
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Surf / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Draco Meteor is Latios's strongest STAB move and deals incredible damage to even targets that resist it. Psychic is the preferred secondary STAB move, as it has good neutral coverage, notably 2HKOing Bold Clefable and having a favorable chance against Calm variants. It's also Latios's most reliable option, as it does not lower its Special Attack like Draco Meteor. Psyshock is an alternative to have a chance to 2HKO Chansey after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes while still being able to 2HKO Calm Clefable. Surf provides great coverage alongside Latios's STAB moves, hitting key targets such as Heatran and Tyranitar. Hidden Power Fire is an alternative to OHKO Scizor and Ferrothorn, as well as heavily chip away at Jirachi. Trick lets Latios cripple defensive Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Jirachi, and Chansey. If Trick isn't necessary, extra coverage can be used over it in order to give Latios a better matchup against more balance-inclined teams. Sleep Talk also gets a mention for enabling Latios to switch into Breloom's and Amoonguss's Spore while being able to maintain its offensive presence.
Set Details
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The given EV spread plus a Timid nature maximizes Latios's offensive capabilities while taking advantage of its excellent Speed tier. Choice Specs turns Latios into a powerhouse that punches holes versus just about any team.
Usage Tips
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This set is best played as a hit-and-run wallbreaker, using its set of resistances to switch in and proceed to obliterate the opposition with either of its STAB attacks. If necessary, Latios can serve as a switch-in to Pokemon such as Keldeo and Mega Charizard Y by virtue of its typing. Due to a lack of recovery, however, Latios should be played more carefully with what it switches into, as it can find itself getting pressured by the aforementioned threats very easily. As such, Latios should generally be brought in either through pivot support or on aggressive double switches. Be wary of using Psychic if the opponent has a Dark-type, particularly Tyranitar, as it can come in and trap Latios, eliminating it as a threat. A similar scenario can happen with Draco Meteor if Fairy-types are present, as a wrong prediction results in a massive loss of momentum. Latios should use its coverage moves if the opponent's switch-in to a resisted hit is obvious. If running Trick, it's typically best to use it against stall teams to cripple the likes of Chansey, Jirachi, and Skarmory, making it much easier for teammates to break down the opposing team. Against more offensive teams, however, Latios should generally not use Trick, as losing the power boost from Choice Specs is fairly detrimental.
Team Options
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Due to the inherently offensive nature of Choice Specs and the absence of recovery, Latios tends to fit on very offensive teams that appreciate its wallbreaking capabilities and can regain tempo that may be lost by being locked into the wrong move. As a result of this, cleaners such as Mega Lopunny, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and Tornadus-T benefit most from Choice Specs Latios's wallbreaking proficiency. Landorus-T and Tornadus-T also provide a way for Latios to potentially switch in unscathed with their access to U-turn, which is very useful for this set due to its lack of recovery. Fighting-types such as Keldeo and Mega Heracross beat Dark-types with ease and are able to overwhelm shared checks, specifically Clefable. Keldeo in particular appreciates Latios's ability to soft check Electric-types, while Keldeo is capable of threatening Heatran in addition to the aforementioned Dark-types. Heatran provides Stealth Rock support, sports great synergy alongside Latios, and is able to handle opposing Steel-types while putting pressure on Tyranitar and Clefable with Lava Plume burns and Taunt, respectively. Other special attackers like Alakazam, Hydreigon, and Manaphy are able to overwhelm defensive threats, capitalizing on Latios's wallbreaking capabilities. Belly Drum Azumarill gets a special mention for being able to take advantage of Pursuit trappers that plague Latios, netting a free opportunity to set up and possibly sweep.
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