Generation VIII of Pokémon brought a lot of curious new additions to the formula. New moves, new Abilities, new items that help make breeding and preparation for competitive play much less laborious and, of course, new Pokémon. Galar is dwelling house to some very interesting critters, that'southward for sure.

Amongst all the newcomers, though, we can't forget almost the returning ones. Those true-blue stalwart Pokémon that take been by our sides all throughout the series. The gentle giant that is Lapras is one such species, having been ferrying trainers effectually on its back for decades like the noble, agreeable beast it is. It's always been a solid competitive choice to boot. Here's where to get your easily on Lapras in Pokémon Sword & Shield, as well as some super interesting trivia about information technology you may not know.

x Information technology'due south Found On Routes 2 And 9, Besides As The Wild Surface area's N Lake Miloch And Lake Of Outrage

Typically, Lapras is quite an elusive Water-type. You don't tend to observe them bobbing along and interrupting yous every darn one-half a second as y'all try to surf to the next road, similar Tentacool in Gen I. Lapras is far harder to come by.

It'south a lone wanderer on Route 2 in Sword & Shield, on the water after the Dark Badge has been acquired. It's also available through fishing on Route 9 (Circhester Bay), though the chances of this are very low indeed at 1%. Declining these, there's also a single Lapras wandering the Wild Area'south Lake of Outrage, and another in the eastern department of North Lake Miloch.

ix Information technology's Likewise Quite Common In Max Raids

Failing these methods, there are still a lot of chances to get yourself a Lapras in the Wild Area. Fans of Max Raids will be glad to hear that this enigmatic Water/Ice Pokémon crops up quite a lot in these special encounters, non limited to certain areas or dens every bit some Max Raids are.

Dens in South Lake Miloch, West Lake Axewell, East Lake Axewell, Giant's Mirror, Giant's Cap, Bridge Field, Lake of Outrage, Stony Wilderness and Dusty Bowl all call this noble creature habitation, though its Gigantamax class is much harder to discover (originally appearing only in Pokémon Shield's Max Raids in Giant'due south Seat).

viii Its Gigantamax Form (And G-Max Movement In Particular) Is Great

When it comes right down to it, Lapras hasn't really changed much at all since its debut over 2 decades ago. In battle, it's a great tank and damage sponge thanks to its stellar HP stat, while all the same capable of bringing the pain in render with its decent-enough-but-not-incredible offenses.

The Dynamax and Gigantamax phenomena makes it more effective than always, doubling its HP and offering movse of a higher base ability. Gigantamax Lapras is a super common metagame pick, with i of the very all-time Thousand-Max moves in the game. G-Max Resonance is an Water ice-blazon attack (which doesn't set hail, which is a mixed pocketbook) that sets up the effects of Aurora Veil, without needing hail on the field. Instantly halving all damage the squad takes for a time can be incredible.

vii It Has Some Very Overnice Abilities

On the discipline of Abilities, it can be tough to know which management to go with Lapras. As is usually the case in Pokémon, some options may be better or worse depending on the specific team you're building.

Where Lapras is concerned, Shell Armor is a great option for more defensive sets. With this Ability, opponents can't score a critical hitting on it, which is splendid for whatever tank. Alternatively, H2o Blot offers immunity (and healing from) Water-type attacks, which tin assistance a lot with switch-ins, baiting certain attacks and healing. Its Subconscious Ability, Hydration, heals all condition at the terminate of each turn in the pelting. This also has its uses, but Lapras can't make the best of it with Balance while Dynamaxed/Gigantamaxed.

6 Information technology Near Went Extinct Earlier In The Serial…

Pokémon fans, as we know, tend to have a very special place in their hearts for the original Kanto coiffure of critters. As such, you could imagine the reaction if one of the iconic 151 had actually gone extinct (the National Dex brouhaha was more than enough).

In earlier games, the Pokédex emphasized just how far Lapras populations had fallen. "People have driven Lapras almost to the indicate of extinction. In the evenings, this Pokémon is said to sing plaintively every bit it seeks what few others of its kind however remain," Pokémon Cherry-red & Sapphire ruined our day by stating. Its passive, gentle ways were its downfall, as it was exploited and hunted.

5 …But Don't Worry, Their Population Has Grown Super Dramatically

In these troubled times, a petty adept news is e'er very welcome. Heck, we'd have some totally fictional adept news from the world of Pokémon at this signal. Banquet your eyes, ears and wholesome news item appreciation glands on this, then.

Thank you to conservation efforts, Lapras numbers take increased. Increased and increased then increased some more, in fact: "They've been so cherished that in that location's now an overabundance. The fish Pokémon population has declined in waters with likewise many Lapras," Pokémon Ultra Moon'southward Pokédex reports.

four Its Gigantamax Form Is A Living Cruise Ship

If you've always taken a cruise, you'll know that some of the higher-stop ships are the absolute concluding give-and-take in opulence and luxury. Guests can savour amenities they didn't even know existed. Can a ride on the back of a colossal, 78'09" sea creature's shell compete? Well, plainly it tin.

"Over 5,000 people tin ride on its shell at once. And it'due south a very comfortable ride, without the slightest shaking or swaying," Pokémon Sword states. That shell looks more than a piffling sharp to united states, and nosotros dubiousness the dining options are upwards to much up there, but there we are.

3 It's A One-Striking G.O. Machine

Ever since the series began, the kind, docile nature of Lapras has been emphasized. You wouldn't call up it would be one of the nearly devious, potentially infuriating Pokémon of all, but that'due south the sad truth.

Here'due south one of the most infamous Lapras facts of all time that you may have missed: it can learn the most one-hit K.O. moves of any Pokémon. With access to Sheer Cold, Horn Drill and Fissure, it's missing only Guillotine. No Pokémon can compete with that (other than Smeargle as a technicality). Running multiple of these moves is beyond a terrible thought, but it'south possible nonetheless.

2 It Has One Heck Of A Movepool

The whole i-hit K.O. motion state of affairs is just the offset of things, likewise. When information technology comes to movesets, Lapras has a huge range of options. Water and Ice STAB options are very prissy in and of themselves, but let's accept a look at what else this critter has to offering also.

It has catchy moves like Amuse and Concenter. Supportive moves similar Helping Hand and even the deadly Perish Song. Weather Brawl to offering surprise coverage. STAB utility with the likes of Freeze-Dry out. Smashing full general coverage in Thunderbolt. Equally we'll see next, it even has more surprising options.

1 Information technology Tin Run A Lot Of Different (Peradventure Very Surprising) Sets

As we've mentioned, the standard Lapras approach is to sit there, tank hits and heal itself wherever possible, preferably with double HP and under the protection of Chiliad-Max Resonance. Withal, there's a lot of freedom to customize builds and sets.

Defensive builds can work brilliantly, but how about a surprise offensive one? With equal Set on and Special Assail, there are a range of options. Lapras has priority in Ice Shard, other great physical STAB moves (such as Liquidation) and fifty-fifty Dragon Dance to prepare the almost surprising and hilarious sweep you lot've ever seen in your life. Lapras is no one trick pony, so take a wait at its teammates, what information technology tin can practise and how it can best fit.

NEXT: Pokémon: The x Most Powerful Water Moves, Ranked

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