OU Latios

QC: p2 / Zamrock / Subject 18
GP: The Dutch Pumberjack / frenzyplant

[OVERVIEW]

Latios's great Speed tier and offensive stats make it a premier check to several threats in the OU metagame such as Keldeo, Mega Medicham, and Mega Charizard X and Y. Moreover, its excellent offensive typing, high-powered STAB attacks, and vast range of coverage options make Latios a formidable offensive threat in its own right, able to threaten defensive staples like Toxapex, Ferrothorn, Celesteela, Amoonguss, and Zapdos. Latios also sports numerous type resistances and has access to recovery, enabling it to act as a solid pivot into Water-, Grass-, Electric-, and Fire-type attacks from the likes of Serperior, Thundurus, Heatran, and Mega Charizard Y. Access to Defog makes Latios one of the few offensive entry hazard removers in OU, one of its main niches in a tier where hazard removers are largely passive and often pressured by setters like Ferrothorn, offensive Landorus-T, and Heatran. Despite its strengths, though, Latios is threatened by common Fairy-types in the tier such as Tapu Lele, Mega Mawile, and Magearna and walled by Steel-types like Celesteela, Heatran, and Ferrothorn should Latios lack the appropriate coverage. Latios is also troubled by faster offensive threats such as Greninja, Tapu Koko, Weavile, Tornadus-T, and Alakazam and is highly vulnerable to Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar and Alolan Muk.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Thunderbolt
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor boosted by Choice Specs is an incredibly powerful attack that deals considerable damage even to Pokemon that resist it. Psychic serves as a strong secondary STAB attack that crushes Toxapex, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur, 2HKOes Bold Clefable, and has a very high chance to 2HKO Tapu Fini and Calm Clefable. Psyshock is an alternative option that allows Latios to better pressure Chansey and 2HKO it with prior damage. Hidden Power Fire is used to lure in and remove bulky Steel-types, allowing Latios to KO Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn and weaken Assault Vest Magearna and Magnezone so as to limit their ability to further check it. Thunderbolt provides stronger coverage against bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini and Suicune and also covers some Steel-types like Celesteela and Skarmory. Surf is another coverage option that lets Latios cleanly 2HKO Heatran and Tyranitar. Shadow Ball can be used to 2HKO Tapu Lele and specially defensive Jirachi but has limited use otherwise. Trick lets Latios cripple defensive Pokemon and setup sweepers by replacing their items or locking them into one move. Sleep Talk is a viable choice over Trick that allows Latios to act as a sleep absorber and continue attacking, maintaining momentum against sleep inducers like Spore Amoonguss.
Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack investment with Choice Specs maximizes Latios's wallbreaking power. A Timid nature with maximum Speed investment allows Latios to outrun Keldeo, Garchomp, and Mega Charizard X and Y and Speed tie with Gengar and opposing Latios. Levitate grants Latios an immunity to Ground-type moves, allowing it to pivot into attacks like Earthquake from Landorus-T or Earth Power from Heatran.

Usage Tips
========

Choice Specs Latios is an excellent wallbreaker that can easily weaken walls with its raw power and create openings for teammates to exploit; as such, Choice Specs Latios works best when played aggressively. Find opportunities to bring it in through pivots, through double switches, or by taking advantage of its many resistances to fire off strong attacks early on. While Choice Specs Latios deals great damage, it is best to use prediction when choosing an attack to avoid losing momentum. Be aware that its lack of recovery makes Choice Specs Latios a less consistent switch-in to Pokemon Latios normally checks like Keldeo and Zapdos. Additionally, Choice Specs Latios is more susceptible to getting worn down through passive means like status and entry hazards such as a Scald burn from Toxapex, a Toxic from Chansey, and other common status-inducing moves on stall, balance, and other bulky playstyles that Choice Specs Latios is typically used against. As Choice Specs locks Latios into one move, it is liable to being taken advantage of by opposing setup sweepers and Pursuit trappers.

Team Options
========

Pokemon with good cleaning capabilities like Ash-Greninja, Tapu Koko, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Mawile appreciate Choice Specs Latios's wallbreaking abilities and can take advantage of openings to clean weakened teams. Likewise, Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Garchomp, and Nihilego make good partners, as they can pick off weakened Pokemon and potentially clean. Bulky pivots such as Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Assault Vest Magearna can use U-turn or Volt Switch to safely bring in Latios. Other pivots like Magnezone, Jirachi, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T can serve as secondary checks to Water-, Electric-, and Grass-type attacks so Latios isn't worn down too quickly. Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, Keldeo, and Manaphy can work with Latios to weakened shared checks and overwhelm special walls like Chansey, Celesteela, and Assault Vest Magearna and Tangrowth.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Trick
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Defog
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor provides Latios with a strong STAB attack to revenge kill fast threats like Greninja, Choice Scarf Garchomp, and +1 Mega Charizard X. Psyshock gives Latios a secondary STAB attack to deal decent damage to special walls like Chansey and Tornadus-T and reliably revenge kill Volcarona, as Psyshock 2HKOes Volcarona while Volcarona cannot OHKO Latios. Psychic can be used over Psyshock to deal consistent damage to Pokemon like Keldeo, Toxapex, and Mega Venusaur without dropping Latios's Special Attack. Trick is useful for crippling defensive Pokemon in situations where Choice Scarf is expendable—for example, against a stall team where the Speed boost might not be required, in situations where Latios does not need to revenge kill a sweeper or keep a fast threat in check, or in situations where Choice Scarf hinders Latios by preventing it from switching moves. Hidden Power Fire allows Latios to hit Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Mega Scizor for substantial damage. Defog may be used to ensure that Latios can remove entry hazards if needed and is useful for supporting hazard-weak sweepers like Volcarona, Gyarados, and Mega Pinsir. Recover is an option to keep Latios healthy over time and prevent it from getting whittled down, letting it better check Pokemon like Keldeo. Memento is viable on offensively inclined teams to provide setup opportunities for teammates, letting Latios cripple a foe and safely bring in a sweeper. Thunder Wave is a niche option that can be utilized as an emergency check to threats Latios cannot reliably KO, such as Shift Gear Magearna and Autotomize Celesteela, to make them more manageable for teammates.

Set Details
========

A Timid nature with the given EV spread maximizes Latios's Speed and damage output. Maximum Speed investment is important to outrun Choice Scarf Garchomp, Keldeo, Terrakion, and Landorus-T and Pokemon faster than base 110 Speed like Greninja, Serperior, Tapu Koko, Dugtrio, and Mega Alakazam. It also enables Latios to outspeed +1 Mega Charizard X, Zygarde, and Volcarona and Speed tie with Choice Scarf Gengar.

Usage Tips
========

Choice Scarf Latios's primary role is to keep fast foes in check; use it to revenge kill speedy threats and opposing sweepers. Latios's Speed tier makes it a stellar user of Choice Scarf, as the ability to outrun and threaten other Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Garchomp, and Landorus-T is very useful. Choice Scarf Latios excels against offensive teams thanks to its high Speed and natural power. Trick is a great tool against bulkier teams for which Latios might not require the Speed boost, so find opportunities to Trick Choice Scarf onto a defensive Pokemon like Chansey, Celesteela, or Tapu Fini; Trick is also useful for stopping some setup sweepers like Calm Mind Suicune. Choice Scarf Latios is highly prone to being taken advantage of by setup Pokemon, especially if it is locked into a -2 Draco Meteor or a utility move. In the same vein, Pursuit trappers can take advantage of a Choice-locked Latios by trapping it.

Team Options
========

Strong wallbreakers like Mega Medicham, Mega Heracross, Choice Specs Keldeo, and Tapu Lele synergize well with Choice Scarf Latios, as they can break down bulky Pokemon that this Latios set typically struggles against such as Heatran, Magearna, and Chansey, while Latios can dispatch fast, offensive Pokemon that threaten them in return. Pivots like Landorus-T, Rotom-W, Mega Scizor, and Magnezone can provide free opportunities to switch in Latios; Magnezone in particular is a great teammate, as it can pivot into Fairy-type attacks and trap Steel-types for Latios, allowing it to more freely fire Draco Meteors. Entry hazards can whittle down opposing Pokemon and help Latios to more easily secure KOs or clean late-game, making Spikes setters like Ferrothorn and Greninja good teammates. Boosting sweepers such as Double Dance Landorus-T, Dragon Dance Zygarde, and Volcarona greatly benefit from Latios's ability to provide setup opportunities via Memento and Trick.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Defog / Recover
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor is Latios's primary STAB attack and dents anything not resistant or immune to it. Psychic is Latios's best tool against Keldeo, Toxapex, Amoonguss, Mega Venusaur, Mega Heracross, and physically defensive Clefable. Psyshock may be used to hit Chansey and other specially defensive Pokemon harder. Hidden Power Fire surprises common Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor and hits them for heavy damage. Defog allows Latios to support its team by removing entry hazards—this is particularly useful for Spikes removal, as Latios both is immune to Spikes and threatens common setters like Ferrothorn and Skarmory. Recover may be used instead to increase Latios's longevity, allowing it to repeatedly sponge hits from Pokemon like Keldeo and Zapdos. Thunderbolt provides additional coverage to damage bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini, Suicune, and Mantine as well as Steel-types like Celesteela and Skarmory. Surf is yet another coverage option to lure in Heatran and Tyranitar and Ground-types like Landorus-T and Excadrill and take a huge chunk off their health. Earthquake is also a viable option, as it has a high chance to OHKO bulky Heatran after Stealth Rock and deals considerably greater damage than Hidden Power Fire to Assault Vest Magearna and Magnezone, OHKOing the latter after Stealth Rock.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack investment lets Latios hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Latios to outrun Keldeo, Garchomp, Manaphy, Kyurem-B, Mega Medicham, and Mega Charizard X and Y and tie with positive-nature base 110 Speed Pokemon like Gengar and opposing Latios. Levitate is Latios's only ability and provides it with an immunity to Ground-type attacks. Life Orb is the preferred item, as it boosts all of Latios's attacks and furthers its damage output, and running 29 HP IVs will minimize Life Orb recoil. Soul Dew may be used in lieu of Life Orb to boost Latios's STAB attacks and avoid recoil at the cost of a slight drop in power and no boost to its coverage attacks. If running Earthquake, Latios should run a Hasty nature in order to pick up the OHKO on Heatran and Magnezone after Stealth Rock.

Usage Tips
========

Latios is quite flexible in terms of its roles on a team, but it is best employed as an offensive supporter, using its coverage and resistances to lure in Pokemon, cover teammates, and remove entry hazards if needed. Use Latios's powerful STAB attacks to punch holes early on and make opposing Pokemon switch out. As Latios typically forces a switch into a Pokemon that resists its attacks, teammates can take advantage of this by double switching into an incoming Latios check—for example, switching to Magnezone to trap an incoming Celesteela or to a strong Ground- or Water-type on a Heatran. Avoid revealing Latios's coverage move too early, especially in situations where the foe has ample opportunity to scout; it may be better to feign lack of a certain coverage attack first to condition the opponent into keeping the lured Pokemon in later. Conversely, play Latios more aggressively against teams with few checks or little room to scout for its coverage. Against teams with Pursuit trappers, avoid unnecessarily switching Latios in. You should also be wary about using Defog if there is a Defiant user like Bisharp on the opposing team, as doing so could hand it a free Attack boost. If you decide to Defog, determine whether you have reliable counterplay should you trigger Defiant, like a Fighting-type in the back in Bisharp's case. If removing entry hazards is a high priority in a battle, decide if sacrificing Latios is worth it or if the team greatly relies upon it to check a certain threat.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that benefit from having bulky Steel-types weakened such as Mega Pinsir and Tapu Lele pair well with Latios. Keldeo is an ideal teammate, as it can threaten the majority of Latios's Steel- and Dark-type checks. Fairy-types such as Magearna, Tapu Lele, and Azumarill share great offensive synergy with Latios and can take advantage of different Dark-types that prey on it like Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Weavile. Steel-types like Heatran, Excadrill, Magnezone, and Mega Scizor are excellent partners for their ability to tank Fairy- and Dragon-type attacks for Latios, with Latios checking Ground-, Fire-, and Water-type Pokemon in return. Pokemon like Volcarona, Gyarados, and Mega Charizard X and Y greatly appreciate Latios's ability to keep entry hazards off the field.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A Calm Mind set with dual STAB attacks and Recover turns Latios into a self-sustaining wallbreaker that can pressure bulky teams through setup and serve as a potential wincon. Psychium Z pairs well with this set, as a +1 Shattered Psyche allows Latios to muscle through Pokemon like Zapdos and Alomomola as well as Tapu Fini, physically defensive Skarmory, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T after Stealth Rock. Heal Block lets Latios deny recovery to opposing Pokemon and fits best on playstyles that can continually pressure bulky Pokemon such as Spikes stacking. Colbur Berry helps Latios avoid being revenge killed by Pursuit trappers in most situations, but it has limited utility compared to other items.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types are a tremendous threat to Latios, as they are immune to Draco Meteor and can threaten Latios with their STAB attacks. Tapu Lele tanks nearly all of Latios's attacks and OHKOes it with Moonblast. Magearna, Clefable, and Mega Mawile can tank any of Latios's attacks and retaliate with powerful Fairy-type attacks. Belly Drum Azumarill, Shift Gear and Trick Room Magearna, and Swords Dance Mega Mawile can use Latios as setup fodder.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Latios's STAB attacks, meaning Latios must rely on coverage to overcome them. Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn wall Latios lacking Hidden Power Fire; Mega Scizor can also trap it with Pursuit. Heatran reliably checks non-Surf Latios and can status it or set up entry hazards. Celesteela, Bronzong, and specially defensive Jirachi can easily check Latios due to their high defenses, with Celesteela only fearing Thunderbolt from Life Orb or Choice Specs sets.

**Revenge Killers**: Offensive Pokemon faster than Latios can revenge kill it. Both Protean and Battle Bond variants of Greninja outspeed Latios and easily KO it. Tapu Koko is immune to Draco Meteor and can 2HKO Latios with Dazzling Gleam. Weavile can OHKO Latios with Knock Off and Icicle Crash and trap it with Pursuit. Assault Vest Tornadus-T can pivot into Latios' attacks, and Life Orb variants can deal heavy damage. Choice Scarf users like Garchomp and Landorus-T can also revenge kill non-Choice Scarf Latios.

**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Alolan Muk can cut Latios's run short with Pursuit. Bisharp can Sucker Punch Latios before it can use its coverage and set up on Choice-locked variants. Hoopa-U has enough special bulk to tank Draco Meteor and KO with Dark Pulse or Hyperspace Fury.

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Specially defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, bulky Heatran, Calm Clefable, and Assault Vest Tangrowth and Magearna can consistently check Latios if it lacks certain coverage attacks. Chansey and Heatran can stomach Latios's attacks and stall out Latios with Toxic. Calm Clefable avoids the 2HKO from both Psychic and Psyshock against non-Choice Specs sets. Assault Vest Tangrowth can pivot into any of Latios's attacks and keep itself healthy with Regenerator, and Assault Vest Magearna can switch into Latios multiple times and threaten it with Fleur Cannon.
 
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Ready for QC.

Edit: Fixed typos and revised some murky points, core stuff stays the same.
 
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Think it could be worth mentioning Darkinium Z Memento? Latios is fast enough to use it well and it could be a decent option on the offensive set for when Latios has done its job.
 
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Martin

A monoid in the category of endofunctors
is a Smogon Discord Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
When you mention Heal Block in OO, give Psychium a mention as a potential alternative item for its ability to turn it into Nasty Plot+blocking effect, which enables it to break through stuff it targets like Chansey a lot quicker whilst leaving it more threatening later on and also leaving the option for Shattered Psyche open vs. teams which you can't afford to boost up against
 

Eclipse

Like a chimp with a machine gun
is a Contributor Alumnus
Just a few things:

Shadow Ball is basically OO material now, for obvious reasons. You should elaborate more on Psyshock on all sets, mainly its ability to make sure Latios doesn't get walled by Volcarona. Speaking of Volcarona, I'd recommend putting Psyshock as the primary slash on Scarf; Psychic means Latios is a revenge killer that gets walled by Volcarona which is just disgusting, as Psyshock lets you outspeed and 2HKO Volcarona while it cannot OHKO Latios back in return with +1 Inferno Overdrive, even with Rocks up.

Also play up Scarf Latios' speed tier in Set Details; being one of the the fastest relevant scarfers outside of Gren and kinda Gengar, it can check both Grens and Scarf Keldeo along with the mentions you have done.
 

p2

Banned deucer.
set order for this mon should be specs > scarf > lo/sd/defog whatever

QC:
GP:

[OVERVIEW]

* Strong special attacker with access to powerful STAB and coverage attacks.
* Has good defensive application, typing lets it check Water-, Grass,- Fire-, Fighting-, and Electric-types and access to recovery allows it to repeatedly switch in.
* Offensive check to prominent threats in the tier such as Keldeo, Mega Medicham, and Mega Charizard X and Y.
* Threatens defensive staples like Toxapex, Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Rotom-W, and Zapdos between its STABs and wide coverage.
* One of the few offensive hazard removers in the tier.
* Speed tier lets it outrun most of the meta but falls short of outrunning faster offensive threats like Greninja.
* Prevalence of Steel- and Fairy-types considerably hinders Latios.
* Susceptible to Pursuit trappers.

this doesn't really tell me much, its a very vague overview and it just doesn't tell me much about the mon, the points are a bit all over the place. id suggest something like this:
*explain what the mon does, what does it do in the meta that makes it worth using
*what does it bring to teams, what kind of dangerous threats does it beat


and onto the flaws:
*what flaws does it face in the meta, you've listed these already and they're not too badly vague but just list stuff


[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Thunder / Defog
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Recover
item: Electrium Z / Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

i don't agree with this. make this the set:

move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Defog / Recover
item: Life Orb

tbolt/surf/eq in moves, mention psyshock alongside psychic in moves too.

soul dew in set details


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Draco Meteor is Latios' primary STAB attack that dents anything not resistant or immune to it.
* Psyshock gives Latios secondary STAB to hit specially defensive walls like Chansey.
* Psychic may be used for its slightly higher power and to hit targets like Mega Venusaur harder.
* Thunder used with Electrium Z gives Latios a 185-Base Power Gigavolt Havoc to lure Pokemon like Skarmory, Celesteela, and Tapu Fini, severely weakening or KOing them with some prior damage.
* Defog may be used if hazard removal is needed, particularly useful for Spikes removal as Latios is immune to it and threatens common Spikes setters like Ferrothorn and Skarmory.
* Hidden Power Fire lures common Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor and hits them for heavy damage.
* Recover increases Latios' longevity against bulkier teams and certain threats like Keldeo by allowing it to repeatedly sponge hits and heal off the damage.
* Surf is an option to lure and hit Heatran, Tyranitar, and Landorus-Therian super effectively.
* Shadow Ball can be used to reliably damage Tapu Lele and Bronzong.

Set Details
========

* Maximum Special Attack investment lets Latios hit as hard as possible.
* Maximum Speed allows Latios to speed tie with positive-nature Base 110 like Gengar. what else can it outspeed, surely you dont max invest lati speed just to speed tie with gengar?
* Life Orb may be used if you forgo Electrium Z, in this case replace Thunder with an additional coverage or utility move and run 29 HP IVs to minimize Life Orb recoil. remove electrium mentions
* Soul Dew may be used in lieu of Life Orb to boost Latios's STAB attacks and avoid recoil but at the cost of a slight drop in power and no boost to its coverage attacks.

