Lavos
Banned deucer.
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QC Approvals: PK Gaming, jc104, AccidentalGreed
GP Approvals:
Status: Quality Control
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Lapras
[Overview]
<p>Lapras, despite its common status as a Pokemon rarely seen outside the lower tiers, can pose quite a threat in OU as well. With excellent boosting moves in both Dragon Dance and Curse, dual Water/Ice STAB, and superb 130/80/90 defenses, Lapras already appears to be quite the beast. Once you factor in its new Dream World ability, Hydration, which cures its status every turn provided it's under Rain, Lapras becomes an offensive monster with the capability to abuse Rest under Rain to restore its entire HP in the span of one turn. Despite its mediocre base Speed of 60, after a couple of Dragon Dances, Lapras is able to wreak absolute havoc on unprepared teams, while after several Curses, it's able to tank almost any hit and respond with a powerful Rain-boosted Waterfall or priority Ice Shard. Hydration Lapras is a force to be reckoned with.</p>
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Ice Shard
move 3: Dragon Dance
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
nature: Impish
ability: Hydration
evs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is fairly straightforward: set up Dragon Dances, Rest when necessary. Get enough boosts to be able to sweep, and then do just that.</p>
-dragon dance, rest, sweep...simple as that
-waterfall is primary stab and hits stuff hard
-ice shard is priority and secondary stab, good coverage along with waterfall
-rest to restore all hp and abuse hydration to its fullest
-nothing to slash in, this is the only moveset dd lapras should be running
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
-evs max out bulk and such while keeping lapras alive in key situations
-cb scizor bullet punch is a guaranteed 4hko factoring in leftovers
-max atk lo techniloom mach punch will not ko even with a crit
-lapras will survive specs latios thunder 100% of the time
-will also survive 252 atk lo infernape cc and terrakion cc (no life orb)
-leftovers is nice to have so you don't have to rest all the time, life orb is an option but not recommended
-requires rain support, otherwise rest will leave it incapacitated for a couple turns
-likes a spinner because switching into rocks is annoying
-loves tspikes support because jellicent is the #1 "check" outside of weather starters
-needs rain always
-great partners include specs signal beam gothitelle, which removes a ton of its counters
-toxic is a possibility over ice shard for hitting jellicent and politoed, among others
-an ev spread of 120 atk / 152 spdef / 236 spe @ jolly nature is an option if you prefer a much more offensive lapras, but the lack of bulk is very noticeable
[SET]
name: Curse
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Ice Shard
move 3: Curse
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
nature: Careful
ability: Hydration
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Similar to the Dragon Dance set, except this focuses much more on being indestructible. After a couple Curses, there's literally nothing that can OHKO you unboosted. Just like the DD set, grab a couple boosts and start sweeping.</p>
-exactly like the dd set but with curse instead
-waterfall for primary stab
-ice shard for secondary stab, coverage, and priority which is really nice when you're slower than a ferrothorn
-rest to restore all hp and abuse hydration to its fullest
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
-evs max out bulk and special defense because you're boosting defense
-unlike the dd set, this one has hardly any threats
-at +1 it can take a terrakion cc even with life orb (75%)
-at +2 even band terrak cc won't kill it
-basically unbreakable unless you have specs thun-t or some bs (even then it's KOd by a +2-3 ice shard)
-still hates jellicent a ton, loves tspikes
-spinner is nice to avoid 25% from rocks on the switch
-once again, needs rain to function
-still loves specs goth as a partner
[Other Options]
<p>This is basically all Lapras has to offer in the realm of OU. No other truly viable options exist. An offensive Dragon Dance set with Life Orb over Leftovers could be possible, but given that Lapras' defensive capabilities are far superior to its offensive ones, this isn't such a great plan. A Perish Trapper set is a far-fetched idea that sounds somewhat promising, but given the very few things Lapras can actually trap it's not recommended.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>The most important checks/counters to Lapras are opposing weather starters; specifically Abomasnow and Ninetales, as the former can switch in on even a +6 Waterfall and scare it out, while the latter can switch in at up to +4. Tyranitar and Hippowdon don't like eating a Waterfall nearly as much as the other two, but if they predict correctly and come in on a Rest, thus negating Hydration's effect, then Lapras is stuck. Even Politoed can cause Lapras some trouble, forcing the Curse set to be Encored into Curse/Rest and making the DD set switch out with Perish Song.</p>
