Competitive Information for Lapras [Diamond/Pearl]
Water / Ice
Abilities:
This Pokemon cannot be struck by a critical hit.
This Pokemon heals 1/4 of its max HP when hit by Water moves; Water immunity.

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Note: Pokemon with the Water Absorb ability are immune to Water attacks.
Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Lapras? These builds are optimized for Diamond/Pearl Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Diamond/Pearl metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Prepare for battle with Lapras, an extraordinary Pokémon boasting Water and Ice attributes. It's a sight to see Lapras out in the 4th generation battlefield. It has the potential to be a game-changer in the meta. It is weak to Electric, Fighting, Grass, and Rock-typed attacks. Want to master Lapras's movesets? Dive into our detailed strategies below!
Item: Life Orb / Choice Band
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Aqua Tail / Waterfall
- Outrage
- Iron Head / Double-Edge
- Avalanche / Ice Shard
Ready for single battles? Lapras is an outstanding Physical Sweeper. It tries to crush rivals using lethal physical attacks. Choice Band will increase the damage of Lapras's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Lapras's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Water Absorb, Lapras heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity. Iron Head was added to provide additional threat coverage.
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Lapras afterwards).
◆ Iron Head is a physical 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 1/3 recoil).
◆ Avalanche is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Ice-type move (power doubles if Lapras is damaged by the target).
◆ Ice Shard is a physical STAB-boosted priority-increased 40-base power Ice-type move (usually goes first).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/eaa83
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Brine
- Ice Beam / Icy Wind
- Thunderbolt
- Dragon Pulse
Dominating single battles, Lapras is an awesome Special Sweeper. It was designed to overwhelm foes with potent special attacks. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Lapras's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Lapras's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Water Absorb, Lapras heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity.
◆ Brine is a special STAB-boosted 65-base power Water-type move (power doubles if the target's hp is 50% or less).
◆ Ice Beam is a special STAB-boosted 95-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Icy Wind is a special STAB-boosted 55-base power Ice-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
◆ Thunderbolt is a special 95-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Dragon Pulse is a special 90-base power Dragon-type move that deals a hefty amount of damage.
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/eba83
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Lapras? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Diamond/Pearl Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Diamond/Pearl metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Life Orb / Choice Band
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Aqua Tail / Waterfall
- Outrage
- Iron Head / Double-Edge
- Avalanche / Ice Shard
In double battles, Lapras is known as an exceptional Physical Sweeper. This setup is intended to crush rivals using devastating physical moves. Choice Band will increase the damage of Lapras's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Lapras's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Water Absorb, Lapras heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity. Iron Head was added to provide additional threat coverage.
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Lapras afterwards).
◆ Iron Head is a physical 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 1/3 recoil).
◆ Avalanche is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Ice-type move (power doubles if Lapras is damaged by the target).
◆ Ice Shard is a physical STAB-boosted priority-increased 40-base power Ice-type move (usually goes first).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/faa83
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Brine
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Dragon Pulse
For those intense double battles, Lapras is a sensational Special Sweeper. The main aim of this moveset is to overwhelm foes with brute special attacks. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Lapras's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Lapras's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Water Absorb, Lapras heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity.
◆ Brine is a special STAB-boosted 65-base power Water-type move (power doubles if the target's hp is 50% or less).
◆ Icy Wind is a special STAB-boosted 55-base power Ice-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
◆ Ice Beam is a special STAB-boosted 95-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Thunderbolt is a special 95-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Dragon Pulse is a special 90-base power Dragon-type move that deals a considerable amount of damage.
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/fba83
Movepool
Want to know what moves Lapras can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Diamond/Pearl generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Lapras.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Lapras can perform in Diamond/Pearl. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive DP Move and Ability Combos for Lapras
- Moves: Safeguard + Outrage
- Moves: Rain dance + Thunder
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Thunderbolt + Ice beam
- Moves: Perish song + Protect
- Moves: Whirlpool + Perish song
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect, Ice Shard
- Moves that inflict status: Toxic
Moves that boost Lapras's stats
- Ancient Power
- Curse
- Dragon Dance
Most notable and possible best moves for Lapras
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Rest
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Lapras in Diamond and Pearl
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.

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Here are the best movesets for Lapras. Top rated Lapras Diamond/Pearl movesets. You can find Lapras builds Diamond/Pearl. Lapras movesets Diamond/Pearl are listed here. VGC Lapras Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Lapras in Diamond/Pearl along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution