[OVERVIEW]
Psychic
========
Latios's blistering Speed, high Special Attack, and solid offensive typing make it a staple pick on Psychic teams. Levitate allows Latios to switch into Ground-type attacks such as Sand Rush Excadrill's Earthquake and Landorus's Earth Power. Its part Dragon typing gives Latios a myriad of resistances, allowing it to easily switch into many attacks such as Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt, Volcarona's Fire Blast, Keldeo's Hydro Pump, and Celebi's Giga Drain. This allows it to more easily perform the plethora of roles it fills for Psychic teams. Since Latios is capable of running multiple viable sets, it can be somewhat unpredictable, making it tricky to deal with before its set has been revealed. The most common of these sets in Choice Scarf allows it to act as a revenge killer and emergency Defogger. However, being locked into Defog allows most Stealth Rock users to easily punish Latios. With this set, it can also cripple walls such as Chansey and Toxapex with Trick. Calm Mind allows Latios to act as a fearsome setup Pokemon that can break past its standard checks such as Alolan Muk and Porygon2 thanks to its powerful nuke in Devastating Drake. Access to reliable recovery in Roost allows it to use this set successfully. Choice Specs makes Latios a powerful wallbreaker, making it hard for most teams without a Dragon-type switch-in to deal with. Lastly, its coverage allows it to target foes that Draco Meteor does not hit. Even though Latios has all these fantastic qualities, it can be revenge killed by common priority attacks in the tier such as Dragonite's Extreme Speed, Bisharp's Sucker Punch, and Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch. Latios's most potent attack in Draco Meteor has a nasty downside, often forcing it to switch out, allowing the opponent to take advantage of the forced switch. Due to this Latios often finds itself walled by special walls such as Chansey and Ferrothorn.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Psychic)
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Defog
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Latios's main STAB move that allows it to score KOs against threats such as Mega Sharpedo and Mega Charizard X. Psyshock allows Latios to hit specially defensive walls such as Mantine while also being able to nail a significant threat in boosted Quiver Dance Volcarona. Defog lets Latios remove entry hazards from the field. Trick allows Latios to cripple walls such as Alolan Muk and Porygon2, locking them into one move with Choice Scarf. Memento is an option over Trick that grants Latios the ability to carve a path for its teammates such as Mega Gallade and Celebi to set up a sweep.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment and a Timid nature alongside Choice Scarf allows Latios to hit as fast and as hard as possible. Choice Scarf allows it to become one of the fastest Pokemon in the game, outspeeding threats such as Greninja and Choice Scarf Blacephalon, making it a fantastic revenge killer. Levitate allows Latios to avoid most entry hazards such as Sticky Web and Spikes, allowing it to get off a Defog more easily.
Usage Tips
========
Due to the nature of this Latios set, it is best used throughout the game as a revenge killer. With its Choice Scarf, it can easily revenge kill numerous threats such as Choice Scarf Blacephalon and non-Choice Scarf Greninja. Thanks to this, it is one of the most valuable Pokemon in the Dragon matchup, allowing it to claim a KO with Draco Meteor and then switch out to a defensive teammate such as Jirachi or Slowbro. Latios should be preserved for troublesome Pokemon it can take care of such as Hydreigon and Volcarona. Use Defog against Pokemon Latios forces out; this allows Latios to get off a Defog without losing health. However, if the entry hazard setter is still around, Latios should switch out to a teammate that can handle it. On the same note, do not let Latios get Pursuit trapped. This means it is worth switching out Latios from battle if a Pursuit user such as Alolan Muk on Poison teams is still alive. When against walls that Latios and its teammates struggle to take on such as Mandibuzz and Chansey, it should cripple them with Trick, locking them into one move. However, Latios should be careful of when it Tricks away its Choice Scarf, as now it can be revenge killed by faster threats such as Greninja and Tapu Koko. Latios should also be careful of Pokemon that can Mega Evolve and Z-Move users, as they can take advantage of its Trick and get a free turn. Finally, Latios can use Memento to support teammates such as Nasty Plot Celebi and Swords Dance Mega Gallade by weakening the foe, allowing them to set up with more ease.
Team Options
========
Latios's teammates appreciate its ability to clear entry hazards and beat faster Pokemon such as Nihilego and Mega Pinsir. Victini greatly appreciates Latios being able to run Choice Scarf in its stead, allowing it to act as a better wallbreaker with Choice Band. It can pretty much claim a KO each time it comes in, as barely anything can take a Choice Band-boosted V-create, breaking past typical Latios answers such as Chansey with ease. Mega Gallade can break past Latios's answers such as Alolan Muk and Tyranitar with Close Combat. It also appreciates the Memento support Latios can provide, as this lets it set up with more ease. Alakazam provides an emergency check to dangerous physical attackers such as Mega Sharpedo and Alolan Muk with Counter and to a significant threat in Mimikyu with Shadow Ball, thanks to Magic Guard and Focus Sash. Jirachi provides Stealth Rock support, allowing Latios to take on threats such as Volcarona more easily. Jirachi can also cripple faster Pokemon such as Greninja with Thunder Wave as well as tank Ice-, Fairy-, and Dragon-type moves for Latios such as Alolan Ninetales's Blizzard, Mega Diancie's Moonblast, and opposing Latios's Draco Meteor. In return, Latios provides a Ground-type immunity for Jirachi. Mew can cripple walls for Latios with Taunt + Knock Off, allowing it to dismantle Pokemon such as Celesteela and Chansey for Latios completely. It can also cripple physical attackers such as Excadrill and Mega Swampert with Will-O-Wisp, allowing Latios to switch into their attacks more easily. Celebi can break past Water- and Steel-type Pokemon for Latios thanks to Nasty Plot and great STAB and coverage attacks in Giga Drain, Earth Power, and Hidden Power Fire. This allows it to take on Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Heatran after its Air Balloon has been broken, and Mega Scizor for Latios. Additionally, Celebi can also be used as the team's Stealth Rock user, since its access to recovery makes it more reliable than Jirachi. Thanks to its defensive attributes and Grass typing it becomes very useful in the Fairy-type matchup, allowing it to easily wall the type bar Mimikyu. Celebi also can act as a status absorber for Latios thanks to Natural Cure. Metagross can act as a dangerous physical wallbreaker and most importantly threaten Fairy-types such as Mega Diancie and Mimikyu with Meteor Mash and Bullet Punch as well as break past Latios's checks such as Chansey and Ferrothorn with Hammer Arm. Slowbro acts as a physical wall, allowing it to check many Pokemon that threaten Latios such as Landorus-T, Mamoswine, and Mega Lopunny. On top of this it provides a solid neutrality to Ice-type attacks thanks to Slack Off and Regenerator, allowing it to switch into multiple attacks throughout the game.
[SET]
name: Dragonium Z + Calm Mind (Psychic)
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Calm Mind
move 4: Roost
item: Dragonium Z
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Latios's main STAB move that lets it take on Pokemon such as Mega Venusaur and Kommo-o. Thunderbolt allows Latios to hit Pokemon such as Celesteela, which resists Draco Meteor, for super effective damage. It also allows Latios to threaten Flying and Water teams in tandem with Draco Meteor. Calm Mind allows Latios to become a powerful setup sweeper, allowing it to tank Greninja's attacks and OHKO Slowbro with Draco Meteor. Roost gives Latios a reliable form of recovery, allowing it to set up Calm Mind with more ease.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment alongside a Timid nature allows Latios to hit as fast and hard as possible. This allows it to revenge kill prominent Pokemon such as Keldeo and Landorus. Dragonium Z turns Latios's Draco Meteor into Devastating Drake, allowing it to OHKO Pokemon such as Toxapex after a single Calm Mind boost.
Usage Tips
========
While Latios's most reliable move is Draco Meteor, it should be careful of when it uses it. Since it cuts Latios's Special Attack in half after one use, it is forced to switch out often, allowing the opponent to play around Latios. However, if Latios can pick up a KO with Draco Meteor and no threatening Pokemon can freely switch in, it should click Draco Meteor. Latios should set up Calm Mind against Pokemon it forces out or Pokemon that cannot touch it such as Landorus, allowing it to take advantage of the free switch, and set up Calm Mind. Latios should save Devastating Drake for when it can be guaranteed to pick up a KO or put a foe in the range of its attacks. If a Fairy-type is present on the opponent's side of the field, it might be best to save Devastating Drake. However, it should always be used if the Pokemon in front of Latios threatens the rest of the team such as Bisharp. Latios should keep its health up throughout the match with Roost, allowing it to continually switch into attacks such as Landorus's Sludge Wave and Mega Charizard Y's Fire Blast. This also allows Latios to set up Calm Mind more easily, so keeping Latios as healthy as possible is most of the time the most optimal play. However, if the foe can afflict Latios with status, it is best to switch out and find a safer time to set up, as being paralyzed or poisoned severely hinders Latios's ability to act as a setup sweeper. Latios should be used to break apart Water- and Flying-type teams, since Devastating Drake can dent both types and it can use Thunderbolt to pick off Pokemon such as Tapu Fini and Celesteela, which either are immune to or resist its Dragon-type STAB move.
Team Options
========
Victini can break past Latios's checks such as Chansey and Ferrothorn with its Choice Band-boosted V-create, allowing Latios to clean up more easily late-game. Victini can also cripple walls such as Tyranitar with Trick, allowing Latios to take them on with more ease. In return, Latios provides Victini with a Ground immunity and can break past its checks such as Swampert with Devastating Drake. Latios can also switch into Water-types such as Keldeo thanks to Roost. Choice Scarf Latias frees up Latios to run this wallbreaker set, as the former takes on the role of the Choice Scarf Defogger. It can revenge kill threats such as Choice Scarf Blacephalon for Latios as well as provide it with Healing Wish support so it can have a second chance to sweep. Mega Gallade is a fantastic partner for Latios, as they naturally break past the other's checks. Gallade can take on specially defensive Pokemon such as Zapdos for Latios, which can break past Mandibuzz for Mega Gallade in return. Mega Gallade can also pick off weakened Pokemon such as Mimikyu with its Disguise broken through Shadow Sneak. Jirachi provides Stealth Rock support for Latios as well as a handful of critical resistances to Fairy- and Ice-type attacks, taking such foes on with Iron Head. In return, Latios provides a Ground immunity for Jirachi. Jirachi can pivot Latios in safely with slow U-turn and cripple faster foes such as Kommo-o with Thunder Wave. Alakazam provides Latios with an emergency check to all physical attackers such as Mega Sharpedo and Alolan Muk thanks to its ability Magic Guard alongside Focus Sash and Counter. It can also help break past Steel-and Ghost-types for Latios such as Ferrothorn with its Focus Blast and Alolan Marowak with Shadow Ball. Mew acts as a stallbreaker, crippling all walls for Latios. With Knock Off + Taunt, it can successfully cripple all walls by removing their items such as Porygon2's Eviolite and prevent them from recovering off damage with Taunt. Additionally, it can cripple physical attackers such as Excadrill and Mega Swampert with Will-O-Wisp, allowing Latios to beat them more comfortably. Slowbro can take pressure off Latios to act as a switch-in to Ground-type attacks thanks to enormous physical bulk, allowing it to switch into attackers such as Mamoswine. It can also provide utility in Thunder Wave, slowing down faster threats for Latios. Additionally, it provides Scald support, sporting a chance to burn the foe and in tandem, with Colbur Berry it can check threats such as Bisharp. Deoxys-S can set up dual screens and Stealth Rock for Latios on hyper offensive teams. Additionally, Deoxys-S can cripple walls and attackers with Knock Off being able to remove key items such as Victini's Choice Scarf and Chansey's Eviolite. It can also prevent other entry hazard setters such as Hippowdon and Ferrothorn from setting up their entry hazards with Taunt.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs (Psychic)
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Surf
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Latios's strongest STAB move that acts as a nuke, allowing it to blow past Pokemon such as Porygon2 and Mega Sableye. Psyshock allows Latios to nail specially defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, as well as providing a way to hit threats such as Volcarona after a Quiver Dance boost. Surf allows Latios to nail Pokemon that resist both of its STAB attacks such as Heatran for super effective damage as well as OHKO Mega Diancie. Thunderbolt allows Latios to take on Water- and Flying-type Pokemon such as Mantine, Celesteela, and Skarmory.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment alongside a Timid nature allows Latios to be as fast as possible. Maximum Special Attack investment and Choice Specs help Latios become a powerful wallbreaker, allowing it to OHKO Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Gliscor, and Rotom-W.
Usage Tips
========
Due to the amount of sheer immediate power Choice Specs brings, Latios acts as a nuke and should click Draco Meteor to pick up a KO. However, make sure to use Draco Meteor at the proper time, as the immediate drop in Latios's Special Attack can allow threatening Pokemon such as Alolan Muk to quickly take advantage of it. Since Latios is locked into an attack due to Choice Specs, it should try to predict what the opponent will do and select the appropriate coverage attack. For example, if you are facing Steel and the opponent has Celesteela out, it is appropriate to click Thunderbolt. However, if it uses Protect on Latios, it can then switch out into a Pokemon that can better take on Thunderbolt such as Ferrothorn. At this point, Latios should switch out to a teammate that can take on the switch. Latios heavily depends on its item to get off massive damage. Therefore, it should avoid getting its item removed from Knock Off. It should also avoid paralysis, as that severely cuts its Speed, allowing more Pokemon to take it on such as Diggersby. Being poisoned or burned also chips Latios and should be avoided; however, they are not as crippling to Latios as paralysis is. Latios can bluff a Choice Scarf set, allowing it to lure in checks such as Porygon2 and 2HKO them with the second Draco Meteor after Stealth Rock chip damage. Additionally, it can force out specially defensive Pokemon by bluffing Trick and proceeding to nuke the opponent's Latios switch-in. However, once the opponent realizes Latios does not carry Trick, they can much more easily play around it with their specially defensive walls.
Team Options
========
Mega Gallade appreciates Latios's ability to immediately get rid of threats such as Mandibuzz and Skarmory with its STAB and coverage attacks. In return, it can take on Pokemon such as Chansey and Ferrothorn for Latios. Victini can patch up the lack of Fire coverage on Latios and take on Pokemon such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn for it. It can also cripple walls with Trick, locking them into one move, allowing Latios to take them on more easily. Mew can act as a stallbreaker for this set; with Knock Off, Taunt, and Will-O-Wisp it can cripple opposing walls such as Gastrodon as well as burn foes, chipping them for Latios. It can completely take on all walls bar Mega Sableye and weaken them for Latios. It can also act as a setup sweeper with Genesis Supernova and Nasty Plot, breaking down shared checks with Latios, thanks to its powerful Terrain-boosted Psychic-type STAB move. Jirachi can paralyze faster foes such as Greninja for Latios while providing key resistances to Ice- and Fairy-type attacks. It also provides Stealth Rock support and can pivot Latios in safely with U-turn. Alakazam is an emergency check to any non-Ghost-type physical attacker such as Excadrill with Focus Sash + Magic Guard and Counter. It also can check Ghost-type Pokemon such as Mimikyu with Shadow Ball that could otherwise easily take on Latios. Celebi is a special setup sweeper that can patch up holes in Latios's coverage, adding Grass-, Ground-, and Fire-type coverage to check a multitude of Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Heatran, and Mega Scizor. Celebi can also act as a specially defensive wall, allowing it to be the team's Stealth Rock user and can pivot in Latios safely with slow U-turn. Celebi also can act as a status absorber for Latios thanks to Natural Cure. Slowbro can cripple fast threats such as Mega Lopunny and Greninja with Thunder Wave while acting as a reliable physical wall thanks to Slack Off and Regenerator. Additionally, it can switch into threats to Latios such as Mamoswine thanks to it acting as a solid Ice-type resistance. Metagross can take on Fairy-type Pokemon for Latios such as Mega Diancie and Azumarill with its powerful STAB attack in Meteor Mash and priority move in Bullet Punch. Additionally, it can act as a solid Dragon-type switch-in for Latios due to its resistance to Dragon and its good natural bulk.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Psychic
--------
Life Orb and Soul Dew can be run on teams that do not need Latios to act as a Choice Scarf user, allowing it to switch between Defog and other attacks freely. However, this will force Victini to run Choice Scarf, effectively taking away its wallbreaking power. While this would improve matchups such as Bug, it severely reduces effectivity in most other matchups. Hidden Power Fire can be run over Thunderbolt on its Choice Specs set, allowing it to target different Steel-types such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, instead of just Celesteela.
Checks and Counters
===================
Psychic
--------
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Pokemon like Chansey, Tyranitar, and Ferrothorn can tank Latios's attacks and retaliate by attacking it with moves such as Stone Edge and Gyro Ball or targeting it with status moves such as Toxic and Thunder Wave them on with some prior chip damage.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-type Pokemon have the unique trait of being immune to Dragon, allowing them to easily switch into Latios, since a majority of the time it will click Draco Meteor. Additionally, they can then easily OHKO Latios with their STAB attacks such as Mega Diancie's Moonblast.
**Pursuit**: Pursuit users such as Alolan Muk and Mega Aerodactyl can trap Latios's Choice-locked sets, preventing it from switching back in and picking up the OHKO. However, all of them need to be careful of Choice Specs Draco Meteor and boosted Devastating Drake, as these moves can severely chip all of these Pokemon, thus allowing them to be easily picked off by Latios's teammates.
**Steel-types**: Steel-type Pokemon resist Dragon- and Psychic-type attacks, allowing them to switch into Latios's STAB moves easily. However, they need to be careful of Latios's coverage, as it can take on Pokemon such as Celesteela and Skarmory with Thunderbolt and Excadrill and Heatran with Surf.
**Revenge Killers**: Pokemon such as Greninja and Tapu Koko can easily outpace non-Choice Scarf variants of Latios and do tons of damage to it with their STAB attacks.
**Paralysis**: Paralysis severely affects Latios's ability to outpace slower Pokemon and eliminate them with its strong STAB and coverage options.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[maroon, 305839]]
- Psychic analysis by: [[maroon, 305839]]
- Quality checked by: [[Havens, 391540], [Misaka Mikoto, 240969], [Eien, 100418]]
- Grammar checked by: [[deetah, 297659], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
(delete all current latios sets aside mega; place mega as last set. Then put these three over it in the dex)
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