TJ
Banned deucer.
uploaded -zard
[OVERVIEW]
Lapras has a small niche in the PU metagame thanks to its decent power with Choice Specs, which allows it to serve as a wallbreaker. In addition, Water Absorb coupled with Freeze-Dry and good bulk allows Lapras to pressure a myriad of Water-type Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Lanturn, and Swanna. Lapras also sports a solid offensive typing that allows it to hit a wide array of offensive Pokemon with its powerful STAB attacks. On the downside, Lapras's typing leaves it weak to common Electric-, Grass-, and Fighting-type Pokemon such as Abomasnow, Eelektross, and Hitmonchan. Lapras is also vulnerable to all entry hazards, which make it easily worn down over the course of a match. Furthermore, Lapras's lackluster base 60 Speed stat puts it below a wide variety of threats including Lycanroc, Alolan Raichu, and Primeape, meaning it is easily revenge killed. Finally, even when Lapras is wielding Choice Specs, bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy are able to switch into and tank its STAB attacks with ease. Because of this, Lapras is outclassed by other Water- and Ice-types such as Ludicolo and Aurorus, which have higher Special Attack stats that allow them to 2HKO special walls more easily than Lapras.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Freeze-Dry
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Choice Specs
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Freeze-Dry allows Lapras to threaten opposing Water-types like Gastrodon, Poliwrath, and Lanturn. Hydro Pump is Lapras's strongest available STAB attack that has no significant drawbacks other than its accuracy and PP. Ice Beam is stronger than Freeze-Dry and allows Lapras to hit Pokemon that resist its other STAB attacks. Hidden Power Fire allows Lapras to 2HKO Ferroseed and OHKO Abomasnow.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment with Choice Specs allows Lapras to maximize its wallbreaking potential. 136 Speed EVs allow Lapras to outspeed slow wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Alolan Exeggutor and Drampa, while the rest of the EVs are put into HP to maximize its bulk. Water Absorb is the preferred ability because it makes Lapras immune to all Water-type attacks, and its other abilities aren't very useful.
Usage Tips
========
Lapras is best used as an early- or mid-game wallbreaker to punch holes in the opponent's team, and a good way to start doing so is bringing it in against slower and passive Pokemon such as Weezing. Make sure to remove entry hazards with Pokemon like Hitmonchan before you bring Lapras onto the field, as entry hazards greatly cripple it. Identify your opponent's Hydro Pump switch-ins, and if they don't have any, it's practical to try wearing down the opposing team with repeated Hydro Pumps. If your opponent's team carries checks, Freeze-Dry can be used to chip switch-ins like Lanturn, while Hidden Power Fire can be used to lure and KO bulky Grass-types like Ferroseed and Abomasnow that take Hydro Pump with ease. Due to Lapras's great bulk and defensive typing, it should be used to pivot into predicted Water-type attacks from Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Floatzel so it can put pressure on the opposing team with Freeze-Dry or Hydro Pump. Lastly, be wary that predicting wrong comes with very big risks, as it could cost the team's momentum or end up giving Pokemon like Lilligant setup opportunities when Lapras locks into Hydro Pump.
Team Options
========
Lapras appreciates slow U-turn and Volt Switch support from Pokemon such as Mesprit and Eelektross, as they can bring in Lapras safely and prevent it from getting worn down. Mesprit checks Fighting-type Pokemon such as Hitmonchan and provides Stealth Rock and Healing Wish support, while Eelektross is good at checking Electric-types such as Manectric. Pokemon like Pyroar that appreciate Lapras's ability to weaken walls such as Audino also pair well with it. In return, Pyroar is able to check offensive Grass-types such as Lilligant for Lapras. Pairing Lapras with entry hazard removal is ideal because it keeps Lapras from being worn down. Skuntank in particular is a good partner because it's a reliable Defog user that can chip away at Ferroseed, making wallbreaking easier for Lapras. Entry hazard support from Ferroseed is appreciated for making walls like Type: Null unable to pivot in on Hydro Pump as consistently. Finally, physical wallbreakers like Stoutland are ideal partners because they pressure specially defensive walls such as Clefairy and Miltank.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physical set with Dragon Dance can be used but is weak even when set-up and is outclassed by physical Floatzel. Thunderbolt can be used over Ice Beam for more damage on Articuno, but it is not worth it especially because Articuno is not common and being Choice locked into Thunderbolt gives more setup opportunities than being locked into Hydro Pump. Waterium Z can be used for a surprise against foes like Type: Null and the ability to switch moves, but it's still weak. A Substitute + Toxic set can be used to cripple bulky walls like Audino, but this is very passive.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Primeape and Absol can all outspeed and heavily damage or OHKO Lapras; however, most of them cannot switch into any of Lapras's attacks.
**Electric-type Pokemon**: Electric-type Pokemon such as Lanturn and Manectric really threaten Lapras, as they can do massive damage with STAB attacks. They also gain momentum with Volt Switch, as Lapras is often forced out, but they don't appreciate taking a hit.
**Fighting-type Pokemon**: Fighting-types such as Primeape and Assault Vest Hitmonchan can OHKO Lapras with their respective STAB attacks. Furthermore, Primeape can predict a switch and go for U-turn, while Hitmonchan can spin away entry hazards.
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Grass-types such as Abomasnow and Lilligant offensively check Lapras, as they can pivot in on Hydro Pump and retaliate with their super effective STAB moves, though they have to be careful of Hidden Power Fire and Ice Beam.
**Residual Damage**: Lapras is not only weak to Stealth Rock but also vulnerable to all entry hazards, which make it easier to wear down and limit its opportunities to switch onto the field. Lapras also does not appreciate any form of status because it lacks recovery.
[OVERVIEW]
Lapras has a small niche in the PU metagame thanks to its decent power with Choice Specs, which allows it to serve as a wallbreaker. In addition, Water Absorb coupled with Freeze-Dry and good bulk allows Lapras to pressure a myriad of Water-type Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Lanturn, and Swanna. Lapras also sports a solid offensive typing that allows it to hit a wide array of offensive Pokemon with its powerful STAB attacks. On the downside, Lapras's typing leaves it weak to common Electric-, Grass-, and Fighting-type Pokemon such as Abomasnow, Eelektross, and Hitmonchan. Lapras is also vulnerable to all entry hazards, which make it easily worn down over the course of a match. Furthermore, Lapras's lackluster base 60 Speed stat puts it below a wide variety of threats including Lycanroc, Alolan Raichu, and Primeape, meaning it is easily revenge killed. Finally, even when Lapras is wielding Choice Specs, bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy are able to switch into and tank its STAB attacks with ease. Because of this, Lapras is outclassed by other Water- and Ice-types such as Ludicolo and Aurorus, which have higher Special Attack stats that allow them to 2HKO special walls more easily than Lapras.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Freeze-Dry
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Choice Specs
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Freeze-Dry allows Lapras to threaten opposing Water-types like Gastrodon, Poliwrath, and Lanturn. Hydro Pump is Lapras's strongest available STAB attack that has no significant drawbacks other than its accuracy and PP. Ice Beam is stronger than Freeze-Dry and allows Lapras to hit Pokemon that resist its other STAB attacks. Hidden Power Fire allows Lapras to 2HKO Ferroseed and OHKO Abomasnow.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment with Choice Specs allows Lapras to maximize its wallbreaking potential. 136 Speed EVs allow Lapras to outspeed slow wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Alolan Exeggutor and Drampa, while the rest of the EVs are put into HP to maximize its bulk. Water Absorb is the preferred ability because it makes Lapras immune to all Water-type attacks, and its other abilities aren't very useful.
Usage Tips
========
Lapras is best used as an early- or mid-game wallbreaker to punch holes in the opponent's team, and a good way to start doing so is bringing it in against slower and passive Pokemon such as Weezing. Make sure to remove entry hazards with Pokemon like Hitmonchan before you bring Lapras onto the field, as entry hazards greatly cripple it. Identify your opponent's Hydro Pump switch-ins, and if they don't have any, it's practical to try wearing down the opposing team with repeated Hydro Pumps. If your opponent's team carries checks, Freeze-Dry can be used to chip switch-ins like Lanturn, while Hidden Power Fire can be used to lure and KO bulky Grass-types like Ferroseed and Abomasnow that take Hydro Pump with ease. Due to Lapras's great bulk and defensive typing, it should be used to pivot into predicted Water-type attacks from Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Floatzel so it can put pressure on the opposing team with Freeze-Dry or Hydro Pump. Lastly, be wary that predicting wrong comes with very big risks, as it could cost the team's momentum or end up giving Pokemon like Lilligant setup opportunities when Lapras locks into Hydro Pump.
Team Options
========
Lapras appreciates slow U-turn and Volt Switch support from Pokemon such as Mesprit and Eelektross, as they can bring in Lapras safely and prevent it from getting worn down. Mesprit checks Fighting-type Pokemon such as Hitmonchan and provides Stealth Rock and Healing Wish support, while Eelektross is good at checking Electric-types such as Manectric. Pokemon like Pyroar that appreciate Lapras's ability to weaken walls such as Audino also pair well with it. In return, Pyroar is able to check offensive Grass-types such as Lilligant for Lapras. Pairing Lapras with entry hazard removal is ideal because it keeps Lapras from being worn down. Skuntank in particular is a good partner because it's a reliable Defog user that can chip away at Ferroseed, making wallbreaking easier for Lapras. Entry hazard support from Ferroseed is appreciated for making walls like Type: Null unable to pivot in on Hydro Pump as consistently. Finally, physical wallbreakers like Stoutland are ideal partners because they pressure specially defensive walls such as Clefairy and Miltank.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physical set with Dragon Dance can be used but is weak even when set-up and is outclassed by physical Floatzel. Thunderbolt can be used over Ice Beam for more damage on Articuno, but it is not worth it especially because Articuno is not common and being Choice locked into Thunderbolt gives more setup opportunities than being locked into Hydro Pump. Waterium Z can be used for a surprise against foes like Type: Null and the ability to switch moves, but it's still weak. A Substitute + Toxic set can be used to cripple bulky walls like Audino, but this is very passive.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Primeape and Absol can all outspeed and heavily damage or OHKO Lapras; however, most of them cannot switch into any of Lapras's attacks.
**Electric-type Pokemon**: Electric-type Pokemon such as Lanturn and Manectric really threaten Lapras, as they can do massive damage with STAB attacks. They also gain momentum with Volt Switch, as Lapras is often forced out, but they don't appreciate taking a hit.
**Fighting-type Pokemon**: Fighting-types such as Primeape and Assault Vest Hitmonchan can OHKO Lapras with their respective STAB attacks. Furthermore, Primeape can predict a switch and go for U-turn, while Hitmonchan can spin away entry hazards.
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Grass-types such as Abomasnow and Lilligant offensively check Lapras, as they can pivot in on Hydro Pump and retaliate with their super effective STAB moves, though they have to be careful of Hidden Power Fire and Ice Beam.
**Residual Damage**: Lapras is not only weak to Stealth Rock but also vulnerable to all entry hazards, which make it easier to wear down and limit its opportunities to switch onto the field. Lapras also does not appreciate any form of status because it lacks recovery.
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