03/28/24, 20:51
#380 | Latias | Pokédex Strategy Moves Database | Kyogre | #382 |
This article gives you ideas of how to use Latios 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: OverviewLatios is a huge offensive threat, sporting a massive 130 spAtk with a very nice 110 base speed. It has 6 resistances (including a resistance to Fighting), and an immunity thanks to Levitate. It also has a pretty nice 110 base special defense, and an acceptable move pool. With access to Draco Meteor, Latios can really pummel things that aren´t specially defensive/resist it. Latios also resists Aqua Jet, Mach Punch, and Vacuum Wave, three very popular priority moves. However, 80 base defense means that Pokemon packing Sucker Punch will make a pretty big dent in Latios. Latios also temporarily lost the ability to use Soul Dew, since Game Freak has not released it yet in B/W. This is a blessing in disguise though, as Latios can now be used in the OU tier. When Soul Dew gets released however, Latios will most likely be pushed back into Ubers.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Levitate | Timid / Modest | choice specs | 4 | 0 | 0 | 252 | 0 | 252 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
With Choice Specs and a Timid nature, Latios has a whopping 578 special attack. This means that any Pokemon that doesn’t resist Latios’ moves is going to get turned to dust. Draco Meteor is recommended in the first slot. A Specs boosted STAB Draco Meteor will annihilate almost anything that dares to come into it. Surf is recommended in the second slot, as it has pretty good type coverage with Draco Meteor. It also allows you to hit Heatran, who can easily take a Draco Meteor and threaten back with Dragon Pulse. The third slot is for a coverage move. Thunderbolt is listed first. Aside from its great coverage with Surf and Draco Meteor, Thunderbolt can be used to hit Politoed and Gyarados a little harder. Hidden Power Fire is listed second to hit Nattorei and Scizor, who make Latios’ life miserable. Dragon Pulse is listed as an option in case you want a Dragon move that doesn’t lower Latios’ special attack. Trick is listed last in order to cripple any special walls that might get in your way, like Evo Stone Chansey.
Additional Comments
Timid is recommended in order to take advantage of Latios’ base 110 speed. Modest can be used if you want to pack a little more punch in Latios’ attacks.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Levitate | Timid | choice scarf | 64/4 | 0 | 0 | 252/252 | 0 | 192/252 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
While this set seems similar to the first set, its purpose is entirely different. With 110 base speed and a Choice Scarf, Latios is able to out speed and OHKO Choice Scarf Garchomp.
Draco Meteor is a necessity in the first move slot. Not only does it OHKO Garchomp, it is Latios’ most powerful move, and will put a nice dent in Pokemon neutral to it. Surf is listed second, due to its good coverage with Draco Meteor. The third move slot is, once again, used for coverage. Thunderbolt is listed first due to its good type coverage with Surf and its ability to hurt Politoed and Gyarados. Hidden Power Fire is listed second in order to nail Nattorei and Scizor for 4x super effective damage. Psychic is listed last due to STAB and to nail Fighting types like Roobushin harder. Trick is used to cripple any walls or set up sweepers, as neither of them like being Choiced.
Additional Comments
With 192 Speed EVs and a Timid nature, Latios will out speed Choice Scarf Jolly Garchomp by two points. 252 Special Attack EVs are used to increase Latios’ damage output, while the rest are dumped into HP. The “traditional” Scarf EV spread can also be used.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Levitate | Timid | life orb / expert belt | 4 | 0 | 0 | 252 | 0 | 252 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
This set sacrifices the boost that Latios would receive from a Choiced item while gaining the ability to switch moves and different usage of the fourth move slot. Draco Meteor is the best option on Latios, being its most powerful attack. Surf and Thunderbolt have great coverage with each other, and work well with Draco Meteor. HP fire is recommended in the last spot to nail Nattorei, who walls Latios without it, and Scizor, who can threaten Latios with either Bullet Punch or Pursuit. Recover can be used though to help with the negative effects of Life Orb.
Additional Comments
Life Orb is recommended with this set, as it will always increase Latios’ power. Expert Belt can be run, since this set hits 10 out of 16 types for super effective damage.
