Latias Analysis



Rising out of obscurity, Latias takes a place as a viable Mega Evolution in the 2018 format. With well distributed defenses and an above average Special Attack stat, Latias serves as a formidable check to common threats such as Landorus, Charizard Y, and Rain teams.




Pros
*80 / 120 / 150 Defenses allows Latias to soak up numerous hits and simply heal up with Roost or Recover
*140 Special Attack means that Latias does not have to invest in SpA to deal damage
*110 Speed allows Latias the option of running speed investment to outspeed Kartana and tie with Mega Metagross
*Access to Tailwind, Recovery, and a plethora of coverage moves
*Dragon / Psychic typing alongside Levitate allow Latias to freely switch into Landorus and weather teams
Cons
*Despite being so naturally bulky, Latias still requires investment to survive crucial Super Effective attacks
*Therefore relies on Calm Mind set up to deal significant damage; Latias can feel very weak or lackluster without SpA boosts
*A Dragon type in a Tapu filled format does not bode well for Latias; Tapu Lele and Fini can both be an issue
*Very weak against Sand teams; Iron Head / Hyper Voice + Assurance will easily KO Latias
Set - Calm Your Mind
Latias-Mega @ Latiasite  
Ability: Levitate  
Level: 50  
EVs: 252 HP / 60 Def / 76 SpA / 12 SpD / 108 Spe  
Modest Nature  
IVs: 0 Atk  
- Psyshock  
- Ice Beam  
- Calm Mind  
- Roost
*A set balanced around bulk and offense, this CM Latias set focuses on setting up at least one CM to help power through opponents
*Psyshock is used in place of Psychic to hit the common Mega Charizard Y and Assault Vest Ludicolo for much harder, allowing Latias to 2HKO both threats
*There are very few cases in which Psychic would be better, aka I can’t think of a reason why you would run Psychic right now
*Ice Beam allows Latias to hit threats such as Landorus, Salamence, and even Kartana for decent damage
*Latias naturally KO’s all three with an unboosted Ice Beam, and at +1 it KO’s AV Variants as well
*Calm Mind allows Latias to further boost its bulk and offenses, functioning similar to CM Tapu Fini
*Roost allows Latias to remain an offensive nuisance on the field, providing consistent recovery time and time again
*252 / 60 Def allows Latias to survive Jolly Life Orb Tyranitar Crunch + Sandstorm Damage 100% of the time
*Also survives -1 +252 Atk Tyranitar Z Crunch 75% of the time
*252 / 12 SpD allows Latias to survive various special attacks, including
*252 SpA Mega Gengar Shadow Ball does 75% at most; Latias KO’s with Psyshock
*+252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast does 80.2% at most
*252 SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Dazzling Gleam is a 3HKO
*+252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Heat Wave in the Sun is a 5HKO
*At +1 SpD, Latias can survive +252 SpA Aegislash-Blade Z Shadow Ball
*76 SpA EVs with a Modest nature allows Latias to pick up OHKO’s on Mega Gengar, non-Assault Vest Landorus, Salamence, and 2HKOs Tapu Bulu and Zapdos as well
*108 Speed EVs allows Mega Latias to hit 144 speed, outspeeding Max Speed Neutral Nature Landorus by one point
*An alternative spread of  228 HP / 4 Def / 12 SpA / 12 SpD / 252 Spe Timid nature can be run for those seeking to hit 178 Speed to speed tie Mega Metagross
*However, You lose out on alot of offense and bulk in doing so
Using Latias
*Latias fulfills a niche in countering Landorus, yet it also pairs extremely well with Landorus because of Intimidate and the ability to spam Earthquake
*Latias can also run a Tailwind set to provide speed control for other Pokemon
*Because of its reliance on Calm Mind for offense, Latias appreciates being paired with Fake Out users such as Incineroar and Scrafty
*Incineroar also provides a check to Steel types that would otherwise wall Latias such as Celesteela and Ferrothorn
*Scrafty can both provide Intimidate support and heavily damage threats such as Heatran, Tyranitar, and Aegislash
*Common partners also include Tapu Koko, Kartana, and Amoonguss
*Tapu Koko provides a fast Z Move to kill off threats that outspeed Latias, such as Mega Metagross
*Kartana provides tailwind support while also threatening Tyranitar and Excadrill
*Amoonguss provides Rage Powder support to allow Latias to set up Calm Mind

Comments

Post a Comment

Other Resources

VGC 2018 Teams

Image
A Compilation of Common VGC 2018 Teams! If you are just starting out, I recommend learning how to play CHALK -CHALK is a bulky team that helps you to learn the basic mechanics If you ever need help or pointers, don't be afraid to ask for help! I'll probably be online. CHALK http://pokepast.es/b172a04b8a32ecf9 Team Notes: -All of the Pokemon on this team are in the middle speed tier (low 100’s) -You have the option of Tailwind or Trick Room to outspeed opponents -Cresselia carries Icy wind, and after one Icy Wind, -Landorus will outspeed Timid 252 Tapu Koko and Gengar -Tapu Fini will outspeed Mega Metagross and Alolan Persian and Kartana -Zapdos will outspeed Mega Salamence -Kangaskhan will outspeed Positive Nature Base 100 Pokemon (Max Speed Kang) -Cresselia Underspeeds Heatran by One point, allowing it to move first in Trick Room -Especially useful in setting up Sunny Day and using Firi
Read more

Naganadel Analysis

Image
One of three new Ultra Beasts introduced in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Naganadel finds its niche as a speedy and offensive Poison type in a Tapu filled format. With a decent speed stat, access to Tailwind, and the flexibility of Z Moves, Naganadel can serve as a check to major threats in the format. Pros *Poison Dragon is an excellent Offensive and Defensive typing in the current format *127 Special Attack allows Naganadel to OHKO all Tapus with the exception of Tapu Fini, and also provides 2HKOs with Super Effective attacks *121 Speed allows Naganadel to outspeed most of the format barring Tapu Koko and Mega Gengar, and is the fastest Tailwind setter available *Decent coverage and access to Tailwind allow Naganadel to fulfill multiple roles *Choice Scarf Naganadel outspeeds Ludicolo in the Rain, and KO’s with Sludge Bomb Cons *73 / 73 / 73 Defensive stats are lackluster; Naganadel requires Intimidate support to survive most STAB and Super Effective Physical
Read more

Salamence Analysis (Mega Croissant)

Image
Occupying a niche as a Flying Intimidator, Salamence provides a safe check to the ever common Landorus. With a powerful spread STAB move and access to Physical sets, Salamence can fulfill the role of either a Special Attacker with Tailwind or Physical Sweeper with Dragon Dance. Pros *145 Attack and 120 Special Attack allows Mega Salamence to function as both a Physical and Special Attacker *95 / 130 / 90 Defensive Bulk is very impressive; Salamence can survive a multitude of attacks *Two incredibly useful Abilities in Intimidate and Aerilate *Fulfills the niche of a Flying Intimidator, allowing Salamence to switch into Landorus *Aerilate combined with moves such as Hyper Voice and Double-Edge allow Salamence to deal wonderful, Flying type damage, something no other Pokemon can do *Access to Tailwind, allowing Salamence to also provide Speed Control *120 Speed allow Salamence the option to outspeed threats such as Metagross, Persian, and Kartana *Able to ru
Read more

Charizard Y Analysis

Image
Mega Evolutions are once again legal in VGC, allowing the fan favorite sun-setter back into the format. Everyone’s favorite Gen 1 starter boasts and incredibly high Special Attack along with the incredibly useful ability of Drought. Combined with a decent speed stat and passable bulk, Charizard Y threatens to blaze through teams with powerful Fire type attacks. Pros *159 Special Attack stat allows Charizard Y to hit very hard without much investment, KOing and 2HKOing targets with sun up *100 Base Speed allows Charizard Y to outspeed and KO the likes of Tapu Lele and non-Choice Scarf Landorus-T *Its Mega Evolution Ability, Drought, summons Sunny Day for 5 turns or until a different weather is summoned. *Sun not only disrupts other weathers but also boosts Charizard’s damage output while protecting it from Water type attacks *Access to a decent movepool allows Charizard Y to hit most of its weaknesses for super effective damage Cons *Fire / Flying typing i
Read more

Aegislash Analysis

Image
My personal favorite Ghost Type in the format, Aegislash comes back from its VGC 2015 hiatus to once again serve as an offensive and supportive threat. With its signature ability, Stance Change, Aegislash can both provide an immense offensive threat while boasting high defenses. Pros *Stance Change allows Aegislash to effectively have 50 / 150 / 150 / 150 / 150 / 60 stats, making Aegislash a solid wall and offensive threat. *Ghost / Steel typing complements Aegislash both defensively and offensively *Aegislash has eight resistances and one immunity *The introduction of Z Moves allows Aegislash to now nuke targets without having to run Life Orb, which decreases Aegislash’ longevity *Small but efficient movepool allows Aegislash to cover many threats and targets *Premier Wide Guard user, protecting allies from Spread moves Cons *The common threats of Charizard Y and Landorus-T still heavily threaten Aegislash *Z Moves also threaten Aegisla
Read more

Lurantis Analysis

Image
Coming out of obscurity after the introduction of Intimidate Incineroar, Lurantis fulfills a special niche as a slow Grass Type Sweeper. Its ability Contrary allows Lurantis to deter Intimidators, while access to Superpower allows Lurantis to check Incineroar and sweep through unprepared teams. Pros *105 Attack stat is decent, considering Lurantis will almost never be below neutral Attack due to Contrary *70 / 90 / 90 Bulk allows Lurantis to survive numerous Super Effective attacks and proc its Pinch Berry *Contrary reverses stat drops such as Intimidate, giving Lurantis a +1 Attack Boost when Intimidated *Combined with Superpower, Lurantis can quickly rack up both Attack and Defense Boosts Cons *Requires both Intimidate Support and Trick Room Support to function properly *70 / 90 Defense requires Intimidate Support to survive Incineroar Flare Blitz *Common threats such as Salamence, Gengar, Incineroar, and Cresselia heavily threaten Lurantis’ longevi
Read more

Kartana Analysis

Image
One of seven Ultra Beasts introduced in Pokemon Sun and Moon, Kartana filled the niche of a fast and incredibly powerful Grass type Attacker. With an insane Attack stat coupled with a high speed tier, Kartana continues its dominance into 2018. Pros *181 Attack stat is the highest base value in the entire VGC 2018 format; Kartana hits over 200 Attack without any investment or boosting nature. *109 Speed Allows Kartana to hit 177 Speed, outspeeding numerous most Pokemon. Its naturally high speed means that Kartana does not have to invest too much into Speed to outspeed Positive Base 100 threats. *Kartana’s ability, Beast Boost, raises Kartana’s Attack by one stage for every KO it gets. *Thus, Kartana, with its high speed and Attack stat, can quickly snowball through opposing teams if given a kill *There is a distinct lack of viable Grass types and Fighting types in VGC 2018, which Kartana fulfills with the help of Sacred Sword *Along with USUM came USUM m
Read more

Landorus-T, the King of VGC

Image
The notorious King of VGC from 2015 is back in the format and as common as ever. With its great Attack stat, above average bulk, excellent typing, and access to Intimidate, Landorus-T looks to reclaim its throne in VGC 2018. Pros *Landorus boasts an enormous 145 Attack stat with STAB Earthquake, allowing it to deal heavy damage to multiple targets at once *Able to run immense bulk investment while retaining damage because of its Attack stat *Combined with a plethora of viable moves, Landorus can deal Super Effective damage to every single Pokemon in the format *With Intimidate and 89/90 Defensive bulk, Landorus effectively tanks Physical attacks *Ground / Flying typing is weak to only two types: Water and Ice, both of which are predominantly Special Attacks *Enormous Item flexibility; Assault Vest, Choice Scarf, Groundium Z, and Life Orb are all viable options that opponents have to watch out for *With Life Orb, Special Attacking Landorus becomes viabl
Read more

Gengar Analysis

Image
A speedy and incredibly offensive threat, Gengar is the premiere Poison type in a Tapu filled format. While no longer carrying Levitate, Gengar is still able to function exceptionally well with its Mega Form’s ability, Shadow Tag, trapping in opponents to allow your own Pokemon to set up or cycle Intimidates. Pros *Boasts an impressive 170 SpA and 130 Spe when Mega Evolved, outspeeding most of the metagame and speed tying with Tapu Koko *After Mega Evolving, Gengar gains access to Shadow Tag, one of the most useful and annoying abilities in Pokemon *As a Poison type, Gengar is immune to Fake Out and threatens KO’s on all Tapu Pokemon with Sludge Bomb Cons *Speed Ties with Tapu Koko, which is very annoying as Tapu Koko can KO Gengar before it moves *Increase in Specially Defensive bulky Pokemon mean that Gengar often misses KO’s and is counter KO’d *Ghost / Poison is not a great offensive typing when not super effective *60/80/95 Bulk means most Z Moves an
Read more

Snorlax Analysis

Image
With the introduction of Pinch Berries in 2017, Snorlax has risen to prominence as one of the best Pokemon in VGC. With its incredibly low base speed, access to consistent recovery, and a choice of set up moves, Snorlax is a bulky nuisance that can double as a Trick Room sweeper. Pros *160 / 60 / 110 Defenses allows Snorlax to tank Z Moves and Super Effective moves alike *Incredible bulk allows Snorlax to switch into moves in place of its allies *Normal Typing is great defensively, making Snorlax weak only to Fighting types *Fighting types are severely threatened in this format because of Tapus *Ability of Gluttony activates Snorlax’ Pinch Berry at 50% HP, allow Snorlax to abuse moves like Belly Drum and otherwise stay above 50% HP at all times *110 Attack stat is decent, and combined with set up moves (Curse / Belly Drum), Snorlax can become a terrifying sweeper *Base 30 Speed allows Snorlax to underspeed the majority of the format, becoming a threatenin
Read more