[OVERVIEW]
Great bulk, nice Speed tier, and access to reliable recovery make Mega Latias a threatening Calm Mind sweeper. These factors as well as Levitate also allow Mega Latias to consistently check notable threats like Landorus-T, Mega Charizard Y, Zygarde, and Mega Salamence even without needing a boost. However, Mega Latias is hopelessly walled by Dark-types like Incineroar and Tyranitar as well as nearly any Steel-type. Its damage output is somewhat disappointing when unboosted, too. Also, Mega Latias faces competition as a Calm Mind sweeper from Cresselia because the latter doesn't take the Mega slot and boasts higher bulk.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind Sweeper
move 1: Psyshock
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Calm Mind
move 4: Roost
item: Latiasite
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 84 SpA / 136 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psyshock is chosen over Psychic to ease Mega Latias's time against Tapu Fini and Chansey and give Mega Latias better chances of winning Calm Mind wars against Tapu Fini and Cresselia. Ice Beam turns Mega Latias into a sturdy check to the likes of Landorus-T and Zygarde. Calm Mind allows Mega Latias to act as a sweeper and generally boosts its offensive presence. Roost lets Mega Latias check various threats more consistently and gives it more setup opportunities.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread and a Timid nature allow Mega Latias to outpace Kyurem-B and OHKO most Zygarde variants with an unboosted Ice Beam, while the leftover EVs are dumped into Defense. Maximizing its Speed will let Mega Latias outpace Kartana, making it even better check to Kartana. This comes at the cost of bulk, however.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Latias's aim is to pull of a sweep late-game when its answers like Incineroar, Mega Metagross, and Aegislash are severely weakened or completely eliminated. However, you can use Mega Latias to check the likes of Landorus-T and Mega Salamence at any point of the battle. Keep Mega Latias healthy so it can check various threats more consistently and secure more setup opportunities. Avoid status from the likes of Chansey and Porygon2 at all cost, since it prevents Mega Latias from successfully checking threats and sweeping the opposing team.
Team Options
========
Ground-types like Landorus-T and Zygarde are amazing teammates because they put a lot of pressure on Mega Latias's anwers like Incineroar and Mega Metagross; additionally, Landorus-T provides Intimidate support to Mega Latias. Fire-types such as Incineroar and Volcanion can break past Steel-types as well, with the former also boasting Intimidate to help Mega Latias further, while Fairy-types like Tapu Fini threaten Dark-types. Speed control from the likes of Zapdos and Kartana helps Mega Latias set up and sweep the opposing team. Fake Out support from Pokemon such as Incineroar and Zeraora gives Mega Latias more setup opportunities and free turns, as does Intimidate support.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dragon Pulse hits the likes of Incineroar and Tyranitar for neutral damage, but Ice Beam is usually preferred because it lets Mega Latias beat Pokemon like Landorus-T, Kartana, and Tapu Bulu one-on-one more easily. Icy Wind can be used over Ice Beam to provide teammates with a form of speed control while still hitting Landorus-T, Zygarde, and Mega Salamence. However, Icy Wind's drop in power is very noticeable and makes it generally inferior to Ice Beam. A non-Mega Latias set with Psychic, Ice Beam, Tailwind, and Heal Pulse or Ally Switch holding Psychium Z could be used if you need a bulky Tailwind setter. Unfortunately, this set struggles against many common threats and is outclassed by better Tailwind setters like Kartana.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Pokemon like Incineroar and Tyranitar are immune to Psyshock and take little damage from Ice Beam. In return, they threaten to KO Mega Latias with their super effective Dark-type STAB options.
**Steel-types**: The likes of Mega Metagross, Genesect, Aegislash, and Mega Scizor are resistant to Mega Latias's attacks and usually can deal heavy damage in return.
**Kyurem-B**: Kyurem-B is bulky enough to withstand any of boosted Mega Latias's attacks save for the rare Dragon Pulse and, if running Icium Z, is capable of easily KOing Mega Latias.
**Toxic**: Status from Pokemon like Chansey and Porygon2 significantly cuts Mega Latias's longevity and prevents it from sweeping the opposing team and checking threats.
**Bug-types**: Threats like Genesect and Volcarona are capable of KOing Mega Latias with their super effective Bug-type STAB options. The former also doesn't fear any of Mega Latias's attacks, while the latter can set up on Mega Latias with Quiver Dance.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Egor, 439341]]
- Quality checked by: [[MajorBowman, 188164], [talkingtree, 232101]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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