Ho-oh

Ho-oh
Game	Melee and Brawl
Move used	Sacred Fire
Rarity	Rare

Ho-oh (ホウオウ, Hō'ō, Houou in Japanese language versions) is a Pokémon that comes out of a Poké Ball.

Creature description

Ho-Oh is a great multi-colored legendary phoenix with a red body, green wing plumes, and yellow tail feathers. It is similar in appearance to Dyna Blade from the Kirby universe. As described in the Pokédex, its feathers glow in seven colors depending on the angle at which they are struck by light. Like any supremely powerful species of Pokémon viewed as legendary, it is steeped in many legends, said to live at the foot of a rainbow, it is said to form a rainbow behind it as it flies the world's skies continuously on its magnificent seven-colored wings, and it is said to bring joy and eternal happiness to whoever catches sight of it or owns one of its fallen-off feathers.

Ho-Oh is the "mascot" of Pokémon Gold Version, just as its bird-like "counterpart" Lugia is the cover Pokémon of Pokémon Silver Version. It is a Fire and Flying type Pokémon in the Pokémon games. In the Pokémon games, it is also #250 in the Pokédex. Ho-Oh has power over the Legendary Beasts Suicune, Raikou, and Entei. This is similar to Lugia having power over the Legendary Birds Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.

Ho-Oh's signature move is Sacred Fire, a 100 Base Power Fire-type move with a 95% Base Accuracy. The move can be used while frozen, thawing the user.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

As a Poké Ball Pokémon

Ho-oh is treated as a "legendary" Poké Ball Pokémon; its chance of appearing is much rarer than most of the others, and in return its effect is more powerful. Ho-oh uses its signature move from the RPGs, Sacred Fire. Ho-oh will fly up into the air and to the back of the screen when it's summoned. Once Ho-oh starts flying upwards, any character other than the summoner that makes contact with it will be damaged. Ho-oh will then release a column of fire. Any character other than the summoner that is caught in the column of fire will take massive damage, and they won't be able to escape.

The attack occurs a full seven seconds after Ho-Oh's release, making it the longest delay for a Pokémon attack. Ho-Oh covers a very large attack area, although the heavy delay and predictability of the attack's location (it always appears where Ho-oh was released) makes it relatively easy to avoid, although the summoner can try to make sure that his/her opponents will be in that particular spot when the attack actually occurs.

As a trophy

Ho-oh features as a collectible trophy, unlocked as one of the 100+ trophies that can be collected randomly during normal play, such as in the Trophy Lottery and throughout the various Single-player Regular Matches. It reads as follows:

Ho-oh:

As it soars around the skies of the world, this Rainbow Pokemon leaves a trail of rainbows and myths in its wake. Its signature move is called Sacred Fire, and it is believed to appear only before trainers who are pure of heart. If you see a trainer with Ho-oh, you can assume that catching it took a lot of work. (Pokemon Gold & Silver 10/10)

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

As a Poké Ball Pokémon

Ho-Oh returns in Brawl. As in Melee, it continues to use Sacred Fire. However, in Brawl, the pillar of fire is larger and can interfere with vision. A character who touches the pillar of fire will be sucked down into the centre of the pillar. This means if Ho-Oh is released from its Pokéball at the very edge of a stage, anyone who touches the fire pillar will be sucked down and subsequently meteor smashed. It also performs knockback at the end of the move. Most think Ho-Oh was buffed from Melee to Brawl , explaining Lugia's nerf.

As a trophy

Ho-oh's trophy

Ho-Oh

A Rainbow Pokémon. On sparking wings of seven colors, Ho-Oh leaves a rainbow behind as it flies. Legend says that Ho-Oh suppressed a war that scorched the land in ancient times. Its attack Sacred Fire can melt ice in an instant and also damage the target with burns. Ho-Oh will show its solemn figure only for the most righteous Trainers.