Latios Best Moveset and Build

Latios' great Speed and Special Attack make it one of the most consistent Special Attackers in the game. Read on to find out the best build, the best moveset, basic information, stats and recommended partners for Latios in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP).

Latios Best Build and Moveset

Life Orb Latios

Pokemon	Ability	Item	Moves
Latios	Levitate	Life Orb	・Draco Meteor ・Ice Beam ・Psychic ・Energy Ball
Nature / EVs	Timid 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Final Stats	154 HP / 101 Def / 182 SpA / 130 SpD / 178 Spe

This set aims to make use of Latios' impressive movepool. Giving it Life Orb lets Latios deal as much damage as possible, without being Choice locked into a move.

Choice Specs Latios

Pokemon	Ability	Item	Moves
Latios	Levitate	Choice Specs	・Draco Meteor ・Ice Beam ・Psychic ・Dragon Pulse
Nature / EVs	Timid 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Final Stats	154 HP / 100 Def / 182 SpA / 131 SpD / 178 Spe

Choice Specs gives Latios even more power at the cost of versatility. This is a very straightforward set, aiming to drop a Draco Meteor on an opposing Pokemon that does not resist it and switch out.

Using Latios

Maxing out Speed EVs and a Timid Nature are important for Latios so that it does not just give up the Speed tie to Gengar. It is also important to maximize its Special Attack stat so that it always hits as hard as possible.

Draco Meteor is Latios' most powerful move, able to severely damage anything that does not resist it, or even dealing sizeable chunks to Pokemon that do resist it. Latios should always be in mind when deliberating team composition, as it will always want to switch out after using Draco Meteor.

Consider using Latios as a late-game sweeper or a revenge killer, as it can consistently deal more than 50% to most Pokemon. It would always want to get clean knock outs. Another benefit to using Latios is forcing an opponent to switch their active Pokemon in attempts of mitigating damage. So even something like Tyranitar would not want to take a Draco Meteor because it will be in range to get knocked out by Latios' teammates.

Before battle, check your opponent's team if it has any Fairy-type switch-ins, and see if Latios can Draco Meteor safely.

Move Coverage

Pokemon listed with a ★ symbol are important targets for Latios' coverage Moves. Knocking them out should be a priority.

Other Viable Moves

Latios Basic Information

Latios - Type

Latios Eon Pokemon
Type 1	Type 2

Latios Weaknesses and Resistances

	Type
Takes 4x damage	-
Takes 2x damage
Takes 0.5x damage
Takes 1/4x damage	-
Takes 0x damage	-

Latios Abilities

Latios Base Stats

Latios' Strengths and Weaknesses

Draco Meteor Wins Games

Very few Pokemon can survive a boosted Draco Meteor. It is rarely a bad idea to just throw this out. But be wary of Fairy-type switch-ins.

Latios' Strong Offense

Latios boasts a good offensive movepool. Opponents who like to take risks might accidentally switch into a super-effective move.

Wall Latios with Defensive Switches

Latios naturally forces plenty of switches in a match because of its offensive movepool, as well as switching out itself because of Draco Meteor's Special Attack drop. Switching defensively as well as predicting your opponent's switches are key to beating a team constructed around Latios.

Pokemon	Description
Gengar	Ranking：★★★★★ ・Unpredictable matchup because Latios Speed ties with Gengar. ・Gengar is able deal massive damage with Shadow Ball. ・Gengar can survive a STAB Psychic because it may be holding Focus Sash.
Togekiss	Ranking：★★★★★ ・Togekiss is immune to Draco Meteor, and is able to survive a super-effective Ice Beam even without Special Defense investment. ・Togekiss can hit back with a Critical Hit Dazzling Gleam thanks to its Super Luck Ability.
Tyranitar	Ranking：★★★★★ ・Resists most of Latios' offense, and is even able to withstand a Surf or Energy Ball. ・Can knock out Latios with a powerful Crunch. ・Tyranitar is able to boost its own Special Defense in a Sandstorm that it naturally sets up with Sand Stream.

Best Natures for Latios

What are Natures?

Best Partners for Latios

Pokemon	Ability	Item	Moves
Suicune	Pressure	Chesto Berry	・Scald ・Ice Beam ・Calm Mind ・Rest
Nature / EVs	Calm 252 HP / 204 SpD / 52 Spe
Final Stats	207 HP / 135 Def / 110 SpA / 177 SpD / 112 Spe

Suicune is an excellent switch in to Ice-type moves, especially when Latios has to switch out because it had just used Draco Meteor.

Pokemon	Ability	Item	Moves
Tyranitar	Sand Stream	Chople Berry	・Rock Slide ・Crunch ・Stomping Tantrum ・Dragon Dance
Nature / EVs	Adamant 252 HP / 200 Atk / 20 SpD / 36 Spe
Final Stats	207 HP / 196 Atk / 130 Def / 123 SpD / 86 Spe

Tyranitar can boost its own Special Defense with its Sand Stream Ability as well as break Focus Sashes. Tyranitar can switch into Ghost-type or Dark-type moves that may knock out Latios.

Pokemon	Ability	Item	Moves
Togekiss	Serene Grace	Sitrus Berry	・Dazzling Gleam ・Air Slash ・Aura Sphere ・Flamethrower
Nature / EVs	Timid 116 HP / 52 Def / 156 SpA / 4 SpD / 180 Spe IVs: 0 Atk
Final Stats	175 HP / 122 Def / 160 SpA / 136 SpD / 135 Spe

While Togekiss cannot switch into an Ice Beam, it can switch into an incoming Dragon-type move and follow up with its own offense.

Pokemon BDSP Related Guides

Tier List and Movesets for Competitive Battle

Strategies for Individual Pokemon

Competitive Pokemon Builds
Gyarados	Breloom	Gliscor
Scizor	Suicune	Latios
Garchomp	Gengar	Azumarill
Hippowdon	Mamoswine	Latias
Heatran	Blaziken	Wash Rotom
Metagross	Tyranitar	Dragonite
Togekiss	Cloyster	Salamence
Cresselia