Ho-Oh (Pokémon)

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Lugia #249: Lugia
Pokémon
#251: Celebi Celebi
Ho-Oh
ホウオウ Houou
#250
250Ho-Oh.png
Art by Ken Sugimori from HeartGold and SoulSilver
Type
Fire Flying
Category
Rainbow Pokémon
Ability
Pressure
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers
Johto
#253
Regional Browser numbers
Oblivia
R-286
Height
12'06"
Imperial
3.8 m
Metric
Weight
438.7 lbs.
Imperial
199.0 kg
Metric
Dex color
Red
Catch rate
3 (0.4%)
Body style
Body09.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F250.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
Gender unknown
Breeding
Undiscovered group 121 cycles*
(30855 minimum steps)
EV yield
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
3
Speed
0
Base Exp.: 220 Battle Exp.: 2201*

Ho-Oh (Japanese: ホウオウ Houou) is a dual-type Fire/Flying legendary Pokémon.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

It is often considered to be closely related to Lugia, even sometimes as its polar opposite. Silver represents Lugia as "guardian of the seas", and Gold represents Ho-Oh as "guardian of the skies."

Ho-Oh is the version mascot of Pokémon Gold and its remake, HeartGold, appearing on the boxart of both.

Biology

Physiology

Ho-Oh is a phoenix-like bird with gold and red being its dominant colors. Ho-Oh also resembles a peacock. Ho-Oh has yellow tail-feathers, a white underside, and green feathers at the tip of its wings. Ho-Oh has a green stripe on its neck, a yellow beak, black rings around its red-iris eyes, and a feathered-crest. Ho-Oh's wings are prismatic, causing it to trail a rainbow behind it.

Gender differences

Ho-Oh is a genderless species.

Special abilities

Ho-Oh's most notable ability is its mythical power to resurrect the dead. Ho-Oh is the only known Pokémon that learns Sacred Fire and can hold Sacred Ash.

Behavior

Not much is known about this creature, due to the fact that few trainers have been lucky enough to see it. It has been observed to be territorial at times when its nest is disturbed. It freely flies the world's skies in search of a Trainer with a pure heart.

Habitat

Ho-Oh used to perch at the top of Bell Tower until the Brass Tower was destroyed by fire. It now presumably flies through the world's skies.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

File:HoOh anime.png
Ho-Oh in the anime

According to the anime, Ho-Oh lived in the Tin Tower in ancient times. When a war broke out, burning both the Tin Tower and the Brass Tower down, it created Raikou, Entei, and Suicune, and all four disappeared. Later, a new Tin Tower was erected, but Ho-Oh since then has never come back for sure. A sacred flame from Ho-Oh burns in the Dragon's Den; it was obtained during the same war.

Major appearances

Ho-Oh (anime)

A Ho-Oh appeared to Ash at the end of the first episode, flying across the sky after the thunderstorm. Ash's Pokédex could not identify it. It was the first Generation II Pokémon to be seen, and was seen before most Generation I Pokémon.

After competing in the Silver Conference, Ash saw Ho-Oh flying towards Hoenn. This encouraged him to get over his depression at his loss and continue his journey.

Ho-Oh was seen flying into the sunset at the end of Battling the Enemy Within. This time, Brock, May, Max, Scott and Brandon saw Ho-Oh as well (on a slightly related note, this time, someone else other than Ash managed to identify it first).

Minor appearances

Ho-Oh had a cameo appearance during the opening sequence for Jirachi: Wish Maker.

In the eighth movie, Mew transforms into Ho-Oh.

Ho-Oh made a small cameo in the introduction of the movies The Rise of Darkrai and Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry
EP001 Ho-Oh Ash's Pokédex There is no data. There still are Pokémon yet to be identified.

In the manga

Ho-Oh in Pokémon Adventures

In Pokémon Adventures, Ho-Oh was used by the Masked Man to kidnap children in his plans to capture Celebi, including Green and Silver, five years prior to the start of the entire manga. Prior to the events of the GSC saga, Pryce had lost his control over Ho-Oh, and thus attacked Tin Tower using Team Rocket to prompt Ho-Oh to return to Ecruteak City. Ho-Oh was later seen at Indigo Plateau under Pryce's control, alongside Lugia, wreaking havoc and destruction.

In the TCG

Main article: Ho-Oh (TCG)

In the TFG

One Ho-Oh figure has been released.

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Melee/Brawl

When released from a Poké Ball, Ho-Oh unleashes a spiral of Sacred Fire that deals massive amounts of damage to any opponent caught in it.

