flagship mon
[OVERVIEW]
Lapras sports great neutral coverage between its Water-type STAB move and Freeze-Dry, with the former hitting typical Freeze-Dry switch-ins, such as Piloswine and Fire-types. Lapras also possesses some defensive utility with its impressive natural bulk, a 4x resistance to Ice-type attacks, and Water Absorb. However, Lapras is susceptible to common offensive types, such as Fighting, Grass, Electric, and Rock. Lapras's Ice typing particularly spells trouble for it, as it will lose a quarter of its health every time it switches into Stealth Rock. A mediocre Speed stat also leaves Lapras wishing it could match the pace of other offensive threats, such as Mesprit, Primeape, and Kabutops. Lapras is also overly reliant on Choice Specs for power because of its low Special Attack.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Freeze-Dry
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Signal Beam / Surf
item: Choice Specs
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Hydro Pump is Lapras's strongest Water-type STAB move for Ice-resistant foes, such as Magmortar and Piloswine. Freeze-Dry hits Water-types, such as Lanturn and Prinplup, that resist Ice Beam and Hydro Pump. Ice Beam sports a higher Base Power compared to Freeze-Dry, but it loses out on coverage against Water-types. Hidden Power Fire is the best option for Jynx, which switches into Lapras's STAB moves with ease, and it has the bonus of hitting Ferroseed harder than Ice Beam does. Signal Beam can be used if your team is weak to Malamar, with the added benefit of still hitting Jynx. Surf should be used in situations where Lapras can't afford to risk missing a Hydro Pump.
Set Details
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Running a Modest nature with Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment allows Lapras to hit as hard as possible and to not get left behind by the likes of Aurorus and Cacturne. Choice Specs increases Lapras's Special Attack as much as possible. Water Absorb gives Lapras the option of switching into Scald and other Water-type attacks.
Usage Tips
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Lapras should be brought in safely with offensive momentum or from a slow U-turn or Volt Switch user, such as Pelipper or Lanturn, respectively. Utilizing its great natural bulk, Lapras can usually take a neutral or sometimes even a super effective special attack from full health. Be meticulous in keeping entry hazards off the field, or else Lapras's bulk will pay the price. Before deciding which coverage move to lock Lapras into, identify which foe that resists Lapras's STAB attacks the easiest to wear down. For example, Piloswine resists both of Lapras's Ice-type STAB attacks but lacks recovery, as opposed to Roselia, which resists Water and can heal off any damage with Synthesis or Rest. Lapras can utilize its typing and ability to pivot into Water- and Ice-type attacks from the likes of Quagsire, Mantine, Vanilluxe, and Aurorus without Ancient Power.
Team Options
========
Pokemon with momentum-grabbing moves, such as U-turn Primeape and Volt Switch Lanturn, can bring Lapras in safely. Lanturn also provides a nice immunity to Electric for Lapras. Rapid Spin or Defog support from the likes of Claydol and Pelipper keeps Spikes and Stealth Rock off the field for Lapras. Claydol and Pelipper can also switch into the Fighting-type attacks that give Lapras trouble. Bulky Poison-types, such as Garbodor and Vileplume, cover the Fighting- and Grass-types that hit Lapras super effectively. Garbodor also sets Spikes, which wears down Lapras's switch-ins.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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A set with Block / Dragon Dance / Waterfall / Rest can trap common defensive Pokemon, such as Prinplup and Weezing, and then set up on them thanks to Lapras's impressive bulk. Frost Breath pressures Calm Mind sweepers, such as Mega Audino and Musharna. Icicle Plate or Splash Plate can be used to lessen the need for prediction at the cost of having significantly less power. Running Assault Vest with 252 Special Defense EVs instead of Speed EVs makes Lapras a very good special Water-type switch-in despite its lack of offensive presence. Ice Shard can pick off some weakened offensive threats, such as Lilligant and Swellow.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Any Pokemon that doesn't get hit super effectively by one of Lapras's STAB attacks and has a good Special Defense stat to back it up, such as Mega Audino, Musharna, or Hariyama, can threaten it out by setting up on it or crippling it with a status condition.
**Revenge Killers**: Lapras is slow and has a lot of weaknesses, so revenge killers, such as Sawk, Tauros, and Electivire, all force Lapras out with their respective STAB or coverage moves.
**Residual Damage**: Because of its low Speed, Lapras will usually be forced to take some damage before it can launch an attack; combine this with Lapras's weakness to Stealth Rock and lack of recovery, and you might find its HP in critical condition or completely depleted.
**Steel-types**: Ferroseed can take advantage of Lapras Choice-locked into Hydro Pump or Freeze-Dry by setting up Stealth Rock, Spikes, or Leech Seed; however, it must be wary of Hidden Power Fire and Ice Beam, as they both threaten to 2HKO it. Klinklang can also take advantage of Lapras locked into Ice Beam or Freeze-Dry by setting up with Shift Gear, but it must be wary of switching into Hydro Pump or Hidden Power Fire.
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