QC: / /
GP: /
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- Dual STAB moves gain wonderful coverage, only being resisted by a few Pokemon but nothing can truly switch into either.
- Somewhat wide movepool with various options to choose from, though just abusing Draco Meteor is often the best idea.
- Solid bulk backed up by a unique typing that offers six weaknesses in exchange for six resistances and one immunity.
- Mediocre speed, meaning it will have a good chance of being attacked before it gets to attack.
- Furthermore, it is worn down especially quickly because of its lack of Leftovers recovery.
- Mega Latios' low Speed also prevents it from being an excellent stallbreaker because it's unable to do anything when weakened.
- This is really tough in general for Camerupt unless Trick Room is set, but that's not exactly a common playstyle and its timespan is too short.
- Common type weaknesses which are extremely noticeable considering there is a variety of offensive Pokemon in the tier and Greninja is on almost all hyper offense teams.
- Average bulk pre-Mega Evolving and is thus hard to effectively switch directly into many attacks, bar Ground-type attacks.
Standard
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name: Standard
move 1: Roost / Thunderbolt / Thunder
move 2: Psycho Shift / Calm Mind
move 3: Draco Meteor
move 4: Psychic / Psyshock / Stored Power
ability: Leftovers
item: Latiosite
evs: 40 HP / 216 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
ivs: 0 Atk
Moves
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- Draco Meteor is the move that Mega Latios should primarily be spamming, as it's insanely powerful and can dent even resistant Pokemon.
- Psychic/Psyshock are the secondary STAB moves and get fairly decent coverage all around, and, once again, is difficult to switch into.
- Thunderbolt hits the various Flying-types, such as Gyarados, Dragonite, Talonflame, Charizard, and the uncommon Mantine, and allowing to hit and possibly OHKO the infamous Water-type Greninja.
- Psycho Shift hurts power special attackers, such as Greninja switch ins, and is nice to spread around to weaken Pokemon in general so Mega Latios can blast through them at a later time. Will-Psycho Shift also softens blows against it.
- Roost should not be used to make Mega Camerupt your team's primary entry hazard setter, but more so to be used on switches to restore health.
- The second slot is primarily a filler move, as it's not used very often, it's mainly just for the hyper offensive Pokemon switch ins so whatever works really.
Set Details
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- Levitate isn't really useful in many scenarios, but its simply the only ability that Latios gets.
- Latiosite is the best choice of an item slot, as it allows Latios to Mega Evolve and gain bulk and power; a lot of other items are useless or banned from OU.
- 252 Speed EVs allow Mega Latios to outspeed Gengar and smack it with Psychic, Psyshock, or Draco Meteor, while the rest is invested into Special Attack and HP.
- A Timid nature is chosen because Camerupt doesn't require a Modest nature, while a Quiet nature is unadvised because then Mega Latios can not outspeed a handful of viable threats.
- Running Mega Latios on a Rain team could be useful, if this is the chosen option than a moveset of Thunder / Psycho Shift / Draco Meteor / Psyshock is the moveset of choice, along with 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe, a Timid nature, and 0 Attack IVs.
Usage Tips
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- Mega Latios is fairly simple to use: Mega Evolve as early as possible and launch off intimidating maneuvers to force a switch out.
- Mega Evolving as early as possible is truly a priority, as Latios is pretty confusing pre-Mega Evolution.
- Spamming Draco Meteor is often Latios' safest route, as it hits a vast portion of the metagame and is Latios' strongest move.
- Thunder / Thunderbolt must be played a bit more cautiously, as Ground-types and Pokemon with abilities such as Lightningrod (ex. pre-Mega Manectric) are common in OU.
- Mega Latios should only use its second slot on predicted switches, never when it's against a foe because it'll want to be spamming its moves while possible.
- Mega Latios is a heavy hitter and a heavy switcher; a lot of stuff forces it out, so be sure to play cautiously.
- The only time you can play Mega Latios recklessly is when abusing Draco Meteor, otherwise safe playing is priority.
- Mega Latios should always be brought in with a U-turn, Volt Switch, or Baton Pass, as it's very unsafe to switch in through direct switching.
- Rely on Mega Latios' teammates! This can't be stressed enough: using Latios as a sole Pokemon will result in failure, using its teammates to swallow hits and wear down foes is how Latios should be used.
- Finally, Mega Latios should always be used as a partial-wallbreaker, not a Pokemon completely deticated to it, as it's speed is too mediocre to fulfill this role.
Team Options
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- Heatran stands out as a partner because it resists Ice-, Fairy- and Dragon-type moves and appreciates Mega Latios' typing and ability to handle Grass-, Water- and Ground-types in return.
- Ferrothorn can lay entry hazards for Latios and has excellent synergy with Latios.
- Landorus-T is immune to Ground-type moves and is able to set Stealth Rock, along with pivot into Camerupt with U-turn and provide Intimidate support.
- Victini is an insanely powerful wallbreaker with V-Create and creates a powerful Fire-type core that revolves around the two weakening each others checks. Victini is also a solid Trick Room teammate.
- Slowbro also has fantastic synergy with Mega Latios and is able to set Trick Room or even spread around Thunder Wave.
- Porygon2 is a useful partner because it forms a solid defensive core and is able to take on Azumarill for Latios.
- Cresselia can bring in a weakened Latios late game, uses Lunar Dance, and has fantastic synergy with Mega Latios, despite there being two common weaknesses.
- Fighting-types, namely Terrakion, are useful partners because they can break through Chansey and most Fighting-types are able to soften things up via a strong Close Combat.
- Ice-types, such as Mamoswine, are also able to weaken Chansey and beat Dragon / Flying types that resist Latios STAB moves.
- Raikou is a useful partner because it is able to pivot into Latios via Volt Switch and break through Water-types, and Latios is able to take care of it's ground weakness.
Other Options
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- Dragon Pulse is a usable option over Draco Meteor for accuracy, but the raw power Fire Blast provides is much more useful even with a chance to miss.
- Shadow Ball should not be used either, as some Normal-type Pokemon are very popular.
- Similarly, Toxic forces switches for Pokemon with Natural Cure and could potentially intoxicate the opponent, but it's generally unreliable.
Checks & Counters
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- **Special Walls**: While Latios is insanely strong, it just can't break through everything. The main problems are Heatran, Sylveon, Azumarill, and Chansey, which can switch into any of Latios' attacks and threaten it in return through various means; Lava Plume - Heatran, Play Rough - Azumarill, Seismic Toss + Toxic stall - Chansey, Pixilate Hyper Voice / Moonblast - Sylveon or Mega Gardevoir.
- **Mixed Hyper-Offensive Pokemon**: All Pokemon: Greninja, Keldeo, and so on, are massive threats because they both get powerful moves that differ and can still severely damage Latios. Only a select few, namely Gyarados and the rare Mantine, are safe switch ins, however. More Pokemon, such as Sucker Punch Bisharp, can also be huge threats to Mega Latios.
- **Powerful Attacks**: Attacks from various different Pokemon, ranging from Latios, to Mega Latios, to Mega Sableye, to Terrakion, to Greninja; all Pokemon with strong attacks are able to weaken Latios quite easily. But, once again, they're unable to switch into Latios directly.
