Latias Best Moveset and Build

Latias a fast and bulky Dragon Pokemon that can support its team. Read on to find out the best build, the best moveset, basic information, stats and recommended partners for Latias in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP).

Latias Best Build and Moveset

Support Latias

Pokemon	Ability	Item	Moves
Latias	Levitate	Haban Berry	・Dragon Pulse ・Thunder Wave ・Ice Beam ・Wish
Nature / EVs	Timid 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Final Stats	187 HP / 110 Def / 131 SpA / 150 SpD / 178 Spe

This set maximizes bulk and speed with a Timid Nature. Dragon Pulse is chosen for this set over Draco Meteor because it is more consistent damage without Latias needing to switch out. We run Haban Berry to survive Draco Meteor from her brother Latios, but Leftovers is also a good choice for passive recovery and offsetting Sand damage from Sandstorm.

The main objective of this set is to spread paralysis with Thunder Wave. Ice Beam is included in the set so that Latias is able to hit Ground-types that would attempt to switch into our Thunder Waves.

Calm Mind Latias

Pokemon	Ability	Item	Moves
Latias	Levitate	Leftovers	・Dragon Pulse ・Surf ・Substitute ・Calm Mind
Nature / EVs	Timid 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Final Stats	187 HP / 111 Def / 130 SpA / 150 SpD / 178 Spe

Also maximizing bulk and speed, this Latias can turn itself into a tank with mulitple Calm Minds. With incremental recovery in Leftovers, Latias can slowly heal itself of the damage it incurs while it sets up. We run Dragon Pulse and Surf so that Latias isn't easily walled and is able to hit most types for neutral damage.

Be wary of Azumarill though, as this set has no ways of touching it and it can OHKO with a Huge Power-boosted Play Rough.

Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, and Energy Ball are also good options for Latias' coverage move of choice. You can also opt to use Psychic as another STAB move.

Using Latias

While Latios can be a straightforward Pokemon, Latias must be played creatively. One of the key differences between the two besides Latias' all-important bulk is Latias' access to support moves. Latias is able to carve a niche for herself as a bulky Dragon-type support Pokemon. If your team needs a fast offensive Dragon-type Pokemon, her brother Latios might be a better option. Which does not mean Latias can't fulfill that role. It is also good at nuking things with Draco Meteor albeit a little bit weaker than Latios.

Latias' bulk and resistances allow it to be a good defensive switch option. Teammates that match up favorably against Tyranitar are great to have for Latias.

Other Viable Moves

Latias Basic Information

Latias - Type

Latias Eon Pokemon
Type 1	Type 2

Latias Weaknesses and Resistances

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

Latias Abilities

Latias Base Stats

Latias Strengths and Weaknesses

Latias' Support

Latias' movepool is filled with plenty of viable support moves. Its typing coupled with its Levitate Ability lets it resist a lot of different offensive types. These allow Latias to stick around longer, getting more chances to use these support moves without getting knocked out or without needing to switch.

Latias' Underrated Offense

Latias is still perfectly capable of threatening important KO's because of its above-average Special Attack Stat. She may not be as powerful as her brother, Latios, but Latias can be an offensive tank if positioned correctly. The type coverage afforded by Ice Beam and Thunderbolt can hit most relevant Pokemon in the format for super-effective damage.

Counter Latias by Walling It

Tyranitar can comfortably switch into any of Latias' offensive moves and threaten to knock it out with a super-effective Dark-type move. Tyranitar can boost its own Special Defense in a Sandstorm, and Blissey has massive HP and Special Defense. These Pokemon can take Latias' offensive moves and favorably exchange damage against Latias. Metagross has naturally decent defenses and an impressive Attack stat, which lets it absorb a hit from Latias and hit back with a huge Meteor Mash.

Pokemon	Description
Tyranitar	Ranking：★★★★★ ・Resists Latias' offense because it can boost its own Special Defense in Sandstorm. ・Can deal super-effective damage with a STAB Dark-type move.
Blissey	Ranking：★★★★★ ・Completely walls Latias with its massive HP and Special Defense. ・Can whittle down Latias' HP with Seismic Toss.
Metagross	Ranking：★★★★ ・Naturally has decent bulk and can take neutral hits comfortably. ・Can deal massive damage with Meteor Mash.

Best Natures for Latias

What are Natures?

Best Partners for Latias

Scizor

Pokemon	Ability	Item	Moves
Scizor	Technician	Lum Berry	・Bullet Punch ・X-Scissor ・Swords Dance ・Roost
Nature / EVs	Adamant 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Final Stats	177 HP / 200 Atk / 120 Def / 101 SpD / 85 Spe

Scizor is a good matchup against Tyranitar because it can threaten it with a super-effective X-Scissor. Scizor is also immune to Sandstorm's residual damage because of its Steel typing. This Pokemon matches up favorably against Dark-types in general, which Latias may not want to face off against.

A Fairy-type like Togekiss may try to switch in on a Dragon-type move from Latias, and Scizor can handily take care of them.

Arcanine

Pokemon	Ability	Item	Moves
Arcanine	Intimidate	Mago Berry	・Flare Blitz ・Close Combat ・Will-O-Wisp ・Snarl
Nature / EVs	Jolly 252 HP / 4 Atk / 4 Def / 108 SpD / 140 Spe
Final Stats	197 HP / 131 Atk / 101 Def / 108 SpA / 114 SpD / 146 Spe

Arcanine can switch in on a Tyranitar and knock it out with Close Combat. It is also not in danger of immediately getting knocked out itself due to its Intimidate Ability that can lower an opponent's Attack stat. Arcanine is bulky enough to be a good switch in for its teammates, and it can certainly switch into Ice-type moves meant for Latias. A Latias and Arcanine on the same team gives it very valuable bulk. The two Pokemon have very good synergy, as Latias can switch into a super-effective Ground-type attack meant for Arcanine.

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