Pokemon GO Ho-Oh Raid Hour is set to be one of August’s biggest events, offering boosted raid spawns, shiny chances, and valuable rewards. Whether you’re aiming to strengthen your PvE lineup, climb the PvP ranks, or simply grab the golden Shiny Ho-Oh, this Pokemon GO Ho-Oh Raid Hour preparation guide covers everything you need to know to get the most out of this Legendary encounter.
Pokemon GO Ho-Oh Raid Hour Event Schedule & Availability
• Ho-Oh in 5-Star Raids: August 11, 2025, 10 AM – August 18, 2025, 10 AM local time • Raid Hour: August 13, 2025, 6 PM – 7 PM local time • Shiny Ho-Oh: Available during the event with an estimated 1 in 20 shiny rate • Raid Locations: Nearly all gyms will host Ho-Oh raids during Raid Hour, maximizing encounter opportunities
Pokemon GO Ho-Oh Raid Hour Event Bonuses
• Increased Ho-Oh spawns across gyms during the Raid Hour • Shiny Ho-Oh encounters possible during all raids in the event window • Standard five-star raid rewards: Rare Candies, Golden Razz Berries, Charged/Fast TMs, XL Candies, and boosted catch XP • Possible seasonal perks: 2× catch candy, higher XL Candy drop rate for level 31+, ¼ egg hatch distance, extra special trades (check in-game news for confirmation) • Remote raiding and coordination tools like Niantic Campfire available for global team-ups • No extra free passes – regular and premium passes apply
Understanding Ho-Oh as a Raid Boss in Pokemon GO
Ho-Oh in the Pokemon Anime (Image via The Pokemon Company)
• Type: Fire / Flying • 100% IV Catch CP: 2,207 (Normal), 2,759 (Sunny/Windy boosted)
Signature Moves of Ho-Oh
• Fast Moves: Incinerate, Steel Wing, Extrasensory, Hidden Power • Charged Moves: Sacred Fire, Brave Bird, Fire Blast, Solar Beam, Earthquake • Weaknesses: 4× Rock; also weak to Water and Electric • Resistances: Fire, Flying, Steel, Fighting, Fairy, Bug, Grass
Best Ho-Oh Raid Counters
| Pokemon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
| Mega Diancie | Rock Throw | Rock Slide |
| Shadow Rampardos | Smack Down | Rock Slide |
| Rhyperior | Smack Down | Rock Wrecker |
| Tyrantrum | Rock Throw | Meteor Beam |
| Terrakion | Smack Down | Rock Slide |
| Mega Aerodactyl | Rock Throw | Rock Slide |
| Mega Tyranitar | Smack Down | Stone Edge |
Tip: Mega evolve a Rock-type before raiding to boost your team’s Rock damage and gain extra candy for each capture.
Preparation Tips Before the Pokemon GO Ho-Oh Raid Hour Event
• Stock Raid Passes: Collect free passes from gyms and buy Premium/Remote Passes in advance • Healing Items: Potions and Revives for at least three raid teams – Ho-Oh’s moves hit hard • Catching Items: Golden Razz Berries for secure catches, Pinaps for candy, Nanabs to stabilize jumpy Ho-Oh • Group Coordination: Use Campfire, Discord, or local communities for raid chaining and invites • Power Bank: Keep your phone charged for an hour of continuous play
Strategies for Maximizing Rewards during the Pokemon GO Ho-Oh Raid Hour Event
• Route Planning: Map gyms close together for rapid movement • Team Size: 3 – 4 high-level players or 6+ casual players recommended for efficient clears • Mega Evolution Timing: Always have a Mega Rock-type active • Lucky Eggs & Star Pieces: Coordinate with your group to stretch double XP and Stardust bonuses • Lures: Keep gyms lured for extra wild spawns while stationary raiding
Catching Ho-Oh Successfully in Pokemon GO
Ho-Oh in the main series game (Image via The Pokemon Company)
• Aim for curveball Excellent throws for the highest catch rate • Golden Razz Berries are best for shiny or high-IV encounters • Weather boosts (Sunny/Windy) can improve IV potential but make Ho-Oh stronger in battle
Is Ho-Oh Worth Raiding in 2025?
PvE Use:
• Solid Fire-type attacker with Sacred Fire, though outclassed by Mega/Shadow Fire-types • Not a top Flying-type due to lack of a strong Flying quick move • Shadow Ho-Oh (when available) offers more PvE power but is costlier to build
PvP Use:
• Strong Master League option with good coverage (Brave Bird, Sacred Fire, Earthquake) and bulk • Not meta-breaking, but effective in the right hands
Collector/Trade Value:
• Golden shiny form is highly sought after • Raid Hour is prime time for high-IV or 100% IV hunting
Who is this Ho-Oh Raid Hour for in Pokemon GO?
• Raid if: You need a solid Fire attacker, a Master League option, or are shiny hunting • Skip if: You already have top Fire-type counters and a strong Ho-Oh from previous eventsFor most trainers, Ho-Oh is worth raiding during this event. Its legendary status, PvP viability, unique typing, and shiny appeal make it a great target – especially during a dedicated Raid Hour. Gather your best Rock-types, plan your route, and aim for as many raids as possible to maximize your odds of catching this majestic rainbow bird.We hope our Pokemon GO Ho-Oh Raid Hour preparation guide has been useful. Follow TOI Pokemon for more news on everything happening across the vast Pokeverse.