Pokemon of the day: #2 - Lapras(RU)

OK, now it's time to bring up the first requested analysis. We're talking about Lapras, the extreme tank of NU that can also work in RU. Isn't its shell confortable? I mean, look at it.




Yeah, and on the battlefield, it doesn't even look like it's an Ice-type. oh well

Anywho, this thing is absurdly bulky for NU and it also works efficiently in RU. In a tier full of Electric-type mons, though, you would ask yourself: "Why should  I use a bulky water in RU?" The reason for that is Lapras also has decent offensive stats, as well as good moves. Dragon Dance stands out, because it also raises Lapras's pathetic speed while cushioning its attack. It can also run a special set, considering it also has decent special attack. The main problems with Lapras are that it's Stealth Rock weak and it has no means of reliable recovery.

Now, at first glance, let's see his stats.

HP: 130              Excellent
Attack: 85           Mediocre
Defense: 80         Okay
Sp. Attack: 85     Mediocre
Sp. Defense: 95   Good
Speed: 60            Low

After looking at its stats, you may wonder yourself "Why should I use Lapras as a late-game sweeper?" The answer is to be found in the following set:

#1. Best sets

#1.1 Substitute + Dragon Dance (LapDance)

Lapras @ Leftovers
EVs: 20 HP/252 Atk/236 Spe
Nature: Jolly / Adamant
Ability : Water Absorb

- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Return / Ice Shard
- Substitute

 This Lapras works best as a late-game sweeper, once Electric-types, mainly Galvantula, and some grasses are gone. Dragon Dance patches up its low speed and raises its Attack to 404(with a Jolly nature), which rivals the power of a 135 base Attack 'mon with an adamant nature. Due to Lapras's impressive bulk, it will most likely get to set up at least two Dragon Dances, before starting the sweep. With 236 Speed EVs it will always outspeed base 110 Speed Pokemon after one Dragon Dance. Waterfall is obviously Lapras's main attack, and when paired with Return, it forms a combination that is almost unresisted. Substitute is absolutely necessary to scout switches, and it is best used before setting up Dragon Dances. 
  Although there is another Dragon Dance user in the tier which is named Feraligatr, it wishes it had the bulk of Lapras, not to mention Feraligatr is better off using a Swords Dance set(IT'S GATR TIME!!). Also, Ice Shard can be used instead of Return if Lapras needs to take care of priority users.

#2. Viable sets

#2.1 Bulky Special Attacker

Lapras @ Chesto Berry/Leftovers/Choice Specs
EVs: 248 HP/252 SpA/8 SpD
Nature: Modest
Ability: Water Absorb/Hydration

- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Rest

 Lapras can use a purely special set, having access to BoltBeam and receiving STAB on the latter. 248 HP EVs are used instead of 252 because its HP will become divisible by 4 and it will take more damage from Stealth Rock. If you do not have a Heal Bell/Aromatherapy user, then Chesto Berry is the recommended item so that Lapras can recover its HP and wake up at the same time. If you have a Heal Bell user like Uxie, though, feel free to use Leftovers or Choice Specs. Leftovers is usually recommended, though, because Lapras really appreciates the opportunity of switching attacks, not to mention if locked into Rest, Lapras becomes setup fodder. Hydration can also be used instead of Water Absorb if you are using Lapras in a rain team, so that it can recover HP and wake up at the same time.

 #2.2 Curse you!(Curse set)

Lapras @ Leftovers
EVs: 248 HP/8 Atk/252 SpD
Nature: Careful
Ability: Water Absorb / Hydration

- Curse
- Waterfall
- Avalanche / Return / Rain Dance
- Toxic / Rest / Substitute

This Lapras is more defensively minded. After one Curse, it becomes an almost unbreakable wall while still having the power of a 100 base Attack Pokemon. As Curse lowers Lapras' speed, Avalanche becomes very useful here, hitting many Pokemon for a large amount of damage. Return can still be used to form the Water + Normal combination, or you can go on a more weird set formed of Curse / Waterfall / Rain Dance / Rest with the Hydration ability. This set grants Lapras access to instant recovery as well as great bulk, but it will be walled to hell and back by bulky Grass-types, Tangrowth in particular. 

#3. Other options

1 - Perish Trapper - This set can be used if you want to remove certain threats by simply being annoying.
2 - Roar - can be used as Lapras is already very bulky, but it is not really worth it.
3 - Heal Bell - can be used on the Curse set instead of Toxic or Rest, but Lapras should leave this job to Uxie.
4 - Hidden Power Fire - can be used to take care of Ferroseed, but otherwise it is the very definition of worthless, especially on Rain Dance sets.

Counters

Most fighting-types can easily put a halt to Lapras' plans. Choice Scarf Hitmonlee can destroy Dragon Dance Lapras with a swift Hi Jump Kick, while Hariyama laughs at all of his attacks and can punish Lapras with Close Combat. Galvantula can KO all but Curse Lapras with Thunder, but it needs to watch out for Choice Specs Surf. Sceptile can also deliver an easy 2HKO with Leaf Blade or Grass Knot, though it needs to watch out for Avalanche. Ferroseed walls it to hell and back(unless it is carrying the extremely rare Hidden Power Fire) and can set up for free entry hazards. Ferroseed cannot really do much damage back to Lapras, and if Lapras has Sub + Curse, it can proceed to boost up to +6, at which point it can do severe damage to Ferroseed with Avalanche. Lanturn needs to avoid Toxic and boosted Return, but otherwise it can do well in countering Lapras. Finally, if Lapras lacks Rest, Toxic is probably the greatest threat to it.