QC: Valentine / aim /
GP /
Taken from Valmanway
Overview
########
Latios has a sizable Special Attack as well as a great Speed tier making it one of the fastest, relevant Dragon-types in OU. Along with a fairly wide movepool including moves such as Draco Meteor, and Psyshock, two moves that can do lots of damage, Latio is also one of the best offensive Defoggers in OU. On top of this, Latios also has 6 resistances, and good defenses for switching in when needed;however, Latios has 6 weaknesses including common types such as Dark-, Ice-, and Fairy-Types. Latios is also vulnerable to priority moves such as Sucker Punch, Ice Shard, and Talonflame's Brave Bird, not to mention it can get trapped by a Pursuit user. Quicker Pokemon such as Greninja and Thundurus are quite common and can be threatening to Latios.
Life Orb
########
name: Life Orb
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Earthquake / Surf
move 4: Roost / Defog
ability: Levitate
item: Life Orb
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 29 HP
nature: Timid
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Latios' strongest move, as it lets Latios finish off bulkier Pokemon. Psyshock is a secondary STAB move that allows Latios to threaten special walls, such as Sylveon. The third move is simply a coverage move, for example, Hidden Power Fire hits Scizor, Bisharp, and Ferrothorn, while Earthquake hits the likes of Heatran. Surf on the other hand threatens Pokemon such as Gliscor, Landorus, Tyranitar, and Excadrill. The fourth move is somewhat dependent on what Latios' teammates are. With teammates that know Defog/Rapid Spin, Latios should be running as an all-out Life Orb attacker with Roost as a reliable healing option. Otherwise, Latios should be running Defog to take out pesky hazards.
Set Details
========
Life Orb Latios should have maxed out EVs for Special Attack and Speed for maximum damage, while being able to outspeed other Pokemon. Latios' Timid nature is crucial, so it can speed tie opposing base 110s, namely Gengar, Latias, and opposing Latios. Latios can also run a Naive nature so it can at least 2HKO Heatran; however, Latios' Naive nature has little use for the rest of its attacks. Life Orb is the best item to use for this set, as it allows Latios to hit as hard as possible without being locked into a move. 29 HP IVs are used to ensure that you can use Life Orb powered attacks a maximum of 10 times without dying.
Usage Tips
========
Latios works well as a late game cleaner, taking out weakened or crippled foes with relative ease. Latios also works as a quick revenge killer thanks to Draco Meteor's immediate power. However, don't rely too much on Draco Meteor, as there are many threats that can shrug off a hit from a -2 Latios, especially Pokemon who can set up on Latios such as Mega-Pinsir, Gyarados, Dragonite, and Mega-Tyranitar.
Team Options
========
Latios is quite weak against Dark-types, so Pokemon such as Keldeo, Terrakion, and other Pokemon who can learn Fighting-type moves are great teammates. Terrakion gets special mentions as it handles many Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Bisharp, Tyranitar, and Heatran nicely.
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Defog / Hidden Power Fire / Surf
move 4: Trick
ability: Levitate
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is the key to this set's success. It's a STAB move, and it makes for an amazing revenge killing tool. Psyshock is Latios' secondary STAB move, that can slip past special walls who can wall Latios' Draco Meteor. Latios can choose to run Defog, Hidden Power Fire, or Surf. Defog is a great move for Latios to remove hazards; however, since Latios is carrying a Choice Scarf, Latios does not like being locked into Defog. Hidden Power Fire hits common Metal-Type switch-ins such as Ferrothorn, and Surf is to hit Pokemon such as Gliscor, and Charizard. Trick allows Latios to cripple a wall, as it limits the wall's actions to one move.
Set Details
========
The EV spread is so Latios can be as quick and as powerful as possible. With the remaining 4 EVs, you should invest in HP, for a little extra bulk. Latios' Timid nature allows Latios to speed tie max speed Gengar, Latias, and opposing Latios. A Choice Scarf allows Latios to revenge kill other Pokemon, and to cripple walls.
