[OVERVIEW]
While Latias isn't commonly used, it has a niche in AG thanks to its typing, ability, and Soul Dew, allowing it to check Primal Groudon and Kyogre as well as beat Adamant Mega Rayquaza one-on-one and threaten weakened Extreme Killer Arceus. Its ability to wall common Stealth Rock setters such as Primal Groudon and Water Arceus makes it a useful Defogger. Because of this, Pokemon such as Ho-Oh and Yveltal appreciate the support it provides.
However, Latias loses to a large number of Pokemon including Darkrai, Klefki, support Arceus, Ho-Oh, and Yveltal. Moreover, it often gives Pokemon a free turn, which can give Darkrai or Klefki a free Substitute, allow Xerneas to use Geomancy, or let Arceus get a Swords Dance or Calm Mind off, especially after Latias has used Draco Meteor. Latias also faces tough competition from Pokemon such as Dragon Arceus and Water Arceus, both of which boast access to Defog alongside similar bulk and resistances. It should be noted that they aren't entirely similar, though, as Arceus has better Speed and Defense, while Latias offers better utility and offensive options. Latios also offers some competition; however, Latias's higher special bulk is generally more useful than Latios's stronger offensive stats.
[SET]
name: Defog Support
move 1: Defog
move 2: Recover
move 3: Draco Meteor
move 4: Psyshock / Grass Knot
item: Soul Dew
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 192 HP / 140 SpA / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Defog is necessary to remove entry hazards and support Latias's teammates, allowing Pokemon like Ho-Oh and Mega Rayquaza to come in easily. Recover keeps Latias healthy enough to effectively check Pokemon such as Primal Groudon that could otherwise wear it down over time. Draco Meteor is the main offensive move for Latias to use. However, the Special Attack drop it causes alongside the fact that it is walled by Xerneas, Ho-Oh, and offensive Arceus makes it far from perfect. Psyshock allows Latias to hit the aforementioned Pokemon reasonably well, while Grass Knot can be run over Psyshock to hit Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and some Arceus formes such as Ground Arceus harder.
Set Details
========
Soul Dew makes Latias usable, as it boosts both its Special Attack and Special Defense. Levitate allows Latias to reliably check Primal Groudon despite its attacks mostly targeting Latias's weaker Defense stat. 176 Speed EVs with a Timid nature let Latias outspeed Adamant Mega Rayquaza, allowing it to be taken out with a Draco Meteor before it gets any boosts. 196 HP EVs allow Latias to avoid the 2HKO from Primal Kyogre's Ice Beam, and bulk is generally useful against a number of Pokemon such as Ho-Oh and Arceus. The remaining EVs are placed into Special Attack, allowing Latias to hit targets as hard as possible with Draco Meteor.
Usage Tips
========
While Latias offers a reasonable amount of firepower, its first priority is to support the team with Defog. Keeping Stealth Rock off the field is often more important than weakening a foe, so if in doubt, use Defog over another move. It's also often worthwhile to recover health rather than simply attack, as otherwise Latias can be worn down relatively easily by the Pokemon it's supposed to check. Be wary of letting Latias become setup bait for the opponent—try to use Psyshock over Draco Meteor if it would do enough damage, and avoid letting Pokemon such as Xerneas, Klefki, and Darkrai switch in on attacks they're immune to. Draco Meteor can be very useful for making holes in an opposing team so that another Pokemon can sweep, so don't be afraid to sacrifice Latias to make a dent in something important.
Team Options
========
Latias fits best on bulky offense teams that require a Defogger to work well, as its offensive pressure can allow it to use Defog with less loss of momentum than other hazard removers. Good teammates include Pokemon weak to Stealth Rock such as Ho-Oh, Mega Rayquaza, and Yveltal. Teams with Latias appreciate a solid Stealth Rock setter, as many Pokemon that check Latias such as Ho-Oh and Yveltal dislike Stealth Rock. However, the setter needs to be able to come in multiple times, as Latias will remove Stealth Rock from both sides of the field, so avoid setters like Deoxys formes. Latias appreciates a solid core to support it in order to deal with the Pokemon that gain free turns from coming in on it. Pokemon such as Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon are good options. Checks to Pokemon such as Klefki, Bronzong, Ferrothorn, and other Steel-types that completely wall Latias are also needed. Finally, checks to setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Arceus, Calm Mind Arceus, Darkrai, and Xerneas are required due to Latias being relatively easy to use as setup bait.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dragon Pulse might seem like an appealing option over Draco Meteor in order to avoid the Special Attack drop; however, it isn't worth the lower damage output. A Calm Mind set is rarely worthwhile due to the abundance of checks and counters to Latias in the tier such as Darkrai and Klefki. Also, Latios provides tough competition for this kind of set. Latias can run Healing Wish to support its teammates; however, it struggles to fit the move into its moveset without becoming setup bait. Thunder Wave and Roar can be used to try to prevent Latias from being setup bait, though the reliable damage from Psyshock is generally more worthwhile. Toxic can be used to wear Pokemon down while also coming in handy against stall. However, having a reliable STAB move that gives Latias the ability to hit both physically and specially are more useful in the vast majority of situations. Hidden Power Fire can be run for Steel-types such as Klefki and Ferrothorn; however, it's very weak—for example, specially defensive Klefki avoids being 2HKOed. Moves such as Tailwind, Wish, Light Screen, and Reflect might sound useful for the team; however, the moveslots are generally better used for other moves. Refresh can be used to deal with burns from Scald and Lava Plume to better check Primal Groudon and Kyogre, but neither will 2HKO even with burn damage and it probably wouldn't be worth the moveslot even if they did. Finally, Magic Coat might sound good for use against more passive Pokemon, though the moveslot is better used on an offensive move, as otherwise Latias will become too passive itself.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Klefki, Ferrothorn, Genesect, and Mega Scizor all wall Latias, while Dialga also functions as a check. All of these use the free turn Latias gives them very well — for example, Genesect and Mega Scizor can both pivot out with U-turn against whatever Pokemon is brought in, while Dialga can set up Stealth Rock.
**Setup Sweepers**: Multiple Pokemon such as Swords Dance or Calm Mind Arceus happily set up on Latias, especially after it has used Draco Meteor.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types are immune to Draco Meteor and use Latias as setup bait. Xerneas and Fairy Arceus can set up on it, with Arceus and Choice Scarf Xerneas being faster as well. Klefki easily beats Latias, and Mega Diancie is faster (although it is 2HKOed by Psyshock with Moonblast only 2HKOing in return); Clefable also hard counters Latias.
**Dark-types**: While Yveltal and Darkrai dislike switching in on Draco Meteor, they can easily come in on Psyshock and beat Latias one-on-one. It's also worth noting they're very common and gain momentum every time they come in on Latias, so Latias needs to play around them carefully.
**Support Arceus**: Certain support Arceus variants such as Normal Arceus and Ghost Arceus can wall Latias, while also being able to set up Stealth Rock, although many can't deal much damage back without Toxic.
**Ho-Oh and Lugia**: Lugia completely walls Latias and can toxic stall it in return. Ho-Oh can check Latias with Stealth Rock up and counter Latias otherwise; however, be warned that Latias's attacks will do almost 50% to Ho-Oh while Ho-Oh rarely OHKOes in return with Brave Bird.
While Latias isn't commonly used, it has a niche in AG thanks to its typing, ability, and Soul Dew, allowing it to check Primal Groudon and Kyogre as well as beat Adamant Mega Rayquaza one-on-one and threaten weakened Extreme Killer Arceus. Its ability to wall common Stealth Rock setters such as Primal Groudon and Water Arceus makes it a useful Defogger. Because of this, Pokemon such as Ho-Oh and Yveltal appreciate the support it provides.
However, Latias loses to a large number of Pokemon including Darkrai, Klefki, support Arceus, Ho-Oh, and Yveltal. Moreover, it often gives Pokemon a free turn, which can give Darkrai or Klefki a free Substitute, allow Xerneas to use Geomancy, or let Arceus get a Swords Dance or Calm Mind off, especially after Latias has used Draco Meteor. Latias also faces tough competition from Pokemon such as Dragon Arceus and Water Arceus, both of which boast access to Defog alongside similar bulk and resistances. It should be noted that they aren't entirely similar, though, as Arceus has better Speed and Defense, while Latias offers better utility and offensive options. Latios also offers some competition; however, Latias's higher special bulk is generally more useful than Latios's stronger offensive stats.
[SET]
name: Defog Support
move 1: Defog
move 2: Recover
move 3: Draco Meteor
move 4: Psyshock / Grass Knot
item: Soul Dew
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 192 HP / 140 SpA / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Defog is necessary to remove entry hazards and support Latias's teammates, allowing Pokemon like Ho-Oh and Mega Rayquaza to come in easily. Recover keeps Latias healthy enough to effectively check Pokemon such as Primal Groudon that could otherwise wear it down over time. Draco Meteor is the main offensive move for Latias to use. However, the Special Attack drop it causes alongside the fact that it is walled by Xerneas, Ho-Oh, and offensive Arceus makes it far from perfect. Psyshock allows Latias to hit the aforementioned Pokemon reasonably well, while Grass Knot can be run over Psyshock to hit Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and some Arceus formes such as Ground Arceus harder.
Set Details
========
Soul Dew makes Latias usable, as it boosts both its Special Attack and Special Defense. Levitate allows Latias to reliably check Primal Groudon despite its attacks mostly targeting Latias's weaker Defense stat. 176 Speed EVs with a Timid nature let Latias outspeed Adamant Mega Rayquaza, allowing it to be taken out with a Draco Meteor before it gets any boosts. 196 HP EVs allow Latias to avoid the 2HKO from Primal Kyogre's Ice Beam, and bulk is generally useful against a number of Pokemon such as Ho-Oh and Arceus. The remaining EVs are placed into Special Attack, allowing Latias to hit targets as hard as possible with Draco Meteor.