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I
Red {{{redbluedex}}}
Blue
Yellow {{{yellowdex}}}
Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II
Gold Legends claim this Pokémon flies the world's skies continuously on its magnificent seven-colored wings.
Silver A legend says that its body glows in seven colors. A rainbow is said to form behind it when it flies.
Crystal It will reveal itself before a pure-hearted trainer by shining its bright rainbow-colored wings.
Stadium 2 Legends claim this Pokémon flies the world's skies continuously on its magnificent seven-colored wings.
Generation III
Ruby 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.
Sapphire
Emerald Its feathers--which glow in seven colors depending on the angle at which they are struck by light--are thought to bring joy. It is said to live at the foot of a rainbow.
FireRed A legend says that its body glows in seven colors. A rainbow is said to form behind it when it flies.
LeafGreen Legends claim this Pokémon flies the world's skies continuously on its magnificent seven-colored wings.
Generation IV
Diamond It possesses seven-colored wings. It is said that those who see Ho-Oh are promised an eternal happiness.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold Legends claim this Pokémon flies the world's skies continuously on its magnificent seven-colored wings.
SoulSilver A legend says that its body glows in seven colors. A rainbow is said to form behind it when it flies.
Generation V
Black {{{blackdex}}}
White {{{whitedex}}}
Black 2 {{{black2dex}}}
White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI
X Unknown
Y Unknown


Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I
Red Blue
None Trade
Blue (Japan)
None Trade
Yellow
None Trade
Generation II
Gold Silver
One Tin Tower (requires Rainbow Wing)
Crystal
One Tin Tower (requires Rainbow Wing)
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
None Trade
Emerald
One Navel Rock (requires MysticTicket)
FireRed LeafGreen
One Navel Rock (requires MysticTicket)
Colosseum
One Mt. Battle
XD
None Trade
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
None Pal Park
Platinum
None Pal Park
HeartGold SoulSilver
One* Bell Tower (requires Clear Bell* and Rainbow Wing)
Pal Park
Mountain
Pokéwalker
None
Generation V
Black White
None Trade
Black 2 White 2
None Trade
Dream World
None
Generation VI
X Y
None Trade



In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Trozei! Random Agent Cards
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red/Blue Rescue Team
Mt. Faraway (40F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time/Darkness
Mt. Mistral (19F)*
Pokémon Ranger:
Guardian Signs
Rainbow Altar

In events

Games Event Language Location Level Distribution period
List of 10th Anniversary event Pokémon#Entei and Ho-Oh 10th Anniversary Europe 2006 70 Never

Held items

Game Held Item(s)
Gold Silver Sacred Ash Sacred Ash (100%)
Crystal
HeartGold SoulSilver Sacred Ash Sacred Ash (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
106
166 - 213 322 - 416
130
121 - 200 238 - 394
90
85 - 156 166 - 306
110
103 - 178 202 - 350
154
143 - 226 281 - 447
90
85 - 156 166 - 306
Total:
680
Other Pokémon with this total
  • Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
  • Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed
4/4 ★★★★
Power
3/4 ★★★
Skill
4/5 ★★★★
Stamina
3/4 ★★★
Jump
5/5 ★★★★★
Total
19/22 ★★★


Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug ¼×
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire ½×
Water
Grass ¼×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug ¼×
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire ½×
Water
Grass ¼×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug ¼×
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire ½×
Water
Grass ¼×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug ¼×
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire ½×
Water
Grass ¼×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Notes:

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | fire | style="background:#81B9EF" |  flying 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 2 | style=" background:#FFF" | Ho-Oh | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By TM/HM

Template:Movelisttm Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By breeding

None.

By tutoring

Template:Tutor Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4


|- style="background:#EF7374" | colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an Evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available.
|} |}

Special moves

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Pinball RS
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Trozei!
 Trozeiani250.png 
Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
MDP RT 250.png Body size: 4
Recruit rate: 99.9%
Friend Area: Rainbow Peak
Phrases
51%-100% HP A vivid rainbow gives me protection!
26%-50% HP How can this be? My HP is reduced halfway?
1%-25% HP It's no good... Even my rainbow has faded away...
Level up Leveled up! Let the seven colors of my rainbow blaze across the sky!
Partner phrases
51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%.
26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%.
1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%.
Level up Leveled up! Let the seven colors of my rainbow blaze across the sky!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness
,
and Explorers of Sky
MDP E 250.png Body size: 4
Recruit rate: 10%
IQ group: D
Pokémon Ranger
Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None
Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group: Poké Assist: Field move:
 Fire  Fire Assist.png
( Fire )
Past
Electric Assist.png
( Normal )
None Past
Electrify 1 field move.png
(Electrify ×1)
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
None.png PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
None.png Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}}
PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
None.png HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}}
Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}}
Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}}
Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}}
Does not evolve.
Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Ho-Oh
Does not evolve
Ho-Oh
 Fire  Flying 


Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
Spr 2g 250.png Spr 2s 250.png Spr 2c 250.png Spr b 2g 250.png
Spr 2g 250 s.png Spr 2s 250 s.png Spr 2c 250 s.png Spr b 2g 250 s.png
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
Spr 3r 250.png Spr 3e 250.png Spr 3f 250.png Spr b 3r 250.png
Spr 3r 250 s.png Spr 3e 250 s.png Spr 3f 250 s.png Spr b 3r 250 s.png
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
Spr 4d 250.png Spr 4p 250.png Spr 4h 250.png Spr b 4d 250.png
Spr 4d 250 s.png Spr 4p 250 s.png Spr 4h 250 s.png Spr b 4d 250 s.png
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
Spr 5b 250.png Spr 5b2 250.png Spr b 5b 250.png
Spr 5b 250 s.png Spr 5b2 250 s.png Spr b 5b 250 s.png
Ho-Oh For other sprites and images, please see Ho-Oh images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

  • Aside from the opening theme song, which featured Mewtwo, Mew, and the legendary birds of Kanto, Ho-Oh was the first legendary Pokémon ever seen in the anime.
    • Ho-Oh is also the first Generation II Pokémon to be shown in the anime, making it the first sign that the franchise would ever expand beyond 151.
  • Ho-Oh's English name is a palindrome; it shares this distinction with Eevee and Girafarig.
  • Ho-Oh is one of the only two version mascots with a wild held item (Sacred Ash). The other is Pikachu (with Light Ball or Oran Berry).
  • Ho-Oh is one of eight Pokémon whose name has a non-alphabetic character in it, the others being Nidoran♀, Nidoran♂, Farfetch'd, Mr. Mime, Porygon2, Mime Jr. and Porygon-Z.
  • Ho-Oh is tied with Lugia for the highest base Special Defense of all Template:Type2s. This also ties them for the fourth highest Special Defense of all Pokémon.
    • Ho-Oh also has the highest Special Defense of all Fire-types as well as the highest base stat total.
    • Ho-Oh is tied with Lugia and Rayquaza for highest base stat total of all Flying types.
    • Ho-Oh has the highest Attack of all Fire-types, tied with Flareon.
  • In HeartGold and SoulSilver, when the Kimono Girls are summoning the legendary Pokémon, they dance clockwise for Ho-Oh and counterclockwise for Lugia.
  • Ho-Oh is one of four game mascots that shares the first letter of its name with the game it is the mascot of: HeartGold. The other three are Blastoise (Blue), Dialga (Diamond), and Palkia (Pearl).
  • Ho-Oh, along with Lugia are the only two legendary version mascots with counterparts that have not had a conflict in the anime.
  • Despite Pokédex entries making reference to Ho-Oh's rainbow colored feathers, the colors of Ho-Oh's feathers colors consist of only green, white, red and gold.
  • It's indirectly said in a myth in Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver that it created Raikou, Entei and Suicune.
  • Fluzzard, a bird from Super Mario Galaxy 2, resembles Ho-Oh in both shape and color scheme. He is also accompanied by smaller birds whose color schemes' resemble that of shiny Ho-Oh.
  • Ho-Oh also resembles Dyna Blade from the Kirby series.

Origin

Ho-Oh is based on the Huma bird, a legendary bird that is said to never rest, living its entire life flying continuously, and resurrects itself and others in its own ashes and flames. It is a symbol of fortune and friendship and will bestow happiness to anyone who simply glimpses it. Ho-Oh, like Moltres, is also based on the legend of the Phoenix; unlike Moltres, it is based more on the Fenghuang, the immortal phoenix of China. Many cultures view the Phoenix and Huma as symbols of resurrection; this is seen in Ho-Oh, which was reborn rising from its own ashes and had a hand in resurrecting Suicune, Raikou and Entei. It may also be based on many other firebirds; some examples are the Three-legged bird, Simurgh, and the Ember Bird. It also is similar to the rainbow-feathered bird god Achiyalabopa.

Name origin

Its English name is simply another way of transcribing 鳳凰 Hōō, which is the Japanese word for phoenix, specifically the Chinese phoenix, or Fènghuáng.

In other languages

Related articles


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Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii USuper Smash Bros. Ultimate
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Stickers
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Misc: The Subspace EmissaryMy MusicFinal SmashPokémon ChangeBrawl cameos


Lugia #249: Lugia
Pokémon
#251: Celebi Celebi
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