[OVERVIEW]
Latias establishes itself as one of BDSP OU's premier offensive threats courtesy of its impressive STAB combination, which is only resisted by Steel, backed up by high Special Attack and Speed stats. Latias's solid natural bulk and useful defensive profile compliment its offensive prowess nicely by allowing it to sponge hits from metagame staples such as Rotom-W, Infernape, and Starmie, and proceed fire off its devastating STAB moves. Its immunity to Spikes further bolsters these defensive capabilities. Calm Mind is Latias's primary set, as it makes perfect use of its aforementioned traits in order to become a devastating breaker and sweeper in one set. Sets wielding items such as Choice Specs and Choice Scarf are also effective, providing Latias with instant breaking power or unparalleled speed should its team need such capabilities. Latias can find itself overly reliant on teammates at times, as the ubiquity of Scizor makes it difficult for Latias to make consistent progress at times, and other specially defensive Pokemon such as Blissey and Mew can also prove themselves to be issues for Latias. Common revenge killers such as Weavile, Alakazam, and Choice Scarf Garchomp are also able to pick off Latias with ease.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Recover
item: Soul Dew
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Calm Mind is Latias's flagship set, fitting on a wide variety of teams ranging from hyper offense to balance. Latias's solid natural bulk and defensive profile afford it many opportunities to set up with Calm Mind and unleash its boosted STAB attacks against opposing teams. Recover allows Latias to remain healthy over the course of a longer game, letting it shrug off stray attacks and granting it even more opportunities to use Calm Mind. This set can be flexible in how it can be used in battle; early-game it can be used as a breaker courtesy of its strong, boosted STAB moves, while late-game it can be used as a sweeper that can tear apart weakened teams with ease. Leftovers can be run as the item instead of Soul Dew for passive recovery and to let Latias absorb Rotom-W's Will-O-Wisp more easily, though the drop in damage is significant and can make it more difficult for Latias to break past foes such as Clefable and Mew. Stored Power can be run over Psychic on bulkier Calm Mind sets, letting it muscle past more passive teams and letting it clean up late-game. The lower initial power and need for multiple Calm Mind boosts makes such a set more matchup dependent compared to the standard Calm Mind set as standard teams can more easily play around it.
Team Options
========
Fire-types such as Heatran and Infernape are great partners for Calm Mind Latias, since they threaten Steel-types such as Scizor, which resist Latias's STAB moves, while also providing support in the form of entry hazards or in the case of the latter, pivoting support with U-turn. They're also good checks to Weavile, which is a massive threat towards Latias. Magnezone is another solid partner for Latias, as thanks to its Magnet Pull ability it can trap Scizor and other Steel-types and force large amounts of damage against them, rendering them unable to withstand Latias's attacks. Magnezone is also able to greatly threaten Unaware Clefable, another solid check to Calm Mind Latias, with its STAB Flash Cannon. Defensive pokemon such as Gliscor, Scizor, Clefable, and Milotic make for good partners, as they are able to check revenge killers such as Weavile, Alakazam, and Choice Scarf users like Garchomp. Offensive Pokemon such as Weavile and Alakazam can be paired with Latias in order to overwhelm shared checks such as Scizor, Clefable, and Heatran, making it easier for Latias to snowball late-game. Skarmory and Roserade can lay down Spikes which make Latias's attacks more difficult to withstand while also checking Fairy-types such as Clefable, Azumarill, and Togekiss, which can prove to be annoyances for Latias. Skarmory can also check Scizor, Weavile, and Choice Scarf Garchomp for Latias, while Roserade can check bulky Water-types and absorb Trick from Rotom-W who would seek to try and shut Latias down.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Surf
move 4: Thunderbolt / Healing Wish / Roost
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Wielding a Choice Specs as its item, Latias becomes a devastating wallbreaker for offense and bulky offense teams courtesy of its high base power STAB moves which few Pokemon are able to reliably switch into multiple times. Draco Meteor offers immediate power, being able to OHKO most non-resists with ease, while Psychic covers Fairy-types such as physically defensive Clefable and Togekiss who would otherwise stomach Draco Meteor with ease. Surf is Latias's main coverage move, hitting Steel-types such as Scizor for solid neutral damage, as well as reliably 2HKOing Heatran. Thunderbolt is another coverage option which hits Steel-types for neutral damage, but it also hits Flying- and Water-types such as Skamory, Suicune, and Starmie for super effective damage. Healing Wish can provide support to Latias's teammates if its health gets too low for it to function. Roost allows Latias to heal off any damage it has taken from hazards and stray attacks, though this can be exploited by the opponent, as Latias is locked into a non-damaging move and must immediately switch out afterwards. Sleep Talk can be considered in the fourth move slot in order to absorb sleep from the likes of Roserade, Tangrowth, and Breloom and still be able to threaten them in return. However, in matchups where none of these Pokemon are present, it can present itself as a useless moveslot. The luck dependent nature of Sleep Talk and sleep's inconsistent duration also makes it unreliable as an offensive option.
Team Options
========
Seeing as Choice Specs Latias lacks recovery, it appreciates Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Scizor, and Infernape that are able to bring it in as safely as possible with their pivot moves. These Pokemon are also often able to check Pokemon who threaten Latias such as Scizor, Weavile, and Alakazam, making them even better teammates. Magnezone remains a useful partner for Latias, as it can trap opposing Scizor, which would otherwise present themselves as an obstacle for Choice Specs Latias to overcome. Strong physical wallbreakers such as Crawdaunt, Mamoswine, and the aforementioned Infernape are necessary alongside Choice Specs Latias, as it is incapable of breaking past Blissey and its teammates otherwise. Checks to Fairy-types are also highly recommended, as they can punish a Latias that is locked into Draco Meteor. Heatran, Roserade, and Nidoking are good examples, with the former two also being able to provide entry hazard support which can make Latias's attacks even more difficult to withstand, while Nidoking can lure Blissey for Latias with a well-timed Focus Punch.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Healing Wish / Surf / Thunderbolt
move 4: Surf / Thunderbolt / Healing Wish / Defog
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Latias is an effective Choice Scarf user on offensive teams thanks to its superb Speed stat letting it outspeed the entire metagame with a Choice Scarf. Its naturally strong STAB Draco Meteor allows it to revenge kill a wide array of faster Pokemon with minimal chip damage such as Starmie, Alakazam, and Weavile, Speed-boosting sweepers such as Dragonite and Feraligatr, as well as other Choice Scarf users such as Garchomp and Infernape. Psychic lets Latias hit Fairy-type Pokemon such as Togekiss and Azumarill for solid damage as well as letting Latias OHKO Psychic-weak Pokemon such as Infernape, Breloom, and Nidoking without needing to drop its Special Attack using Draco Meteor. It is also an effective move for cleaning up weakened teams late-game. Healing Wish is an amazing utility move which allows Latias to support its teammates by fully healing a weakened teammate, letting Latias have value even if it can no longer fulfill its offensive duties. Surf lets Latias hit Steel-types such as Scizor for neutral damage, as well as Heatran for super effective damage. Thunderbolt can be considered in order to more reliably revenge kill Belly Drum Azumarill as well as giving Latias a strong hit against other Water-types without the need of Draco Meteor. Lastly, Choice Scarf Latias can consider running Defog in order to provide even more support in the form of hazard removal if its team is in need.
Team Options
========
Strong setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Scizor, Lucario, and Garchomp make for solid partners for Choice Scarf Latias. Not only can they threaten to overwhelm Latias checks such as Scizor, Blissey, and Clefable, allowing for Latias to clean up late-game more effectively, but they greatly appreciated Latias's Healing Wish giving them a second chance at threatening the opposing team. Magnezone remains an effective partner for Choice Scarf Latias, as its strong matchups into common Steel- and Fairy-type Pokemon is extremely beneficial to Choice Scarf Latias, seeing as it cannot break past them as effectively compared to its other sets. Entry hazards set up by Custap Berry Skarmory and Azelf can make up for Latias's lesser damage output when running Choice Scarf and can prove beneficial for the rest of Latias's teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A defensive set with maximum HP and Speed investment with Ice Beam, Recover, Defog, and one of Thunderbolt or Thunder Wave can be considered on some balance teams, leveraging Latias's solid bulk and defensive profile in order to more consistently check Pokemon such as Infernape, Gliscor, and Starmie while providing hazard removal support for its team with Defog. This set runs the risk of being passive and taken advantage of by Steel-type Pokemon such as Heatran, Scizor, and Magnezone, while bulky Pokemon who can withstand Latias's weak attacks such as Rotom-W and Clefable are also able to stand up to Latias with ease. Latias can run Life Orb as its item on offensive sets with Draco Meteor, Psychic, Surf, and Recover as a way to increase its damage output while still being able to switch up its moves, unlike Choice Specs. Choice Specs remains the preferable option if Latias wants immediate damage, however, as the greater power afforded to it by Choice Specs makes it a more fearsome wallbreaker, and it doesn't have to contend with recoil damage from Life Orb while doing so. Some hyper offense teams can use Latias as a screens setter thanks to its high speed and bulk letting it set them up against many opponents with ease. Healing Wish aids Latias in this role as it can sacrifice itself in order to bring in a teammate safely with maximum screens turns while providing support.
Checks and Counters
===================
Scizor: Scizor resists Latias's STAB combination and has the bulk to withstand its coverage options on top of having reliable recovery in Roost in order to withstand Latias's attacks over the course of a game. STAB U-turn is also very threatening for Latias, and Bullet Punch can pick off Latias if it sufficiently weakened.
Specially Defensive Pokemon: Pokemon such as Blissey, specially defensive Mew, and specially defensive Clefable can withstand Latias's attacks thanks to their bulk and/or typing and either threaten it with status such as Thunder Wave, use it as an opportunity to set up entry hazards, or pivot out to a teammate. However, they are not perfect answers; Blissey can run the risk of losing one-on-one against Calm Mind Latias unless it carries Calm Mind itself. Mew is often unable to directly threaten Latias, leaving it vulnerable to being setup fodder for Calm Mind Latias or being blown past by Choice Specs Latias with entry hazard support. Specially defensive Clefable can reliably answer any Latias, but its reliance on Wish and Protect for recovery leaves it vulnerable to being exploited by Latias's teammates.
Revenge Killers: Weavile and Alakazam naturally outspeed Latias and can revenge kill it. Offensive Starmie is also capable of revenge killing Latias, though it needs some prior damage on Latias in order to do so. Choice Scarf users such as Garchomp, Staraptor, and opposing Latias are also able to revenge kill non-Choice Scarf Latias. However, none of these Pokemon can safely switch into Latias.
Fairy-types: Fairy-types such as Clefable and Togekiss are able to switch into Latias's Draco Meteor thanks to their Dragon immunity and threaten it out, either with Clefable's Moonblast or Togekiss's Thunder Wave. However, they must be wary of switching into Psychic, especially with entry hazards up.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/igiveuponaname.593115/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.105/
Latias establishes itself as one of BDSP OU's premier offensive threats courtesy of its impressive STAB combination, which is only resisted by Steel, backed up by high Special Attack and Speed stats. Latias's solid natural bulk and useful defensive profile compliment its offensive prowess nicely by allowing it to sponge hits from metagame staples such as Rotom-W, Infernape, and Starmie, and proceed fire off its devastating STAB moves. Its immunity to Spikes further bolsters these defensive capabilities. Calm Mind is Latias's primary set, as it makes perfect use of its aforementioned traits in order to become a devastating breaker and sweeper in one set. Sets wielding items such as Choice Specs and Choice Scarf are also effective, providing Latias with instant breaking power or unparalleled speed should its team need such capabilities. Latias can find itself overly reliant on teammates at times, as the ubiquity of Scizor makes it difficult for Latias to make consistent progress at times, and other specially defensive Pokemon such as Blissey and Mew can also prove themselves to be issues for Latias. Common revenge killers such as Weavile, Alakazam, and Choice Scarf Garchomp are also able to pick off Latias with ease.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Recover
item: Soul Dew
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Calm Mind is Latias's flagship set, fitting on a wide variety of teams ranging from hyper offense to balance. Latias's solid natural bulk and defensive profile afford it many opportunities to set up with Calm Mind and unleash its boosted STAB attacks against opposing teams. Recover allows Latias to remain healthy over the course of a longer game, letting it shrug off stray attacks and granting it even more opportunities to use Calm Mind. This set can be flexible in how it can be used in battle; early-game it can be used as a breaker courtesy of its strong, boosted STAB moves, while late-game it can be used as a sweeper that can tear apart weakened teams with ease. Leftovers can be run as the item instead of Soul Dew for passive recovery and to let Latias absorb Rotom-W's Will-O-Wisp more easily, though the drop in damage is significant and can make it more difficult for Latias to break past foes such as Clefable and Mew. Stored Power can be run over Psychic on bulkier Calm Mind sets, letting it muscle past more passive teams and letting it clean up late-game. The lower initial power and need for multiple Calm Mind boosts makes such a set more matchup dependent compared to the standard Calm Mind set as standard teams can more easily play around it.
