Competitive Information for Lapras [Sword/Shield]


Water / Ice
Abilities:
This Pokemon has its status cured at the end of each turn if Rain Dance is active.
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 Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sword/Shield metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
TornadusUrshifuDracovishKartanaFerrothornMarowak-AlolaNihilegoRegielekiRegidragoIncineroar
Meet Lapras, the incredible Pokémon of Water and Ice types! Lapras is a common Pokémon to see in the SS metagame. It is weak to Electric, Fighting, Grass, and Rock-typed attacks. Check out the movesets listed below to learn more about Lapras's strategies.
Item: Life Orb / Weakness Policy
Ability: Shell Armor
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Blizzard / Freeze-Dry
- Hydro Pump
- Thunder
- Protect
When it comes to single battles, Lapras shines as a notable Special Sweeper. It's primary goal is to overwhelm foes with destructive special power. Weakness Policy activates if Lapras is hit by a super effective move. The Weakness Policy is consumed and its Attack and Special Attack are increased by two stages each. 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 Shell Armor, Lapras cannot be struck by a critical hit.
◆ Freeze-Dry is a special STAB-boosted 70-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze. Super effective on water).
◆ Hydro Pump is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Water-type move that deals a phenomenal amount of damage.
◆ Thunder is a special 110-base power Electric-type move (30% chance to paralyze. Can't miss in rain).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Lapras this turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/maa83
Item: Expert Belt / Choice Band
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Liquidation / Aqua Tail
- Outrage
- Avalanche / Iron Head
- Drill Run
Lapras proves to be a decent Physical Sweeper for single battles. This moveset was created to take down the opponent's team with brute physical moves. Expert Belt boosts the damage of Lapras's super effective moves by 20%. 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. With Water Absorb, Lapras heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity. Avalanche or Iron Head are added to provide additional threat coverage.
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move that deals a considerable amount of damage.
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Lapras afterwards).
◆ Avalanche is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Ice-type move (power doubles if Lapras is damaged by the target).
◆ Iron Head is a physical 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Drill Run is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mba83
Item: Throat Spray / Life Orb
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Sparkling Aria / Surf
- Ice Beam / Frost Breath
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
In single battles, Lapras is known as a stunning Special Sweeper. This moveset design focuses to overwhelm foes with forceful special attacks. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Sparkling Aria) and raises Lapras's special attack stat by 2 stages. 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.
◆ Surf is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. Double damage on dive).
◆ Ice Beam is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Frost Breath is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Ice-type move (always results in a critical hit).
◆ Psychic is a special 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Thunderbolt is a special 90-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mca83
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor
Nature: Docile
EVs: 32 Hp / 225 Atk / 225 SpA / 28 Spe
Moveset:
- Drill Run
- Dragon Pulse
- Outrage
- Psychic
Lapras is an extraordinary Mixed Sweeper to use for single battles. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Lapras last longer regaining it's health points every turn. With Shell Armor, Lapras cannot be struck by a critical hit.
◆ Dragon Pulse is a special 85-base power Dragon-type move that deals a hefty amount of damage.
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Lapras afterwards).
◆ Psychic is a special 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mda83
Item: Assault Vest
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Calm (+SpD, -Atk)
EVs: 252 Hp / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Moveset:
- Frost Breath
- Water Pulse / Hydro Pump
- Psychic / Dragon Pulse
- Thunderbolt / Ancient Power
For those intense single battles, Lapras is a sensational Special Wall. The intention of this moveset is to take a hefty amount of hits from special attacks while dealing some decent damage. With Water Absorb, Lapras heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity. With a Assault Vest equipped to it, Lapras's sp. Def is 1.5x, but it can only select damaging moves.
◆ Water Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Water-type move (20% chance to confuse the target).
◆ Hydro Pump is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Water-type move that deals a high amount of damage.
◆ Psychic is a special 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Dragon Pulse is a special 85-base power Dragon-type move that deals a substantial amount of damage.
◆ Thunderbolt is a special 90-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Ancient Power is a special 60-base power Rock-type move (10% chance to raise all stats by 1 stage (not acc/eva)).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mea83
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Lapras? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sword/Shield 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 Sword/Shield metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
TornadusUrshifuDracovishKartanaFerrothornMarowak-AlolaNihilegoRegielekiRegidragoIncineroar
Item: Expert Belt / Choice Band
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Liquidation / Aqua Tail
- Outrage
- Avalanche / Iron Head
- Drill Run / Bulldoze
Lapras excels as a noteworthy Physical Sweeper during double battles. This setup is intended to crush rivals using destructive physical moves. Expert Belt boosts the damage of Lapras's super effective moves by 20%. 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. With Water Absorb, Lapras heals 1/4 of its max hp when hit by water moves; water immunity. Avalanche or Iron Head are added to provide additional threat coverage.
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move that deals a substantial amount of damage.
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Lapras afterwards).
◆ Avalanche is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Ice-type move (power doubles if Lapras is damaged by the target).
◆ Iron Head is a physical 80-base power Steel-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Drill Run is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent Pokemon speed by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/naa83
Item: Throat Spray / Life Orb
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Sparkling Aria / Surf
- Hyper Voice / Hyper Beam
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
For double battles, Lapras is an astounding Special Sweeper. The intention of this moveset is to overwhelm foes with lethal special power. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Sparkling Aria or Hyper Voice) and increases Lapras's special attack stat by 2 stages. 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.
◆ Surf is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. Double damage on dive).
◆ Hyper Voice is a special 90-base power Normal-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Hyper Beam is a special 150-base power Normal-type move (Lapras cannot move next turn).
◆ 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 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Thunderbolt is a special 90-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/nba83
Movepool
Want to know what moves Lapras can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sword/Shield 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 Sword/Shield. 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 SS 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
- Moves: Body Press + Curse
- Moves: Body Press + Skull Bash
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Item: Blunder Policy + Move: Zap Cannon
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Helping Hand, Protect, Ice Shard
- Moves that inflict status: Toxic
Moves that boost Lapras's stats
- Ancient Power
- Curse
- Dragon Dance
- Skull Bash
Most notable and possible best moves for Lapras
- Blizzard
- Freeze-Dry
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Perish Song
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
- Thunder
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Lapras in Sword and Shield
- Modest Nature ( 4/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Modest Nature ( 12/0/12/252/4/228 )
- Optimize Lapras's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
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 Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Lapras builds Sword/Shield. Lapras movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Lapras Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Lapras in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution