Latios Raid Guide: Counters, Strategies, And How To Win
Hey Pokémon trainers! Are you ready to battle the legendary Latios? This guide will provide you with all the information you need to successfully challenge and capture this powerful Eon Pokémon. We'll cover everything from Latios' weaknesses and counters to effective raid strategies and tips for maximizing your chances of success. So, gather your team, prepare your Pokémon, and let's dive into the world of Latios raids!
Understanding Latios: The Eon Pokémon
Before we jump into the battle, let's get to know our opponent. Latios is a dual-type Dragon and Psychic Pokémon, making it vulnerable to several types of attacks. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial for building an effective raid team. Knowing Latios's type, moveset, and stats allows trainers to tailor their teams for maximum effectiveness. By analyzing these factors, players can select Pokémon that exploit Latios's vulnerabilities and resist its powerful attacks. This strategic approach is essential for success in raid battles, especially when facing formidable legendary Pokémon like Latios. It's like preparing for a big exam – the more you know about the subject, the better you'll perform!
Latios's Type and Weaknesses
Latios's dual typing means it's especially weak to Dragon, Bug, Ghost, Dark, and Ice-type attacks. This gives you a wide range of options when choosing your attacking Pokémon. Dragon-type moves deal significant damage due to Latios's Dragon typing, making Pokémon like Rayquaza, Dragonite, and Salamence excellent choices. Bug, Ghost, Dark, and Ice-type moves also exploit Latios's weaknesses, providing further opportunities for effective counterattacks. Building a team that leverages these weaknesses is crucial for success in Latios raids. Diversifying your team with Pokémon that can use these types of moves ensures that you can adapt to Latios's moveset and maintain consistent damage output throughout the battle. Additionally, understanding these weaknesses allows you to conserve resources, such as potions and revives, by minimizing the damage your team takes.
Possible Movesets
Latios can have a variety of moves, including Dragon Breath, Zen Headbutt, Psychic, Dragon Claw, Luster Purge, and Solar Beam. Some moves, like Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw, can deal significant damage to Dragon-type counters. Zen Headbutt and Psychic pose a threat to Fighting and Poison-type Pokémon, which might otherwise be strong choices. Luster Purge is a powerful Dragon-type move that can inflict heavy damage, while Solar Beam can surprise unprepared teams. Knowing the possible movesets helps trainers anticipate Latios's attacks and adjust their strategies accordingly. For instance, if Latios has Solar Beam, bringing a Grass-type Pokémon would be risky. Instead, focusing on Pokémon that resist or are neutral to Grass-type moves would be a better strategy. Understanding the move combinations Latios might use allows for more informed decisions in team composition and battle tactics, increasing your chances of victory.
Key Stats to Consider
Latios boasts high Attack and Special Attack stats, making its moves incredibly potent. Its Defense and Special Defense are decent, but not insurmountable. Its Speed stat is also quite high, meaning it will often attack first. These stats inform your battle strategy, emphasizing the need for Pokémon that can withstand significant damage while dishing out powerful attacks in return. Pokémon with high defensive stats and resistances to Latios's move types can survive longer in the battle, allowing for sustained damage output. Additionally, understanding Latios's high Speed stat means that trainers should prioritize using moves quickly and efficiently, minimizing the time Latios has to launch attacks. By considering these key stats, trainers can develop a balanced approach that maximizes their team's survivability and damage potential, increasing their odds of successfully defeating Latios.
Top Counters for Latios
Now that we know Latios's weaknesses, let's talk about the best Pokémon to bring into battle. Here are some top counters that will help you deal significant damage and withstand Latios's attacks:
Dragon-Type Dynamos
Dragon-type Pokémon are your best bet for dealing massive damage to Latios. Rayquaza, with its Dragon Tail and Outrage, is a top-tier choice. Dragonite, another powerhouse, can use Dragon Tail and Outrage to great effect. Salamence, with similar movesets, is also an excellent option. These Pokémon not only deal super-effective damage but also have the bulk to withstand some of Latios's attacks. Rayquaza, in particular, stands out due to its exceptional Attack stat and dual Flying/Dragon typing, making it a formidable counter. Dragonite's versatility and high stats also make it a reliable choice. Salamence, with its powerful moveset, adds further firepower to the team. Using a team of strong Dragon-type Pokémon can significantly shorten the raid duration, increasing your chances of success and allowing you to conserve resources for future battles.
Ice-Type Aces
Ice-type Pokémon like Mamoswine and Weavile can also be very effective against Latios. Mamoswine, with its Powder Snow and Avalanche, deals significant Ice-type damage. Weavile, with Ice Shard and Avalanche, is another strong contender. These Pokémon exploit Latios's weakness to Ice-type attacks, making them valuable additions to your raid team. Mamoswine's high HP and Attack stats allow it to withstand considerable damage while dishing out powerful blows. Weavile's speed and high Attack stat make it a quick and effective damage dealer. While Ice-type Pokémon might be more vulnerable to Latios's Dragon-type moves, their ability to deal super-effective damage can quickly turn the tide of battle. Combining Ice-type Pokémon with other strong counters can create a well-rounded team capable of handling Latios's diverse moveset.
Dark and Ghost-Type Greats
Dark and Ghost-type Pokémon can resist Psychic-type attacks and deal super-effective damage in return. Pokémon like Giratina (Origin Forme) with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball, or Hydreigon with Bite and Dark Pulse are excellent choices. These Pokémon add a layer of type diversity to your team, helping you cover more of Latios's potential movesets. Giratina (Origin Forme) is particularly effective due to its high stats and resistance to many of Latios's attacks. Hydreigon's powerful Dark-type moves make it a reliable damage dealer. Including Dark and Ghost-type Pokémon in your team not only exploits Latios's weaknesses but also provides crucial resistance to its Psychic-type attacks, enhancing your team's survivability. This strategic diversity is key to building a team that can handle any challenge Latios throws your way.
Honorable Mentions
Other Pokémon that can perform well include Tyranitar (with Bite and Crunch), Gengar (with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball), and Palkia (with Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor). These Pokémon may not be the absolute top counters, but they can still contribute significantly to the raid effort. Tyranitar's Dark-type moves and high bulk make it a solid choice for dealing damage and withstanding attacks. Gengar's high Special Attack allows it to unleash powerful Ghost-type moves. Palkia, as a Dragon-type, can deal super-effective damage while also having good overall stats. These honorable mentions provide additional options for trainers who may not have access to the top-tier counters. By considering these Pokémon, you can build a strong and versatile team that is ready to take on Latios.
Raid Strategies and Tips
Now that we have our team ready, let's discuss some strategies and tips to help you succeed in the Latios raid:
Coordinate with Your Team
Communication is key in any raid battle. Coordinate with your fellow trainers to ensure you have a balanced team composition. Discuss who will bring which Pokémon and strategize about how to tackle Latios's moveset. Effective communication can make the difference between victory and defeat. Use chat features or voice communication to stay connected with your team during the raid. Share information about Latios's moves and any changes in its behavior. Coordinating your attacks and defensive strategies can maximize your team's efficiency and ensure that you are all working towards the same goal. By working together, you can overcome even the most challenging raid bosses.
Dodge Charged Attacks
Latios's charged attacks can deal massive damage. Pay attention to the visual cues and dodge when necessary to minimize damage. Dodging not only protects your Pokémon but also allows you to conserve potions and revives. Mastering the timing of dodges is a crucial skill for any Pokémon GO player. Watch for the yellow flashes around the screen, which indicate an incoming charged attack. Swiping left or right at the right moment can help you avoid taking the full brunt of the attack. Practice your dodging skills in lower-level raids to get a feel for the timing. By consistently dodging charged attacks, you can keep your Pokémon in the battle longer and increase your overall damage output.
Maximize Your Damage Output
Use super-effective moves whenever possible to deal the most damage. Power up your Pokémon and use TMs to optimize their movesets. The more damage you deal, the faster you can defeat Latios and the more rewards you'll earn. Investing in your Pokémon by powering them up and teaching them the best moves is essential for successful raiding. Use Fast TMs and Charged TMs to change your Pokémon's movesets to optimal combinations. Consider the weather conditions, as certain types of moves are boosted in specific weather. For example, Dragon-type moves are boosted in windy weather. By maximizing your damage output, you can contribute significantly to the raid effort and increase your chances of securing valuable rewards.
Take Advantage of Weather Boosts
Weather conditions in Pokémon GO can boost certain types of Pokémon and moves. For Latios raids, windy weather will boost Dragon-type moves, making your Dragon-type counters even more effective. Snowy weather will boost Ice-type moves, further enhancing the power of Pokémon like Mamoswine and Weavile. Pay attention to the weather and adjust your team accordingly to take advantage of these boosts. Windy weather is particularly beneficial for Dragon-type Pokémon, increasing their damage output significantly. Snowy weather boosts Ice-type moves, making Ice-type counters even more powerful. By leveraging weather boosts, you can maximize your team's effectiveness and secure a faster victory against Latios.
Use Mega Evolutions Wisely
Mega Evolutions can provide significant boosts to your team's damage output. Mega Latios (when available), Mega Gengar, and Mega Houndoom are excellent choices for Latios raids. Mega Pokémon not only deal more damage themselves but also boost the attack power of other Pokémon of the same type in the raid. Mega Evolutions can be game-changers in raid battles. Mega Latios, in particular, would be a top-tier choice for Latios raids due to its Dragon and Psychic typing. Mega Gengar and Mega Houndoom, with their Ghost and Dark typing, respectively, can also provide substantial boosts. Coordinate with your team to ensure that Mega Evolutions are used strategically to maximize their impact. By using Mega Evolutions wisely, you can significantly increase your team's damage output and make quick work of Latios.
Capturing Latios
Once you've defeated Latios, you'll have a chance to capture it. Here are some tips to increase your chances:
Use Golden Razz Berries
Golden Razz Berries significantly increase your chances of catching Latios. Use them on every throw to maximize your catch rate. These berries provide the highest catch bonus, making them essential for capturing legendary Pokémon. Make sure you have a good supply of Golden Razz Berries before attempting the raid. You can earn them by completing raids and special research tasks. By using Golden Razz Berries consistently, you'll greatly improve your odds of adding Latios to your Pokémon collection.
Throw Curveballs
Curveball throws increase your catch rate. Practice your curveball technique to consistently land accurate throws. Curveballs add a spin to the Poké Ball, making it more likely to catch the Pokémon. Practice your technique by spinning the Poké Ball before throwing it. Aim for the center of the target circle and try to land the ball inside it. Consistent curveball throws can significantly boost your catch rate. Mastering this technique is crucial for capturing legendary Pokémon and other rare finds.
Aim for Great or Excellent Throws
Great and Excellent throws provide additional catch bonuses. Aim for the inner circles when throwing your Poké Balls to maximize these bonuses. The smaller the target circle, the higher the catch bonus. Practice your timing and aim to consistently land Great or Excellent throws. These throws not only increase your catch rate but also earn you bonus experience points. Combining curveball throws with Great or Excellent throws and Golden Razz Berries is the optimal strategy for capturing Latios.
Be Patient and Persistent
Catching a legendary Pokémon can be challenging, so don't get discouraged if you don't catch it on your first try. Keep trying, and eventually, you'll succeed. Patience and persistence are key to success in Pokémon GO. Each throw is a new opportunity to catch Latios. Don't give up, even if you miss a few throws. Focus on your technique and keep applying the tips we've discussed. With enough attempts, you'll eventually capture Latios and add it to your team. The thrill of catching a legendary Pokémon makes the effort well worth it.
Conclusion
Latios raids can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By understanding Latios's weaknesses, building a strong team, and using effective raid strategies, you can increase your chances of success. So, gather your friends, prepare your Pokémon, and get ready to battle the Eon Pokémon! With the right preparation and teamwork, you'll be well on your way to capturing Latios and adding it to your collection. Good luck, trainers, and happy raiding!