--- title: "Ho-Oh (#0250): Stats, Weaknesses, Moves & Lore | pokee.si" url: "https://pokee.si/pokemon/ho-oh" description: "Ho-Oh (#0250): Fire/Flying-type Rainbow Pokémon from Johto. Base stat total 680. Stats, matchups, evolutions, moves, every Pokédex entry and lore on pokee.si." last_updated: "2026-10-21" publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)" last_checked: "2026-10-20" --- #0250 · Johto · Generation 2 · legendary # Ho-Oh Rainbow Pokémon · Fire/Flying-type ![Ho-Oh official artwork](https://pokee.si/img/art/250.webp) Ho-Oh is a [Fire](https://pokee.si/types/fire)/[Flying](https://pokee.si/types/flying)-type Pokémon, the Rainbow Pokémon, number 250 (#0250) in the National Pokédex. It was introduced in Generation 2 and comes from the [Johto](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/johto) region. It is 3.8 m tall and weighs 199 kg. Ho-Oh is the Rainbow Pokémon, a fiery bird whose seven-coloured wings leave a rainbow in the sky. The Pokédex says anyone who sees it is promised eternal happiness, and Johto lore credits it with raising three dead Pokémon back to life. ## How to pronounce Ho-Oh Ho-Oh is pronounced **HOH-oh**. The capital letters show the stressed syllable. Listen to Ho-Oh said out loud: [Listen](https://pokee.si/audio/names/250.mp3) In Japanese it is ホウオウ (Houou). Hear every other name on the [Pokémon pronunciation guide](https://pokee.si/pronounce). ## Lore ### Biology Ho-Oh is a bird that resembles both a phoenix and a peacock, 3.8 m tall and 199 kg. Its plumage is mostly gold and red, with a yellow tail, white underparts and green wing tips, and a yellow crest tops its head. Its prismatic wings trail a rainbow when it flies, and the Pokédex says its feathers glow in seven colours depending on how light strikes them. ### Behaviour The Pokédex says Ho-Oh flies the world's skies without stopping and reveals itself only to Trainers with a pure heart. Bulbapedia notes that in ancient times it perched on Ecruteak City's Bell Tower and on an older Bell Tower in Goldenrod City. ### Habitat The Pokédex gives no fixed home beyond the legend that it lives at the foot of a rainbow. In Scarlet and Violet it arrives by Pokémon HOME transfer or trade, or in The Indigo Disk by luring it to South Province Area Four with a snack from Snacksworth. ### Powers Ho-Oh's signature move is Sacred Fire, which before Generation VI no other known Pokémon could learn. It also uses Fire Blast, Overheat, Weather Ball and Future Sight, and recovers with Recover and Life Dew. Its Ability is Pressure, or hidden Regenerator, which restores health when it switches out. With base Attack 130 and Special Defense 154 it hits hard and takes hits well. ### Name origin Ho-Oh may come from 鳳凰 hōō, the Japanese reading of Fènghuáng, the Chinese phoenix, and could also involve 皇 ō ('emperor') or 王 ō ('king'). The Japanese name is Houou (ホウオウ). ### Design inspiration Bulbapedia says Ho-Oh may draw on the fenghuang, the Chinese phoenix, and the Huma bird, a legendary bird said to bring happiness to anyone who glimpses it. Its Rainbow Pokémon category may also nod to rainbow-feathered bird gods such as Achiyalabopa. Its Shiny colours may reference its first anime appearance. These are fan readings. ### In the games Ho-Oh is the box Pokémon of Gold and HeartGold, where it waits in the Tin Tower in Gold and the Bell Tower in HeartGold and needs the Rainbow Wing to appear. In Pokémon Colosseum you can win one by clearing Mt. Battle once all 48 Shadow Pokémon have been purified. It is not available in Legends: Z-A. ### In the anime Ho-Oh is the anime's running mystery: Ash glimpses it only fleetingly across the series, and in the film I Choose You!, set in a separate continuity, it plays a major role. ### Fun facts - It first appeared in print in CoroCoro's August 1996 issue, the first sign that the franchise would go beyond 151 Pokémon. - Its name is a palindrome, one of only five Pokémon names that read the same backwards, with Eevee, Girafarig, Alomomola and Farigiraf. - Ho-Oh is the earliest Generation II species to appear in the anime, glimpsed at the end of the first episode while the Pokédex could not identify it; apart from the opening song, it was also the first Legendary seen. - In the 1997 Space World demo of Gold and Silver it was a pure Flying type with no Fire typing. Sources: [Bulbapedia: Ho-Oh](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Ho-Oh_(Pok%C3%A9mon)) · [Serebii: Ho-Oh (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/ho-oh/) ## Base stats - HP: **106** - Attack: **130** - Defense: **90** - Sp. Atk: **110** - Sp. Def: **154** - Speed: **90** Ho-Oh’s base stat total is **680**. Its highest stat is Sp. Def. ## Type matchups ### What is Ho-Oh weak to? Ho-Oh takes extra damage from [Rock](https://pokee.si/types/rock) (4×), [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) (2×), [Electric](https://pokee.si/types/electric) (2×) moves. It resists [Grass](https://pokee.si/types/grass) (¼×), [Bug](https://pokee.si/types/bug) (¼×), [Fire](https://pokee.si/types/fire) (½×), [Fighting](https://pokee.si/types/fighting) (½×), [Steel](https://pokee.si/types/steel) (½×), [Fairy](https://pokee.si/types/fairy) (½×). It is immune to [Ground](https://pokee.si/types/ground) moves. ## Evolution Ho-Oh does not evolve, and it does not evolve from any other Pokémon. ## Abilities - [Pressure](https://pokee.si/abilities/pressure): Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one. - [Regenerator](https://pokee.si/abilities/regenerator) (hidden ability): Heals for 1/3 max HP upon switching out. ## Moves ### Moves Ho-Oh learns by level up in Scarlet / Violet | Level | Move | Type | Category | Power | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | [Gust](https://pokee.si/moves/gust) | Flying | Special | 40 | | 1 | [Whirlwind](https://pokee.si/moves/whirlwind) | Normal | Status | — | | 1 | [Ancient Power](https://pokee.si/moves/ancient-power) | Rock | Special | 60 | | 1 | [Weather Ball](https://pokee.si/moves/weather-ball) | Normal | Special | 50 | | 9 | [Life Dew](https://pokee.si/moves/life-dew) | Water | Status | — | | 18 | [Safeguard](https://pokee.si/moves/safeguard) | Normal | Status | — | | 27 | [Calm Mind](https://pokee.si/moves/calm-mind) | Psychic | Status | — | | 36 | [Extrasensory](https://pokee.si/moves/extrasensory) | Psychic | Special | 80 | | 45 | [Recover](https://pokee.si/moves/recover) | Normal | Status | — | | 54 | [Sacred Fire](https://pokee.si/moves/sacred-fire) | Fire | Physical | 100 | | 63 | [Sunny Day](https://pokee.si/moves/sunny-day) | Fire | Status | — | | 72 | [Fire Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/fire-blast) | Fire | Special | 110 | | 81 | [Future Sight](https://pokee.si/moves/future-sight) | Psychic | Special | 120 | | 90 | [Sky Attack](https://pokee.si/moves/sky-attack) | Flying | Physical | 140 | | 99 | [Overheat](https://pokee.si/moves/overheat) | Fire | Special | 130 | ### TM moves (53) Ho-Oh can learn 53 moves from TMs in Scarlet / Violet: [Take Down](https://pokee.si/moves/take-down), [Protect](https://pokee.si/moves/protect), [Charge Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/charge-beam), [Fire Spin](https://pokee.si/moves/fire-spin), [Facade](https://pokee.si/moves/facade), [Aerial Ace](https://pokee.si/moves/aerial-ace), [Swift](https://pokee.si/moves/swift), [Flame Charge](https://pokee.si/moves/flame-charge), [Air Cutter](https://pokee.si/moves/air-cutter), [Endure](https://pokee.si/moves/endure), [Sunny Day](https://pokee.si/moves/sunny-day), [Rain Dance](https://pokee.si/moves/rain-dance), [Sandstorm](https://pokee.si/moves/sandstorm), [Zen Headbutt](https://pokee.si/moves/zen-headbutt), [Air Slash](https://pokee.si/moves/air-slash), [Body Slam](https://pokee.si/moves/body-slam), [Sleep Talk](https://pokee.si/moves/sleep-talk), [Reflect](https://pokee.si/moves/reflect), [Light Screen](https://pokee.si/moves/light-screen), [Rest](https://pokee.si/moves/rest), [Imprison](https://pokee.si/moves/imprison), [Fly](https://pokee.si/moves/fly), [Iron Head](https://pokee.si/moves/iron-head), [Substitute](https://pokee.si/moves/substitute), [Will-O-Wisp](https://pokee.si/moves/will-o-wisp), [Giga Drain](https://pokee.si/moves/giga-drain), [Tailwind](https://pokee.si/moves/tailwind), [Shadow Ball](https://pokee.si/moves/shadow-ball), [Hyper Voice](https://pokee.si/moves/hyper-voice), [Heat Wave](https://pokee.si/moves/heat-wave), [Psychic](https://pokee.si/moves/psychic), [Flamethrower](https://pokee.si/moves/flamethrower), [Thunderbolt](https://pokee.si/moves/thunderbolt), [Calm Mind](https://pokee.si/moves/calm-mind), [Helping Hand](https://pokee.si/moves/helping-hand), [Earth Power](https://pokee.si/moves/earth-power), [Fire Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/fire-blast), [Earthquake](https://pokee.si/moves/earthquake), [Giga Impact](https://pokee.si/moves/giga-impact), [Overheat](https://pokee.si/moves/overheat), [Hurricane](https://pokee.si/moves/hurricane), [Hyper Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/hyper-beam), [Brave Bird](https://pokee.si/moves/brave-bird), [Flare Blitz](https://pokee.si/moves/flare-blitz), [Thunder](https://pokee.si/moves/thunder), [Solar Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/solar-beam), [Tera Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/tera-blast), [Weather Ball](https://pokee.si/moves/weather-ball), [Dual Wingbeat](https://pokee.si/moves/dual-wingbeat), [Psych Up](https://pokee.si/moves/psych-up), [Double-Edge](https://pokee.si/moves/double-edge), [Scorching Sands](https://pokee.si/moves/scorching-sands), [Future Sight](https://pokee.si/moves/future-sight). ## Breeding & training - Gender: genderless. - Egg groups: Undiscovered. - Egg cycles: 120 (steps to hatch, Scarlet/Violet: 15,360). - Catch rate: 3 out of 255. - Base friendship (Gen 8 onward): 0. - Growth rate: Slow (1,250,000 experience points to reach level 100). - Defeating it gives 3 Sp. Def effort values. - Base experience yield: 306. ## Pokédex entries 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. *(Ruby, Sapphire, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire)* It will reveal itself before a pure-hearted trainer by shining its bright rainbow-colored wings. *(Crystal, Y)* A legend says that its body glows in seven colors. A rainbow is said to form behind it when it flies. *(Silver, FireRed, SoulSilver, X)* Its feathers are in seven colors. It is said that anyone seeing it is promised eternal happiness. *(Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Black, White, Black 2, White 2)* Legends claim this Pokémon flies the world's skies continuously on its magnificent sevencolored wings. *(Gold, LeafGreen, HeartGold)* 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. *(Emerald)* ## Names around the world - **Japanese**: ホウオウ - **Romaji**: Houou - **French**: Ho-Oh - **German**: Ho-Oh - **Spanish**: Ho-Oh - **Italian**: Ho-Oh - **Korean**: 칠색조 - **Chinese (Simplified)**: 凤王 - **Chinese (Traditional)**: 鳳王 ## Trivia - Tallest Fire type: 3.8 m. - Highest Sp. Def among Fire types: 154. - Highest base stat total among Fire types: 680, shared with 1 other. - Highest Sp. Def among Flying types: 154, shared with 1 other. - Highest base stat total among Gen 2 Pokémon: 680, shared with 1 other. - Heaviest Fire type in Gen 2: 199 kg. - Tallest Fire type in Gen 2: 3.8 m. - Highest Attack among Fire types in Gen 2: 130. - Highest Sp. Atk among Fire types in Gen 2: 110, shared with 1 other. - Highest Sp. Def among Fire types in Gen 2: 154. - Highest base stat total among Fire types in Gen 2: 680. - Highest HP among Flying types in Gen 2: 106, shared with 1 other. - Highest Attack among Flying types in Gen 2: 130. - Highest Sp. Atk among Flying types in Gen 2: 110. - Highest Sp. Def among Flying types in Gen 2: 154, shared with 1 other. - Highest base stat total among Flying types in Gen 2: 680, shared with 1 other. - Taller than 97% of all Pokémon (3.8 m). - Heavier than 91% of all Pokémon (199 kg). - Base stat total 680, ranked #3 of 1,025. - Its best stat is Sp. Def, ranked #3 of 1,025. - One of 6 Pokémon that are both Fire and Flying. - One of 97 red Pokémon. - Number 99 of 100 Pokémon introduced in Generation 2 (Johto). - Can learn 62 different moves in Scarlet / Violet. - Catch rate 3: about 0.4% per Poké Ball at full health. - Appears in 6 distinct Pokédex entries. ## Sources and fact-checking - Stats, types, abilities, moves, evolutions, forms and Pokédex entries: [PokéAPI](https://pokeapi.co) open game data. - Lore: written by pokee.si in our own words, researched from [Bulbapedia: Ho-Oh](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Ho-Oh_(Pok%C3%A9mon)), [Serebii: Ho-Oh (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/ho-oh/). - Pronunciation (HOH-oh): it follows how the English anime, games or official videos say it. **Last checked:** 20 October 2026. Every sentence of the lore was checked against Bulbapedia, Serebii and the game data. ## Explore [Fire-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/fire) · [Flying-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/flying) · [Fire/Flying weaknesses and matchups](https://pokee.si/types/fire-flying) · [Ho-Oh vs Lugia](https://pokee.si/vs/lugia-vs-ho-oh) · [Johto region guide](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/johto) · [Pressure ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/pressure) · [Regenerator ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/regenerator) · [Compare Ho-Oh](https://pokee.si/compare?ids=250) · [Full Pokédex](https://pokee.si/pokedex) · [Type chart](https://pokee.si/types) · [All moves](https://pokee.si/moves) ## Browse similar Pokémon [Gen 2 Fire-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/fire/gen-2) · [Gen 2 Flying-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/flying/gen-2) · [Gen 2 Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/pokedex/gen-2) · [Red Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/colours/red) · [No Eggs Discovered egg group](https://pokee.si/egg-groups/undiscovered) · [Pokémon that start with H](https://pokee.si/pokemon-names/h) · [Bird Pokémon](https://pokee.si/animals/bird) ← [Lugia](https://pokee.si/pokemon/lugia) | [Celebi](https://pokee.si/pokemon/celebi) → --- Source: https://pokee.si/pokemon/ho-oh (HTML page). pokee.si is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company. 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