Usage Tips
========

* Use Latios's powerful STAB attacks to weaken opposing Pokemon early on or to threaten them to switch out.
* Teammates can take advantage of switch-out opportunities by doubling into an incoming Latios check, Choice Specs Magnezone trapping a Celesteela being one example.
* Avoid revealing Latios's coverage too early, especially in situations where the opponent has ample opportunity to scout; it may be better to feign lack of certain coverage first to condition the opponent into keeping the lured Pokemon in later.
* Conversely, play Latios more aggressively against teams with few checks or little room to scout for its coverage.
* Play carefully against Pursuit trappers, avoid unnecessarily switching Latios in.
you should definitely have a line about when to defog / avoiding triggering defiant etc, if lati has to be sacced to defog then decide if its worth

Team Options
========

* Pokemon that benefit from having bulky Steel-types weakened, such as Zygarde, Mega Pinsir, and Tapu Lele, pair well with Latios. how does zygarde appreciate steels weakened if anything its the mon weakening steels
* Keldeo is a particularly good teammate as it can threaten the majority of Latios' Steel- and Dark-type checks.
* Fairy-types such as Magearna, Azumarill, and Tapu Lele share great offensive synergy with Latios and can take advantage of different Dark-types that prey on it like Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Weavile.
* Steel-types like Heatran, Excadrill, Jirachi, and Mega Scizor make excellent partners for their ability to tank Fairy- and Dragon-type attacks for Latios; Latios can check Ground-, Fire-, and Water-type attacks in return.
* Pokemon such as Volcarona, Gyarados, and Mega Charizard X and Y greatly appreciate Latios's ability to keep hazards off the field.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Trick
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Defog
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Draco Meteor gives Latios strong STAB to revenge kill fast threats like Greninja, Scarf Garchomp, and +1 Mega Charizard X.
* Psychic provides secondary STAB that hits Fairy-types and reliably damage Pokemon like Toxapex and Mega Venusaur without dropping its Special Attack.
* Trick is useful for crippling defensive Pokemon in situations where Choice Scarf is expendable.
* Hidden Power Fire allows Latios to hit Steel-types for substantial damage.
* Defog may be used to ensure that Latios can remove entry hazards at a moment's notice.
* Recover is an option to keep Latios healthy over time to better check Pokemon like Keldeo and prevent it from getting whittled.
* Memento is viable on more offensive teams to provide setup opportunities for sweepers.
* Although a niche option, Thunder Wave can be utilized as an emergency check for threats that Latios cannot reliably KO, such as Shift Gear Magearna and Autotomize Celesteela, to make them more manageable for teammates.

remember vagueness, go into detail about stuff wherever possible

Set Details
========

* Full Special Attack investment maximizes damage.
* Max speed is important to outrun Choice Scarf Garchomp and Landorus and +1 Mega Charizard X and tie with the likes of Choice Scarf Gengar. any more stuff? what about some of the 108 scarfers? what about all the offensive stuff in the 111-150 range?

Usage Tips
========

* Choice Scarf Latios's primary role is speed control, use it to revenge kill fast threats and sweepers.
* Choice Scarf Latios excels against offensive teams due to its high speed and natural power.
* Trick is a great tool against bulkier teams where Latios may not require the speed boost, find opportunities to Trick Choice Scarf onto defensive Pokemon like Chansey or Tapu Fini.
* Trick is also useful for crippling some setup sweepers, like locking Calm Mind Suicune into a move for instance.
* This variant of Latios is extremely susceptible to Pursuit trappers as it is locked into one move and lacks the extra power of its other sets.
* Latios is highly prone to being taken advantage of by the opponent, especially if it is locked into a -2 Draco Meteor.

Team Options
========

* Strong wallbreakers like Mega Medicham, Mega Heracross, and Choice Specs Keldeo and Tapu Lele make great teammates as they can break down bulky Pokemon that Choice Scarf Latios struggles against such as Heatran, Megearna, and Chansey; Latios can dispatch fast, offensive Pokemon that threaten them in return.
* Pivots such as Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Magnezone, Mega Scizor can provide free switch-in opportunities for Latios.
* Magnezone in particular can serve as a pivot into Fairy-types and trap Steel-types for Latios, allowing it to more freely fire Draco Meteors.
* Entry hazards can whittle down opposing Pokemon and make it easier for Latios to clean late-game, as such Spikes setters like Ferrothorn and Greninja make for good teammates.
* Boosting sweepers such as Mega Charizard X, Double Dance Landorus-T, Dragon Dance Zygarde, and Volcarona greatly benefit from Latios's ability to provide opportunities to setup via Trick and Memento.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Draco Meteor is an incredibly powerful nuke that deals considerable damage even to Pokemon that resist it.
* Psychic serves as strong secondary STAB that crushes Toxapex and Mega Venusaur, 2HKOs Bold Clefable, and gives Latios a very high chance to 2HKO Tapu Fini and Calm Clefable.
* Psyshock allows Latios to better pressure the likes of Chansey and 2HKO it with prior damage.
* Hidden Power Fire is used to lure bulky Steel-types, KOing Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn and weakening Celesteela, Magearna, and Assault Vest Magnezone so as to limit their ability to further check Latios.
* Shadow Ball is an alternative option to cleanly 2HKO Tapu Lele and Specially Defensive Jirachi after prior damage.
* Surf is another coverage option that lets Latios 2HKO Heatran and Tyranitar. move surf above sball, sball isnt even that good since the main target got banned a while ago
* Trick allows Latios to cripple defensive Pokemon and setup sweepers by replacing key items like Eviolite and Assault Vest or locking them into one move.
* Sleep Talk is a viable choice over Trick that lets Latios act as a sleep absorber and continue attacking, maintaining momentum against Spore Amoonguss and other sleep inducers.

Set Details
========

* 252 Special Attack EVs maximizes Latios' wallbreaking power.
* Max Speed with a Timid nature allows Latios to outrun Keldeo, Garchomp, and Charizard and speed tie with Gengar and opposing Latios.

Usage Tips
========

* Choice Specs Latios is an excellent wallbreaker that can easily weaken walls with its raw power and create openings for teammates to exploit.
* This Latios set works best when played aggressively, find opportunities to bring it in through pivots and double switches or by taking advantage of its many resistances.
* Lack of recovery makes Choice Specs Latios a less consistent switch-in to Pokemon it normally checks like Keldeo and Zapdos.
* Additionally, Choice Specs Latios is more susceptible to being worn down through passive means like status and entry hazards, especially since it is commonly utilized against bulkier teams and is thus very prone to Scald burns from Toxapex or Toxic from Chansey.
* As Choice Specs locks Latios into one move, it is liable to being taken advantage of by opposing set-up sweepers and Pursuit trappers should Latios lock itself into a non-coverage attack.

Team Options
========

* Pokemon with good cleaning capabilities like Ash-Greninja, Tapu Koko, Swords Dance Mega Scizor, and Mega Mawile appreciate Latios's wallbreaking abilities and can clean weakened teams.
* Likewise, Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Garchomp, and Nihilego synergize well with Latios as they can pick off weakened Pokemon and potentially clean.
* Bulky pivots such as Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Assault Vest Magearna can use U-turn or Volt Switch to safely bring in Latios. Other pivots like Magnezone, Jirachi, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T can serve as secondary checks to Water-, Electric-, and Grass-types so Latios isn't gradually worn down.
* Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, Keldeo, and Manaphy can work with Choice Specs Latios to weaken shared checks and overwhelm special walls like Celesteela, Chansey, and Assault Vest Magearna and Tangrowth.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* A Calm Mind set with dual STABs and Recover turns Latios into a self-sustaining wallbreaker that can pressure bulky teams through setup and serve as a potential wincon. mention psychium z here too alongside cm, cool set
* Ghostium Z used with Shadow Ball is a possible lure option to OHKO Tapu Lele, Bronzong after Stealth Rock, and certain bulky Psychics like Reuniclus and Slowbro. ghostium sucks dont use this
* Heal Block allows Latios to prevent opposing Pokemon from recovering and works best on playstyles that can continually pressure bulky Pokemon such as Spikes stacking.
* Colbur Berry helps Latios avoid being revenged by Pursuit trappers in most situations, but it has limited utility compared to other items.
* Tailwind can be used to support slower, offensive teammates like Mega Medicham by doubling their speed for four turns. remove

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types are immune to Draco Meteor and can threaten Latios with STAB Fairy-type attacks. Tapu Lele is threatened only by Ghost coverage and can OHKO Latios with Moonblast. Magearna, Clefable, and Mega Mawile can tank any of Latios's attacks and retaliate with powerful Fairy-type attacks; Mega Mawile can also Sucker Punch. Bar Z-Thunder, Tapu Fini can also stomach most of Latios's attacks and 2HKO it. Belly Drum Azumarill, Shift Gear Magearna, and Swords Dance Mega Mawile can use Latios as setup fodder.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of its STABs, meaning it must rely on coverage to overcome them. Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn wall Latios lacking Hidden Power Fire, the former also Pursuit trapping it. Heatran reliably checks non-Surf Latios and can status it. Jirachi, Celesteela, and Bronzong are especially resilient Latios checks by virtue of their high defenses.

**Revenge killers**: Offensive Pokemon faster than Latios can revenge kill it. Greninja, both Protean and Battle Bond, outspeed non-Choice Scarf Latios and KO it with Ice Beam and STAB Dark Pulse. Tapu Koko is immune to Draco Meteor and can 2HKO Latios with Dazzling Gleam. Weavile can OHKO with Knock Off and Icicle Crash and trap with Pursuit. Assault Vest Tornadus-T can pivot into Latios' attacks and Life Orb variants can deal heavy damage. Choice Scarf users like Garchomp and Landorus-T can also revenge Latios.

