Before diving into Choice Specs specifically, I want to talk about Latios in general and what it can provide in this metagame. 110 base Speed is really nice, as it speed-ties with Ogerpon and Iron Moth as well as outspeed Walking Wake, Enamorus, Iron Treads, Kyurem, and mid-speed Pokemon. Because of the solid speed and strong 130 base Special Attack, it has one of the most spammable Draco Meteor of the tier. It is also one of the few Spike-immune Pokemon not weak to Stealth Rock, which allows it to have freedom with its item while fulfilling the Ground immunity for a given team. Defensively, Latios works as well as it takes on Ogerpon decently (especially with being able to speedtie). Luster Purge being buffed to 95 BP this generation is really nice as well for breaking sets as it can make use of its signature move dropping the opponent's Special Defense 50% of the time. Since you mentioned PP, the low PP of Draco Meteor and Luster Purge is only noticeable and annoying when facing Corviknight, but Corv allows Gholdengo in for free and Latios can Trick it if need be. Let's dive into Choice Specs Latios, the true breaker set. Draco Meteor and Luster Purge are very strong, spammable STAB attacks, but they are both resisted by Steel types. While it no longer has Mystical Fire, it doesn't need it, as it can run Aura Sphere. This is especially valuable for Kingambit, as it is immune to Luster Purge and can really limit Choice Specs Latios, so being able to OHKO it on the switch is very valuable. Trick is nice utility to free up Latios in some games and disrupt set-up sweepers in a pinch. I wanted to keep to your suggested set, but I would recommend trying a different Tera type. Offensively, Tera Psychic and Tera Fighting are better than Tera Dragon in my opinion because Luster Purge is more spammable due to not dropping your Special Attack, and Tera Fighting can boost Aura Sphere's damage while providing you a resistance to Kingambit's Sucker Punch. Defensively, Tera Steel or Tera Poison work extremely well when paired with Levitate. For Tera Steel specifically, you flip Latios' weakness to Fairy, Ice, and Dragon, resist Stealth Rock to become very resilient to all entry hazards, and become immune to Toxic so you wall Gliscor. Also, instead of Trick, you could try Flip Turn and Recover. Overall, Latios is a strong Pokemon deserving of its current B Rank in the viability rankings.
Serperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 248 HP / 28 SpA / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Knock Off
- Glare
- Synthesis
I decided an offensive hazard stacking team would help Latios shine and break more easily, and I liked Serperior to enable Latios and hazards to put in more work. Serperior is one of the few special attackers that run Knock Off, which allows it to knock the likes of Galarian Slowking, Clodsire, Blissey, and other Pokemon that physical knockers cannot successfully punish. Glare slows down opponents, which is crucial for this relatively slow team, and this enables Latios to be more of a threat. Bulky Serperior takes on Ogerpon-Wellspring very well, and with Synthesis + Leftovers, it can stay around throughout a game and spread paralysis like wildfire. Tera Poison has been really nice defensively in some games, particularly for Darkrai. Credit to
leng loi for the optimized Serperior EVs; I tend to run max speed on Serperior, but it is not necessary on Serperior sets that do not have Tera Blast.
Samurott-Hisui @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sharpness
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Ceaseless Edge
- Knock Off
- Aqua Cutter
- Flip Turn
Hisuian Samurott is a great offensive spiker that synergizes well with Knock Off Serperior. Choice Scarf catches a lot of ladder opponents off guard, as sometimes they will lead Dragapult against Samurott and stay in as they get OHKO'd by Ceaseless Edge and have to deal with the spike. Knock Off did not get used much in testing as you prefer to spam Ceaseless Edge, but against fat it is very important and makes winning those matchups a lot easier. I prefer Aqua Cutter over Razor Shell because of the 100% accuracy and, more importantly, no contact so you don't have to worry as much about Rocky Helmet, Flame Body, and Static. Flip Turn is a great midground move that forces more switches from the opponent, which works well with hazard stack. Alternatively, you can try Sacred Sword to snipe Kingambit, Darkrai, and Roaring Moon. Defensively, it helps the team against Gholdengo, which is problematic for Latios and Serperior. Originally I went with Tera Ghost, but I was not getting much use out of it.
Heatranator suggested Tera Dark, and it has been putting in more work as Choice Scarf Ceaseless Edge can sweep late game.
Great Tusk @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Headlong Rush
- Ice Spinner
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
Great Tusk compresses many roles for the team. Ground type, rocker, hazard removal, knock absorber, Kingambit check, and so on. I opted for Rocky Helmet to rack up chip on opponents, which works nicely with hazards. Given the fast-paced nature of the team, Rocky Helmet feels more valuable than Leftovers, and in testing, Rocky Helmet has been really potent. Tera Steel allows Great Tusk to eat a variety of hits, though you can definitely toy with this Tera type (especially if you opt for Tera Steel on Latios).
Gholdengo @ Covert Cloak
Ability: Good as Gold
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Make It Rain
- Shadow Ball
- Nasty Plot
- Recover
Defensive Gholdengo is a great spinblocker and potent set-up sweeper for the team. Covert Cloak eases the matchup against Garganacl and Zamazenta, though you can try out Leftovers, Rocky Helmet, resist berries, etc. if you aren't a big fan of the cloak. The EVs and Tera Fairy are standard for defensive sets, and Gholdengo consistently puts in work.
Okidogi @ Assault Vest
Ability: Toxic Chain
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 232 HP / 252 Atk / 24 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Gunk Shot
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch
Inspired by lax, AV Okidogi provides a lot for Bulky Offense teams in the current metagame and is a nice alternative to Galarian Slowking. It takes on Darkrai extremely well and soft checks Kyurem, Raging Bolt, and other potent special breakers. With Close Combat and Gunk Shot, Okidogi can make great use of its solid 128 base Attack and be strong offensively and defensively. Knock Off punishes Ghost-types that take on Okidogi's STAB attacks (especially Gholdengo) and take off items to enable hazards to put in more work. Ice Punch rounds out the the coverage to punish Landorus and Gliscor on the switch. Toxic Chain is great on this Okidogi set, as the 30% chance to badly poison targets can come in clutch (with Gunk Shot, the chance to inflict status becomes 51%!). 24 Speed EVs are to outspeed Adamant Kingambit / Ursaluna and Pokemon trying to speed creep (Skarmory, Heatran, Primarina, etc.). Tera Water felt the best in testing, as it is a solid defensive type in general and it eases the Sun matchup.
I hope you enjoy the team!
