Lapras in Pokemon GO – Stats, Moves, PvP Tips & More
Lapras is a popular Water/Ice-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 2,641, Lapras is a solid choice for Ultra League battles and various raid encounters.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Lapras in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.
π Table of Contents
π Lapras Base Stats & Overview
Lapras (#131) is a Water/Ice-type Pokemon from Generation 1.
| Base Stats | |
|---|---|
| Attack | 165 |
| Defense | 174 |
| Stamina | 277 |
| Total Stats | 616 |
| Max CP | 2,641 |
| Buddy Distance | 3 km |
With 165 Attack, 174 Defense, and 277 Stamina, Lapras has a total stat product of 616. Its high Stamina gives it excellent staying power in prolonged battles.
βοΈ Best Moveset for Lapras
Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Lapras’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Lapras for raids, gym battles, or PvP.
Best Raid & Gym Moveset
For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Water/Ice-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.
β’ Fast Move: Best Water-type fast move
β’ Charged Move: Best Water-type charged move
Best PvP Moveset
In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.
β’ Fast Move: High energy generation move
β’ Charged Move 1: STAB move for consistent damage
β’ Charged Move 2: Coverage move for countering weaknesses
π― Lapras Type Effectiveness
Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Lapras effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Water/Ice-type Pokemon, Lapras has specific strengths and weaknesses.
β οΈ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)
Lapras is weak to: Electric, Grass, Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel-type moves. When battling against Lapras, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.
- Electric – Deals increased damage
- Grass – Deals increased damage
- Fire – Deals increased damage
- Fighting – Deals increased damage
- Rock – Deals increased damage
- Steel – Deals increased damage
π‘οΈ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)
Lapras resists: Fire, Water, Ice, Steel-type moves. This means Lapras takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.
- Fire – Reduced damage
- Water – Reduced damage
- Ice – Reduced damage
- Steel – Reduced damage
π Lapras PvP Analysis
Lapras can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:
Great League (1500 CP Limit)
With a max CP of 2,641, Lapras would need to be under-leveled for Great League. Check if the stats at 1500 CP are competitive before investing resources.
Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)
Lapras fits well in Ultra League with a max CP of 2,641. It can compete effectively against the meta threats in this league.
Master League (No CP Limit)
Lapras is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (2,641). Focus on other leagues instead.
βοΈ Lapras Raid Guide
Lapras is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:
Using Lapras in Raids
When using Lapras as a raid attacker:
- Best against raid bosses weak to Water-type moves
- Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
- Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS
π― Best Counters for Lapras
Whether you’re battling Lapras in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Lapras:
Top Counter Pokemon
The best counters exploit Lapras’s weaknesses to Electric, Grass, Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel-type moves:
| Pokemon | Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Zekrom | Dragon/Electric | Top Electric DPS in the game |
| Electivire | Electric | Thunder Shock + Wild Charge deals high damage |
| Raikou | Electric | Consistent Electric damage dealer |
| Kartana | Grass/Steel | Highest Grass DPS available |
| Roserade | Grass/Poison | Razor Leaf + Grass Knot hits hard |
| Venusaur | Grass/Poison | Vine Whip + Frenzy Plant (Community Day) |
Counter Strategy Tips
- Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Lapras
- Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
- Watch for Coverage Moves: Lapras may have moves that counter its own counters
- Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks
π How to Get Lapras in Pokemon GO
There are several ways to obtain Lapras in Pokemon GO:
- Wild Encounters: Lapras can spawn in the wild, especially in areas matching its type
- Eggs: May hatch from 3km eggs
- Evolution: Evolve from its pre-evolution using Candy
- Raids: Occasionally appears in raid battles
- Research Tasks: Complete field research for a chance to encounter
- Trading: Trade with friends
Shiny Lapras
Yes, Shiny Lapras is available in Pokemon GO! The shiny variant has a different coloration and is highly sought after by collectors. The shiny rate for wild encounters is approximately 1 in 500, though this can be boosted during special events like Community Days or Spotlight Hours.
Lapras Evolution
Check the PokΓ©dex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.
β Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lapras good in Pokemon GO?
Lapras is a solid Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a max CP of 2,641, it can perform well in various battle scenarios, especially when its typing provides an advantage.
What is Lapras’s best moveset?
The best moveset for Lapras depends on your use case. For raids and gyms, prioritize high DPS Water-type moves for STAB bonus. For PvP, focus on moves with good energy generation and coverage options.
What are Lapras’s weaknesses?
Lapras is weak to Electric, Grass, Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel-type moves. When battling Lapras, use Pokemon with these attack types for maximum effectiveness.
Can Lapras be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Yes, Shiny Lapras is available in Pokemon GO. Keep catching Lapras for a chance at the shiny variant!
What is Lapras’s max CP?
Lapras’s maximum CP is 2,641 at level 50 with perfect 15/15/15 IVs. At level 40, the max CP is approximately 2,403.
π‘ Pro Tips for Using Lapras
Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Lapras’s potential in Pokemon GO:
1. IV Optimization
For raids and gym battles, prioritize Lapras with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.
For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:
- Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
- Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
- Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap
2. Power Up Priority
Before investing Stardust and Candy into Lapras, consider:
- Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
- Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
- Are there better alternatives for the same role?
- Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?
3. Team Composition
Lapras works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Water/Ice type weak to Electric, Grass, consider adding team members that resist these types.
4. Weather Considerations
Take advantage of weather boosts:
- When catching: Weather-boosted Lapras spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
- When battling: Weather that boosts Water moves increases your damage output
- When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather
π Lapras in the Pokemon Franchise
Lapras first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Lapras’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.
In Pokemon GO, Lapras was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Lapras has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.
π How Lapras Compares
Let’s see how Lapras stacks up against other Water-type Pokemon:
| Stat | Lapras | Type Average | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | 165 | ~180 | ββ |
| Defense | 174 | ~160 | ββ |
| Stamina | 277 | ~170 | βββ |
| Max CP | 2,641 | ~2,500 | ββ |
π― Conclusion
Lapras is a versatile Water/Ice-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 2,641 and solid base stats (165/174/277), it performs well in Ultra League PvP and can serve as a reliable raid attacker against appropriate targets.
Remember to:
- Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
- Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
- Build a team that covers Lapras’s weaknesses
- Take advantage of weather boosts when possible
For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.
Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.