**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Tyranitar, Bisharp, Weavile, and Alolan Muk can cut Latios' run short with Pursuit. Bisharp can Sucker Punch Latios before it can use its coverage and set up on Choice-locked variants. Weavile can outspeed and KO with its STAB attacks. Hoopa-Unbound has enough special bulk to tank Draco Meteor and KO with Dark Pulse or Hyperspace Fury.

**Chansey**: Chansey comfortably tanks nearly all of its Latios's attacks thanks to Eviolite and its extremely high bulk. Choice Specs and Choice Scarf variants of Latios can cripple it with Trick; Choice Specs Latios has a chance to 2HKO with Psyshock with some prior damage and Calm Mind sets can pressure Chansey or potentially beat it if it lacks status. Otherwise, Chansey can stall out Latios with a combination of Seismic Toss, Toxic, and Softboiled. i dont think chansey deserves a c&c section specifically for it, why not just put specially defensive inclined mons, things like chansey/clef/av magear/bulky tran etc.
1/3
 

Gary

Can be abrasive at times (no joke)
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
5th Progress on this? Please implement p2's check within 48 hours or else it's going to have to be reassigned.
 

Ragnarock

Banned deucer.
I'd still slash psyshock on the scarf set because if you trick chansey, it is best to do some good damage with psyshock. Also for specs I would slash tbolt with hp fire since it can be a good lure for not just tapu fini but also celesteela. Other than that this was well written. 2/3
 
On Specs slash Thunderbolt with HP Fire on Specs like Zamrock mentioned. You talked about it in moves, but it should be listed as a slash.

Scarf should be Psyshock first over Psychic since you have trick and psyshock will do more to the likes of Chansey after it's tricked. (Zamrock also mentioned this.)


Lemme know when you implement so I can stamp it.
 

Lemonade

WOOPAGGING
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Team Rater Alumnusis a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis an Artist Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
To make gp a bit easier, please change ’ to ' (curly to straight). Just google "how to change curly apostrophe to straight" and there will be results for Word and such.
 
[OVERVIEW]

Latios's great Speed tier and offensive stats makes it a premier check to several threats in the OU metagame such as Keldeo, Mega Medicham, and Mega Charizard X and Y. Moreover, its excellent offensive typing, high-powered STAB attacks, and vast coverage options makes Latios a formidable offensive threat in its own right, being able to threaten defensive staples like Toxapex, Ferrothorn, Celesteela, Amoonguss, and Zapdos. Latios also sports numerous type resistances and has access to reliable recovery, enabling it to act as a solid pivot into Water-, Grass-, Fire-, and Electric-type attacks from the likes of Heatran, Thundurus, Serperior, and Mega Charizard Y. Access to Defog makes Latios one of the few offensive hazard removers in OU, one of its main niches in a tier where hazard removal is largely passive and often pressured by setters like Ferrothorn, offensive Landorus-T, and Heatran. Despite its strengths, Latios is threatened by common Fairy-types in the tier such as Tapu Lele, Mega Mawile, and Magearna and walled by Steel-types like Celesteela, Heatran, and Ferrothorn should Latios lack the appropriate coverage. Latios is also troubled by faster offensive threats such as Greninja, Tapu Koko, Weavile, Tornadus-T, and Alakazam, and is highly vulnerable to Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar and Alolan Muk.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Thunderbolt
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor boosted by Choice Specs is an incredibly powerful attack that deals considerable damage even to Pokemon that resist it. Psychic serves as a strong secondary STAB attack that crushes Toxapex, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur, 2HKOes Bold Clefable, and has a very high chance to 2HKO Tapu Fini and Calm Clefable. Psyshock is an alternative option that lets Latios to better pressure Chansey and 2HKO it with prior damage. Hidden Power Fire is used to allow Latios (the move does not lure it, the Pokemon does) to lure bulky Steel-types, allowing Latios to KO Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn and weaken Assault Vest Magearna and Magnezone so as to limit their ability to further check it. Thunderbolt provides stronger coverage against bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini and Suicune and also covers some Steel-types like Celesteela and Skarmory. Surf is another coverage option that lets Latios cleanly 2HKO Heatran and Tyranitar. Shadow Ball can be used to 2HKO Tapu Lele and specially defensive Jirachi, but has limited use otherwise. Trick lets Latios cripple defensive Pokemon and setup sweepers by replacing items or locking them into one move. Sleep Talk is a viable choice over Trick that allows Latios to act as a sleep absorber and continue attacking, maintaining momentum against sleep inducers like Spore Amoonguss.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack investment maximizes Choice Specs Latios's wallbreaking power. A Timid nature with maximum Speed investment allows Latios to outrun Kedleo, Garchomp, and Mega Charizard X and Y and Speed tie with Gengar and opposing Latios.

Usage Tips
========

Choice Specs Latios is an excellent wallbreaker that can easily weaken walls with its raw power and create openings for teammates to exploit; as such, Choice Specs Latios works best when played aggressively. Find opportunities to bring it in through pivots, double switches, or by taking advantage of its many resistances, (RC) to so it can fire off strong attacks early on. While Choice Specs Latios deals great damage, it is best to use prediction when choosing an attacks (attacks are chosen more than once) to avoid losing momentum (examples please). Be aware that a lack of recovery makes Choice Specs Latios a less consistent switch-in to Pokemon it normally checks like Keldeo and Zapdos. Additionally, Choice Specs Latios is more susceptible to getting worn down through passive means like status and entry hazards and is thus more prone to being whittled by a Scald burn from Toxapex, a Toxic from Chansey, or other common status inducers on stall, balance, and other bulky playstyles in which Choice Specs Latios is typically used against. As Choice Specs locks Latios into one move, it is liable to being taken advantage of by opposing set-up sweepers and Pursuit trappers should Latios lock itself into a non-coverage attack.

Team Options
========

Pokemon with good cleaning capabilities like Ash-Greninja, Tapu Koko, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Mawile appreciate Choice Specs Latios's wallbreaking abilities and can take advantage of openings to clean weakened teams. Likewise, Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Garchomp, and Nihilego make good partners, (AC) as they can pick off weakened Pokemon and potentially clean. Bulky pivots such as Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Assault Vest Magearna can U-turn or Volt Switch to safely bring in Latios. Other pivots like Magnezone, Jirachi, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T can serve as secondary checks to Water-, Electric-, and Grass-type attacks so Latios isn't worn down too quickly. Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, Keldeo, and Manaphy can work with Latios to weakened shared checks and overwhelm special walls like Chansey, Celesteela, and Assault Vest Magearna and Tangrowth.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Trick
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Defog
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor provides Latios with a strong STAB attack to revenge kill fast threats like Greninja, Scarf Garchomp, and +1 Mega Charizard X. Psyshock gives Latios a secondary STAB to deal decent damage to special walls like Chansey and Tornadus-T and reliably revenge kill Volcarona, as Psyshock 2HKOes it while Volcarona cannot OHKO it. Psychic can be used over Psyshock to consistently damage to Pokemon like Keldeo, Toxapex, and Mega Venusaur without dropping its Special Attack. Trick is useful for crippling defensive Pokemon in situations where Choice Scarf is expendable – for example, against a stall team where the Speed boost may not be required, in situations where Latios does not need to revenge kill a sweeper or keep a fast threat in check, or in situations where (you just used that...) Choice Scarf hinders Latios by preventing it from switching moves. Hidden Power Fire allows Latios to hit Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Mega Scizor for substantial damage. Defog may be used to ensure that Latios can remove entry hazards if needed and is useful for supporting hazards-weak sweepers like Volcarona, Gyarados, and Mega Pinsir. Recover is an option to keep Latios healthy over time and prevent it from getting whittled down, letting it better check Pokemon like Keldeo. Memento is viable on offensively-inclined teams to provide setup opportunities for teammates, as it letsing Latios cripple a foe and safely bring in a sweeper. Thunder Wave is a niche option that can be utilized as an emergency check to threats Latios cannot reliably KO, such as Shift Gear Magearna and Autotomize Celesteela, to make them more manageable for teammates.

Set Details
========

A Timid nature with the given EV spread maximizes Latios's speed and damage output. Maximum Speed investment is important to outrun Choice Scarf Garchomp, Keldeo, Terrakion, and Landotus-T and Pokemon faster that than base 110 Speed like Greninja, Serperior, Tapu Koko, Dugtrio, and Mega Alakazam. It also enables Latios to outspeed +1 Mega Charizard X, Zygarde, and Volcarona, and Speed tie with Choice Scarf Gengar.

Usage Tips
========

Choice Scarf Latios's primary role is speed control, (RC); (ASC) use it to revenge kill fast threats and opposing sweepers. Latios's Speed tier makes it a stellar user of Choice Scarf, (AC) as the ability to outrun and threaten other Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Garchomp, and Landorus-T is very useful. Choice Scarf Latios excels against offensive teams thanks to its high Speed and natural power. Trick is a great tool against bulkier teams where Latios may not require the Speed boost, find opportunities to Trick Choice Scarf onto defensive Pokemon like Chansey, Celesteela, or Tapu Fini; Trick is also useful for stopping some setup sweepers, like locking Calm Mind Suicune into a move for instance. Choice Scarf Latios is highly prone to being taken advantage of by the opponent for set-up opportunities, especially if it is locked into a -2 Draco Meteor or a utility move. In the same vein, Pursuit trappers can take advantage of a choice-locked Latios by trapping it.

