Altaria is a premier wall in ZU thanks to its ability to reliably answer powerful physical and special attackers such as Thwackey, Ninetales, Tangela, and Sawk. Toxic allows Altaria to put foes on a timer, letting it comfortably use Defog against entry hazard setters such as Piloswine and Miltank. Hurricane is Altaria's strongest STAB move, letting it threaten foes such as Qwilfish, Gurdurr, and Thwackey. Earthquake is an alternative that targets Toxic-immune foes such as Skuntank and Klinklang, while allowing Altaria to take on Fire-types more easily. The given EV spread allows Altaria to outspeed Adamant Piloswine and Jolly Rhydon and avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Thievul while maximizing its physical bulk.

Altaria is an excellent pick for balance and stall teams looking for a Defogger and a check to Fire-types. Offensive Fire-types like Rapidash and Ninetales can take advantage of Altaria's checks such as Clefairy, Rhydon, and Froslass while benefitting from Altaria walling opposing Fire- and Water-types. These two are also checks to Ice-types, and additional checks such as Piloswine, Poliwrath, and Miltank make for great partners, handling Altaria's biggest weakness. Other walls such as Pyukumuku, Rhydon, and Miltank appreciate Altaria's ability to absorb status for them; in return, they can handle threats that Altaria struggles with such as Jynx and Flapple. Choice Scarf users such as Sawk and Rotom can revenge kill the threats that can muscle through Altaria.