DNNP
There is always next year
Introduction
After the release of the last of the ORAS Mega Stones and the hype died down, two of the megas settled nicely into the OU tier. Diancie, which found a nice offensive niche, and Latias, which, just as in ORAS, worked its way into balance and Semi-Stall teams. Although not my favorite mega by personal preference (*sigh* Manectric just doesn't get any luck *sigh*) I will say Latias is my favorite mega to use competitively. So before a Dugtrio suspect test rolls in, I am sharing the Mega-Latias team that has given me a lot of success.
Competitive Pokemon History
Although I have had a couple of different Alt's throughout the years, I have been part of the Showdown Community for almost 5 years now. I just recently joined the Smogon Forums and Community, but that is due to having "more" time on my hands. I first started playing in the end of Black and White 2, back in the days when Hackmons was actually a thing. I mostly played OM's but dabbled in OU, UU, and LC occasionally. With the introduction of X and Y, I began to play OU competitively and found it quite enjoyable. Despite my enjoyment, most of the teams I used were not of my own creation. In fact, it wasn't until the middle of ORAS that I began actually building my own teams. I always seemed to find that my teams had inherent flaws in them, so I had preferred to just use others, as I had more fun doing so. Since ORAS, and into SuMo, I have played a mix of teams passed to me and ones of my own creation. The teams I have made this gen seem to be a bit more solid, more focused, although that may be due to experience or just simply a different meta. Anyways, here is one of the newest creations, so hopefully it hold up.
Teambuilding Process
1. Mega Latias
First and foremost: Mega Latias. Exceptional overall bulk on both the physical and special side, a well placed speed tier of 110 allowing it to outspeed many threats, including Garchomp, Zygarde, Kartana, both forms of Charizard, Manaphy, Pinsir, etc. You get the point. Latias acts as a hard counter to Zard-Y and Mega Camerupt and can set up on almost any special attacker, including Shift Gear Magearna. Even Double Dance turns into a calm mind war, which can be won or lost depending on sets. Latias is a win condition in almost any game and can never be underestimated.
2. Tyranitar
Following Lati is a not so surprising choice: Tyranitar. A huge physical attacker, sometimes a bluff as to what the Mega is, and a trapper/breaker of some things Latias doesn't like. This thing traps opposing Lati@s, changes weather against Zard-Y and Ninetails, and can put huge dents into Chansey and Clefable. Also, being a physical attacker gave me a nice complement to Latias' special attacks.
3. Dugtrio
What do I have to say? It is the cookie cutter set that has become infamous in the OU tier. This thing can rid the opposition of Heatran, Tyranitar, Magearna, Chansey, Clefable, Mawile, etc. The list goes on and on. The main reason it is here is the same as most other teams; it rips holes in the defensive core to allow one of my pokes to sweep.
4. Toxapex
With the first three pokemon in place, I needed a defensive backbone for the team. Spefically, I needed an answer to Ash Greninja, Rain, Scizor, Volcarona and other set up sweepers. And so, we introduce Toxapex. With Regenerator, it is extremely annoying to kill, can Haze set-up sweepers, set T-Spikes, and just be annoying to deal with. It also gave me a grounded poison type to get rid of opposing T-Spikes. With Mega Latias to cover the ground, psychic and electric type attacks, it can be hard to kill.
5. Celesteela
Well, I have Pex. So obviously, in true OU fashion, I put Celesteela right behind it. The two form an excellent defensive backbone and with support from Mega Latias, create a hard to break defensive backbone. Celesteela is an answer to most physical attackers, from Excadrill to Pinsir to Kartana. It can also check most fairies, like Diancie and Clefable, both of whom can't stomach a Heavy Slam. And it is pretty obvious why Latias doesn't like fairies.
6. Clefable
For the last slot, I needed something with Stealth Rocks and a check to two things that basically tore through my team: Heracross and Zygarde. Hence, Clefable. With Magic Guard, it was the status absorber that my team needed, a check to most dragons, and a easy way to get ahead against Stall. It also helps me deal with any many of the stall breakers that cause problems for a Pex-Steela core, like Taunt Mew and Taunt Fini. It can also be considered a "lure" of sorts for things like Heatran and Magearna. A solid, reliable pokemon to round out the Defensive Core of the team.
The Team
Latias-Mega @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power
- Thunderbolt
Calcs:
+6 0 SpA Latias-Mega Stored Power (260 BP) vs. +6 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 408-480 (103.5 - 121.8%)
0 SpA Latias-Mega Stored Power (260 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Unaware Clefable: 405-477 (103 - 121.3%)
Even Double Dance Magearna has a hard time beating Mega Latias, especially if Latias gets started setting up first.
252 SpA Magearna Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Latias-Mega: 138-164 (38 - 45.1%)
+6 0 SpA Latias-Mega Stored Power (260 BP) vs. +6 0 HP / 4 SpD Magearna: 165-195 (54.8 - 64.7%)
All in all, Latias is a scary pokemon against any playstyle, from Offense to Balance to Stall.
Tyranitar (F) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Superpower
Calcs:
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Bug Buzz vs. 80 HP / 0 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 306-360 (84.7 - 99.7%)
252+ Atk Choice Band Tyranitar Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 313-369 (100.6 - 118.6%)
Dugtrio (M) @ Groundium Z
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Screech
- Earthquake
Toxapex (F) @ Shed Shell
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze
- Scald
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Def / 124 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Protect
- Leech Seed
- Flamethrower
- Heavy Slam
Clefable (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Soft-Boiled
- Moonblast
- Knock Off
Calcs:
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 178-210 (45.1 - 53.2%)
252+ Atk Heracross-Mega Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 175-210 (44.4 - 53.2%)
Threat List
Threats
Tapu Bulu: HighThis thing is an absolute monster against my team. SD Bulu with Rockium or Fightinium Z can crush Celesteela and with Stored Power on Latias, I can't really revenge kill. Nothing else can take a Wood Hammer and the only other pokemon that is faster is Dugtrio, which can't do much anyways.
Calcs:
+2 252 Atk Tapu Bulu All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 132+ Def Celesteela: 323-381 (81.1 - 95.7%)
+2 252 Atk Tapu Bulu Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 132+ Def Celesteela: 306-361 (76.8 - 90.7%)
+2 252 Atk Tapu Bulu Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Latias-Mega: 335-395 (92.2 - 108.8%)
+2 252 Atk Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Latias-Mega in Grassy Terrain: 252-297 (69.4 - 81.8%)
Rain: Medium
Rain teams are only a problem because Mega-Swampert. I can deal with it if Waterfall doesn't flinch, but Celesteela drops if it does, and after that, I'm in a bad spot. Both Latias and Clefable can tank an Ice Punch/Waterfall respectively, but they aren't really doing much back. The main way I deal with this is by trying to get T-Spikes up as early as possible and playing extremely safe with Celesteela and Toxapex.
Calcs:
252+ Atk Swampert-Mega Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 132+ Def Celesteela in Rain: 187-222 (46.9 - 55.7%)
252+ Atk Swampert-Mega Ice Punch vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Latias-Mega: 170-202 (46.8 - 55.6%)
252+ Atk Swampert-Mega Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable in Rain: 211-249 (53.5 - 63.1%)
Mega-Charizard X: Medium
As you can tell from the team composition, this thing is a problem IF it gets free set-up. Generally, to beat Zard, I have to sack Toxapex by spamming Haze and then use Dugtrio to revenge kill. Being that Pex is Specially Defensive, it doesn't eat a +1 Dragon Claw, and not much else can stop it. Clefable is set-up fodder if it carries Roost and Tyranitar can take a hit, but only if it is still at full. Playing this is a guessing game of what the set is, and after that, it is trying to minimize loses. The biggest issue with Zard-X is that if I sack my Pex, their Greninja just runs through my team unless I play like a God.
Calcs:
+1 252 Atk Tough Claws Charizard-Mega-X Dragon Claw vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Toxapex: 177-208 (58.2 - 68.4%)
+1 252 Atk Tough Claws Charizard-Mega-X Dragon Claw vs. 80 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 235-277 (65 - 76.7%)
Volcarona: Medium
Looking at my team, it is pretty easy to see why this is a threat. Obviously, if rocks are up, the problem is mitigated, but who doesn't run a Volcarona team with reliable hazard removal? The biggest problem is Psychium-Z, as it will OHKO Toxapex at +1. Even without a Z-move, Psychic still dents Toxapex, and without passive recovery, will eventually beat Toxapex. (Haze-Recover vs. Quiver-Psychic) Tyranitar can take a +1 Bug Buzz, but only if it is at full health. Dugtrio can snipe it with a Z-EQ, but it has to be at neutral speed. Clefable is just set up fodder and Latias dies to Bug Buzz, which has become more common. Against Volcarona, like with Zard-X, it is a bit of a guessing game. (I will mention that non-Bug Buzz Volc is set up fodder for Latias, so keep that in mind)
Calcs:
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Psychic vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 170-202 (55.9 - 66.4%)
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 330-390 (108.5 - 128.2%)
252 Atk Dugtrio Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 348-411 (111.8 - 132.1%)
Tapu Koko: Medium
The biggest problem I have with this thing is that I don't have good electric switch-ins. My only immunity is Dugtrio, which then gets outsped and U-Turned on, while Latias has to either eat a Dazzling Gleam or also take a U-Turn. Koko 2HKOs Clefable with Electric Terrain is up and can whittle down Tyranitar through Volt Switch or U-Turn as well. This thing doesn't sweep like Bulu, but it is a huge annoyance to deal with unless I get T-Spikes and rocks up.
Calcs:
252 SpA Magnet Tapu Koko Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tyranitar: 111-132 (32.5 - 38.7%)
252 SpA Tapu Koko Dazzling Gleam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Latias-Mega: 150-176 (41.3 - 48.4%)
252 Atk Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar in Electric Terrain: 363-427 (106.4 - 125.2%)
252 Atk Tapu Koko U-turn vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Latias-Mega: 122-144 (33.6 - 39.6%)
Ash-Greninja: Low
Similar to Swampert, but less threatening at first. If I can keep Greninja from nabbing a kill, Toxapex keeps it under control. Of course, that is relying on Dark Pulse not flinching, but in the case that it does, I can generally pivot into Tyranitar and Pursuit for damage or Clefable and Soft-Boiled. Also, if Latias gets up 2 calm minds by the time Greninja switches in, it can 1v1 Greninja, again, under the assumption that flinches don't ruin your day.
Calcs:
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja Dark Pulse vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Latias-Mega: 116-140 (31.9 - 38.5%)
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 93-111 (30.5 - 36.5%)
Terrain + Hawlucha: Low
This thing is just an annoyance for the team. If Clefable and Latias aren't at or near full, they both drop to a +2 Acrobatics. Celesteela can play mindgames with Protect vs. High Jump Kick, and Toxapex can Haze, but late game, this thing is a dangerous sweeper.
Calcs:
+2 252+ Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Latias-Mega: 267-315 (73.5 - 86.7%)
+2 252+ Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Toxapex: 216-255 (71 - 83.8%)
+2 252+ Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 273-322 (69.2 - 81.7%)
I would also like to note that if Hawlucha is at full, Latias doesn't kill with a Thunderbolt
0 SpA Latias-Mega Thunderbolt vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Hawlucha: 252-298 (78 - 92.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Importable
Latias-Mega @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power
- Thunderbolt
Tyranitar (F) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Superpower
Dugtrio (M) @ Groundium Z
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Screech
- Earthquake
Toxapex (F) @ Shed Shell
Ability: Regenerator
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze
- Scald
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Def / 124 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Protect
- Leech Seed
- Flamethrower
- Heavy Slam
Clefable (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Soft-Boiled
- Moonblast
- Knock Off
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power
- Thunderbolt
Tyranitar (F) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Superpower
Dugtrio (M) @ Groundium Z
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Screech
- Earthquake
Toxapex (F) @ Shed Shell
Ability: Regenerator
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze
- Scald
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Def / 124 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Protect
- Leech Seed
- Flamethrower
- Heavy Slam
Clefable (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Soft-Boiled
- Moonblast
- Knock Off
Conclusion
All in all, I have found this team to be extremely fun and very consistent. I have won a few tournaments in the OU room just by spamming this team, and it worked me up to the 1800's on the ladder. Despite that, this team does require a lot of forethought and prediction so it takes a bit to get used to it. I will also say that you get the best warm, fuzzy feeling when you load up this team and see SPL stall on the other side of the field. This team absolutely rips most stall teams apart if played decently, so its a good way to pick up your spirits. Hope you enjoy and keep on rolling.
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