Gigantamax Lapras Movesets & Competitive Sets

Lapras is a potent user of OHKO moves in AG, setting itself apart from Kyurem-W with Horn Drill and Water Absorb. Its natural bulk, ability, and immunity to Sheer Cold allow it to check common special attackers such as Kyogre lacking Thunder, Kyurem-W, Eternatus lacking Meteor Beam, Dracovish locked into Fishous Rend, and defensive Lunala. A combination of Sheer Cold and Horn Drill hits almost every viable pokemon in AG, giving Lapras little to no reliable switch-ins. Rest is mandatory to ensure its health and remove the status inflicted by Ho-Oh, Lunala, Eternatus, and other passive Pokemon such as Blissey. Freeze-Dry is used to directly damage foes such as Kyogre, Yveltal, Zygarde, and Eternatus. Sleep Talk can be used so that offensive Pokemon such as Calyrex-S, Zacian-C, and Groudon think twice before setting up on a sleeping Lapras. Alternatively, Toxic wears down Kyogre, Kyurem-W, and other special attackers much more reliably. The EVs spread maximizes special bulk so that Lapras can comfortably switch into the special attackers it checks. Gigantamaxing Lapras is useful to set up Aurora Veil alongside dealing Ice-type damage with G-Max Resonance. Lapras is used on balance teams as a Kyogre and Kyurem-W check as well as a Sheer Cold user and absorber. Necrozma-DM is a near mandatory teammate for Lapras, as it checks the likes of Zacian-C and Xerneas, which otherwise easily break through it. Physical walls such as Zygarde-C, Groudon, and Lunala can comfortably wall offensive variants of Zerkom, Zygarde, and Groudon. They are greatly appreciated due to Lapras's poor Defense. Since Lapras fails to check Thunder Kyogre, teammates such as Eternatus, Blissey, and Ferrothorn can be used as secondary checks to Kyogre. Eternatus additionally checks Ho-Oh, Necrozma-DM, and Yveltal, and it is a solid status absorber. Ho-Oh can check Necrozma-DM and switch into a plethora of attackers to scout for their moves or sets. In return, it greatly appreciates Lapras's ability to check most Kyogre reliably. Offensive teammates such as Swords Dance Groudon, Choice Specs Kyogre, and Dragon Dance Necrozma-DM benefit from having a solid Kyogre and Kyurem-W check in Lapras.

Lapras functions as a solid special tank that has the niche of being able to take on opposing Water-types like Swampert and offensive Tapu Fini, thanks to its natural bulk, ability, typing, and access to Freeze-Dry. Sheer Cold allows Lapras to defeat natural checks like Porygon2 and Chansey while also doing more damage with G-Max Resonance than Freeze Dry. Thunder instead gives Lapras a powerful coverage option against Water-type Pokemon and Celesteela when Dynamaxed. The last moveslot can be used for Ice Shard, which gives Lapras access to STAB priority, or for Electric-type coverage if it hasn't been included in previous moveslots. Items Weakness Policy is a great fit for G-Max Resonance, patching up Lapras's disappointing offensive stats and letting it sweep. Assault Vest makes Lapras more valuable outside of Dynamax, making it a bulky abuser of Sheer Cold. Light Clay increases G-Max Resonance's effects for an extra 3 turns, making Gigantamax Lapras even more difficult to break through.