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[OVERVIEW]
Latias is one of the most versatile Pokemon in the BDSP OU metagame. Latias's amazing Speed and great offensive STAB combination, only resisted by Steel, make its Choice Specs set a premier wallbreaker. Furthermore, Surf and Thunderbolt let it break through would-be checks, making it extremely formidable. Its solid defensive typing, amazing all-around bulk, and plethora of support moves such as Defog, Healing Wish, and Thunder Wave make it a great support Pokemon. Additionally, Calm Mind sets can quickly snowball through weakened teams or punch massive holes with +1 Draco Meteors, utilizing Latias's amazing bulk to consistently find setup opportunities. However, each of Latias's sets has its own issues: the Choice Specs set is quite prediction reliant and needs support to break through certain hard checks, support sets have coverage issues and oftentimes get overwhelmed from having to handle too many foes, and the Calm Mind set lacks immediate power and coverage options. Nonetheless, Latias remains one of the most adept—and flexible—Pokemon in the tier.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Roost
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Draco Meteor
item: Soul Dew
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Calm Mind is Latias's most common set, and for good reason. Latias's amazing bulk for an offensive Pokemon, coupled with great STAB moves, makes it hard to stop once it gets going. Draco Meteor alongside Psychic provides near-unresisted coverage, except for Steel. However, Calm Mind can let Latias break through Steel-types if they're thoroughly weakened. Roost provides longevity for Latias, which is integral for making use of Latias's bulk. Dragon Pulse is an option over Draco Meteor for a drawback-free Dragon-type STAB attack at the cost of power.
Calm Mind Latias works best on bulky offense and balance teams that can wear down Steel-types such as Heatran, Jirachi, and Scizor so it can cleave through the opposition. Spikes support from the likes of Roserade and Skarmory helps wear down these grounded foes. Gliscor is a useful teammates that checks Steel-types. Heatran itself is a great partner, as it forces out the aforementioned Steel-types, and it can also burn Scizor and Jirachi using U-turn on it, making them much easier to break through with Latias. Magnezone is an excellent partner, being able to trap and remove Scizor, Calm Mind Latias's biggest stop. Weavile works extremely well with it, forcing damage on Scizor and Heatran while luring in Water-types such as Rotom-W and Milotic for Latias to take advantage of.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Surf
move 4: Healing Wish / Thunderbolt / Roost
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Boasting near-unresisted, powerful STAB moves alongside great other options, Choice Specs Latias is an exceptional wallbreaker. Draco Meteor provides immediate power, and since Choice-locked Latias is unlikely to stay in for long, the Special Attack drop is a minor drawback. Surf is the optimal coverage option, providing the best midground option for Steel-, Fairy-, and Dark-types while nailing Heatran. Healing Wish is the best option for its last moveslot, as it means Latias isn't dead weight even in matchups where it is impossible to wallbreak, providing a second life for its teammates. Thunderbolt gives Latias another coverage move that hits Azumarill, Skarmory, and Togekiss harder while still hitting Steel-types hard. Roost gives Latias a bit more longevity, but locking into it lets foes easily take advantage of Latias.
Due to its lack of consistent recovery, Choice Specs Latias pairs extremely well with solid pivots such as Rotom-W, Scizor, and U-turn Gliscor. Fire-types such as Heatran and Infernape pair extremely well with Latias, as they take advantage of the Steel-types it brings in, and they pivot out of Dragon- and Water-types to safely bring Latias in. Infernape, in particular, is an astounding offensive partner, as it gets Latias in safely with U-turn on Pokemon like Slowbro and Gliscor while forcing out Scizor and Blissey. Stealth Rock from Heatran and Garchomp helps Latias break down its checks like Clefable and Scizor, which it repeatedly draws in with its frequent switches. Lastly, other Dragon-types such as Garchomp and Dragonite form a potent Dragon spam core with Latias, overwhelming their shared checks in Steel- and Fairy-types like Scizor, Clefable, and Skarmory.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Defog / Thunder Wave / Healing Wish
move 2: Roost
move 3: Thunderbolt / Surf
move 4: Ice Beam / Draco Meteor
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Latias runs a solid support set by virtue of its solid defensive typing bolstered by Levitate. Latias is a great Defogger thanks to its excellent matchup against most Stealth Rock users and immunity to other enrty hazards. Thunder Wave can be used if Defog isn't needed, and it can cripple common switch-ins such as Scizor, Clefable, and Tyranitar. Healing Wish is an option on more offensive teams that lets Latias preserve momentum while giving a second opportunity for its teammate. Thunderbolt prevents it from being setup fodder to the likes of Azumarill and Togekiss. Surf lets Latias threaten Heatran and deter Tyranitar from switching in. Ice Beam is an option that hits Gliscor while still OHKOing Garchomp. Draco Meteor is a strong STAB option that hits even neutral targets hard and still lets Latias nail Dragon-types, but its Special Attack drop makes Latias pretty passive.
