QC: Piccolo Daimao / Mamp / Uselesscrab
GP: Malley / GatoDelFuego
[OVERVIEW]
With Soul Dew boosting its Special Attack and Special Defense to sky-high levels, Mega Latios is a powerhouse in the Balanced Hackmons metagame. Its good Dragon / Psychic typing gives it handy resistances to common offensive types such as Fire, Water, and Fighting. By holding a Soul Dew, Mega Latios has an easier time getting past Imposters, but it doesn't make Mega Latios completely Imposter-proof. However, due to its subpar physical bulk, Mega Latios has trouble getting past Pixilate and Refrigerate users, both of which it is weak to, and is very vulnerable to Knock Off due to its reliance on Soul Dew.
[SET]
name: Protean
move 1: King's Shield
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Magma Storm / Seed Flare
item: Soul Dew
ability: Protean
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
King's Shield allows Mega Latios to scout for moves and punish physical attackers with an Attack drop. It also changes Mega Latios's type to Steel, which helps it deal with the -ate abilities better, as it resists all three of them. Moonblast and Earth Power have great coverage together, hitting many common Pokemon such as Registeel, Rayquaza, and Giratina very hard. Magma Storm, being a partial trapping move, helps Mega Latios deal with Sturdy Shedinja, but the move has shaky accuracy. Seed Flare is another option which can be used to hit Primal Kyogre super effectively.
Set Details
==========
Maximum Special Attack investment considerably heightens Mega Latios's firepower when combined with the Soul Dew. Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature is important to Speed tie with other threats with base 110 Speed such as Mega Diancie. Protean gives Mega Latios a STAB boost on all its moves. Protean also allows Mega Latios to switch types to resist certain moves, most notably with King's Shield for the -ates.
Usage Tips
===========
Faster threats such as Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Gengar, and Mega Rayquaza should be removed before Mega Latios enters the field, as they pose a huge threat to it. Be wary of Knock Off, even from defensive Pokemon, as it removes Mega Latios's Soul Dew, which leaves it very underpowered. Also be sure that all Imposter Pokemon are gone before bringing Mega Latios in, as they can win a Speed tie and KO even when weakened.
Team Options
============
Seeing as some of the threats to Mega Latios are the -ate users, it's good to have a Steel- type such as Registeel or Aegislash to check them. Pokemon capable of checking Imposter users such as Illusion lures, -ate users, Mega Gengar, and Hoopa Unbound are appreciated because it's risky for Mega Latios to take them on. In case Mega Latios is KOed by an Imposter user, it's important to have a check for Protean Mega Latios. Pokemon such as non-Imposter Chansey are very helpful for such a scenario.
[SET]
name: Tinted Lens
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psystrike
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: King's Shield / Magma Storm
item: Soul Dew
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor hits a huge majority of the tier for massive damage. Psystrike helps with getting around specially bulky Pokemon such as Primal Kyogre, Ho-Oh, and non-Imposter Chansey by hitting them based on their weaker Defense. Volt Switch is essential for keeping momentum on your side and hits decently hard even after a Special Attack drop from Draco Meteor. King's Shield is useful for scouting moves, while Magma Storm can be used to get past Shedinja.
Set Details
===========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature ensures that Mega Latios can hit as hard as possible while Speed tying with other Pokemon with base 110 Speed such as Mega Diancie. Tinted Lens gives Mega Latios unresisted coverage between its two STAB moves. Soul Dew provides a Choice Specs boost without locking Mega Latios into a move while also increasing its Special Defense.
Usage Tips
========
Most of the time Draco Meteor is the move of choice, as, with Tinted Lens, it is nearly impossible to switch into without something getting KOed or severely crippled. Be wary of Pokemon that carry Knock Off, even defensive ones such as Giratina, as losing Soul Dew's buffs is something Mega Latios does not appreciate. More often than not switching Mega Latios in is risky, so creating free switches by using moves such as U-turn or Volt Switch is optimal so that Mega Latios does not take unnecessary damage
Team Options
=============
Imposter Chansey and Steel-types such as Registeel and Aegislash are very helpful as they can check some of Mega Latios's biggest threats, the -ate users. Entry hazard setters also pair well with Mega Latios because they help it wallbreak by punishing switch-ins with residual damage or status. Pokemon that can give Mega Latios free switches are also good partners, such as U-Turn Registeel and Baton Pass Shedinja. Lastly, be sure to have a check for Mega Latios in case of opposing Imposter users. -ate Pokemon or faster attackers such as Mega Mewtwo X are good for this purpose.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
==============
Protean Mega Latios has many other viable moves that it can run, such as Boomburst, Volt Switch and Steam Eruption, but they are generally not as useful, as they do not have as much coverage. Mega Latios can also run a bulky Quiver Dance set that helps get past Imposter because the Soul Dew boost is not copied. Another possible set that Mega Latios can run is a Shell Smash + Stored Power set, which normally uses Shell Smash / Stored Power / Spacial Rend, but it's not as useful because Mega Latios struggles to find opportunities to set up and is also very Imposter weak. Finally, Mega Latios can run a Contrary set, using high-power moves such as Draco Meteor, Psycho Boost, and Overheat to constantly increase its Special Attack, but this set is very prone to Imposter users even with the Soul Dew boost, so it isn't used as much.
Checks and Counters
====================
**Chansey**: Imposter Chansey is a problem for Mega Latios because Latios gets KOed if Chansey wins the Speed tie. Non-Imposter variants also are a problem to deal with due to their stellar bulk after Eviolite boosts.
**The –ates**: Pokemon that use the abilities Refrigerate and Pixilate threaten Mega Latios with boosted Fake Outs and Extreme Speeds which can KO Mega Latios due to its subpar physical bulk. Mega Rayquaza in particular is a major threat to non-King's Shield variants of Mega Latios.
**Prankster Users**: Pokemon that use Prankster, such as Registeel, can come in on a resisted hit and cripple Mega Latios by either putting it to sleep or decreasing its offenses with Parting Shot.
**Regenerator + Assault Vest Users**: Pokemon that use Regenerator + Assault Vest, such as Regirock and Registeel, can give Mega Latios problems as they are able to take a Special Attack and heal it off by switching out.
GP: Malley / GatoDelFuego


[OVERVIEW]
With Soul Dew boosting its Special Attack and Special Defense to sky-high levels, Mega Latios is a powerhouse in the Balanced Hackmons metagame. Its good Dragon / Psychic typing gives it handy resistances to common offensive types such as Fire, Water, and Fighting. By holding a Soul Dew, Mega Latios has an easier time getting past Imposters, but it doesn't make Mega Latios completely Imposter-proof. However, due to its subpar physical bulk, Mega Latios has trouble getting past Pixilate and Refrigerate users, both of which it is weak to, and is very vulnerable to Knock Off due to its reliance on Soul Dew.
[SET]
name: Protean
move 1: King's Shield
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Magma Storm / Seed Flare
item: Soul Dew
ability: Protean
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
King's Shield allows Mega Latios to scout for moves and punish physical attackers with an Attack drop. It also changes Mega Latios's type to Steel, which helps it deal with the -ate abilities better, as it resists all three of them. Moonblast and Earth Power have great coverage together, hitting many common Pokemon such as Registeel, Rayquaza, and Giratina very hard. Magma Storm, being a partial trapping move, helps Mega Latios deal with Sturdy Shedinja, but the move has shaky accuracy. Seed Flare is another option which can be used to hit Primal Kyogre super effectively.
Set Details
==========
Maximum Special Attack investment considerably heightens Mega Latios's firepower when combined with the Soul Dew. Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature is important to Speed tie with other threats with base 110 Speed such as Mega Diancie. Protean gives Mega Latios a STAB boost on all its moves. Protean also allows Mega Latios to switch types to resist certain moves, most notably with King's Shield for the -ates.
Usage Tips
===========
Faster threats such as Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Gengar, and Mega Rayquaza should be removed before Mega Latios enters the field, as they pose a huge threat to it. Be wary of Knock Off, even from defensive Pokemon, as it removes Mega Latios's Soul Dew, which leaves it very underpowered. Also be sure that all Imposter Pokemon are gone before bringing Mega Latios in, as they can win a Speed tie and KO even when weakened.