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 |
Even without Latios´ signature item, Soul Dew, Latios can still effectively pull off a Calm Mind set. This set is designed so that Latios can take a few hits while it sets up, then Recover off the damage, and start sweeping. Calm Mind, Recover, and the Defense EVs all help with Latios´ overall bulk and allow Latios to get a bunch of Calm Minds in. It also makes Latios hard to take down physically and specially. Psycho Shock is recommended in the third slot so that Latios doesn´t lose and Calm Mind wars and can effectively take down Blissey. The last move slot is a toss up for coverage. Dragon Pulse is listed first for being STAB. Surf lets you nail Doryuuzu and Heatran for Super Effective damage and also allows you to hit Steel Pokemon in general, while Thunderbolt hits Water types like Politoed and Gyarados a little bit harder harder. Hidden Power Fire can be used so that Latios doesn´t get demolished by Scizor.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Levitate | Timid | life orb | 4 | 0 | 0 | 252 | 0 | 252 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
While the Defensive Calm Mind set is designed for Latios to take a few hits while setting up, this set is meant for Latios to get one or two Calm Minds up and sweep. Calm Mind not only boosts Latios´ already incredible spAtk stat, but it also gives Latios some special bulk. Psycho Shock is listed second in order to prevent Latios from loosing Calm Mind wars. Dragon Pulse is listed third for being STAB and a pretty strong attack itself. The last move slot is for coverage. Surf nails Doryuuzu and Heatran hard. Thunderbolt hits water Pokemon like Politoed and Gyarados much harder. Hidden Power Fire can be used to hit Nattorei and Scizor, who completely wall Latios without it.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Levitate | Timid | light clay | 252 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 252 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
This set is essentially the same as it was in Generation IV. With access to dual screens and Memento, Latios can help a frailer Pokemon, like Omastar, set up easier. Reflect and Light Screen with Light Clay halves the effects of all attacks for 8 turns. After the screens are set up, Latios can use Memento to completely cripple the opponent’s Pokemon and allow frailer sweepers to set up. The last move slot is best used for an attacking move so that Latios doesn’t end up as Taunt fodder. Draco Meteor is the best option, as even with out any Special Attack EVs it will still put a nice dent in anything neutral to it. Dragon Pulse can be used if you want a little more reliability. Hidden Power Fire is also viable in order to remove Nattorei and Scizor, two Pokemon that commonly switch in to Latios.
Additional Comments
252 speed EVs with a Timid Nature will allow you to get one screen up quickly, while 252 HP is for Latios’ overall bulk.
If Latios is offensive, then it appreciates entry hazards to turn some 2HKOs into OHKOs. Foretress is a great option, as it resists all of Latios´ weaknesses and can definitely get off one layer of entry hazards thanks to Sturdy. Nattorei is a more practical teammate, as it has better defenses than Foretress while still resisting all of Latios´ weaknesses minus Bug. Latios also resists Fire and Fighting, both of which can harm Foretress and Nattorei. Latios also has trouble with special walls, like Evo Stone Chansey, Blissey and Nattorei (without HP Fire). While it can cripple them with trick, Latios still can´t take them out. Scizor is a great teammate for Latios, as it resists all of Latios´ weaknesses and can begin setting up or take them out. Lucario also resists all of Latios´ weaknesses and can begin setting up for a sweep. Doryuuzu resists all of Latios´ weaknesses baring Ice and can set up a Swords Dance or just attempt the KO. Heatran resists all of Latios´ weaknesses, but can´t do a thing about Evo Stone Chansey and Blissey due to the Explosion nerf. Magnezone can trap any Nattorei that want to come in and wall Latios and KO with HP Fire.
If Latios is using Dual Screens, then Pokemon that have set up moves are Latios´ best friends. Pokemon like Cloyster and Omastar love the screens support due to the negative effects of Shell Break. Other frail sweepers like Lucario love the nice defense boost.
Other OptionsDragon Dance- Can be used if you want to either run a physical set or if you want to take advantage of the speed boost.
Charge Beam- Can be used in an attempt to get the SpAtk boost.
Grass Knot- Was viable in the Ubers tier due to Kyogre and Groudon, but it doesn’t provide too much in OU
Ice Beam- Can be used with Thunderbolt for the Bolt/Beam coverage.
Calm Mind- Always an option to boost Latios’ Special Attack to high levels, but isn’t as effective without Soul Dew
Psycho Shock- Can be used as a way to hit Blissey and Evo Stone Chansey hard, but Tricking it a Choice item is usually better.
Shadow Ball- A good attack, but doesn’t offer any spectacular coverage.
Thunder Wave- A nifty support option, and it can potentially cripple some big threats.
White Herb- Can be used in order to negate the negative effects of Draco Meteor once.
Usual CountersEvo Stone Chansey and Blissey absolutely wall Latios, though neither of them like being tricked a Choiced Item though. If Latios lacks HP Fire, Nattorei can also wall Latios and strike back with Gyro Ball or begin setting up. On the offensive side, Metagross can easily withstand a Draco Meteor and threaten with Meteor Mash, but needs to beware of Latios´ other moves. Without HP Fire, Scizor can easily come in and either Bullet Punch or Pursuit Latios. Revenge Killing Latios is a lot easier than switching in on it. If it´s Specs, any faster Pokemon with a Super Effective move, like Kingdra in the rain, Scarfed Garchomp and Sazandora, or even Scarfed Heatran can easily revenge kill Latios. Scarfed Ecourage Nidoking can revenge with Ice Beam. Max HP Max spDef Careful Roobushin can easily survive a non-specs Draco Meteor and do some hefty damage with Payback.
OpinionLatios is deadly. With the loss of Soul Dew, Latios finally had an excuse to move to the OU tier. In the right hands, Latios can be absolutely deadly, and can decimate opposing Pokemon with Specs Draco Meteor. Latios is MUCH better than Sazandora, so USE LATIOS INSTEAD OF SAZANDORA.
Credit goes to Serebii for information
Credit goes to Steel Dragons and Eevee for sets/edits
Format revision by SilentDreams