Statigar
05-28-2010, 08:01 PM
I have combined all 3 attempts at making this analysis. With thanks to Shining Latias, Dimes and Eevee.
Latias
http://www.arkeis.com/images/pokemonfactory/latias.png
Summary:
Most Used Latias Set:
With a pretty decent base 110 speed and special attack, Latias makes for a pretty good candidite for choice specs (its final special attack stat going up to a massive 525 with them), which is the main set that is used nowadays. Latias has the added capability of learning trick, utilizing a strategy that is often seen with leads, such as Jirachi that also uses trick. Trick allows the switching of the choice item (whether specs or scarf) onto their opponent. Latias's base 110 speed is simply awesome, to say the least, as it allows Latias to outspeed pretty much any other semi common OU dragon type, such as Salamence, Kingdra, and Dragonite for a super effective attack (assuming that latias has a dragon type move) and this pokemon is often used as a general special attacker. Specs is therefore the most common set by far, as it deals the most damage and can gain more power to fire off Draco Meteor and can be tailored to hurt a number of common threats.
Usual Counters:
Latias has a dragon/psychic typing, sadly giving it quite a few weaknesses to common OU pokemon. Scizor completely kills latias easily. Despite it having a nice 130 base in special defense, it has a 90 base in defense, and therefore, the slightly low defenses on top of a super effective attack mean that Scizor can easily take out Latias. It also effectively traps Latias, due to risk of pursuit being used. A nice U-turn from Scizor usually does the trick and traps Latias with Pursuit.
Tyranitar will also be a major problem for Latias. Without having surf, or ice beam, Latias simply cannot take Tyranitar down. When it comes in Tyranitar can Pursuit a fleeing Latias for as much damage as a normal Crunch would do. Rotom forms can also mean trouble for Latias, once again due to the psychic typing, and a special walling Dusknoir accomplishes the feat of walling Latias pretty well. Special walling Blissy can take attacks from Latias forever, so be aware of that as well. Banded Metagross can also come in and Pursuit for the OHKO. Tyranitar can come in and Crunch as well. Max Speed Darkrai can come in and Dark Pulse gaurantees a OHKO with a +2 special attack, and if Latias hasn't gotten any Calm Minds enabled. Blissey's Toxic also cripples Latias' sweep as the damage of the poison worsens every turn.
Blissey is Latias' worst nightmare, taking Specs Draco meteors like a champ and therefore stalling it out of PP. Blissey will take a pitiful amount of damage from scarf sets and Toxicing CM, Wish, and other sets. One way to overcome Blissey, however, is to have a Trick Set Latias, as Trick can be used, which will screw your opponent's Blissey up very easily.
Another big counter is Heatran, who walls any attack outside of Hidden Power Ground or Surf and hitting back with Dragon Pulse. Jirachi and Metagross are also mean to Latias. Jirachi can Ice Punch Latias to death and Metagross can use Meteor Mash, or Pursuit if you try to switch out. Snorlax works just like Tyranitar and Metagross by taking a specs attack and Crunching (Pursuiting) the Pokemon away.
Key advice includes switching Latias out if pokemon such as Rotom or Blissey come into play. If you want to counter a Latias, use a Pursuit Tyranitar or Jirachi/Metagross as stated above.
Types of Teams Pokemon Is Used On:
After being moved back up to Ubers, Latias will sadly be missed. With Latias in Ubers though, expect Kyogre teams to get wrecked. Latias doesn't have better stats than it's brother, Latios, but it can do a number in the Uber Metagame. Latias works pretty well on teams that are lacking something to cover many weaknesses and is a sweeper that can take down quite a bit. Latias also works well on teams where the opponent is attacking and going for fast sweeps. The stall Latias set provides a key method of stalling any offensive teams.
Latias is usually used on offensive teams, where it can be a huge threat to walls with the move Trick, however, Latias may also be used on stall teams, as a Wish Passer and a defensive Dragon Type.
In Depth:
http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpffa/dpffa380.pngChoice Specs - Hit and Run@ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 special attack, 252 speed, 4 HP
Nature: Modest (+special attack, - attack)/Timid (+speed, - attack)
-Draco Meteor
-Surf
-Thunderbolt / Psychic / Energy Ball
-Trick
With this set, Latias adapts to a quick OHKO "hit and run" style of play, to say the least. It effectively specializes in coming in with draco meteor and then abruptly switching out after you make the move (hopefully KOing the opponent). This attack should take down pretty much anything that isnt an insanely powerful special wall, or resists Latias, with an impressive 525 special attack (with specs) and the STAB backed draco meteor - power 140 (increasing to an impressive 210 with STAB).
Trick adds a second option to this moveset; on Scizors or Tyranitars who think that they have a free rein - and take the opporitunity to say, use dragon or swords dance, this tricky little move completely ruins them. Take this to your advantage when they switch out (as they probably will, after getting locked into a stat upping move) to bring in something that will be more versatile against them, with the advantage of knowing, or at the very least having a good idea of what the opponent is going to switch too.
This is the main set that Latias uses. Having the moves to hit many top threats hard, Latias will usually have either a Choice Specs or Scarf to either knock out or outspeed with. Dragon Pulse breaks down Salamence, Dragonite, opposing Latias and Flygon, while Thunderbolt beats Gyarados and Suicune and Surf hits Tyranitar somewhat hard. Trick is used to try to cripple a Blissey switchin, but Hidden power Fire means that you can hurt Scizor. Some people wonder about Grass Knot, but that only makes it harder for you to hit Heatran, and because of that, I'd advise that you stay away from using that move. You could use Draco Meteor to hit harder, but you should make sure that Tyranitar/ Pursuit user is gone before you try it, or you may find that you have a dead sweeper. Machamp is a great Pokemon to use with Latias, as Machamp usually destroys Pursuit users and Latias counters, such as Blissey and Tyranitar.
http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpffa/dpffa380.pngStall Wars@ Leftovers/Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP, 176 defense, 80 special defense
Nature: Bold (+defense, - attack)/Calm (+special defense, - attack)
-Recover / Wish
-Refresh
-Toxic / Light Screen / Reflect
-Dragon Pulse / HP Fire
This set provides a defensive Latias which will outstall virtually any other major stall wall, such as Vaporeon (though it will have to beat down a wish/stall Jirachi) and set up some toxic and screens on your opponent.
Latias has the major advantage of being a pokemon that doesnt just know recover, it also knows refresh, so tricky toxic and thunder-wave using stat stallers are useless against it. Latias can survive one attack from a scizor with this set, and bite back with HP fire (which is recommended, as steel is the only type that really walls this set, and fire also takes out ice types).
Being the bulkiest of the fastest Dual Screeners (And having Wish), Latias is shown to be a great team player, casting Screens and Roaring enemies away, forcing them to take damage from entry hazards. And when the opponent manages to whittle down Latias' health, it Wishes! How dare it? Really folks, use this set, for Latias can really help out any team, from Hyper Offensive to a Sand Storm Stall. This set really helps out Pokemon that can break walls, but might have trouble taking a strong hit, like Salamence, Gyarados, Tyranitar and hell, even Life Orb Celebi.
http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpffa/dpffa380.pngScarf@
Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 spatt, 252 spdef, 6 def
Nature: Timid
-Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
-Thunderbolt
-Surf
-Trick / Hidden Power Fire
Look familiar? this is basicly the Specs set, except with a Choice Scarf. Why, you may ask? Latias has a base 110 speed, and coupled with a Choice Scarf, Latias outspeeds +1 Salamence, +1 Gyarados and Scarf Flygon, all dangerous Pokemon that can destroy teams. What's better is that latias OHKOs all three of those Pokemon, while still being a major threat. Surf again is used for Heatran, and Trick may be used for crippling the terrible Blissey. But of course, you may use Hidden Power to hurt Scizor. But Magnezone's useful for that. This set is beaten easily by Tyranitar, so be sure to include a counter.
http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpffa/dpffa380.pngLife Orb, Calm Mind@
Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 spatt, 252 spdef, 6 def
Nature: Timid
-Dragon Pulse
-Calm Mind
-Recover / Hidden Power Fire / Grass Knot
-Surf
Another devestating set that Latias may use. Latias's amazing Special stats and 110 make it a no brainer to consider using a Calm Mind set. Because of Latias' resistances, it should be easy finding a move to come in, such as a Choice Scarf Heatran's Fire Blast, or a Banded Earthquake from Tyranitar. And once you set up, the opponent will have trouble finding something to dent you with, as a Grass Knot 2hkos said Tyranitar and Surf 2hkos Heatran. Hidden Power Fire may be used to beat the ever so used Scizor, which may crop up in the Uber metagame.
http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpffa/dpffa380.pngUber Calm Minder@
Soul Dew
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 112 HP, 192 Speed, 204 Special Attack
Nature: Timid
-Calm Mind
-Dragon Pulse
-Grass Knot / Thunder / Refresh
-Recover / Roost
Soul Dew is an excellent item in the Uber metagame as it increases the Special Attack and Special Defense stat of Latias by one stage. It therefore provides a free Calm Mind boost. With this item, Latias can function as one of the strongest Uber Pokémon in the metagame. Coupled with Calm Mind, Latias is one of the few Ubers that can counter Kyogre when holding Soul Dew, boosting its large base Special Defense.
Latias makes a good impact as a Calm Minder, on the Defensive and Offensive end. 60 HP allows Latias to survive a couple hits before starting her sweep going. Soul Dew raises Latias' Special Attack and Special Defense making it very dangerous. Bulky will help you survive many hits and the 112 HP EVs helps take super effective hits. You can use Roost or Recover, it doesn't make a difference as they both restore 50% of the user's max HP, or you can use Refresh, because Blissey can come in and ruin the sweep with Toxic. You can choose Grass Knot or Thunder. It's your choice on what Pokemon you want to take out, really. Grass Knot hits Groudon, Manaphy, and Kyogre. Thunder hits Kyogre, Manaphy, Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Palkia.
http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpffa/dpffa380.pngUber Wisher@
Soul Dew
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 112 HP, 192 Speed, 204 Special Attack
Nature: Timid
-Protect / Roar
-Dragon Pulse
-Toxic / Calm Mind / Grass Knot / Thunder Wave
-Wish
Wish Latias is such a great set for Latias. The use of Protect allows Latias to heal its HP after wishing. There is no point of Recover, as Latias can just use Wish to heal, or you may switch out to other Pokemon and heal them from this move. Roar can be used if your in trouble, but Protect is the better option. You can use Toxic, Calm Mind, or Grass Knot to provide a method of increasing power or attacking the opponent. Toxic is decent to stop other sweepers, the use of calm mind increases Latias' special attack and defence, Grass Knot is for another attacking move, and finally Thunder Wave is good for slowing down sweepers.
Other Options:
Psycho Shift may be used for burning opponents such as Tyranitar switchins, Salamence, Gyarados and Lucario, while Thunder Wave can be used to slow them down instead. Roost may be used over Recover if you're really badass, but they have the same effect and do nothing different from each other whatsoever. Mixed Dragon Dance could be used to throw the opponent off thier game, but Dragonite and Salamence do that way better. Refresh can be used on wall sets that you may try, healing you from a Blissey's Toxic Poison. Substitute may be used to get past a Pursuit, and Life Orb may be used over a Choice Specs so you aren't as vulnerable.
More sets include: Substitute, Calm Mind, Dragon Pulse, Recover as well as Recover, Reflect, Roar, Dragon Pulse and finally Dragon Pulse, Hidden Power Fire, Grass Knot, Recover. These may all be effective against specific pokemon you may encounter.
Opinion:
Latias has magnificent stats. It is able to wall a good amount of hits and able to sweep well. Latias is one of the best counters for Kyogre, especially with her amazing Special Defense stat. Latias is a great Calm Minder in the Ubers metagame and can also be a deadly WishPasser. Latias is nice to use over Latios on the Defensive end, but Latios is better on the Offensive.
Latias
http://www.arkeis.com/images/pokemonfactory/latias.png
Summary:
Most Used Latias Set:
With a pretty decent base 110 speed and special attack, Latias makes for a pretty good candidite for choice specs (its final special attack stat going up to a massive 525 with them), which is the main set that is used nowadays. Latias has the added capability of learning trick, utilizing a strategy that is often seen with leads, such as Jirachi that also uses trick. Trick allows the switching of the choice item (whether specs or scarf) onto their opponent. Latias's base 110 speed is simply awesome, to say the least, as it allows Latias to outspeed pretty much any other semi common OU dragon type, such as Salamence, Kingdra, and Dragonite for a super effective attack (assuming that latias has a dragon type move) and this pokemon is often used as a general special attacker. Specs is therefore the most common set by far, as it deals the most damage and can gain more power to fire off Draco Meteor and can be tailored to hurt a number of common threats.
Usual Counters:
Latias has a dragon/psychic typing, sadly giving it quite a few weaknesses to common OU pokemon. Scizor completely kills latias easily. Despite it having a nice 130 base in special defense, it has a 90 base in defense, and therefore, the slightly low defenses on top of a super effective attack mean that Scizor can easily take out Latias. It also effectively traps Latias, due to risk of pursuit being used. A nice U-turn from Scizor usually does the trick and traps Latias with Pursuit.
Tyranitar will also be a major problem for Latias. Without having surf, or ice beam, Latias simply cannot take Tyranitar down. When it comes in Tyranitar can Pursuit a fleeing Latias for as much damage as a normal Crunch would do. Rotom forms can also mean trouble for Latias, once again due to the psychic typing, and a special walling Dusknoir accomplishes the feat of walling Latias pretty well. Special walling Blissy can take attacks from Latias forever, so be aware of that as well. Banded Metagross can also come in and Pursuit for the OHKO. Tyranitar can come in and Crunch as well. Max Speed Darkrai can come in and Dark Pulse gaurantees a OHKO with a +2 special attack, and if Latias hasn't gotten any Calm Minds enabled. Blissey's Toxic also cripples Latias' sweep as the damage of the poison worsens every turn.
Blissey is Latias' worst nightmare, taking Specs Draco meteors like a champ and therefore stalling it out of PP. Blissey will take a pitiful amount of damage from scarf sets and Toxicing CM, Wish, and other sets. One way to overcome Blissey, however, is to have a Trick Set Latias, as Trick can be used, which will screw your opponent's Blissey up very easily.
Another big counter is Heatran, who walls any attack outside of Hidden Power Ground or Surf and hitting back with Dragon Pulse. Jirachi and Metagross are also mean to Latias. Jirachi can Ice Punch Latias to death and Metagross can use Meteor Mash, or Pursuit if you try to switch out. Snorlax works just like Tyranitar and Metagross by taking a specs attack and Crunching (Pursuiting) the Pokemon away.
Key advice includes switching Latias out if pokemon such as Rotom or Blissey come into play. If you want to counter a Latias, use a Pursuit Tyranitar or Jirachi/Metagross as stated above.
Types of Teams Pokemon Is Used On:
After being moved back up to Ubers, Latias will sadly be missed. With Latias in Ubers though, expect Kyogre teams to get wrecked. Latias doesn't have better stats than it's brother, Latios, but it can do a number in the Uber Metagame. Latias works pretty well on teams that are lacking something to cover many weaknesses and is a sweeper that can take down quite a bit. Latias also works well on teams where the opponent is attacking and going for fast sweeps. The stall Latias set provides a key method of stalling any offensive teams.
Latias is usually used on offensive teams, where it can be a huge threat to walls with the move Trick, however, Latias may also be used on stall teams, as a Wish Passer and a defensive Dragon Type.
In Depth:
http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpffa/dpffa380.pngChoice Specs - Hit and Run@ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 special attack, 252 speed, 4 HP
Nature: Modest (+special attack, - attack)/Timid (+speed, - attack)
-Draco Meteor
-Surf
-Thunderbolt / Psychic / Energy Ball
-Trick
With this set, Latias adapts to a quick OHKO "hit and run" style of play, to say the least. It effectively specializes in coming in with draco meteor and then abruptly switching out after you make the move (hopefully KOing the opponent). This attack should take down pretty much anything that isnt an insanely powerful special wall, or resists Latias, with an impressive 525 special attack (with specs) and the STAB backed draco meteor - power 140 (increasing to an impressive 210 with STAB).
Trick adds a second option to this moveset; on Scizors or Tyranitars who think that they have a free rein - and take the opporitunity to say, use dragon or swords dance, this tricky little move completely ruins them. Take this to your advantage when they switch out (as they probably will, after getting locked into a stat upping move) to bring in something that will be more versatile against them, with the advantage of knowing, or at the very least having a good idea of what the opponent is going to switch too.
This is the main set that Latias uses. Having the moves to hit many top threats hard, Latias will usually have either a Choice Specs or Scarf to either knock out or outspeed with. Dragon Pulse breaks down Salamence, Dragonite, opposing Latias and Flygon, while Thunderbolt beats Gyarados and Suicune and Surf hits Tyranitar somewhat hard. Trick is used to try to cripple a Blissey switchin, but Hidden power Fire means that you can hurt Scizor. Some people wonder about Grass Knot, but that only makes it harder for you to hit Heatran, and because of that, I'd advise that you stay away from using that move. You could use Draco Meteor to hit harder, but you should make sure that Tyranitar/ Pursuit user is gone before you try it, or you may find that you have a dead sweeper. Machamp is a great Pokemon to use with Latias, as Machamp usually destroys Pursuit users and Latias counters, such as Blissey and Tyranitar.
http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpffa/dpffa380.pngStall Wars@ Leftovers/Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP, 176 defense, 80 special defense
Nature: Bold (+defense, - attack)/Calm (+special defense, - attack)
-Recover / Wish
-Refresh
-Toxic / Light Screen / Reflect
-Dragon Pulse / HP Fire
This set provides a defensive Latias which will outstall virtually any other major stall wall, such as Vaporeon (though it will have to beat down a wish/stall Jirachi) and set up some toxic and screens on your opponent.
Latias has the major advantage of being a pokemon that doesnt just know recover, it also knows refresh, so tricky toxic and thunder-wave using stat stallers are useless against it. Latias can survive one attack from a scizor with this set, and bite back with HP fire (which is recommended, as steel is the only type that really walls this set, and fire also takes out ice types).
Being the bulkiest of the fastest Dual Screeners (And having Wish), Latias is shown to be a great team player, casting Screens and Roaring enemies away, forcing them to take damage from entry hazards. And when the opponent manages to whittle down Latias' health, it Wishes! How dare it? Really folks, use this set, for Latias can really help out any team, from Hyper Offensive to a Sand Storm Stall. This set really helps out Pokemon that can break walls, but might have trouble taking a strong hit, like Salamence, Gyarados, Tyranitar and hell, even Life Orb Celebi.
http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpffa/dpffa380.pngScarf@
Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 spatt, 252 spdef, 6 def
Nature: Timid
-Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
-Thunderbolt
-Surf
-Trick / Hidden Power Fire
Look familiar? this is basicly the Specs set, except with a Choice Scarf. Why, you may ask? Latias has a base 110 speed, and coupled with a Choice Scarf, Latias outspeeds +1 Salamence, +1 Gyarados and Scarf Flygon, all dangerous Pokemon that can destroy teams. What's better is that latias OHKOs all three of those Pokemon, while still being a major threat. Surf again is used for Heatran, and Trick may be used for crippling the terrible Blissey. But of course, you may use Hidden Power to hurt Scizor. But Magnezone's useful for that. This set is beaten easily by Tyranitar, so be sure to include a counter.
http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpffa/dpffa380.pngLife Orb, Calm Mind@
Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 spatt, 252 spdef, 6 def
Nature: Timid
-Dragon Pulse
-Calm Mind
-Recover / Hidden Power Fire / Grass Knot
-Surf
Another devestating set that Latias may use. Latias's amazing Special stats and 110 make it a no brainer to consider using a Calm Mind set. Because of Latias' resistances, it should be easy finding a move to come in, such as a Choice Scarf Heatran's Fire Blast, or a Banded Earthquake from Tyranitar. And once you set up, the opponent will have trouble finding something to dent you with, as a Grass Knot 2hkos said Tyranitar and Surf 2hkos Heatran. Hidden Power Fire may be used to beat the ever so used Scizor, which may crop up in the Uber metagame.
http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpffa/dpffa380.pngUber Calm Minder@
Soul Dew
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 112 HP, 192 Speed, 204 Special Attack
Nature: Timid
-Calm Mind
-Dragon Pulse
-Grass Knot / Thunder / Refresh
-Recover / Roost
Soul Dew is an excellent item in the Uber metagame as it increases the Special Attack and Special Defense stat of Latias by one stage. It therefore provides a free Calm Mind boost. With this item, Latias can function as one of the strongest Uber Pokémon in the metagame. Coupled with Calm Mind, Latias is one of the few Ubers that can counter Kyogre when holding Soul Dew, boosting its large base Special Defense.
Latias makes a good impact as a Calm Minder, on the Defensive and Offensive end. 60 HP allows Latias to survive a couple hits before starting her sweep going. Soul Dew raises Latias' Special Attack and Special Defense making it very dangerous. Bulky will help you survive many hits and the 112 HP EVs helps take super effective hits. You can use Roost or Recover, it doesn't make a difference as they both restore 50% of the user's max HP, or you can use Refresh, because Blissey can come in and ruin the sweep with Toxic. You can choose Grass Knot or Thunder. It's your choice on what Pokemon you want to take out, really. Grass Knot hits Groudon, Manaphy, and Kyogre. Thunder hits Kyogre, Manaphy, Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Palkia.
http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpffa/dpffa380.pngUber Wisher@
Soul Dew
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 112 HP, 192 Speed, 204 Special Attack
Nature: Timid
-Protect / Roar
-Dragon Pulse
-Toxic / Calm Mind / Grass Knot / Thunder Wave
-Wish
Wish Latias is such a great set for Latias. The use of Protect allows Latias to heal its HP after wishing. There is no point of Recover, as Latias can just use Wish to heal, or you may switch out to other Pokemon and heal them from this move. Roar can be used if your in trouble, but Protect is the better option. You can use Toxic, Calm Mind, or Grass Knot to provide a method of increasing power or attacking the opponent. Toxic is decent to stop other sweepers, the use of calm mind increases Latias' special attack and defence, Grass Knot is for another attacking move, and finally Thunder Wave is good for slowing down sweepers.
Other Options:
Psycho Shift may be used for burning opponents such as Tyranitar switchins, Salamence, Gyarados and Lucario, while Thunder Wave can be used to slow them down instead. Roost may be used over Recover if you're really badass, but they have the same effect and do nothing different from each other whatsoever. Mixed Dragon Dance could be used to throw the opponent off thier game, but Dragonite and Salamence do that way better. Refresh can be used on wall sets that you may try, healing you from a Blissey's Toxic Poison. Substitute may be used to get past a Pursuit, and Life Orb may be used over a Choice Specs so you aren't as vulnerable.
More sets include: Substitute, Calm Mind, Dragon Pulse, Recover as well as Recover, Reflect, Roar, Dragon Pulse and finally Dragon Pulse, Hidden Power Fire, Grass Knot, Recover. These may all be effective against specific pokemon you may encounter.
Opinion:
Latias has magnificent stats. It is able to wall a good amount of hits and able to sweep well. Latias is one of the best counters for Kyogre, especially with her amazing Special Defense stat. Latias is a great Calm Minder in the Ubers metagame and can also be a deadly WishPasser. Latias is nice to use over Latios on the Defensive end, but Latios is better on the Offensive.