Special
Balanced
535High
60Moderate
CTier

What separates Lapras from the pack is Water Absorb — it heals when hit by Water moves. Combine that with Water/Ice typing and it relies on priority moves or Scarf to keep up. A longtime staple going back to Gen 1.

The stat line revolves around HP. Percentage recovery gets extra mileage here. Sp. Def backs it up, though Speed doesn't pull its weight. Worth 2 HP EVs on a slow 1.25M XP grind to max out.

Base Stats
535High
HP130
A
Attack85
C
Defense80
C
Sp. Atk85
C
Sp. Def95
B
Speed60
C
Total535
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Lapras yields +2 HP
HP+2AtkDefSpASpDSpe
Details
Catch45ChallengingSlow1.25M XP2.5m / 8'02"220kg / 485 lbs187Base XP
Pokedex Entries

Its high intelligence enables it to comprehend human speech. When it’s in a good mood, it sings in its beautiful voice.

Sun

These Pokémon were once near extinction due to poaching. Following protective regulations, there is now an overabundance of them.

Moon

Lapras Weakness

Vulnerable

Lapras's Water/Ice typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Grass, Fighting, and Rock moves. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Lapras's overall bulk (130/80/95) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.

4xCriticali
None
½xResisti
¼xResisti
0xImmunei
4Weak
2Resist
1Immune
Scorei-5
Stealth Rock25% on switch
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Water AbsorbAbsorbs water moves, healing for 1/4 max HP.
Shell ArmorProtects against critical hits.
HydrationHACures any major status ailment after each turn during rain.
Water Absorb grants Water immunity

No evolution chain to worry about here. Lapras is a standalone Pokemon with no compatible partners for breeding through two egg groups. Eggs come out takes forever to hatch.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Lapras
#131Lapras
Does not evolve
Breeding
Easy

Breed Lapras easily from the Monster and Water1 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Ancient Power, Avalanche, Curse and 11 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
MonsterWater1
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
14moves

Leftovers and Hydration form the backbone. Lapras invests max Sp. Atk without Speed EVs to play its attacker role properly, and Hardy nature pushes higher. Surf handles the heavy lifting on offense. The remaining moves rounds it out.

Best Build

Special Tank
Ability
Hydration
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Hardy
EVs

Best Lapras Moveset

  • Freeze DrySTAB
  • RestRecovery
  • SurfSTAB
  • Icy WindSTAB

You'll want to breed for Ancient Power and Avalanche on Lapras. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Hydro Pump and Blizzard, they expand what Lapras can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
10040Normal
Lv 1
Sing
5515Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 4
Mist
30Ice
Lv 7
Confuse Ray
10010Ghost
Lv 10
Ice Shard+1
4010030Ice
Lv 14
Water Pulse
6010020Water
Lv 18
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Lv 22
Rain Dance
5Water
Lv 27
Perish Song
5Normal
Lv 32
Ice Beam
9010010Ice
Lv 37
Brine
6510010Water
Lv 43
Safeguard
25Normal
Lv 47
Hydro Pump
110805Water
Lv 50
Sheer Cold
305Ice

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
110705Ice
TM78
Bulldoze
6010020Ground
TM100
Confide
20Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM85
Dream Eater
10010015Psychic
TM49
Echoed Voice
4010015Normal
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM79
Frost Breath
609010Ice
TM21
Frustration
10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9010010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
5Water
TM44
Rest
10Psychic
TM27
Return
10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6
20Normal
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM20
Safeguard
25Normal
TM88
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TM67
Smart Strike
7010Steel
TM90
Substitute
10Normal
TM94
Surf
9010015Water
TM87
Swagger
8515Normal
TM25
Thunder
1107010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
9010015Electric
TM06
Toxic
9010Poison
TM98
Waterfall
8010015Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Ancient Power
601005Rock
Egg
Avalanche-4
6010010Ice
Egg
Curse
10Ghost
Egg
Dragon Dance
20Dragon
Egg
Dragon Pulse
8510010Dragon
Egg
Fissure
305Ground
Egg
Foresight
40Normal
Egg
Freeze-Dry
7010020Ice
Egg
Future Sight
12010010Psychic
Egg
Horn Drill
305Normal
Egg
Refresh
20Normal
Egg
Sleep Talk
10Normal
Egg
Tickle
10020Normal
Egg
Whirlpool
358515Water

Tutor Moves

Lapras can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 2
Aurora Beam
6510020Ice
Gen 1
Bide+1
10Normal
Gen 1
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Gen 4
Captivate
10020Normal
Gen 6
Dive
8010010Water
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 2
Dragon Breath
6010020Dragon
Gen 1
Dragon Rage
10010Dragon
Gen 4
Endure+4
10Normal
Gen 4
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
10Normal
Gen 4
Natural Gift
10015Normal
Gen 2
Nightmare
10015Ghost
Gen 1
Psywave
10015Psychic
Gen 1
Rage
2010020Normal
Gen 1
Reflect
20Psychic
Gen 6
Rock Smash
4010015Fighting
Gen 6
Secret Power
7010020Normal
Gen 1
Skull Bash
13010010Normal
Gen 1
Solar Beam
20010010Grass
Gen 6
Strength
8010015Normal
Gen 1
Take Down
908520Normal
Gen 2
Zap Cannon
120505Electric

moderate rates for Lapras across 4 locations in late-game water routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.

Best Locations

You can catch Lapras through 4 surfing and gift encounters from Lv. 40-55, but availability differs between Moon and Sun. Some spots are exclusive to one version.

Poni Wilds
MoonSurfing on waterLv.40-435%Late
HARD
Poni Wilds
SunSurfing on waterLv.40-435%Late
HARD
Poké Pelago - Elite Four defeated
MoonGift from NPCLv.49-557%Post
EASY
Poké Pelago - Elite Four defeated
SunGift from NPCLv.49-557%Post
EASY
  • Lapras looks average on paper at 535 BST. But Water Absorb is why it sees play — build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier on our tier list.

  • Watch for Raikou (Electric), Venusaur (Grass), and Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Lapras. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Rock-type attackers are also a problem. Lapras has enough bulk to absorb a hit, but don't push the matchup. Pivot to a teammate that resists.

  • Lapras doesn't evolve and has no evolutionary line. It's a Water/Ice-type Pokemon with strong stats at 535 BST — no evolution needed.

  • Lapras gets Water Absorb, Shell Armor, and Hydration. But Water Absorb is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.

  • Lapras is a special attacker with base 85 Sp. Atk. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — at base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often.

  • Lapras appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

Available since Red & Blue, Lapras appears in 20 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained a Gigantamax form in Generation 8.