Team Options
========

Strong wallbreakers like Mega Medicham, Mega Heracross, Choice Specs Keldeo, and Tapu Lele synergize well with Choice Scarf Latios, (AC) as they can break down bulky Pokemon that this Latios set typically struggles against such as Heatran, Magearna, and Chansey, while Latios can dispatch fast, offensive Pokemon that threaten them in return. Pivots like Landorus-T, Rotom-W, Mega Scizor, and Magnezone can provide free switch-in opportunities for Latios; Magnezone in particular is a great teammate, (AC) as it can pivot into Fairy-type attacks and trap Steel-types for Latios, allowing it to more freely fire Draco Meteors. Entry hazards can whittle down opposing Pokemon and help Latios to more easily secure KOs or clean late-game, making Spikes setters like Ferrothorn or Greninja good teammates. Boosting sweepers such as Double Dance Landorus-T, Dragon Dance Zygarde, and Volcarona greatly benefit from Latios's ability to provide setup opportunities via Memento and Trick.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Defog / Recover
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor is Latios's primary STAB attack that dents anything not resistant or immune to it. Psychic is Latios's best tool against Kedldeo, Toxapex, Amoonguss, Mega Venusaur, Mega Heracross, and physically defensive Clefable. Psyshock may be used to hit Chansey and other specially defensive Pokemon harder. Hidden Power Fire lures common Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor and hit them for heavy damage. Defog allows Latios to support its team by removing entry hazards – this is particularly useful for Spikes removal as Latios is both immune to Spikes and threatens common setters like Ferrothorn and Skarmory. Recover may be used to increase Latios's longevity, allowing it to repeatedly sponge hits from Pokemon like Keldeo and Zapdos. Thunderbolt provides additional coverage to damage bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini, Suicune, and Mantine as well as Steel-types like Celesteela and Skarmory. Surf is yet another coverage option that enables Latios to lure Heatran and Tyranitar and Ground-types like Landorus-T and Excadrill, taking a huge chunk off their health. Earthquake is also a viable option, (AC) as it has a high chance to OHKO bulky Heatran after Stealth Rock and deals considerably greater damage than Hidden Power Fire to Assault Vest Magearna and Magnezone, OHKOing the latter after Stealth Rock.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack investment lets Latios hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed with a Timid nature allows Latios to outrun Keldeo, Garchomp, Manaphy, Kyurem-Black, Mega Medicham, and Mega Charizard X and Y and tie with positive-nature base 110 Speed Pokemon like Gengar and opposing Latios. Levitate is Latios's only ability and provides it with an immunity to Ground-type attacks. Life Orb is the preferred item, (AC) as it boosts all of Latios's attacks and furthers its damage output, and running 29 HP IVs will minimize Life Orb recoil. Soul Dew may be used in lieu of Life Orb to boost Latios's STAB attacks and avoid recoil but at the cost of a slight drop in power and no boost to its coverage attacks. If running Earthquake, Latios should run a Hasty nature in order to pick up the OHKO on Heatran and Magnezone after Stealth Rock.

Usage Tips
========

Latios is quite flexible in terms of its roles on a team but it is best employed as offensive support, using its coverage and resistances to lure Pokemon, cover teammates, and remove hazards if needed. Use Latios's powerful STAB attacks to punch holes early on and threaten opposing Pokemon to switch out. As Latios typically forces a switches into Pokemon that resist its STAB moves, teammates can take advantage of this by double switching into an incoming Latios check – for example, switching in a Magnezone switch to trap an incoming Celesteela or a switching in a strong Ground- or Water-type onto into a Heatran (parallelism). Avoid revealing Latios's coverage too early, especially in situations where the foe has ample opportunity to scout; it may be better to feign lack of a certain coverage attack first to condition the opponent into keeping the lured Pokemon in later. Conversely, play Latios more aggressively against teams with few checks or little room to scout for its coverage. Against teams with Pursuit trappers, avoid unnecessarily switching Latios in. You should also be wary about using Defog if there is a Defiant user like Bisharp on the opposing team, as doing so could hand them a free Attack boost. If you decide to Defog, determine whether you have reliable counterplay should you trigger Defiant; (ASC) like for example, (AC) having a Fighting-type in the back in Bisharp's case. If removing hazards is a high priority in a battle, deicide if sacrificing Latios is worth it or if the team greatly relies upon it to check a certain threat.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that benefit from having bulky Steel-types weakened, (AC) such as Mega Pinsir and Tapu Lele, (AC) (clarity) pair well with Latios. Keldeo is an ideal teammate as it can threaten the majority of Latios's Steel- and Dark-type checks. Fairy-types such as Magearna, Tapu Lele, and Azumarill share great offensive synergy with Latios and can take advantage of different Dark-types that prey on it like Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Weavile. Steel-types like Heatran, Excadrill, Magnezone, and Mega Scizor are excellent partners for their ability to tank Fairy- and Dragon-type attacks for Latios, with; (ASC) in return, Latios checking can take Ground-, Fire-, and Water-type attacks in return. Pokemon like Volcarona, Gyarados, and Mega Charizard X and Y greatly appreciate Latios's ability to keep hazards off the field.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A Calm Mind set with dual STAB attacks and Recover turns Latios into a self-sustaining wallbreaker that can pressure bulky teams through setup and serve as a potential wincon ('wincon' is used improperly, please replace it with something else). (RP); (ASC) Psychium Z pairs well with this set, (AC) as a +1 Shattered Psyche allows Latios to muscle through Pokemon like Zapdos, Alomomola, and Tapu Fini, physically defensive Skarmory, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T after Stealth Rock. Heal Block lets Latios deny recovery to opposing Pokemon and fits best on playstyles that can continually pressure bulky Pokemon such as Spikes stacking. Colbur Berry helps Latios avoid being revenge killed by Pursuit trappers in most situations, but has limited utility compared to other items.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types are a tremendous threat to Latios, (AC) as they are immune to Draco Meteor and can threaten Latios with STAB Fairy-type attacks. Tapu Lele tanks nearly all of Latios's attacks and OHKOes with Moonblast. Magearna, Clefable, and Mega Mawile can tank any of Latios's attacks and retaliate with powerful Fairy-type attacks. Belly Drum Azumarill, Shift Gear and Trick Room Magearna, and Swords Dance Mega Mawile can use Latios as setup fodder.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Latios's STAB attacks, meaning Latios must rely on coverage to overcome them. Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn wall Latios lacking Hidden Power Fire; Mega Scizor can also trap it with Pursuit. Heatran reliably checks non-Surf Latios and can status it or set up hazards. Celesteela, Bronzong, and specially defensive Jirachi can easily check Latios due to their high defenses, with Celesteela only fearing Thunderbolt from Life Orb or Choice Specs sets.

**Revenge Killers**: Offensive Pokemon faster than Latios can revenge kill it. Greninja, both Protean and Battle Bond, outspeed Latios and easily KO it. Tapu Koko is immune to Draco Meteor and can 2HKO Latios with Dazzling Gleam. Weavile can OHKO Latios with Knock Off and or Icicle Crash, (AC) and or (can't Pursuit trap a fainted Latios) trap it with Pursuit. Assault Vest Tornadus-T can pivot into Latios's attacks and Life Orb variants can deal heavy damage. Choice Scarf users like Garchomp and Landorus-T can also revenge kill non-Choice Scarf Latios.

**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Alolan Muk can cut Latios's run short with Pursuit. Bisharp can Sucker Punch Latios before it can use its coverage and set up on Choice-locked variants. Hoopa-Unbound has enough special bulk to tank Draco Meteor and KO with Dark Pulse or Hyperspace Fury.

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Specially defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, bulky Heatran, Calm Clefable, and Assault Vest Tangrowth and Magearna can consistently check Latios if it lacks certain coverage attacks. Chansey and Heatran can stomach Latios's attacks and stall out Latios with Toxic. Calm Clefable avoids the 2HKO from both Psychic and Psyshock against non-Choice Specs sets. Assault Vest Tangrowth can pivot into any of Latios's attacks and keep itself healthy with Regenerator, (AC) and Assault Vest Magearna can switch into Latios multiple times and threaten it with Fleur Cannon.
 
Last edited:

Lumari

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remove
add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]

Latios's great speed Speed tier and offensive stats makes make it a premier check to several threats in the OU metagame such as Keldeo, Mega Medicham, and Mega Charizard X and Y. Moreover, its excellent offensive typing, high-powered STAB attacks, and vast range of coverage options makes make Latios a formidable offensive threat in its own right, being able to threaten defensive staples like Toxapex, Ferrothorn, Celesteela, Amoonguss, and Zapdos. Latios also sports numerous type resistances and has access to recovery, enabling it to act as a solid pivot into Water-, Grass-, Fire-, and Electric-type attacks from the likes of Heatran, Thundurus, Serperior, and Mega Charizard Y. Access to Defog makes Latios one of the few offensive entry hazard removers in OU, one of its main niches in a tier where hazard removal is removers are largely passive and often pressured by setters like Ferrothorn, offensive Landorus-T, and Heatran. Despite its strengths, though, Latios is threatened by common Fairy-types in the tier such as Tapu Lele, Mega Mawile, and Magearna and walled by Steel-types like Celesteela, Heatran, and Ferrthorn Ferrothorn should Latios lack the appropriate coverage. Latios is also troubled by faster offensive threats such as Greninja, Tapu Koko, Weavile, Tornadus-T, and Alakazam (RC) and is highly vulnerable to Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar and Alolan Muk.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Thunderbolt
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor boosted by Choice Specs is an incredibly powerful attack that deals considerable damage even to Pokemon that resist it. Psychic serves as a strong secondary STAB attack that crushes Toxapex, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur, 2HKOes Bold Clefable, and has a very high chance to 2HKO Tapu Fini and Calm Clefable. Psyshock is an alternative option that lets allows Latios to better pressure Chansey and 2HKO it with prior damage. Hidden Power Fire is used to lure and remove bulky Steel-types, allowing Latios to KO Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn and weaken Assault Vest Magearna and Magnezone so as to limit their ability to further check it. Thunderbolt provides stronger coverage against bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini and Suicune and also covers some Steel-types like Celesteela and Skarmory. Surf is another coverage option that lets Latios cleanly 2HKO Heatran and Tyranitar. Shadow Ball can be used to 2HKO Tapu Lele and specially defensive Jirachi, but it has limited use otherwise. Trick lets Latios cripple defensive Pokemon and setup sweepers by replacing items or locking them into one move. Sleep Talk is a viable choice over Trick that allows Latios to act as a sleep absorber and continue attacking, maintaining momentum against sleep inducers like Spore Amoonguss.
Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack investment with Choice Specs maximizes Choice Specs Latios' Latios's wallbreaking power. A Timid nature with maximum Speed allows Latios to outrun Kedleo, Keldeo, Garchomp, and Mega Charizard X and Y and Speed tie with Gengar and opposing Latios. (add Levitate too)

Usage Tips
========

Choice Specs Latios is an excellent wallbreaker that can easily weaken walls with its raw power and create openings for teammates to exploit; as such, Choice Specs Latios works best when played aggressively. Find opportunities to bring it in through pivots, through double switches, or by taking advantage of its many resistances (RC) to fire off strong attacks early on. While Choice Specs Latios deals great damage, it is best to use prediction when choosing an attack to avoid losing momentum. Be aware that lack of recovery makes Choice Specs Latios a less consistent switch-in to Pokemon it Latios normally checks like Keldeo and Zapdos. Additionally, Choice Specs Latios is more susceptible to getting worn down through passive means like status and entry hazards and is thus more prone to being whittled by a Scald burn from Toxapex, a Toxic from Chansey, or other common status inducers on stall, balance, and other bulky playstyles in which that Choice Specs Latios is typically used against. As Choice Specs locks Latios into one move, it is liable to being taken advantage of by opposing set-up setup sweepers and Pursuit trappers should Latios lock itself into a non-coverage (what does this mean here?) attack.

Team Options
========

Pokemon with good cleaning capabilities like Ash-Greninja, Tapu Koko, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Mawile appreciate Choice Specs Latios's wallbreaking abilities and can take advantage of openings to clean weakened teams. Likewise, Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Garchomp, and Nihilego make good partners, (AC) as they can pick off weakened Pokemon and potentially clean. Bulky pivots such as Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Assault Vest Magearna can U-turn or Volt Switch to safely bring in Latios. Other pivots like Magnezone, Jirachi, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T can serve as secondary checks to Water-, Electric-, and Grass-type attacks so Latios isn't worn down too quickly. Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, Keldeo, and Manaphy can work with Latios to weakened shared checks and overwhelm special walls like Chansey, Celesteela, and Assault Vest Magearna and Tangrowth.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Trick
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Defog
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor provides Latios with a strong STAB attack to revenge kill fast threats like Greninja, Choice Scarf Garchomp, and +1 Mega Charizard X. Psyshock gives Latios a secondary STAB attack to deal decent damage to special walls like Chansey and Tornadus-T and reliably revenge kill Volcarona, as Psyshock 2HKOes it while Volcarona cannot OHKO it. Psychic can be used over Psyshock to deal consistent damage to Pokemon like Keldeo, Toxapex, and Mega Venusaur without dropping its Latios's Special Attack. Trick is useful for crippling defensive Pokemon in situations where Choice Scarf is expendable—for example, against a stall team where the Speed boost may not be required, in situations where Latios does not need to revenge kill a sweeper or keep a fast threat in check, or in situations where Choice Scarf hinders Latios by preventing it from switching moves. Hidden Power Fire allows Latios to hit Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Mega Scizor for substantial damage. Defog may be used to ensure that Latios can remove entry hazards if needed and is useful for supporting hazards-weak hazard-weak sweepers like Volcarona, Gyarados, and Mega Pinsir. Recover is an option to keep Latios healthy over time and prevent it from getting whittled down, letting it better check Pokemon like Keldeo. Memento is viable on offensively inclined (RH) teams to provide setup opportunities for teammates, letting Latios cripple a foe and safely bring in a sweeper. Thunder Wave is a niche option that can be utilized as an emergency check to threats Latios cannot reliably KO, such as Shift Gear Magearna and Autotomize Celesteela, to make them more manageable for teammates.

Set Details
========

A Timid nature with the given EV spread maximizes Latios's Speed and damage output. Maximum Speed investment is important to outrun Choice Scarf Garchomp, Keldeo, Terrakion, and Landotus-T Landorus-T and Pokemon faster that base 110 Speed like Greninja, Serperior, Tapu Koko, Dugtrio, and Mega Alakazam. It also enables Latios to outspeed +1 Mega Charizard X, Zygarde, and Volcarona (RC) and Speed tie with Choice Scarf Gengar.

Usage Tips
========

Choice Scarf Latios's primary role is speed control; (SC) use it to revenge kill fast threats and opposing sweepers. Latios's Speed tier makes it a stellar user of Choice Scarf, (AC) as the ability to outrun and threaten other Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Garchomp, and Landorus-T is very useful. Choice Scarf Latios excels against offensive teams thanks to its high speed and natural power. Trick is a great tool against bulkier teams where Latios may not require the Speed boost, so find opportunities to Trick Choice Scarf onto defensive Pokemon like Chansey, Celesteela, or Tapu Fini; Trick is also useful for stopping some setup sweepers (RC) like locking Calm Mind Suicune into a move for instance. Choice Scarf Latios is highly prone to being taken advantage of by the opponent for set-up setup opportunities, especially if it is locked into a -2 Draco Meteor or a utility move. In the same vein, Pursuit trappers can take advantage of a Choice-locked Latios by trapping it.

Team Options
========

Strong wallbreakers like Mega Medicham, Mega Heracross, Choice Specs Keldeo, and Tapu Lele synergize well with Choice Scarf Latios, (AC) as they can break down bulky Pokemon that this Latios set typically struggles against such as Heatran, Magearna, and Chansey, while Latios can dispatch fast, offensive Pokemon that threaten them in return. Pivots like Landorus-T, Rotom-W, Mega Scizor, and Magnezone can provide free switch-in opportunities to switch in for Latios; Magnezone in particular is a great teammate, (AC) as it can pivot into Fairy-type attacks and trap Steel-types for Latios, allowing it to more freely fire Draco Meteors. Entry hazards can whittle down opposing Pokemon and help Latios to more easily secure KOs or clean late-game, making Spikes setters like Ferrothorn or and Greninja good teammates. Boosting sweepers such as Double Dance Landorus-T, Dragon Dance Zygarde, and Volcarona greatly benefit from Latios's ability to provide setup opportunities via Memento and Trick.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Defog / Recover
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor is Latios's primary STAB attack that dents anything not resistant or immune to it. Psychic is Latios's best tool against Kedleo, Toxapex, Amoonguss, Mega Venusaur, Mega Heracross, and physically defensive Clefable. Psyshock may be used to hit Chansey and other specially defensive Pokemon harder. Hidden Power Fire lures surprises common Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor and hits them for heavy damage. Defog allows Latios to support its team by removing entry hazards—this is particularly useful for Spikes removal, (AC) as Latios both is both immune to Spikes and threatens common setters like Ferrothorn and Skarmory. Recover may be used to increase Latios's longevity, allowing it to repeatedly sponge hits from Pokemon like Keldeo and Zapdos. Thunderbolt provides additional coverage to damage bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini, Suicune, and Mantine as well as Steel-types like Celesteela and Skarmory. Surf is yet another coverage option to lure Heatran and Tyranitar and Ground-types like Landorus-T and Excadrill (RC) taking and take a huge chunk off their health. Earthquake is also a viable option, (AC) as it has a high chance to OHKO bulky Heatran after Stealth Rock and deals considerably greater damage than Hidden Power Fire to Assault Vest Magearna and Magnezone, OHKOing the latter after Stealth Rock.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack investment lets Latios hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed with a Timid nature allows Latios to outrun Keldeo, Garchomp, Manaphy, Kyurem-Black, Mega Medicham, and Mega Charizard X and Y and tie with positive-nature base 110 Speed Pokemon like Gengar and opposing Latios. Levitate is Latios's only ability and provides it with an immunity to Ground-type attacks. Life Orb is the preferred item, (AC) as it boosts all of Latios's attacks and furthers its damage output, and running 29 HP IVs will minimize Life Orb recoil. Soul Dew may be used in lieu of Life Orb to boost Latios's STAB attacks and avoid recoil but at the cost of a slight drop in power and no boost to its coverage attacks. If running Earthquake, Latios should run a Hasty nature in order to pick up the OHKO on Heatran and Magnezone after Stealth Rock.

Usage Tips
========

Latios is quite flexible in terms of its roles on a team, (AC) but it is best employed as an offensive supporter, using its coverage and resistances to lure Pokemon, cover teammates, and remove entry hazards if needed. Use Latios's powerful STAB attacks to punch holes early on and threaten opposing Pokemon to switch out. As Latios typically forces a switch into a resist Pokemon that resists its attacks, teammates can take advantage of this by doubling into an incoming Latios check—for example, switching to a Magnezone switch to trap an incoming Celesteela or a switching in to a strong Ground- or Water-type on a Heatran. Avoid revealing Latios's coverage too early, especially in situations where the foe has ample opportunity to scout; it may be better to feign lack of a certain coverage attack first to condition the opponent into keeping the lured Pokemon in later. Conversely, play Latios more aggressively against teams with few checks or little room to scout for its coverage. Against teams with Pursuit trappers, avoid unnecessarily switching Latios in. You should also be wary about using Defog if there is a Defiant user like Bisharp on the opposing team, as doing so could hand them a free Attack boost. If you decide to Defog, determine whether you have reliable counterplay should you trigger Defiant, (AC) like a Fighting-type in the back in Bisharp's case. If removing hazards is a high priority in a battle, deicide decide if sacrificing Latios is worth it or if the team greatly relies upon it to check a certain threat.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that benefit from having bulky Steel-types weakened such as Mega Pinsir and Tapu Lele pair well with Latios. Keldeo is an ideal teammate, (AC) as it can threaten the majority of Latios's Steel- and Dark-type checks. Fairy-types such as Magearna, Tapu Lele, and Azumarill share great offensive synergy with Latios and can take advantage of different Dark-types that prey on it like Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Weavile. Steel-types like Heatran, Excadrill, Magnezone, and Mega Scizor are excellent partners for their ability to tank Fairy- and Dragon-type attacks for Latios, with Latios checking Ground-, Fire-, and Water-type attacks in return. Pokemon like Volcarona, Gyarados, and Mega Charizard X and Y greatly appreciate Latios's ability to keep hazards off the field.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A Calm Mind set with dual STAB attacks and Recover turns Latios into a self-sustaining wallbreaker that can pressure bulky teams through setup and serve as a potential wincon. Psychium Z pairs well with this set, (AC) as a +1 Shattered Psyche allows Latios to muscle through Pokemon like Zapdos, Alomomola, and Tapu Fini, (either change this comma to as well as and remove the following comma, or remove "and" before Fini, depending on which mons you want "after Stealth Rock" to go with) physically defensive Skarmory, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T after Stealth Rock. Heal Block lets Latios deny recovery to opposing Pokemon and fits best on playstyles that can continually pressure bulky Pokemon such as Spikes stacking. Colbur Berry helps Latios avoid being revenge killed by Pursuit trappers in most situations, but it has limited utility compared to other items.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types are a tremendous threat to Latios, (AC) as they are immune to Draco Meteor and can threaten Latios with their STAB Fairy-type attacks. Tapu Lele tanks nearly all of Latios's attacks and OHKOes with Moonblast. Magearna, Clefable, and Mega Mawile can tank any of Latios's attacks and retaliate with powerful Fairy-type attacks. Belly Drum Azumarill, Shift Gear and Trick Room Magearna, and Swords Dance Mega Mawile can use Latios as setup fodder.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Latios' Latios's STAB attacks, meaning Latios must rely on coverage to overcome them. Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn wall Latios lacking Hidden Power Fire; Mega Scizor can also trap it with Pursuit. Heatran reliably checks non-Surf Latios and can status it or set up entry hazards. Celesteela, Bronzong, and specially defensive Jirachi can easily check Latios due to their high defenses, with Celesteela only fearing Thunderbolt from Life Orb or Choice Specs sets.

**Revenge Killers**: Offensive Pokemon faster than Latios can revenge kill it. Greninja, both Protean and Battle Bond, outspeed Latios and easily KO it. Tapu Koko is immune to Draco Meteor and can 2HKO Latios with Dazzling Gleam. Weavile can OHKO Latios with Knock Off and Icicle Crash and trap it with Pursuit. Assault Vest Tornadus-T can pivot into Latios' attacks and Life Orb variants can deal heavy damage. Choice Scarf users like Garchomp and Landorus-T can also revenge kill non-Choice Scarf Latios.

**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Alolan Muk can cut Latios' Latios's run short with Pursuit. Bisharp can Sucker Punch Latios before it can use its coverage and set up on Choice-locked variants. Hoopa-Unbound has enough special bulk to tank Draco Meteor and KO with Dark Pulse or Hyperspace Fury.

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Specially defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, bulky Heatran, Calm Clefable, and Assault Vest Tangrowth and Magearna can consistently check Latios if it lacks certain coverage attacks. Chansey and Heatran can stomach Latios's attacks and stall out Latios with Toxic. Calm Clefable avoids the 2HKO from both Psychic and Psyshock against non-Choice Specs sets. Assault Vest Tangrowth can pivot into any of Latios's attacks and keep itself healthy with Regenerator and Assault Vest Magearna can switch into Latios multiple times and threaten it with Fleur Cannon.
 
Last edited:

frenzyplant

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[OVERVIEW]

Latios's great Speed tier and offensive stats make it a premier check to several threats in the OU metagame such as Keldeo, Mega Medicham, and Mega Charizard X and Y. Moreover, its excellent offensive typing, high-powered STAB attacks, and vast range of coverage options make Latios a formidable offensive threat in its own right, being able to threaten defensive staples like Toxapex, Ferrothorn, Celesteela, Amoonguss, and Zapdos. Latios also sports numerous type resistances and has access to recovery, enabling it to act as a solid pivot into Water-, Grass-, Fire-, and Electric-type attacks from the likes of Heatran, Thundurus, Serperior, and Mega Charizard Y. (maybe reorder these so that they correspond to the order of types in the list of attacks, so Grass, Fire, Electric) Access to Defog makes Latios one of the few offensive entry hazard removers in OU, one of its main niches in a tier where hazard removers are largely passive and often pressured by setters like Ferrothorn, offensive Landorus-T, and Heatran. Despite its strengths, though, Latios is threatened by common Fairy-types in the tier such as Tapu Lele, Mega Mawile, and Magearna and walled by Steel-types like Celesteela, Heatran, and Ferrothorn should Latios lack the appropriate coverage. Latios is also troubled by faster offensive threats such as Greninja, Tapu Koko, Weavile, Tornadus-T, and Alakazam, (remove comma) and is highly vulnerable to Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar and Alolan Muk.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Thunderbolt
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor boosted by Choice Specs is an incredibly powerful attack that deals considerable damage even to Pokemon that resist it. Psychic serves as a strong secondary STAB attack that crushes Toxapex, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur, 2HKOes Bold Clefable, and has a very high chance to 2HKO Tapu Fini and Calm Clefable. Psyshock is an alternative option that allows Latios to better pressure Chansey and 2HKO it with prior damage. Hidden Power Fire is used to lure in and remove bulky Steel-types, allowing Latios to KO Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn and weaken Assault Vest Magearna and Magnezone so as to limit their ability to further check it. Thunderbolt provides stronger coverage against bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini and Suicune and also covers some Steel-types like Celesteela and Skarmory. Surf is another coverage option that lets Latios cleanly 2HKO Heatran and Tyranitar. Shadow Ball can be used to 2HKO Tapu Lele and specially defensive Jirachi, (remove comma) but has limited use otherwise. Trick lets Latios cripple defensive Pokemon and setup sweepers by replacing their items or locking them into one move. Sleep Talk is a viable choice over Trick that allows Latios to act as a sleep absorber and continue attacking, maintaining momentum against sleep inducers like Spore Amoonguss.
Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack investment with Choice Specs maximizes Latios's wallbreaking power. A Timid nature with maximum Speed investment allows Latios to outrun Keldeo, Garchomp, and Mega Charizard X and Y and Speed tie with Gengar and opposing Latios. Levitate grants Latios an immunity to Ground-type moves, allowing it to pivot into attacks like Earthquake from Landorus-T or Earth Power from Heatran.

Usage Tips
========

Choice Specs Latios is an excellent wallbreaker that can easily weaken walls with its raw power and create openings for teammates to exploit; as such, Choice Specs Latios works best when played aggressively. Find opportunities to bring it in through pivots, through double switches, or by taking advantage of its many resistances to fire off strong attacks early on. While Choice Specs Latios deals great damage, it is best to use prediction when choosing an attack to avoid losing momentum. Be aware that its lack of recovery makes Choice Specs Latios a less consistent switch-in to Pokemon Latios normally checks like Keldeo and Zapdos. Additionally, Choice Specs Latios is more susceptible to getting worn down through passive means like status and entry hazards, such as and is thus more prone to being whittled by (you're basically saying the same here as in the first part of the sentence) a Scald burn from Toxapex, a Toxic from Chansey, or and other common status-inducing moves inducers on stall, balance, and other bulky playstyles that Choice Specs Latios is typically used against. As Choice Specs locks Latios into one move, it is liable to being taken advantage of by opposing setup sweepers and Pursuit trappers.

Team Options
========

Pokemon with good cleaning capabilities like Ash-Greninja, Tapu Koko, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Mawile appreciate Choice Specs Latios's wallbreaking abilities and can take advantage of openings to clean weakened teams. Likewise, Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Garchomp, and Nihilego make good partners, as they can pick off weakened Pokemon and potentially clean. Bulky pivots such as Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Assault Vest Magearna can use U-turn or Volt Switch to safely bring in Latios. Other pivots like Magnezone, Jirachi, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T can serve as secondary checks to Water-, Electric-, and Grass-type attacks so Latios isn't worn down too quickly. Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, Keldeo, and Manaphy can work with Latios to weakened shared checks and overwhelm special walls like Chansey, Celesteela, and Assault Vest Magearna and Tangrowth.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Trick
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Defog
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor provides Latios with a strong STAB attack to revenge kill fast threats like Greninja, Choice Scarf Garchomp, and +1 Mega Charizard X. Psyshock gives Latios a secondary STAB attack to deal decent damage to special walls like Chansey and Tornadus-T and reliably revenge kill Volcarona, as Psyshock 2HKOes it Volcarona while Volcarona cannot OHKO Latios. it. (for clarity) Psychic can be used over Psyshock to deal consistent damage to Pokemon like Keldeo, Toxapex, and Mega Venusaur without dropping its Latios's Special Attack. Trick is useful for crippling defensive Pokemon in situations where Choice Scarf is expendable—for example, against a stall team where the Speed boost may might not be required, in situations where Latios does not need to revenge kill a sweeper or keep a fast threat in check, or in situations where Choice Scarf hinders Latios by preventing it from switching moves. Hidden Power Fire allows Latios to hit Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Mega Scizor for substantial damage. Defog may be used to ensure that Latios can remove entry hazards if needed and is useful for supporting hazard-weak sweepers like Volcarona, Gyarados, and Mega Pinsir. Recover is an option to keep Latios healthy over time and prevent it from getting whittled down, letting it better check Pokemon like Keldeo. Memento is viable on offensively inclined teams to provide setup opportunities for teammates, letting Latios cripple a foe and safely bring in a sweeper. Thunder Wave is a niche option that can be utilized as an emergency check to threats Latios cannot reliably KO, such as Shift Gear Magearna and Autotomize Celesteela, to make them more manageable for teammates.

Set Details
========

A Timid nature with the given EV spread maximizes Latios's Speed and damage output. Maximum Speed investment is important to outrun Choice Scarf Garchomp, Keldeo, Terrakion, and Landorus-T and Pokemon faster that than base 110 Speed like Greninja, Serperior, Tapu Koko, Dugtrio, and Mega Alakazam. It also enables Latios to outspeed +1 Mega Charizard X, Zygarde, and Volcarona and Speed tie with Choice Scarf Gengar.

Usage Tips
========

Choice Scarf Latios's primary role is speed control; ("speed control" has a specific meaning in doubles analyses that I'm not sure applies here. do you mean "to keep fast foes in check"?) use it to revenge kill fast threats and opposing sweepers. Latios's Speed tier makes it a stellar user of Choice Scarf, as the ability to outrun and threaten other Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Garchomp, and Landorus-T is very useful. Choice Scarf Latios excels against offensive teams thanks to its high Speed and natural power. Trick is a great tool against bulkier teams where for which Latios may might not require the Speed boost, so find opportunities to Trick Choice Scarf onto a defensive Pokemon like Chansey, Celesteela, or Tapu Fini; Trick is also useful for stopping some setup sweepers like Calm Mind Suicune. Choice Scarf Latios is highly prone to being taken advantage of by setup Pokemon, the opponent for setup opportunities, especially if it is locked into a -2 Draco Meteor or a utility move. In the same vein, Pursuit trappers can take advantage of a Choice-locked Latios by trapping it.

Team Options
========

Strong wallbreakers like Mega Medicham, Mega Heracross, Choice Specs Keldeo, and Tapu Lele synergize well with Choice Scarf Latios, as they can break down bulky Pokemon that this Latios set typically struggles against such as Heatran, Magearna, and Chansey, while Latios can dispatch fast, offensive Pokemon that threaten them in return. Pivots like Landorus-T, Rotom-W, Mega Scizor, and Magnezone can provide free opportunities to switch in Latios; Magnezone in particular is a great teammate, as it can pivot into Fairy-type attacks and trap Steel-types for Latios, allowing it to more freely fire Draco Meteors. Entry hazards can whittle down opposing Pokemon and help Latios to more easily secure KOs or clean late-game, making Spikes setters like Ferrothorn and Greninja good teammates. Boosting sweepers such as Double Dance Landorus-T, Dragon Dance Zygarde, and Volcarona greatly benefit from Latios's ability to provide setup opportunities via Memento and Trick.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Defog / Recover
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
(should you include the 29 HP IVs here?)

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor is Latios's primary STAB attack that and dents anything not resistant or immune to it. Psychic is Latios's best tool against Kedleo, Keldeo, Toxapex, Amoonguss, Mega Venusaur, Mega Heracross, and physically defensive Clefable. Psyshock may be used to hit Chansey and other specially defensive Pokemon harder. Hidden Power Fire surprises common Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor and hits them for heavy damage. Defog allows Latios to support its team by removing entry hazards—this is particularly useful for Spikes removal, as Latios both is immune to Spikes and threatens common setters like Ferrothorn and Skarmory. Recover may be used instead to increase Latios's longevity, allowing it to repeatedly sponge hits from Pokemon like Keldeo and Zapdos. Thunderbolt provides additional coverage to damage bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini, Suicune, and Mantine as well as Steel-types like Celesteela and Skarmory. Surf is yet another coverage option to lure in Heatran and Tyranitar and Ground-types like Landorus-T and Excadrill and take a huge chunk off their health. Earthquake is also a viable option, as it has a high chance to OHKO bulky Heatran after Stealth Rock and deals considerably greater damage than Hidden Power Fire to Assault Vest Magearna and Magnezone, OHKOing the latter after Stealth Rock.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack investment lets Latios hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Latios to outrun Keldeo, Garchomp, Manaphy, Kyurem-B, Mega Medicham, and Mega Charizard X and Y and tie with positive-nature base 110 Speed Pokemon like Gengar and opposing Latios. Levitate is Latios's only ability and provides it with an immunity to Ground-type attacks. Life Orb is the preferred item, as it boosts all of Latios's attacks and furthers its damage output, and running 29 HP IVs will minimize Life Orb recoil. Soul Dew may be used in lieu of Life Orb to boost Latios's STAB attacks and avoid recoil but at the cost of a slight drop in power and no boost to its coverage attacks. If running Earthquake, Latios should run a Hasty nature in order to pick up the OHKO on Heatran and Magnezone after Stealth Rock.

Usage Tips
========

Latios is quite flexible in terms of its roles on a team, but it is best employed as an offensive supporter, using its coverage and resistances to lure in Pokemon, cover teammates, and remove entry hazards if needed. Use Latios's powerful STAB attacks to punch holes early on and threaten make opposing Pokemon to switch out. As Latios typically forces a switch into a Pokemon that resists its attacks, teammates can take advantage of this by doubling into double switching against an incoming Latios check—for example, switching to Magnzeon Magnezone to trap an incoming Celesteela or to a strong Ground- or Water-type on a Heatran. Avoid revealing Latios's coverage move too early, especially in situations where the foe has ample opportunity to scout; it may be better to feign lack of a certain coverage attack first to condition the opponent into keeping the lured Pokemon in later. Conversely, play Latios more aggressively against teams with few checks or little room to scout for its coverage. Against teams with Pursuit trappers, avoid unnecessarily switching Latios in. You should also be wary about using Defog if there is a Defiant user like Bisharp on the opposing team, as doing so could hand them it a free Attack boost. If you decide to Defog, determine whether you have reliable counterplay should you trigger Defiant, like a Fighting-type in the back in Bisharp's case. If removing entry hazards is a high priority in a battle, decide if sacrificing Latios is worth it or if the team greatly relies upon it to check a certain threat.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that benefit from having bulky Steel-types weakened such as Mega Pinsir and Tapu Lele pair well with Latios. Keldeo is an ideal teammate, as it can threaten the majority of Latios's Steel- and Dark-type checks. Fairy-types such as Magearna, Tapu Lele, and Azumarill share great offensive synergy with Latios and can take advantage of different Dark-types that prey on it like Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Weavile. Steel-types like Heatran, Excadrill, Magnezone, and Mega Scizor are excellent partners for their ability to tank Fairy- and Dragon-type attacks for Latios, with Latios checking Ground-, Fire-, and Water-type Pokemon attacks in return. Pokemon like Volcarona, Gyarados, and Mega Charizard X and Y greatly appreciate Latios's ability to keep entry hazards off the field.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A Calm Mind set with dual STAB attacks and Recover turns Latios into a self-sustaining wallbreaker that can pressure bulky teams through setup and serve as a potential wincon. Psychium Z pairs well with this set, (comma) as a +1 Shattered Psyche allows Latios to muscle through Pokemon like Zapdos and Alomomola as well as Tapu Fini, physically defensive Skarmory, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T after Stealth Rock. Heal Block lets Latios deny recovery to opposing Pokemon and fits best on playstyles that can continually pressure bulky Pokemon such as Spikes stacking. Colbur Berry helps Latios avoid being revenge killed by Pursuit trappers in most situations, but it has limited utility compared to other items.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types are a tremendous threat to Latios, as they are immune to Draco Meteor and can threaten Latios with their STAB attacks. Tapu Lele tanks nearly all of Latios's attacks and OHKOes it with Moonblast. Magearna, Clefable, and Mega Mawile can tank any of Latios's attacks and retaliate with powerful Fairy-type attacks. Belly Drum Azumarill, Shift Gear and Trick Room Magearna, and Swords Dance Mega Mawile can use Latios as setup fodder.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Latios's STAB attacks, meaning Latios must rely on coverage to overcome them. Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn wall Latios lacking Hidden Power Fire; Mega Scizor can also trap it with Pursuit. Heatran reliably checks non-Surf Latios and can status it or set up entry hazards. Celesteela, Bronzong, and specially defensive Jirachi can easily check Latios due to their high defenses, with Celesteela only fearing Thunderbolt from Life Orb or Choice Specs sets.

**Revenge Killers**: Offensive Pokemon faster than Latios can revenge kill it. Greninja, both Protean and Battle Bond, Both Protean and Battle Bond variants of Greninja outspeed Latios and easily KO it. Tapu Koko is immune to Draco Meteor and can 2HKO Latios with Dazzling Gleam. Weavile can OHKO Latios with Knock Off and Icicle Crash and trap it with Pursuit. Assault Vest Tornadus-T can pivot into Latios' attacks, (comma) and Life Orb variants can deal heavy damage to it. Choice Scarf users like Garchomp and Landorus-T can also revenge kill non-Choice Scarf Latios.

**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Alolan Muk can cut Latios's run short with Pursuit. Bisharp can Sucker Punch Latios before it can use its coverage and set up on Choice-locked variants. Hoopa-U has enough special bulk to tank Draco Meteor and KO with Dark Pulse or Hyperspace Fury.

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Specially defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, bulky Heatran, Calm Clefable, and Assault Vest Tangrowth and Magearna can consistently check Latios if it lacks certain coverage attacks. Chansey and Heatran can stomach Latios's attacks and stall out Latios with Toxic. Calm Clefable avoids the 2HKO from both Psychic and Psyshock against non-Choice Specs sets. Assault Vest Tangrowth can pivot into any of Latios's attacks and keep itself healthy with Regenerator, (comma) and Assault Vest Magearna can switch into Latios multiple times and threaten it with Fleur Cannon.
 

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