Ho-Oh Analysis

Set 1


Ho-Oh @ Choice Band
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Sacred Fire
- Brave Bird

This set is a great if a team has problems with Xerneas. Iron Head is an OHKO against Xerneas. Iron Head is also useful against other pokemon which are weak to Steel. Earthquake is good for coverage and it can be used to deal with pesky Electric type pokemon which wear Ho-Oh down. Sacred fire is a good STAB move and it has a 50% chance to burn. Because of that 50% chance to burn, it can be used to punish physical switch-ins. Brave Bird is another good STAB move. Though it causes recoil, it can OHKO many pokemon like Rayquaza, Kyogre, Palkia and some other pokemon. It also 2 OHKO's Defensive Groudon. Since Ho-Oh is 4x weak to stealth rocks, defog support is appreciated. This set however, has a major flaw. It can't deal with Sash+Nasty Plot Darkrai.

Set 2

Ho-Oh @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 58 Def / 198 SpD
Careful Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Whirlwind
- Recover/Roost
- Sacred Fire

This set is rather uncommon. People tend to think that Ho-Oh is always used as an all-out attacker. But when realize that it is a defensive Ho-Oh, they think that it's Physically defensive. Will-O-Wisp is a great move for Ho-Oh. It not only cripples Physical threats but also wears down Walls. Whirlwind is used to shift the momentum and burn other pokemon with Will-O-Wisp. Recover is used for longevity. Roost can also be used if we want to minimize the damage received from Rock-type attacks. Sacred Fire is Ho-Oh's main STAB move. It can burn switch-ins and wear down walls. The only problem this set has is that it can't deal with Primal Groudon.

Life orb Ho-Oh is also good. But the residual damage is not preferred as it reduces Ho-Oh longevity.