Taken over from Cicada, I edited the overview to my liking but otherwise its his overview
QC: PK Gaming / p2 / Colonel M
GP: Mr. Uncompetitive
[OVERVIEW]
* Latias's solid bulk and great typing make it a great offensive check to several OU threats such as Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, and Manaphy. By virtue of its typing, it forces out some Ground-types like Landorus-T, Water-types like Keldeo, and Grass-types like Mega Venusaur, and its great Speed tier further allows it to soft check Pokemon such as Kartana and Terrakion.
* It is a reliable hazard remover with access to Defog, reliable recovery, and a decent typing to do the job.
* Latiasite is not released yet, which was one of its main niches over Latios during XY. However, it still has access to Healing Wish, which is the main reason for its use over Latios; Latios still outclasses it as an attacker.
* Latias is walled by Steel-types and Fairy-types such as Tapu Lele, Magearna, Mega Metagross, and Mega Scizor.
* Its Psychic typing brings weaknesses to U-turn, Pursuit, and Knock Off.
* The arrival of new Fairy-types such as Magearna and Tapu Lele makes its job harder. In addition, Latias faces even more competition as a Psychic-type from Tapu Lele.
[SET]
name: Offensive Support
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Healing Wish
move 4: Defog / Recover
item: Soul Dew / Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Draco Meteor hits very hard and lets Latias nail Dark-types that it can't hit with Psyshock, such as Hoopa-U and Weavile.
* Psyshock is Latias's main STAB move, as it doesn't lower Latias's stats, and it hits the Fairy-types that Draco Meteor can't hit, such as Tapu Fini and Clefable. It also is used to hit Poison-types, such as Mega Venusaur.
* Healing Wish is the main reason to use Latias over Latios and can be used to give cleaners and setup sweepers, such as Mega Pinsir, a second chance to sweep by healing them to full HP and curing status conditions such as burn and paralysis, which would otherwise cripple them.
* Defog allows Latias to remove Stealth Rock and other entry hazards for its teammates that are worn down by them easily.
* Recover is another option that lets Latias act as a more reliable check to Pokemon like Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard Y, and Keldeo.
* Psychic can be used over Psyshock to hit Pokemon such as Bold Clefable harder.
Set Details
========
* Soul Dew gives a power boost similar to Life Orb, but doesn't cause Latias to lose HP, allowing it to better check Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y, especially when it does not have Recover.
* A Life Orb can also be used for a slight power boost, but Latias is worn down more quickly with it. If Latias has a Life Orb, Recover is even better, as it makes up for some of the the recoil damage.
* The current EV Spread and a Timid nature maximize Latias's Special Attack and Speed, allowing it to deal as much damage as possible.
* An alternative spread of 72 HP / 184 SpA / 252 Spe with a Timid nature can be run to allow Latias to better check threats like Nasty Plot Thundurus, Keldeo, and Rotom-W. This EV spread allows Latias to avoid the 2HKO from Life Orb Thundurus's Hidden Power Ice.
* Levitate is Latias's only available ability, but it means that Choice Scarf Landorus-T and Choice Scarf Garchomp can't use Earthquake for out of fear of momentum loss.
Usage Tips
========
* Switch Latias into Pokemon that it checks, such as Keldeo and Toxapex, in order to Defog away entry hazards for Latias's teammates.
* Predict around Pursuit users such as Tyranitar and Mega Scizor. Pursuit is Latias's worst nightmare, so try to prevent giving the opponent a free switch into a Pursuit user with Latias or double switch when you predict that your opponent will switch into a Pursuit user.
* Utilize Latias's offensive capabilities to wear down the opposing team as needed. Remember that Latias can take a few resisted or even neutral hits if needed.
* Late-game, use Healing Wish in order to give one of Latias's teammates a chance to sweep. This means that you can play more recklessly with those Pokemon early-game as long as you are able to use Healing Wish later. Use Healing Wish when you predict an attacking move, not a setup move such as Swords Dance.
* Also use Healing Wish to gain momentum; using Defog or Recover typically loses momentum. Choose whether getting rid of Stealth Rock or gaining momentum with Healing Wish is more important based on what your win condition is.
Team Options
========
* Latias hates Pursuit and Dark-types in general, so Pokemon that can switch into Dark-types and Knock Off, such as Keldeo, Buzzwole, and Mega Scizor, make great partners for Latias.
* Pokemon that can take on the Steel-types that Latias is walled by, such as Mega Charizard X, Heatran, and Excadrill, are great teammates.
* Dugtrio deserves a special mention, (AC) as it is able to trap and KO two of Latias's most common counters, Heatran and Tyranitar.
* Setup sweepers and cleaners that appreciate Healing Wish support, such as Mega Pinsir, Mega Gyarados, Shift Gear Genesect, Mega Metagross, and Kartana, like having Latias as a partner.
* Pokemon that are easily worn down by entry hazards, such as Mega Charizard Y, Mega Pinsir, and Thundurus appreciate Latias's Defog support.
* Pokemon such as Mega Scizor and Pheromosa can simply click U-turn when given a free switch into Latias, so Pokemon that punish this, such as Rocky Helmet Landorus-T, are decent partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Calm Mind can be used with Thunderbolt and Ice Beam, but was better when Latiasite was available. Substitute can be run on this set as well to allow Latias to set up on bulkier Pokemon such as Toxapex easily.
* Colbur Berry can allow Latias to survive a Pursuit or Knock Off and allow it to use Defog or hit the target with Draco Meteor.
* Latias has a lot of other coverage options such as Hidden Power Fire for Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, Surf for Heatran, and Thunderbolt for Mega Charizard Y and Azumarill. However, Latios is better offensively and typically runs these coverage moves more effectively.
* Reflect Type can be used to take on Dark-type attackers better, but Latias doesn't have a slot for it.
* Other spreads, including 160 HP / 96 SpA / 252 Spe and 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe, can be used to check threats like Keldeo and Mega Charizard Y even more effectively. The former allows Latias to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Keldeo's Icy Wind while the latter maximizes Latias's bulk and Speed. With these spreads, Recover is usually better than Defog.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Neither of Latias's STAB moves hit Magearna, Mega Metagross, Jirachi, Celesteela, or other Steel-types for much damage. In return, they can set up entry hazards or hit back with powerful STAB moves.
**Fairy-types**: Many Fairy-types such as Clefable, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Magearna can switch into Latias's Psyshock with no problem and are immune to Draco Meteor. They force Latias to switch and can set up Stealth Rock, use Calm Mind, use Shift Gear, or hit Latias with their powerful STAB moves.
**Dark-types and Pursuit**: Dark-types such as Weavile, Bisharp, and Tyranitar, as well as Pursuit users such as Mega Scizor and Mega Metagross, take little, if any, damage from Psyshock and can Pursuit trap Latias, rendering it useless. However, neither Weavile nor Bisharp appreciates Draco Meteor.
**Revenge Killers**: Pokemon that are faster than Latias, such as Choice Scarf Genesect, Weavile, and Pheromosa, can hit Latias with their powerful STAB moves and prevent it from using Defog or Healing Wish.
QC: PK Gaming / p2 / Colonel M
GP: Mr. Uncompetitive
[OVERVIEW]
* Latias's solid bulk and great typing make it a great offensive check to several OU threats such as Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, and Manaphy. By virtue of its typing, it forces out some Ground-types like Landorus-T, Water-types like Keldeo, and Grass-types like Mega Venusaur, and its great Speed tier further allows it to soft check Pokemon such as Kartana and Terrakion.
* It is a reliable hazard remover with access to Defog, reliable recovery, and a decent typing to do the job.
* Latiasite is not released yet, which was one of its main niches over Latios during XY. However, it still has access to Healing Wish, which is the main reason for its use over Latios; Latios still outclasses it as an attacker.
* Latias is walled by Steel-types and Fairy-types such as Tapu Lele, Magearna, Mega Metagross, and Mega Scizor.
* Its Psychic typing brings weaknesses to U-turn, Pursuit, and Knock Off.
* The arrival of new Fairy-types such as Magearna and Tapu Lele makes its job harder. In addition, Latias faces even more competition as a Psychic-type from Tapu Lele.
[SET]
name: Offensive Support
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Healing Wish
move 4: Defog / Recover
item: Soul Dew / Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Draco Meteor hits very hard and lets Latias nail Dark-types that it can't hit with Psyshock, such as Hoopa-U and Weavile.
* Psyshock is Latias's main STAB move, as it doesn't lower Latias's stats, and it hits the Fairy-types that Draco Meteor can't hit, such as Tapu Fini and Clefable. It also is used to hit Poison-types, such as Mega Venusaur.
* Healing Wish is the main reason to use Latias over Latios and can be used to give cleaners and setup sweepers, such as Mega Pinsir, a second chance to sweep by healing them to full HP and curing status conditions such as burn and paralysis, which would otherwise cripple them.
* Defog allows Latias to remove Stealth Rock and other entry hazards for its teammates that are worn down by them easily.
* Recover is another option that lets Latias act as a more reliable check to Pokemon like Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard Y, and Keldeo.
* Psychic can be used over Psyshock to hit Pokemon such as Bold Clefable harder.
Set Details
========
* Soul Dew gives a power boost similar to Life Orb, but doesn't cause Latias to lose HP, allowing it to better check Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y, especially when it does not have Recover.
* A Life Orb can also be used for a slight power boost, but Latias is worn down more quickly with it. If Latias has a Life Orb, Recover is even better, as it makes up for some of the the recoil damage.
* The current EV Spread and a Timid nature maximize Latias's Special Attack and Speed, allowing it to deal as much damage as possible.
* An alternative spread of 72 HP / 184 SpA / 252 Spe with a Timid nature can be run to allow Latias to better check threats like Nasty Plot Thundurus, Keldeo, and Rotom-W. This EV spread allows Latias to avoid the 2HKO from Life Orb Thundurus's Hidden Power Ice.
* Levitate is Latias's only available ability, but it means that Choice Scarf Landorus-T and Choice Scarf Garchomp can't use Earthquake for out of fear of momentum loss.
Usage Tips
========
* Switch Latias into Pokemon that it checks, such as Keldeo and Toxapex, in order to Defog away entry hazards for Latias's teammates.
* Predict around Pursuit users such as Tyranitar and Mega Scizor. Pursuit is Latias's worst nightmare, so try to prevent giving the opponent a free switch into a Pursuit user with Latias or double switch when you predict that your opponent will switch into a Pursuit user.
* Utilize Latias's offensive capabilities to wear down the opposing team as needed. Remember that Latias can take a few resisted or even neutral hits if needed.
* Late-game, use Healing Wish in order to give one of Latias's teammates a chance to sweep. This means that you can play more recklessly with those Pokemon early-game as long as you are able to use Healing Wish later. Use Healing Wish when you predict an attacking move, not a setup move such as Swords Dance.
* Also use Healing Wish to gain momentum; using Defog or Recover typically loses momentum. Choose whether getting rid of Stealth Rock or gaining momentum with Healing Wish is more important based on what your win condition is.
Team Options
========
* Latias hates Pursuit and Dark-types in general, so Pokemon that can switch into Dark-types and Knock Off, such as Keldeo, Buzzwole, and Mega Scizor, make great partners for Latias.
* Pokemon that can take on the Steel-types that Latias is walled by, such as Mega Charizard X, Heatran, and Excadrill, are great teammates.
* Dugtrio deserves a special mention, (AC) as it is able to trap and KO two of Latias's most common counters, Heatran and Tyranitar.
* Setup sweepers and cleaners that appreciate Healing Wish support, such as Mega Pinsir, Mega Gyarados, Shift Gear Genesect, Mega Metagross, and Kartana, like having Latias as a partner.
* Pokemon that are easily worn down by entry hazards, such as Mega Charizard Y, Mega Pinsir, and Thundurus appreciate Latias's Defog support.
* Pokemon such as Mega Scizor and Pheromosa can simply click U-turn when given a free switch into Latias, so Pokemon that punish this, such as Rocky Helmet Landorus-T, are decent partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Calm Mind can be used with Thunderbolt and Ice Beam, but was better when Latiasite was available. Substitute can be run on this set as well to allow Latias to set up on bulkier Pokemon such as Toxapex easily.
* Colbur Berry can allow Latias to survive a Pursuit or Knock Off and allow it to use Defog or hit the target with Draco Meteor.
* Latias has a lot of other coverage options such as Hidden Power Fire for Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, Surf for Heatran, and Thunderbolt for Mega Charizard Y and Azumarill. However, Latios is better offensively and typically runs these coverage moves more effectively.
* Reflect Type can be used to take on Dark-type attackers better, but Latias doesn't have a slot for it.
* Other spreads, including 160 HP / 96 SpA / 252 Spe and 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe, can be used to check threats like Keldeo and Mega Charizard Y even more effectively. The former allows Latias to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Keldeo's Icy Wind while the latter maximizes Latias's bulk and Speed. With these spreads, Recover is usually better than Defog.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Neither of Latias's STAB moves hit Magearna, Mega Metagross, Jirachi, Celesteela, or other Steel-types for much damage. In return, they can set up entry hazards or hit back with powerful STAB moves.
**Fairy-types**: Many Fairy-types such as Clefable, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Magearna can switch into Latias's Psyshock with no problem and are immune to Draco Meteor. They force Latias to switch and can set up Stealth Rock, use Calm Mind, use Shift Gear, or hit Latias with their powerful STAB moves.
**Dark-types and Pursuit**: Dark-types such as Weavile, Bisharp, and Tyranitar, as well as Pursuit users such as Mega Scizor and Mega Metagross, take little, if any, damage from Psyshock and can Pursuit trap Latias, rendering it useless. However, neither Weavile nor Bisharp appreciates Draco Meteor.
**Revenge Killers**: Pokemon that are faster than Latias, such as Choice Scarf Genesect, Weavile, and Pheromosa, can hit Latias with their powerful STAB moves and prevent it from using Defog or Healing Wish.
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