Team Options
========
Fire-types such as Heatran and Infernape are great partners for Calm Mind Latias, since they threaten Steel-types such as Scizor, which resist Latias's STAB moves, while also providing support in the form of entry hazards or in the case of the latter, pivoting support with U-turn. They're also good checks to Weavile, which is a massive threat towards Latias. Magnezone is another solid partner for Latias, as thanks to its Magnet Pull ability it can trap Scizor and other Steel-types and force large amounts of damage against them, rendering them unable to withstand Latias's attacks. Magnezone is also able to greatly threaten Unaware Clefable, another solid check to Calm Mind Latias, with its STAB Flash Cannon. Defensive pokemon such as Gliscor, Scizor, Clefable, and Milotic make for good partners, as they are able to check revenge killers such as Weavile, Alakazam, and Choice Scarf users like Garchomp. Offensive Pokemon such as Weavile and Alakazam can be paired with Latias in order to overwhelm shared checks such as Scizor, Clefable, and Heatran, making it easier for Latias to snowball late-game. Skarmory and Roserade can lay down Spikes which make Latias's attacks more difficult to withstand while also checking Fairy-types such as Clefable, Azumarill, and Togekiss, which can prove to be annoyances for Latias. Skarmory can also check Scizor, Weavile, and Choice Scarf Garchomp for Latias, while Roserade can check bulky Water-types and absorb Trick from Rotom-W who would seek to try and shut Latias down.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Surf
move 4: Thunderbolt / Healing Wish / Roost
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Wielding a Choice Specs as its item, Latias becomes a devastating wallbreaker for offense and bulky offense teams courtesy of its high base power STAB moves which few Pokemon are able to reliably switch into multiple times. Draco Meteor offers immediate power, being able to OHKO most non-resists with ease, while Psychic covers Fairy-types such as physically defensive Clefable and Togekiss who would otherwise stomach Draco Meteor with ease. Surf is Latias's main coverage move, hitting Steel-types such as Scizor for solid neutral damage, as well as reliably 2HKOing Heatran. Thunderbolt is another coverage option which hits Steel-types for neutral damage, but it also hits Flying- and Water-types such as Skamory, Suicune, and Starmie for super effective damage. Healing Wish can provide support to Latias's teammates if its health gets too low for it to function. Roost allows Latias to heal off any damage it has taken from hazards and stray attacks, though this can be exploited by the opponent, as Latias is locked into a non-damaging move and must immediately switch out afterwards. Sleep Talk can be considered in the fourth move slot in order to absorb sleep from the likes of Roserade, Tangrowth, and Breloom and still be able to threaten them in return. However, in matchups where none of these Pokemon are present, it can present itself as a useless moveslot. The luck dependent nature of Sleep Talk and sleep's inconsistent duration also makes it unreliable as an offensive option.
Team Options
========
Seeing as Choice Specs Latias lacks recovery, it appreciates Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Scizor, and Infernape that are able to bring it in as safely as possible with their pivot moves. These Pokemon are also often able to check Pokemon who threaten Latias such as Scizor, Weavile, and Alakazam, making them even better teammates. Magnezone remains a useful partner for Latias, as it can trap opposing Scizor, which would otherwise present themselves as an obstacle for Choice Specs Latias to overcome. Strong physical wallbreakers such as Crawdaunt, Mamoswine, and the aforementioned Infernape are necessary alongside Choice Specs Latias, as it is incapable of breaking past Blissey and its teammates otherwise. Checks to Fairy-types are also highly recommended, as they can punish a Latias that is locked into Draco Meteor. Heatran, Roserade, and Nidoking are good examples, with the former two also being able to provide entry hazard support which can make Latias's attacks even more difficult to withstand, while Nidoking can lure Blissey for Latias with a well-timed Focus Punch.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Healing Wish / Surf / Thunderbolt
move 4: Surf / Thunderbolt / Healing Wish / Defog
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Latias is an effective Choice Scarf user on offensive teams thanks to its superb Speed stat letting it outspeed the entire metagame with a Choice Scarf. Its naturally strong STAB Draco Meteor allows it to revenge kill a wide array of faster Pokemon with minimal chip damage such as Starmie, Alakazam, and Weavile, Speed-boosting sweepers such as Dragonite and Feraligatr, as well as other Choice Scarf users such as Garchomp and Infernape. Psychic lets Latias hit Fairy-type Pokemon such as Togekiss and Azumarill for solid damage as well as letting Latias OHKO Psychic-weak Pokemon such as Infernape, Breloom, and Nidoking without needing to drop its Special Attack using Draco Meteor. It is also an effective move for cleaning up weakened teams late-game. Healing Wish is an amazing utility move which allows Latias to support its teammates by fully healing a weakened teammate, letting Latias have value even if it can no longer fulfill its offensive duties. Surf lets Latias hit Steel-types such as Scizor for neutral damage, as well as Heatran for super effective damage. Thunderbolt can be considered in order to more reliably revenge kill Belly Drum Azumarill as well as giving Latias a strong hit against other Water-types without the need of Draco Meteor. Lastly, Choice Scarf Latias can consider running Defog in order to provide even more support in the form of hazard removal if its team is in need.
