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Learn how to use Ho-oh in the Pokemon VGC format based on Yoshitaka Izawa’s 2025 Pokemon World Championships build.
Ho-oh may seem like a bit of an odd pick for a VGC team. This is because you have to dedicate one of your Restricted Legendary slots to it instead of going with something from the more recent generations. However, this old bird has some useful tricks to offer in the VGC format. Yoshitaka Izawa was able to utilize those to an 8-2 result in the Swiss rounds of the 2025 Pokemon VGC World Championships.
He eventually finished 11th, with his Ho-oh being a key player on his team. So, in this article, its worth looking at the build for Yoshitaka Izawa’s Ho-oh and how you can try to use it yourself in VGC.
What Is the Build of Yoshitaka Izawa’s Ho-oh?
One of the main reasons to use Ho-oh is its bulk. With its 106/90/154 defenses, Ho-oh is capable of shrugging off most neutral hits with ease. Adding to Ho-oh’s longevity is its ability Regenerator, which restores a third of its health each time it switches out. This makes removing Ho-oh very difficult. As for potential Rock-type moves coming from Pokemon like Ogerpon Cornerstone, which could be trouble for Ho-oh owing to its Fire/Flying typing, Yoshitaka went with a defensive Water-type Terastallization. This Tera type also protects from Water-types like Kyogre as well.
What makes Ho-oh even more dangerous is that its defenses do not make it a passive wall either. Its Attack stat of 130 is more than good for dealing damage. To ensure that Ho-oh’s Attack stat wasn’t lowered by stuff like Incineroar‘s Intimidate, Yoshitaka gave it a Clear Amulet to hold. Clear Amulet is an item that prevents the holder’s stats from being dropped by other Pokemon. This ensures that Ho-oh is both hard to KO and slow on offense.
Moves Used by Yoshitaka Izawa’s Ho-oh
Yoshitaka went with the two standard STAB moves that Ho-oh uses, Sacred Fire and Brave Bird. Sacred Fire is a powerful Fire-type physical move with a 50% chance to inflict a burn. Meanwhile, Brave Bird is arguably the best Flying-type physical move in the game. Even its recoil isn’t an issue thanks to Regenerator. As for the third move, Yoshitaka went with Tailwind to give his side of the field a speed boost. Finally, he had Protect to stall for a turn.
Which Pokemon is Ho-oh Good Against?
Ho-oh’s Fire-type STAB deals massive damage to fellow Restricted Legendaries like Calyrex Ice Rider and Zamazenta Crowned, while Brave Bird does a number on opposing Koraidon that haven’t Terastallized into a Fire-type. Additionally, as all three are physical attackers, they do not appreciate the burns from Sacred Fire. Additionally, common Grass-types in the meta, like Amoonguss, Rillaboom, and Brute Bonnet, fear Ho-oh’s dual STABs.
Common Partners for Ho-oh
- Koraidon: Koraidon has excellent synergy with Ho-oh. Its ability Orichalcum Pulse, sets up the sun, which gives a boost to Ho-oh’s Sacred Fire. Meanwhile, Ho-oh takes out opposing Koraidon with its Brave Birds.
- Farigiraf: Farigiraf is an excellent support, providing both Helping Hand and Trick Room support if Ho-oh chooses not to use Tailwind. Additionally, it can use Foul Play to take out Lunala whose Shadow Shield Ho-oh struggles to break through.
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