Usage Tips
========
This set is capable of crippling any wall that can avoid a 2HKO from Latios, so you should prioritize saving Trick for them, though you can also use this strategy on a setup sweeper or a Pokemon that won't outspeed much even with a Scarf. Know when to use a move especially since you could be locked into a move with Choice Scarf.
Team Options
========
Physical attackers such as Terrakion and Bisharp help greatly, as they power their way through special walls that would like to sponge the special attacks that Latios will lock itself into. Since Latios is Choice Scarfed, a Pokemon that can clear hazards would greatly help, such as Excadrill and Mew, since Latios is likely going to be switching frequently to revenge kill foes. Also Latios wouldn't want to be locked into Defog.
Other Options
########
Latios could run Dragon Pulse instead of Draco Meteor to avoid cutting Latios' power in half; however, with Dragon Pulse Latios won't be able to have the immediate power that Draco Meteor provides. Hidden Power Fighting can be used by Latios to OHKO Bisharp and 2HKO Tyranitar. It also hits both Heatran and Ferrothorn, unlike Hidden Power Fire who can only Ferrothorn. Latios can also carry Choice Specs for increased damage output. Choice Specs makes crippling walls easier for Latios, however with less speed, Latios is threatened by Pokemon with Choice Scarf or Pokemon that are simply faster than Latios.
Checks & Counters
########
**Dark-Types**: Dark-Types such as Bisharp and Tyranitar can tank any attack of Latios' and can cleanly OHKO Latios with a Dark-Type STAB move.
**Quicker threats**: Life Orb Latios can easily get revenge killed by the likes of Greninja since quicker threats can outspeed Life Orb Latios, and knock it out.
**Paralysis**: One of Latios' characteristics is its great speed. Without it, Latios is easily KOed, and can be used as setup fodder when Latios is at -2.
**Special walls**: For the exception of Psyshock, which may not even do too much damage to walls, Latios can not do much damage to special walls such as Chansey. Even with Psyshock, Latios can only do around 40% at once. Chansey is easily able to heal up, and start Toxic-stalling.
GP /
Taken from Valmanway
Overview
########
Latios has a sizable Special Attack as well as a great Speed tier making it one of the fastest, relevant Dragon-types in OU. Along with a fairly wide movepool including moves such as Draco Meteor, and Psyshock, two moves that can do lots of damage, Latio is also one of the best offensive Defoggers in OU. On top of this, Latios also has 6 resistances, and good defenses for switching in when needed;however, Latios has 6 weaknesses including common types such as Dark-, Ice-, and Fairy-Types. Latios is also vulnerable to priority moves such as Sucker Punch, Ice Shard, and Talonflame's Brave Bird, not to mention it can get trapped by a Pursuit user. Quicker Pokemon such as Greninja and Thundurus are quite common and can be threatening to Latios.
Life Orb
########
name: Life Orb
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Earthquake / Surf
move 4: Roost / Defog
ability: Levitate
item: Life Orb
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 29 HP
nature: Timid
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Latios' strongest move, as it lets Latios finish off bulkier Pokemon. Psyshock is a secondary STAB move that allows Latios to threaten special walls, such as Sylveon. The third move is simply a coverage move, for example, Hidden Power Fire hits Scizor, Bisharp, and Ferrothorn, while Earthquake hits the likes of Heatran. Surf on the other hand threatens Pokemon such as Gliscor, Landorus, Tyranitar, and Excadrill. The fourth move is somewhat dependent on what Latios' teammates are. With teammates that know Defog/Rapid Spin, Latios should be running as an all-out Life Orb attacker with Roost as a reliable healing option. Otherwise, Latios should be running Defog to take out pesky hazards.
Set Details
========
Life Orb Latios should have maxed out EVs for Special Attack and Speed for maximum damage, while being able to outspeed other Pokemon. Latios' Timid nature is crucial, so it can speed tie opposing base 110s, namely Gengar, Latias, and opposing Latios. Latios can also run a Naive nature so it can at least 2HKO Heatran; however, Latios' Naive nature has little use for the rest of its attacks. Life Orb is the best item to use for this set, as it allows Latios to hit as hard as possible without being locked into a move. 29 HP IVs are used to ensure that you can use Life Orb powered attacks a maximum of 10 times without dying.
Usage Tips
========
Latios works well as a late game cleaner, taking out weakened or crippled foes with relative ease. Latios also works as a quick revenge killer thanks to Draco Meteor's immediate power. However, don't rely too much on Draco Meteor, as there are many threats that can shrug off a hit from a -2 Latios, especially Pokemon who can set up on Latios such as Mega-Pinsir, Gyarados, Dragonite, and Mega-Tyranitar.
Team Options
========
Latios is quite weak against Dark-types, so Pokemon such as Keldeo, Terrakion, and other Pokemon who can learn Fighting-type moves are great teammates. Terrakion gets special mentions as it handles many Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Bisharp, Tyranitar, and Heatran nicely.
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Defog / Hidden Power Fire / Surf
move 4: Trick
ability: Levitate
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is the key to this set's success. It's a STAB move, and it makes for an amazing revenge killing tool. Psyshock is Latios' secondary STAB move, that can slip past special walls who can wall Latios' Draco Meteor. Latios can choose to run Defog, Hidden Power Fire, or Surf. Defog is a great move for Latios to remove hazards; however, since Latios is carrying a Choice Scarf, Latios does not like being locked into Defog. Hidden Power Fire hits common Metal-Type switch-ins such as Ferrothorn, and Surf is to hit Pokemon such as Gliscor, and Charizard. Trick allows Latios to cripple a wall, as it limits the wall's actions to one move.
Set Details
========
The EV spread is so Latios can be as quick and as powerful as possible. With the remaining 4 EVs, you should invest in HP, for a little extra bulk. Latios' Timid nature allows Latios to speed tie max speed Gengar, Latias, and opposing Latios. A Choice Scarf allows Latios to revenge kill other Pokemon, and to cripple walls.
Usage Tips
========
This set is capable of crippling any wall that can avoid a 2HKO from Latios, so you should prioritize saving Trick for them, though you can also use this strategy on a setup sweeper or a Pokemon that won't outspeed much even with a Scarf. Know when to use a move especially since you could be locked into a move with Choice Scarf.
Team Options
========
Physical attackers such as Terrakion and Bisharp help greatly, as they power their way through special walls that would like to sponge the special attacks that Latios will lock itself into. Since Latios is Choice Scarfed, a Pokemon that can clear hazards would greatly help, such as Excadrill and Mew, since Latios is likely going to be switching frequently to revenge kill foes. Also Latios wouldn't want to be locked into Defog.
Other Options
########
Latios could run Dragon Pulse instead of Draco Meteor to avoid cutting Latios' power in half; however, with Dragon Pulse Latios won't be able to have the immediate power that Draco Meteor provides. Hidden Power Fighting can be used by Latios to OHKO Bisharp and 2HKO Tyranitar. It also hits both Heatran and Ferrothorn, unlike Hidden Power Fire who can only Ferrothorn. Latios can also carry Choice Specs for increased damage output. Choice Specs makes crippling walls easier for Latios, however with less speed, Latios is threatened by Pokemon with Choice Scarf or Pokemon that are simply faster than Latios.
Checks & Counters
########
**Dark-Types**: Dark-Types such as Bisharp and Tyranitar can tank any attack of Latios' and can cleanly OHKO Latios with a Dark-Type STAB move.
**Quicker threats**: Life Orb Latios can easily get revenge killed by the likes of Greninja since quicker threats can outspeed Life Orb Latios, and knock it out.
**Paralysis**: One of Latios' characteristics is its great speed. Without it, Latios is easily KOed, and can be used as setup fodder when Latios is at -2.
**Special walls**: For the exception of Psyshock, which may not even do too much damage to walls, Latios can not do much damage to special walls such as Chansey. Even with Psyshock, Latios can only do around 40% at once. Chansey is easily able to heal up, and start Toxic-stalling.
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