Scizor is an amazing partner to defensive Latias, as it deals with Fairy-, Ice-, and Dragon-types such as Clefable, Weavile, and opposing Latias while appreciating Latias's Defog support. Heatran can threaten the aforementioned Fairy-, Ice-, and Dragon-types while also pressuring Steel-types such as Scizor for Latias. In return, Latias takes advantage of the Water- and Ground-types that Heatran draws in. Gliscor is solid to comfortably check Fire-types like Infernape and Heatran alongside Latias, and it appreciates Latias dealing with Grass-types such as Breloom and Celebi for it.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Healing Wish
move 4: Defog / Surf / Thunder Wave
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf Latias is a efficient revenge killer on more offensive teams, which appreciate it providing a fast Healing Wish while revenge killing boosted threats like Dragonite and Alakazam. Draco Meteor and Psychic hit almost everything for at least neutral damage, giving the coverage and power for Latias to revenge kill threats such as Choice Scarf Garchomp and boosted Feraligatr. Healing Wish is the main advantage over other revenge killers, giving a teammate the longevity to clean up late-game. Due to Latias having a good matchup against most Stealth Rock setters as well as high Speed, it can provide emergency Defog support. Surf provides a midground option, neutrally hitting Steel-types in particular, alongside Fairy-types. Thunder Wave gives Latias a way to cripple switch-ins such as Scizor, Clefable, and Tyranitar, which can be crucial for its teammates to break through them.
Choice Scarf Latias fits best on offensive teams that appreciate its role compression. Setup sweepers such as Lucario, Alakazam, and Garchomp are prime partners alongside Latias, which weakens their checks for them to clean up. Water-types such as Azumarill and Feraligatr work especially well with Latias, as they appreciate it checking Grass- and Water-types like Celebi, Rotom-W, and Breloom, while they pivot into Weavile for Latias.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Latias can run a bulkier Calm Mind set utilizing Stored Power and potentially Substitute or Refresh, which makes it a late-game cleaner. However, this set needing multiple turns to get going makes it reliant on good matchups and lots of support. The Choice Specs set can also run Defog if it is desperately needed; however, the immensely valuable competing options make it generally not worth using. Wish is an interesting option on support variants that can greatly help partners with no or inconsistent recovery, such as Heatran and Rotom-W, although it is hard to justify using it over any of Latias's other options.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Specially defensive Scizor easily pivots into all Latias sets, as even Choice Specs sets require major chip damage to 2HKO Scizor with Surf. Other Steel-types such as Heatran and Jirachi can also pivot into Latias safely, although the former fears variants with Surf, and teammates can easily take advantage of the latter due to its inconsistent or lacking recovery.
**Blissey**: Calm Mind Blissey stonewalls Latias and heals itself of any damage. However, if lacking Calm Mind, Blissey relies on multiple full paralyses from Thunder Wave to beat Calm Mind variants of Latias.
**Tyranitar**: Tyranitar can comfortably switch into Latias a few times, although it is prone to being worn down, and it dislikes Surf variants.
**Revenge Killers**: Pokemon such as Weavile, Choice Scarf Garchomp, Choice Scarf Heracross, and Alakazam can revenge kill Latias, but they are all unable to switch in safely.