<p>Outside of weather, few checks and counters to Lapras exist: Skarmory can phaze it out while taking little from a +1 Waterfall, but it's not a permanent solution to the problem. Slowbro does well against the Curse set, but the Dragon Dance set can get to +6 and flinch it to death with Waterfall. Ferrothorn can beat the Dragon Dance set by Leech Seeding it, then spamming Power Whip, but merely annoys the Curse set. Water Absorb Jellicent is the best option, taking a negligible 19.31% - 23.02% from even a +6 Ice Shard. Additionally, Jellicent is able to Taunt, rendering Lapras unable to boost or use Rest to recover, two major factors that need to be disabled in order to remove it.</p>
<p>There aren't a ton of checks to Lapras in the realm of offense. Trick really screws it, as Lapras depends on being able to use all 4 of its moves whenever it needs to, so being locked into anything is a huge problem. Thundurus-T can take a +1 Ice Shard and OHKO with a Life Orb-boosted Thunder, but +2 and +3 Ice Shards scare it off. Choice Band Terrakion can take on the DD set, but falls to a +2 Curse Lapras. Conkeldurr is a 100% counter, as it can shrug off even a +2 Waterfall and deal massive damage back with unboosted Drain Punch, putting it in Mach Punch KO range. It can also boost up alongside the Curse set and beat it bar a Lapras crit. Toxicroak is possibly even better than Conkeldurr for this job, as it doesn't take any damage from Lapras' primary STAB due to Dry Skin, and can OHKO with a +2 Drain Punch against the DD set or Bulk Up alongside the Curse set. Magnezone can usually 2HKO either Lapras with Thunderbolt. Specs Keldeo can 2HKO the DD set but can't beat the Curse set unless it switches in immediately. CM Keldeo is a shaky check to Lapras, as it all depends on who predicts correctly to determine the victor of the CM/Curse war.</p>
<p>Finally, remember; when attempting to defeat Lapras under Rain, status is not an option!</p>
QC Approvals: PK Gaming, jc104, AccidentalGreed
GP Approvals:
Status: Quality Control
------------------------------------------------
Lapras
[Overview]
<p>Lapras, despite its common status as a Pokemon rarely seen outside the lower tiers, can pose quite a threat in OU as well. With excellent boosting moves in both Dragon Dance and Curse, dual Water/Ice STAB, and superb 130/80/90 defenses, Lapras already appears to be quite the beast. Once you factor in its new Dream World ability, Hydration, which cures its status every turn provided it's under Rain, Lapras becomes an offensive monster with the capability to abuse Rest under Rain to restore its entire HP in the span of one turn. Despite its mediocre base Speed of 60, after a couple of Dragon Dances, Lapras is able to wreak absolute havoc on unprepared teams, while after several Curses, it's able to tank almost any hit and respond with a powerful Rain-boosted Waterfall or priority Ice Shard. Hydration Lapras is a force to be reckoned with.</p>
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Ice Shard
move 3: Dragon Dance
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
nature: Impish
ability: Hydration
evs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is fairly straightforward: set up Dragon Dances, Rest when necessary. Get enough boosts to be able to sweep, and then do just that.</p>
-dragon dance, rest, sweep...simple as that
-waterfall is primary stab and hits stuff hard
-ice shard is priority and secondary stab, good coverage along with waterfall
-rest to restore all hp and abuse hydration to its fullest
-nothing to slash in, this is the only moveset dd lapras should be running
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
-evs max out bulk and such while keeping lapras alive in key situations
-cb scizor bullet punch is a guaranteed 4hko factoring in leftovers
-max atk lo techniloom mach punch will not ko even with a crit
-lapras will survive specs latios thunder 100% of the time
-will also survive 252 atk lo infernape cc and terrakion cc (no life orb)
-leftovers is nice to have so you don't have to rest all the time, life orb is an option but not recommended
-requires rain support, otherwise rest will leave it incapacitated for a couple turns
-likes a spinner because switching into rocks is annoying
-loves tspikes support because jellicent is the #1 "check" outside of weather starters
-needs rain always
-great partners include specs signal beam gothitelle, which removes a ton of its counters
-toxic is a possibility over ice shard for hitting jellicent and politoed, among others
-an ev spread of 120 atk / 152 spdef / 236 spe @ jolly nature is an option if you prefer a much more offensive lapras, but the lack of bulk is very noticeable
[SET]
name: Curse
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Ice Shard
move 3: Curse
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
nature: Careful
ability: Hydration
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Similar to the Dragon Dance set, except this focuses much more on being indestructible. After a couple Curses, there's literally nothing that can OHKO you unboosted. Just like the DD set, grab a couple boosts and start sweeping.</p>
-exactly like the dd set but with curse instead
-waterfall for primary stab
-ice shard for secondary stab, coverage, and priority which is really nice when you're slower than a ferrothorn
-rest to restore all hp and abuse hydration to its fullest
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
-evs max out bulk and special defense because you're boosting defense
-unlike the dd set, this one has hardly any threats
-at +1 it can take a terrakion cc even with life orb (75%)
-at +2 even band terrak cc won't kill it
-basically unbreakable unless you have specs thun-t or some bs (even then it's KOd by a +2-3 ice shard)
-still hates jellicent a ton, loves tspikes
-spinner is nice to avoid 25% from rocks on the switch
-once again, needs rain to function
-still loves specs goth as a partner
[Other Options]
<p>This is basically all Lapras has to offer in the realm of OU. No other truly viable options exist. An offensive Dragon Dance set with Life Orb over Leftovers could be possible, but given that Lapras' defensive capabilities are far superior to its offensive ones, this isn't such a great plan. A Perish Trapper set is a far-fetched idea that sounds somewhat promising, but given the very few things Lapras can actually trap it's not recommended.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>The most important checks/counters to Lapras are opposing weather starters; specifically Abomasnow and Ninetales, as the former can switch in on even a +6 Waterfall and scare it out, while the latter can switch in at up to +4. Tyranitar and Hippowdon don't like eating a Waterfall nearly as much as the other two, but if they predict correctly and come in on a Rest, thus negating Hydration's effect, then Lapras is stuck. Even Politoed can cause Lapras some trouble, forcing the Curse set to be Encored into Curse/Rest and making the DD set switch out with Perish Song.</p>
<p>Outside of weather, few checks and counters to Lapras exist: Skarmory can phaze it out while taking little from a +1 Waterfall, but it's not a permanent solution to the problem. Slowbro does well against the Curse set, but the Dragon Dance set can get to +6 and flinch it to death with Waterfall. Ferrothorn can beat the Dragon Dance set by Leech Seeding it, then spamming Power Whip, but merely annoys the Curse set. Water Absorb Jellicent is the best option, taking a negligible 19.31% - 23.02% from even a +6 Ice Shard. Additionally, Jellicent is able to Taunt, rendering Lapras unable to boost or use Rest to recover, two major factors that need to be disabled in order to remove it.</p>
<p>There aren't a ton of checks to Lapras in the realm of offense. Trick really screws it, as Lapras depends on being able to use all 4 of its moves whenever it needs to, so being locked into anything is a huge problem. Thundurus-T can take a +1 Ice Shard and OHKO with a Life Orb-boosted Thunder, but +2 and +3 Ice Shards scare it off. Choice Band Terrakion can take on the DD set, but falls to a +2 Curse Lapras. Conkeldurr is a 100% counter, as it can shrug off even a +2 Waterfall and deal massive damage back with unboosted Drain Punch, putting it in Mach Punch KO range. It can also boost up alongside the Curse set and beat it bar a Lapras crit. Toxicroak is possibly even better than Conkeldurr for this job, as it doesn't take any damage from Lapras' primary STAB due to Dry Skin, and can OHKO with a +2 Drain Punch against the DD set or Bulk Up alongside the Curse set. Magnezone can usually 2HKO either Lapras with Thunderbolt. Specs Keldeo can 2HKO the DD set but can't beat the Curse set unless it switches in immediately. CM Keldeo is a shaky check to Lapras, as it all depends on who predicts correctly to determine the victor of the CM/Curse war.</p>
<p>Finally, remember; when attempting to defeat Lapras under Rain, status is not an option!</p>
