Dynamax Ho-oh Max Battle Weekend & its Best Counters
Dynamax Ho-oh will make its debut in Pokémon GO during the January 2026 Max Battle Weekend. Dynamax Ho-oh will be featured in Power Spots as five-star Max Battles. The Max Battle Weekend is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, at 6:00 a.m. local time to Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Dynamax Ho-oh encountered after winning a Max Battle can be a Shiny one if you are lucky.
Max Battle Weekend Bonuses
Trainers participating in the Max Battle Weekend will have access to the following during the event.
- Max Particle collection limit will be increased to 1,600
- 0.5 km adventuring distance to receive Max Particles.
- Power Spots will refresh every 30 minutes.
- 800 Max Particles from Power Spots. (+20 Max Particles each if it is a Power Spot you have not visited before).
Dynamax Ho-oh Free Timed Research
There will be a free Timed Research opportunity available to Trainers starting Monday, January 26, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. local time. Completing the Timed Research will reward you an encounter with a Dynamax Kabuto. Additionally, the Timed Research tasks will award Kabuto Candy, Max Particles, and more to help power up your battle team.
The tasks associated with this Free Timed Research must be completed and their rewards must be claimed before Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
As a water-type Pokémon, Dynamax Kabutops (a full evolution of Dynamax Kabuto) is one of the best counters against Dynamax Ho-oh. However, you are better off using water-type Gigantamax Pokémon instead.
Best Counters against Dynamax Ho-oh
Ho-oh is a Legendary Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon that is especially weak against Pokémon with Rock-type attack/move. It is also weak to Pokémon with either Electric- or Water-type attacks. In the case of Dynamax Ho-oh, there are currently limited Pokémon that can learn either Rock-, Electric- or Water-type attacks.
Furthermore, Gigantamax Pokémon are somewhat the best you can use in Max Battles. Although, there are currently no Gigantamax Pokémon with Rock-type Max Move. There are other Gigantamax Pokémon with either Electric- or Water-type Max Move.
These Pokémon are great against Dynamax Ho-oh. However, for optimal strategy, these are the three Pokémon you should have in your battle team.
Team 1
| Pokémon | Role | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamax Suicune | Defender/Healer | Water Gun | Hydro Pump |
| Gigantamax Blastoise | Attacker | Water Gun | Hydro Cannon |
| Gigantamax Inteleon | Attacker | Water Gun | Water Pulse |
Team 2
| Pokémon | Role | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamax Omastar | Defender/Attacker | Rock Throw* | Rock Slide* |
| Gigantamax Blastoise | Attacker | Water Gun | Hydro Cannon |
| Dynamax Gigalith | Attacker | Smack Down | Meteor Beam* |
Important things to note
- Only use your attackers during the gigantamaxing phase of the max battle. This is because these Water-type attackers are weak to Ho-oh’s Grass-type attack. Ho-oh can learn the Charged Attack Solar Beam
- You can choose to use two defenders and one attacker. If you choose to, replace Gigantamax Blastoise with either Gigantamax Lapras or Dynamax Blissey. The Gigantamax Lapras should have Water Gun as a Fast Attack and Surf as a Charged Attack. I’ll prefer Dynamax Blissey (with Pound as a Fast Attack and Wild Charge as a Charged Attack) because, although it will deal less damage, it is bulkier than Dynamax Lapras.
- If this is your first time doing a Dynamax Battle, please check the previously posted Dynamax Battle tips to learn other strategies that can help you win.
- If your team of 4 (3 other trainers and you) finds it difficult to defeat Ho-oh in its Dynamax form, you can either choose to use Max Mushrooms or use Eternatus’ Dynamax Cannon Adventure Effect. Use either of these in addition to the best counters above. Furthermore, you can also choose to reroll* the Power Spot until you get a Dynamax Ho-oh with Extrasensory as a Fast Attack and Fire Blast as its Charged Attack. Try and avoid those with Sacred Fire or Solar Beam as Charged Attacks.
- If you encounter a DMax Ho-oh with 2207 CP after defeating it in Power Spot, that’s a hundo. If it is shiny, that’s a shundo!
*You reroll Power Spots by leaving the lobby completely, re-entering the battle lobby, and finding out what moves a Power Spot boss has.
Event Ticket
You can purcahse the event ticket for US$4.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency). With the ticket, you’ll be able to access event-exclusive Timed Research. The Timed Research rewards include the following.
- 6,400 Max Particles
- 25,000 XP
You’ll also receive the following bonuses.
- 2× XP from Max Battles
- Increased Candy and Candy XL from five-star Max Battles
This Timed Research will be effective from Saturday, January 31, at 6:00 a.m. to Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Max out your chances for victory with Campfire!
If you are looking for who to battle with, Campfire makes it easier to find both Max Battles and other Trainers. Check out the Niantic Campfire for Community Ambassador hosted Max Battle Weekend and go there. You will also get free Max Particles when you check-in at the event.
Good luck with your max battle weekend.
