
[SET]
Latios (M) @ Soul Dew
Name: Calm Mind (Psychic)
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Draco Meteor
- Luster Purge
- Thunderbolt / Recover / Ice Beam
[SET COMMENTS]
Calm Mind Latios is a strong sweeper on Psychic teams by virtue of its Speed, access to Soul Dew, and great movepool. In addition, it provides a Ground immunity thanks to Levitate. Draco Meteor is a powerful nuke that allows Latios to remove the likes of Sableye and bulky Gouging Fire, and when boosted with Calm Mind, it can OHKO physically defensive Archaludon and potentially 2HKO Alolan Muk. Luster Purge is a strong Psychic-type STAB move that can potentially 2HKO Gholdengo. Thunderbolt gives Latios coverage that takes out Flying- and Water-types such as Corviknight and Empoleon, 2HKOing the latter after a Calm Mind boost. Recover can be used over Thunderbolt to grant Latios longevity, giving it more opportunities to sweep. Ice Beam can be used as well, and it is especially effective against slower Dragon-types, such as Garchomp and Dragonite, to remove Latios's need to switch out after using Draco Meteor. Ice Beam can also surprise the likes of both Landorus formes and Gliscor.
Deoxys-S is a great sacrificial lead by virtue of its Speed, access to both Stealth Rock and Spikes, and ability to prevent Defog with Taunt. Offensive variants of Deoxys-S, such as Choice Specs and Nasty Plot sets, can also clean late-game once Latios is finished wallbreaking. Hatterene can prevent entry hazards being placed thanks to Magic Bounce, and with its Fairy typing, it can switch into a predicted Dragon-type attack that would threaten Latios. Hatterene is also able to run Nuzzle to paralyze Pokemon that are faster than Latios, and it can support the team with Healing Wish. In return, Latios is able to threaten Corviknight and Empoleon with Thunderbolt. Latios gets easily outsped and forced out by faster Pokemon such as Dragapult, Meowscarada, and Greninja; hence, it appreciates speedy teammates that can deal with them like Choice Scarf Latias for Dragapult and Choice Scarf Iron Boulder for Meowscarada and Greninja. Gholdengo and Hatterene easily hinder any sweeping attempts from Latios, so checks to them, such as Hoopa-U and Iron Crown, make for great teammates. Choice Scarf Hoopa-U is also able to outspeed and threaten the likes of Flutter Mane and Spectrier, while Iron Crown appreciates Latios KOing Garchomp for it. Indeedee is another great teammate that provides a Ghost immunity as well as support with Healing Wish. Gallade is able to anticipate Sucker Punch from Kingambit and remove it with Upper Hand, and it can handle the likes of Hisuian Goodra, Alolan Muk, and Blissey. Slowbro and Galarian Slowking are two great defensive partners for Latios, with the former tanking attacks from Choice Band Excadrill as well as spreading paralysis with Thunder Wave so Latios outspeeds faster Pokemon. On the other hand, Galarian Slowking can wall out Iron Valiant and remove it with Sludge Bomb while acting as a slow pivot with Chilly Reception and an entry hazard setter with Toxic Spikes. Both Slowbro and Galarian Slowking can also wall Ceruledge after they use their Eject Button or Chien-Pao and Kingambit when they're using a Colbur Berry.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Psychic
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Shadow Ball is an alternative that allows Latios to surprise would-be checks such as Gholdengo and Hatterene that can switch into its STAB moves. Psyshock is another option that can be used to target Pokemon that are bulky on the special side but frail on the physical side, OHKOing Volcarona and Frosmoth after one Calm Mind boost. Psychic Noise can deal with Primarina. Dragon Pulse is another option for a Dragon-type STAB move that is more accurate than Draco Meteor and does not require Latios to switch out after using it.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/captaindaimyo.602431/
Psychic analysis by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/captaindaimyo.602431/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/boomp.637295/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/neko.542526/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
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