Competitive Information for Lapras [Sword/Shield]
Water / Ice
Abilities:
Note: Pokemon with the Water Absorb ability are immune to Water attacks.
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Lapras? These builds have been optimized for Pokemon competing in Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs have been specifically calibrated to deal the most amount of damage to the largest group of potentially common opponents and typing threats for the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
TornadusUrshifuDracovishKartanaFerrothornMarowak-AlolaNihilegoRegielekiRegidragoIncineroar
Lapras is an interesting Water and Ice-typed Pokemon. It's not-uncommon to see Lapras show up as a Sword/Shield opponent. Lapras is weak to Electric, Fighting, Grass, and Rock-typed attacks.
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
Special Sweeper Lapras (Popular/Trending)
Lapras is pretty popular Special Sweeper for single battles. It is primarily designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. 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 serious 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/is10a83
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
Physical Sweeper Lapras (Water Absorb)
Lapras is a pretty decent Physical Sweeper for single battles. It is primarily designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. 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/is11a83
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
Special Sweeper Lapras (Water Absorb)
Lapras is a fabulous Special Sweeper for single battles. It's meant to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Sparkling Aria) and boosts 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/is12a83
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor
Nature: Docile
EVs: 32 Hp / 225 Atk / 225 SpA / 28 Spe
Moveset:
- Drill Run
- Dragon Pulse
- Outrage
- Psychic
Lapras Mixed Sweeper (Broken Dreams)
Lapras is popular Mixed Sweeper for single battles. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Lapras last longer regaining it's life 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 substantial 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/is13a83
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
Lapras Special Wall (Lapis Lazuli)
Lapras is a wonderful Special Wall for single battles. It's primary goal is to take a decent 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 phenomenal 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 considerable 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/is14a83
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Lapras? These builds have been optimized for Sword/Shield Double Battles. They have movesets and EVs specifically calibrated to generally work best versus multiple Pokemon at once as well as helping to support other team members and allys in the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
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
Doubles Physical Sweeper Lapras (Water Absorb)
Lapras is an outstanding Physical Sweeper for double battles. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. 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 good 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/id10a83
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
Doubles Special Sweeper Lapras (Water Absorb)
Lapras is pretty popular Special Sweeper for double battles. It is primarily designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. 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/id11a83
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Lapras learn? Here is the list of moves this Pokemon can learn in this selected generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by move type, category, accuracy, and power. Bolded moves will gain the same-type attack bonus (STAB) if this Pokemon uses them.
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 EV spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Related Videos
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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