Lapras, the Transport Pokémon from Generation I is a playable character in the Pokémon UNITE MOBA. The dual Water and Ice-Type Pokémon has arrived as a defender in the game and is full of endurance. In this Pokémon Unite Lapras guide, we have entirely discussed how to play with Lapras, the Defender, from start to end. One must make sure to read till the end.
Lapras: In-game Cost
Lapras is available in the Pokémon Unite Committee for 575 Aeos gems. The exchange for coins would only be possible after 1 week from its release, for either 12000 or 14000 Aeos coins.
Pokémon Unite Lapras Guide: Lapras and its movesets
Basic Attack
It becomes a boosted attack with every third attack, launching a blast of water in front of the user. If this blast hits opposing Pokémon, it deals damage to them and restores the user’s HP based on Lapras’ max HP.
Passive- Shell Armor
If the Pokémon takes damage from a single attack that exceeds a set percentage of its max HP. By this, that damage will be reduced.
Ability 1- Whirlpool
- CD-7s
- Type-Area
This water-type move makes the user create a whirlpool centered on itself that lasts for a short time and deals damage over time to opposing Pokémon in the area of effect. Also, the time between the hits becomes shorter the farther opposing Pokémon are from the whirlpool’s centre.
Ability 1 upgrades
| Water Pulse | Perish Song |
|---|---|
| This Water-type move has the user release a pulse of water centred on itself that spreads out, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon it hits and decreasing their movement speed. For each opposing Pokémon hit by a pulse from this move and an additional pulse will be released the next time Lapras uses this move. For up to a total of 2 extra pulses. After the first pulse after activating this move hits an opposing Pokémon, the user’s next basic attack becomes a boosted attack. CD- 4s Type- Area | This Normal-type move has the user sing an eerie melody that echoes around it and deals damage to opposing Pokémon it hits. Also, this move can be used up to three times. Consecutively within a set time, and opposing Pokémon hit all three times, take additional damage. Furthermore, opposing Pokémon that take this additional damage will be knocked out if their HP falls below a set percentage of their max HP. CD- 7.5s Type- Area |
| Upgrade: Up to a total of 3 additional pulses can be released. | Upgrade: The user’s next basic attack after using this move becomes a boosted attack. |
Ability 2- Ice Shard
- CD-10s
- Type- Ranged
This Ice-type move has the user hurl chunks of ice in a forward direction. Hence, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon they hit and leave them frozen for a short time. Furthermore, if this move hits an opposing Pokémon that is already frozen, it deals damage to it and shoves it.
Ability 2 Upgrades
| Bubble Beam | Ice Beam |
|---|---|
| This Water-type move grants the user a shield and has the user spray bubbles in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon it hits. After the bubbles fly a set distance, they slowly float for a short time. Furthermore, opposing Pokémon hit by a floating bubble are enveloped by it and left unable to act for a short time. CD- 7s Type- Ranged | This Ice-type move has the user unleash an icy-cold beam of energy in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon it hits and freezing the ground. Also, opposing Pokémon on the frozen ground take damage over time and have their movement speed decreased, and they become frozen if they remain on the frozen ground for a set amount of time. When the user is on the frozen ground, its movement speed increases. CD- 8s Type-Ranged |
| Upgrade: Strengthens the effect of the shield. | Upgrade: Increases the length of time opposing Pokémon remain frozen. |
Unite Move- Lapras Express
The Unite move has the user ride a wave quickly and continuously forward. Also, the user’s movement speed increases while riding but decreases if the user hits an obstacle. Lastly, if the user hits an opposing Pokémon, the user stops in place. Hence, dealing damage to and throwing the opposing Pokémon.
Best items for Lapras in Pokemon Unite
Further in this guide, we will discuss the best-held items for Lapras in Pokémon Unite, as well as its best battle item.
Best held Items
| Item | Why is it useful |
| Aeos Cookie | Aeos Cookie gives the defender a massive HP boost, which further improves its Boosted Attack healing. Lapras can easily stack the item in the early game, and throughout the game. |
| Focus Band | Focus Band is a staple defensive item for Lapras, improving the Pokemon’s defences and serving as a survivability tool. |
| Choice Specs | Choice Specs greatly improves Larpas’ damage output, particularly its moves, which may deal great damage. |
Based on gameplay and suggestions from many sources, these 3 may be the best item build for Lapras. However, players can also try the following builds.
- Aeos Cookie, Buddy Barrier, Focus Band
- Choice Specs, Slick Spoon, Sp. Atk. Specs
- Aeos Cookie Slick Spoon, Choice Specs,
Best Battle Items
- Potion– Keeps Lapras in the battle, besides its already enormous HP stats.
- X-Speed– To compromise its low mobility.
Pokemon Unite Lapras Gameplay Tips
Our Pokémon Unite Lapras guide includes the perfect game plan for the early and late games during Unite battles.
Early Game
Prioritize securing wild Pokemon to level up quickly and learn both Whirlpool and Ice Shard.
Remember to utilize Whirlpool for AoE damage, then prioritize taking Indeedees for more exp.
Once Lapras reaches level 5, choose either Water Pulse or Perish Song as the damaging move upgrade that you will use for the rest of the fight. Remember that Lapras is an independent Defender Pokemon that can withstand heavy blows from opponents, so it benefits from securing the blue buff. Only secure the blue buff when no one else is farming in the jungle area. Assist allies at the bottom lane and defend your goal zone.
Once the Swablus and Altarias spawn in the middle of the lane, utilize the AoE damage from Whirlpool and the frozen effect of Ice Shard to farm exp. and get to level 5 quickly. The Whirlpool move is perfect for facing early-game team fights, and early-game exp. farming. Don’t go much far from the goal zone alone. Wait for your teammates to respawn, if needed. Ice Shard is another damaging move that lets Lapras deal damage and freeze targets for a short amount of time. After obtaining both Whirlpool and Ice Shard, it’s recommended to use Ice Shard to freeze enemies first, then use Whirlpool to deal damage over time afterwards, and finally take them down with standard attacks.
Late Game
Upon reaching the mid and late game, focus on securing objectives and defending your goal zones. Perish Song deals AoE damage, is spammable, and is good for defending Goal Zones. The move also synergizes well with ally Pokemon that have hard disables or can inflict slow on opponents since it creates opportunities for both Lapras and its allies to chase down and burst enemies.
Water Pulse is also an AoE damaging move that has a much shorter cooldown than Perish Song. Enemies that get caught in the pulse of water are slowed down, allowing Lapras and its teammates to catch up and burst down isolated targets. Utilize this move during team fights or partner it up with Ice Beam for a longer disabling of the opponent.
The Ranged move Ice Beam not only freezes and slows enemies down when hit, but also leaves a frozen trail on the ground that increases Lapras’ movement speed. This move synergizes well with both the alternatives, Water Pulse and Perish Song as a follow-up damaging move that can help allies overwhelm enemies easily. Also, Bubble Beam grants Lapras a shield while also enclosing the enemy it hits inside a bubble for a short time. Utilize both the shield and the hindrance effect of the bubbles to stall enemies and let your allies take down targets that get hit in the later stages, and also the Boss Fights.
Positioning of Lapras
It is either the Top or the Bottom from the start, depending on the situation.
Lapras with other Pokémon
Our Pokémon Unite guide will also look at the combination of Lapras with other Pokémon during Unite battles.
Best Synergies with Lapras
| Pokémon | Synergy Benefits |
| Gardevoir | Gardevoir can deal AoE damage when using its Unite move, and benefit from Lapras’s movement speed when Lapras Express is enabled. It is also equipped with powerful attacks that it can unleash from a safe distance and help Lapras in pushing lanes and dominating goal zones. |
| Comfey | Comfey is one of the Supporters that can make Lapras even sturdier. It synergizes well with Lapras and provides the necessary heals it needs in order to push lanes, defend allied goal zones, and assist in securing objectives. |
| Alolan Ninetales | Alolan Ninetales is equipped with hard disabling skills during team fights. This lets Lapras manoeuvre freely and provide support from the backlines. This Pokémon also provides hard crowd control that shuts down targets, allowing Lapras to double down on inflicting slow on enemies while contributing more damage. |
Pokémon which are strong and weak against Lapras
| Strong against | Weak against |
| Sableye | Snorlax |
| Decidueye | Dodrio |
| Duraludon | Zoroark |
| Comfey | Zacian |
| Dragapult | Wigglytuff |
Pokémon Unite Lapras Guide: Tips, tricks, and Strategies
This guide will also discuss some tips and tricks for playing the defender Lapras in Pokémon Unite.
- Don’t team up with Speedsters whatsoever. They are much faster than Lapras, and there might be a break in team combination while attacking the opponent base.
- Lapras also has no mobility outside of Lapras Express which can be exploited by stuns and bursty combos, hence don’t go solo against enemies with burst damage, like Machamp and Zacian.
- Attackers like Pikachu, Gardevoir, and Decidueye, can deal a significant amount of damage at a distance if left uncontested. Get close to them and keep using Perish Song or disable their attacks with Bubble Beam or Ice Beam.
- Lapras has high enough HP and defense to prolong fights, which will be disadvantageous for some aggressive Pokémon like Garchomp, Zoroark, etc. Slow them down with Perish Song or Water Pulse and reset any advantage they have generated.
- Use the UNITE move to distract and hinder enemies from securing objectives, especially during the Rayquaza team fight
- Lastly, players must avoid using it much in Ranked Matches until they master all of its moves and playing style. They should use offline mode or Standard Battles as their Practice Arena.
Final Thoughts
The UNITE community does get a few defenders after almost a year now. With Goodra not yet familiar with the Aeos Island and Theia sky Ruins, the game gets another Defender. Now the wait for an Attacker begins in the form of Chandelure, as we expect another Eeveelution to come to the game after that, as another defender.
What are your thoughts on our Lapras Guide in Pokémon Unite? Let us know in the comment section below.
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