Usage Tips
========
While Latias offers a reasonable amount of firepower, its first priority is to support the team with Defog. Keeping Stealth Rock off the field is often more important than weakening a foe, so if in doubt, use Defog over another move. It's also often worthwhile to recover health rather than simply attack, as otherwise Latias can be worn down relatively easily by the Pokemon it's supposed to check. Be wary of letting Latias become setup bait for the opponent—try to use Psyshock over Draco Meteor if it would do enough damage, and avoid letting Pokemon such as Xerneas, Klefki, and Darkrai switch in on attacks they're immune to. Draco Meteor can be very useful for making holes in an opposing team so that another Pokemon can sweep, so don't be afraid to sacrifice Latias to make a dent in something important.
Team Options
========
Latias fits best on bulky offense teams that require a Defogger to work well, as its offensive pressure can allow it to use Defog with less loss of momentum than other hazard removers. Good teammates include Pokemon weak to Stealth Rock such as Ho-Oh, Mega Rayquaza, and Yveltal. Teams with Latias appreciate a solid Stealth Rock setter, as many Pokemon that check Latias such as Ho-Oh and Yveltal dislike Stealth Rock. However, the setter needs to be able to come in multiple times, as Latias will remove Stealth Rock from both sides of the field, so avoid setters like Deoxys formes. Latias appreciates a solid core to support it in order to deal with the Pokemon that gain free turns from coming in on it. Pokemon such as Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon are good options. Checks to Pokemon such as Klefki, Bronzong, Ferrothorn, and other Steel-types that completely wall Latias are also needed. Finally, checks to setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Arceus, Calm Mind Arceus, Darkrai, and Xerneas are required due to Latias being relatively easy to use as setup bait.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dragon Pulse might seem like an appealing option over Draco Meteor in order to avoid the Special Attack drop; however, it isn't worth the lower damage output. A Calm Mind set is rarely worthwhile due to the abundance of checks and counters to Latias in the tier such as Darkrai and Klefki. Also, Latios provides tough competition for this kind of set. Latias can run Healing Wish to support its teammates; however, it struggles to fit the move into its moveset without becoming setup bait. Thunder Wave and Roar can be used to try to prevent Latias from being setup bait, though the reliable damage from Psyshock is generally more worthwhile. Toxic can be used to wear Pokemon down while also coming in handy against stall. However, having a reliable STAB move that gives Latias the ability to hit both physically and specially are more useful in the vast majority of situations. Hidden Power Fire can be run for Steel-types such as Klefki and Ferrothorn; however, it's very weak—for example, specially defensive Klefki avoids being 2HKOed. Moves such as Tailwind, Wish, Light Screen, and Reflect might sound useful for the team; however, the moveslots are generally better used for other moves. Refresh can be used to deal with burns from Scald and Lava Plume to better check Primal Groudon and Kyogre, but neither will 2HKO even with burn damage and it probably wouldn't be worth the moveslot even if they did. Finally, Magic Coat might sound good for use against more passive Pokemon, though the moveslot is better used on an offensive move, as otherwise Latias will become too passive itself.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Klefki, Ferrothorn, Genesect, and Mega Scizor all wall Latias, while Dialga also functions as a check. All of these use the free turn Latias gives them very well — for example, Genesect and Mega Scizor can both pivot out with U-turn against whatever Pokemon is brought in, while Dialga can set up Stealth Rock.
**Setup Sweepers**: Multiple Pokemon such as Swords Dance or Calm Mind Arceus happily set up on Latias, especially after it has used Draco Meteor.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types are immune to Draco Meteor and use Latias as setup bait. Xerneas and Fairy Arceus can set up on it, with Arceus and Choice Scarf Xerneas being faster as well. Klefki easily beats Latias, and Mega Diancie is faster (although it is 2HKOed by Psyshock with Moonblast only 2HKOing in return); Clefable also hard counters Latias.
**Dark-types**: While Yveltal and Darkrai dislike switching in on Draco Meteor, they can easily come in on Psyshock and beat Latias one-on-one. It's also worth noting they're very common and gain momentum every time they come in on Latias, so Latias needs to play around them carefully.
**Support Arceus**: Certain support Arceus variants such as Normal Arceus and Ghost Arceus can wall Latias, while also being able to set up Stealth Rock, although many can't deal much damage back without Toxic.
**Ho-Oh and Lugia**: Lugia completely walls Latias and can toxic stall it in return. Ho-Oh can check Latias with Stealth Rock up and counter Latias otherwise; however, be warned that Latias's attacks will do almost 50% to Ho-Oh while Ho-Oh rarely OHKOes in return with Brave Bird.
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