Team Options
============
Seeing as some of the threats to Mega Latios are the -ate users, it's good to have a Steel- type such as Registeel or Aegislash to check them. Pokemon capable of checking Imposter users such as Illusion lures, -ate users, Mega Gengar, and Hoopa Unbound are appreciated because it's risky for Mega Latios to take them on. In case Mega Latios is KOed by an Imposter user, it's important to have a check for Protean Mega Latios. Pokemon such as non-Imposter Chansey are very helpful for such a scenario.
[SET]
name: Tinted Lens
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psystrike
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: King's Shield / Magma Storm
item: Soul Dew
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor hits a huge majority of the tier for massive damage. Psystrike helps with getting around specially bulky Pokemon such as Primal Kyogre, Ho-Oh, and non-Imposter Chansey by hitting them based on their weaker Defense. Volt Switch is essential for keeping momentum on your side and hits decently hard even after a Special Attack drop from Draco Meteor. King's Shield is useful for scouting moves, while Magma Storm can be used to get past Shedinja.
Set Details
===========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature ensures that Mega Latios can hit as hard as possible while Speed tying with other Pokemon with base 110 Speed such as Mega Diancie. Tinted Lens gives Mega Latios unresisted coverage between its two STAB moves. Soul Dew provides a Choice Specs boost without locking Mega Latios into a move while also increasing its Special Defense.
Usage Tips
========
Most of the time Draco Meteor is the move of choice, as, with Tinted Lens, it is nearly impossible to switch into without something getting KOed or severely crippled. Be wary of Pokemon that carry Knock Off, even defensive ones such as Giratina, as losing Soul Dew's buffs is something Mega Latios does not appreciate. More often than not switching Mega Latios in is risky, so creating free switches by using moves such as U-turn or Volt Switch is optimal so that Mega Latios does not take unnecessary damage
Team Options
=============
Imposter Chansey and Steel-types such as Registeel and Aegislash are very helpful as they can check some of Mega Latios's biggest threats, the -ate users. Entry hazard setters also pair well with Mega Latios because they help it wallbreak by punishing switch-ins with residual damage or status. Pokemon that can give Mega Latios free switches are also good partners, such as U-Turn Registeel and Baton Pass Shedinja. Lastly, be sure to have a check for Mega Latios in case of opposing Imposter users. -ate Pokemon or faster attackers such as Mega Mewtwo X are good for this purpose.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
==============
Protean Mega Latios has many other viable moves that it can run, such as Boomburst, Volt Switch and Steam Eruption, but they are generally not as useful, as they do not have as much coverage. Mega Latios can also run a bulky Quiver Dance set that helps get past Imposter because the Soul Dew boost is not copied. Another possible set that Mega Latios can run is a Shell Smash + Stored Power set, which normally uses Shell Smash / Stored Power / Spacial Rend, but it's not as useful because Mega Latios struggles to find opportunities to set up and is also very Imposter weak. Finally, Mega Latios can run a Contrary set, using high-power moves such as Draco Meteor, Psycho Boost, and Overheat to constantly increase its Special Attack, but this set is very prone to Imposter users even with the Soul Dew boost, so it isn't used as much.
Checks and Counters
====================
**Chansey**: Imposter Chansey is a problem for Mega Latios because Latios gets KOed if Chansey wins the Speed tie. Non-Imposter variants also are a problem to deal with due to their stellar bulk after Eviolite boosts.
**The –ates**: Pokemon that use the abilities Refrigerate and Pixilate threaten Mega Latios with boosted Fake Outs and Extreme Speeds which can KO Mega Latios due to its subpar physical bulk. Mega Rayquaza in particular is a major threat to non-King's Shield variants of Mega Latios.
**Prankster Users**: Pokemon that use Prankster, such as Registeel, can come in on a resisted hit and cripple Mega Latios by either putting it to sleep or decreasing its offenses with Parting Shot.
**Regenerator + Assault Vest Users**: Pokemon that use Regenerator + Assault Vest, such as Regirock and Registeel, can give Mega Latios problems as they are able to take a Special Attack and heal it off by switching out.
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