**Fairy-types**: Unaware Clefable checks Calm Mind variants of Latias relatively well; however, Choice Specs variants can easily break through it with minor chip damage. Togekiss can pivot in on Choice-locked Latias's Draco Meteor and force it out, although it is unable to switch into it safely otherwise.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[adem, 529732]]
- Quality checked by: [[BT89, 487308], [dex, 277988]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429], [UT, 523866]]
Latias is one of the most versatile Pokemon in the BDSP OU metagame. Latias's amazing Speed and great offensive STAB combination, only resisted by Steel, make its Choice Specs set a premier wallbreaker. Furthermore, Surf and Thunderbolt let it break through would-be checks, making it extremely formidable. Its solid defensive typing, amazing all-around bulk, and plethora of support moves such as Defog, Healing Wish, and Thunder Wave make it a great support Pokemon. Additionally, Calm Mind sets can quickly snowball through weakened teams or punch massive holes with +1 Draco Meteors, utilizing Latias's amazing bulk to consistently find setup opportunities. However, each of Latias's sets has its own issues: the Choice Specs set is quite prediction reliant and needs support to break through certain hard checks, support sets have coverage issues and oftentimes get overwhelmed from having to handle too many foes, and the Calm Mind set lacks immediate power and coverage options. Nonetheless, Latias remains one of the most adept—and flexible—Pokemon in the tier.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Roost
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Draco Meteor
item: Soul Dew
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Calm Mind is Latias's most common set, and for good reason. Latias's amazing bulk for an offensive Pokemon, coupled with great STAB moves, makes it hard to stop once it gets going. Draco Meteor alongside Psychic provides near-unresisted coverage, except for Steel. However, Calm Mind can let Latias break through Steel-types if they're thoroughly weakened. Roost provides longevity for Latias, which is integral for making use of Latias's bulk. Dragon Pulse is an option over Draco Meteor for a drawback-free Dragon-type STAB attack at the cost of power.
Calm Mind Latias works best on bulky offense and balance teams that can wear down Steel-types such as Heatran, Jirachi, and Scizor so it can cleave through the opposition. Spikes support from the likes of Roserade and Skarmory helps wear down these grounded foes. Gliscor is a useful teammates that checks Steel-types. Heatran itself is a great partner, as it forces out the aforementioned Steel-types, and it can also burn Scizor and Jirachi using U-turn on it, making them much easier to break through with Latias. Magnezone is an excellent partner, being able to trap and remove Scizor, Calm Mind Latias's biggest stop. Weavile works extremely well with it, forcing damage on Scizor and Heatran while luring in Water-types such as Rotom-W and Milotic for Latias to take advantage of.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Surf
move 4: Healing Wish / Thunderbolt / Roost
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Boasting near-unresisted, powerful STAB moves alongside great other options, Choice Specs Latias is an exceptional wallbreaker. Draco Meteor provides immediate power, and since Choice-locked Latias is unlikely to stay in for long, the Special Attack drop is a minor drawback. Surf is the optimal coverage option, providing the best midground option for Steel-, Fairy-, and Dark-types while nailing Heatran. Healing Wish is the best option for its last moveslot, as it means Latias isn't dead weight even in matchups where it is impossible to wallbreak, providing a second life for its teammates. Thunderbolt gives Latias another coverage move that hits Azumarill, Skarmory, and Togekiss harder while still hitting Steel-types hard. Roost gives Latias a bit more longevity, but locking into it lets foes easily take advantage of Latias.
Due to its lack of consistent recovery, Choice Specs Latias pairs extremely well with solid pivots such as Rotom-W, Scizor, and U-turn Gliscor. Fire-types such as Heatran and Infernape pair extremely well with Latias, as they take advantage of the Steel-types it brings in, and they pivot out of Dragon- and Water-types to safely bring Latias in. Infernape, in particular, is an astounding offensive partner, as it gets Latias in safely with U-turn on Pokemon like Slowbro and Gliscor while forcing out Scizor and Blissey. Stealth Rock from Heatran and Garchomp helps Latias break down its checks like Clefable and Scizor, which it repeatedly draws in with its frequent switches. Lastly, other Dragon-types such as Garchomp and Dragonite form a potent Dragon spam core with Latias, overwhelming their shared checks in Steel- and Fairy-types like Scizor, Clefable, and Skarmory.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Defog / Thunder Wave / Healing Wish
move 2: Roost
move 3: Thunderbolt / Surf
move 4: Ice Beam / Draco Meteor
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Latias runs a solid support set by virtue of its solid defensive typing bolstered by Levitate. Latias is a great Defogger thanks to its excellent matchup against most Stealth Rock users and immunity to other enrty hazards. Thunder Wave can be used if Defog isn't needed, and it can cripple common switch-ins such as Scizor, Clefable, and Tyranitar. Healing Wish is an option on more offensive teams that lets Latias preserve momentum while giving a second opportunity for its teammate. Thunderbolt prevents it from being setup fodder to the likes of Azumarill and Togekiss. Surf lets Latias threaten Heatran and deter Tyranitar from switching in. Ice Beam is an option that hits Gliscor while still OHKOing Garchomp. Draco Meteor is a strong STAB option that hits even neutral targets hard and still lets Latias nail Dragon-types, but its Special Attack drop makes Latias pretty passive.
Scizor is an amazing partner to defensive Latias, as it deals with Fairy-, Ice-, and Dragon-types such as Clefable, Weavile, and opposing Latias while appreciating Latias's Defog support. Heatran can threaten the aforementioned Fairy-, Ice-, and Dragon-types while also pressuring Steel-types such as Scizor for Latias. In return, Latias takes advantage of the Water- and Ground-types that Heatran draws in. Gliscor is solid to comfortably check Fire-types like Infernape and Heatran alongside Latias, and it appreciates Latias dealing with Grass-types such as Breloom and Celebi for it.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Healing Wish
move 4: Defog / Surf / Thunder Wave
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf Latias is a efficient revenge killer on more offensive teams, which appreciate it providing a fast Healing Wish while revenge killing boosted threats like Dragonite and Alakazam. Draco Meteor and Psychic hit almost everything for at least neutral damage, giving the coverage and power for Latias to revenge kill threats such as Choice Scarf Garchomp and boosted Feraligatr. Healing Wish is the main advantage over other revenge killers, giving a teammate the longevity to clean up late-game. Due to Latias having a good matchup against most Stealth Rock setters as well as high Speed, it can provide emergency Defog support. Surf provides a midground option, neutrally hitting Steel-types in particular, alongside Fairy-types. Thunder Wave gives Latias a way to cripple switch-ins such as Scizor, Clefable, and Tyranitar, which can be crucial for its teammates to break through them.
Choice Scarf Latias fits best on offensive teams that appreciate its role compression. Setup sweepers such as Lucario, Alakazam, and Garchomp are prime partners alongside Latias, which weakens their checks for them to clean up. Water-types such as Azumarill and Feraligatr work especially well with Latias, as they appreciate it checking Grass- and Water-types like Celebi, Rotom-W, and Breloom, while they pivot into Weavile for Latias.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Latias can run a bulkier Calm Mind set utilizing Stored Power and potentially Substitute or Refresh, which makes it a late-game cleaner. However, this set needing multiple turns to get going makes it reliant on good matchups and lots of support. The Choice Specs set can also run Defog if it is desperately needed; however, the immensely valuable competing options make it generally not worth using. Wish is an interesting option on support variants that can greatly help partners with no or inconsistent recovery, such as Heatran and Rotom-W, although it is hard to justify using it over any of Latias's other options.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Specially defensive Scizor easily pivots into all Latias sets, as even Choice Specs sets require major chip damage to 2HKO Scizor with Surf. Other Steel-types such as Heatran and Jirachi can also pivot into Latias safely, although the former fears variants with Surf, and teammates can easily take advantage of the latter due to its inconsistent or lacking recovery.
**Blissey**: Calm Mind Blissey stonewalls Latias and heals itself of any damage. However, if lacking Calm Mind, Blissey relies on multiple full paralyses from Thunder Wave to beat Calm Mind variants of Latias.
**Tyranitar**: Tyranitar can comfortably switch into Latias a few times, although it is prone to being worn down, and it dislikes Surf variants.
**Revenge Killers**: Pokemon such as Weavile, Choice Scarf Garchomp, Choice Scarf Heracross, and Alakazam can revenge kill Latias, but they are all unable to switch in safely.
**Fairy-types**: Unaware Clefable checks Calm Mind variants of Latias relatively well; however, Choice Specs variants can easily break through it with minor chip damage. Togekiss can pivot in on Choice-locked Latias's Draco Meteor and force it out, although it is unable to switch into it safely otherwise.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[adem, 529732]]
- Quality checked by: [[BT89, 487308], [dex, 277988]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429], [UT, 523866]]
Last edited: