Nedor
thiccc
gp 1/1: The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
* Latios boasts a combination of both fantastic offensive and defensive capabilities that have led to it being a staple on multiple playstyles.
* Not only does Latios possess a stellar Special Attack stat, but it also has access to STAB Draco Meteor and a myriad of coverage options that potentially allow it to bypass would-be checks and counters; all of these factors give Latios considerable offensive presence.
* Its typing and natural bulk allow it function well defensively, too, meaning it can effectively check threats like Water-, Ground-, Electric-, Fighting-, and Grass-types. Some of the most notable threats Latios can provide coverage versus include Rotom-W, Keldeo, Landorus, Toxapex, and Mega Venusaur. Its access to reliable recovery also enables it to consistently check these threats.
* Latios is also far from a linear Pokemon, as it can run a number of sets to great effect.
* Through Defog, it can also provide some degree of utility as well.
* While Latios comes with tons of clear advantages, it is plagued by the increased number of Fairy-types, the continued reign of Steel-types, and the presence of Pursuit users.
* Its base 110 Speed stat, while incredibly useful for gaining the upper hand versus a sizable portion of the metagame, leaves it outpaced by threats like Tapu Koko, Pheromosa, and Weavile.
* Nevertheless, Latios is an incredibly influential threat that is not only easy to fit onto a team, but one that requires often multiple checks to be adequately dealt with.
[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Recover
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Defog
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 29 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Draco Meteor is Latios' obligatory STAB attack that hits anything that is not resistant or immune for considerable amounts of damage.
* Psyshock is the secondary STAB attack that nails incoming Fairy-types or specially defensive tanks such as Assault Vest Tornadus-T and Chansey.
* Psychic is a alternative STAB attack that is capable of hitting Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Mega Venusaur harder than Psyshock thanks to the higher Base Power.
* Recover enables Latios to stay healthy throughout the match in order to continuously fire off attacks or switch into threats.
* Hidden Power Fire lets Latios lure in and remove common Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Magearna, and Genesect, which can otherwise wall it.
* Latios can opt out of a Psychic-type STAB attack for a coverage move, which allows it to cater to its team.
* Defog is utilized on teams that require or appreciate entry hazard removal.
* Shadow Ball is an optional coverage attack to super effectively hit Tapu Lele and Mega Metagross.
* Thunderbolt surprises Pokemon such as Celesteela and specially defensive Skarmory, while removing Water-types like Manaphy, Mantine and Tapu Fini.
* Surf super effectively hits Ground-types like both Landorus formes and Excadrill while also luring in Heatran and Tyranitar.
* Using Calm Mind instead of a coverage attack furthers Latios's wallbreaking capabilities, particularly against slower, bulkier teams that usually have multiple answers to it.
Set Details
========
* 252 Special Attack EVs maximizes Latios's wallbreaking potential.
* 252 Speed EVs alongside a Timid nature enable Latios to outspeed maximum Speed positive-natured Kartana and everything below as well as Speed tie with other base 110 Pokemon like Mega Metagross.
* Life Orb increases Latios's damage output significantly.
* Alternatively, Soul Dew can be ran on a set solely using Dragon and Psychic STAB to avoid recoil at the cost of 1.2x damage.
* Running 29 HP IVs is optimal to take the minimal amount of recoil from Life Orb.
Usage Tips
========
* Utilize Latios as a check to Water-, Ground-, Grass- and certain Electric-types such as Manaphy, Landorus-T locked into Earthquake, Mega Venusaur, and Thundurus.
* Try to maintain Latios's health if it is required to check a certain threat(s).
* Punch holes in the opponent's team with strong attacks or double to an appropriate teammate to keep up momentum and initiative.
* Understand when you can afford to play Latios aggressively and when to be more conservative
* If Latios is using a specific coverage attack or lure, try not to reveal it when the opponent has multiple answers to it. For example, if the opponent's team contains both a healthy Mega Scizor and Heatran, be wary of using Hidden Power Fire, as the latter can take advantage of it.
* Be wary of Pursuit trappers, as Latios may be eliminated from the match early on.
* When using a Pokemon that needs entry hazards off the field to function properly, attempt to find opportunities to Defog or pressure the opponent's hazard setters appropriately.
Team Options
========
* Pokemon that appreciate the removal or weakening of Steel-types such as (Mega) Gyarados, Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, and Weavile function well alongside Latios.
* Steel-types such as Mega Scizor, Mega Metagross, Excadrill, Magearna, and Genesect all combat Fairy- and opposing Dragon-types that threaten Latios, while Latios provides important resistances to Water and Ground. The offensive synergy between these Pokemon is also threatening.
* Pokemon that exploit common Pursuit trappers that remove Latios have great offensive synergy, especially Belly Drum Azumarill as Latios does a great job weakening its common checks.
* As Latios is an effective entry hazard remover, Pokemon that appreciate hazards off the playing field such as Mega Charizard Y and X, Gyarados, Mega Pinsir, and Volcarona function well.
* Heatran not only breaks down Steel-types that switch into Latios but also provides Stealth Rock to chip away at the opponent consistently and pivot into Fairy-type attacks.
* As Latios will be forced out by faster threats like Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Sand Rush or Choice Scarf Excadrill, Tapu Koko, and Greninja, a solid defensive backbone is appreciated:
* Physically defensive Landorus-T provides Stealth Rock, a momentum generator via U-urn, and a check to important threats such as opposing Choice Scarf Landorus-T and Mega Metagross.
* Specially defensive Rotom-W acts as a secondary Water and Ground switch-in, provides initiative through Volt Switch, and acts as a blanket check to a variety of threats such as Ash-Greninja and Tapu Fini.
* Variants of Keldeo can check Bisharp, Weavile, Mega Scizor, and Heatran, which all force out or threaten Latios.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs Attacker
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Trick / Sleep Talk
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Draco Meteor is an obligatory STAB attack that even Pokemon that resist it do not appreciate switching into.
* Psychic is an alternative to Psychic that is capable of OHKOing Tapu Koko, Mega Venusaur, and offensive variants of Tapu Bulu after some prior damage.
* Psyshock is a secondary STAB move that turns Choice Specs Latios into a mixed wallbreaker, allowing it to 2HKO Tapu Lele after Stealth Rock and Chansey after some prior damage.
* Hidden Power Fire enables Latios to lure in and remove Steel-types such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn that would otherwise be a nuisance when you're using Latios's strong STAB attacks.
* Even though losing your Choice Specs isn't always ideal, locking a sweeper such as Swords Dance Bisharp or a bulky Pokemon like Celesteela into an undesirable move can be very useful.
* Alternatively, Sleep Talk provides any given team with a sleep absorber, allowing Latios to freely come into the likes of Amoonguss while continuing to fire off strong attacks.
* Thunderbolt is a coverage option to lure in and KO specially defensive Celesteela and Skarmory, as well as bulky Water-types such as Mantine and Tapu Fini.
* Surf enables Latios to lure in Pokemon such as Heatran, Tyranitar, and Excadrill and hit them for the 2HKO or OHKO.
* Shadow Ball effectively hits Tapu Lele, Mega Metagross and all variants of Jirachi for a 2HKO, or for a OHKO with prior damage.
Set Details
========
* 252 Special Attack EVs ensure that Latios can hit as hard as possible
* 252 Speed EVs alongside a Timid nature enable Latios to outspeed maximum Speed positive-natured Kartana and everything below as well as Speed tie with other base 110 Speed Pokemon like Mega Metagross.
* Choice Specs is used to increase Latios's damage output immensely, at the cost of not being capable of switching moves.
Usage Tips
========
* Choice Specs Latios's main goal is to punch holes into the opponent's team to the point where another teammate can clean up.
* As Choice Specs Latios is utilized largely as a wallbreaker, find as many opportunities as possible for it to fire off strong attacks. This can be done through double switches, aggressive prediction, or team support.
* Do not lock Latios into a move that can be taken advantage of by your opponent. For example, using Draco Meteor when the opponent has a threatening Belly Drum Azumarill will not be in your best interest.
* Revealing Latios's coverage attack too early will give your opponent more information about your set as well as your team, something you want to avoid.
* As this set opts for offensive prowess over reliable recovery and sustainability, understand that it cannot consistently come into Pokemon like Mega Venusaur and Keldeo.
* As the Choice Specs variant is much more difficult to switch into for more defensively oriented teams, Latios will often be the main weapon; play it aggressively but smart at the same time.
* Choice Specs Latios can be prediction reliant and thus makes using coverage moves on their appropriate targets noticeably more difficult.
Team Options
========
* Pokemon with access to Volt Switch or U-turn are very beneficial alongside Choice Specs Latios, as they provide it with switch initiative.
* Landorus-T can provide Stealth Rock to continuously pressure the opponent, a blanket check to physical threats such as Mega Charizard X, and the ability to bait in bulky Grass- and Water-types for Latios to fire off strong attacks.
* Tapu Koko benefits from Latios's ability to either break down or lure in its checks such as Ferrothorn and Excadrill while also having Volt Switch or U-turn in its arsenal.
* Specially defensive Jirachi provides a switch-in to Fairy, Dragon, and Ice attacks, that all threaten Latios while providing Stealth Rock. Furthermore, Jirachi baits in Water- and Ground-types that Latios can easily KO or force out.
* Mega Scizor not only provides an end game option through Swords Dance but also appreciates Latios' wallbreaking potential. The defensive and offensive synergy is very effective.
* Considering Choice Specs Latios does not have reliable recovery, bringing Pokemon that provide secondary checks to what Latios typically switches in on is appreciated.
* Specially defensive Rotom-W is an exceptional partner, as it functions as a secondary Water and Ground switch-in to support non-Recover Latios. Furthermore, Rotom-W baits in Pokemon like Mega Venusaur and Amoonguss for Latios to take advantage of.
* Mega Venusaur and Amoonguss serve as reliable Water and Fairy checks while having utility moves such as Leech Seed, Knock Off, and Sleep Powder and Spore or Stun Spore, respectively.
* Sweepers or cleaners that benefit from Latios's wallbreaking potential such as Weavile, Dragon Dance (Mega) Gyarados, Swords Dance or Choice Scarf Garchomp, Shift Gear Magearna, Greninja, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and Rock Polish Mega Metagross are all viable options.
* Variants of Keldeo can check Bisharp, Weavile, Mega Scizor, and Heatran, which all force out or threaten Latios.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf Revenge Killer
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Trick
move 4: Recover / Hidden Power Fire
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Draco Meteor is a mandatory STAB attack that is used to revenge kill the likes of Dragon Dance Mega Charizard X, Mega Alakazam, and Greninja.
* Psychic is used as a secondary STAB move that allows Latios to revenge kill Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Pheromosa while picking off weakened threats.
* Trick is key for crippling bulkier Pokemon like Celesteela and Tapu Fini if Latios's Choice Scarf is no longer needed in a match, or even to lock sweepers into a certain move to make them more manageable.
* As Choice Scarf Latios will not be utilized as a wallbreaker, it appreciates reliable recovery to consistently revenge kill or switch into threats, even if its item has not been Tricked away.
* Hidden Power Fire Fire enables Choice Scarf Latios to surprise Pokemon like opposing Choice Scarf Genesect while also taking a large chunk of health off of Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor.
* Shadow Ball allows Latios to effectively hit Pokemon such as Tapu Lele and Mega Metagross.
* Defog is a viable option to remove entry hazards in a pinch for teammates, even if you have not Tricked away Latios's Choice Scarf.
* Memento can be utilized to give sweepers on a more offensively based team easier setup opportunities.
Set Details
========
* 252 Special Attack EVs are used in order to maximize damage output when revenge killing a threat.
* 252 Speed EVs alongside a Timid nature and a Choice Scarf enable Latios to outspeed threats such as Swift Swim Kabutops in rain, Shift Gear Magearna, +1 base 100s, and many prominent Choice Scarf users with a lower base Speed stat.
Usage Tips
========
* Choice Scarf Latios functions mainly as a revenge killer for faster Pokemon, sweepers, and opposing Choice Scarf users.
* Due to Latios's natural Speed tier alongside a Choice Scarf, it will outspeed the large majority of offensive Pokemon, meaning it is very effective against fast-paced, offensive teams.
* As with any Choice Scarf holder, Latios must be wary of what move it locks itself into, as it can be taken advantage of by the opponent. For example, the -2 Special Attack drop from Draco Meteor can be used to your opponent's advantage.
* This variant of Latios takes up the role as a revenge killer as opposed to wallbreaker, meaning its usefulness against bulkier teams is usually limited to Trick.
* If using Memento, be sure that you can afford to lose Latios as a form of speed control, particularly against offensive teams.
* Choice Scarf Latios provides immense role compression in speed control for boosting threats such as +1 Mega Charizard X, as well as its natural resistances via typing or ability.
Team Options
========
* Choice Scarf Latios loses the immediate power of a wallbreaker, so Pokemon that can make up for this power loss are appreciated.
* Mega Metagross not only fulfills the role of a wallbreaker that can also benefit from Latios's Memento if utilizing Rock Polish, but it also checks Fairy-types such as Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Magearna.
* Choice Specs Magnezone not only has the utility of trapping Steel-types for Latios to potentially sweep but also troubles bulkier teams through Volt Switch and sheer power.
* Along with these strong options, other viable wallbreakers alongside Choice Scarf Latios include Choice Specs Keldeo, Choice Band Tyranitar, Choice Band or Life Orb Genesect, Choice Specs Tapu Lele, and Life Orb Pheromosa.
* Setup sweepers benefit from possible Memento support, as they take considerably less damage from opposing Pokemon.
* Swords Dance + 3 Attacks Mega Scizor freely sets up on most prevalent Fairy-types that force Latios out while appreciating Trick and Memento support.
* Waterium Z Rain Dance + Tail Glow Manaphy puts immense pressure on bulkier and offensive teams alike due to its ability of raising its own Speed and Special Attack stat alongside its solid overall bulk.
* Dragon Dance Mega Gyarados will essentially earn a free setup opportunity with Memento support due to its fantastic bulk alongside Intimidate. Furthermore, it appreciates Latios's ability to cripple Pokemon such as Ferrothorn with Trick.
* Other sweepers that can effectively find themselves on Choice Scarf Latios teams include Swords Dance Kartana, Swords Dance Bisharp, Weavile, Swords Dance + Rock Polish Landorus-T, and Shift Gear Magearna. In general, Pokemon that can take advantage of Pursuit users work excellently with Choice Scarf Latios.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Heal Block on Life Orb Latios enables it to prevent recovery options, including Leftovers, from bulkier Pokemon such as Mega Scizor, Chansey, Clefable, and Skarmory.
* Tailwind is a viable option on more offensively based teams or alongside slower Pokemon that benefit from the speed control.
* Thunder Wave cripples common switch-ins to Latios such as Jirachi and Mega Metagross while possibly preventing it from being setup fodder for your opponent after Draco Meteor has dropped its Special Attack.
* Colbur Berry is an option to help Latios escape from Pursuit trappers such as Mega Metagross, Weavile, and Tyranitar, but the loss in power is significant.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: The multitude of Fairy-types in the tier, including but are not limited to Tapu Fini, Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, Magearna, Clefable, and Azumarill are all immune to Latios' Draco Meteor and are, for the most part, bulky enough to take its Psychic STAB moves or coverage attacks. They all threaten Latios out with their own STAB attacks attacks.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as specially defensive Skarmory, Celesteela, Jirachi, Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, Mega Metagross, Genesect, and Heatran resist Latios's STAB attacks, but depending on the Pokemon, they must be wary of a coverage attack such as Hidden Power Fire, Surf, or Thunderbolt.
**Chansey**: As Chansey is capable of using an Eviolite and its HP and Special Defense stats are fantastic, it can shrug off any attack Latios fires off. Furthermore, its recovery and status options enable it to consistently wall Latios. Despite this, Chansey has to be wary of Trick, Choice Specs Psyshock, and Calm Mind variants, as it will either be crippled or lose one-on-one.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Weavile threaten Latios with Dark STAB attacks, priority Sucker Punch, and Ice Shard, respectively, as well as with raw speed or the natural ability to tank its attacks due to their overall bulk or defensive typing.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster Pokemon or revenge killers such as Pheromosa, (Mega) Alakazam, Tapu Koko, Greninja, Tornadus-T, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and Choice Scarf Garchomp all threaten Latios with strong attacks, even if they may not be capable of switching into it. These are all prominent options on more offensively based teams, which means Latios may struggle against this particular playstyle, especially if not using a Choice Scarf variant.
Last edited:
