (with my Mega lead), “Ho-Oh Shadow” (pure DPS focus), and “Ho-Oh Budget” (for when resources are low). This saves precious seconds during relobby situations.

Energy Management: I’ve learned to fire off charged moves just before my Pokemon faints to avoid wasting energy. This is especially important with expensive moves like Stone Edge or Rock Wrecker.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Throughout my raiding journey, I’ve observed (and made) numerous mistakes that can doom Ho-Oh raid attempts:

• Using recommended teams – The game often suggests Vaporeon or other suboptimal counters. Always use custom battle parties
• Ignoring weather effects – Raiding Ho-Oh in sunny weather without adjusting strategy leads to unnecessary faints
• Not coordinating Mega Pokemon – Multiple trainers bringing the same Mega wastes the bonus potential
• Underestimating Solar Beam – This move will destroy Rock-types; have backup teams ready
• Poor resource management – Don’t waste Rare Candy on mediocre counters; invest in versatile options like Rhyperior

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Ho-Oh be shiny in raids?

Yes! Shiny Ho-Oh has been available since May 2018. I’ve been fortunate enough to catch two shiny Ho-Oh, both featuring gorgeous golden and silver coloring instead of the standard red and gold. The shiny rate for legendary raids is approximately 1/20.

What’s the minimum number of trainers needed for Ho-Oh?

While theoretically possible with two trainers using perfect counters, I recommend a minimum of four experienced trainers with level 35+ counters. For casual groups, aim for 6-7 trainers to ensure comfortable completion.

Is Ho-Oh worth powering up?

Absolutely! Ho-Oh excels in Master League PvP with its bulk and diverse moveset. For raids, it’s a solid Fire-type attacker, though outclassed by options like Reshiram. I’ve powered up one for Master League and haven’t regretted it, especially when competing in the various league formats covered in our Pokemon battle strategy guides.

When will Ho-Oh return to raids?

Ho-Oh is currently available in 5-star raids throughout March 2026 alongside Lugia as part of the Tower Duo event. Historically, it returns every 6-12 months for various events, so missing it now doesn’t mean it’s gone forever.

Conclusion

Conquering Ho-Oh requires preparation, the right counters, and solid execution. Whether you’re using top-tier Mega Evolutions or budget-friendly options like Golem, success comes from understanding the raid mechanics and optimizing your approach. Remember to prioritize Rock-type attackers, coordinate with your raid group for friendship bonuses, and always check weather conditions before battle.

With Ho-Oh currently available in raids this March 2026, now’s the perfect time to add this legendary to your collection or hunt for that elusive shiny. If you’re preparing for other legendary raids, check out our Zacian raid guide for similar strategic insights. For more Pokemon GO tips and strategies, explore our comprehensive collection of Pokemon gaming guides. Good luck, trainers – may your throws be excellent and your Ho-Oh be shiny!