QC: AM | KratosMana | Leftiez
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack | P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Latios resides in a great Speed tier, allowing it to outspeed and check many threats such as Garchomp and Keldeo. In addition, it has a great Special Attack stat, coupled with an extremely strong move in Draco Meteor, making it a great sweeper. It is versatile in the roles it fulfills because it has tons of utility and support moves in its arsenal such as Memento, Tailwind, and Defog and doubles as one of the best offensive Defog users in OU. Furthermore, a decent defensive typing allows Latios to comfortably absorb hits from the likes of non-Knock Off Landorus and Keldeo and, as a result, gives it ample opportunities to switch in.
However, Latios is weak to the omnipresent Knock Off and Pursuit, which is amplified by the increase of Pursuit users such as Tyranitar and Steel-types such as Mega Metagross. Latios also resides in a crowded Speed tier and thus has to rely on Speed ties with opposing base 110s such as Mega Diancie and Gengar. Finally, it has underwhelming bulk, rendering it open to revenge killers and faster Pokemon such as Talonflame and Tornadus-T.
[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Earthquake / Roost
move 4: Defog / Roost
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid / Hasty
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 29 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Latios's strongest move, dealing great damage to Pokemon that don't resist it such as Thundurus and Slowbro. Psyshock allows Latios to threaten special walls such as Chansey and Assault Vest users such as Raikou, Tornadus-T, and Conkeldurr by hitting their weaker Defense stat. Hidden Power Fire deals with some Steel-types such as Scizor and Ferrothorn, but it comes at the cost of lowering Latios's Speed IV by one point, leaving it outsped by base 110s such as Gengar and Latias. Earthquake allows Latios to lure in and OHKO Heatran after Stealth Rock damage and deal decent damage to Bisharp, Tyranitar, and Empoleon switch-ins. Defog provides invaluable support to teammates so that their health is not chipped away by entry hazards. Roost improves Latios's longevity and aids it in checking threats such as Keldeo and Mega Manectric.
Thunderbolt allows Latios to beat bulky Water-types such as Suicune, Manaphy, and Gyarados more easily without resorting to Draco Meteor. Surf lets Latios muscle past a few of its checks, 2HKOing Choice Scarf Tyranitar, Scizor, specially defensive Gliscor, and Heatran and OHKOing Landorus and Mega Diancie.
Latios's choice of moves really boils down to necessity and practicality and depends on what the team requires.
Set Details
========
A Timid nature in tandem with maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs ensures that Latios Speed ties with opposing base 110s while hitting as hard as possible. Life Orb is the best item to use for this set, as it provides immediate power without locking Latios into a move. Using 29 HP IVs and 4 Defense EVs minimizes Life Orb recoil. If running Earthquake, a Hasty nature should be used to guarantee the OHKO on Heatran after Stealth Rock; it should be chosen over Naive so that Latios can check special attackers such as Mega Manectric, Manaphy, and Keldeo better.
The main use of Earthquake is its ability to deal decent damage to many Latios switch-ins such as Metagross, Tyranitar, and bulky Assault Vest variants of Bisharp designed to deal with Latios; similarly, Hidden Power Fire deals with bulky Grass-types such as Celebi without needing Latios to resort to Draco Meteor and simultaneously lower its Special Attack, as well as bulky Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Scizor. Running Hidden Power Fire and Earthquake together is an incredibly effective way to surprise Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Heatran, as this combination is rarely seen.
Usage Tips
========
Latios's ample resistances, including ones to common Water-, Fire-, and Electric-type attacks, and nifty Ground-type immunity grant it a plethora of opportunities to switch in; it fits great on balanced builds due to its ability to check a lot of Pokemon threatening to the playstyle, such as Keldeo and Calm Mind Landorus. This set should be used in a hit-and-run style, using its good Speed to quickly fire off powerful attacks, particularly Draco Meteor, and withdrawing afterwards due to the Special Attack drop. If a switch into a Latios check such as Tyranitar, Bisharp, or Ferrothorn is obvious, it is good to use the respective coverage moves to deal damage to them on the switch, such as using Earthquake on a switch to Bisharp. Play carefully if the opponent possesses Pursuit users such as Bisharp and Tyranitar, and scout for coverage moves on various Pokemon such as Icy Wind Keldeo and Knock Off Landorus before letting Latios check them.
Team Options
========
Fighting-types such as Keldeo and Mega Lopunny are great at removing Dark-types such as Tyranitar, Weavile, and Bisharp, which cause problems for Latios. Keldeo is an exceptional teammate, dealing with the aforementioned Dark-types and various other Latios checks such as Heatran, Chansey, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn. Pokemon that can take on Fairy-types such as Clefable, Mega Gardevoir, and Sylveon, such as Mega Metagross and Mega Scizor, are great teammates. In particular, Mega Scizor counters Mega Metagross, Ferrothorn, and Chansey and checks most Fairy-types.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Calm Mind
move 4: Roost / Surf
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 29 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Latios's most powerful attack, and while it may seem counterproductive to gain Special Attack just to lose it, the raw power of the move is what makes this set so difficult to wall. Psyshock is there to win Calm Mind wars with opposing Pokemon such as Clefable and Suicune and hits specially bulky Pokemon such as Chansey and Assault Vest Raikou harder than Psychic does. Calm Mind lets Latios both hit hard and take special attacks more easily, improving its matchup against stall and balance and helping it wear down its usual checks such as Clefable, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn more easily. Roost improves Latios's longevity and replenishes health lost from entry hazards, status, weather, or direct damage sustained to ease setting up. Surf allows Latios to deal with Steel-types such as Heatran and Skarmory, as well as Tyranitar, without resorting to Draco Meteor and immediately being forced to switch out. Hidden Power Fire could be an option to let Latios get past Steel-types such as Jirachi, Scizor, and Ferrothorn.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed maximizes Latios's sweeping potential. A Timid nature is used to Speed tie with opposing base 110s, such as Gengar, Mega Diancie, and Latias, as well as outpace slower Pokemon such as Garchomp, Manaphy, and Keldeo. Life Orb is used to augment the damage output of Latios's attacks significantly, and running 29 HP IVs and 4 Defense EVs minimizes Life Orb recoil. Latiosite could be used in place of Life Orb to increase Latios's bulk and prevent it from taking recoil, thus easing setting up, but at the expense of immediate power.
Usage Tips
========
Because Latios naturally forces a lot of switches, it gets ample opportunities to set up with Calm Mind. Pokemon such as Keldeo, non-Knock Off Landorus, and Slowbro are prime examples of Pokemon Latios easily forces out. With Calm Mind, Latios becomes increasingly hard to check with Pokemon such as Clefable and Heatran because they get worn down by repeated switches into Latios's boosted attacks, so don't be afraid to nuke Steel-type switch-ins that pose little-to-no threat to Latios, such as Heatran and Skarmory, with a boosted Draco Meteor. This set functions great as a wallbreaker, because after multiple boosts it is extremely difficult to switch into Latios. Keep Latios at decently high health with Roost to ease setting up, and prevent Latios from being worn down by status or damage sustained in the heat of battle.
Team Options
========
As Latios despises Dark-, Fairy-, and Steel-types, Pokemon that can effectively check these are prime partners; Fighting-types such as Keldeo and Terrakion check Dark- and Steel-types such as Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Heatran, and Terrakion also has a STAB Stone Edge to hit Fairies with. Fairy-types such as Clefable, Azumarill, and Sylveon also deal with Dark-types such as Tyranitar and Weavile and can weaken Steel-types and opposing Fairy-types for Latios; in Sylveon's case, it can lure in Ferrothorn and Skarmory and KO them with Hidden Power Fire. Mega Scizor pairs great with Latios as well, boasting the ability to counter Mega Metagross and Ferrothorn and check most Fairies, while in return Latios checks Keldeo. Wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard X and Mega Gallade aid Latios in breaking down some of its common checks and counters; they both deal with Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Empoleon through their respective STAB moves, and the former checks Fairy-types such as Clefable while the latter deals with Dark-types such as Tyranitar. Pivots, both offensive and defensive alike, such as Landorus-T, Tornadus-T, and Rotom-W, provide free, safe switches for Latios so it can set up Calm Mind more easily, and the repeated pivoting can chip away at some Latios checks.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Defog / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is incredibly strong even without a boost and thus is Latios's main move for revenge killing. Psyshock allows Latios to slip past specially defensive Pokemon such as Chansey and Assault Vest users such as Raikou, which can stomach a Draco Meteor comfortably. The choice between Defog and Hidden Power Fire really boils down to necessity and practicality; Defog removes entry hazards from the field in a pinch and can be used more reliably after Tricking Latios's Choice Scarf to a foe, providing invaluable support to teammates that despise being worn down by entry hazards, while Hidden Power Fire deals with Ferrothorn and (Mega) Scizor, as well as bulky Grass-types such as Celebi, without resorting to Draco Meteor. Trick allows Latios to cripple defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, Celebi, and Clefable by locking them into only one move. Roost is an alternate to Defog if Defog support is not needed; it also increases Latios's longevity, which this set lacks, and helps Latios check Pokemon such as Keldeo and Celebi more easily.
Set Details
========
Because this set is focused on revenge killing, maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed with a Timid nature is used to let Latios hit as hard and be as fast as possible. A Choice Scarf lets Latios outpace most of the metagame and function as a good revenge killer.
Usage Tips
========
Play carefully, because this set is incredibly prone to being locked into an undesirable move such as Psyshock on Dark-types and then being Pursuit trapped. As this set lacks reliable recovery most of the time, it is easily worn down by repeatedly switching into Pokemon such as Keldeo, so Latios should be preserved as best as possible. 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 such as Nasty Plot Thundurus. Choice Scarf Latios is best played as a revenge killer, outspeeding many fast threats such as Mega Lopunny, Mega Manectric, Mega Aerodactyl, and Tornadus-T.
Team Options
========
Wallbreakers such as Mega Gallade, Mega Charizard X, and Crawdaunt are great teammates for Choice Scarf Latios to wear down the opposing team so that Latios can pick them off late-game using its high Speed. Mega Scizor pairs great with Latios as well, boasting the ability to counter Mega Metagross and Ferrothorn, wear down the opposing team with a combination of Swords Dance and Bullet Punch, and check most Fairies, while in return Latios checks Keldeo. Keldeo is a great partner too, as it checks Dark- and Steel-types such as Bisharp, Tyranitar, Weavile, and Heatran for Latios and the burns it induces on the opposing team wear them down for Latios to pick them off late-game. Pivots, both defensive and offensive alike, such as Rotom-W and Tornadus-T, are great at giving Latios free opportunities to switch in.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Specs set allows Latios to hit extremely hard and works a bit like a Life Orb set, but it misses out on the ability to use utility and support moves such as Memento and Defog. Shadow Ball allows Latios to get past bulky Psychic-types such as Metagross, Celebi, and Jirachi, as well as Slowking, Reuniclus, and Cresselia, without resorting to Draco Meteor. A lead set with Light Screen and Reflect is decent for offensive-natured teams because Latios has high Speed and forces many switches. Memento is a good utility move, crippling Pursuit users such as Tyranitar and Scizor, as well as physical attackers such as Mega Metagross, before Latios goes down. Dragon Pulse is an option over Draco Meteor if the latter's secondary effect is undesirable, but this comes at the cost of significant power. Thunder Wave paralyzes and cripples Pokemon attempting to set up on Latios after Draco Meteor's Special Attack drop, such as Bisharp and Mega Gallade. Grass Knot allows Latios to beat Ground-, Rock-, and Water-types such as Hippowdon, Tyranitar, and Mega Gyarados without needing to resort to Draco Meteor. Hidden Power Fighting hits Dark-types on the switch, scoring an OHKO on Bisharp and a 2HKO on Tyranitar; however, it deals laughable damage to Ferrothorn and Heatran, and, similarly to Hidden Power Fire, forces Latios to drop one Speed IV and thus leaves it outsped by base 110s such as Gengar, Latias, and Mega Diancie.
A Dragon Dance set has a lot of surprise factor, but Latios has an unimpressive Attack stat and is outclassed in this role by Mega Charizard X, Mega Altaria, and Dragonite. Heal Block denies Latios's usual checks and counters such as Chansey and Clefable their recovery, effectively crippling them, allowing Latios to repeatedly hammer away at them with Psyshock. Tailwind doubles Latios's teammates' Speed for four turns and is extremely useful for slower Pokemon such as Scizor and Kyurem-B or against faster teams with the likes of Mega Lopunny and Mega Aerodactyl. Colbur Berry allows Latios to avoid being revenge killed by Dark-types such as Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Weavile by tanking the hit and retaliating with a move of its own, but running it means Latios loses power compared to when it uses other item options. Subsitute evades Sucker Punch from Bisharp, as well as status from defensive Pokemon such as Rotom-W and Slowbro, easing prediction overall. Magic Coat on the lead set with Light Screen and Reflect prevents Latios from being stopped by Taunt users such as Azelf and Gliscor. Refresh prevents Latios from being worn down by status, particularly burns caused by Keldeo's Scald, and also lets Latios stallbreak much more effectively. Finally, Latiosite gives Latios a boost in its defenses, which allows it to check special and physical attackers alike more easily, but Mega Latios has less power than Life Orb Latios and prevents you from using other, potentially more useful, Mega Evolutions.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Tyranitar and Bisharp are great at taking on Latios, as the former has enough bulk to stomach even two consecutive Draco Meteors and OHKOes Latios with Crunch or traps it with Pursuit, while the latter can play mind games with Latios through Sucker Punch or Pursuit and bulkier sets utilizing Assault Vest also avoid the 2HKO from Draco Meteor.
**Fairy-types**: Clefable, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Altaria all boast an immunity to Draco Meteor, have the bulk or typing to take a Psyshock, and can retaliate with a STAB Fairy-type move. Clefable and Mega Altaria can use Latios as setup fodder with Calm Mind and Dragon Dance, respectively, while Mega Gardevoir outright OHKOes with Hyper Voice.
**Bulky Psychic-types**: Celebi, Jirachi, and Cresselia can avoid a 2HKO from any attack because of their good bulk and typing, even Calm Mind-boosted attacks in the case of Jirachi, and proceed to PP and Life Orb stall Latios with recovery or cripple it with paralysis. However, they must watch out for Shadow Ball, though the move is less common.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Ferrothorn, Klefki, and Mega Scizor can take any of Latios's attacks bar Hidden Power Fire; the former can stall it out with Leech Seed, the middle can use Latios as setup fodder for Light Screen, Reflect, and Spikes, and the latter can set up with Swords Dance or simply use Bullet Punch to quickly wear Latios down.
**Chansey**: Due to Chansey's great bulk, it can take all of Latios's moves easily, even Psyshock when at high health, and wear Latios down with Seismic Toss and Toxic and recover any damage lost with Soft-Boiled. However, Chansey is worn down quite a bit by Calm Mind-boosted attacks.
**Revenge Killers**: Latios is prone to revenge killing because its bulk really isn't that great, and fast and powerful Pokemon such Choice Scarf Knock Off Landorus-T, Talonflame, Thundurus, Choice Scarf Garchomp, and Choice Scarf Tyranitar are prime examples. Latios is especially vulnerable to revenge killing after using Draco Meteor, as the Special Attack drop makes it much easier for bulky Pokemon such as Mega Altaria, Mega Sableye, and Mega Gyarados to set up on Latios, stall it out, or outright KO it.
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