Ho-Oh ex Deck
0.3% of the meta · Updated September 8, 2026
Signature card
Ho-Oh ex
Crown Rare
Strengths
- Phoenix Turbo attaches three energies of different types to Bench in one attack, enabling turn-ahead setups.
- All-Basic lineup means Poke Ball finds every attacker; no evolution dependency slowing setup.
- Favorable into Indeedee ex (75%), Zygarde ex (75%), and Togekiss (75%), covering several meaningful archetypes.
Weaknesses
- Ho-Oh ex is an ex: your opponent scores 2 points on KO, putting them close to the 3-point win threshold.ex KO
- Silvally (25%) and Baxcalibur (28%) hard-counter the deck, limiting ladder viability.Matchup
- Phoenix Turbo distributes exactly one Fire, one Water, and one Lightning; decks that need multiple same-type energy on one attacker may outpace this acceleration.Deckbuilding
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Est. 301 packs to collect all core cardsdetails
Core Cards
Key Moves & Abilities
Strategy Guide
Auto-generatedHo-Oh ex uses Phoenix Turbo to accelerate Fire, Water, and Lightning energy onto Benched attackers in a single attack, enabling a multi-type strike force to come online turns ahead of schedule. The win condition is overwhelming the opponent with powered-up ex attackers before they can answer the energy flood.
Open by placing Ho-Oh ex and using Poke Ball, Ilima, and Professor's Research to find your supporting Basics such as Lugia ex. On your second or third turn, Phoenix Turbo for 80 damage while distributing one Fire, one Water, and one Lightning energy from the Energy Zone onto your Bench, turboing one or two attackers at once. Mid-game, rotate between Ho-Oh ex and a fully powered Lugia ex or other support attacker to keep scoring points. In finishing turns, Guzma or Sabrina pull the opponent's retreated target into the Active spot to land the clinching KO.
Damage Math
Phoenix Turbo active hit
base 80 damage at [Colorless,Colorless,Colorless] cost
Colorless cost means any energy type can power it, so Ho-Oh ex attacks immediately on energy-attached turns
How to Play
Turbo-Charge Bench Attackers Through Phoenix Turbo
Every Phoenix Turbo turn you attack for 80 and attach one Fire, one Water, and one Lightning energy to Bench Pokemon in any split you choose. Concentrate all three onto Lugia ex or another attacker to have a fully powered follow-up ready the next turn. Ilima and Professor's Research keep the hand full to find each attacker before they are needed.
Pivot to Powered Attackers Before Ho-Oh ex Falls
Because Ho-Oh ex giving up a KO hands the opponent 2 points, retreat or switch before it gets KO'd whenever possible. Lucky Ice Pop and Giant Cape extend its survivability. Leaf provides additional switching flexibility so you can bring Ho-Oh ex back in to fire another Phoenix Turbo turn when the Bench needs more energy.
How to Beat This Deck
Force Ho-Oh ex to Stay Active and Score 2 Points
Ho-Oh ex has only 150 HP and costs 2 to retreat. Bring sustained pressure to KO it before the opponent retreats safely. Scoring 2 points from a single Ho-Oh ex KO puts you at two-thirds of the points needed to win and disrupts the energy ramp plan simultaneously.
Deny the Bench Setup with Targeted Switching
Phoenix Turbo places energy on Benched Basics. If the opponent's powered-up Bench attacker is switched to Active before it is ready, use Guzma or Sabrina equivalents to drag it out and KO it while it is underpowered. Eliminating a charged Bench target wastes multiple Phoenix Turbo turns of investment.
Run Water or Lightning Attackers to Exploit Ho-Oh ex's Typing
Fire-type Pokemon are typically weak to Water. A Water-type attacker can threaten a KO on Ho-Oh ex faster than its 150 HP bulk suggests, especially before Giant Cape is attached. Keeping that defensive tool off the field is key: use a trainer like Field Blower if available to remove attached tools.
Common Substitutions
Secondary attacker
- Lugia ex:Core secondary in 73.91% of lists; receives turbo energy and provides a second 2-point threat
- Snorlax ex:Flex option in 34.78% of lists; bulky alternate attacker when energy spread allows
- Darkrai ex:Flex option in 21.74% of lists; provides a Darkness-type attacker outside the main energy suite
Disruption support
- Guzma:Pulls opponent's retreated Pokemon to Active for a finishing KO
- Sabrina:Same drag effect; appears in 56.52% of lists
- Cyrus:Disrupts opponent's bench; in 52.17% of lists
Matchups
Threats — Weak Against
Based on type weakness analysis of core cards. View full matchup matrix →