Team Options
========
Strong setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Scizor, Lucario, and Garchomp make for solid partners for Choice Scarf Latias. Not only can they threaten to overwhelm Latias checks such as Scizor, Blissey, and Clefable, allowing for Latias to clean up late-game more effectively, but they greatly appreciated Latias's Healing Wish giving them a second chance at threatening the opposing team. Magnezone remains an effective partner for Choice Scarf Latias, as its strong matchups into common Steel- and Fairy-type Pokemon is extremely beneficial to Choice Scarf Latias, seeing as it cannot break past them as effectively compared to its other sets. Entry hazards set up by Custap Berry Skarmory and Azelf can make up for Latias's lesser damage output when running Choice Scarf and can prove beneficial for the rest of Latias's teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A defensive set with maximum HP and Speed investment with Ice Beam, Recover, Defog, and one of Thunderbolt or Thunder Wave can be considered on some balance teams, leveraging Latias's solid bulk and defensive profile in order to more consistently check Pokemon such as Infernape, Gliscor, and Starmie while providing hazard removal support for its team with Defog. This set runs the risk of being passive and taken advantage of by Steel-type Pokemon such as Heatran, Scizor, and Magnezone, while bulky Pokemon who can withstand Latias's weak attacks such as Rotom-W and Clefable are also able to stand up to Latias with ease. Latias can run Life Orb as its item on offensive sets with Draco Meteor, Psychic, Surf, and Recover as a way to increase its damage output while still being able to switch up its moves, unlike Choice Specs. Choice Specs remains the preferable option if Latias wants immediate damage, however, as the greater power afforded to it by Choice Specs makes it a more fearsome wallbreaker, and it doesn't have to contend with recoil damage from Life Orb while doing so. Some hyper offense teams can use Latias as a screens setter thanks to its high speed and bulk letting it set them up against many opponents with ease. Healing Wish aids Latias in this role as it can sacrifice itself in order to bring in a teammate safely with maximum screens turns while providing support.
Checks and Counters
===================
Scizor: Scizor resists Latias's STAB combination and has the bulk to withstand its coverage options on top of having reliable recovery in Roost in order to withstand Latias's attacks over the course of a game. STAB U-turn is also very threatening for Latias, and Bullet Punch can pick off Latias if it sufficiently weakened.
Specially Defensive Pokemon: Pokemon such as Blissey, specially defensive Mew, and specially defensive Clefable can withstand Latias's attacks thanks to their bulk and/or typing and either threaten it with status such as Thunder Wave, use it as an opportunity to set up entry hazards, or pivot out to a teammate. However, they are not perfect answers; Blissey can run the risk of losing one-on-one against Calm Mind Latias unless it carries Calm Mind itself. Mew is often unable to directly threaten Latias, leaving it vulnerable to being setup fodder for Calm Mind Latias or being blown past by Choice Specs Latias with entry hazard support. Specially defensive Clefable can reliably answer any Latias, but its reliance on Wish and Protect for recovery leaves it vulnerable to being exploited by Latias's teammates.
Revenge Killers: Weavile and Alakazam naturally outspeed Latias and can revenge kill it. Offensive Starmie is also capable of revenge killing Latias, though it needs some prior damage on Latias in order to do so. Choice Scarf users such as Garchomp, Staraptor, and opposing Latias are also able to revenge kill non-Choice Scarf Latias. However, none of these Pokemon can safely switch into Latias.
Fairy-types: Fairy-types such as Clefable and Togekiss are able to switch into Latias's Draco Meteor thanks to their Dragon immunity and threaten it out, either with Clefable's Moonblast or Togekiss's Thunder Wave. However, they must be wary of switching into Psychic, especially with entry hazards up.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/igiveuponaname.593115/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.105/
Last edited:
