03/29/24, 15:03
#379 | Registeel | Pokédex Strategy Moves Database | Latios | #381 |
This article gives you ideas of how to use Latias in battle in the Pokémon Black, Pokémon White and Pokemon B2W2 Games. It lists popular movesets used by competitive battlers, as well as a description on how to use each set to help you understand why the moves were chosen. These popular sets are usually the best to use in battle and so reading this guide will help you in your team building.
Gen 5: OverviewLatias is often a Pokemon that is considered to be outclassed by its brother, Latios; however, Latias has some advantages that its twin doesn´t. While Latios has a much better offensive presence with no boosts, Latias has a much better Base Stat spread, with 80/90/130 defenses and a solid 110 Base Special Attack and Speed. Even without access to Soul Dew (which was essentially a free Calm Mind), Latias is still a very dangerous threat and can demolish unprepared teams.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Levitate | Timid | leftovers | 252 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 252 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
This is the standard Calm Mind Latias with a few changes to adapt to the current metagame. Calm Mind is ideal, as Latias is usually able to get a solid amount of Calm Minds in thanks to its natural bulkiness. Recover is a fantastic move and works amazingly well with Latias; as it is a reliable form of Recovery, allowing Latias to remain healthy after obtaining a few Calm Mind boosts. Dragon Pulse is recommended for the third slot, due to STAB and being able to hit any Pokemon/Type.
The last move slot is basically a toss up, as Latias suffers from move slot syndrome. With Hidden Power Fire (after a Calm Mind) Latias is able to OHKO any variant of Scizor, which is one of the main threats for Latias. Refresh can be used to keep Latias safe from Toxic, which will absolutely destroy Latias. Psycho Shock is listed so that Latias can beat other Calm Mind users.
Additional Comments
This EV spread is designed so that Latias can set up a Calm Mind before the opponent attacks, granting it more special bulkiness. Max HP is used to increase Latias´ overall bulk. The remaining 4 EV´s can be pumped into either SpAtk or SpDef.
Roar can be used in the 4th move slot for phazing, but there are better options.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Levitate | Timid | choice specs / choice scarf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 252 | 0 | 252 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
With a Choice item, Latias becomes an extremely dangerous offensive threat. While Choiced Latios seems superior, there are several advantages of using Choiced Latias. The main advantage is that Latias is naturally bulkier than Latios, meaning it will take hits a little better while still being extremely dangerous. Draco Meteor is recommended for the first slot, as a Draco Meteor coming off 110 base Special Attack will hurt anything not Steel. Surf is recommended in the second slot due to its respectable type coverage with Draco Meteor. The third move slot is mainly for extra type coverage. Thunderbolt is listed first in order to knock out bulky waters, which could give Latias some trouble. Hidden Power Fire is listed to get rid of Foretress, Scizor, and Ferrothorn. Dragon Pulse seems weird, but it can be used repeatedly with no drawbacks, unlike Draco Meteor. Trick is recommended for the 4th move slot in order to cripple Blissey, or any other stalling Pokemon that give Latias trouble.
Additional Comments
The EV spread is standard special offensive. The Choice items are self explanatory. Specs turns Latias into a deadly sweeper while Scarf makes her a great revenge killer. Psycho Shock can be used if you´re afraid of Blissey, but this leaves Latias vulnerable to Tyranitar if used at the wrong time.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Levitate | Bold | leftovers | 252 | 0 | 252 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
Calm Mind is a fantastic move on this variant of Latias. Since this Latias is already designed to be physically bulky, the added Special Defense boosts really make Latias a huge pain to take down. Calm Mind also makes Latias a dangerous offensive threat, as a few Calm Minds will allow Latias to deal some massive damage even without any investment in Special Attack. Recover is pretty much standard and allows Latias to get in as many Calm Minds as possible while recovering any damage. Dragon Pulse is listed for STAB and to prevent Latias from being Taunt bait. Roar allows you to phase out any other Calm Mind users, and to rack up the residual damage from entry hazards.
Additional Comments
Unlike the standard Calm Mind Latias, this set trades speed for physical bulkiness. 252 Defense EV´s and a Bold nature are used so that Latias can take an onslaught of physical hits quite nicely. Psychic and Dragon is also a pretty good typing for a physically defensive Pokemon, while Calm Mind will allow Latias to prepare for any special super effective attacks. Roar can be replaced with Refresh if you´re worried about Toxic, but Roar is much better for team support.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Levitate | Timid | expert belt | 4 | 0 | 0 | 252 | 0 | 252 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
This set is fantastic for tricking opponents into thinking that Latias is Choiced. The concept of this set is to come in on something unthreatening and KO the opponents counter to Choiced Latias (excluding Blissey). Draco Meteor is recommended for its sheer power. Dragon Pulse is a perfectly acceptable alternative thanks to the fact that there is no Special Attack drop. Surf provides solid type coverage with Dragon attacks. Thunderbolt is recommended in the third slot in order to take on bulky Waters who can comfortably take any of Latias´ other attacks. Hidden Power Fire in the last move slot enables Latias to take on Ferrothorn and Scizor, who normally are very threatening to Latias.
Additional Comments
Expert Belt is mainly used in order to fake a Choiced set. Colbur Berry can be used in its place in order to lure in Tyranitar, but the extra power from Expert Belt is a little better. The EV´s are standard special offensive, maximizing speed and placing max EV´s in Latias´ Special Attack. Recover can be used in any of these move slots, but it severely reduces Latias´ coverage.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Levitate | Timid | leftovers | 252 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 252 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
This set is mainly designed for team support. Reflect is an awesome move on Latias, not only increasing the defense of your entire team but it also makes Latias extremely difficult to kill. Dragon Pulse receives STAB and prevents Latias from being total Taunt bait. Recover is pretty much necessary on this set, since this Latias is designed to stay alive and provide support for the rest of your team. The last move slot is a toss up between Roar and Thunder Wave. Roar is great on stall and allows Latias to phase out set up sweepers while racking up residual damage. Thunder Wave is also a fantastic option, as paralysis support can be very much appreciated on some bulky offensive teams.
Additional Comments
The EV spread is mainly designed so that Latias can set up a Reflect as quickly as possible while still being pretty bulky. Max HP significantly increases Latias´ bulk from both sides of the attacking spectrum. Latias already has pretty solid Special Defense without investment, so Speed is a bit more useful. Some EV´s can be transferred into Special Defense if necessary, but Latias should run a speed of around 334, to out speed Jolly Garchomp.
An alternative spread to achieve this would be 252 HP, 64 SpDef, 192 Spe with a Timid nature.
Tyranitar is a huge threat to Latias, mainly due to its special bulk and ability to Pursuit trap Latias. If Tyranitar is running Pursuit, then it is most likely Physically based, meaning that Gliscor will stop it in its tracks. Mixed variants are stopped by Bulky waters like Vaporeon. If Latias is lacking HP Fire, then Scizor and Ferrothorn are huge threats to Latias and can completely wall it/threaten it. Heatran is the perfect counter to both of these Pokemon, as neither of them can really do anything (minus Scizor´s Superpower) whilst Heatran can immediately threaten with a Fire Move. The Expert Belt set is completely walled by Chansey and Blissey, so a strong physical teammate is recommended in order to take those two out. Pokemon like Conkeldurr and Blaziken are some of the few teammates that can handle Chansey and Blissey. Latias also severely dislikes becoming a victim of Toxic, as it essentially turns Latias into dead weight (if Latias lacks Refresh). Cleric support is extremely appreciated, especially for the Calm Mind set. If Latias is defensive, then entry hazards are much appreciated, since Latias will most likely be shuffling your opponents team around with Roar. Ferrothorn has solid type synergy with Latias, and is an ideal Pokemon to set up entry hazards. Foretress or Heatran are also solid choices as well.
Other OptionsPsychic- A powerful attack and receives STAB, but grants no additional type coverage other than a Super Effective hit on Roobushin, which takes a huge chunk from a CM Dragon Pulse or Draco Meteor.
Energy Ball/Grass Knot- Can be used if you´re really afraid of something like Quagsire or Gastrodon. These moves grant no additional type coverage though.
Shadow Ball- Can be used to nail Reniculus hard, but a STAB Draco Meteor will do more.
Dragon Tail- An additional phazing option. It has the benefit of not being stopped by taunt, but it is a Physical attack that gets stopped by Substitute.
Healing Wish- Can be used to keep momentum in your favor. Also can recover a dying Pokemon back to full health.
Roost- Another recovery move, and essentially the same as Recover.
Wish- Can be used for team support, but is vastly inferior to recover. There are also Pokemon better suited for Wish passing, thanks to Wish´s new mechanics.
Light Screen- Can be used for team support, but Latias already has high Special Defense and access to Calm Mind.
Reflect Type- Can be used in order to mess with your opponent´s strategy. Allows Latias to beat walls with only STAB attack options.
Usual CountersLatias is a very hard Pokemon to counter, due to the fact that it is very versatile. Specially Defensive Tyranitar is a huge threat to Latias, mainly because Tyranitar can Pursuit trap Latias. Scizor and Ferrothorn can both switch in on any set that lacks Hidden Power Fire and begin to threaten Latias/set up, respectively. If Latias lacks Thunderbolt, then Bulky Waters like Vaporeon can come in and threaten it with Toxic. Any Latias set is completely walled by Blissey and Chansey, although neither (especially the latter) enjoy being tricked a Choiced item.
OpinionLatias is quite the underrated Pokemon. With Latios so high in usage, Latias is sometimes considered to be outclassed by its twin. With the right team support, Latias can be absolutely devastating, and will take the metagame by storm if Latios ever gets pushed into Ubers.
Credit goes to Serebii for information